Chapter 0066 Old Classmate Qiao
I quickly said that the crematorium had a new policy: every family member of a deceased person whose urn was lost could receive 100,000 RMB in compensation, but we first needed to verify the deceased's information, including their home address. The man froze, and his tone instantly became excited: "How much? A hundred thousand?" I said yes. He was overjoyed and hurriedly gave me everything—from Zheng Yonggui's ID number and dates of birth and death to the home address. I recorded the call with my phone while taking notes, then told him to wait for notification.
After hanging up, I immediately took a taxi to the address, a residential complex in Hunnan. The neighborhood was decent. After circling a few times, I found the unit building listed. Several old women were chatting nearby while pushing strollers. I walked over and asked: "Excuse me, I'm looking for information on an elderly man named Zheng Yonggui who passed away last year. Did he live in this building?"
One old woman eyed me suspiciously: "Why are you looking for him?"
I claimed to be from an insurance company, saying Zheng Yonggui had purchased accidental death insurance and I was there to investigate the cause of death and his character—temperament, hobbies, and so on—to determine the claim settlement. Another old woman snorted: "Can that old thing's death really be counted as an accident?"
The first old woman curled her lip: "Why not? Even if he was in his eighties, dying mid-act (Madaofeng) is still an accident." The women all laughed. I hurriedly asked what happened. The old woman looked around to make sure no one else was there before whispering: "You don't know? That Zheng Yonggui was a typical old lecher—violent temper and obsessed with women. His wife was literally nagged to death because he was always chasing others. Even in his seventies, he'd ride his bike to Lu Xun Park to find women—those fifty or sixty-year-olds you could sleep with for thirty yuan. He died last winter at eighty-one; he was doing 'it' with his sixty-something-year-old live-in nanny and worked himself to death!"
I was shocked: "That really happened?" The women nodded repeatedly, and the one who spoke specifically warned me not to say it came from her. I nodded and left the complex.
It was clear now. This Zheng Yonggui was an old pervert. When he sought revenge on me, his personality traits influenced me, causing my sudden surges of lust. Fortunately, my "targets" had been acquaintances; if I had an episode on the street, I'd probably be beaten to death.
That evening, Wang Jiao called me, her voice full of excitement. She said they just got back from Dandong and had feasted on seafood, especially the large yellow clams which were incredibly plump. I suddenly remembered something and asked: "What made you decide to travel to Dandong?"
Wang Jiao said: "Don't even ask. One night I was almost asleep when Xicai suddenly sat up in bed and said, 'He's actually coming; looks like I need to hide.' I asked him who was coming and where he was going to hide, but he just chuckled and wouldn't answer. The next day he bought train tickets, saying a friend in Dandong invited us to visit. I didn't think much of it and just went. Is there a problem?"
I quickly said no, thinking to myself how naive this girl was. At the same time, I felt a chill. This "Male Undead" spirit could actually sense the information about the Arjan Master coming to Shenyang through Wang Jiao's thoughts. His telepathic ability was truly formidable.
Logically, I should have spent the money to settle Sun Xicai's and the spirit's issue long ago, but I had hesitated for a long time, only making up my mind after another major incident occurred. Looking back, I realized I was truly "valuing money over life" at the time, to a degree I couldn't even understand. But thinking deeper, I realized that in the few years I'd been in the amulet business, the two biggest changes in me were: one, my compassion was worsening; and two, I was becoming increasingly stingy with money. Especially the latter—anyone who has done business will understand. Whenever I had to spend money, I would measure it in merchandise. For example, if I had to give a 500-yuan wedding gift tomorrow, I'd think: Great, there goes the profit from half a "Positive" amulet.
Just then, Sun Xicai took the phone and asked: "Brother Tian, I told you last time I wanted to order some stock, but you never replied. Did you forget?"
Only then did I remember. I was in Brother Jiang's taxi when I took that call, and it had completely slipped my mind. I apologized and went to the shop the next day to take notes on what he needed.
While sitting in the shop, Wang Jiao happily noted that business had improved. As we were chatting, a black Passat pulled up, and a man stepped out and walked straight toward the shop. Wang Jiao said happily: "Xicai, look, another customer. Looks like a wealthy one." Through the glass door, I saw the man looked familiar—it was my middle school classmate, Old Qiao.
"What is he doing here..." I wondered.
Wang Jiao asked: "What, Brother, you know him?"
Old Qiao pushed the door open. Seeing me inside, a loathsome, sycophantic grin appeared on his face. He sat down casually on a chair and deliberately tossed his car keys onto the table. Although I detested this guy, I knew he hadn't just stumbled in by accident. I forced a smile and asked: "If it isn't Director Qiao. How did you know I was here?"
Old Qiao propped his feet up on the opposite display shelf: "I was bored and chatting with Lyu Wen on the phone. She mentioned you, so I asked where you were. She had your business card, so she told me."
I thought to myself: Don't give me that crap. He was incredibly hypocritical. People like Old Qiao never do anything without a profit motive; he wouldn't have just happened to ask about me and drive all this way for a visit. Before I could speak, Sun Xicai opened his mouth: "Hey, take your feet down. You're a young man; why so rude?"
Old Qiao was stunned, then said unhappily: "You've got a sharp tongue. Who do you think you're talking to?"
Sun Xicai snorted: "Is there anyone else in this room with their feet up?"
"Why you..." Old Qiao stood up, ready to lose his temper, but Wang Jiao and I quickly held him back. Old Qiao pointed at him and asked me: "Who is this?"
I said he was my cousin's boyfriend. Old Qiao's face darkened: "Since when is it your turn to talk? Who do you think you are? This isn't even your shop! Do you know who I am to Tian Qi?"
Sun Xicai said: "Who you are to Brother Tian doesn't matter a damn cent to me. Right now, this shop is mine. If you're a customer, you're welcome. If you're here to talk nonsense, then I won't be showing you the door."
Old Qiao completely lost it: "You motherf—" I rushed up to stop him, telling him the shop had been transferred to them and was no longer mine in name. Old Qiao glared: "It's not about the shop! Talking to me like that? Are you looking for trouble?" I signaled Wang Jiao to pull Sun Xicai into the back room to hide. Once they were inside and the door was closed, I smiled and said: "Your temper has certainly grown since you became a bank director. Picking a fight the moment you enter—are you here to see me or to wreck the place?"
Old Qiao said resentfully: "He started it! You think I'm really that bored to drive a huge circle just to see you? I have something to ask." I told him to speak his mind. Old Qiao said: "Back then, you sold Lyu Wen an amulet, and later you sold Brother Ming a little coffin thing. I heard that after he got it, he's been winning at mahjong like crazy every day. A friend of mine saw it with his own eyes. Are Thai amulets really that effective?"
I laughed: "If they weren't, why would so many celebrities and millionaires travel all the way to Thailand? They either find an Arjan for an amulet or get a 'love charm' or curse. Do they have so much money they just want to burn it?"
Old Qiao thought for a bit: "Then get me one too!"
I asked: "Assistant Director isn't enough? You want to be the Bank President?"
Old Qiao's expression became a bit unnatural: "Actually, I'm just an assistant director-level loan officer, not a director yet. But who doesn't want to move up? Otherwise, relying on seniority, I'd have to wait until I'm nearly retired to become a director. There are personnel changes in our department next month; the director is transferring, and the assistant director is being promoted. Four people are competing for the assistant director spot. But those three have better connections than I do; looks like I have no chance."
"But the problem is, an amulet can't guarantee you a promotion or wealth," I replied.
Old Qiao curled his lip: "Don't lie to me. Everyone says those Thai 'Yin' amulets are incredibly effective. Are you afraid I won't pay you?"