Corpse Retriever

Li Zhuiyuan brought the garment close and sniffed it. There was a faint scent of incense—not the kind used in perfumes, but something dyed with a specially made fragrance.

Thanks to Liu Yumei’s habit of scenting Ah Li’s new clothes every day, the boy had developed quite a refined nose for such things.

He couldn’t say exactly what kind of scent it was, but it certainly smelled expensive.

And judging from the fabric, this person clearly had refined taste in life.

“Xiaoyuan, even though I personally don’t think this guy is the killer from seven years ago, I still have to report it to the team.”

“You think so too, Uncle Tan?”

“I’m the one who fired the shot,” Tan Yunlong said seriously. “The moment I pulled the trigger, the way he moved—I really felt something. I’ll walk you back to your dorm. Tell Binbin I won’t be bunking with you tonight.”

“Okay, Uncle Tan. You take care.”

Tan Yunlong walked Li Zhuiyuan back to the dormitory.

Tan Wenbin returned even later. He went to shower first, then came back yawning. “Right after hotpot, the store went crazy busy. People were buying like everything was free.”“You worked hard.”

“Not really. Making money actually feels kind of great. But on my way back, I saw a bunch of police cars entering campus again. Did something happen?”

Li Zhuiyuan gave a brief rundown of the night’s events, then added,

“Your dad said he’s not crashing in your dorm tonight.”

Tan Wenbin ignored that last part and shouted, “Damn! Martial arts master!”

Li Zhuiyuan didn’t respond. He picked up the glass on his nightstand and took a sip of water.

Tan Wenbin, still excited, asked, “Weren’t you scared, Xiaoyuan ge?”

“A little, but I was fine.”

“That’s super dangerous. Next time don’t go out for walks alone.”

“Your dad was with me.”

“My dad doesn’t count for shit.”

The dorm door opened.

“Ahh!”

Tan Wenbin jumped in place—classic stress response.

It was Lu Yi who walked in. “Binbin, you left your washbasin and towel by the sink. I brought them back.”

“Oh, okay. Thanks.”

After Lu Yi left, Tan Wenbin climbed onto his bed and said, “Man, that guy was amazing.”

“Runsheng could’ve done it. Yin Meng, maybe—just barely.”

Tan Wenbin pointed at his own face expectantly. “What about me? I mean in the future.”

“Good luck.”

Li Zhuiyuan lay down, ready to sleep. He had originally planned to read that cursed book tonight, but too much had happened. He’d have to postpone it.

Truth be told, he hadn’t felt particularly afraid tonight—after all, he’d seen more than his fair share of Dead Sinkers.

But in that moment, there had been a trace of helplessness. If only there’d been a ghost or a Dead Sinker nearby, he might have been able to trap that guy—or even decide just how many pieces to keep of him.

No wonder so many people tried to raise ghosts or Dead Sinkers. Even if not to harm others, they made damn good bodyguards.

Li Zhuiyuan turned his head to glance at the shoebox under the windowsill.

He couldn’t very well carry a pair of women’s high heels around all the time.

“Oh right, Xiaoyuan ge, wake me up when you get up tomorrow. I’ve got military training roll call.”

“Got it.”

A full night’s sleep. Thanks to Aunt Liu, his biological clock had been reset and was now perfectly stable.

When he woke, he roused Tan Wenbin, who rubbed his eyes, picked up his washbasin, and headed out with Li Zhuiyuan to freshen up.

Back at the dorm, Tan Wenbin started changing into his training uniform. Li Zhuiyuan took the still-unread page of The Liu Clan’s Art of Observing Qi from last night and slipped it into his bag. He slung the bag over his shoulder and stepped out.

When he arrived, Aunt Liu brought out breakfast—pork rib congee with assorted pickles. It was delicious.

Liu Yumei looked at him. “Didn’t sleep well again last night?”

The old woman had a knack for spotting these things. No matter how well you hid it, she’d see your condition at a glance.

Li Zhuiyuan set down his spoon. “Slept a bit short.”

A smile appeared on Liu Yumei’s face. “You can take your time with the book. No need to rush. It’s yours now—nobody’s gonna snatch it away.”

Clearly, she was pleased with how obsessed Li Zhuiyuan was with The Liu Clan’s Art of Observing Qi.

Ah Li looked up at Liu Yumei.

Liu Yumei quipped, “What’s wrong? Feeling sorry for Xiaoyuan?”

Ah Li lowered her head and continued eating. She wasn’t feeling sorry for him.

Aunt Liu chuckled. “Oh my, old lady. Usually you’re the first to get annoyed when others tease. Now look at you, teasing him yourself.”

“How’s that the same?” Liu Yumei stood up. “Xiaoyuan, come to the study when you’ve finished eating.”

“Yes, Grandma.”

After breakfast, Li Zhuiyuan took the book and headed into the study.

Liu Yumei had already brewed tea and was sitting upright on the couch.

Li Zhuiyuan placed The Liu Clan’s Art of Observing Qi on the tea table, its cover facing her.

Liu Yumei set a teacup in front of him, then casually turned the book so the text faced him.

Then she pulled her hand back and smiled.

“Well, ask away—what parts don’t you understand?”

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