Mayi Physiognomy

I regretted my words to Xiong Jiu the moment they left my mouth. He hadn't sought a reading—I'd blurted out forbidden knowledge unprompted.

Would this bring fresh trouble?

Silence hung between us.

Ning Haoyu nudged me. "You sure about this? Don't send Uncle on a wild goose chase."

Before I could answer, Xiong Jiu waved a hand. "No, I think he's right. The Zhous' luck has been bad. Old Master Zhou bought a fake piece recently—nearly killed him with rage. Lost a fortune. Maybe they can't hold that shop anymore."

The details meant little to me. I stayed quiet.

Back at Ten Thousand Woods Pavilion, Xiong Jiu exchanged pleasantries before vanishing upstairs with Mr. Jiang—likely plotting the Violet Qiong Pavilion move. Ning Haoyu tried to follow but got ordered downstairs.

Hours slipped by. Ning Haoyu and I chatted with the sisters until closing. After they left, the shop held just us two.

Ning Haoyu pressed about the Zhous. I winced. "Stop. I've said too much already. More could bury me."

My phone rang. Wang Junhui. Hope surged. "Master Wang! Back in town?"

"Mm. Where are you? I'll pick you up tomorrow. We head to the county town."

I gave my location.

"At Xiong's? Know him. Fine—meet me at the south end of Antique Street tomorrow, nine sharp. Straight to your place."

Relief washed over me. Staying here risked more leaks.

I hung up. Ning Haoyu looked glum. "Leaving tomorrow?"

"Home's home. Can't abandon it."

He patted my shoulder. Understanding.

We waited. Soon, Xiong Jiu, his wife, and Mr. Jiang descended. Xiong Jiu glowed like a groom. Luck was rolling in.

"Chu Yi," he asked, "how will my plan fare?"

I smiled. "You already know, Uncle. Why ask an amateur?"

He laughed, took a red envelope from Mr. Jiang, and handed it to me.

Money.

I reached for it, then hesitated. He pushed it firmly into my hands. "You're the sharpest fortune teller I've met. Take this as thanks. If the Zhous' shop falls through, I'll bring a proper reward to your county town myself."

I protested weakly. Had he already called the Zhou family?

Dinner was fancier than lunch. Xiong Jiu prodded for more readings, but I refused. Enough damage done.

Frustrated, he asked if payment was the issue. "No, Uncle," I said. "'Heaven's secrets.' Too much, too soon—bad for us both."

He nodded. "Like business. Greed invites trouble."

I agreed.

Then I broke the news: I was leaving tomorrow. Disappointment flashed across his face. In one day, my readings had boosted his fortunes twice. He wanted me anchored here, a well of advice.

As we left the restaurant, he mused, "If I get that Violet Qiong Pavilion spot… I'll rule Antique Street." He grinned. "Finally, my moment."

I smiled, silent. His luck held. The move was sound. No need for more words.

Back home, Ning Haoyu and I exchanged brief goodnights.

The next morning, Xiong Jiu himself drove me to the south end of Antique Street. An honored guest now.

When Wang Junhui arrived, the two men chatted briefly. Then Xiong Jiu approached me. "Visit Haoyu anytime, Chu Yi. He told me about your family. I'm your uncle now. Trouble? Find me."

"Thank you, Uncle Xiong."

I climbed into Wang Junhui's car. The county town awaited.

As we drove, Wang Junhui remarked, "Xiong values you. Your readings helped him."

"Some," I admitted.

"He's well-connected. Clients will flock to you—wealthy, powerful ones. Money's coming."

I sighed. "Money? I'd settle for no more bad luck."

I asked about his recent work. "Take cases. Solve them. Rest. Repeat," he said simply.

"So many ghost problems?"

"Deep waters in this line. Do good work, organizations notice. I'm in with a few."

"Gangs?" I teased.

"Organizations," he corrected. He wouldn't elaborate. "Not your world yet."

I pressed about the ghost in my house. "Simple. Gauge her malice. Then decide: send away… or destroy."

"And if she's evil?" To me, Xiang Lili was evil. Hanging on my back? Chasing me? She wanted me dead.

Wang Junhui drove slowly. We reached the county town at noon, ate, then headed home.

The alley felt colder, darker. Unlived-in houses gather gloom. Add a ghost? Worse.

A neighbor spotted us. "Chu Yi! Back at last! That woman's case is closed. Died of illness. Nothing to do with the guy they arrested."

"Thanks, Auntie," I mumbled.

She leaned closer. "Careful in there. Weeping. Laughter. These past nights. Ghostly stuff. Get someone to check it."

My heart sank. The neighbors heard. Renting this place? Impossible now.

She rambled on. Wang Junhui cut in: "Open the door. We'll see about ghosts."

The auntie took the hint and left.

Inside, a wave of icy air swept past us. Wang Junhui frowned. "Strong malice. Very strong."

"Can you handle her?"

He inhaled deeply. "Rarely meet one this fierce. But yes. Might get messy."

He locked the front gate, then pulled a talisman from his briefcase and sealed the bolt.

"Why?" I asked.

"So she can't flee."

But if things go wrong, we're locked in too.

I voiced my fear.

"Hide in your grandfather's room. His yang energy lingers. Even residue would scorch a fierce ghost."

Grandpa was that powerful?

Before I could ponder, he sealed my shop door—another escape route blocked. Then upstairs, talismans on the staircase to the third floor.

Done, he returned. I was already huddled in Grandpa's room.

"What now?"

"I change into ritual robes. Perform a soul-summoning rite in the yard. If she goes peacefully, good. If not…" He patted his bag. "I end her."

He hadn't changed robes for the old man's ghost. This meant Xiang Lili was far more dangerous.

Could he really win?