After returning to the mortal realm together, Gu Siyu had to report to his training grounds, and then he returned to Shenhua Tower.
He felt so relaxed since he was demoted.
That position had been very tempting, but the feeling of guarding a bank without being able to withdraw money was too unbearable. Moreover, Zhang Kui later told him that he was only temporarily managing it for him.
Being demoted now could be considered repaying that favor.
He would go and collect the souls of the names on the Death God's Handbook on time. But in the future, there might be an additional target: to seize the fortune fruits from them.
He only needed to nourish the spirit root he obtained according to Gu Siyu's method, and it would soon repay him a thousand or ten thousand times over.
As he was thinking this, he suddenly caught sight of Fang Huairan's name on the Death God's Handbook.
Her name was usually quite high up, he knew that clearly, but it being at the very top so soon was still beyond his expectations.
Midnight tonight was her final hour. It seemed that excessively taking fortune fruits truly could accelerate their deaths.
However, whether she died early or late, Fang Huairan was his target.
If he could gain Zhao Xiaoying this time, that would be wonderful.
To perfectly execute this plan, he issued an order to Hu Tianhan:
Before midnight tonight, urge Zhao Xiaoying to repay the money, otherwise they would be kicked out.
Upon receiving the order, Hu Tianhan decided to go in the evening.
He had initially wanted to go earlier, hoping to earn twenty thousand if she could repay the money; but since the boss specifically instructed him to go in the evening, he had to find another way to earn that twenty thousand.
Zhao Xiaoying had originally intended to ask Liu Sandao about the fortune fruits, but upon hearing from Bai Suxiang that he was very busy, she abandoned the idea.
After much thought, since she had to face that step in the end anyway, she stopped looking for other solutions.
The unseen fortune fruits might truly be able to save her.
By not looking for other ways to borrow money, she would not implicate others. Especially seeing Fang Huairan, she suddenly felt a pang of guilt.
If it weren't for her, Fang Huairan wouldn't have sought fortune fruits, and her health wouldn't have deteriorated so much.
Mei Ziqi had been busy these days taking care of Fang Huairan.
Perhaps, this was the life of ordinary people.
Zhao Xiaoying had come to realize that finding a steady person to live with in this life was actually quite good.
Mei Ziqi's actions gave her a desire to start a family.
Perhaps, mutual support was what a marriage should truly be like.
"Xiaoying, come! Hurry and help me get that bunch of vegetables down!"
Mei Ziqi's voice came from outside.
There were no more nannies at home. The large house was left with just herself, feeling lonely.
Since Fang Huairan moved in, Mei Ziqi had been coming over every few days to help, suddenly filling this courtyard with laughter.
This hadn't happened for many years.
"Okay, I'm coming. Why did you buy so many vegetables tonight?" Zhao Xiaoying replied, running out to lend a hand.
Fang Huairan was in the living room, watching them busy themselves. Su Dan Novel Network.
Zhao Xiaoying used to not smile much, but lately, her smiles had become more frequent.
They now seemed like a couple in love, and seeing them made Fang Huairan a little envious. She wondered if she would ever have the chance to find someone like that and walk through life together.
"I'll help you, I'll help you!"
Fang Huairan said, trying to get up to help Zhao Xiaoying.
With a "clatter," she fell to the ground.
"Ranan! What's wrong? I told you, you're not well these days, so don't move around. You just don't listen."
Zhao Xiaoying said with a slight scolding tone.
"Me? I just..."
Hearing Fang Huairan fall, Mei Ziqi immediately put down the vegetables he was holding and rushed to help her.
"Xiaoying, I'll help her! You grab her hand!"
Together, they helped Fang Huairan onto the sofa.
She looked very weak, even weaker than she had been in the morning.
"Ranan, are you alright? Do you want to go back to your room to rest?" Zhao Xiaoying asked worriedly.
"No, no, I don't want to go back to my room. Just let me watch you here, okay?"
Fang Huairan's voice was a little soft, and it sounded like she was pleading with them.
She was tired of living alone, of staring at the ceiling by herself.
She had a feeling that she was about to leave this world, and she really didn't want to leave alone and in solitude.
She was afraid of loneliness, afraid of the darkness.
"Let her stay here. How about we have hot pot here today!"
"Okay!" Fang Huairan immediately agreed.
Mei Ziqi smiled and immediately went to wash the vegetables.
Zhao Xiaoying stayed with Fang Huairan, chatting with her, and the three of them were in harmony.
As night deepened, the lights in the house were yellowish-white.
To save electricity, Zhao Xiaoying turned off all the unnecessary lights.
Mei Ziqi worked for a long time before finally washing the vegetables and putting the pre-made hot pot seasoning into the pot, waiting for the water to boil.
The three thin figures sat around the table in the living room. Zhao Xiaoying opened a bottle of drink she bought from the supermarket and poured three cups.
"Come, let's toast! Thank you both for keeping me company these past few days!"
Zhao Xiaoying said, raising her drink and downing it in one gulp!
Mei Ziqi also drank it in one gulp, while Fang Huairan took a small sip.
"I'll just have a little. I'm not really used to this drink," Fang Huairan said softly.
"Okay, okay, we're just having fun. You do as you please!"
Mei Ziqi quickly reassured her. Fang Huairan's health condition truly couldn't be strained.
Although many dishes were prepared, none of the three had a large appetite, so they were full in a short amount of time.
Just as Zhao Xiaoying was about to urge Mei Ziqi to eat more, a loud knocking sound came from outside the door.
"Knock knock knock!"
"Who is it!"
Zhao Xiaoying asked, getting up to open the door.
Mei Ziqi, afraid for her safety, quickly stood up to stop her, "You sit, I'll go see!"
Outside the door stood three or four people. Besides Hu Tianhan, who was at the front, the rest were all unfamiliar.
However, all of them had rough faces, indicating they were not to be trifled with.
Mei Ziqi was also very nervous, but he managed to remain calm, as there were two delicate women inside.
"Hu Tianhan, what are you doing here so late?"
"What business is it of yours! Call Zhao Xiaoying out!"
Hu Tianhan said rudely, shouting loudly.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Xiaoying immediately said to Fang Huairan, "You sit here, I'll go see!"
"What's going on?"
"Zhao Xiaoying, we agreed. Today was the day you were supposed to pay, and it seems you haven't kept your promise!" Hu Tianhan said in a cold tone, shifting his weight on his left leg.
"I don't have money. Call your boss!" Zhao Xiaoying said directly. This was her decision.
"Our boss? Who do you think you are? What qualifications do you have to see our boss? Be sensible and scram!"