Little Yan'er's father was brought home by Zhou Huan and the others. Afterward, Zhou Huan bought a flat of about fifty square meters in a building outside the market. The old man who had gone to the hospital with them was also extremely grateful to Zhou Huan. Little Yan'er and Old Zhao truly didn't know how to thank him enough, always trying to do something for Zhou Huan.

Thus, Old Zhao brought out his most treasured skill. He had made shoes himself since childhood, and even the pair of red and white shoes Little Yan'er had worn were made for her by Old Zhao before she passed.

This time, Old Zhao made a pair of similar shoes for Zhou Huan and Xiao He, making them look like a matching couple's set.

Xiao He recovered very well, but sometimes, when she thought of losing her child, a deep ache settled in her heart, leaving no room for joy. She went to and from work normally, and the Fushoutang began taking on new business.

One day, Miss Yang visited Zhou Huan's Fushoutang. Zhou Huan was busy writing in his Shoushi Diary, intending for his few apprentices to use it later.

As soon as Miss Yang entered, she handed over a pile of fruits and other items to Dongzi. Dongzi didn't say a word, snatched an apple, and began crunching on it loudly.

"Miss Yang, Zhou Huan didn't know you were coming today. See, I haven't prepared anything. Come, sit here. Dongzi, pour some tea!" Zhou Huan was still very hospitable.

Miss Yang sat down, her face breaking into a smile. "Master Zhou, I wouldn't bother you for no reason. I've come today hoping to ask Master Zhou for a favor."

"Tell me, let’s see if Zhou Huan can manage it!" Zhou Huan remained quite modest.

"Last time, didn't you see those writings from your old friend? There's still one entanglement I need to resolve as quickly as possible, so I'd like to ask Master Zhou for help."

Zhou Huan scratched his head a little. This Miss Yang arrived, neither stating the issue nor discussing the difficulty, just asking for a favor directly. This was the first time someone had approached Zhou Huan this way. "You... oh, I wonder what sort of help you need from Zhou Huan?"

"Oh, I almost forgot." Miss Yang pulled an envelope from her pocket and handed it to Zhou Huan. "Master Zhou, the Master said to give this to you when I asked you to perform the third task."

"For the perusal of Zhou Huan's old acquaintance!" Zhou Huan read it aloud to himself, shook his head, and smiled. "This old friend, what trouble is he stirring up for himself this time?" Zhou Huan tore open the envelope and pulled out the letter.

The gist of the letter was to ask Zhou Huan to assist this Miss Yang, stating that this karmic thread belonged to both of them, so both must participate. Furthermore, the place for resolving this matter was not in this city, but in Shandong Province, near Zhou Huan's old home, in a county town called Wenchang. The specific details would emerge upon reaching the location.

This gave Zhou Huan pause. Xiao He had only just started recovering her spirits recently, and now she had to accompany Miss Yang all the way to Shandong. It wouldn't be a quick trip of three or five days. If Miss Yang were married, an elderly woman, or a child, it might be one thing, but she was a young, beautiful woman. This was pure nonsense; any woman in this situation would have concerns.

"This..." Zhou Huan hesitated for a long time without giving a reply.

"Master Zhou, you aren't going to be so wishy-washy, are you? In my impression, you are a very straightforward person!" Miss Yang tried to provoke him.

Zhou Huan shook his head and said, "That's not it. Did my monk friend say anything else to you?"

"Oh, he didn't say anything else, just that whether you two go or not, you must go. If you don't go, someone will force you to go." As Miss Yang finished speaking, Xiao He returned from outside, carrying some supplies in her hands.

Seeing Zhou Huan and Miss Yang talking, Xiao He approached and asked, "Brother Huan, who is this?"

"This is Miss Yang, a friend of Mr. Old Wang, and also the one my monk friend was trying to help resolve karma for." As Zhou Huan said this, Xiao He’s eyes suddenly shifted, her face broke into a smile, and she leaned toward Zhou Huan, saying, "Brother Huan, I get my New Year's vacation next week. How about we go out somewhere? I want to take a trip to Shandong."

Hearing this, Zhou Huan's heart jolted: Heavens, this old monk friend of mine really knows how to talk. Not only do we have to go this time, but I have to take two women with me. Wouldn't that lead to misunderstandings?

"Beep beep!" Zhou Huan's phone rang. It was Shi Bingyuan on the other end. "Master, Tianxiong and Hongkun and I are heading to Jilin. It'll take a week to get back. The job over there is quite tricky. If you get too busy these next few days, just close the shop, or push all those jobs back."

Zhou Huan grew even more flustered. This was forcing him onto the plank; he suspected he wasn't a duck being forced to walk the plank. He suddenly shouted, "Dongzi!"

"Hey, Brother, what's up?" Dongzi mumbled, still chewing with a squinted, smiling eye.

Zhou Huan extended his hand and gently touched Dongzi's forehead. "Dongzi, Brother is giving you a crucial and glorious mission. Starting next week, you must guard the Fushoutang alone. Push back every job that comes in until Bingyuan and the others return. Your brother is taking your Sister Xiao He out traveling, and Miss Yang is coming along too."

"What?" Xiao He looked bewildered. "Who is she, and why are you taking her along?"

"Oh, that's what my old friend said." Saying this, Zhou Huan handed the monk's letter to Xiao He to read.

After reading the letter, Xiao He was very displeased and went upstairs.

Miss Yang revealed her enchanting smile again, her sensual lips parting slightly. "Master Zhou, then it's settled. Oh, the Master also mentioned that once this matter between us is concluded, our karmic link will end, and we will each return to our normal lives."

"Mm, I saw that. His letter says the same thing. Alright, it’s decided then. I'll drive to pick you up the day after tomorrow morning. We'll drive there. You prepare some things." Zhou Huan stood up as he spoke. "Come on, Miss Yang, stay for dinner before you go. My apprentices are all out on assignments, and they probably won't be back for a while."

"Okay, the day after tomorrow is next Monday. It's settled then." Miss Yang followed Zhou Huan into the dining room, preparing for the meal.

Dongzi went upstairs to call Xiao He down, then served the food he had prepared himself. The four of them began to eat.

During the meal, Zhou Huan didn't say a word, his mind in slight turmoil, afraid Xiao He would overthink things. He turned his head and glanced at Miss Yang. Her eyes were as clear and bright as autumn moons, her skin as delicate and smooth as fresh snow, and her breasts formed an undeniably perfect curve. The woman exuded a magnetic quality that drew a man’s gaze.

What is going on? I didn't feel this way when I first met Miss Yang. Why is she so much more beautiful now? It’s like looking at two different people. I absolutely cannot suppress this surge of emotion. And Xiao He, she's so quiet today; why doesn't she say anything to refuse me? I looked at her, I really did look at her! Zhou Huan thought, slightly lifting his head and tilting his eyes slightly towards Miss Yang. He stole a glance at her.

But what Zhou Huan hadn't expected was that Miss Yang seemed to have received his signal and also glanced back at Zhou Huan.

"Slap!" Xiao He's chopsticks hit right in front of Zhou Huan's eyes. "Brother Huan, why aren't you talking or looking up while eating today?"

"Uh, well... I was thinking we should finish eating quickly so we can pack our things, so we aren't rushed tomorrow." Saying this, Zhou Huan stood up and shoveled the last bite of rice into his mouth. "I'm done. You two take your time."

"Then I won't eat either." Miss Yang immediately put down her chopsticks afterward.

Xiao He politely asked Miss Yang, "Are you full? Don't go hungry!"

"I'm really full, don't worry! You eat slowly." With that, Miss Yang returned to the main hall and sat down.

Zhou Huan, however, went to the backyard to fuss with the plants and flowers, then called Dongzi over.

In fact, Dongzi was always the first to finish eating because he ate so quickly. So while the others were still eating, Dongzi was often waiting, ready to clear the table—this was Dongzi’s routine job day after day.

Dongzi ran over to Zhou Huan's side. Zhou Huan gave him a couple of instructions. "Take good care of the flowers and plants in the garden; these are all rare species. Once they are gone, they are very hard to replace. Even if it's in the future, these plants will certainly be useful."

"Mm, don't worry, Brother. Even if I don't eat or drink, I won't let any problem come to these flowers and plants."

Zhou Huan nodded, returned to the house, and the phone inside rang. It was a call for Xiao He.

"Sister He, the Public Security Bureau in Wenchang County, Shandong, contacted our office today. They said a very strange death occurred there, and they heard we have a Master Zhou here and would like to invite him to take a look." This time, Xiao He wasn't just surprised; she was utterly unable to comprehend. Everything happening seemed pre-arranged—why did a public matter require them to go to Shandong, the exact destination they had already planned to visit?

Xiao He paused, her expression stunned, her demeanor fearful, her pair of rosy lips pressing together. "Okay, I understand. We will set off the day after tomorrow."

"That's excellent, I'll reply to them right away!"

"Beep beep beep beep!" The line went dead. Xiao He found herself utterly perplexed and unable to make sense of the situation.

Zhou Huan walked over and asked Xiao He, "My dear, what is it? Your complexion doesn't look good. Is something the matter?"

Xiao He looked at Zhou Huan, then glanced back at Miss Yang, and said nothing.

Miss Yang was a seasoned person who understood the situation. She immediately spoke up. "Then I will take my leave for now. I will be waiting for you punctually at the entrance of my shop the morning after next."

Zhou Huan asked Dongzi to see Miss Yang out. Afterward, Xiao He turned to Zhou Huan and said, "Brother Huan, it seems what that letter wrote is indeed true. Ordinary people truly cannot understand this matter. That phone call just now was also an invitation for you to go to Shandong, and precisely to the location we had already decided upon—Wenchang County!"

Zhou Huan was momentarily stunned, then the corners of his mouth curled up into a slight smile. "Hey, Xiao He, since this is fated, then I must venture out. Let's go upstairs and pack. I really need to bring some potent tools, just in case things get awkward."

The two of them went upstairs. Dongzi continued to busily work, head down. The Fushoutang was exceptionally quiet today. With all three apprentices away, it seemed the Fushoutang's business was growing at an astonishing rate.