Zhou Huan's advertising efforts were not in vain; after the exclusive interview was published, within a week, inquiries poured in, and the business at Fushoutang gradually began to pick up.

One day, Zhou Huan’s phone rang. He picked it up and saw it was Xiao He calling.

“Darling, I have good news and bad news right now. Which one do you want to hear first?” It was the first time Xiao He had sounded so deliberately sweet on the phone, and her excitement was palpable.

Zhou Huan was completely discombobulated by this sudden display of tenderness. Women, as a species, were already hard enough to fathom; he braced himself and followed Xiao He’s lead, speaking gently, “Oh, why don’t I just hear both at once!”

“No way!” Xiao He’s affected pout was truly languid, that drawn-out sound, tracing an arc of vocal inflection that could give anyone goosebumps. The voice on the other end continued, “I gave you a choice between two, didn't I? One has to come before the other; you can’t just say them simultaneously!”

“Then tell me half the good news first, and half the bad news second—that’s basically the same as saying them together!” Zhou Huan was proving quite resourceful.

Xiao He whispered on the other end, “Alright then, I’ll tell you. The good news is I’ll be back in two weeks! That means I can be with my dear Brother Huan again. The bad news is, hmmph!” Xiao He paused, followed by a coy and self-satisfied giggle, before adding, “The bad news is, when I get back, I’ll be watching you every single day.”

Both pieces of news left Zhou Huan utterly helpless. She was going to tell him she was coming back anyway; where was the good/bad distinction? He had no choice but to comply, saying, “Oh, that’s wonderful! The beautiful police flower is coming back to keep a constant watch on the convicted criminal—so many people will be green with envy! I made sure to expand my room during the Fushoutang reconstruction; it’s big enough for the two of us to rest!”

“Hmph, dream on! Who said anything about resting together! I’ll properly torment you when I get back. I have to go to class now; rest well!”

Before Wang Xiao He’s call had even disconnected, another signal chimed on Zhou Huan’s phone. Since he started promoting Fushoutang, calls had become frequent, requiring Zhou Huan to answer many different calls daily and address various inquiries.

Seeing the new incoming call, he bid farewell to Xiao He and accepted the incoming line.

The voice on the other end asked, “Hello, are you Master Zhou?”

“Yes, my surname is Zhou. How may I be of assistance?”

“Oh, I have an urgent matter, and another that isn't pressing, but both require an in-person visit. I wonder if Master Zhou would grant me the honor of visiting your establishment so we can discuss what I need done face-to-face!” Judging by the voice, the caller sounded like a mature man in his early forties.

Zhou Huan found the caller’s structure quite peculiar; Xiao He had just delivered two pieces of news, and now this fellow presented two matters as well. Zhou Huan decided to play along, “That’s fine. You can take a ride straight to Badougou; most people around here will know where Fushoutang is if you just ask.”

“Oh, it seems Fushoutang’s reputation is quite established! If you have time now, I can come over immediately.” The man’s tone was decisive.

Zhou Huan replied just as decisively, “I do!”

Just then, Dongzi, carrying a broom, sidled up to Zhou Huan, baring his teeth in a grin, and asked playfully, “Was that Sister Xiao He calling? Looks like you two were having a good chat?”

“Mmm, had a great talk with your Sister Xiao He, but now I’m expecting a tough customer; this one doesn’t seem to bring good intentions!” Zhou Huan was counting on his fingers as he predicted.

“Brother, don't worry. If he’s a pest, I’ll just sweep him out!”

“All you know is sweeping. You need to see what the person’s objective is first. Go on now, fetch Li Tianxiong and have him prepare. We’ll need him to handle this fellow when he arrives.” Zhou Huan finished speaking and began tidying the tables and chairs in the main hall.

At that moment, Li Tianxiong rushed out from the backyard, taking the item from Zhou Huan’s hand. “Master, the incense in the Ancestral Hall has been offered. We’ll handle things here; you should rest!”

Bang! A crisp sound of a car door slamming shut echoed outside.

Zhou Huan looked out the door and shook his head slightly. “Hmph, looks like there’ll be no rest. Get the tea ready to entertain our guest!”

“Oh, okay!” Dongzi, surprisingly perceptive at that moment, pulled Li Tianxiong along to brew the tea.

A red Mitsubishi Jeep was parked outside. A man stepped out, clad in a set of designer red sportswear, yet oddly carrying an old-fashioned canvas drawstring bag slung over his shoulder, and wearing a string of Buddhist prayer beads on his wrist. This man appeared robust and powerfully built, looking to be around forty years of age.

The man pushed the door open and hesitated momentarily at the entrance. “Excuse me, is Master Zhou here?” His speech was surprisingly courteous.

Seeing no malice in the visitor’s face, Zhou Huan replied politely, “I am Zhou Huan. May I ask what help you require, Elder Brother?”

The visitor scrutinized Zhou Huan carefully, then offered a symbolic, slight bow forward. “Greetings, Master Zhou. Seeing you in person is far better than hearing tales; you truly are exceptional!”

“You flatter me. Come, please sit here!” Zhou Huan gestured toward a guest chair in the center of the main hall, then instructed Dongzi, “Brew some tea for our guest!”

“Master Zhou is too kind; no need to trouble yourself. I came here today primarily for two reasons, the same ones I mentioned on the phone earlier!” The visitor maintained a steady smile while speaking, radiating an atmosphere devoid of tension or anxiety.

Zhou Huan replied with simple sincerity, “Since you have come to my humble place today, you are my guest. It is only right that I fulfill my duties as a host. Please accept a cup of hot tea as a small token of my respect!”

“Then I shall trouble you,” the visitor replied after the pleasantries, and sat down.

Before the visitor could elaborate, Zhou Huan took a moment to study him closely. On the surface, he appeared wealthy, but the bag he carried suggested he might be a colleague—or at least an expert in metaphysics. So, Zhou Huan took the initiative, “May I ask what your name is, Master? And whatever business brings you here, please speak freely.”

“Since Master Zhou is a straightforward man, I shall be direct as well.” As he spoke, Dongzi set the tea tray down on the table. The visitor picked up his cup and took a small sip: “I have two matters. The first is urgent—it’s a task assigned to me by my own master. There is a thorny supernatural incident that requires my attention, and I hope to borrow your premises afterward to conclude the operation. The second matter is my personal desire: I wish to collaborate with Master Zhou on the jobs you have accepted.”

After hearing this, Zhou Huan felt this wasn't a request for help, but a challenge. It was clearly an invitation to display his skills for Zhou Huan to witness. Zhou Huan swallowed lightly. “That is easily managed. I, Zhou Huan, can accommodate any request you have, but my own skill is limited, and I fear I might hold you back in the end.”

“Not at all. I read in the newspaper that you possess considerable ability. My master also holds you in high regard, having heard you are a master reincarnated, which is why he specifically instructed me to take on one of the supernatural cases here for you.” The visitor’s tone grew increasingly bold.

Zhou Huan scrutinized the visitor again. The man’s expression hadn't changed at all; the smile remained fixed. Zhou Huan couldn't directly contradict him, so he chose to divert, “Ah, the newspapers exaggerate things. By the way, may I ask who your esteemed master is?”

To Zhou Huan’s query, the visitor burst into laughter. “I am merely an unknown figure. My name is Hong Kun, but my master is indeed a renowned master of his time—he is Shi Bingyuan, known as the foremost Longevity Master in all of Northeast China.”

“Shi Bingyuan? I have actually heard of him. Old Master Shi is quite formidable. While I, Zhou, have never witnessed his methods firsthand, I have certainly heard many accounts of his deeds.”

“Indeed. So, how do you plan to assist me with these two matters, Master Zhou?”

As the two men conversed animatedly, Dongzi, listening nearby, grew increasingly uncomfortable. He had long since swapped the broom from the backyard for the long-handled one, ready to jump in with his tool should sparks fly.

Zhou Huan paused for a moment. “This is simple. Master Hong, whenever you need to use my venue, I, Zhou Huan, will charge you nothing for use of my backyard. As for my work, I have a matter to attend to tomorrow, so I suggest you accompany me tomorrow to handle that event.”

“That’s perfect! Master Zhou is clearly a man of action. It is settled then. I will arrange for a car to pick you up tomorrow morning, and we will travel together. I will handle my assigned mission the day after.”

Zhou Huan stood up and firmly shook Hong Kun’s extended hand. After Hong Kun took his leave, Zhou Huan sat alone in the center of the main hall, slowly sipping his tea.

“Apprentices, prepare the necessary items for tomorrow. We depart first thing in the morning. Bring me the documentation for that job we recorded yesterday.”

Li Tianxiong delivered the requested documents to Zhou Huan. Zhou Huan took the papers, and after reading them, roared with sudden fury, “Dongzi, did you record this list of materials?”

Dongzi slunk over, looking flustered by Zhou Huan’s expression. “Brother, I wrote it down. Wh-what’s wrong!”

Zhou Huan slapped the recorded list onto the table. “Look at this yourself! Is this a phone book? Besides the numbers, you didn’t even note down the names or the addresses? How are we supposed to provide service tomorrow? Do you expect me to call them all again? Don’t you annoy the client, or annoy me?” Zhou Huan was incandescent with anger, only regretting Dongzi’s ineptitude. Truthfully, Dongzi had never learned to read; the few characters he knew were thanks to Zhou Huan, so managing to write down complete phone numbers was already a considerable feat.