Dongzi recoiled sharply at the exclamation. Mr. Wang, meanwhile, was smiling apologetically. "The boy is simple-minded, but fortunately, he sustained no major physical injuries."

Zhou Huan stepped forward and asked, "What did the doctor say?"

"The doctor said his intelligence will remain at that of a toddler. Ah well! Perhaps it is karmic retribution; I am content. This must be his punishment!" Mr. Wang's sorrow was evident, yet intertwined with a strange sense of solace.

When Dongzi heard that Wang Qiang had gone simple, he became ecstatic. "It’s great that this fellow is foolish; saves him from causing trouble all the time. I’ll take him to the children's playground later."

Zhou Huan shot Dongzi a fierce glare, signaling him to shut up. He then turned back to Mr. Wang. "It is truly wonderful that you can think this way. Let's go inside; standing at the door won't do."

The large contingent of bodyguards behind Mr. Wang cleared a path. Zhou Huan and the others entered Old Song's burial supplies shop and settled in. Mr. Wang retrieved a bag from his secretary and took out two contracts. "Here, these are the property deeds for this storefront. The name on them is now yours, Zhou Huan." Then, with a wave, the secretary produced a plastic package from the bag.

"Master Zhou, here are two mobile phones and some business cards, all printed with your name. Furthermore, I plan to have this shop completely renovated for you. When do you think we can start?"

Zhou Huan was momentarily taken aback by Mr. Wang's meticulous arrangements, but his heart readily accepted the kindness offered. After examining the phones and cards, he made his decision. "Mr. Wang, we accept your generous intentions. However, I wish to finalize the funeral arrangements for Old Song and Guo Hua before undertaking any renovations. And I want to rename this shop 'Fushou Tang' (Hall of Fortune and Longevity)."

"A fine name. Excellent. Everything will proceed according to your plan. When do you intend to handle their affairs? Once that is done, we can all find some peace."

Xiao He stepped forward. "Mr. Wang, your generosity is immense. I sincerely wish you and your son a life of happiness."

After the conversation concluded, Mr. Wang and his entourage departed. Zhou Huan and the others began preparing the necessary items for Old Song's funeral. Xiao He also taught Dongzi and Zhou Huan how to use the mobile phones. After several days of dedicated preparation, they amassed a room full of joss paper, paper ingots, and effigies.

"Dongzi, we set out the day after tomorrow to manage the rites for Old Song and Guo Hua. Pay close attention; learn as much as you can," Zhou Huan instructed Dongzi while busy with his work.

Dongzi nodded emphatically. "Absolutely, absolutely! I will study diligently. More importantly, I want to burn enough paper money for my mother properly. I will certainly master this!"

"Good, that's what I like to hear!"

As Zhou Huan was speaking with Dongzi, his phone rang. "Darling, I'm heading to the Qingdao training camp now. You must take good care of yourself!" The voice on the other end was Xiao He's. Zhou Huan juggled the phone while continuing to fold paper ingots, saying, "Understood, my dear. You take care too, and I'll wait for your return! I'm seeing Old Song off tomorrow, so I'm busy preparing the paper money."

"Oh, alright then. I missed the send-off for Old Song. I'll pay my respects at his grave when I get back!"

Zhou Huan and Xiao He spoke for nearly twenty minutes before he hung up. He prepared to return to folding the paper currency and ingots.

Just then, Dongzi, who had been working nearby, suddenly froze, staring blankly at Zhou Huan. "Brother, I just remembered something. Tonight, I want to treat my old buddies to a meal. Now that we have money, I can't forget my old friends!"

The aspect of Dongzi that Zhou Huan admired most was precisely this sense of loyalty. Thus, Zhou Huan affirmed him. "Of course, you should. If I finish my paper crafting early, I’ll join you. I wonder how our beggar friends are doing now!"

"En!" Dongzi seemed moved, though not entirely by Zhou Huan—more likely by memories of those nights and days with his friends: the shared hardship, the begging together, the moments of joy. This brought a fresh wave of tears to Dongzi's eyes.

Zhou Huan smiled knowingly, set aside the paper work in his hands, and turned to Dongzi. "Come on, help me get the cinnabar paste and brush ready. I need to set up an altar and inscribe the Talisman for Passage to the Underworld!"

"Yes!" Dongzi replied with honest enthusiasm, throwing himself into the task with renewed vigor.

Soon, thanks to their combined efforts, everything needed for Old Song's send-off the next day was prepared: golden boys and jade girls, horse-drawn carriages and servants, several large bags of paper ingots, and numerous bundles of joss paper inscribed with the passage charms. Zhou Huan then selected a paper money banner for Old Song and planted it on the left side of the burial supplies shop.

Dongzi, sweating profusely from the exertion, collapsed onto a chair and picked up an apple from the fruit bowl on the table, taking a bite.

Zhou Huan also felt a slight fatigue. After packing away the remaining paper crafting supplies, he said to Dongzi, "Dongzi, let's go find them. Dress cleanly, and remember to take some clothes and fruit for them when we go."

"Good, I'll get ready right now!" Hearing they were setting out, Dongzi became instantly cheerful; the fatigue vanished from his face. He sprang up from the chair and began gathering clothes, stuffing fruit vigorously into a plastic bag.

In a short while, both were ready. They locked the door, hailed a taxi, and headed toward their former begging haunt—the Pedestrian Street!

They alighted from the cab and went straight behind the Suiyuan Shopping Mall on the Pedestrian Street.

Behind the mall stood an abandoned building. Though it was little more than broken walls and rubble, it still offered shelter from the wind and rain. For beggars, having such a resting place was enough to bring contentment.

As Zhou Huan and Dongzi approached the back of the building, they spotted a young beggar, perhaps only eleven or twelve years old—a child they had never seen before. The little beggar was curled up on the ground, clutching a broken bowl. Despite the scorching summer heat, the child wore a black, shiny padded jacket, several segments of the sleeves torn off to reveal cotton batting clumped into small balls. His face was covered in dust, and he was trembling uncontrollably—clearly ill.

Zhou Huan pulled several hundred yuan from his pocket and handed it to Dongzi. "Give this money to him so he can have a good meal, then help him buy some proper clothes!"

Dongzi took the money and walked towards the small beggar as instructed.

The place where the little beggar was squatting was around a corner. Just as Dongzi rose to approach and give him the money, a person came running hurriedly from the opposite side of the corner, carrying a bag that seemed to hold steaming hot food.

Upon seeing this person, Zhou Huan immediately realized who it was: Yu Qiu, the service attendant from the supermarket. Why was she here?

Dongzi saw Yu Qiu and his heart swelled with excitement. He started to move forward to exchange a few words, but Zhou Huan stopped him. "Wait, let's see what she's doing."

Yu Qiu hurried to the little beggar and squatted down. The hem of her short skirt, barely reaching her knees, lifted slightly, revealing a long, shapely leg before Dongzi. Yu Qiu opened the bag she brought; it did indeed contain steaming hot food—two steamed buns.

"Here, eat this, and you won't be hungry. I'll bring you something again tomorrow morning!" Yu Qiu's tone was exactly like that of a mother speaking to her child.

The little beggar snatched the buns, rapidly devouring one. He clutched the remaining bun and turned to run, calling out, "I know! I’ll wait for you here tomorrow morning!"

That single bun seemed to possess incredible power. A shivering child, after eating it, was able to get up and run—truly miraculous.

Seeing this, Dongzi quickly chased after him. "Little friend, wait!"

The child stopped, slowly turning his head. He looked up at Dongzi and mumbled, "Uncle, are you calling me again?"

"Yes. Take this money. Buy whatever you like from now on—food when you're hungry, clothes when you're cold. If anyone bullies you, tell Uncle, and Uncle will beat him up for you!" Even in front of the child, Dongzi couldn't forget his former tough-guy persona.

Zhou Huan stepped in front of Dongzi, squatting down. He first glanced back at Yu Qiu. They exchanged a silent nod; Yu Qiu remained as beautiful as ever, her face filled with a gentle smile. Zhou Huan's eyes, however, held a thousand thoughts, as if he had realized something profound, but he said nothing more. He simply told the child before him, "Little friend, keep the money safe and go back to rest quickly!"

The little beggar finally managed a smile and nodded happily. "Yes, I will find you if I need anything!" After speaking, the child turned and ran off. Zhou Huan watched from behind. Though the child ran with apparent joy, his running posture struck Zhou Huan as strangely awkward—a normal person’s knees have elasticity when running, but this child's movements were stiff and rigid.

As Zhou Huan shook off his observation, he noticed Dongzi had already reached Yu Qiu, staring dumbly at the young woman again. "You have such a kind heart. Do you happen to know this child?"

Yu Qiu did not seem fond of Dongzi, her expression rather blank. But seeing that Dongzi had also helped the beggar, she at least confirmed he wasn't ill-intentioned. She replied, "I come here every day to bring this child steamed buns, and he waits here for me every day."

"Oh, then you..." Dongzi's question trailed off. He had wanted to ask if Yu Qiu had time that evening, but remembering his commitment to dine with his former beggar comrades, he stopped himself. He shifted his focus. "So, you've been working at that supermarket for many years?"

"Yes, I've been there for many years. Do you need anything else? If not, I need to go home!" Yu Qiu clearly didn't wish to converse extensively with Dongzi, but even the densest person could sense Dongzi's budding admiration. Although she didn't know him previously, she offered him some basic courtesy.

Zhou Huan again stepped in front of Dongzi, his eyes fixed intently on Yu Qiu, while addressing Dongzi. "The lady is going home, and we have things to do. Let's go!"

"Oh, right. By the way, Yu Qiu, this is my brother, Zhou Huan. We have business, we'll come find you at the supermarket another day!" Dongzi was persistent, perhaps experiencing his first flutter of genuine affection.

When Yu Qiu saw Zhou Huan, her gaze became somewhat unfocused and uncertain. Hearing Dongzi speak, she forced a smile and nodded faintly.