[“Well, it’s definitely on the sweeter side.”]

Huo Zhenye got up and dusted himself off. It was his second time being thrown out, but the second time always feels easier. Even though he’d been tossed out again, he was in a great mood. Smiling broadly, he strolled out of Yuqing Alley.

Bai Zhun sat rigidly on the bed, still covered by the blanket Huo Zhenye had tucked him in with. The expression on his face was hard to read—was it anger or something else?

His hand clutched the brocade quilt, bunching the fabric into a swirl. He gripped it tightly, then loosened his hold. In the end, he lay down, and that shallow spiral remained imprinted on the quilt’s surface.

Ah Xiu crouched at the doorway, curiously watching Bai Zhun. Unlike other paper effigies, Ah Xiu was more perceptive. She could sense every shift in her master’s mood.

To calm down this quickly… it must mean he likes that man.

The next morning, Huo Zhenye was already pestering Aunt Liu to make steamed sweet milk pudding.

The dish was labor-intensive. When Aunt Liu heard the request, she frowned. “That’s something for children. I thought you didn’t like it anymore?”

“It’s not for me, it’s for a friend,” Huo Zhenye said, slinging an arm around her shoulder. “I already bragged that your steamed sweet milk pudding is the best in all of Shanghai.”

The flattery worked; Aunt Liu was pleased. Knowing it was for a friend, she put down her dishcloth. “What kind of friend? What’s their name? What do they look like? Are they pretty?”

Huo Zhenye thought of Bai Zhun’s appearance and gestured as he spoke: “His surname is Bai. He has really pale skin, black shiny hair, and a nose about this high.”

“So pretty!”

Using “pretty” might sound a bit too feminine, but Huo Zhenye honestly couldn’t think of a better word.

“Does Miss Bai ^[1] In spoken Chinese, the gender of a third person is not distinguished by the sound of the pronoun. wear Western fabric or silk clothes?” Aunt Liu asked with a frown. She disapproved of Huo Zhenye dating one of those Western-educated girls—they never got along with Old Madam Huo. A well-bred lady from a good family would be much better—someone who’d be liked by both the old master and madam. That way, when the young master returned to the family estate, he’d bring pride with him.

Huo Zhenye remembered Bai Zhun always dressed in pale silk and replied with a smile, “Silk. Silk suits him.”

Aunt Liu beamed, convinced now that Huo Zhenye was courting someone. She bustled about, pouring milk and sorting ingredients. “So, do you want it sweet or mild?”

“Definitely sweet.”

She smiled even more. “Yes, yes, girls all love sweet things. Girls who like sweets have better tempers—sweet food makes people happy!”

She had been worried that Huo Zhenye might be upset after being rejected by the Tao family, since they’d jumped to conclusions and acted rashly. Sure, the young master was a bit of a rascal, but she believed he wasn’t involved with those dance hall girls.

Now, seeing him so earnestly trying to win someone’s favor, she gave it her all. Not only did she make steamed sweet milk pudding, but also a whole basket of tofu-skin dumplings.

Half were vegetarian, half had meat. Each one was plump and full—bite into the tofu skin, and the rich broth would burst out.

Aunt Liu packed everything into a food box and handed it to Huo Zhenye. “Here. I asked Ah Zhen to go to the conservatory and cut some flowers. You take them along and give them to your sweetheart.”

Huo Zhenye took the food box in one hand and cradled a bouquet of roses in the other. He darted out of the house, and only after he was out the front gate did he call back, “Aunt Liu, my friend’s a man!”

With that, he slipped into the car, roses in hand, and headed to the Bai family’s residence.

When Ah Xiu opened the door, Bai Zhun was still asleep. He’d exhausted himself spiritually for two days straight, and wouldn’t be getting up before noon today.

Ah Xiu’s eyes swept up and down, sizing up Huo Zhenye.

“What now? Still not going to let me in?” Huo Zhenye muttered. He was just planning to drop the things off and leave. But this time, Ah Xiu opened the door.

She took the roses and studied them curiously. There were plenty of beautiful flowers at home—paper flowers were used for offerings and rituals every week. Bai Zhun’s work was so fine that the paper blossoms looked just like the real thing.

The colors and shapes were spot-on, even the subtle gradient of green near the base of the petals. But no matter how similar the shape, something still felt different. Ah Xiu touched a petal gently. After a while, she arranged them in a vase and brought them back to show Huo Zhenye.

He nearly burst out laughing. Ah Xiu had stuck them in a paper flower basket—one with no water in it at all. How were they supposed to stay fresh?

He was about to teach her how to put them in water properly when there was a loud knock at the door and Liu Er’s voice called out: “Seventh Master, I beg you, please save my senior brother!”

Before Ah Xiu could react, Huo Zhenye had already frowned. Him again? Bai Zhun had barely recovered from summoning the paper Impermanence to capture Jin Dangui. He hadn’t even gotten proper rest, and now the brothers were back again.

The noise woke Bai Zhun. He came out with a sullen expression, looking drowsy and irritable. His eyes landed first on Huo Zhenye. He asked Ah Xiu, “Why did you let him in?”

Ah Xiu looked puzzled. She could clearly sense her master didn’t dislike Huo Zhenye—on the contrary, every time he came over, her master seemed faintly pleased.

Bai Zhun pressed his lips together. He understood Ah Xiu had been acting based on his hidden feelings. He might be able to lie with words to others, but he couldn’t fool these paper servants.

Seeing Bai Zhun about to get angry, Huo Zhenye quickly raised his hands in surrender. “Hey, not my fault! I brought you something to eat.”

Bai Zhun rolled his bamboo wheelchair up to the table. Ah Xiu opened the food box and took out the glass bowl. Bai Zhun held it in his hands and used a small spoon to push aside the red and green candied bits on top, picking out only the raisins to eat.

Huo Zhenye silently took note: doesn’t eat red and green candied fruit, only likes raisins.

Once Bai Zhun had picked out everything he didn’t like, he finally scooped a spoonful to eat. The milk had set into a smooth pudding, with a faint sweet note of fermented rice.

Outside, Liu Er was still knocking anxiously. Bai Zhun, still eating, gestured for Ah Xiu to go open the door and let them in.

Liu Er carried Liu Da on his back, with Han Zhu following behind them.

Bai Zhun’s eyes swept over the group, pausing briefly on Han Zhu.

Han Zhu knew that although she might be able to hide the fact she’d swapped the talisman paper from others, she couldn’t hide it from Bai Zhun. Still, she met his gaze without a hint of retreat. What’s done is done—she wasn’t the type to back down.

As soon as they entered, Liu Er said, “Seventh Master, what’s wrong with my senior brother?”

Bai Zhun didn’t look pleased. His eyes lowered, and Liu Er immediately shut his mouth. The three of them looked at Bai Zhun, anxious and expectant.

But Bai Zhun remained unmoved, slowly finishing his bowl of milk pudding. Only when he’d eaten the last bite and reluctantly set down his spoon did he respond.

Huo Zhenye chuckled softly at the sight, then covered it with a cough. “Sorry—tickle in my throat.”

Bai Zhun shot him a glare, then finally turned to Liu Er, signaling for him to continue.

Liu Er reached out and removed the silk scarf wrapped around Liu Da’s neck. Last night, the marks had been faintly red, but now they had darkened to a cinnabar hue, with a faint purplish-blue tinge beneath the fingernail-shaped bruises.

Jin Dangui’s resentment hadn’t dissipated. Though she had been sent to the underworld, Liu Da had still been injured by her ghostly energy.

Bai Zhun took one look and said, “Take him back.”

They’d brought Liu Da here hoping for a cure, so when they heard that, they feared he had no chance of surviving.

Liu Da let out a low moaning sound. Liu Er panicked and pleaded, “Seventh Master, please save my senior brother. Whatever you want, I’ll find a way to get it for you.”

“No need to treat it. He’ll recover on his own,” Bai Zhun said. He’d completed his part of the job, the sweet pudding was exactly to his taste, so although he was in a decent mood, he still had no intention of offering further help.

“When… when will he recover?” Han Zhu asked.

“Three years. Maybe five. Once the resentment on him fades, he’ll be fine.”

“But… but our livelihoods depend on this! If he’s stuck in bed for three years, all his skills will be lost.”

“What’s that got to do with me?” Bai Zhun’s patience had run out. He glanced at Liu Da. “Given how things are now, you might as well stop being so secretive and pass the Immortal Cord technique to your junior. No point letting Master Han’s technique die out.”

If Liu Da had been willing to teach, he would have done so in prison already. Bai Zhun knew perfectly well why he was holding onto his unique skill.

“Since Seventh Master has spoken, we won’t force the issue. Let’s go.” Han Zhu still gave Bai Zhun a proper bow. “Thank you, Seventh Master, for your time and effort over our humble matters.”

Bai Zhun was well aware of what Han Zhu had done, but out of respect for Master Han, he remained courteous.

Seeing that even his senior sister had said as much, Liu Er picked Liu Da up and headed for the door. Liu Da still resisted, but Liu Er consoled him, “Don’t be afraid, Brother. Whether it takes three years or five, I’ll take care of you. We’re still young—we’ll get you back on your feet eventually.”

They didn’t dare speak further in front of Bai Zhun, but in their hearts they’d already decided: if Bai Zhun wouldn’t help, someone else surely would. It wasn’t like they didn’t have connections in the underworld.

Once the three had left, Huo Zhenye asked Bai Zhun, “Is it that you can’t treat him, or you don’t want to?”

Bai Zhun answered bluntly, “Don’t want to.”

Huo Zhenye wasn’t surprised. “I’m heading to the police bureau today.”

Bai Zhun replied, “Hurry up and get lost.” He still wanted to go back to sleep. Without waiting for a response, he turned and went inside.

“We’ll have the results today,” Huo Zhenye called after him.

Bai Zhun didn’t respond.

Huo Zhenye added, “I’ll bring you braised shark fin tonight.”

What’s so great about that? Stir-fried glass noodles are better, Bai Zhun thought as he went back to bed. From the waist up, he ached and tingled—he really had rushed that paper Impermanence too much.

Huo Zhenye drove to the police bureau. Da Tou was already waiting for him. “Young Master Huo! The footprint and fingerprint reports are out. The guys are already checking and matching them!”

He had been waiting all morning. He’d even called the Huo residence and been told Huo Zhenye had left ages ago. Da Tou was anxious—this was a lead Huo Zhenye had found. If someone else caught the culprit first, wouldn’t that steal his credit?

“We even checked the milk delivery workers for Su Manli—it’s like finding a needle in a haystack.” Everyone who had contact with Su Manli and Jin Dangui had been investigated. The first case wasn’t solved yet, and now there was a second victim. The ten remaining beauties were all in a state of panic.

Terrified, they began acting coy and helpless, begging their wealthy patrons to pressure the bureau.

Then there were the big bosses of Xianle Palace and Baile House—real power players in the concession. With the cases unresolved, even customers were avoiding the dance halls. They were all breathing down the constables’ necks.

Chief Song was on edge and currently delivering a scolding inside.

But Huo Zhenye just waved it off. “No rush—come have a bowl of sour plum soup with me.”

He brought two officers along and drove to the Old City ^[2] the historical, traditional, and often walled-in core of the original Shanghai city district.

The Old City was full of food stalls. Dock workers and rickshaw pullers all came here to eat. You could find every kind of snack and street food imaginable.

Huo Zhenye found a table and sat down. Da Tou and the other two constables exchanged glances. They were used to eating in places like this, of course—but Young Master Huo, someone of his status, was going to sit at the same table with them?

A vendor came over to solicit business. “What would you like to eat, sir?”

“Three bowls of sour plum soup. Extra ice.”

Huo Zhenye didn’t explain anything, so Da Tou and the others just bowed their heads and drank the iced sour plum soup in silence. As Huo Zhenye sipped his, he wondered whether Bai Zhun had ever tasted soda.

Da Tou had downed half his soup when the other constable kept giving him looks. Finally, he cautiously asked, “Young Master Huo, uh… what’re we doing after drinking soup?”

“After the soup—we’re going to catch the killer from the Su Manli case.” Huo Zhenye cupped the bowl with three fingers, caught sight of a figure in the distance, and downed the rest of the drink in one go.

“He’s here.” He set the bowl down and walked forward.

Liu Er had just pushed out his cart, preparing to do a street magic act.

With Liu Da in trouble, the teahouses that used to invite them no longer dared get involved. So Liu Er had no choice but to return to performing on the streets and docks. He was just about to shake out a colorful cloth and start with a simple “Immortal Picking Beans” trick to warm up the crowd.

Then he saw Huo Zhenye approaching with two constables.

Liu Er panicked. He feared Huo Zhenye—not because he was some spoiled young master, but because of those eyes of his. They always seemed to smile, but whenever they swept over him, it felt like they could see straight through to his soul.

He turned around and quickly started packing up the cloth, preparing to leave. But Huo Zhenye raised his voice and said:

“If you hop on a train or boat and leave Shanghai right now, it’s true—we wouldn’t be able to catch you.”

“But if we can’t find you, we’ll find your senior sister.”

Liu Er froze in his tracks.