Tl: Hua

Chapter 21: Expert

Wei Mingsi squatted at the entrance, concentrating on bickering with his younger sister, Wei Yiyuan. Mid-argument, something stirred in his heart. He turned his head and, sure enough, saw Ji Ge standing quietly to the side.

Meeting Wei Mingsi’s gaze, Ji Ge unconsciously let out a soft smile.

You Xingyue tilted his head, looking at Ji Ge. “Forgive me for asking, but what is your true form?”

Ji Ge answered softly, “A peony. A white peony.”

Ji Ge was a white peony that grew in the courtyard of a royal residence. Back when he bloomed in full glory, his beauty had once captivated an entire city.

You Xingyue: “May I go take a look at your true form?”

Bu Liuke was vast in knowledge and experience; perhaps there was another way.

Ji Ge pondered for a moment before nodding. “There isn’t much to see. I haven’t bloomed in a very long time. But if you wish to see it, I can take you there. There are other very beautiful plants in that place.”

You Xingyue had other thoughts in mind. Spacing out for a second, he smiled gently. “Consider it a casual stroll.”

Ji Ge didn’t notice You Xingyue’s momentary distraction; he saw Wei Mingsi waving at him.

Ji Ge walked over slowly. Wei Mingsi immediately sprang up and covered the distance in three steps, reaching out to support Ji Ge. He grumbled affectionately, “Why did you take off your mask? There are germs outside, and your immunity is low right now. You need to be careful.”

You Xingyue watched Ji Ge’s figure.

The dying peony’s roots were rotting and its branches and leaves were wilting. Even his human form appeared frail and pale, wrapped tightly inside the oversized jacket as if he might shed this mortal coil and depart from the worldly realm at any moment.

Tied around Ji Ge’s right wrist was a white thread. The other end of the thread was nearly severed, drifting loosely in midair.

You Xingyue’s brows furrowed.

Living beings were intertwined with the mortal world, whereas the threads of the deceased connected to the underworld. Under normal circumstances, the line between life and death existed within a mysterious realm, tightly binding the entire world and remaining invisible to ordinary eyes.

Only when the thread of life and death was newly formed or on the verge of snapping could You Xingyue catch a glimpse of it.

Ji Ge was indeed near death—within a week’s time.

Ji Ge’s connection to the mortal world was fading to the point of disappearing, whereas the red thread connecting him to Wei Mingsi was strikingly vibrant.

Ji Ge lowered his eyes, his expression as gentle as ever. “There aren’t many people in the shop.”

Wei Mingsi looked around. “This shop actually seems legit. Did you find what you were looking for?”

Ji Ge’s hands were empty; he had taken nothing.

Wei Mingsi recalled how unusually excited Ji Ge had been when he first saw a video of the antique shop’s boss online, insisting on visiting Not Keeping Guests in person.

Worried about Ji Ge’s physical condition, Wei Mingsi had sent his sister, Wei Yiyuan, to check it out first. If it were just an ordinary trendy shop, they wouldn’t bother.

Considering his health, Ji Ge had agreed to the suggestion.

Wei Mingsi had originally assumed it was just a tourist trap, but after his sister took a few photos and sent them back, Ji Ge looked at them and confirmed that this was indeed the antique shop he had been searching for all along.

Ji Ge shook his head. “No. It’s fine; it was just an item. Let’s head back and not disrupt the boss’s business.”

“It’s no disruption at all,” You Xingyue said, walking up to the two with a gentle smile. “Please, sit for a while longer.”

Seeing the fine beads of sweat on Ji Ge’s forehead, Wei Mingsi felt a pang of concern. “Let’s rest a bit before leaving. You’ve walked quite a long distance.”

Wei Yiyuan changed the subject: “Ji Ge, see if there’s anything you like. Let Wei Mingsi buy it for you. He has money anyway.”

Ji Ge stole a quick glance at You Xingyue and said awkwardly, “The items in this shop all have long histories. We might not be able to afford them.”

Wei Yiyuan and Wei Mingsi didn’t understand, but Ji Ge knew full well that every single item in Not Keeping Guests was a genuine, high-value treasure.

Wei Mingsi felt a little indignant. “…Surely we can afford at least one thing.”

You Xingyue intertwined his fingers. When he smiled, he looked warm and harmless, possessing a captivating charm. “Feel free to look around. The antiques in our shop are very spiritual. As for the price… If fate aligns, I can offer a discount.”

Bu Liuke, who had quietly slipped out, looked up, feeling that Xingyue was up to something mischievous again.

Wei Mingsi: “…”

It’s such a nice antique shop, but he’s making it all seem so mysterious.

Wei Mingsi took Ji Ge’s hand. “Let’s have a look. Maybe there’s something you’ll like.”

The group wandered around the antique shop. Since Wei Mingsi was growing his hair long, he was particularly interested in items like hairpins, lingering for a long time in front of the display shelf where Zitan was kept.

During this time, You Xingyue had been frowning and staring at Ji Ge.

Bu Liuke tugged on You Xingyue’s sleeve. “Xingyue, do you have a way?”

You Xingyue snapped back to reality. “Maybe, but I’m not sure.”

As the two were speaking, a high-pitched, loud, and miserable wail rang out—

“Dame (stop it)—”

“Yamete (don’t do that)—¹”

It sounded so wretched and pitiful that anyone hearing it would feel heartbroken.

Bu Liuke asked in confusion, “What do ‘dame’ and ‘yamete’ mean?”

You Xingyue: “…A type of tragic wail with no clear meaning.”

Bu Liuke nodded obediently.

You Xingyue took a deep breath and walked over to Ji Ge’s side. He found Wei Mingsi touching the Zitan hairpin with one hand, holding it up and curiously inspecting it.

The antiques in Not Keeping Guests that were forbidden to touch were all specially marked. Items like the Zitan hairpin, which possessed spiritual intelligence and would not be easily damaged, were freely available for anyone to pick up.

Ever since Wei Mingsi grew his hair long, he couldn’t help but pay extra attention to hair accessories. “What kind of hairpin is this? It’s actually quite nice.”

Zitan’s appearance was not particularly striking among hairpins. It was a single, straight stick hairpin shaped like a feather, made entirely of lobular sandalwood without any inlaid jewels.

Because of its simple design and lack of intricate carving, it was extremely… inconspicuous among the gold and jade hairpins competing for brilliance on the antique display rack.

However, Zitan had its own advantages. Its color was deep and low-key, its design steady, making it easier for men to accept. Furthermore, after being played with by You Xingyue for a while, it had been polished to a glossy, smooth finish.

Zitan wailed in Wei Mingsi’s hand: “Let go of me! Indecent assault—”

Wei Yiyuan and Wei Mingsi couldn’t hear its voice. Wei Mingsi even gestured with the hairpin a few times. “I think it looks pretty good on me. Next time, I’ll change into a Hanfu. When you get better, draw me a picture, Ji Ge.”

Ji Ge said with difficulty, “Mingsi, it’s better not to touch the things in the shop recklessly.”

Wei Mingsi was bewildered, but he listened to his boyfriend very well and obediently put Zitan down.

Zitan sobbed: “I’m dirty now.”

“This is a hair hairpin made of lobular sandalwood,” You Xingyue said gently. “High in oil and density, and you can see golden flecks along the body. It’s a top-tier piece of lobular Zitan.”

Zitan whined, “Boss, stop talking. I like beauties! If it’s not a peerless, drop-dead gorgeous beauty, a pretty young lady is good too.”

Speaking of which, it would be even better if Ji Ge had a younger sister.

A different thought crossed You Xingyue’s mind. He needed Zitan to do him a favor.

You Xingyue retrieved the hairpin, his knuckles soothingly rubbing against it as he said, “Our Zitan hairpin can nourish hair strands, making hair supple, dark, and shiny. Would you like to give it a try?”

Zitan grunted twice and shut its mouth.

It wasn’t actually stupid. After spending time together, it knew the boss’s character very well. He wouldn’t do anything to put the vessel spirits in a tough spot. Since the boss was pitching it to Wei Mingsi now, there might be a deeper meaning behind it.

Wei Mingsi was amused. Selling shampoo and conditioner and boasting about hair care was one thing, but could a hairpin nourish hair too?

“Is it even more effective than a hair mask? Boss, are you selling antiques or immortality spells?”

You Xingyue smiled. Seeing that Wei Mingsi was very obedient to Ji Ge, he turned to look at Ji Ge and shook the Zitan hairpin in his hand. “Would you like to borrow it temporarily?”

Ji Ge didn’t quite understand, but under You Xingyue’s gaze, he thought about it and smiled. “Sure.”

You Xingyue found it amusing. Taking advantage of the moment he turned around to package the hairpin, he softly instructed it, “Zitan, be good and do me a favor.”

Zitan said awkwardly, “Since you’ve begged me like this, I have to agree.”

Besides, it was only a temporary loan, which Zitan could accept.

Wei Mingsi was completely confused as he took the hairpin. The boss had let him borrow it without even asking for a deposit.

Ji Ge checked the time. He couldn’t hold on much longer and needed to return to his true physical body to rest and recuperate. “Boss, didn’t you say you were also going to the hospital in a bit to visit a friend? Coincidentally, we’re heading the same way. Let’s go together.”

Ji Ge needed to route through the hospital to return to his true body.

You Xingyue nodded with a smile.

You Xingyue closed up shop and took a taxi to the hospital with Bu Liuke.

The hospital Ji Ge was staying in was a well-known top-tier hospital in Yingjiang City, renowned for its oncology and neurology departments.

Of course, You Xingyue didn’t have any friends in the hospital. However, since he had lied, he planned to part ways with Ji Ge and his companion after entering the hospital and wander around a couple of times before going upstairs.

Ji Ge sent his ward number to You Xingyue. After walking around the building, You Xingyue went up to the inpatient department.

After parting ways with You Xingyue, Ji Ge almost collapsed onto the ground, but Wei Mingsi caught him in a firm embrace.

Wei Mingsi’s eyes were slightly red. Ji Ge was already in so much pain, and he couldn’t bear to see Ji Ge spend so much energy comforting him, so he forced a smile and said, “Look at you, you’re probably dizzy from the heat.”

There wasn’t a trace of color on Ji Ge’s face, and his vision was even a bit unfocused. He forced a faint smile. “Yeah, it’s so hot. When I get better, let’s go eat ice cream together.”

Holding back his tears, Wei Mingsi practically carried Ji Ge into the ward.

Hospital beds were in short supply, and the three-person room Ji Ge was staying in was the only one that still had an available bed.

Just as they reached the room, Ji Ge endured the pain and lay down. Before he could figure out how to coax Wei Mingsi into leaving, several middle-aged people squeezed into the room with a loud commotion.

One of the middle-aged men yelled harshly, “Wei Mingsi! I think water has gotten into your brain. You don’t even care about your family anymore!”

He walked straight up to Wei Mingsi, raised his hand high, and was about to slap him across the face.

Ji Ge, lying on the hospital bed, forced himself up. His voice was stern and sharp: “Mr. Wei! Show some respect! This is a hospital ward. Are you trying to cause a scene?!”

Ji Ge’s frail chest rose and fell heavily. He had a mild temperament, but no matter how good-natured a person was, they couldn’t stand seeing the person they loved being wronged.

Father Wei said coldly, “My family matters are none of your business! You’re a fine man yourself. Why do you insist on seducing another man? Wouldn’t your parents’ hearts break if they found out?!”

Mother Wei choked up and said, “Mingsi, your dad and I are your birth parents. You stopped coming home for this person. Why are you letting us down?!”

Wei Mingsi grabbed Father Wei by the wrist, took a step back, and said coldly, “You two are strong and healthy; you don’t need me right now. When it’s time for me to fulfill my duties, I will never shirk them. But right now, I want to stay by his side. Also, please watch your language. What do you mean by ‘he seduced me’? I was the one who pursued him.”

Father Wei was over fifty and had only gotten this son in his thirties. Having raised him to his twenties with high hopes, he never expected that Wei Mingsi would actually find a man!

“Wei Mingsi, you’re my only son! If you find a man, what will happen to the Wei family?! You’re the single male heir of three generations!”

Wei Mingsi found it baffling. “Wei Yiyuan is still in the family. If I’m ruined, go look for her. You make it sound like you only raised me.”

Father Wei: “She’s a girl! If we hand the family burden to her, will she still be able to find a good family to marry into later?! You’re the older brother; you should protect your younger sister, not dump the responsibility on her!”

Hearing his father speak so grandly when it was actually filled with a feudal, misogynistic mindset, Wei Mingsi mocked, “I think you two would be better off going to a museum. Standing there, you’re practically living antiques.”

Slap!

In a fit of rage, Father Wei slapped Wei Mingsi across the face.

Wei Mingsi pressed his tongue against the soft inner cheek of his mouth and said indifferently, “Have you made enough of a scene? If you’re done…”

Two knocks on the door interrupted Wei Mingsi. You Xingyue stood at the entrance, hesitated for a moment, and asked gently, “Excuse me, is there a consultation going on right now?”

Ji Ge barely managed to calm his emotions. “No, Boss, please come in.”

“My apologies.” You Xingyue walked into the room and lightly pointed to his ear. “I have rather good hearing, so I overheard a few lines as I walked over.”

Having not seen him for a little over fifteen minutes, Ji Ge’s complexion had grown even worse.

You Xingyue’s brows knitted together briefly, a slight sense of displeasure gradually rising in his heart.

Father Wei looked grim and forced out a smile. “It’s all an embarrassing family drama. Sorry for making fools of ourselves. Please don’t spread it around.”

You Xingyue gave a faint smile. “Sir, the two of them are a match made in heaven. Why make things unpleasant with your own son?”

Mother Wei said sharply, “Nonsense! My son used to date girls! How could he be a match made in heaven with a man?!”

Wei Mingsi immediately exploded: “That was puppy love! It was just hormones rushing to my head, not actual love! Mom, don’t spread rumors in front of my boyfriend!”

Father Wei also said coldly, “Husband and wife support each other through life. Where does ‘made in heaven’ come into play? That’s all just shown in TV dramas to deceive you young people. Splitting up and each finding a girl to marry and have children with is the right path.”

“Leave innocent girls alone.”

You Xingyue had a gentle expression as he “soothed” them: “Besides, Wei Mingsi is fated to have no children in his life. And from what I see, you two have a weak affinity for children. As time goes on, I’m afraid your old age will be lonely without descendants.”

The red thread between Wei Mingsi and Ji Ge was bright and distinct. If broken, Wei Mingsi would likely stay single for the rest of his life. Let alone children, he wouldn’t even be able to find a partner.

Moreover, the thread between Wei Mingsi and the Wei parents was also very faint. Wei Mingsi did not hold deep feelings for his parents.

Wei Mingsi almost burst out laughing. “Right, right, right! The doctor said I have weak sperm and can’t perform.”

With just two sentences, You Xingyue successfully drew the hatred of Wei parents onto himself.

Father Wei glared intently at You Xingyue. “What do you young people know? Can you read fortunes or practice medicine? My son is fated to have no children? He’s a young man in his early twenties, in such good health; how could he not be able to father children? Are you a scammer trying to trick my son into buying some aphrodisiac medicine?”

Just as You Xingyue was about to speak, messy footsteps sounded behind him, and someone gasped in surprise, “Master You!”

You Xingyue was startled. Turning his head, he saw Gu Min and Zhou Fan standing at the doorway.

Gu Min walked in. “Boss You.”

He raised an eyebrow slightly and looked at Father Wei. “Mr. Wei, I heard your company just paid 30 million in liquidated damages to the B-party a few days ago for breach of contract. Are your funds still flowing smoothly now?”

Father Wei froze. He looked at You Xingyue in a panic. Isn’t… isn’t this the son of the Gu family? How did this suddenly appearing charlatan actually know Gu Min?!

The Wei family was merely an upstart family compared to the Gu family, and Father Wei didn’t want to offend the Gu family at all. What’s more, he heard that the Gu family had recently hired a genuine master, and their business was going smoothly like sailing with the wind.

Wait, a master…

Father Wei instinctively glanced at the “charlatan” You Xingyue, feeling a chill in his heart.

You Xingyue didn’t care what was going through Father Wei’s head and asked Gu Min, “What a coincidence! Why are you at the hospital?”

Zhou Fan said beamingly, “Ah, there’s good news!”

You Xingyue was puzzled. “What good news?”

What good news could there be in a hospital? It couldn’t be that Auntie Zhang gave birth or that a friend was discharged, right?

Zhou Fan was in high spirits from the good news: “Master, my uncle-in-law is paralyzed! That Cao Duo drank too much alcohol and had a brain hemorrhage!”

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