Li Qiao stared up at the yellowed ceiling, her eyes slightly red, her voice low and hoarse. "I dreamt of him last night…"
"Sigh…" Master Zhong let out a soft sigh. He didn't say anything else, just pulled a small notebook from his pocket and checked the upcoming schedule. "There's an encoffining ceremony this Saturday at the Nanyangshan Funeral Home. Come with us."
"Thank you, Teacher." Li Qiao's voice was raspy and muffled.
The sudden wave of emotion pressing on her chest left her in desperate need of a release.
And this ceremony—it was the form of atonement she had chosen for herself.
Because it was the final dignity afforded to the dead.
The very dignity Hui Zai had never received—because of her.
…
Before long, the meeting room door was knocked upon. A handsome young man with fine, clean features pushed the door open and stepped in.
At the sight of Li Qiao, his face immediately lit up with surprise and joy. "Xiao Qiao, you're here!"
Li Qiao lifted her head from the backrest and nodded faintly. "Senior."
"Mo Qi," Master Zhong spoke up, "the ceremony at Nanyangshan this Saturday—Xiao Qiao will be coming with us. When you prepare the materials, make sure you prepare three sets."
At that, Mo Qi looked visibly startled. His eyes shifted to Li Qiao, clearly surprised. "Xiao Qiao is coming too? But…"
"I've got nothing else to do. I'll be going now," Li Qiao cut him off, standing up. After saying goodbye to Master Zhong, she left the reception room.
Mo Qi stood where he was, watching her retreating back with concern. "Teacher, are you really going to let Xiao Qiao come with us? Didn't you say before…"
Master Zhong raised a hand, cutting him off. His gaze was distant. "She's different from you. You studied mortuary science and became an undertaker for a well-paying career. But for her, this is just a way to release her emotions. This time… let her come."
Mo Qi pressed his lips together in silence, his expression no longer as composed as before.
…
In the old part of town, Li Qiao walked out of the association building. She didn't leave right away, instead strolling slowly along the brick-paved sidewalk flanked by gray-tiled walls, her expression distant and cold.
Suddenly, someone called out behind her. "Xiao Qiao—"
She stopped walking, her cheek brushing against the hood of her sweatshirt as she turned around, expressionless.
It was Mo Qi.
He hurried over along the wall, stopping in front of her and catching his breath. "I forgot to give you this earlier."
Li Qiao looked down. He was holding a small brocade pouch, palm-sized, bright red like fire, with the word Peace embroidered on it in gold thread.
She didn't take it. Instead, she asked, "What is it?"
Mo Qi scratched his head, his gentle features tinged with nervousness. "Teacher and I went to a Buddhist temple a while ago. I casually asked for two peace charms—one for you, one for him."
Li Qiao raised her eyes to look at him but still didn't take it. Her tone was flat. "I don't need it. You keep it."
"Come on, I asked for it specially for you and Teacher. If I keep it, it won't be effective," Mo Qi insisted, holding it out again. Worried she might reject it once more, he quickly added, "If you feel bad about accepting it, how about… you buy me a cup of milk tea? Consider it a fair exchange. Look, there's a milk tea shop right across the street."
At this point, it would've felt rude for Li Qiao to refuse again.
She took the little pouch and casually stuffed it into her pocket. The two of them then walked side by side toward the shop across the street.
At that moment, not far from the milk tea shop, a few meters away, the heavy window of a black business van slowly rolled halfway down.
The glass was thick—if you looked closely, you'd notice the whole vehicle was a specially modified bulletproof van.
"Master, that's Miss Li!"
The driver, who had driven Li Qiao several times before, recognized her at a glance.