Hu 79 stood up in a huff, slapping her buttocks, knowing when to yield and when to stand tall.
“Yi Ping?” Lan He called out to Bai Wu, “Your villa has arrived.”
Bai Wu walked out, leaning against the wall.
Yi Ping walking along the wall was nothing new, Lan He didn’t mind and said, “Take a look, what do you think?”
Bai Wu raised his head, squinting his eyes until they were almost shut, “Look at what…”
He originally wore thick glasses on his face, but now they were gone, and judging by how hard he was squinting, he was practically blind.
The hedgehog had poor eyesight, but after Bai Wu achieved enlightenment, he had gotten himself a pair of glasses. Lan He asked, “Put on your glasses.”
Bai Wu: “I can’t find them…”
He had just taken them off for a little nap and couldn’t find them after fumbling around for a while upon waking.
“Where did you put them…” Lan He trailed off, suddenly thinking of something and looked at Hu 79.
Reluctantly, Hu 79 pulled the glasses out of her pocket and handed them back to Bai Wu.
Only then could Bai Wu focus on looking. The breeding box that Song Futan had sent over was still wrapped in its intact outer packaging.
Bai Wu saw the large packaging box, adjusted his thick glasses, and couldn’t help but read out the words on top, though because he wasn’t familiar with simplified characters, he recognized them rather slowly: “Breathing holes covered with metal mesh to prevent small animals…”
—Prevent small animals from escaping.
Yesterday, when they were promoting it to Yi Ping, they said it was to prevent the hedgehog from being harassed, but considering his personality, reverse marketing wasn’t wrong either.
Lan He immediately turned the packaging box around and took out the breeding box. It was quite large, with a square wooden grain exterior, looking like a big box, but one side had a large acrylic transparent window, allowing the interior to be fully visible. The bed also resembled a human bed, only much smaller in scale, with stairs connecting the upper and lower floors. The furniture was on the upper level, with bowls for food and drink on the lower level, and there was even a running wheel for exercise, as well as a tiny swimming ring hanging up.
At first, Bai Wu was still somewhat puzzled, but upon seeing the large double-decker hedgehog villa, with its smooth waterproof board, clean and transparent acrylic window, and the exquisite furniture inside, his mind was completely captivated. Hearing the description and seeing the actual item were two different things altogether.
Their four major clans aimed to cultivate into human forms, and they once thought that the highest-level wealth would be structures resembling human living spaces, but this hedgehog villa even had furniture that looked like it was meant for human use.
Although it was designed by humans for cuteness, for Bai Wu, it was simply amazing!
Just like when he saw the incense tower yesterday, Bai Wu’s eyes almost glazed over as he genuinely marveled, “So luxurious!!”
“Look, there’s even heating equipment for the winter. This type of house offers perfect lighting, and we also specially customized curtains for your personality—you can bask in the sun if you want or close yourself off if you don’t.” Lan He was referring to the curtains he prepared today using old towels, knowing that Bai Wu would definitely need them.
Bai Wu nodded absentmindedly.
Lan He and Song Futan took turns introducing the villa to him, and Bai Wu was thoroughly enchanted by it. In his mind, only the words “rich” remained, and he was absolutely satisfied with this mansion.
Lan He opened the lid, “Let me install the curtains for you.”
He used bamboo strips from incense-making and glue to create curtain rods, slipped on the old towels, and with Song Futan’s help, they were securely attached. The curtains were excellent at blocking light. Inside, the food bowl didn’t even need food, just three sticks of incense.
While Lan He and Song Futan were busy, Hu 79 and Bai Wu squatted by the side, watching.
Bai Wu looked at the villa with a face full of longing. Except for the small size of the house, this was like living a dream.
Hu 79 glanced at him sideways, gritting her teeth in secret, thinking, “Such an easily satisfied wretch with no taste!”
But then she thought of her own simple stainless steel food bowl, and she felt so jealous that her eyes were about to turn red.
After finishing, Lan He asked Bai Wu, “So, are you going to move in? Do you need to inspect it first?”
Bai Wu didn’t quite understand the question and replied randomly, “I’ll move in, I’ll move in.”
Lan He pulled out a handwritten note he had prepared earlier and presented it like a banner: “Congratulations, Bai Zong, on acquiring your new home.”
Song Futan: “…” This young man is too funny.
Bai Wu had never experienced such a thing before. He took off his glasses and wiped away tears, “Thank you, but my real name isn’t Bai Zong. People call me Bai Wu, and I can only secretly tell you my real name.”
Lan He: “…”
Bai Wu admired for a long while: “I… I still want to write a letter to the elders of my clan…”
What is this? This is what the ancients called “returning home in glory.” Unexpectedly, Yi Ping also had such a crude concept of flaunting wealth.
Lan He burst into laughter, “Sure, do you want to include a photo too?”
Bai Wu seriously supported his Caishen Building and very old-fashionedly took a photo. However, because he was using a hedgehog’s body, with his round body standing upright, no matter how other hedgehogs might look, Lan He thought it didn’t seem like flaunting wealth; instead, it looked like an advertisement for a pet enclosure.
Lan He had a mini instant camera at home, and there was still some film left. With a click, after waiting for a moment, the photo was in hand.
“I feel like we’re playing house.” Lan He still had a smile on his face, “During break time, making a nest for a hedgehog feels relaxing and enjoyable.”
Song Futan nodded, indeed, what a harmonious and joyful family.
Hu 79 looked at the delighted Bai Wu, cradling her face: “Hey, let me try it. We’re about the same size.”
Bai Wu: “Huh?” He didn’t trust the Hu Sect at all, but Hu 79 was powerful, and he was also scared of her, so he pondered for a long time on how to respond, and finally lowered his head and slowly closed his eyes.
Hu 79: “…??”
What the heck? Did he just die while we were talking?!
…
Lan He and Song Futan went to the kitchen to wash strawberries.
Lan He said, “Stay for lunch, I’ll cook.”
“Sure.” Song Futan thought, Xiao Lai can cook too! Besides his main and part-time jobs, he still cooks for himself, and the kitchen is kept exceptionally clean. That’s what you call excellence, right?
Lan He continued, “But my cooking skills are pretty average. I usually eat takeout, so don’t be too critical.”
That’s why the kitchen was so empty and looked new.
Song Futan felt a pang of heartache. Eating takeout often isn’t healthy; he must be too busy with work, with no other choice…
Song Futan immediately said, “Let’s do it together. I can make a couple of dishes too.”
He took out his phone and quickly placed an order for the ingredients, conveniently adding the seasonings that Lan He didn’t have.
“Afterward… do you have any more work?” Song Futan asked again. Yesterday, Dou Qishan kept texting him, urging him to talk things over with Lan He quickly, so they could officially start the preliminary work.
They all thought Song Futan had gone to discuss the role with Lan He, but in fact, Lan He didn’t even know about it, not even that he had become the prototype for the male lead.
To be honest, this script seemed like it was tailor-made for Lan He. And coincidentally, Lan He was also an actor—a good one at that. Song Futan, after reviewing some scenes last night, objectively concluded that this was no exaggeration. Having him play the role was a natural fit. How many screenwriters are lucky enough to have their prototype play the role in their script?
But words are the path to a person’s heart, and giving the script to Lan He to read made Song Futan somewhat anxious.
“Yesterday, Sister Xingyu mentioned she wanted to take me on a program, but we haven’t discussed it in detail.” Lan He thought for a moment, “Nothing else for now, no auditions lined up.”
“I… have a script in hand. When it’s done, would you be interested in taking a look?” Song Futan proposed.
Lan He: “Is this pulling some strings…”
Song Futan found his expression extremely cute and said, “It’s truly suitable for you, so you should come.”
Lan He raised his head, “Of course, I’ll come! This is a project by Director Song and Xuang Guang! I’ve got to audition for it!” He glanced at the time, “Hmm, I’ll go get some chopped chili. My mom sent me some homemade chili. I’ll make you a famous dish from Hunan province—chopped chili fish head.”
Chopped chili fish head is a famous dish in the Hunan cuisine. It uses the head of a bighead carp, covered with a layer of bright red chopped chili, garnished with a few sprigs of fresh green scallions—just looking at it makes your mouth water. Besides that, there was also stir-fried cured meat with dried radish, clearly another dish made by Lan He.
Song Futan, on the other hand, made Beijing-style shredded pork and also stir-fried some cabbage. The two of them ended up with a very sumptuous meal.
The fish was fragrant, spicy, and flavorful, tender and fresh. Song Futan wasn’t great with spicy food, but the chopped chili used here wasn’t particularly hot, more savory than anything. Plus, it was made by Lan He, so Song Futan was more than satisfied.
“Uh? Where did Yi Ping and 79 go?” Lan He looked around and couldn’t see them. Earlier, Hu 79 mentioned wanting to eat some meat for a change, and Lan He’s fragrant food had practically intoxicated her.
“Bai Wu is probably in the Caishen Building,” Song Futan said. He noticed the curtains of the hedgehog villa were also drawn.
“Then 79 is probably sleeping. Never mind, let’s eat first. Leave a few pieces for her, rinse them with water, and don’t add too much salt,” Lan He said.
Hearing how experienced he sounded, Song Futan asked, “Why can’t immortals have too much salt?”
“I don’t know,” Lan He replied, puzzled. “I just figured that cats and dogs can’t have too much salt either; too much salt can make them lose fur, right?”
Song Futan: “…”
Lan He sneakily glanced at Song Futan and asked him a question in return: “What does your pen name really mean? The internet has been guessing for a long time.” Since he was known as Xuang Guang, people had come up with many profound interpretations, as if they were writing a five-thousand-word essay linking “light” to civilization.
Song Futan was equally puzzled: “When I came up with it, I just happened to see a light bulb. It’s a light suspended in the air.”
Lan He: “…”
This oddly reminded him of Hu 79’s given name, Hu Xiren, derived from her fondness for ambushing the living… These two were quite similar in a way.
As they were finishing their meal, Old Bai arrived.
“Close the curtains, close them; it’s really uncomfortable,” Old Bai said. Although Impermanence spirits also had to busy themselves with soul-reaping during the day, as ghostly beings, they certainly weren’t used to sunlight.
“Did you finish chatting with First Lady Hu?” Lan He saw him enter and, very naturally, handed him a handful of ingots, asking.
Old Bai nodded solemnly, “Is there anyone else here besides you?”
“Just the Hu clan and the Bai clan; they’re sleeping.” Lan He walked over and casually opened the lid.
Inside the hedgehog villa, there was a large hedgehog and a fox with half a tail squeezed together. The villa might have been spacious, but squeezing two animals in there was really too much, especially since they had both cultivated for so long and were quite large. As a result, the fox’s butt was pressed against the acrylic window, flattened like a pancake.
Old Bai thought he meant the two were sleeping together, “Tsk, tsk, couldn’t you give them a bigger house? Even a paper one would do. This is way too cramped.”
Lan He: “… Come out.”
Hu 79 crawled out sheepishly, “I was just getting a feel for it.”
“Be careful it doesn’t bristle and poke you. Wouldn’t sleeping in the study’s bay window be more spacious?” Lan He, having been pricked by hedgehog quills before, spoke with a special sense of empathy.
Hu 79 was stubborn, “No matter how big the bay window is, it’s not the Caishen Building. I have principles.”
Bai Wu, seeing Old Bai, was stunned: “It’s you…”
The Impermanence who had beaten up Melon Head Immortal hat day!
“Yes, yes, it’s me!” Old Bai chuckled and casually pulled out the incense stick from Bai Wu’s incense burner, “I helped you that day at the request of your esteemed family.”
Bai Wu: “…”
Bai Wu was both saddened and touched, yet too afraid to move…
“Since we’re all from the Four Great Clans and have relevant people here, I’ll get straight to the point.” Old Bai glanced around, knowing that Hu Si had once kidnapped Song Futan, “Hu Si indeed escaped from Miaogan Mountain. The official hat and golden rat, as well as the robberies of various Four Great Clans, were definitely her doing. First Lady Hu has confirmed this; she used an apple core as a substitute.”
Old Bai gave Lan He a complicated look.
Lan He’s heart skipped a beat, and he roughly understood the meaning. If Hu Si had escaped, then the golden top might really be one of the Dark Five Towns. Was this outcome very bad?
Lan He asked, “Can First Lady Hu capture her?”
Old Bai’s words confirmed Lan He’s suspicions further: “First Lady Hu is too busy right now. She has issued a bounty. In Beijing, it doesn’t matter if you’re from the Four Great Clans, registered or unregistered, whether you’re an insider or an outsider working in the underworld… As long as someone can capture Hu Si, the reward is a whole furnace of top-grade incense ash!”
Incense, in itself, is nothing, but once it has been burned into incense ash, it gains spiritual power. Incense can transmit thoughts and messages, and the gods feed on incense smoke, while incense ash also holds spiritual power.
Some even believe that an incense burner is more important than a deity statue, as rituals always begin with lighting incense and end with extinguishing it. The rituals of the Four Great Clans also start by setting up the incense burner.
There’s also a saying among immortals about “urging incense fire.” Manifesting oneself is often just to receive more incense offerings. The top-ranking immortals are also known as incense officials, and teachers are called incense heads. When a new branch is established, it’s necessary to take some incense ash from the old incense burner.
All these examples illustrate the benefits of this furnace of top-grade incense ash, but at the same time, they also demonstrate how powerful Hu Si truly is.
Hu 79, eager for action, said, “Even without the incense ash, I must go catch Hu Si! How dare she rob me of my incense offerings—I must take revenge!”
Old Bai, however, sternly warned, “When you head out, Hu Si will likely have already started her incense path. But she is vicious and petty—don’t underestimate her. Otherwise, First Lady Hu wouldn’t have issued a bounty.”
Lan He also spoke seriously, “I’ve met Hu Si once—she’s really fierce. You mustn’t act recklessly.”
He felt that although they hadn’t spent much time together, Hu 79, as a fox spirit from the Hu clan, was easy to understand. Being ambushed once had led her to cut off her tail and swear revenge.
Hu 79 and he were somewhat fated; her claws had saved him once. So, while she wasn’t worshiped at his home, she was free to eat incense and live there. Now that such a situation had arisen, he was genuinely concerned and no longer teased Hu 79.
Hu 79, with her neck stiff, said, “My oath is witnessed by the gods. If I break it, then I, as a fox, am done for. You should either encourage me or, if I get my revenge, build me a Caishen Building too.”
Lan He: “…Fine. If everyone comes out of this safe and sound, then I wouldn’t mind worshipping you.”
Hu 79 was stunned, “R-really? You agreed? You agreed?!”
Lan He sighed, “When you have too many fleas, you stop itching. But listen carefully, the condition is that you all must stay safe. Don’t just rush in headfirst for a fight. Once Hu Si is brought to justice, I’ll build you a Caishen Building too.”
In the past, he thought the matters of the Five Towns had nothing to do with him, and he only wanted to quit his part-time job.
He once chose to turn a blind eye, but after working with Impermanence spirits, he got to know them better—the Four Great Clans of immortals, with their distinct personalities and strong emotions. Old Bai, greedy but loyal, the Northeast Gu Master neighbor, and Song Futan, who was constantly harassed by evil spirits…
Gradually, he realized that one by one, the people (animals/ghosts) he knew were getting involved. Hu Si coveted Xiao Song, 79 had a grudge, Old Bai and First Lady Hu were under tremendous pressure… Even he had broken one rule after another.
Unconsciously, he had become too involved to step back. He loved his primary job, but this matter was also closely related to the place where he now worked and lived.
Lan He glanced at Song Futan and saw that he was also looking at him, with a knowing expression. Song Futan smiled slightly.
After all, their experiences were somewhat similar. Song Futan had seen ghosts since childhood and chose to ignore them, so he could understand him very well.
Hu 79 bared her sharp teeth, “This immortal lady wouldn’t rush in blindly to her death…”
“I believe you,” Lan He said, patting the little fox on the head, even though he knew she was probably a few hundred years older than him. “With so many capable immortals in the capital, Hu Si won’t be able to escape.”
Hu 79’s ears twitched, and she squinted her eyes.
Old Bai was pleased, “Well said, Xiao Lai. You’re becoming more and more conscious of being an Impermanence. If you manage to catch her, not only will you get the Golden Top incense ash, but I’ll also recommend you for the advanced model worker award in the underworld. It’s tough to get that as a living Impermanence!”
Lan He: “…Thanks a lot, really.”
Old Bai chuckled, “Besides this troublesome Hu Si, all sorts of demons and spirits are getting restless. Everyone, we all have things to do, so I’ll be off!”
Before leaving, Old Bai glanced at the incense ash in Hu 79’s stainless steel bowl. Wow, she’d accumulated quite a lot, having been here longer than Bai Wu. He remarked with a slightly odd tone, “You’re really spoiling them, aren’t you?”
Lan He smiled awkwardly, “Yes, yes, I admit my mistake. My parenting philosophy has always been a bit off.”
Old Bai: “……………”
…What on earth? Why does it feel like I was just insulted?
Lan He walked Old Bai to the balcony and waved goodbye, thinking he might want to comfort the fiery Hu 79 again. Knowing who her enemy was must have really riled her up.
As soon as Lan He turned around, he saw Hu 79, who had somehow found a tape measure, crouching down and measuring the apartment seriously: “I think if we knock down this wall and build me a full-height Caishen Building, it would be great…”
She even glanced at Song Futan and, pretending to be generous but actually showing off, said, “If you come, I could give you my old bay window to sleep in.”
Song Futan: “…”
Lan He: “…”
.
Lan He and Old Bai agreed that he would do what he could in the future to help clear out the evil spirits and dark energy in Beijing.
At the same time, he still needed to make a living…
In the afternoon, Chen Xingyu also said she wanted to discuss the specifics of a program with him. She originally planned to invite him to her place, but Lan He said he still had guests at home. Chen Xingyu casually asked who it was and whether she knew them.
Lan He glanced at Song Futan and told her it was Xuang Guang.
Chen Xingyu was first surprised, then wondered if he had gone to discuss a script—she’d never heard of Xuang Guang being so proactive. She originally planned to reschedule, but Miaomiao, upon hearing Lan He’s voice over the phone, started whining nonstop.
“Hey, how about this—I’ll bring Miaomiao over to your place. I haven’t been there yet, but will we be disturbing you?” Chen Xingyu asked.
“No! Uh, let me ask…” Lan He instinctively refuted, then realized he was overreacting and sheepishly looked at Song Futan. Song Futan couldn’t help but smile and agreed.
Chen Xingyu not only came by herself but also brought her husband and child along. When the doorbell rang, it was Song Futan who opened the door.
“Xuang Guang,” Chen Xingyu, usually so cool and elegant, couldn’t help but reveal a subtle but curious smile.
“Hello.” Song Futan politely shook hands with both of them. Lan He had mentioned his relationship with the Chen family, which had developed because of the child, and now they were on good terms.
As soon as Miao Miao saw Lan He, he stretched out his arms from afar, wanting to be held. Lan He put down the tea and picked him up.
The invisible Hu 79 circled around Chen Xingyu a couple of times, very satisfied, nodding in approval: Chen Xingyu had kept herself in excellent shape.
As for the hedgehog, of course, it had hidden away.
“Oh, you have pets at home?” After exchanging a few pleasantries, Chen Xingyu noticed the pet enclosure in Lan He’s home.
“Yes, a friend gave me a hedgehog,” Lan He explained naturally. “I rescued one during a film shoot and found it interesting, so I decided to keep one myself.”
“Huh, that’s unique. Most people have cats or dogs. But your hedgehog looks pretty good too—big enough.” Old Lin was straightforward and simple, equating good with big and fat.
Everyone sat down to chat. The materials from Chen Xingyu hadn’t arrived yet, but there was no rush. The matter could have been handled online; she had brought her child to visit Lan He and, incidentally, to see Xuang Guang.
“It’s still early. I’ll order some food from the restaurant later, but how about we play cards in the meantime?” Old Lin suggested, “Four people, just right for a game of mahjong.”
Chen Xingyu joked, “Only you would think of roping Xuang Guang into playing mahjong…”
Chen Xingyu wasn’t keen, especially since she was holding Miao Miao.
“Then let’s play Fight the Landlord,” Old Lin shouted, “I take care of the kid every day, and I haven’t played cards in ages!”
Lan He laughed, “Xuang Guang, would you play cards with us?”
Old Lin was shocked when Song Futan actually agreed. Silently, he swallowed his surprise. From what his wife had said, this was probably only the second time the two had met. Was this what they called ‘hitting it off immediately’?
“I heard from Director Wang that you have a reputation as a gambling king in the crew. Let me tell you, I’m known as the neighborhood gambling king. Let’s have a showdown.” Old Lin rubbed his hands together eagerly.
Lan He: “Is it really that intense…?”
Old Lin: “Hey, if we’re going to play, let’s play big. The loser has to dance!”
Lan He noticed him glancing at Song Futan and said, “You really just want to see Xuang Guang dance, don’t you…”
Song Futan: “…”
Old Lin grinned, “You said it. It’d be best if you two danced together.”
How rare would that be? Xuang Guang! Playing cards! And losing, and having to be punished!
Song Futan usually had such a mysterious and aloof image that even someone like Old Lin in the industry was excited.
Lan He winked his left eye at Song Futan, “Alright, let’s do it.”
“I’ll deal the cards,” Old Lin stretched out his hand, proudly telling Miao Miao, “Come on, son, blow on Daddy’s hand so Daddy can beat Uncle Lan He and make him dance for you.”
Miao Miao puffed and blew air through his little mouth onto Old Lin’s hand. Old Lin, feeling quite pleased, said, “Alright, now Daddy’s luck is sure to be good.”
The three of them sat at the table, and Lan He shyly smiled, reaching out to hold Song Futan’s hand under the table.
Song Futan: “!”
His heart skipped a beat… No one noticed what was happening under the table, and Xiao Lai’s acting was superb. As if nothing was amiss, he pried open Song Futan’s fingers. How could Song Futan resist? His hand was opened up just like that, and Lan He even shook his hand gently.
It was getting hard to breathe…
The next second, Bai Wu quickly crawled over, avoiding everyone’s legs, looking like he wanted to say something but hesitated. In the end, he blew a puff of air into both Lan He’s and Song Futan’s hands.
Song Futan: “………………”
Song Futang thinks it’s flirting while it’s actually blessings for gambling XD