"I'm not sure about others, but that guy definitely doesn't have kids!" Chen Jinfa said confidently, with a sly smile.
"Why is that?" Lu Fei asked, intrigued.
"Back when we were still in the game, he got involved with some big boss's woman. When the boss found out, he had Hua beaten so badly that he got injured down there. Since then, he's been impotent," Chen Jinfa chuckled.
"If he ever did marry and have kids, well, they wouldn't be his."
"I see," Lu Fei mused, finding the situation increasingly strange. If it was his wife or girlfriend who had gotten pregnant and then had an abortion, it would make sense for infant spirits to haunt him. But since he couldn't have children, why would so many infant spirits be attached to him? It was likely connected to the cursed item he encountered.
"Why did you ask, Master Lu?" Chen Jinfa's eyes widened. "Could it be that you can even tell what's wrong with him just by looking?"
"No, no, I was just curious," Lu Fei laughed, surprised by how much of a mystical reputation he seemed to have earned with this streetwise businessman.
Soon, a waiter arrived with more dishes. The moon-gazing eels were taken away and replaced with ordinary home-cooked dishes. Chen Jinfa, feeling embarrassed, insisted on arranging entertainment after the meal.
"Life's pleasures are in wine, women, wealth, and indulgence! Without them, what's the fun in living? After dinner, I'll take you all to a special spot—whether you like exotic beauties or local stars, they have it all," Chen Jinfa said, causing Liu Fugui and Tiger's eyes to light up in anticipation.
Lu Fei didn't care about these things; he was more curious about whether Bald Hua had really encountered something supernatural. After all, ghostly incidents happened frequently, but not all of them involved cursed items.
When they were almost done eating, Bald Hua returned. The seven infant spirits clung tightly to him, stirring a slight chill as he moved.
"Lai Tou Hua, we've been waiting ages for you! What took so long? Aren't you going to toast Master Lu?" Chen Jinfa barked at him as though he were still his underling.
Bald Hua grabbed his glass, still smiling as he said, "Apologies, I was busy attending to guests. My bad, everyone. I'll drink this as my apology."
With that, he downed the entire glass of liquor.
"At least you know the rules. Now, show Master Lu the cursed item. We have plans afterward," Chen Jinfa urged.
"Of course," Bald Hua's smile remained, though a flicker of annoyance crossed his eyes. The infant spirits on him all turned their underdeveloped heads to stare at Chen Jinfa in unison, making for a chilling sight.
Fortunately, no one else could see them.
Lu Fei noticed this but kept a neutral expression.
"Master Lu, please have a look at this and tell me if it's the source of my troubles." Bald Hua sat beside Lu Fei and opened a finely-crafted box to reveal a small ornament.
It was a stone carving of a three-legged golden toad, plump and perched atop a pile of coins, with a coin in its mouth.
Before Lu Fei could speak, Liu Fugui chimed in, "That's a money-attracting toad, symbolizing wealth and prosperity. A lot of businesspeople place one in their shops as a good luck charm."
"Exactly, good eye, sir," Bald Hua nodded. "I bought this ornament for my cash register to bring in prosperity, but ever since I placed it there, I've been hearing crying at night."
"Crying?" Lu Fei raised an eyebrow and glanced at the eerie infant spirits attached to Hua. "Was it the crying of babies?"
"Master Lu, you're amazing! Yes, exactly like a baby's cry," Bald Hua's face lit up with surprise and newfound respect. "Every night when I close my eyes, I hear it—wah-wah, wah-wah—distinct from any regular child's cry. It's kept me up all night!"
"At first, I thought it was coming from a neighbor's baby, but I live right here in the villa, and there are no neighbors nearby, let alone babies."
"Master Lu, could this ornament be the source of it?"
"I'll need to take a closer look," Lu Fei said, donning a pair of gloves and examining the intricately carved toad.
Everyone leaned in, watching with wide eyes.
Before long, Lu Fei set the toad down and shook his head. "This isn't a cursed object; it's just an ordinary ornament."
"Huh?" Bald Hua's face fell into disbelief. "If it's not this, then what's causing it?"
Chen Jinfa immediately chimed in, "If Master Lu says it's not the toad, then it's not. Maybe you're just imagining things, mixing dreams with reality."
"Brother Chen, but how could I have the same dream night after night? I hear those baby cries as clear as day! Besides, didn't Master Lu already deduce that I was hearing infant cries?" Bald Hua forced a wry smile.
"Then listen to Master Lu," Chen Jinfa said dismissively.
All eyes turned to Lu Fei.
Instead of answering immediately, Lu Fei asked, "Mr. Hua, apart from this money-toad, is there anything else you suspect?"
"I'm not sure. Would you mind coming to take a look?" Bald Hua pleaded.
"Alright, lead the way."
Lu Fei stood up willingly.
"You're in luck, Hua. Master Lu is willing to help you," Chen Jinfa said.
Bald Hua's smile returned. "I understand how it works. If it turns out to be a cursed item, I'll pawn it to Master Lu and make sure to thank him handsomely afterward."
The group followed Bald Hua out of the private room and first went to the cash register. Lu Fei inspected the ornaments there and shook his head.
Bald Hua then led them to his office, which was more of a personal lounge. There were crystal decorations on the table and a mediocre painting on the wall.
Lu Fei looked around and shook his head again.
"Nothing here either."
"Could it be in my living quarters?" Bald Hua scratched his bald head, looking troubled.
"If you don't mind, I can check there as well," Lu Fei said with a smile.
While checking, he continued observing the infant spirits on Hua. They clung tightly to him without moving.
"Master Lu, I'd appreciate it," Bald Hua said, visibly relieved.
He instructed the head waiter to keep an eye on the business and led Lu Fei's group to his residence behind the villa.
The back area had a small building and a row of dark rooms.
"What's over there?" Lu Fei asked, pointing at the shadowy rooms.
"That's where we keep the eels," Bald Hua said briefly, hastily opening the main door to his house.
"Master Lu, Brother Chen, please come in."