Chapter 38 Reality Check: The Little Volunteer
…
It was the weekend, and Yun Zouchuan was on break from school. She mailed the letter to her mother, then returned to the Little Fire God Paranormal Investigations.
She put down her backpack and heard faint sounds coming from the training room.
“I’m back!” She opened the door and peeked inside, seeing Zhu Ming, her face pale, furiously attacking a sandbag.
She suddenly remembered the date. According to custom, at the beginning of every third, sixth, ninth, and twelfth month, Zhu Ming would return to the Zhu family’s ancestral home. Every time she came back, she would be out of sorts for a few days: physically weak and emotionally volatile.
Yun Zouchuan quietly went about her business. A moment later, Zhu Ming emerged from the training room, kicking a dented water bottle aside. “You’re back? Go check on your little vegetable garden. I don’t know how much water it needs.”
Yun Zouchuan waved her hand in front of Zhu Ming’s face. “Boss, are you okay? It’s already the 6th.”
Zhu Ming, squatting in front of the freezer, eating a popsicle, brushed her hand away. “I was in an instance. I went a little later this time.”
Yun Zouchuan squatted down beside her, touching her forehead with concern. “Should I call Atu-jie?”
“What for? She’s busy.”
Yun Zouchuan replied matter-of-factly, “To spar with you. I’m afraid you’ll tear the house down if you don’t vent your frustrations.”
Zhu Ming: “…”
She was speechless. But before she could contact Wenren Tu, Wenren Tu showed up.
“Finally, a break!” Wenren Tu stretched languidly and dragged Zhu Ming to the training room. They had been friends for years. She knew about Zhu Ming’s post-ancestral home visits. She usually sparred with Zhu Ming during these times, but her new job at the Bureau kept her busy.
Wenren Tu took off her jacket and beckoned Zhu Ming closer, sparks of electricity crackling around her fingers. “Tsk, Wenren Bai is even busier than me, otherwise I’d have asked her to come.”
When they first met, Zhu Ming had been a newcomer to Huadu, untrained and easily overpowered by Wenren Tu in their sparring sessions.
But Zhu Ming improved quickly. She was naturally stronger than most people, and her relentless training had gradually closed the gap between them. Wenren Tu could no longer rely solely on physical combat to suppress her.
No one knew Zhu Ming’s talent better than Wenren Tu. She realized that no matter how much she sparred with Zhu Ming, it wouldn’t be as effective as training with someone stronger. Wenren Tu could rely on her abilities; she didn’t need to be as skilled in hand-to-hand combat. But Zhu Ming didn’t have that luxury. To protect herself within the Zhu clan, she needed strong martial arts skills.
So Wenren Tu had approached Wenren Bai, the woman she least wanted to interact with, the head of the Wenren clan and the Bureau director, and asked her to train Zhu Ming, to hone her skills, to teach her how to protect herself.
Over the years, Zhu Ming’s increasing strength was largely due to Wenren Bai’s training.
This year, with the emergence of the Dark Realm, the Bureau was overwhelmed. Wenren Bai hadn’t had a break in ages. She had wanted Zhu Ming, her secret disciple, and Wenren Tu to join the Bureau as interns. Wenren Tu, after years of unemployment, had finally agreed, but Zhu Ming preferred her freedom.
“If you’re busy, Coach must be even busier,” Zhu Ming said, referring to Wenren Bai as she always did. “Don’t hold back. Use your abilities if you need to.”
Even without her abilities, Wenren Tu was no longer Zhu Ming’s match in hand-to-hand combat, but her lightning was still a powerful weapon, capable of turning Zhu Ming into a human lightning rod.
Wenren Tu smiled. “You’ve become so resistant to electricity over the years. I’m afraid it won’t be effective against you one day.”
Wenren Tu’s most frequent electrocution target: Zhu Ming.
Without another word, Zhu Ming lunged forward, barehanded. Wenren Tu, startled by her intensity, turned and ran. Starting this strong meant Zhu Ming was in a bad state this time.
Her assessment was correct. Whatever little restraint Zhu Ming had possessed before the fight quickly vanished. Wenren Tu had no choice but to electrocute her early.
When Zhu Ming woke up, Wenren Tu said, “I’m getting too old for this kind of beating. I have a great idea. Let’s go ghost hunting!”
Zhu Ming: “?”
Wenren Tu held up her phone, smiling mysteriously. “I have a job for you. The CEO of Tangxin Real Estate has offended something… unclean. It’s affecting their new development, and construction has stalled. They’re offering 500,000 yuan to solve the problem.”
Zhu Ming sat up abruptly. “I’m in!”
Nothing was more important than making money. Well, except maybe making more money!
She jumped up, wrapping her arms around Wenren Tu. “You know me so well.”
CEO Tang lived in the suburbs. Wenren Tu drove Zhu Ming and Yun Zouchuan to his residence. She wasn’t there as a Bureau employee, but as a consultant for the Little Fire God Paranormal Investigations.
Sometimes, in this gray area, they had to turn a blind eye and take on some private jobs for extra cash. It was common practice.
“CEO Tang, you’re too kind, coming to greet us personally,” Wenren Tu said. “I’ve brought the master.”
CEO Tang, about fifty years old, wasn’t surprised by their youth. He had dealt with Awakened individuals before and knew that abilities weren’t determined by age or gender.
“Thank you for coming. It’s like this. A week ago, we were constructing an artificial lake…”
The case was easy to solve once they identified the source of the problem. That night, the three of them went to the artificial lake, using CEO Tang as bait. They waited, captured the troublesome ghost, and eliminated it. Ordinary people were helpless against ghosts, but for Awakened individuals, the solution was often simple and brutal: kill it.
CEO Tang’s problem was solved, Zhu Ming vented her frustrations, and Yun Zouchuan made money. Everyone was satisfied.
Except for CEO Tang’s daughter, Tang Qiaoqi.
“Dad, I heard you hired some… masters… to perform a ritual?” A young woman rushed over just as Zhu Ming and the others were about to leave. “Why didn’t you tell me?!”
CEO Tang sighed. “Qiaoqi, don’t worry about such matters. Dad can handle it. Three little masters, the payment has been transferred. Xiao Zheng, please take our masters to the hotel and make sure they’re well taken care of.”
As they were being led away by CEO Tang’s assistant, Yun Zouchuan overheard the young woman saying, “Dad, this is a world of science! You have to believe in science! Those ‘ghosts’ are probably just people in disguise! And there are so many scammers using superstition these days! Don’t be fooled!”
…
After the weekend, Yun Zouchuan returned to school, finally experiencing normal student life after the military training period ended.
It was a novel experience. She wanted to record every detail and tell her mother, of course, omitting the unpleasant parts. The good parts were enough.
Another weekend arrived, and Yun Zouchuan returned to the studio, intending to clean, but she was met with the sight of a young woman with a chestnut brown bob diligently mopping the floor.
“Wow…”
Yun Zouchuan stared at the spotless studio, her jaw dropping. Given her boss’s laziness and stinginess, she had assumed she would be tasked with cleaning, as per their agreement: Zhu Ming paid her a basic salary, and she cleaned and ran errands on weekends.
Why had Zhu Ming hired someone?
Wait, wasn’t that CEO Tang’s daughter, Miss Tang Qiaoqi?
Seeing Yun Zouchuan return, Zhu Ming turned to Tang Qiaoqi. “Qiaoqi, go to the deli down the street and buy some pig ears. Give Xiao Chuanchuan some extra protein.”
Tang Qiaoqi looked at the sky, hesitant. “But it’s so hot outside…”
Zhu Ming sighed dramatically. “If you can’t even handle this small test, how are you going to learn anything from me?”
“Fine, fine! I’m going!” Tang Qiaoqi put down the mop and reluctantly went outside, holding a parasol.
“Boss, did we not… completely solve their problem?” Yun Zouchuan asked dutifully after Tang Qiaoqi left. “Should we go back?”
Zhu Ming, her usual demeanor restored, smiled slyly. “No, no. She’s here because she doesn’t believe us.”
Tang Qiaoqi, firmly believing in neither ghosts nor masters, seeing her father ignore her advice and resort to superstition, had decided to expose the Little Fire God Paranormal Investigations herself.
A studio like this must have scammed other people too. If it were just about money, that would be one thing, but what if their superstitious practices prevented people from seeking proper medical treatment? How unethical!
She would observe them carefully. Once she found evidence of their wrongdoing, she would make them pay!
She had found the studio’s address and, upon arriving, claimed to be deeply impressed by the “masters” and their work, wanting to volunteer and learn about the occult. Zhu Ming had readily agreed.
So whenever she had free time, she came to the studio, but so far, she hadn’t found any incriminating evidence or learned anything about the occult.
Yun Zouchuan didn’t understand. “You know she’s here with ulterior motives, and you’re still letting her stay? Boss, should I just… show her my abilities? Then she’ll know the truth.”
“No!” Zhu Ming grabbed her arm. “Are you stupid? If she realizes her mistake, repents, and leaves, who will clean for me? Will you find me a new volunteer?”
Yun Zouchuan was stunned. “Boss, you…”
Zhu Ming said matter-of-factly, “Since you started school, I’ve been all alone in this big studio! Have you considered how lonely and bored I am?! And more importantly, who’s going to clean? Who’s going to run errands for me? I can’t wait for your weekends every time, and hiring a cleaner is too expensive! But now, with her, I have free cleaning services! Do you know how wonderful this is?! You’ll understand after experiencing it yourself! So, you’re absolutely forbidden from revealing your abilities to her!”
Yun Zouchuan was deeply impressed by her boss’s shrewdness. To avoid losing her bonus, she obediently agreed, suppressing her guilt as she joined the ranks of Tang Qiaoqi’s oppressors.
It was quite nice having someone else clean…
A month later…
Tang Qiaoqi still hadn’t given up. She continued to “volunteer” at the Little Fire God Paranormal Investigations, her frustration growing. “Boss Zhu, don’t you have any new cases?” Couldn’t they be a little more active and give her a chance to expose them?
Zhu Ming, sprawled on the sofa, replied lazily, “These things depend on fate. Besides, your dad paid us well last time. It’s enough for now.”
Tang Qiaoqi seethed inwardly, forcing a smile. “Really? But your lifestyle seems quite… frugal.”
She hadn’t seen Zhu Ming spend the money on anything. Her food and clothes were simple, and she rarely went shopping. She mostly spent her time playing with her phone, reading, or training.
Sometimes, she admired the scammer’s dedication. Working out tirelessly in the training room every day… She looked down at her own small belly, then at Zhu Ming’s abs, feeling a twinge of shame.
Too bad she was a fraud. With such physical prowess and discipline, she could be doing anything, yet she chose to peddle superstition.
Zhu Ming tilted her head. “Are you bored?”
Tang Qiaoqi nodded quickly. “Yes, a little.”
“You can read any of the books on my bookshelf. You wanted to learn about the occult, right? There are many related books there.” Zhu Ming gestured towards a large bookshelf, smiling sweetly. “And while you’re at it, dust them for me, little volunteer.”
Tang Qiaoqi: “…”
She knew there was a catch!
She hated those books. Dry and boring. She didn’t know how Zhu Ming could stand reading them.
…
National Day, October 1st, was approaching. Yun Zouchuan felt a growing sense of anxiety.
Zhu Ming immediately saw through her. “Worried about the monthly exams?”
Yun Zouchuan lowered her head guiltily. “Yes.”
Her foundation wasn’t strong, and she was lagging behind her classmates. She didn’t know how she would perform on the exams. If she did poorly, it would be a waste of two years of tutoring and all that money!
“What’s there to worry about? Exams are just a way to assess your progress. One monthly exam doesn’t determine anything. Knowing your score will help you identify your weaknesses.” Zhu Ming waved her hand dismissively. “Come on, I’ll take you somewhere.”
Yun Zouchuan, puzzled, followed her out.
Wenren Tu hadn’t visited this week. Without her, they could only use the studio’s own transportation: a small electric scooter for Yun Zouchuan to travel between school and the studio and a more imposing blue three-wheeled electric motorcycle.
Yun Zouchuan climbed into the back of the three-wheeler. Zhu Ming gripped the handlebars and started the engine.
The wind blew against their faces as they drove for half an hour, finally stopping in front of a small temple.
It was a simple temple, the kind commonly found near tourist attractions. Inside were three statues and a large incense burner. The space was small, with no gate, opening directly onto a street filled with food stalls.
“The three deities every student prays to before exams: Wenchang Dijun, Kuixing, and Wenquxing,” Zhu Ming said, buying a bundle of incense sticks from a vending machine and handing them to Yun Zouchuan. “Here, go pray.”
“Does this really work?” Yun Zouchuan was skeptical. “Boss, how did you even find this place?”
Zhu Ming stammered, “I came here last year to pray.”
Yun Zouchuan was curious. “Last year? I don’t remember that.”
Zhu Ming scolded, “Don’t ask so many questions! Just pray and stop worrying about it! Whatever score you get, you get. I won’t scold you.”
Yun Zouchuan, holding the incense sticks, said, “But if I’m too stupid, I won’t be able to make enough money to buy a house.”
And if she couldn’t buy a house, how could she convince her mother to leave the mountains?
Zhu Ming almost burst out laughing. “Don’t worry about that until you graduate from university! Just focus on working for me for now!”
Yun Zouchuan sighed maturely and solemnly offered the incense to the three statues.
That afternoon, back at the studio, after lunch, Yun Zouchuan was about to return to her room to study. The exams were tomorrow, and then it was National Day, a three-day break.
But before she left, she noticed something familiar lying on the table.
“An invitation.” She picked it up, surprised, and turned to Zhu Ming. “Boss, I received an invitation. Did you?”
Zhu Ming frowned and raised her hand. “I got one too. Damn it.”
They opened their invitations. This time, there was no totem on the inside of the cover, but a phrase every student knew well: Exams, exams, exams, the teacher’s weapon. Grades, grades, grades, the student’s lifeline!
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