Midsummer

Su Qing's shop managed to gain a small reputation.

Aside from Su Qing, the head of Wang Chuan Tang, being beautiful,

another reason was probably that Su Qing was very kind, and her goods were sold very cheaply...

She even offered credit and discounts to families who couldn't afford coffins and other related expenses.

It was as if she wasn't thinking about making money at all.

Such a benevolent person naturally spread by word of mouth, gradually gaining some fame.

As for whether people saw her as a fool who didn't care about making money, or a kind person, who knew?

Su Qing didn't care either.

Of course.

Even with a considerable reputation nearby,

Su Qing's shop still didn't get much business on weekdays.

Firstly, people didn't die every day in Huai County.

Secondly, the place was too new.

To everyone, this shop was still a new establishment, not considered reputable.

They could buy coffins and other funeral supplies here.

But they wouldn't ask her for help with burials.

Because Su Qing looked too young, appearing very unprofessional.

They worried Su Qing might not do a good job, or might not understand taboos and such.

So they didn't dare to try easily.

Who would dare to joke about the last important event of a person's life?

Su Qing wasn't bothered by this either.

For business matters, she felt it was fine to let things take their course...

If they didn't trust her now, it didn't matter... One day, this place would also become a long-established business.

Although she didn't know if she would still be in Huai County when it became a long-established business.

But she couldn't be pessimistic.

Anyway, she still had a lot of time...

In these past few years, besides focusing on the shop's affairs,

Su Qing naturally didn't neglect her cultivation.

Last year, Su Qing passed through nine more Lightning Tribulations... her strength increased somewhat.

This time, the nine Lightning Tribulations were even more powerful than the last, leaving Su Qing with a deeply painful memory.

However, Su Qing wasn't frightened by this Lightning Tribulation; if she wanted to cultivate for longevity, she couldn't stop.

Even if cultivation was fraught with difficulties, what did it matter?

If one didn't become an Earthly Immortal, how could one be called an immortal?

Mid-year, early July.

Midsummer.

The sky was clear and hot.

Today, Wang Chuan Tang was as usual, with no business.

Even if someone passed by, they still unconsciously quickened their pace.

Su Qing didn't care; after all, this place dealt with the business of the underworld.

Unless truly necessary, few people would linger here.

She simply sat bored in the shop, cultivating.

She wasn't worried about others seeing her.

Because to mortals, she was merely sitting in a rocking chair, daydreaming.

Su Qing was cultivating out of boredom when she suddenly heard shouts from outside the door.

She initially thought a customer had arrived.

Opening her eyes, she saw an old beggar.

The old beggar looked sickly, as if he had recovered from a severe illness.

He was covered in dirt, his eyes were cloudy, and his face had disgusting acne.

Most people who saw him would probably keep their distance, fearing they might catch a disease from him.

Su Qing observed him and felt that this person's life was not long.

At most, he had only half a month to live.

Thinking of this, Su Qing couldn't help but shake her head and say:

"Old man, what do you need from me?"

Seeing Su Qing respond, the old beggar pointed at the leftover food on the table and said:

"Miss, miss... could you, please, give me that leftover food you're not eating?"

Su Qing glanced at the leftovers.

Those were from lunch today...

Because she had eaten too many snacks out of boredom in the morning, she hadn't finished her lunch, leaving more than half untouched.

Seeing this, Su Qing thought for a moment and said:

"Those are my leftovers, so I won't give them to you. I'll get you something clean instead."

Su Qing wasn't superstitious or anything; she simply felt it wasn't good to give someone her leftovers.

Even if the other person was a beggar... even if their life was short, it was the same.

Besides a portion of food, what Su Qing could give the other person was probably this bit of human respect!

How others acted, Su Qing couldn't control.

She could only control herself.

"No... no, there's no need for such expense! I've eaten leftovers for half my life, I'm already used to it."

Hearing this, the old beggar was instantly overwhelmed and quickly shook his head.

But Su Qing ignored his words and said to herself:

"Old man, wait here for a bit. If a customer comes, please tell them I'll be right back."

With that, Su Qing went into the back room.

With Su Qing gone, the old beggar stood at the doorway, at a loss. Having been humble his entire life, how could anyone treat him with such kindness?

He didn't dare to enter the shop, fearing he would dirty the floor.

But he also didn't want to leave, fearing he would waste Su Qing's good intentions.

Fortunately, he didn't wait long.

Soon after, Su Qing came out with a plate of pastries and some dry rations.

She didn't cook, nor did she cook in the shop; most of what the shop had were snacks.

Though tasty, they weren't filling.

So, after searching, she only found these items that could somewhat satisfy hunger.

"There aren't many main dishes in the shop, so please make do with these! Take these dry rations too; though not much, it's enough for one person for two days."

Su Qing wrapped the items and handed them to the beggar.

The beggar lowered his head, took the items with both hands, but didn't know how to express his gratitude.

He could only kneel before Su Qing...

to show his thanks.

Su Qing, helpless, said: "Get up! There's no need for such a grand gesture; it's just some food."

Hearing this, the old beggar merely repeated words of thanks again and again.

Su Qing waved her hand helplessly and turned to walk back into the shop.

After Su Qing entered the room, the old beggar bowed to Su Qing.

Then he took the items and left!

He didn't rush to unwrap and eat the items.

Instead, he carefully placed them on his person and walked towards outside the city.

He was indeed very hungry now, so hungry his front stuck to his back...

But these pastries were rare good things, exceptionally precious.

He hadn't tasted them once in half his life.

So he wanted to save them, save them for his granddaughter to eat.

She was still a child, she needed to eat good things, not always eat leftovers with him.

She was still growing!

"That little girl will definitely like them!"

The old beggar, who had been grim-faced, couldn't help but smile when he thought of his granddaughter's smile.

As a result, his steps quickened considerably.

Even his stomach wasn't hungry anymore, and the wounds on his body didn't hurt.

It was as if... he had never been hungry, never been sick.

After the old beggar left.

Su Qing sat in the rocking chair, fanning herself with a cattail fan, listening to the cicadas, feeling quite leisurely.

However, as she fanned herself, a strange feeling suddenly arose in her heart.

She raised an eyebrow slightly, then immediately closed the shop and returned home.

Leng Xiang was very surprised to see Su Qing return so early...

"Master, did something happen?" Leng Xiang asked worriedly.

Hearing this, Su Qing merely shook her head slightly and said:

"Nothing... I just had a feeling and decided to do something."

Leng Xiang looked at Su Qing with confusion.

Su Qing was seen taking out a bone fragment from her room, which was precisely the Cat Immortal's bone fragment.