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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 86: The Elder Statesman
Elder Gong was amused by my foolish remark. Not only was he large in stature, but his voice was also booming. His laughter was hearty and infectious, causing both me and Qin Jian to chuckle. "Kid, I've known your grandfather for a long time. He started his career over thirty years ago, and I was the one who introduced him."
Years ago, I had heard my grandfather mention an old director who treated him well, but he never revealed the name. It turned out to be this Elder Gong.
Seeing Qin Jian nod, I smiled awkwardly and extended my hands. "Hello, Elder Gong."
However, Elder Gong showed no intention of shaking hands. He pushed the teapot on the table aside and said, "Don't call me old; it really makes me feel old. Just call me Gong like Qin does; I prefer that." I retracted my hand in embarrassment, unsure of his meaning. My heart raced at being so close to an elder statesman from the station for the first time, and I had expected a handshake. But it seemed he wasn't interested in that. Did he have a phobia about shaking hands? He appeared jovial enough, not wanting to make me uncomfortable. Feeling a bit flustered, I scratched my head and sat down with Qin Jian to drink tea under Elder Gong's warm invitation. The tea was excellent, served in fine porcelain.
Yet, I couldn't quite taste the fragrance of the tea. Qin Jian savored it with delight while I couldn't shake off the earlier awkwardness. All I could do was grin sheepishly at Elder Gong's laughter, hoping that Chi Xinrong and Sha Hong would recover soon so I could leave this place.
Elder Gong scrutinized me with keen eyes, scanning my face and body thoroughly before taking a sip of tea and setting down the teacup. "Ma Wu has a stubborn temperament; you wouldn't follow in his footsteps, would you?"
"Not really," I replied without looking at his face, which seemed remarkably youthful for his actual age. Instead, I focused on a cross-stitch picture of eight steeds hanging on the wall and another depicting beautiful landscapes nearby. Cross-stitching was quite popular nowadays; those two pieces must be worth a lot. Oddly enough, they seemed misplaced in this opulent living room.
Elder Gong noticed my fixation on the cross-stitch and felt compelled to explain, "The cross-stitch is something Hong likes; it's not ideal to hang it here, but she insisted."
"Cough..." Qin Jian coughed lightly as a hint that it was time for me to get down to business.
I took out the prepared feng shui compass and stood up to examine the living room with a serious demeanor. Strolling toward the front door, I noted that there were no issues with the corners of the house or any obstructions—Elder Gong must have consulted an expert when moving into this house, but it certainly wasn't my grandfather.
The so-called corners or obstructions were obvious and didn't require calculations; anyone with basic knowledge could see them with their own eyes. Feng shui isn't superstitious but is linked to supernatural phenomena; where there is feng shui, strange occurrences often follow.
The intangible yet harmful aspects of feng shui belong to what is known as 'qi' disturbances—this topic could take days to discuss thoroughly. For now, I simply observed Elder Gong's feng shui and found no issues with it; rather, it was him who had problems.
Elder Gong emanated a faint aura of dark energy. I recalled my master telling me that individuals who had committed wrongdoings often carried such energy. Up until now, this was my first meeting with Elder Gong; before coming to his home, it had been Sha Hong who raised concerns.
I truly hadn't expected that Elder Gong's issues were more significant than those of his wife Sha Hong.
Sha Hong was in the bedroom; Chi Xinrong had been talking with her for quite some time. After inspecting all necessary areas of their home, I slowly made my way out. The next day, Sha Hong appeared noticeably more haggard than before. She supported her head with her hand while enduring a piercing headache as she walked over to sit on the sofa with Chi Xinrong's assistance.
The sofa sank beneath her, making her appear delicate and fragile.
Gong Elder looked at his wife with concern and took out a red pill. "Are you in pain again? Here, take this."
I guessed the red pill was probably a painkiller, but Sha Hong refused to take it, waving her hand and lowering her head as she whispered, "Old Gong, don't force me to take it. Just seeing the medicine makes me want to vomit."
Chi Xinrong couldn't bear to watch any longer. She turned to glare at me, blaming my indifference and lack of response. In a low voice, she said, "Ma Qi, Brother Qi, how can you bear to see Sha Doctor in such pain without offering any help?"
"I suggest she go to the hospital for a check-up."
Sha Hong became agitated and waved her hands at me. "I've done that so many times already; it doesn't work. I'm immune to many medications."
Don't blame me for being useless; you have to understand that Gong Elder is an important figure. If I think she has a problem that needs checking, damn it, I'm not a doctor—how can I check? Moreover, Gong Elder's issues are even more serious; they just haven't flared up yet.
At the same time, I noticed a black silk cord hanging around Gong Elder's neck, with a pendant that must be some sort of talisman for protection; that's why he has remained safe until now. Even so, I couldn't rashly ask him to show it to me; wouldn't that be quite rude?
"Ma Qi has no issues with feng shui; why don't you go see a doctor?" Gong Elder asked his wife.
Sha Hong frowned in pain, pressing her fingers against her temples and weakly replied, "I've told you so many times; how can you still not understand? I'm a doctor; I know what's going on. That's why I asked Brother Ma Qi to come take a look—he really has a way. Just keep quiet and go stay in the other room for a bit; I have something to discuss with my brother."
Previously indifferent towards me, Sha Hong now affectionately referred to me as "brother." It seemed she understood my relationship with Chi Xinrong and Qin Jian, which prompted her change in tone.
However, given the current situation, it was indeed necessary for Gong Elder to step away for a moment. So when Sha Hong said that, I didn't object.
I didn't oppose it, and neither would Qin Jian. Chi Xinrong had nothing to say either.
Gong Elder sighed. Even though he wanted company in the other room, he turned to Qin Jian and said, "Qin, how about we play a few rounds of chess?"
I thought about what time it was; this old man really had great energy. He showed no signs of fatigue and still wanted someone to play against him.
Qin Jian glanced at me, and I signaled that he could go.
Qin Jian was about to head to the room with Gong Elder for a game of Go, and naturally, Chi Xinrong, who had a keen interest in Go, wanted to tag along.
Just as they left, Sha Hong felt free to ask for whatever she wanted.
"Brother..."
Hearing her call me like that made my skin crawl; I truly wasn't used to it and felt uncomfortable. I waved my hand and said, "Doctor Sha, just call me Qi."
"Qi, alright, I'll call you Qi then. Hiss..." She rubbed her temples and then began to massage her back.
I activated my Demon Eyes and casually glanced at her, only to be taken aback.
On Sha Hong's shoulders, head, and back, there were at least four Infant Ghosts. The dead children saw me without flinching, boldly reaching out their claws to grab at the nerves in her brain, delicate nerve cells that looked like a rubber band in their hands.
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