It was Yan Shian’s first time coming to the Ghost Market, and he found it quite strange—each stall was different. Some were piled high with goods, others had only a single lonely item, yet there were quite a few people browsing around.

He had wanted to look around as well, but saw Shi Buyu walking straight ahead with unwavering eyes, heading directly toward a certain tent.

A woman bent down and stepped out from inside, spreading her arms wide from a distance.

Shi Buyu ran over to hug her, the smile on her face genuine and unmistakable.

Yan Shian followed a few steps behind and, seeing Shi Buyu’s happy expression, understood—this must be someone she knew. Like Shi Buyu in the past, she wore a round-collared robe, her hair tied high on her head, a sword hanging from her waist, looking very heroic and spirited.

“Finally decided to come meet us,” the woman said as she grabbed Shi Buyu’s shoulders and pinched her cheeks. She was strong, giving Shi Buyu no chance to resist. After squeezing thoroughly, she finally let go.

“Is this the new friend you made in the capital?”

Shi Buyu rubbed her face and mumbled, “You could say we’re semi-acquainted.”

Getting even a little familiar was quite an improvement compared to being strangers. Yan Shian was pleased with this progress. He stepped forward and bowed: “My surname is Yan, given name Shian. Greetings, young lady.”

“Dan Niang greets you, Young Master Yan,” the woman replied with a broad, carefree laugh and a masculine bow, not fussing over formalities. “Our Shi Buyu really does make friends based on appearances.”

“You’re clearly praising yourself,” Shi Buyu shot her a glance but couldn’t hide her happiness after not seeing her for a long time. “Where’s Fan Can? You’ve been married for over a year, and I haven’t even tasted your wedding sweets yet.”

“Don’t start. When you got engaged, you already ate more wedding sweets than the whole wedding’s worth,” Dan Niang tried to pinch her cheeks again, but Shi Buyu, having learned from experience, dodged quickly and wasn’t caught.

“He’s over there selling some good stuff at a stall. Take it easy, save some for next time,” Dan Niang pointed in a direction, both amused and exasperated watching Shi Buyu dash off so fast.

One’s a miser, the other a pest; they bicker every time they meet. One frequents various ghost markets, the other travels the world. Whether deliberately or unintentionally, their encounters are frequent. At first, Dan Niang tried to mediate, but later… whatever, they’re both too weak to seriously hurt each other. Usually, the one with the quicker tongue wins.

Yan Shian followed a step, then stopped.

Dan Niang glanced at him and led him toward the other side, casually asking, “Young Master Yan, are you from the capital?”

“From Baishui County, Helin Prefecture.”

“Quite far. See, the lively spot over there is where they are.”

Yan Shian looked at her, but she asked no more questions. It was unclear what information she had gained, but seeing her quicken her pace, he hurried to catch up.

As they neared, Shi Buyu—carrying a bunch of things—bumped right into him. Instinctively, he reached out to steady her, then quickly pulled back and moved her behind him. Ahead, a man carrying a load of goods rushed over—it had to be Fan Can.

He was skinny and tall, dressed like a scholar, clutching his bundle tightly. His fingers trembled as he pointed at Shi Buyu’s hand. “You little Shi Buyu, you come and snatch my treasure! Hold it tight—if you break it, I’ll fight you to the death!”

Shi Buyu pretended to loosen her grip, frightening him enough, then grabbed tighter again, laughing boldly behind Yan Shian’s back. Their noisy antics drew laughter from the onlookers, reminding Yan Shian of how his own child used to be so mischievous.

Fan Can wanted to grab it back but was afraid she’d actually break something. No one else would do that, but Shi Buyu definitely would. He looked at his wife with a pitiful face: “Dan Niang, look at her!”

Dan Niang tried to turn and walk away.

Shi Buyu popped her head out from the side: “Do you think I look so good?”

“Your face is thick-skinned!”

Shi Buyu pretended she was going to let go and pinch his face. Fan Can panicked and stopped her: “You’re the thinnest-skinned person on earth! Don’t let go! Grandma, you’ve got to hold on tight! All my best stuff is in your hands!”

“Grandma sounds awful, call me sister.”

They always argued about this. Fan Can was two years older, wanting her to call him “brother,” but she insisted on “sister.” After six or seven years of knowing each other, neither had gained the upper hand.

Fan Can didn’t expect her to use this as a threat and clenched his teeth in anger. “If I call you that, will you give it back?”

Shi Buyu was clearly in the superior position and very crafty. She knew if she agreed to return it, she’d have to run from him after. If not, that “sister” title would be lost forever.

She had been waiting for years to hear it and was determined to get it!

“If you call me ‘baby,’ I’ll give you half back.”

Money was everything to Fan Can, so he immediately lowered his head and said obediently, “Sister.”

“Oh! Good little brother!” Shi Buyu’s response was crisp and loud, causing the crowd around to burst into laughter. Looking at the two of them, Fan Can definitely seemed older.

More and more people were drawn in by the commotion, laughter growing louder. Dan Niang didn’t pity her husband at all and laughed along with everyone.

Shi Buyu ducked behind Yan Shian again, dividing the treasures, still loudly telling him, “Watch out for him. If he comes over, remind me, and I’ll smash something to scare him.”

Yan Shian hadn’t laughed this heartily in a long time: “I’ll definitely watch out for you.”

Fan Can gritted his teeth. It had been a while since they last met, and this Shi Buyu was even more infuriating!

Shi Buyu was very trustworthy, handing him one thing and then another. When only one item was left, she popped her head out and asked, “Shall we split the extra one down the middle?”

“Sister, grandma, please keep it for yourself!” Fan Can pleaded to his wife, “You’ve got to control her!”

“I can’t even control you, how could I control her?” Dan Niang took the half she had been given, whispering, “There are too many people here.”

Shi Buyu winked at her knowingly, then stuck her head out again: “Dan Niang told me to save you some face. Say ‘Sister, little brother was wrong, little brother will always listen to sister,’ and I’ll give it all back.”

Dan Niang poked her forehead once, not exposing the scheme.

Fan Can really believed his wife had spoken for him. If saying a few words would get his treasure back, what was there to hesitate about? He immediately said, “Sister, little brother was wrong. Little brother will always listen to sister. Hurry, give it back!”

Shi Buyu handed over the remaining items to Dan Niang and, hiding behind Yan Shian, put on a mischievous look to annoy Fan Can.

Fan Can laughed angrily: “Just wait, you haven’t seen the last of me!”

“Later is later. For now, I win.” Shi Buyu, never one to admit defeat, was thrilled. Pushing Yan Shian as a shield forward, she still hid behind him to speak: “Your stuff this time is pretty good. Where did you get it?”

“None of your business.” Fan Can put all the goods into his bundle. With Shi Buyu causing trouble, today’s business was probably off.

Shi Buyu chuckled, “My cousin is really rich.”

Cousin? Dan Niang and Fan Can both looked over.

Shi Buyu pushed Yan Shian forward, the meaning very clear.