They couldn't come up with a solution for a while, so I suggested we leave and find a place to sleep, otherwise, I wouldn't have the energy for the mountain tomorrow. I thought they wouldn't agree, but no one objected. Instead, Wang Defa said to send him a message when I found a place to stay, and they would follow.
I nodded and said okay, then left the inn with Zhang Dabiao.
Outside the inn, I took out my phone and called Fang Huixin. It rang several times with no answer. Just as I was about to hang up, a slightly hoarse voice came from the other end.
"Hello, who is this?"
"Boss Fang, it's me, Song Qingyun, do you remember?"
"Song... Song Qingyun? Why are you calling me out of the blue?" Fang Huixin sounded very surprised. In her opinion, we had only met once, and our previous encounter regarding her daughter had not been pleasant. If it weren't for the life-saving grace I showed her on Qingfeng Mountain, she would have hung up the phone the moment she heard my voice.
"I have something I'd like to consult Boss Fang about. I wonder when you'll be free?"
"This..." Fang Huixin hesitated for a moment. Just as I was about to say it was inconvenient and I would leave, she agreed and asked me to find her at the original residence.
After hanging up, Zhang Dabiao looked at me confusedly and asked, "Why are you looking for her?"
"It's because of Sui Wan'er. She's like a phantom. Since she's here this time, we'll deal with her once and for all."
"That's great. It's always unsettling to have a venomous snake hiding in the dark. How do you plan to deal with her?"
"Find Sui Wan'er's remains and directly summon her soul..."
When we arrived at Fang Huixin's residence, someone was already waiting at the door. Upon seeing us, they quickly asked if we were Mr. Song and Mr. Zhang.
I replied yes.
"Please come in, Boss Fang has been waiting for a long time."
Entering the courtyard, I noticed that the previously dense iron gates had been removed, and there were fewer guards than before. We proceeded unimpeded to the main hall, where Fang Huixin was sitting in a chair, drinking tea.
"Boss Fang, the people have been brought."
"Alright, you may go. Don't come out unless called."
"Yes!"
After the person left, in just a few breaths, Fang Huixin seemed to transform. She slumped onto the chair as if her bones had been removed, her arrogant expression vanished, replaced by a listless demeanor, giving the impression that she could die at any moment.
Her sudden change startled me. It felt more abrupt than the face-changing in Peking Opera. Peking Opera face-changing gives you a moment to react, but her transformation was completely unpredictable.
"Boss Fang, what's wrong? Do you need me to call an ambulance?" My heart pounded. I hadn't even asked her what I needed to know, and she was dying. It would be impossible to clear my name.
"No need! I'll be fine in a moment..." As she spoke, she took out a small bottle from her embrace, poured out two pea-sized black pills, and swallowed them with water.
In a short while, her face regained its color, and her beautiful eyes regained their spirit, though they held a hint of fatigue and worry. I wanted to ask her what was going on, but the words caught in my throat.
I haven't interacted much with Fang Huixin, but based on her daughter's situation and her attitude when we went to Qingfeng Mountain, I know she is a very strong-willed person. Otherwise, she wouldn't have pushed her daughter to commit suicide with her boyfriend. Such a person would never reveal their vulnerable side to others.
"Mr. Song, your late-night visit is quite unexpected. May I ask why you've returned to Molu Village?" Fang Huixin asked calmly.
"It's like this, I want to buy something from Boss Fang."
"Buy something from me? Are you joking?" Fang Huixin clearly looked disbelieving. Seeing my serious expression and her silence, she asked again what I wanted to buy.
"Sui Wan'er's remains."
"Wh-what? You want to buy her remains?" Fang Huixin clearly became flustered when she heard Sui Wan'er's name and even knocked over the teacup on the table. But she quickly regained her composure and stated directly, "They were sold to someone else long ago. You should ask for something else!"
"Since they've been sold, I'll take my leave. I apologize for disturbing your rest." With that, I stood up and prepared to leave.
Just as I stepped out the door, Fang Huixin called me back.
"Song... Mr. Song, please wait."
I stopped and turned back, looking at her questioningly, asking if something was wrong.
"I... I'd like to ask you for a favor... the price is negotiable."
"Sorry, I don't have time." I refused directly. If you play games with me, don't blame me for being cold. Sui Wan'er's remains are not something to be sold casually. It would be better if you kept them enshrined, let alone sell them. Aren't you afraid Sui Wan'er will haunt your dreams every night?
"I... I can tell you who bought Sui Wan'er's remains."
I stopped and looked at her without speaking. After a few seconds of eye contact, Fang Huixin gave in and continued, "It was bought by a woman."
"Are you kidding me? There are so many women in the world. Do you expect me to go around asking everyone if they bought a corpse?"
"That woman's identity is unusual. She is a witch doctor."
"Witch doctor? How do you know that?"
This time, it was Fang Huixin who fell silent. She picked up her teacup and took a sip, adopting an attitude of not revealing anything unless I helped her solve her problem.
After a moment of silence, I decided to hear what favor she needed. Sui Wan'er was a problem that had to be dealt with, but I didn't know where she was hiding now, so there was no rush to solve it.
"Tell me what you need me to do. But I'll say this upfront, if the favor is too difficult, I'll charge extra." I intended to use the excuse of extra charges to make her back down, but I forgot that she was a rich woman.
Fang Huixin said without hesitation, "As I said, money is not an issue. As long as you solve my problem, I'll give you a big red envelope."
"Tell me, what exactly do you want me to do?"
"Watch me sleep."
"Wh-what? Watch you sleep?" I almost choked on my own saliva. What kind of condition was this? If I'm watching you sleep, when will I sleep? Besides, it's not appropriate for a man and a woman to be alone like this. Sudan Novel Network
"Brother, if you ask me, she's an old cow trying to eat tender grass. We can't fall for her tricks. You mustn't make a mistake, or I won't be able to explain it to Chen Yun when we get back."
Zhang Dabiao's words made Fang Huixin blush deeply, and I was also speechless. I said sternly, "Brother Zhang, no one will think you're mute if you don't speak."
"I was just afraid you'd be tricked, that's why..." Zhang Dabiao protested softly with a hint of grievance under our angry gazes.
"Watch, pronounced 'kàn' in the first tone, not 'kàn'," Fang Huixin glared at Zhang Dabiao with disgust and explained.
"Why?"
"Because every night when I sleep, I dream of my daughter..."