Chapter 44: The Mirror

"Mm, once you know what needs doing, you’ve got to buckle down and do it step by step. That’s the only way you’ll ever accomplish something. Don’t be like your great-grandpa—he bounced from one thing to another when he was young, and only realized how much he regretted it when he got old."

"Great-grandpa was pretty awesome though."

Li Zhuiyuan glanced at Li Sanjiang, whose body was still wrapped in bandages. A thought flickered through his mind—was that zombie somehow related to Great-grandpa?

After all, he was the only one in the family who got hurt. And the places where he was bandaged overlapped almost exactly with where the zombie had been attacked by that Cat-faced Granny.

So...

Was it some kind of technique Great-grandpa had used?

"Hah, your great-grandpa's got more tricks up his sleeve than you know. So you better study hard, kid. You’ll definitely do better than I ever did."

Li Sanjiang wasn’t talking about shady stuff—what he took pride in was knowing how to make a living and live comfortably. As for the shady side... even he wasn’t sure if he counted as being in that line of work, so he simply ignored it.

"Yeah, I know."

Li Zhuiyuan believed that if he kept studying, he’d eventually figure out what kind of technique Great-grandpa had used that night.

By then, Li Sanjiang was already snoring. He’d lost blood, he was tired, and now he was asleep.

Li Zhuiyuan gently picked up the thin quilt nearby and draped it over his great-grandfather’s belly, then lay down and closed his eyes.

It felt like he just dozed off for a bit, and when he woke again, daylight was spilling in from outside.

He tiptoed past the still-sleeping Li Sanjiang, got out of bed, and went out to wash up.

While brushing his teeth, he glanced—out of habit—toward the east wing.

There, behind the east wing, sat a little girl in a red dress, her feet resting on the threshold.

Beside her, Granny Liu was brushing her hair.

Li Zhuiyuan smiled. Just seeing the two of them brightened his mood a little. He picked up the washbasin and went back inside.

As he stepped off the terrace, Qin Li lifted her head and looked his way.

"Hm?"

Liu Yumei paused, removing the comb. "Did I tug too hard?"

Qin Li turned her gaze straight ahead and didn’t say a word.

Liu Yumei resumed combing, chuckling. "You sure played for a long time last night. Want to tell Grandma what was so fun?"

Qin Li didn’t answer.

Out in the courtyard, Aunt Liu was setting up wooden stools and getting breakfast ready.

By the time Li Zhuiyuan came downstairs, the ground floor was already cleaned up and empty.

When he reached the courtyard, Aunt Liu greeted him with a smile. "Xiaoyuan, breakfast’s ready."

"Okay, Aunt Liu."

He sat down. A bowl of plain porridge and a salted duck egg sat on the wooden stool in front of him.

"Why are you just sitting there spacing out instead of eating?" Aunt Liu placed a dish of fish jelly on the table.

"I’m still half-asleep."

"Ah, youth. You sleep well, eat well. Lucky you," Aunt Liu said with a smile, then walked off.

Li Zhuiyuan quietly picked up his chopsticks. He remembered last night’s final scene—how the Cat-faced Granny had yelled for someone to fetch the head of the household. Fat Master had gone upstairs, and several paper effigies had darted off toward the side room.

Great-grandpa had been injured, bleeding. But those others had acted like nothing had happened.

He picked up a piece of fish jelly. It melted in his mouth, rich with soybeans and chili. Perfect with the porridge.

Just then, Granny Liu arrived with Qin Li, leading her by the hand. Qin Li sat down, and Granny Liu knelt beside her, beginning their usual mealtime “prayer.”

Her hair was down today, flowing softly over her shoulders, and with the red dress, she looked both lively and graceful.

Thinking back to her silly, clueless self in last night’s dream, Li Zhuiyuan couldn’t help but chuckle.

Some people just had that kind of magic. They didn’t need to speak or do anything in particular. Just standing there, they made you happy.

Like that exquisite vase he’d once seen with his mom in the artifact vault—newly unearthed, not yet on display.

It seemed Qin Li heard his laugh. She tilted her head and looked at him across the table.

Even Liu Yumei, mid-prayer, glanced over in surprise.

Li Zhuiyuan felt a flicker of astonishment. Wait—did memories from the dream last night carry over into today?

He pointed to his porridge and called gently, "Eat."

Qin Li lowered her head, picked up her chopsticks, and began sorting the pickles and duck egg pieces before pairing them neatly with spoonfuls of porridge.

Liu Yumei’s eyes went wide like she’d seen a ghost.

Qin Li ate even faster than Li Zhuiyuan. By the time he set down his chopsticks, she was already back sitting on the threshold.

Aunt Liu reappeared in a flash, this time snatching up the bowls before he could.

"Thanks, Aunt Liu."

"Next time, just leave them here after you eat. I’ll take care of it. You don’t want your Aunt Liu losing her job, do you?"

"I got it, Aunt Liu."

"Xiaoyuan, come make tea for Grandma," Liu Yumei called.

She was sitting in her bamboo recliner, a tea set spread out on the little table next to her.

Li Zhuiyuan walked over. As he did, Qin Li’s gaze followed him from her spot on the threshold.

Liu Yumei noticed. She raised a hand, signaling him to stop.

Li Zhuiyuan paused and looked toward Qin Li. Then he started stepping backward, and her gaze tracked him all the way.

Liu Yumei stared at him with a scrutinizing look.

"Grandma, still want that tea?"

"Yes, go ahead."

He moved forward again and began brewing the tea.

Liu Yumei kept one eye on her granddaughter. She was still watching this way. Hmph. It had been ages since she’d looked at her like that. Seemed she had this kid to thank.

"Xiaoyuan…"

"Grandma…"

They spoke at the same time and both paused. Just as Liu Yumei prepared to push on, Li Zhuiyuan beat her to it, his pace quickening:

"Grandma, why are you and Qin Li staying at my great-grandpa’s place?"

She smiled. "Just trying to get by."

"But you’re not struggling. You’re quite well-off. That tea set, and the jade thumb ring you offered to give me yesterday—those alone could buy a house in Beijing."

He added, "Though the antique market hasn’t peaked yet. Best to wait ten years before selling."

The old folks back in the family compound had been collecting relics for years, waiting for the right moment. They never sold. Said it was a golden age for antiques, best to pass them on to the next generation.

"You know antiques too?" Liu Yumei sat up a little straighter, her expression turning serious. "Your great-grandpa told you?"

Antique dealing was all about experience and sharp eyes. This kid was way too young. She didn’t believe he figured it out himself.

Li Zhuiyuan shook his head.

He’d grown up trailing his mom through museums and archives all over Beijing. He’d seen far more genuine treasures than most collectors ever would—many of them not even on public display.

"Xiaoyuan, Grandma’s staying here because the air’s good, the weather’s nice—it’s good for Qin Li’s health."

"Oh, I see. So what was it you wanted to ask me, Grandma?"

She blinked. That easy? He believed it just like that?

"Why is Qin Li watching you like that?"

Li Zhuiyuan scratched his cheek, a little shy. "Maybe because I stared at her too much before, and now she wants to even the score."

Liu Yumei: "..."

Yup, he definitely didn’t believe her earlier excuse.

"Grandma, here’s your tea."

"Mhm."

The two of them sipped their tea. The glint in the liquid was the gleam of sharp minds.

When they were done, Li Zhuiyuan said he was going to read. First, though, he headed behind the house to use the toilet. Passing by the east wing both ways, he made sure to greet Qin Li. She saluted him with her eyes.

He hadn’t even stepped into the main house when he heard a raspy shout from downstairs.

"What the hell’s going on? Where is it—where’s my paper effigy stash?!"

Li Zhuiyuan looked down to see Great-grandpa hopping mad, literally stomping his feet.

Aunt Liu approached. "It rained a little last night. Water got in and ruined the whole lot."

Li Sanjiang frowned deeply. "What?"

"You’re up already, Great-grandpa?"

"Of course! I’m tough as nails... Wait, no—this is about the paper effigies! What exactly happened?"

"It’s like Aunt Liu said. Rain got in."

"This..." Li Sanjiang opened his mouth. "This this this..."

Aunt Liu said, "Uncle, it’s alright. A’Li and I will pull an all-nighter to redo everything. We’ll still meet the delivery deadline."

"This isn’t just a delivery! The materials—" He clutched his chest. The loss of the paper effigies stung worse than his own wounds.

Sure, he had money—the house, the furniture, the paper workshop—but he never saved. He lived for the moment. Now a whole storeroom’s worth of goods was gone, and cash flow was going to be tight.

"Xiaoyuanhou, go run over to Blind Liu’s and ask if she’s figured out the Deathday Rite date for Niu Fu’s mother. If not, tell her to get a move on!"

"Huh?" Li Zhuiyuan blinked. As Aunt Liu headed off to fetch new supplies, he turned to Li Sanjiang. "Great-grandpa, you’re still going ahead with the Deathday Rite in this condition?"

"Exactly because I’m in this condition, I need to go even more!"

"But what if something happens at the Niu house?"

"If I can’t even afford to live, what’s the point of this body?"

Li Zhuiyuan didn’t know how to respond to that.

"Xiaoyuanhou, this is the life your great-grandpa chose. I’ve already lived more than my share. I just don’t want to die broke. Be good, go deliver the message for me.

And listen close—this time it’s not just me and Blind Liu. I’ve invited another fellow in the trade. He and his kid are something else, let me tell you.

And don’t you dare let Blind Liu find out how busted up I am. She’s got a weak heart—if she knows, she’ll back out for sure!"

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