Bai Suxiang, introduced by Qian Shumei and having already met Hao Yumei, integrated quickly into their lives. They agreed on three tutoring sessions a week, each lasting about two to three hours. Bai Suxiang meticulously planned her lessons, even referencing teaching methods from contemporary training institutions. Mathematics was a breeze for her; she not only completed it with ease but also found joy in it. Seeing the children's excitement as they learned, Hao Yumei marveled at how she never had such a good teacher in her own childhood.
"I feel so lucky," Hao Yumei confided in Bai Suxiang during a break. "Why do I only meet good people? First Meijie, and now you."
"Because you are a good person yourself! Hahaha," Bai Suxiang replied with a laugh. She wasn't just being polite. From the moment she entered their home, she felt a natural warmth from Hao Yumei, embodying all the virtues of an ideal Chinese housewife: capable of entertaining guests and managing the household with equal grace. The more she interacted with her, the more she was touched by her kindness. Even a gentle smile from Hao Yumei seemed to spread warmth everywhere. Bai Suxiang believed Hao Yumei was a 'ten-star' person, a concept she'd heard Liu Sandao mention regarding people's character. Hao Yumei was not only generous but also consistently encouraged the children to do good deeds. She actively participated in community charity events and inspired those around her to join in charitable causes. If not for her dedication to her family, Bai Suxiang mused, she would likely have founded a charity company.
One afternoon, the children's school unexpectedly rescheduled an afternoon class to the evening. Bai Suxiang left the Lin residence well past nine o'clock. To her surprise, as she exited Kuishou residential area, she saw Liu Sandao waiting for her. Their hotel was only about five hundred meters away, in the city center, so safety wasn't an issue.
"What are you doing here?" Bai Suxiang asked.
"I was out for a walk, and it was on my way," Liu Sandao replied calmly.
"Oh!" Bai Suxiang responded, and walked ahead with purpose.
"Wait!" Liu Sandao called out suddenly. He urgently stopped her because Bai Suxiang was walking so quickly, as if deliberately trying to leave him behind.
"Oh, what is it? Aren't we heading back to the hotel?" Bai Suxiang paused, turning back to ask.
"Yes, but you..." Liu Sandao started, intending to ask why she was walking so fast, but instead said, "Let's go for a walk."
A walk? Bai Suxiang hadn't expected Liu Sandao to suggest such a thing. She was secretly delighted; could this be a date? The weather was indeed lovely that night, with a bright moon and sparse stars, faintly visible despite the city lights of Wu Kui.
"Okay, where to?"
Liu Sandao didn't answer verbally but gestured to the road on their right: a small river, a patch of woods, and a meter-wide pedestrian path.
"Here, take this!" A few steps down the tree-lined path, Liu Sandao produced an item from his hand. It was a bracelet adorned with green beads that glowed like luminous jade.
"Why are you giving this to me?" Bai Suxiang asked, feigning ignorance. She wanted him to say the words, the words many women longed to hear. A gift usually came with a reason. If Liu Sandao confessed his feelings, she would accept immediately.
"Wear it. If you encounter danger, crush it..." Before Liu Sandao could finish, Bai Suxiang exploded.
"What? Danger again? Do you always wish for me to be in danger? You! Hmph!" Ever since the previous incident, Bai Suxiang had been plagued by nightmares, feeling as though she was constantly being watched, which made her deeply uneasy. And now, danger again? Bai Suxiang couldn't stand it and, in a fit of anger, ran back to the hotel.
Liu Sandao was taken aback. He hadn't expected her to react so explosively before he could even finish his sentence. He had intended to say that if she crushed the bead in times of danger, he could rush to her side immediately. The beads were made of water, and he had a similar bracelet himself. He had thought of this idea while browsing a street stall selling bracelets. This was the only way to ensure he could reach her instantly without constantly monitoring her for any signs of danger. To his astonishment, Bai Suxiang became angry before he could even give her the bracelet.
While Bai Suxiang returned to the hotel, Liu Sandao remained vigilant, keeping a constant watch on the two soul spirits. They had been quiet these past few days, as if they had never appeared in Wu Kui City. However, Liu Sandao had already pinpointed their location.
Amidst the dazzling lights and lively music, with people dancing with abandon, Soul Spirit Seven led Soul Spirit Five through the dark corners of the bars. Especially at night, they became increasingly brazen, sometimes appearing as humans amidst the crowd, and other times transforming into specters to make faces at the grand stage.
"You two seem quite at ease! Have you forgotten your mission?" A voice materialized from thin air, inaudible to ordinary humans but clear to Liu Sandao.
"We dare not, we dare not. How could your subordinates forget their mission? Please forgive us, Lord Luosha!" Soul Spirit Seven immediately prostrated itself upon hearing the voice. Soul Spirit Five also dared not delay. Although it was only the voice of the Ten-Faced Luosha, she might be nearby.
"The Master will emerge from seclusion in the next two days. He hasn't stretched his limbs in a long time and plans to check on your missions. Do not disappoint him, or else..."
"Yes, yes, your subordinate will certainly comply. We will organize the net immediately!" Soul Spirit Seven stammered in response. The mission could be initiated at any time, but they had been a bit lazy recently, indulging in too much revelry. The Ten-Faced Luosha's command left them no room for hesitation; the consequences of failure were unthinkable.
Qian Shumei still owed money, and the owner of the card room had repeatedly pressed her. Lin Jiashan, while outwardly agreeing, had failed to make the payment. He had even claimed to be away on a business trip for his company, disappearing for several days. This caused Qian Shumei, under immense pressure from her creditors, to grow increasingly anxious. She needed to find a way to get the money quickly. After another stern warning from the card room owner, Qian Shumei called Lin Jiashan again, demanding he transfer the remaining money to her account immediately, or their son would be in danger. Enraged by her constant threats, Lin Jiashan retorted harshly, "Let him die if he must, he's not my son!" When Qian Shumei tried to call again, she could no longer reach him. She made a bold decision. To ensure her plan's success, she meticulously scouted the area around the Lin residence.
"If you don't pay, just wait to see the news!" She sent this text message to Lin Jiashan, confident he would see it.