Time sped by, and it was the fifteenth day of the next month, with Xiao He’s belly already beginning to show, meaning she was essentially excused from the active duty roster at the police station.

“Brother Huan, when are Sister Xiao He and you going to give me a little one that’ll make me stand tall and proud?” Dongzi actually wanted someone he could boss around; the other martial brothers completely ignored what he said, so he placed all his hopes on Zhou Huan and Xiao He having a baby. At least that would be a junior member, and he could pull rank as an uncle.

Zhou Huan knew what Dongzi meant, but it was awkward to call him out directly, so he decided to humor him and give him a deadline to keep some hope alive. He said, “She’ll give birth in a few more months. We still don’t know if it’s a girl or a boy.”

Dongzi’s eyes flickered, and he grinned, “Brother, please don’t let it be a girl. Girls are too quiet. Besides, she won’t be able to inherit your craft later on. It doesn’t look right for a girl to be in this line of work. A boy would be better!”

“Is it up to you or me whether we have a boy or a girl? Humans currently can’t figure out the ultimate truth of this matter, so we should just let nature take its course!”

“That’s true, but if it’s a boy, can I help you discipline him in the future? Just in case he’s mischievous and no one can keep him in line!” Dongzi spoke with such confidence that he sounded like a savior, as if he were destined to discipline the future child.

Zhou Huan was almost startled into a sweat by that statement. Knowing Dongzi’s usual behavior, if he were left to watch a child, he might raise a murderer. If Zhou Huan were alive, he could supervise, but what if he died? Wouldn't the child turn the heavens upside down? “Oh, oh. I appreciate Dongzi’s kind intentions as an older brother, but we’ll talk about that later. First, show me the reservation logs from the last couple of days!”

After the last incident concluded, Fushou Hall’s business flourished more and more. Whenever there was work, Shi Bingyuan, Hong Kun, and Tian Xiong would split up to handle it, while Zhou Huan and Dongzi stayed home to hold down the fort. Zhou Huan mainly focused on researching how to combine toxicology with the art of the Longevity Master, while Dongzi, of course, managed the logistics. However, Dongzi’s cooking had also become superb; no one dared to say his food wasn’t good. Anyone who did would certainly get agitated, babbling criticisms. His most powerful retort was always, “If you don’t like it, don’t eat it and go eat elsewhere. Or next time I go out for work, you lot can cook.”

In truth, Dongzi’s cooking was indeed quite delicious, but sometimes when he wanted to go out and show off, he’d prepare the food haphazardly. But everyone could see through his little tricks, so they just let him have his way; no one argued with him, allowing him to do as he pleased.

“Brother, here are our account books—all the income and expenses are in here!” Dongzi brought over a stack of ledgers piled beneath the bookshelf.

Zhou Huan looked at Dongzi, feeling extremely frustrated. He had originally wanted to review the recent jobs to see if there were any particularly difficult or unusual cases. Even though his apprentices had reported everything to him, he still felt uneasy because he deeply understood that society was changing, times were shifting, and thus many supernatural events were things he had never seen or heard of. He was having to explore many things bit by bit on his own.

“That’s enough, Dongzi. Put them all here, and you can go cook now!” Zhou Huan wanted to send Dongzi off to the market to buy groceries or go to the kitchen to cook—anything as long as he wasn’t spouting nonsense near him.

Dongzi smiled even wider this time, extending his ten fingers behind Zhou Huan’s back to massage his shoulders: “Brother, why don’t you look at the income and expense ledger first? Focus mainly on the expenses.”

Zhou Huan seemed to understand Dongzi’s meaning, but he still opened the expense ledger, turning page after page: “These daily expenses are no different from usual. What’s there to look at?”

“Brother, look at the last page. The writing on that page is excellent; the record is especially clear!” Dongzi winked and nudged Zhou Huan.

Zhou Huan laughed and burst out laughing at Dongzi: “Did you buy something again? Did you blow all the money?”

“No splurge, there’s still some left!”

“How much is left?”

Dongzi patted his pocket and pulled out a large handful of small change. He counted the money bill by bill: “Brother, after losing it all, I have twelve yuan and fifty cents left! Tonight’s vegetable money might not be enough; we could eat tofu if that’s okay.”

“Forget it. We’ve eaten tofu for a whole week. Let’s have something different today; I’ll go with you.” As he spoke, Zhou Huan glanced at the last page of the expense ledger. The final entry was for a pair of shoes, marked with an outgoing expense of two hundred and eighty-eight yuan. Zhou Huan sneakily glanced at the shoes on Dongzi’s feet; they really did look brand new. He didn’t say anything. It would be wrong to be stingy with his apprentices buying things for themselves. “Alright, go back, change your clothes, and let’s go!”

“Great!” Dongzi was ecstatic that someone was going with him, and there was a vehicle too; he was so happy he nearly went crazy with joy. Feeling refreshed, he went inside, changed into a neat and tidy outfit, put on his new shoes, grabbed his bag, and followed Zhou Huan out of Fushou Hall.

Zhou Huan noticed that Dongzi’s clothes looked new as well and curiously asked, “Dongzi, when did you buy these clothes?”

“Hehe, nice, right? These shoes are new too.” Dongzi said this with particular pride, constantly polishing his new shoes.

Zhou Huan pondered for a while: “I know your shoes are new, but what about these clothes?”

“How much do you think this whole outfit is worth?” Dongzi asked Zhou Huan.

Zhou Huan nodded, knowing that these branded goods weren't cheap; he guessed that any single item would easily cost several hundred, possibly over a thousand.

“See how kind people are,” Dongzi expressed boundless happiness and emotion at that moment.

“Dongzi, Brother has to tell you something. In the future, if you buy anything, just tell me. We won’t buy things that are so expensive and impractical. Tell me, and then have Sister Xiao He go with you to buy things; her taste is genuinely good.” Zhou Huan was actually praising his fiancée while genuinely trying to save Dongzi some money so he could afford to marry a wife later on.

Upon hearing Zhou Huan’s words, Dongzi’s eyes immediately widened, his expression feigning utter innocence: “Brother, I didn’t spend any money on these things of mine. Not a single penny.”

“Didn’t spend money? Did you steal them?”

This time Dongzi got even angrier: “Brother, we’ve been together for so long, don’t you know what kind of person I am? I’ll tell you the truth: these clothes were all gifts from someone. She is very beautiful and very considerate…” As Dongzi spoke, the spark of anger that had instantly flared up suddenly died down, and he became cheerful again.

“She?” Zhou Huan asked, smiling: “Dongzi, Dongzi, when did you get a ‘she’?”

“Hehe, it’s a secret!” Dongzi said coyly, but he eventually told Zhou Huan happily: “It’s Xiao Mo from the supermarket. Remember she tried to scare me last time? This time she wants to apologize to me properly, and then…” Dongzi bit his finger, displaying a puzzling expression.

“Alright, alright, I get it. That girl is a good girl; you two should get along well; you’ll have great prospects in the future.” Zhou Huan wanted to ask about the shoes, but having heard this, he decided not to press the matter any further, letting it go.

The two entered the market. It was bustling; after all, it was nearing closing time, and all the vendors were busy.

As soon as they passed through the market entrance, a short, stout, elderly master smiled at Zhou Huan: “Why does Master Zhou have time to wander around the market today? I heard preparations for your wedding with your fiancée are about to start?”

“Yes, yes, it’s in the next couple of months. You must come to the wedding then!” Zhou Huan replied courteously.

Another person came from behind the stout uncle, looking completely drenched—it was obvious he sold aquatic products. He bowed respectfully when he reached Zhou Huan: “Master Zhou is here. Take a fish from my stall. I really thank you for what you did last time; my whole family won’t forget your kindness.”

“You’re too kind. Keep your fish to sell. Treating your child was just a small favor, nothing to mention,” Zhou Huan demurred, but the fish seller insisted on handing two large carp to Dongzi, who stood stunned, watching Zhou Huan.

At this moment, a crowd of people stood before Zhou Huan—all vendors from the market. Either their families needed Zhou Huan’s help with something, or a friend’s family had a bereavement and asked Zhou Huan to handle the affairs. Most of the time, Zhou Huan didn't charge a fee, as the few major jobs he had taken were enough to sustain Fushou Hall. Therefore, for these poor people’s matters, he simply wouldn't accept money or even look at the goods offered.

With this throng of people watching, soon Dongzi’s hands were full, carrying groceries he wanted and didn’t want to buy, with both his arms and armpits stuffed.

“Brother, I can’t carry any more!”

Zhou Huan turned back and glared fiercely at Dongzi: “Who told you to take everything? Hurry back! I need to find a way to slip away, or these people will keep me here overnight.”

“Hey!” Dongzi picked up the goods and left.

But within the crowd was a little girl, about five or six years old, wearing very ragged but clean clothes. Her two small eyes gazed innocently at Zhou Huan, and she had one finger in her mouth.

Zhou Huan’s gaze immediately locked onto the little girl; she was his ticket to escape. Zhou Huan walked a few steps to the girl, gently scooped her up in his arms, and asked kindly, “Little friend, how old are you?”

The little girl didn't speak, still looking at Zhou Huan with that innocent gaze.

“Whose child are you? What’s your name?”

The little girl still didn’t answer.

Suddenly, the girl opened her mouth and asked Zhou Huan, “Uncle, are you Master Zhou? My dad told me to kneel for you.” As the child spoke, her whole body began to struggle, breaking free from Zhou Huan’s embrace. She forcefully dropped to her knees, her two innocent little eyes fixed on the bewildered Zhou Huan.