Chapter 006: Death Certificate

Upon hearing the “she-devil” tell him to bring his ID and come along, Guizai mumbled a response.

Seeing how familiar this girl seemed with her son, Guizai’s mother warmly greeted her, “What’s your name, young lady? Come inside and have a seat.”

Invite her inside? Guizai shot a glance at his mother, “Mom, mind your own business!”

His mother, thinking her son was shy, paid him no heed and refused to give him any face. “What’s with the winking? Shy, are we? The girl’s come over, and you don’t even invite her inside.”

“She’s busy,” Guizai muttered, glancing at Liang Kefeng, but he didn’t dare look her in the eyes. Awkwardly, he forced a smile. Not knowing the “she-devil’s” real name, he stammered, “I’ll… I’ll go change clothes and be right back!”

Guizai’s grandmother stood up, wiped her hands on her apron, and smiled at Liang Kefeng, “Are you two going out shopping?”

Liang Kefeng smiled and nodded, “Yes, grandma.”

Guizai’s mother was still enthusiastic, “Why don’t you stay for lunch later?”

“There’s no need, thank you.”

Liang Kefeng glanced around the cramped inner room, filled with various items, where a family of seven or eight people lived. It was tight, so tight that you had to walk sideways in some places, yet it brimmed with a lively home atmosphere.

When Guizai finished changing and came out, Liang Kefeng nodded to the elders, said goodbye, and walked ahead. Guizai, hunched over, trailed behind her at a distance of one or two meters, not daring to get too close.

As they reached the staircase, Liang Kefeng stopped and turned around, asking, “What’s your name?”

Guizai stammered, “Zhang… Zhang Gui!”

Liang Kefeng introduced herself plainly, “I’m Liang Kefeng. The ‘ke’ from ‘possible,’ and the ‘feng’ from ‘kite.'”

Guizai was taken aback by the sudden openness of the “she-devil,” feeling flattered. Awkwardly, he nodded, his throat dry, “I’m Gui… as in ‘precious,’ really precious.”

Liang Kefeng chuckled, “Precious, like valuable?”

“Yes!” Guizai nodded earnestly.

“Did you bring your ID?”

“I did.” Guizai nervously glanced at her, wanting to ask why, but he didn’t dare voice his question.

In the distance, Guizai’s grandmother and mother were still standing at the door, curiously watching.

From their lip movements, Liang Kefeng could tell what they were discussing.

The grandmother whispered, “Is there something going on between them?”

Guizai’s mother was full of confidence in her son, “Why else would she come to our house?”

Grandmother asked, “What are they talking about?”

Mother replied, “Is the girl forcing Ah Gui to confess? Just now, at the door, she leaned close to his ear to whisper something.”

Grandmother chuckled, “Looks like it. Ah Gui is quite lucky, huh?”

Liang Kefeng couldn’t help but laugh again.

Seeing her laugh made Guizai’s heart race even faster! What was she thinking? What did she want?

Liang Kefeng withdrew her gaze and said to him, “I want to make a deal with you.”

“What deal?”

“I need to register my ID at the Admiralty barracks, and I need a relative to vouch for me.”

So the “she-devil” really was an illegal immigrant?

Guizai had discussed this with his buddies Fenchang and Cheng Yaojin, and they had all agreed that this girl was likely someone important. Who would’ve thought she was just an illegal immigrant?

But Guizai didn’t dare relax. This kind of fugitive from the mainland could be even more ruthless than the usual gangsters.

So he didn’t dare refuse her request, “No problem!”

“Aren’t you going to ask what the terms are?”

“Whatever it is, I’m fine with it.”

Liang Kefeng, who had her own principles, said, “As a reward, once everything is done, I’ll pay you 2,000 yuan.”

Money?! And 2,000 yuan at that? That’s quite a sum!

Guizai gratefully thanked her, “Thank you, Miss Liang!”

Liang Kefeng added, “But I can only give you the money after the new year. Is that okay?”

“No! No problem. I’m not in a rush.”

“Let’s go,” Liang Kefeng said, turning and heading down the stairs first.

*

It took only about ten minutes by taxi to get to the Admiralty barracks. Since it was near the Lunar New Year, there weren’t many illegal immigrants registering, so after a short wait, it was her turn.

Registering her details and waiting to receive a temporary ID didn’t take long, except for the time spent removing the bandage on her head for the photo. The whole process took less than an hour.

By the third or fourth day after the New Year, she would be able to collect her permanent ID.

From the moment she received her temporary ID, Liang Kefeng was officially a resident of Hong Kong.

Everything went more smoothly than expected.

After leaving the barracks, the two took a taxi back home. Upon getting off at Fengwei Street, Liang Kefeng sincerely thanked Guizai.

Guizai quickly waved his hands, “There’s no need to thank me.”

“When I have the money, I’ll bring the 2,000 dollars to your home.”

Guizai said, “If it’s inconvenient, you don’t have to give it to me. It’s fine.”

Liang Kefeng could tell that Guizai was still mostly afraid of her.

Guizai didn’t have the ruthlessness and decisiveness of a gangster. Someone like him wouldn’t survive in a gang.

In her usual reserved manner, Liang Kefeng, grateful for his help, offered him advice, “You’re not cut out for gang life. After the New Year, find a stable job.”

Guizai was embarrassed, wanting to smile but unable to, his expression awkward and a bit comical.

The weather, which had been sunny earlier, now clouded over. A cold wind blew, and he shivered, clasping his arms. “Miss Liang, where do you live?”

Liang Kefeng adjusted her hat, “I’m leaving. Thanks again for today.”

“Goodbye,” Guizai murmured, waving as he watched her leave. He was so lost in thought that he didn’t even notice a bicycle ringing its bell behind him, almost running him over.

*

On her way home, Liang Kefeng bought a bag of roasted sweet potatoes.

When she reached the third floor, she found the iron gate locked from the inside. It was probably Yuan Baoquan, seeking revenge for her earlier actions.

She could’ve picked the lock, but that would reveal her lock-picking skills, so instead, she turned to leave.

“Hey! Can’t get in, huh?” Yuan Baoquan, lured by the smell of the sweet potatoes, appeared.

Liang Kefeng glanced at him without answering.

Feeling a bit guilty under her gaze, Yuan Baoquan raised his voice.

“Come on! First day here, and you’re acting all high and mighty. Didn’t even open the door for me! Let me tell you, that’s my dad, not yours!”

Liang Kefeng retorted, “Yuan Baoquan, is it? Your surname is Yuan, and my dad’s surname is Liang!”

“!” Yuan Baoquan was momentarily at a loss for words. To save face, he blurted out, “He’s my real dad! I’m his only son! All his future assets will be mine!”

“Yuan Baoquan, what nonsense are you spouting?!”

Zhu Fengping came upstairs carrying large bags. “This is your elder sister. Hurry and open the door!”

Seeing his mother return, Yuan Baoquan lost interest and unwillingly muttered back, “I don’t have a sister like that! Mainland girl!”

Liang Kefeng smiled and replied, “I’m a mainland girl, and my dad’s a mainland man. If you’re so impressive, don’t live in our Liang family house.”

Yuan Baoquan: “…”

Zhu Fengping quickly scolded, “Yuan Baoquan! Keep talking nonsense, and I’ll deal with you! Hurry up and open the door!”

Then, she smiled apologetically at Liang Kefeng. “My son is spoiled, still young and immature. Kefeng, don’t take it to heart.”

Liang Kefeng smiled gently, “I tend to speak frankly too, Aunt Ping, so don’t take it to heart either.”

Zhu Fengping wouldn’t dare say anything back. “You’re much more sensible than them. You’re not feeling well—why did you go downstairs? It’s windy outside, and quite cold.”

Liang Kefeng shook the brown paper bag in her hand. “I went to buy some roasted sweet potatoes.”

“You must be hungry? It’s already past noon. I’ll cook soon. The housekeeper had to leave for personal reasons, and we haven’t found a replacement yet. Everything on the list you gave us, we’ve bought for you. I also got you a new set of clothes for the New Year.”

Liang Kefeng politely responded, “Thank you, Aunt Ping.”

“It’s only right. Don’t be so polite with me.” As she spoke, Zhu Fengping shot a sharp glance at her son, who was still reluctant to open the door. “Yuan Baoquan! Are you opening the door or not?”

The eldest, Yuan Baoli, also chimed in, “Brother, do you want a beating?”

The second sister, Yuan Baoling, stood leaning against the stair railing with a face that clearly said, “Not happy.”

Finally, Yuan Baoquan gave in and obediently opened the iron gate.

Once inside, Liang Kefeng discreetly slipped Zhu Fengping’s key into the candy dish.

This time, Zhu Fengping had spent quite a bit on the items she bought for Liang Kefeng, picking out good-quality clothes, shoes, and socks. If word got out, she’d definitely be praised as a good stepmother.

That evening, when Liang Yaozu returned and they sat down for dinner, Zhu Fengping wasted no time in detailing everything she had bought and how much she had spent.

Liang Yaozu knew exactly what Zhu Fengping was implying. He accepted the rice served to him by Yuan Baoli, his expression calm and indifferent as usual. Without even looking directly at his daughter, he said, “Kefeng, your Aunt Ping treats you so well. You should be grateful.”

Still spending Liang family money, isn’t she?

Liang Kefeng didn’t argue. She smiled and said, “Thank you, Aunt Ping, and thank you, Dad, for spending so much money on me.”

Zhu Fengping, as always, spoke with honeyed words hiding a sharp tongue. “It’s only right for your dad to spend money on you.”

Taking the opportunity, Liang Kefeng asked, “Dad, have you married Aunt Ping?”

Liang Yaozu froze for a moment, not expecting such a direct question from her. Nervously, he said, “We’re married! We’re married!”

Zhu Fengping’s mouth opened as if she wanted to say something, but seeing that Liang Yaozu had already answered, she awkwardly smiled and remained silent.

“No wonder!” Liang Kefeng said with a smile. “At noon, Yuan Baoquan said he’s your only son. But, if he’s Dad’s son, shouldn’t he change his surname to Liang, like Liang Baoquan, right?”

The three Yuan siblings exchanged glances. Yuan Baoli seemed fine with it, but the younger two clearly didn’t like the idea of changing their surname to Liang. However, none of them dared to say anything, probably because they had been scolded by Zhu Fengping earlier.

Their reluctance was understandable, but what was surprising was that Liang Yaozu also didn’t seem too keen on the idea. “There’s no need! It doesn’t matter to me. A surname is just a name.”

This was completely illogical.

After dinner, as Liang Kefeng helped clean the dishes, she remarked, “Dinner was a bit heavy. Dad, could you make us some tea with mulberry mistletoe, lotus seeds, and eggs for a light snack?”

Still sitting at the table picking his teeth, Liang Yaozu was puzzled. “What tea?”

“Mulberry mistletoe, lotus seeds, and egg tea. It’s a sweet drink.”

Liang Yaozu shook his head blankly. “I don’t know how to make that.”

Don’t know how?

Without showing any emotion, Liang Kefeng continued cleaning up.

Zhu Fengping chuckled, “Even I’ve never made mulberry mistletoe and lotus seed egg tea. How would your dad know how to? Do you want some red bean soup instead?”

Liang Kefeng nodded obediently. “Red bean soup is fine!”

In the following days, with people always around, Liang Kefeng quietly focused on recovering from her injury.

Of course, Yuan Baoling and Yuan Baoquan didn’t miss any chances to give her trouble or show her a bad attitude. But every time, Liang Kefeng would bring up Zhu Fengping’s name, and to keep the peace, Zhu Fengping had to discipline the two siblings.

On the 27th of the twelfth lunar month, Zhu Fengping’s family of four went to a wedding, leaving only her and her father at home.

Seizing the opportunity, when her father wasn’t paying attention, Liang Kefeng quietly went downstairs, sent the shop clerk out to buy a newspaper, and called Uncle Kun.

Uncle Kun didn’t expect her call at that time. “Miss, what can I do for you?”

“Uncle Kun, I need your help.”

“Just say the word. If I can help, I will.”

As the New Year approached, and it was still morning, the store had fewer customers playing mahjong. From behind the counter, Liang Kefeng stood observing, taking in everything happening inside the shop.

Liang Kefeng said, “Can you do me a favor and call my dad? Get him out of here for an hour. That’s all I need.”

Uncle Kun hesitated for a moment. “Right now?”

“Yes, right now.”

“Um… Miss, may I ask what’s going on?”

“I have some doubts I want to clear up. Once I’ve figured things out, I’ll explain it to you in detail, and I might need your help again then.” Liang Kefeng decided to offer Uncle Kun a favor in return. “My dad and Zhu Fengping are planning to replace you after the New Year with her two brothers…”

It was clear that Uncle Kun had already sensed something was amiss. He sighed, understanding what Liang Kefeng was implying, and said, “I had a feeling they wanted to get rid of me. Thank you for telling me, Miss.”

He sighed again. There was no point in remaining blindly loyal anymore, especially since he also had his own suspicions, just like the young lady. He agreed, “Let me think of a way to call the boss… Hey! What are you guys doing? Hey… We pay Brother Pao every month…”

Uncle Kun’s voice suddenly grew several times louder—it sounded like unexpected visitors had arrived at the branch of the Sifang City store!

It appeared that a group of people from a local gang had come to cause trouble.

Hearing the commotion on the other end of the phone, Liang Kefeng asked with concern, “Uncle Kun! What’s going on?”

“It’s nothing, Miss. Actually, this is the perfect excuse to get the boss to come over.”

Not long after hanging up, Liang Kefeng took the newspaper that the store staff had bought and headed upstairs. When she reached the iron gate, she saw Liang Yaozu rushing out.

He had probably just received Uncle Kun’s call.

Once back in her bedroom, Liang Kefeng watched through the window as Liang Yaozu got into a car and left. Only then did she take out her key and head toward the master bedroom.

In the master bedroom, she found some unexpected documents.

First, in a locked second drawer, she found the letter that the original owner of her body had sent to Liang Yaozu.

Then, in the safe, she discovered a marriage certificate. Hong Kong marriage certificates don’t have photos, but the bride listed was Zhu Fengping, and the groom wasn’t Liang Yaozu—it was someone named Yuan Dong.

The safe also contained a photo of Yuan Dong’s invalidated ID card. Yuan Dong didn’t just resemble Liang Yaozu; they were practically identical.

But the most surprising discovery was a death certificate. The deceased person? Yuan Dong.

… passed away in October last year…

Around two in the afternoon, Zhu Fengping’s family returned from the wedding.

They were accompanied by a relative — Zhu Fengping’s nephew, Abao.

It seemed like they had moved their plans ahead. They couldn’t even wait until the New Year to throw her, the piece of meat on the chopping block, into the pot.

Since that’s the case, she wouldn’t hold back either.