I Can Devour Spirits

Chapter 63: Chapter 63: Horns on the Head

These past few days, fewer than ten people have come to have their paintings done at times.

Even though Duan Rong has employed a hunger marketing strategy, trying his best to keep the buzz circulating in the neighborhood, the number of potential customers is limited, and the slowdown of business is actually just a matter of time.

Duan Rong was not in a hurry; first, he anticipated it early on, and second, his pockets were already somewhat full, so he didn’t have to worry about silver coins for cultivation in the short term.

Even when there were few people, Duan Rong would sit idly until the hour of You, only then would he pack up and leave.

Duan Rong returned to Yuan Shun Escort Agency after packing up his stall, placed his belongings in the dormitory, went to the canteen for dinner, and then headed to the corner of the Martial Arts Arena to start his stance training.

Duan Rong had been standing for about an hour when a crisp, coquettish voice suddenly rang out in front of him.

”Silly boy!”

Hearing this, Duan Rong recognized the voice as none other than that of Zhu Xiaoqi. He hadn’t yet opened his eyes or dispersed his skill, but a smile already appeared on his face.

Upon opening his eyes to disperse his skill, Duan Rong indeed saw Zhu Xiaoqi standing under the swaying shadows of the trees, the dim light and shadows intertwining to create a hazy beauty on her.

Duan Rong’s smile was also tinged with the ambiguity of the night.

”You silly!” Zhu Xiaoqi chastised him lightly and said, ”The Second Miss woke up this morning and asked me to come find you!”

”I came to the Martial Arts Arena twice during the day and didn’t see you. What are you doing in broad daylight instead of training at the Martial Arts Arena?” Zhu Xiaoqi looked at Duan Rong suspiciously, waiting for his explanation.

Duan Rong was momentarily stunned, as he couldn’t possibly tell Zhu Xiaoqi that he’d been hiding in the dormitory, practicing Cloud Serpent Step during the day.

Duan Rong smiled and casually fabricated, ”I went to a client’s house today to do some painting for them.”

”You went to someone’s house to paint?”

”Yes! It’s called in-home service,” Duan Rong said sincerely.

Zhu Xiaoqi gave Duan Rong a look, accepted the explanation without further inquiry, and said, ”Come see the Second Miss tomorrow morning!”

Xiao Baijiao, feeling fatigued, had already gone to sleep.

”Did the Second Miss mention what it was about?”

”It seems she wants to thank you in person for something...”

Duan Rong understood immediately.

It seemed that Xiao Zongting had told Xiao Baijiao about the acupuncture.

The moment Xiao Baijiao woke up, Xiao Zongting informed her about Duan Rong’s acupuncture. He believed that Xiao Family members should clearly distinguish between gratitude and grievances and should not be unaware of who saved them.

However, Zhu Xiaoqi was unaware of this matter.

Seeing Duan Rong’s knowing expression, Zhu Xiaoqi was even more puzzled.

Originally, when Xiao Baijiao mentioned it, she thought it was because Duan Rong had brought some osmanthus cakes and preserves, and that’s why he was to be thanked. But upon reflection, she found it odd.

Such a trivial thing didn’t warrant calling him over for a face-to-face thank you. Seeing Duan Rong’s expression now, she felt there was more to it and asked, ”What did you do for the Second Miss to thank you in person?”

”Nothing much.” Duan Rong casually deflected.

”Fine, forget it then.” Zhu Xiaoqi, seeing Duan Rong’s evasiveness, turned and left.

”It’s dark, let me escort you!” Duan Rong quickly caught up a few steps, calling after Zhu Xiaoqi.

”Escort for what? It’s just a few steps! Don’t be so fussy!” Zhu Xiaoqi didn’t even turn her head and walked away.

Duan Rong grinned. ”This girl...”

Standing at the edge of the shadows, Duan Rong watched as Zhu Xiaoqi’s figure disappeared at the alley’s end, only then did he return to the depths of the shadows to resume his stance training.

He stood there until midnight before heading back to the dormitory to sleep.

The next morning after breakfast, Duan Rong practiced a few routines. Once he felt the timing was right, he wandered over to Xiao Zongting’s courtyard.

As soon as Duan Rong entered the front yard, he saw Zhu Xiaoqi doing laundry by the well.

Her sleeves were rolled up high, and her small hands were reddened by the cold well water.

Duan Rong had just entered the yard when Zhu Xiaoqi caught sight of him. Initially, she was going to give him a cold glance, but seeing Duan Rong’s appearance, she couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Zhu Xiaoqi supported her waist with one hand, giggling, ”What’s so funny about you? When did you grow a horn?”

Duan Rong touched the bump on his forehead, smiling awkwardly, ”I accidentally walked into something.”

”Walked into where? A tree?”

”Hit a wall.”

”Were your eyes smeared with chicken dung that you walked into a wall?”

Duan Rong knew that continuing would only complicate matters further, so he simply grinned foolishly, saying nothing.

Zhu Xiaoqi stood up, wiped her wet hands on her apron, lowered her rolled-up sleeves, and led Duan Rong toward the Inner Courtyard.

Seeing no trace of Xiao Zongting in the flower hall or the main room, Duan Rong asked, ”Where is Elder Xiao?”

”He went out. Left early in the morning. I don’t know where he went, acting all mysterious.”

Duan Rong responded with an ”oh”, his eyes flickering with thought. It wasn’t common for Xiao Zongting to leave early in the morning.

Though having lost his martial arts, Xiao Zongting was semi-retired, only teaching apprentice sessions at Yuan Shun Escort Agency and had mostly severed ties with people in Jianghu...

Zhu Xiaoqi led Duan Rong to Xiao Baijiao’s private room on the east side.

Before they even entered, Zhu Xiaoqi exclaimed, ”Second Miss, look at this person, how jolly he is! Somehow he managed to get a bump on his head like a horn. If he hits another, he’ll almost be a sika deer...”

Xiao Baijiao was sitting by the window in a daze and turned to smile bitterly upon seeing Duan Rong enter.

She smiled lightly upon seeing the bump on Duan Rong’s head, then scolded to Zhu Xiaoqi, ”Xiaoqi, how can you mock Senior Brother Duan like this?”

”Who’s mocking him? Isn’t it funny?” Zhu Xiaoqi couldn’t help but laugh.

Xiao Baijiao could do nothing but shake her head quietly.

Seeing Xiao Baijiao’s weary face, Duan Rong asked, ”Second Miss, are you feeling better?”

”The malignant condition has passed, but my body feels heavy and very weak,” Xiao Baijiao’s voice was as faint as a mosquito’s, feeble and thin.

Duan Rong’s heart sank slightly, combined with Gu Suxiu’s hesitation from the other day, he felt a foreboding unease.

”Lingering weakness after illness is normal; with some rest, you’ll recover soon.” Duan Rong said with a comforting tone.

”Xiaoqi, let Senior Brother Duan sit and bring some refreshments,” Xiao Baijiao instructed, seeing Duan Rong still standing.

Duan Rong sat by the tea table. Zhu Xiaoqi brewed tea for him, placed a platter of osmanthus cakes and preserves he had bought the previous day in front of him.

After Zhu Xiaoqi finished setting up, she left, allowing Xiao Baijiao and Duan Rong to speak alone.

Staring out at the courtyard bathed in bright sunshine, Xiao Baijiao stayed silent for a long time, then suddenly said, ”Some people’s fates are like this chilly spring weather outside, seemingly bright and sunny, yet chilling to the bone.”

Duan Rong was taken aback. It seemed Xiao Baijiao had some inkling of her own condition.

”Second Miss...” Duan Rong wanted to offer comfort, but when he tried to speak, words failed him.

Xiao Baijiao turned to him with a bitter smile, ”Thank you, Senior Brother Duan, for pulling me back from Ghost Gate once.”

Once this time, but what about next time?

”No, it’s just Second Miss’s own good fortune,” Duan Rong responded with a humble smile.

Both felt a heavy weight on their hearts.

Xiao Baijiao took a sachet from her sleeve, handing it to Duan Rong, ”I just finished embroidering this recently, to thank Senior Brother Duan, and also as a memento.”

Hearing the word ”memento”, Duan Rong suspected Xiao Baijiao was hinting at something deeper, and as he took the sachet, a sadness welled up within him.

In his past life, Duan Rong had hustled in society for many years, being inherently slick and savvy.

But now, his tongue felt tied, unable to form the words.