Lan He opened the door and stepped inside first.
Bai Wu hesitantly peeked in at the door before stepping in cautiously, “It’s not as small as I imagined…”
The decor here was quite simple, and Lan He’s belongings were few, making the space seem rather open. Despite being away for nearly two months, the place was spotlessly clean, as if not even a speck of dust had settled.
“Take a seat for a moment,” Lan He said as he went to put away his suitcase. Looking at the empty house, he suddenly remembered something and called out, “79, 79? Are you here?”
—There should have been a Hu 79 recovering from an injury at his place, but he wasn’t sure if she had left after healing.
She might have left since he wasn’t home for a while, unable to harass him.
“I’m here, I’m here.” A female voice answered, and Hu 79 indeed appeared. She came out of the kitchen, holding her stainless steel bowl. It seemed she had just been eating, “You’re finally done with work!”
Lan He had refused to bring her along to the set, and she had almost grown moldy from waiting.
Before Lan He could respond, Hu 79 sniffed the air, “What’s that smell?”
She rushed into the living room and immediately spotted Bai Wu sitting on the sofa. Instantly, her hair bristled, quite literally, as Lan He noticed a few whiskers seemingly sprouting from her smooth face…
Hu 79 thought Bai Wu had secretly followed Lan He back and that Lan He was pretending not to see it. Now was her time to shine; after all, she was a Hu Sect capable of guarding the house.
“Where did this prickly ball come from, daring to trespass on this fairy’s territory?” Hu 79’s nails grew longer, and her gaze sharpened like a blade, directed at Bai Wu.
Bai Wu’s eyes turned red again, “Senior, I followed the master back to receive offerings…” The helpless, weak tone was like a steel needle, stabbing into Hu 79.
Hu 79 clutched her stainless steel bowl and took a few steps back, almost spitting blood, “What did you say?!”
Her voice grew louder, and Bai Wu curled up on the sofa once more.
Lan He came out and said, “Don’t scare him.”
Hu 79: “…”
Hu 79 was speechless and choked up.
Hu Sect, I’m from the Hu Sect, right? I’m a fox spirit, right? Why is this happening…
Lan He explained, “I rescued a hedgehog while I was on set. It wanted to stay by my side to repay the favor, and later, I saw it had good character, so I decided to bring it home to raise.”
Quite a few things had happened over the past two months.
Bai Wu teared up, “But you never mentioned that you’ve already claimed a Hu Immortal.”
Lan He: “I haven’t. Would someone as kind as me only rescue one wild animal? This one was also rescued and brought home to recover—Hey, Hu 79, are you healed? Are you going back to the mountain?”
Hu 79 rolled on the ground, “I’m not leaving, I’m not leaving, I’m not leaving! I was here first! I’ve been cleaning your house for two months, even self-taught plumbing! How can you let this jinx sneak in while I was down?”
Just a moment ago, she had called it a prickly ball, but now she was openly using the derogatory term: jinx.
Lan He: “??? You really learned plumbing?”
“Don’t change the subject.” Hu 79 continued to kick her legs, “You said you’d keep the jinx, and now you’re kicking me out! Do you know how much courage it took for me to follow you!”
Lan He was genuinely puzzled, “How much?”
Hu 79: “One wrong move, and I could’ve been torn apart by FIrst Lady Hu! Ugh, stupid jinx, how could you sneak in while I was down…”
Lan He: “…” Should I be saying, “No nesting dolls”?
Even if Lan He hadn’t spelled it out, the fox spirit, with her sharp mind, would know Lan He was acquainted with First Lady Hu, who even gifted him nails, and could guess the situation. She had hoped to take advantage of the situation to beat First Lady Hu to the punch, but who would have thought, she’d end up being outmaneuvered by a prickly ball!!
It was a huge loss, spending two months cleaning with a stainless steel bowl, only to be outmaneuvered. This wasn’t just about the loss; it was a severe blow to the fox spirit’s pride. Throughout history, when had a fox spirit ever lost to a prickly ball?
Hu 79 was deep in her sorrow, “You say it has good character, but does that mean I have poor character? I hate you! I’m going to chop off my tail!”
She began to throw a tantrum, tugging at the half of her tail that remained.
But despite her wailing, she didn’t actually make a move.
With all her shouting, Lan He almost felt like a scumbag, “Calm down. The situation was different back then. Are you hungry? I’ll find something tasty for you.”
Hu 79 wiped her face with her sleeve and threw the stainless steel bowl onto the floor, growling, “Hurry up.”
Lan He stared at the stainless steel bowl.
Hu 79 quietly extended her hand and uprighted the overturned bowl.
Lan He went to get some incense, preparing to build a small incense tower.
As he went inside, Hu 79 wiped away her tears and calmly picked at her nails, asking Bai Wu, “What skills do you have?”
Bai Wu, terrified by Hu Sect’s sudden change in demeanor, stammered, “I-I can bring wealth and heal illnesses…”
Bringing wealth was expected; that was typical for the Bai Sect.
But when she heard about healing, Hu 79 bared her sharp teeth, “You’re not allowed to heal! That’s my territory!”
Bai Wu: “…………”
Hu 79 was nothing like the tantrum-throwing figure she had been in front of Lan He. Seeing Bai Wu cower in fear, she casually blew on her nails and said, “Although you might receive offerings first, don’t forget, I was here first. I’m definitely not leaving, and Lan He will eventually be so annoyed by me that he’ll offer to me too. When that happens, ranking-wise, I’m going to be ahead of you!”
In the case of household spirits and altar spirits, it’s not unusual to have more than one. The more lively places, like those of disciples who invoke spirits, could have dozens or even hundreds of spirits in one hall.
However, the more spirits there are, the more rules are needed to prevent conflicts. The ranking of the spirits determines their influence, and setting up a hierarchy ensures order.
If there’s a master, the master spirit can set the order. But Lan He had brought these household spirits home himself, so they could determine the ranking among themselves. It could be based on ability, or by lineage, such as Hu, Huang, Bai, and Liu, in that order. The ranking usually requires the consensus of all the spirits.
As a member of Hu Sect, Hu 79 already had an advantage in terms of lineage.
Bai Wu, mustering his courage, said, “That’s not necessarily true. It depends on what the master wants. I think you’d lose to him.”
Hu 79: “………………”
Those spirits who fight over incense with weak disciples do so because they lack any real ability. But Lan He is different—he doesn’t have a master, yet he has the Underworld on his side. Without a master spirit, he relies on his own power.
Though Bai Wu was timid, his near-sightedness allowed him to see that Hu 79 even hesitated before throwing a bowl, gauging Lan He’s reaction. If she could win a fight, that would be surprising…
These Hu Sect, always bullying by force.
Even the most timid of spirits have a desire to compete.
At that moment, Lan He came out holding a tray with two small incense towers. He glanced at the two spirits and asked, “You didn’t fight, did you?”
Hu 79 snorted angrily.
Lan He placed one of the incense towers into Hu 79’s bowl and burned two sheets of spirit money. He then threw them into the hollow center of the incense tower, which immediately burst into flames, sending tendrils of fragrant smoke into the air. With a slight smile, he said, “Try this, it’s not low-quality incense, right?”
Hu 79 couldn’t wait any longer and pounced on the incense, devouring the spiritual energy.
As for Bai Wu—
From the moment Lan He came out carrying that large tray with the incense towers, Bai Wu was in a daze. It was as if a six-year-old suddenly saw a colorful, sweet-smelling mountain of candy.
Moreover, Lan He had lit the entire incense tower, not just taken a few sticks for him!
Bai Wu’s eyes widened—this, this…
Let’s put it this way: if a courtyard house was something he thought might be achievable, making him willing to hold on a little longer in life, then this ultra-premium incense tower was something beyond his wildest dreams!
Is this a beautiful dream that only appears after being crushed?!
Lan He’s voice seemed to blur as it reached him, “Are you going to eat or not…”
A few seconds later, Bai Wu snapped out of it, “I’ll eat!”
I’ll eat, I’ll eat, I’ll devour. Bai Wu buried his head into the cloud of incense smoke.
…
After finishing, Bai Wu lay sprawled out on the sofa, having reverted to his hedgehog form, with all four legs pointing up, his beady eyes half-closed, floating in bliss. This is what it means to be a spirit…
Hu 79 was in a similar state, lying on the ground, her half-tail swaying back and forth.
Lan He carefully picked up Yi Ping by its limbs, lifting it off the sofa and placing it on the floor. It wasn’t that pets weren’t allowed on the sofa, but he was worried that Yi Ping, with all its spines, might scratch the sofa’s leather.
Bai Wu muttered dreamily, “How could it taste so good…”
Lan He replied, “Maybe because in the Underworld, I work in the kitchen?”
Bai Wu suddenly sat up, his round body folding in half, his beady eyes wide, “???”
Too naive, Lan He worried he might believe it, “Just kidding.”
Bai Wu lay back down, “I never imagined that being a household spirit could be so good…”
“That’s because you’re a spirit in my household. If you were to be a guardian or altar spirit in someone else’s home, you wouldn’t get this treatment,” Lan He said. Although he hadn’t initially planned to offer to them, since he was already taking care of them, he might as well take good care of them.
This type of guardian spirit is not meant for doing tasks or helping people see things, similar yet distinct from household spirits. Household spirits typically have lower spiritual power, while guardian altars are cultivated spirits that have achieved significant progress and, for various reasons, actively seek out someone to demand offerings from, often by performing some supernatural feat or causing trouble.
Hu 79, when she was with the Yang family, was likely supposed to be a guardian spirit. However, she didn’t follow the usual path and didn’t want to force the Yang family into compliance. Additionally, the Yang family had long wanted to invite a wealth god, so she stayed as a household spirit. The altar spirits, who had followers, couldn’t do anything about her, much to the Yang family’s delight.
In short, normally, within the four great sects of spirits, household spirits are relatively weaker and only enjoy the incense offerings of one household.
The issue is that the incense offerings at Lan He’s household are worth those of a thousand households. Even the renowned First Lady Hu from Jin Ding Miaogan Mountain coveted it…
Bai Wu murmured, “Even so… it would be nice to be registered in the future…”
Within the four great sects, there’s a saying: “When a spirit is registered, a layperson’s spiritual path is opened.” When a spirit’s cultivation reaches a certain level, not only can they be enshrined, but they can also accompany their master to Jin Ding to pay respects to the goddess, leaving their name behind—a true mark of legitimacy.
Paying respects to the goddess and getting registered is akin to getting a permanent job after being a temp, or a listener becoming a formal student. But that requires the spirit to advance to the level of a guardian or altar spirit.
Bai Wu still had some aspirations of leveling up.
Lan He, however, remembered First Lady Hu’s jealous voice and exchanged an awkward smile with Hu 79, “There’s no rush for that…”
Bai Wu, puzzled, asked, “Why not?”
Hu 79 looked up at the sky, planning to solidify her place before First Lady Hu noticed anything.
Lan He said, “No particular reason, but right now, trying to get registered might get you a hole in your head instead…”
Bai Wu: “???”
…
Lan He temporarily gave Bai Wu a cardboard box to live in. This wasn’t Bai Wu’s first time staying in one, and he figured there would be a hedgehog villa in the future, so he obediently settled inside.
Lan He slept until the next morning, only to be woken up by Hu 79’s crying.
Hu 79 had learned about Bai Wu getting a hedgehog villa and was deeply hurt, wailing to the point of almost fainting. If it were anyone else, they might have comforted her with a few words, but Bai Wu had his head buried in the corner, hiding from the situation…
“What’s going on now?” Lan He yawned, “Finish crying soon, I’m heading down for breakfast.”
Hu 79 was so choked up that she couldn’t cry anymore. She even suspected that Lan He had seen through her scheme. After all, this man had once stolen her chicken to eat—he was cold and heartless! No, she would have to wear him down slowly until he agreed!
While changing his shoes, Lan He casually swiped open his phone and checked his WeChat. The first message was from Chen Xingyu, saying she wanted to bring him on a variety show and that they should find time to discuss it in detail… As expected of a workaholic! She was already planning to return to work but was taking on relatively easy, local jobs for Miao Miao’s sake.
Lan He quickly replied.
Then he checked his Moments and was surprised to find a lot of new notifications. When he clicked on them:
Last night, Song Futan had gone through and liked all of his Moments posts.
Lan He: “…”
He burst out laughing.
Lan He headed downstairs to buy some soy milk and buns, still feeling a bit sleepy. As he was waiting, he overheard someone talking, “Did you see the news? The Golden Threshold has been returned, and the police accidentally found a clue.”
“What? Wasn’t the Golden Threshold lost over a hundred years ago?”
“The news says it had been taken overseas, and a collector found it and brought it back, but it got lost again and was found once more.”
Lan He opened his eyes wide. The news was spreading quickly—he had returned it last night, and it was already in the headlines today.
It was his turn at the counter, and Lan He ordered a cup of soy milk and two buns. As he waited, he overheard more conversation behind him.
Person A: “…Master Lai is really something. He even found the Golden Threshold.”
Person B: “You bet. Look at how many jobs our senior has taken on recently.”
Person A: “It’s a shame. Our senior has been trying to thank Master Lai, but no matter what, he can’t seem to get a meeting. Master Lai must be really busy. It’s a pity about all that good food. Just thinking about it makes me feel full.”
Person B: “Absolutely. Our senior even has to offer pastries now. Wow, Pingfang Zhai’s salted egg yolk pastry… my mouth is watering.”
Person A: “I think Master Lai won’t come this time either. We should just skip buying anything and go back to wait for the salted egg yolk pastries, right?”
Person B: “Sounds good, let’s go!”
“…Pingfang Zhai’s salted egg yolk pastries are so popular you have to hire someone to line up for them.” Lan He suddenly turned around and, as expected, saw Ying Shao’s two junior disciples. They had met a few times before, and when they saw him, they were momentarily stunned before grinning, “Mr. Lan, good morning.”
“Good morning.” Lan He grabbed his soy milk and buns, then bolted!
Ying Shao’s junior disciples were puzzled—why was he running so fast?
Salted egg yolk pastries, here I come! Lan He didn’t want to waste his soy milk and buns, so he quickly finished them in a few bites in the elevator. Then he rushed back, immediately leaving his body to find Ying Shao.
Ying Shao was sitting alone, staring at the expensive salted egg yolk pastries he had bought, contemplating whether to eat them himself when suddenly Master Lai rushed in. Startled and excited, Ying Shao exclaimed, “Master Lai!”
“Mmm, I felt someone was summoning me…” Lan He replied, his eyes fixed on the pastries.
“It was me!” Ying Shao said, moved to tears. “It’s true that sincerity brings results. Thanks to you, Master Lai, I finally made a breakthrough last time. Recently, I’ve taken on quite a few jobs and made some good money, so I’ve come to make an offering right away.”
Knowing that Master Lai preferred delicacies over paper money, Ying Shao had carefully bought famous Beijing treats. However, despite trying ten times, he only managed to summon Master Lai once.
As Lan He ate, he remarked, “Mmm, you’re filial.”
Overjoyed, Ying Shao almost wanted to bow down.
Master Lai came and went quickly. After finishing the pastries, he wiped his mouth and prepared to leave.
Ying Shao hurriedly asked, “Master, could I use your name to negotiate with those evil spirits in the future?”
“Yes,” Lan He replied, studying him, “but you mustn’t use it to swindle money or deceive people.”
“I absolutely won’t, you can trust me on that. My master has always taught…” Ying Shao was still making promises when Master Lai had already walked through the wall and disappeared.
Moments later, the door opened, and Ying Shao’s two junior disciples returned, exchanging knowing looks. “Senior brother, can we eat the pastries now…?”
Ying Shao gave them a kindly look. “Go ahead if you want.”
.
The screen door was closed as Song Futan walked into the inner courtyard from the side steps. He saw his grandfather playing with birds under the eaves. The birdcage was simple and unadorned, and inside, a songbird was melodiously mimicking the chirps of sparrows and the whispers of swallows.
“Grandpa,” Song Futan called out. He had come to pick up a pet enclosure.
Grandpa Dou saw him and gestured with his chin, “There’s the pet enclosure you wanted. Are you giving it to a girl? Want me to paint it pink for you?”
Song Futan replied, “…No, thank you.”
Grandpa Dou chuckled mischievously. “Who’s it for, then? This is the first time I’ve heard you say you’re giving something to someone. It’s unusual. Most kids learn to give flowers to their female classmates in kindergarten, and you’re only now figuring out how to give gifts—don’t tell me otherwise. You came bright and early, checking if the enclosure was still here, even learning how to raise a hedgehog.”
Song Futan felt helpless dealing with his grandfather and simply said, “It’s not even close to that yet.”
“I’m not saying anything out of line. Don’t worry, your grandpa knows when to keep his mouth shut,” Grandpa Dou said, knowing that Song Futan was as tight-lipped as a gourd and wouldn’t reveal much. So, he just focused on teaching him how to use the pet enclosure. He thought, someday, Song Futan would have to bring that person over to meet him.
After leaving his grandfather’s house, Song Futan drove to Lan He’s place, having already sent a WeChat message to Lan He.
Lan He responded, telling him which building he was in and warning him to be careful not to run into Ying Shao—Song Futan had met Ying Shao once before and had jokingly told Ying Shao that Song Futan was his colleague.
When he reached Lan He’s floor, Song Futan rang the doorbell, and in no time, Lan He came to open the door.
This was another first.
It was their first time meeting in daylight.
In the warm sunlight streaming through the windows, Lan He, dressed in casual home clothes with his hair slightly tousled, exuded a very homely vibe. His bright, moist eyes made Song Futan feel as if his heart had been struck once again.
“The pet enclosure. I also brought some strawberries,” Song Futan said, gesturing as he slipped on the slippers Lan He had prepared.
“Thanks.” Lan He, seeing Song Futan in the daylight for the first time, couldn’t help but ask, “Hey, did you not sleep well last night?”
Song Futan replied, “…A bit of insomnia.”
He had stayed up late binge-watching shows. It wasn’t that he couldn’t pull an all-nighter, but Lan He’s earlier works were hard to find…
“Then you should rest well!” Lan He said, as he reached to take the pet enclosure. Being closer, his face was just at Song Futan’s shoulder level. For some reason, it felt a bit more embarrassing than when they met in the spirit realm.
“Ahhh—” Hu 79 stretched and walked out from the inner room, immediately spotting Song Futan and his pet enclosure.
“This is Hu 79. Song Futan,” Lan He introduced them.
Hu 79 had probably seen Song Futan outside Juehui Temple before, but Song Futan had never met her, though he had heard a little about her.
Hu 79 reacted quickly, plopping down on the floor and lamenting, “Why is there another one?! My life is so hard. I take care of the household chores, fix the plumbing, and yet there’s no place for me in this home!”
Lan He: “…”
Taking the opportunity to make a scene—she wasn’t done yet.
Lan He said calmly, “You should think of it this way: he’s here to join the household, not to disrupt it.”
Song Futan: “…”
Hu 79: “………………”
…Couldn’t the fox spirit get a little more respect around here?
Thank you for the chapter!