Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 1015: Chapter 59: Where in the World Is the Path to Immortality? (21)

December 30th of the Lunar Year.

Suitable for: Weddings, travel, grave repairs, moving into a house, seeking help… priestess.

Avoid: Prayer, breaking ground.

…

…

By noon, the Song Family had returned from the ancestral grave after completing their rites.

Zhang Qingrui naturally did not participate in these Song Family activities — since she returned yesterday, she mentioned feeling unwell and hadn’t left her room all day.

Song Tianyou speculated that it might be because Song Haoran took some people on a picnic yesterday, causing Zhang Qingrui to catch a cold. For this reason, he dragged Song Haoran out on the way to the ancestral grave for a good scolding.

Luo Qiu had never seen Song Tianyou actually punish Song Haoran for real, nor did he know how Song Tianyou had scolded the Young Master Song before. But on this journey, he witnessed it.

Isn’t that the imposing iron fist of a father?

Uncle Wu said that Old Zhong would never discipline the young master in front of outsiders, fearing that it would make people think the young master is incompetent, especially in front of the villagers. However, privately, Old Zhong still favored this kind of teaching method.

Uncle Wu is someone who speaks well; at least, Luo Qiu understood the meaning in his words.

Because it was the afternoon of the last day of the lunar year, upon returning, Old Dad rolled up his sleeves, saying he wanted to personally cook and prepare a table full of dishes.

Many times, Luo Qiu actually felt that Song Tianyou was no different from ordinary retirees who were so bored they could only play chess in the park to kill time.

But he is also the founder of this ’empire’ of the Song Family.

Perhaps for Song Tianyou, such leisurely days are truly precious?

“I’ll help out as well,” Luo Qiu happily suggested, which made Song Tianyou very pleased.

As for Song Haoran, he went back to his room immediately upon returning, appearing somewhat mysterious.

Of course, he always seemed somewhat mysterious, and the Song Family members were accustomed to it… or perhaps it’s more abnormal when the young master behaves normally.

However, Miss Song Ying, who was supposed to be the most normal in the Song Family, seemed somewhat silent today, and her behavior was somewhat strange — for instance, the bodyguards accompanying them noticed Miss Song Ying was inexplicably lurking near Ms. Zhang’s door.

Of course, no matter how strange the master’s family’s affairs are, they aren’t issues, so the clever bodyguards did not inquire or discuss. Instead, they quietly threw small stones that knocked on the window sill of Zhang’s Miss’s room and then turned away, hiding their merits and fame.

The Song Family’s ancestral house is quite an old-style building, with windows that open from the bottom up and are supported by wooden bars.

When Zhang Qingrui inside the room opened the window and saw Song Ying at the door, it was the same moment Miss Song Ying saw her.

Zhang Qingrui was stunned for a moment, then felt her face growing slightly warm, while Song Ying hesitated a bit before nodding and casually saying, “Hi.”

Song Ying was holding something in her hands at the moment.

“Is there something you need, Miss Song Ying?” Zhang Qingrui, being a well-mannered person, forced herself to suppress the awkward emotions in her heart and asked first.

Song Ying quickly said, “I heard from Uncle Wu that you didn’t leave your room all morning and mentioned feeling unwell, is that right?”

Song Ying stepped up to the window, with the two separated by a pane of glass.

“Just a little dizziness,” Zhang Qingrui said softly.

Song Ying said, “Here are some meds, take them first. Rest assured, these meds were developed by our family’s pharmacy. They are guaranteed safe… I’ve taken them several times myself.”

“Meds?” Zhang Qingrui was taken aback.

Song Ying said, “It’s some antibiotics. According to the person who developed them, they can boost the body’s immunity and kill many useless bacteria inside… Didn’t we eat something strange yesterday? I thought although it feels fine, it’s better to be cautious. Additionally, I think for safety’s sake, we should get a thorough check-up first? After all… we don’t know if there might be any aftereffects.”

“You… you didn’t tell anyone else?” Zhang Qingrui remained silent for a moment before suddenly asking.

Song Ying shook her head.

Zhang Qingrui agreed, “Then… when shall we go for the check-up?”

“There seems to be a women’s hospital nearby; I checked it online just now.” Song Ying pulled out her phone and showed the webpage information to Zhang Qingrui.

Just at a glance at the webpage’s introduction, Zhang Qingrui couldn’t help but frown.

“Is there a problem?” Song Ying asked in surprise.

Zhang Qingrui shook her head, “This… I mean, considering it’s a Putian-type hospital, it’s fine for a check-up. But why a women’s hospital?”

“Feeling that there’d be more female doctors,” Song Ying casually said, “I don’t really like male doctors.”

Zhang Qingrui looked at Song Ying strangely, feeling slightly nervous… Song Ying noticing the expression, was first stunned, then quickly said, “It’s not what you think! I’m perfectly normal!”

“I didn’t say it’s abnormal,” Zhang Qingrui whispered, “You mentioned it’s quite common abroad…”

“That… I was just casually mentioning it at the time…” Song Ying blushed, muttering quietly, “After all, it was such a awkward moment, shouldn’t I have said something…”

Puff.

Zhang Qingrui covered her mouth and began to laugh lightly. Song Ying, watching her, also began to laugh… The atmosphere had significantly improved, lacking the initial awkwardness.

Perhaps women truly are magical creatures.

Both of them suddenly shared this sentiment.

“Are there happy things?”

Among their laughter, such a question came over, surprisingly without feeling abrupt to them… It was a very comfortable insertion… hmm, a verbal insertion.

Song Ying and Zhang Qingrui simultaneously turned to see Luo Qiu. At this moment, Luo Qiu was holding a basket full of plants… seemingly some kind of wild herbs.

Both live in luxury, and though Song Ying had some survival training, she couldn’t recognize what was inside the basket.

Of course, that wasn’t the most crucial thing—the key point was Luo Qiu’s appearance here.

“What are you doing here?” the two said in unison.

“Helping Old Dad pick some wild herbs for dinner, to make some cold dishes,” Luo Qiu blinked and then smiled, “You two seem to get along well.”

“Friendship!” Song Ying unexpectedly said.

Zhang Qingrui gently nodded at this moment.

“`

Luo Qiu said with surprise, “I know about friendship, isn’t it unnecessary to emphasize?”

“Friendship!” Miss Song Ying emphasized again unexpectedly.

Although it was quite peculiar, at this moment in the corridor between the courtyard and the room, there was a sense of comfort between Zhang Qingrui at the window and Miss Song Ying standing here… If there were tangible spirits in this world, they might be dancing between the two at this moment?

It was somewhat dazzling.

“I’ll take these to the kitchen first.” Luo Qiu felt a bit reluctant, but chose to leave.

Watching him disappear around the corner of the corridor, Miss Song Ying finally let out a breath.

She glanced at Zhang Qingrui, realizing she was also looking at her, then smiled and said, “Are we still going to the hospital? If so, I’ll go find a car now?”

“Let’s consider it a ride.” Zhang Qingrui smiled as well.

There’s still an afternoon before dinner, which should be enough for a round trip.

…

…

Unlike the vampires known in folklore, at least Jessica wasn’t afraid of sunlight, though she felt it was a bit dazzling… But the sunlight being dazzling is something you can feel as a human too.

Drought and vampires, perhaps fundamentally different… Maybe they should be called zombies instead.

Jessica heard some legends about zombies from her current master, Su Zijun: everlasting and undying, only emotions are the source of strength for zombies.

Hatred can quickly grow Jessica’s power, but it also increases her risk of demise. Whether or not to continue hating, Su Zijun simply said: Whatever.

Seems like a rather irresponsible sort of elder role… After all, Jessica turned into a zombie after being bitten by Su Zijun.

She and Su Zijun are currently at Jinan’s airport, after days of non-stop travel, Su Zijun finally returned to this country on the last day before the New Year.

Jessica once strolled the Chinatown abroad for the New Year with Ye Yan, so she’s not unfamiliar with the festive decorations of this country.

However, she doesn’t really like the color red, though in this country, it’s a symbol of celebration and fortune… But in reality, red only reminds her of blood.

Jessica was tall, like a model, and wearing tight-fitting black leather, she was very sexy. Additionally, her expression was cold, giving off a cool touch, attracting a lot of attention.

As for Su Zijun, she kept a low profile, wearing a baseball cap, mask, and glasses, wrapped in a loose down jacket, even her hair was hidden… Nearly impossible to determine her gender standing right in front of her.

Jessica didn’t quite understand, given that she was once an international criminal investigator, she always felt that Su Zijun dressed like this to avoid recognition… Could it be that someone as powerful as Su Zijun had enemies she feared?

“Don’t overthink! I just don’t want to provoke some very troublesome people,” Su Zijun snorted coldly at that moment. “Would you be willing if there were always people around you, even when using the bathroom?”

That feeling is somewhat like guarding a prisoner.

Jessica, being a criminal investigator, having carried out many missions with Ye Yan, knew very well the need for surveillance around the clock during prisoner transactions—of course, she didn’t want to be treated that way either.

However, despite not talking much about herself, Su Zijun’s statement vaguely hinted at something to Jessica.

“But by the way, do zombies… need to use the bathroom?” Jessica asked confusedly. “I haven’t felt the need recently?”

At that moment, Su Zijun suddenly lowered her hat, saying in a low voice, “Follow me! Also, use the breathing method I taught you to let your heart beat! Without breathing, without a heartbeat, it’s easy to be spotted.”

Jessica was taken aback, instinctively frowned, then looked around… She couldn’t see anything, but she vaguely felt there were eyes moving around nearby.

This wasn’t some special superpower, just an instinct developed from years of criminal investigations and research.

Su Zijun and Jessica quickly blended into the crowd and left the airport. They then got into a taxi hailed using a ride-hailing app.

Once inside, Su Zijun suddenly tapped the driver’s shoulder, causing the driver to lose his spiritual energy, becoming like a puppet with empty eyes, driving off.

Su Zijun took off her hat and mask at that moment.

Seeing this, Jessica knew they had probably escaped the dark surveillance, so she asked in a low voice, “What kind of people are they?”

“People? I’m afraid that’s not all!” Su Zijun answered, fiddling with her hair with her fingers, “There were at least three different groups at the airport: Taoism-cultivated field enthusiasts, demon world enthusiasts, and people from a national department.”

Dao, demon… were the basic knowledge Su Zijun had briefly explained to Jessica on the road.

“They… all came for you?” Jessica asked in surprise.

Su Zijun shook her head, “Probably not, might just be town defenders like the airport guards… But, this kind of defense seems tight. Something might be happening in Mount Tai that affects the airport’s defense perimeter.”

Jessica nodded, then said, “Since they aren’t looking for you, it’s a good thing.”

Su Zijun unexpectedly said, “If these people were after me, it would be a good thing. If it’s something else, that would be worse.”

“Do you… have many enemies?” Jessica asked seriously.

Su Zijun didn’t directly respond this time, only said simply, “Are there many people on the same side with you?”

People on the same side.

I’m no longer human.

Jessica looked out the window, at the blue sky and white clouds, but the winds were cold.

Wonder if Ye Yan is also looking at the same sky?

She wondered.

…

…

A black business car stopped in front of a secluded tea house, despite it being the eve of New Year’s Eve, this tea house remained open.

After alighting from the car, Gongsun Shiyu instructed Gongsun Zhishui to wait outside.

Gongsun Shiyu moved forward, soon walking through the tea house’s main hall and into the inside. He finally came to a pavilion built in the middle of a water pond.

At that moment, someone inside the pavilion was playing an ancient zither with slender fingers.

The sound was quite desolate, turning the surrounding bleakness into dreary.

The person playing the ancient zither was Lai Caisheng.