Exiting the bookstore, Yu Changkong said to Qin Liuxi, "Why bother arguing with such a person?"
With a snort, Qin Liuxi replied, "I’m easily provoked. As for someone like him, who is completely oblivious to his own follies and dares mock us, I cannot stand his face. He made me uncomfortable, so naturally, I had to get back at him and make him feel the same."
At this moment, her face yet again wore a childlike expression, leaving Yu Changkong helplessly amused.
"Besides, his way of looking at you was totally improper—it was too rude." Qin Liuxi also caught Scholar Du’s clingy gaze towards Yu Changkong, which was simply disgusting.
How could a man like Mr. Changkong be defiled by such a person?
Yu Changkong said, "Just ignore him. The more you engage, the more you elevate him."
His tone was filled with pride and disdain.
"Some people, if you don’t stand up to them, will think you are afraid and take even more advantage. Such people should not be indulged," Qin Liuxi scoffed.
Yu Changkong couldn’t help but chuckle.
As they got into the carriage, Qin Liuxi directed Da Qiong to head towards West City. Arriving at Shouxi Square, they alighted from the carriage.
"If you have matters to attend to, you can head home first, I’m going to stroll around a bit," said Qin Liuxi to Yu Changkong.
Yu Changkong, with his hands clasped behind him, said, "I came to Li City to cure my eye condition. Back when I was blind, I couldn’t do much and was merely an idle man."
Qin Liuxi nodded, "I overheard your introduction, you’ve adopted your mother’s surname?"
Walking alongside her, Yu Changkong explained, "The Yu Family is quite renowned. Using the surname Yun publicly saves me a lot of trouble."
Qin Liuxi laughed, "Some people fear others might not recognize their identity and exaggerate their importance. Brother Changkong, you do the opposite and prefer not to disclose your background."
Yu Changkong calmly replied, "Sometimes, fame can be a burden, a shackle. Consequently, one must act and speak in a manner befitting that identity, else it becomes improper. All things considered, being a nobody can be more liberating. Of course, one can’t deny that an identity can also make many things more convenient."
Qin Liuxi deeply agreed and respectfully bowed, "Brother Changkong, what you say is very true."
Yu Changkong glanced at her sideways, "Your medical skills are profound, yet your reputation is not widely known. But when you were eating wontons last time, many commoners sought your consultation. Could it be that when you practice medicine, you don’t use Master Buqiu’s name?"
"Serving the world and healing the sick garners the same merit, regardless of the name used. If dealing with a severe case, I might mention my Daoist name to gain the patient’s trust. For minor ailments, though, I am simply Dr. Qin."
Yu Changkong remarked, "You truly are someone who disregards status and fame."
Qin Liuxi’s eyes curved into a smile, "You’re mistaken, who knows if I do this just to avoid work? With fame, more people will come seeking medical advice and treatments all hours of the day, making me incessantly busy. That’s not good, as it would interfere with my self-cultivation."
Yu Changkong bluntly exposed her, "Just admit you’re avoiding work, why dress it up so grandly? The Grandmaster above surely wouldn’t agree!"
Grandmaster: You’re a clear-minded person indeed!
With utmost sincerity, Qin Liuxi replied, "Daoist friend, the wise do not speak all they see, can you at least leave me some dignity?"
Both exchanged glances and couldn’t help but laugh.
In Shouxi Square, there is a street called Red and White Street, where most of Li City’s related shops are located. Qin Liuxi walked over and stopped in front of a Coffin Shop.
Yu Changkong watched intently as the shop sign of the Coffin Shop fluttered outside, oh, not just fluttered, but swung back and forth, stirred by a mischievous child, much like a swing.
Seeing Yu Changkong looking over, the mischievous child swung closer and landed in front of him, peering up curiously and sticking out his tongue while making ghostly faces: "Hee, you can’t see me, you can see me, can’t see, can see, ah, you can see!"
Qin Liuxi reached out a hand and flicked the little ghost on the forehead, who then howled and pointed at her: "You bad guy, you’re a maniac."
"Hmm?" Qin Liuxi conjured up some candies and dropped them into the little ghost’s hands.
The little ghost’s face lit up with a smile, and he quickly changed his tune: "Master Buqiu is the best in the world."
Yu Changkong: This is really seeing ’Xi’ in action!
Qin Liuxi asked, "Where’s your grandpa?"
The little ghost pointed inward, his expression sagging.
Qin Liuxi patted his head and walked inside.
Inside the Coffin Shop, the space wasn’t large, filled with lots of wood, and a thin willow coffin freshly coated in bright red paint, seemingly empty, but as she entered, someone’s head emerged from under a coffin.
Yu Changkong saw that there indeed was someone, just too short and hidden behind the coffin.
It was a little old man with hardly any hair, just a wisp of white beard, a scrawny frame, and features almost squeezed together, his eyes squinting; upon seeing Qin Liuxi, he exclaimed.
"The little Taoist is here, is it time for this old fellow?" The coffin old man clapped his hands, saying, "Are you here to personally send me off?"
Yu Changkong’s heart skipped a beat, and he looked at Qin Liuxi.
Qin Liuxi said, "You still have some time left. I came to see if there’s anything you’d like to do, need any help?"
"Ah, all is done, just waiting to lie inside." The coffin old man pointed at the coffin in front of him, stroked its body, and said, "This old man has made coffins all his life, never thought the last coffin I’d make would be for myself."
"If you want to keep..."
"No, no!" The coffin old man waved his hands repeatedly, then pulled out a contract from underneath the coffin, hurried over, and thrust it into her hands, saying, "Here, it has been agreed long ago, you take care of my affairs after I’m gone, this Coffin Shop will be yours."
Qin Liuxi said, "Even if it were not, I would manage everything for you, to see you off with dignity."
"That’s very kind!" The coffin old man beamed, sitting on the coffin, "I can’t wait any longer, my grandson has been waiting for me for a long time too, can’t keep him waiting, we’ll go together, it’s perfect."
Yu Changkong watched as the little ghost walked to the old man’s side, tugging at his sleeve, not knowing what to say, just clenching his fists.
Qin Liuxi looked down at the contract and said, "I won’t be making coffins here in the future."
"Up to you, the shop is yours now, do whatever you want. My ancestors made coffins, and it ended with me, unable to leave anything to keep this Coffin Shop going, surely I’m fated not to face my ancestors, but as the saying goes, all things end, especially a Coffin Shop? Let it disperse with me."
Qin Liuxi nodded, "I’ll come back this evening, to arrange a feast to send you off."
The coffin old man paused for a moment, then smiled, "Good."