Chapter 80: Seeking a Title in a Dream
"Do I look like a human, or an immortal?"
"Do I look like a human, or an immortal?"
Jiang Li frowned. ’What is this all about?’
She squinted, trying to get a better look, but still couldn’t make out what the thing opposite her was. It looked like a person.
Perhaps because she remained silent, the figure grew anxious. Its tone, initially calm, became somewhat shrill.
"Do I look like a human, or an immortal?"
"Do I look like a human, or an immortal?"
...
The figure’s speech grew faster and faster. Jiang Li felt a sharp pain in her head, making her very uncomfortable.
"An immortal, an immortal! I think you look like a great immortal!"
Jiang Li said, clutching her head. The moment the words left her mouth, the intense headache vanished.
She looked up. A woman with her hair in a bun, wearing a cheongsam, gave her a gentle smile. Then, she bowed deeply, her voice melodious.
"Many thanks, Benefactor. Huang will surely visit to thank you another day!"
The next second, the woman before her dissolved into a puff of mist and disappeared.
Jiang Li woke up completely bewildered. Her face felt cool and slick. Reaching up, she realized Miao Anji’s little snake had somehow gotten in and was lying on her face.
Jiang Li’s heart leaped in panic. She felt her face. It seemed she hadn’t been bitten. She let out a sigh of relief. ’As long as it doesn’t bite, it’s fine.’
Thinking back to the dream, she still found it bizarre. She scratched her head, picked up her phone, and walked out of her room.
For the past few days, Zhou Tiancheng and Huo Qing had been looking into the body disposal case she’d mentioned. They had checked several nearby sea areas and lakes, but so far, there were no leads.
Downstairs, Wu Ming stared at the building. ’This should be it. Jiang Li is definitely in there!’
She adjusted her gear and sighed. ’She’s so hard to find. I had to call on the Founding Master just to locate her.’
"KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!"
Hearing the knock, Miao Anji got up to open the door. He looked at Wu Ming. "Who are you looking for?"
Wu Ming sized him up and saw the unique insignia of the Miaojiang people on his belt. She clicked her tongue in amazement.
’Holy crap, I’m seeing one of the secluded, world-shunning Miaojiang people in a big city.’
Wu Ming quickly took a step back. ’I’ve heard their kind are covered in insects.’
"Um, excuse me, does Jiang Li live here?"
Miao Anji frowned in displeasure. ’Why is it another person looking for Sister?’
"Come in."
Wu Ming’s eyes lit up. She walked in and glanced around. Nearby, a fierce-looking burly man was stir-frying vegetables while wearing an apron.
"Jiang Li?"
Wu Ming called out softly. Staring at the burly man and the pretty boy, she was starting to suspect she’d come to the wrong place if Jiang Li didn’t appear soon.
"Hmm?"
Hearing her name, Jiang Li poked her head out with a toothbrush in her mouth. Seeing it was Wu Ming, she quickly rinsed her mouth. "Wu Ming, have a seat."
Wu Ming sat down stiffly to the side, curiously observing the apartment. It was small but had everything one needed, and it looked quite cozy.
Jiang Li came out after freshening up. "Wu Ming, you came at the perfect time. I need to ask you for a favor."
Wu Ming nodded eagerly. ’Helping others usually costs money, but helping her is a freebie!’
Jiang Li told Wu Ming about Aunt Yu’s situation, asking if she knew of anything that could be done.
"That’s easy. Go to Jingshan Temple and dedicate a lantern."
Jiang Li nodded and pulled out her phone to check the route. It wasn’t far, right here in C City.
"I’ll go with you! It just so happens I’ve heard the scenery there is nice, and there’s a famous holy grail for fishing enthusiasts nearby!
"We can go and unwind."
Jiang Li nodded. Thinking of her dream, she turned and asked, "I dreamt last night that someone asked me if she looked like a human or an immortal, and I said she looked like an immortal."
The cup in Wu Ming’s hand almost fell onto the table. "A yellow weasel soliciting a title? In a dream? Then it’s nothing to worry about."
’What kind of yellow weasel solicits a title in a dream, anyway?’
Jiang Li nodded, reassured. Since it was nothing, she wouldn’t worry about it.
"Time to eat."
Yu Huannian placed the finished dishes on the table.
"Jiang Li, who are they?" Wu Ming asked, looking at the two new faces in Jiang Li’s home.
"My younger brother."
Miao Anji eagerly set out her bowl and chopsticks. "Sister, hurry and eat. Grandma always said going to bed early and waking up early is good for your health."
He had sent Little Qing in to wake her, but she didn’t get up for a long time.
"You’ve got it all wrong," Wu Ming interrupted Miao Anji. "Young people these days sleep whenever they want. There’s no need for so many rules." She looked at the spread of food on the table. ’It smells amazing.’
Miao Anji glanced at Jiang Li. "Oh."
"We’re going to Jingshan Temple later. I’ll take you guys out for a bit while we’re at it." ’I’m a homebody, but it’s a bit strange that they just stay home with me.’
Jiang Li remembered that Lu Xingye was also on vacation, so she went next door and knocked.
"Who is it?"
Lu Xingye had just woken up. His sleep had improved greatly since coming back, and he couldn’t help but catch up on all the rest he’d missed. He was currently in his pajamas with messy hair. ’Could it be the delivery my sister ordered for me?’
Seeing Jiang Li at the door, Lu Xingye was instantly wide awake.
"You haven’t eaten yet, have you? Why don’t you come over? Xiao Nian made plenty. Plus, I have something to tell you."
"Okay, give me a few minutes."
Jiang Li nodded and turned to go back to her apartment.
Lu Xingye closed his eyes in despair. ’If I had known, I would have cleaned myself up! I look like such a mess!’
He quickly washed up and went over to Jiang Li’s place, a little surprised to see Wu Ming there as well.
Yu Huannian graciously served him a bowl of food.
"Wu Ming suggested we go fishing."
Wu Ming was too busy eating a chicken leg to speak, so she could only complain in her head. ’I clearly said I was taking *Jiang Li*. But hey, one more person just means one more laborer.’
"Great." A goofy grin spread across Lu Xingye’s face. This was the first time Jiang Li had ever proactively invited him to do something.
’It seems she sees me as a friend now.’
After the meal, Lu Xingye and Wu Ming took charge of packing everything needed for the trip. Jiang Li just had to provide the car and the people.
Staring at the packed trunk, she asked, "Aren’t we just going fishing?"
"Wouldn’t it be great to have a barbecue and go camping after we’re done fishing?" Wu Ming said, looking at her excitedly.
Jiang Li nodded. She had only ever seen people do this in videos; this would be her first time.
"When we get there, you’ll be in charge of fishing. Lu Xingye and I will set everything up. Yu Huannian is a good cook, so he’ll do the grilling."
Miao Anji looked at her excitedly. "What about me? What about me?"
"You..." Wu Ming looked him up and down. He looked so well-behaved that she couldn’t bear to give him any real work. "You... you’ll be in charge of insect repellent!"
"Okay!" Miao Anji nodded earnestly. That was what he was best at.
Jiang Li smiled.
Lu Xingye drove them toward Jingshan Temple. Jingshan Temple was the most popular temple for worship, with many visitors. There were also many rumors online about how effective its blessings were.
When Jiang Li arrived at the foot of the mountain, she could already smell a faint, fragrant scent in the air.
"You guys go find a spot first. Xiao Nian and I will come find you when we’re done."
Lu Xingye nodded and led Wu Ming and Miao Anji off in another direction.
Holding incense sticks in her hand, Jiang Li’s mind filled with images of Yu Shuzhen, from the day they met until her passing.
’Aunt Yu, may you have a peaceful and happy next life.’
Before they knew it, the two of them had reached the temple entrance. A long line had formed outside, so Jiang Li and Yu Huannian went to join it.
"Patron, please follow me this way." A sweeper monk saw Jiang Li, put his palms together, and beckoned her over.
Jiang Li and Yu Huannian exchanged a look and followed him toward a side entrance.