Chapter 98

Is this ghostly talisman by Tang Zhendong really effective? Tang Zhendong himself couldn't be sure, but one thing he was certain of was that even if these two talismans had some effect, they certainly wouldn't be the main reason for Wang Xuebin to become the chief editor in the future.

Tang Zhendong's specialty was in physiognomy, feng shui, and geomancy. As for the skill of drawing talismans, it was rather ordinary, or rather, he was nine-tenths ignorant—completely clueless.

Watching Wang Xuebin bow in gratitude and leave, Tang Zhendong couldn't help but find it amusing. Just as he was laughing, Old Ye came out from their newly renovated shop, "What are you laughing about? So sinister?"

"This isn't sinister at all; it's a genuine smile from the heart. Can't you tell?"

Old Ye lowered his voice, "I can tell you've tricked another one. Ha ha, it's fine, but why didn't you take the money he offered just now?"

"Five thousand yuan? That's too low for us masters. We're already somewhat famous; the price for our services should start at ten thousand yuan at least. Besides, he's the chief editor of a newspaper. Even if he doesn't give us money, we can at least get him to cover our publicity costs in the future. Ha ha."

Old Ye gave a thumbs up, "Impressive, really impressive. Xiao Tang, I never thought you had such foresight. Putting fortune-telling on the newspaper, that's really smart."

"Why do I feel like there's something else in your words? It feels so awkward."

"Although physiognomy and feng shui are now considered part of traditional Chinese culture, they are still labeled as feudal superstition in the media. The Party won't contradict itself; if they say it's superstition, then it is. For something they consider superstition to be openly featured in mainstream media, that's probably quite difficult." Old Ye had a deep understanding of his profession.

Tang Zhendong picked up a newspaper used for decoration. It was an advertisement section, but just a small ad. In the middle of the first page, written in neat regular script, it read: "Yiming Hall, famous for feng shui."

Tang Zhendong pointed to this spot on the newspaper, "What's this?"

Old Ye was taken aback. His thinking was still stuck in the early or pre-reform and opening-up era, when the Party maintained a high-pressure stance against feudal superstition.

"This, this, well, you decide. You're the boss." Old Ye shook his head; he found the current society increasingly hard to understand. Truly, the younger generation was pushing the older one to the brink.

"How much longer will it take to finish the shop renovation?"

"About five to six days, plus cleaning, making the sign, and airing out the place. It will probably take at least ten days."

Tang Zhendong calculated with his fingers, "Then let's set it for ten days from now. Ten days from now is a good day, perfect for opening."

As they were discussing the shop renovation and various feng shui items, Old Ye's phone rang. He looked at Tang Zhendong and whispered, "Qian Wenchang."

"Mr. Qian, hello."

"Master Ye, hello. I'm troubling you again. I asked my mentor to help contact Stanford Hospital, but they said they can't guarantee waking Wen Mei. They suggested we try other methods."

"Mr. Qian, have you consulted any domestic psychiatrists?"

"I asked a psychiatrist from the 301 Hospital in Beijing, but he said there's no good solution for this condition. However, he suggested hospitalization for observation. Master Ye, I can only seek your help now."

Qian Wenchang's sincerity made it hard for Old Ye to refuse. He looked at Tang Zhendong for advice, and Tang Zhendong mouthed, "Send him to the mansion."

"Mr. Qian, I can try, but I need to make one thing clear: I only have an 80% chance of success. If it doesn't work, I hope you won't be upset."

"Master, you're helping me. How could I be upset!"

"Alright, one more thing. The soul-returning ritual involves soul separation and reintegration, so no one without spiritual power should be near. Those who get too close might risk soul separation. Be very careful."

"Alright, Master, I'll do as you say."

......

In the Hai Tian Garden residential area, at the Qian family's mansion.

Qian Wenchang and his mother, Shen Fanhua, were anxiously waiting for Master Ye and Xiao Tang.

"Master, you're here." Qian Wenchang was very excited when he heard that Master Ye had an 80% chance of success. Unlike the top 301 Hospital and the renowned psychiatrist, who said they had no confidence, Qian Wenchang, though not superstitious, was willing to grasp any lifeline.

"Alright, wait in the car. Remember, don't come upstairs without my permission."

Qian Wenchang's mother, Shen Fanhua, heard Master Ye's serious tone and, despite her eagerness to see, dared not go against his advice.

"Master, we'll wait here. By the way, Master Ye, should I prepare lunch and put it at the door?"

Old Ye waved his hand, "No need, we can eat after we're done."

Qian Wenchang, being the head of a large company, didn't need to ask directly. He asked indirectly. By asking about lunch, he was actually asking how long it would take. Old Ye's response clearly indicated it would take half a day or so, and it might be done before noon.

However, while Qian Wenchang's thoughts didn't escape Old Ye, they didn't escape Tang Zhendong either. Tang Zhendong thought, if this is too easy, you won't pay much. To maximize profit, he needed to exaggerate the difficulty. "Master, didn't you say it would take a day and a night? Not eating will be very draining, and the soul-returning ritual is particularly energy-consuming. As the saying goes, a man is iron, and food is steel. What do you think?"

Tang Zhendong looked at Qian Wenchang and then at Old Ye. Old Ye was just putting on a show; he didn't know how long the soul-returning ritual would take. Hearing Tang Zhendong, he immediately understood and pretended to think, "Alright, I was trying to avoid troubling Mr. Qian, but I'll leave it to you."

Qian Wenchang didn't know about the little schemes of the master and apprentice. Seeing Master Ye's politeness, he patted his chest and said, "Master, you're too polite. Just tell me what you need. I'll call the Hai Cheng Hotel right away to prepare a nutritious lunch and dinner for you. They'll be delivered to the door at noon and 6 PM."

"Thank you, Mr. Qian." Old Ye bowed, took the Qian family's keys, and went upstairs with Tang Zhendong.

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