Chapter 27: Locust Flowers Best Understand the Spring Breeze’s Intent

“No need,” Wen Ye said, leaning back in his seat and closing his eyes again.

“Xiaomai, how’s your neck? I’ll take you to the hospital to get it checked out, just in case of tetanus,” Brother Yuan said, tilting his head slightly.

“No need, it’s just a scratch, the wound isn’t deep. I’ll take care of it when I get back, just put some medicine on it,” I said, pulling out my phone and turning on the navigation. “Brother Yuan, please drop me off here, I need to go back to my great-grandmother’s place.”

The urban area was only a thirty-minute drive from the village where my great-grandmother lived. Brother Yuan quickly drove to the village entrance.

Because the village was under construction, it was difficult to drive in. I was worried about his luxury car getting scratched, so I jumped out of the car, intending to walk back.

I didn’t expect Wen Ye to get out of the car with me.

“Brother Yuan, be careful on the road… We’ll head back after we’re done here, Wen Ye and I.”

He rolled down the car window and turned on his phone. “Let’s exchange contact information. Let me know when you’re heading back, and I’ll come pick you up.”

I took out my phone and added him on WeChat. “There are high-speed rail stations in Chenghe and Xicheng, we can get back on our own, so we won’t bother you.”

Brother Yuan nodded. “Alright then, be careful. The commission from tonight’s assignment will be deposited into your account through the firm… Xiaomai, you did well tonight, I’ll leave the little fox to you.”

I grinned. “Okay! I’ll do my best…”

He nodded, then suddenly looked at me and Wen Ye behind me. He beckoned me closer, and I leaned in by the car window, listening as he lowered his voice.

“Xiaomai, Brother Yuan isn’t actually good at exorcising demons and catching ghosts. That’s Zhao Ge and the little beauty’s job. Brother Yuan’s family specialty is fortune-telling based on the Eight Characters.”

My eyes widened as I asked, “Have you looked at my Eight Characters? Am I really destined to bring misfortune to my close relatives? Can I change my fate?”

Brother Yuan pondered slightly, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel, and smiled. “You do bring misfortune to your close relatives, but you’ll be fine once you get married. As the saying goes, marriage is a woman’s second chance at life. Your Eight Characters indicate a turn for the better after hardship, leading to great wealth and honor.”

My eyes lit up. “Then can you calculate my marriage? Where is my future husband? What kind of person is he?”

Brother Yuan chuckled. “The secrets of heaven cannot be revealed… But Brother Yuan will give you a hint: whoever you feel comfortable with is the one who will bring you good fortune, help you change your fate, and be your other half.”

“Brother Yuan is risking divine retribution by revealing this to you. Alright, I’m leaving…”

I waved blankly at him, watching the car drive away.

Who do I feel comfortable with?

As long as they don’t piss me off, I’m comfortable with anyone. Then my criteria for choosing a partner is too broad.

“Hey, lead the way,” Wen Ye said, forcefully nudging my arm, hitting my funny bone.

I covered my elbow and glared at him. “Can’t you be a little gentler! It hurts!”

He gave me a look of disdain. “Le Xiaomai, you’re tough and don’t respond to softness. Being gentle with you will only make you take advantage. Hurry up! I want to sleep.”

I huffed, exasperated. This guy’s emotional intelligence is so low!

My great-grandmother’s small courtyard house was far from the village, about three or four hundred meters away from the nearest neighbor. Aside from patients coming for medical treatment, there were usually no neighbors around.

It was a secluded existence.

That’s what I was worried about, what if she fainted at home, there wouldn’t be a neighbor to help.

The courtyard house was backed by a small hill. When I was little, I often went to the hill to catch bugs and pick wild grapes. Across the road from the entrance were farmland.

Golden wheat in the summer, tall corn in the autumn.

Within this small space, one could see the myriad aspects of new life.

The seasons followed their orders, suitable for both rain and shine.

It was the first time I brought a member of the opposite sex home, and I was a little nervous. I kept rambling on the way, feeling like I was bringing my boyfriend to meet the parents.

Ugh, what boyfriend? He’s just a fox spirit. Le Xiaomai, you can’t have such dangerous thoughts!

“Shut up!”

Just as we were about to reach the door, Wen Ye suddenly covered my mouth, interrupting my rambling, and quickly pulled me behind the large sophora tree in front of the pharmacy.

After a moment of blankness, I realized that my back was pressed tightly against his chest. The warmth passed through two layers of thin fabric, warm and quickly becoming hot.

With my mouth covered, my rapid breathing hit his arm, and I could smell his scent and the fragrance of the sophora flowers.

Shouldn’t a fox spirit smell like fox? Why doesn’t Wen Ye smell bad, but has a faint sandalwood scent?

If I had to compare it, it would be like the faint woody scent mixed with incense emanating from an ancient and tranquil temple in the morning mist.

Taking a few more breaths was calming and grounding.

The sophora flowers were already in full bloom, and the air was filled with a pleasant and elegant fragrance. Strings of snow-white petals fell with the evening breeze, covering the ground.

The sophora flower best understands the spring breeze’s intent, knowing only leisure, not wind and rain.

My heart was pounding like a drum. I felt like my heart was about to jump out, and my face was burning.

It must be the high temperature, it must be because of summer.

After a long while, Wen Ye put his hand down and murmured to himself, “Cat spirit…”

“Le Xiaomai, do you have a cat spirit at home?” He walked forward casually and called back to me, “Aren’t you coming? What are you standing there for?”

“What’s wrong with your face?”

I covered my burning face and lowered my head to hide my embarrassment. “No, nothing… I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

On either side of the peeling vermilion gate hung bamboo-woven electronic lanterns.

After stepping onto the bluestone steps, I gently knocked on the mottled door knocker. Before I could apply any force, the door was pushed open a crack.

At nine o’clock at night, my great-grandmother would always lock the door on time. Now it was already one in the morning…

A bad feeling rose in my heart.

But the camera I connected to my phone didn’t show any falling alarm.

Just as I was about to push the door and step in, Wen Ye grabbed my arm, frowned, and whispered, “There’s a bloody smell. There must have been a fight inside.”

My mind exploded, filled with news of home invasions, robberies, and murders.

“We don’t know what’s inside yet, don’t act rashly. I’ll take you in,” he whispered.

I looked at him in confusion. The yellowish lantern light shone on his face, plating it with gold.

“How will you take me in?”

Shouldn’t we just step in?

“The door is the entrance and exit in feng shui. Going in directly might startle the things and energy inside. Hold onto my arm tightly and close your eyes.” He lowered his eyes and said seriously, “No matter what you see, don’t make a sound.”

I was puzzled, but seeing his solemn expression, I nodded and grabbed his arm.

The moment I closed my eyes, his hand covered my eyes. Once again, my chest was pressed against his back. Before I could blush, my body suddenly felt like it was falling into water. My ears were ringing, and my whole body felt like it was being squeezed by high-pressure air.

I felt like I was about to be squeezed to death, and I had difficulty breathing. Fortunately, this feeling didn’t last long.

Wen Ye put his hand down and said softly, “Okay.”