“Xiao Yang, Xiao Yang, could you help me find 《Roses and Lilies》?”
“Me too! I want 《The Swan Ring》.”
The Leisurely Bookstore, which once barely had any foot traffic, now saw over a dozen young girls coming in every day to borrow and return books ever since Yin Yang handed out flyers at the entrance.
Yin Yang only later found out that the Wang City Girls' Academy was located just across the street.
It was a private academy with expensive tuition and very strict management.
On the day Yin Yang had been handing out flyers, they just happened to be on a break.
Standing in the sunlight wearing a cream-colored sweater and sky-blue jeans, Yin Yang had become the best advertisement just by being there.
As a result, many girls who had intended to go straight home instinctively turned toward the shop, planning to borrow a book to read.
“Of course, here is the book you wanted.”
Yin Yang handed 《Roses and Lilies》 to the girl and gave her a smile.
The girl's cheeks flushed instantly. Yin Yang, who possessed [Perception] and [Communion], easily guessed what she was thinking.
“Here is your deposit receipt. We look forward to your next visit.”
Lin Zhen suddenly spoke up from the side, shaking out a bag and placing 《Roses and Lilies》 inside.
The girl took her receipt and left reluctantly.
Yin Yang went to help the other girls find their books. Only after everyone had left did Lin Zhen reveal a money-grubbing expression.
“Since you arrived, our customer traffic has increased more than tenfold!”
“I have an idea. How about I buy a second-hand coffee machine, set up a few more tables, and sell some hot drinks and snacks? What do you think?”
“Sure, that sounds great.”
“Then I’ll go discuss it with my dad.”
Lin Zhen stood up and walked toward the back of the shop. The owner usually spent his time there tending to flowers and reading, living a very leisurely life.
Yin Yang sat at the front desk and flipped through the books in his hand.
《The Encyclopedia of Incantation Patterns》, 《Detailed Explanation of Incantations》, 《Incantation Formula Handbook》.
He read at a lightning pace, scanning lines at a glance, yet every piece of content was deeply imprinted in his mind.
‘So that’s how it is. That really was a sacrifice array for those thirsting for power.’
‘If I had understood those incantations back then, I wouldn’t have needed to change the ritual memorial.’
‘Truly, there is no end to learning.’
Yin Yang greedily absorbed the knowledge.
Ding-ling.
The doorbell rang. Yin Yang looked up to see a man dressed in a well-tailored white suit walking in.
The man’s gaze swept across the bookshelves before landing on Yin Yang. He looked somewhat surprised and asked, “A new clerk?”
“Yes, sir. Can I help you find something?”
“I’m here to pick up the Central University of Science and Technology Weekly.”
Before Yin Yang could respond, Lin Zhen came running back.
“Mr. Qi? Oh, it’s my fault! Business has been so busy these past two days that I forgot to deliver the weekly.”
As she spoke, she pulled out a sealed kraft paper envelope from the side of the counter.
“I’m terribly sorry, Mr. Qi. It was just me in the shop before, and I was a bit overwhelmed. I promise this won’t happen again.”
Mr. Qi gave a gentle smile.
“It’s fine, just a small matter.”
He walked leisurely to the counter. When he saw the books Yin Yang was reading, he was slightly taken aback.
“Incantations? Are you interested in the transcendent?”
“Ah? Oh!”
Yin Yang seemed to only just realize the man was speaking to him. He gave a bright, sunny smile.
“Yes, I’m very interested in transcendent matters.”
As he spoke, he pulled out another book and showed the cover to Mr. Qi.
The title on the cover read: 《How to Use Incantations to Find Hidden Treasures》.
Mr. Qi was amused, and the look in his eyes as he watched Yin Yang became quite interested.
“You are an interesting person.”
“Thank you.”
Yin Yang gave him a polite smile and then lowered his head to continue reading, as if he truly intended to learn something to go find hidden treasures.
“I’m so sorry, Mr. Qi. I promise this won’t happen again.”
Lin Zhen apologized repeatedly. Mr. Qi smiled and waved his hand, leaving the bookstore with the kraft paper envelope.
While reading, Yin Yang asked casually, “That man’s suit didn’t look cheap. Is he rich?”
“Of course.”
Lin Zhen’s face was full of longing and envy. “That’s Mr. Qi, the youngest son of Wang City’s richest man.”
“The richest man?”
Yin Yang looked surprised. “If he’s the son of the richest man, couldn’t he just send a driver to pick things up? Why come himself?”
Lin Zhen raised her eyebrows. “That’s what makes the Qi family so impressive. Even though they are the wealthiest, they are very strict with their younger generation.”
“Every penny they spend must be earned by themselves, so Mr. Qi always handles things personally.”
“If it’s not too busy next time the weekly needs to be delivered, I’ll take you along so you can see the Qi family’s gardens.”
“They say every tree and stone in their yard cost a fortune and was specifically chosen by a feng shui master.”
Yin Yang nodded repeatedly. Once Lin Zhen left, he returned to his book.
‘Yes, this is the scent. I didn't come to the wrong place.’
The voices of those people from back then echoed in his mind once more.
“I want the heart!”
“Heh, you think you deserve the heart?”
“Why not?”
“Shut up. At most, you get the Gall!”
Yin Yang would never forget those voices or their auras.
And it just so happened that the ability of a [Sacrifice] was Perception.
He could perceive that the man carried the scent of that person from thirteen years ago!
The scent of bloodline!
This man was a direct relative.
The corner of Yin Yang’s mouth curled up. As he read, he whispered, “Don’t get excited. Haven’t we already arrived?”
The blade-wielding ghost slowly materialized and nodded vigorously.
...
Evening.
After finishing work, Yin Yang scanned a shared bike. After saying goodbye to Lin Zhen, he pedaled toward home.
Wang City was divided into East and West districts. The East District was also known as the New District or the wealthy area; it had only been developed in the last twenty years and housed all the large hospitals, major shopping malls, and so on.
The West District was the Old District, with aged buildings and outdated facilities. However, the cost of living was low, allowing even someone like Yin Yang with a monthly salary of 2,400 to afford meat at every meal.
The boundary between the East and West districts was a four-lane dual carriageway!
This road was called Victory Avenue, reportedly built to commemorate the people of Wang City who fought in the anti-war victory.
The Leisurely Bookstore was right next to Victory Avenue, located in the Old District but facing the New District.
The Wang City Girls' Academy was just across the street.
After riding for about fifteen minutes, Yin Yang arrived back at his rented room.
It was a small apartment of about thirty square meters. Though small, it had everything one could need.
Most importantly, the rent was very cheap—only six hundred yuan a month.
Even in the West District, this price was a bargain.
Furthermore, there was a market right downstairs where he could buy flour, oil, fruits, vegetables, meat, and milk.
Yin Yang bought some groceries on his way up. While preparing a meal, he spoke softly.
“Go on, but don’t go too deep.”
As Yin Yang chopped the vegetables with rhythmic thuds, a shadow flew out of the window behind him.
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