Yasushi and Jingliu approached a modest outer-door exhibit showcasing various items that could be unearthed in Mengyinhu's Night Market. As they arrived, they found themselves surrounded by familiar sights — herbs, plants, and assorted trinkets that mirrored those they'd encountered earlier in their wanderings.
Yasushi surveyed the collection with a hint of surprise. "This is a lot more mundane than I expected," he said, his gaze sweeping over the array of objects.
Jingliu tilted her head slightly, a thoughtful look on her face. "At first glance, it might seem ordinary, but if you examine it more closely, you might spot something unique. What was that saying? 'One person's discarded item is another's gem' or something to that effect?" she mused, her eyes scanning the assortment.
Yasushi's lips curved into a smile as he corrected her gently. "It's 'One man's trash is another man's treasure,' but you were close. I understand what you mean, though," he said, his tone light and amused.
Jingliu nodded in agreement with Yasushi's observation before guiding him toward a nearby stall showcasing an array of wooden carvings. The exhibit featured a mix of familiar creatures — bears, pigs, dogs, and cats — alongside a more fantastical assortment. Dragons, imps, wyverns, werewolves, and vampires were displayed alongside intricate representations inspired by Chinese mythology. The stall boasted carvings of qilins, phoenixes, tortoises, white tigers, and vermilion birds, each piece meticulously crafted to capture the essence of its mythical subject.
Yasushi took in the display with a thoughtful expression. "The four symbols of China, huh? I was half expecting to see them," he murmured, his eyes lingering on the detailed carvings.
Jingliu tilted her head slightly, her gaze fixed on him. "Mmm. It's quite common here. Which one do you like best?" she asked, her tone casual yet curious.
Yasushi's mind drifted back to his previous life, where he had an affinity for these symbols. As he surveyed the Azure Dragon (Qinglong), White Tiger (Baihu), Vermilion Bird (Zhuque), and Black Tortoise (Xuanwu) carvings, he couldn't help but admire the craftsmanship. The artists had captured the essence of each mythical creature with remarkable precision and detail.
"I've always been drawn to the Vermilion Bird," Yasushi confessed, his tone tinged with a hint of solemnity. "The various depictions of it in media have always fascinated me. They often come with a tragic narrative, particularly when the humans in those stories are depicted as having been trained, raised, or inherited their abilities. Despite the sorrow, they're always portrayed as resilient and strong-willed individuals who face life head-on and persevere. It's something I find quite admirable."
Jingliu's eyes widened slightly in surprise before a smile crept across her face. "I didn't realize you had such an interest in Chinese mythology," she said, her voice carrying a note of intrigue.
Yasushi chuckled softly, a rueful smile playing on his lips. "I have many interests that might not align with my outward appearance or demeanor, so I can understand your surprise," he said, his hand reaching out to pick up a finely carved wooden representation of the Vermilion Bird.
Jingliu's gaze followed his movement, and she gestured toward another section of the stall. "Would you like to purchase one? There are several pieces there that are also painted," she offered, pointing to a display of colorful, painted carvings.
"I'd appreciate that," Yasushi responded, and they approached the stall where the woman was selling the carvings.
After they conveyed their interest, the woman's eyes brightened with curiosity and admiration. She reached beneath the display to retrieve two special pieces that had been kept out of sight. Her fascination with Yasushi, a Japanese visitor with a genuine appreciation for their cultural artifacts, was evident in her demeanor.
"These are the finest pieces I've created over the past few months," she said, her pride apparent. "I made these to complement each other, capturing both the bird and human forms of Zhuque. This is my interpretation of how she might appear. Is this acceptable to you?" she asked, holding out the two intricately crafted figures for Yasushi to examine.
Yasushi and Jingliu took the carvings, their eyes carefully studying the details. Yasushi's face lit up with a smile as he admired the craftsmanship. The delicate features and vibrant nuances of the pieces resonated with him. They examined each carving, with Yasushi particularly impressed by the depiction of the human form. After a thorough inspection and a shared nod of approval, Yasushi decided to purchase both pieces, clearly pleased with their quality and artistry.
"Thank you for your purchase!" the woman's voice rang out as Yasushi and Jingliu walked away from the stall.
Yasushi's gaze shifted to Jingliu, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Now that I think about it, doesn't she kind of look like you?" he mused, his eyes twinkling with playful amusement.
Jingliu's brows furrowed slightly, and she gave his shoulder a light, reproachful tap. "You won't catch me wearing such minimal clothing," she said, her tone a mix of exasperation and amusement.
Leaning closer, Yasushi whispered in her ear, "In public, right?"
Jingliu's cheeks flushed a bright red, and she puffed out her cheeks in a show of indignation before pinching his cheek. She didn't respond to his comment, leaving the question hanging in the air. Yasushi erupted in laughter as she released him, her cheeks still tinged with color but her expression a blend of flustered amusement.
+-+
As the Night Market began to wind down, Yasushi and Jingliu wandered through the dimming stalls and booths, mingling with the remaining crowd and soaking in the evening's ambiance. The once bustling area was gradually becoming quieter, the energy of the market giving way to a more relaxed atmosphere. As the vendors started closing up their shops, Yasushi and Jingliu meandered toward the exit.
Just as they were about to leave the area, a familiar voice cut through the night. "J-Jingliu!"
The couple stopped in their tracks and turned around to find the same group of girls who had apologized to Jingliu earlier making their way toward them. Their unexpected appearance caused a brief moment of surprise.
Zihan, the apparent leader of the group, stepped forward with a nervous yet hopeful expression. "H-hey, we didn't expect to see you here. How did you find the market? It's changed a bit since last year, hasn't it?" she asked, her tone tinged with apprehension.
Jingliu regarded her with a weary smile, her exhaustion evident. "Yes, it's different, but only slightly. Did you need something from us? We were about to head home since it's getting quite late," she replied, her voice devoid of any hostility but marked by fatigue.
Zihan's face brightened, and she almost shouted, "No, no, it's not that. We were just wondering if you'd like to hang out for a bit. And you can bring your boyfriend too!" Her enthusiasm was palpable, and her eagerness to extend the invitation was clear.
"Maybe tomorrow, I—" Jingliu began, but Yasushi interjected with a suggestion.
"We're planning to visit the haunted house in a day. How about you join us?" Yasushi proposed.
The offer took everyone by surprise, including Jingliu. While she had mentioned the haunted house to Yasushi, extending the invitation to the girls was an unexpected move. Both Yasushi and Jingliu were uncertain about the girls' intentions — whether their interest was genuine or if there were other underlying motives. Yasushi's gesture was a twist they hadn't anticipated.
"The… haunted house? The one near the forests?" one of the girls asked, her tone laced with curiosity. Yasushi confirmed with a nod.
The girls exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of hesitation and excitement. After a brief moment of silent deliberation, Zihan's face lit up as she gave an enthusiastic nod. "We'll go! We've been there before but didn't venture too far because we were too frightened. But if Jingliu's okay with it, we're definitely in!"
"Great, we've got your numbers, so we'll send you a message when we head to the haunted house. For now, we're heading home," Yasushi said, and the girls nodded in agreement. They quickly apologized for interrupting and hurried off, their footsteps fading into the evening.
As Yasushi and Jingliu started walking away, Jingliu voiced her concern. "Are you sure about this?" she asked, her tone reflecting her unease. They still didn't know the full extent of the girls' intentions, and Jingliu had hoped to observe them further before extending such an invitation. Yasushi's swift decision left her unsettled.
Yasushi glanced at her with reassurance. "We'll have Yunxue with us, and we can arrange for some of your staff to be on standby if needed. I trust my instincts here — they're telling me the girls are being sincere. Can you trust me on this?" He met her gaze, his expression earnest.
Jingliu studied him for a few moments before letting out a resigned sigh. "Alright, I'll trust you on this. But why delay it by a day?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
Yasushi started walking toward their home, his voice steady as he explained. "I want to run a background check. I need to know everything about them and what they've done. Since you didn't go deeply into what happened with them and others, I want this information before we go to the haunted house. It's also about preparing ourselves properly," he said, his tone reflecting the seriousness of his intent.
+-+
An hour had passed since Yasushi and Jingliu returned to their opulent home. Yasushi wandered through the vast corridors, searching for Yinhaie. His search, however, led him to Anfeng, who was seated alone near the staff room.
Upon noticing him, Anfeng rose gracefully from her seat and approached with a welcoming smile. "Wildfire Yasushi, how can I assist you?" she inquired, her use of the unusual nickname momentarily confusing Yasushi.
He shook off his confusion and responded, "Do you know where Yinhaie is? I need to discuss something with her."
Anfeng leaned forward slightly, her expression turning playful as she said, "I'm just as capable as she is. What do you need help with?" Her grin was both charming and inviting.
Yasushi took a moment to take in her appearance. Anfeng was a striking woman, standing around five feet eight inches tall, which was notably above average. Her figure was both elegant and impressive, making her stand out in any crowd. Yasushi studied her for a moment, weighing her offer carefully.
Yasushi hesitated for a moment, unsure about confiding in someone he didn't know as well as Yinhaie. Their interactions had been limited, and he was still gauging her reliability. However, he had decided to place his trust in everyone employed by the Yang family. Steeling himself, he handed her the list. "I need to run some background checks on a group of girls who approached Jingliu and me today. Here's their information."
Anfeng's eyebrows raised slightly at the request. She took the paper and studied it with a neutral expression, her eyes scanning the names and details. After a brief pause, she closed her eyes and gave a slow nod. "I see, it's them," she said, her tone suggesting she recognized the names but adding to Yasushi's confusion.
"You know about them?" Yasushi asked, puzzled by her reaction.
Anfeng's gaze remained steady. "Yes, they have a reputation. I'm more surprised they would approach you and offer an apology. To be honest, I don't think they deserve any such consideration. If you're unaware of their background, I can show you. Please follow me," she said, turning and starting to walk away.
Yasushi fell into step behind her, but unease began to settle over him. Doubts crept into his mind, and a nagging sense of uncertainty followed him as he trailed after Anfeng.