Chapter 035: The Person Arranged for the Blind Date Is Actually You?

Song Kai’s expression was equally grave.

He held a handful of cinnabar, gazing at the potted plant. When the talisman paper and mandrake had finished burning, a fist-sized, maggot-like creature appeared at the bottom of the pot.

The bloated maggot writhed incessantly, its entire body covered with mouths that spewed out black bubbles one after another. Tang Zhong and Wang Dali came closer, and upon seeing the monstrous thing at the pot’s base, both nearly retched on the spot.

Wang Dali was especially terrified, having not expected to witness such a horror. Tang Zhong fared slightly better, since he had already suspected something strange about the plant.

Song Kai ignored their reactions. He took the cinnabar and sprinkled it over the creature.

The maggot sizzled, releasing black liquid as it twisted in agony until, before long, it dissolved into a puddle of foul-smelling black water, reminiscent of the stench of rotting corpses.

Wang Dali stepped back twice, looking at Tang Zhong. “Old Tang, what kind of trickery is this? What the hell was that thing?”

Song Kai exhaled, relieved. “That was a Soul-Eater Worm, common in the Miao villages of Yunnan. All right, Mr. Tang, you don’t need to worry about losing your vital energy anymore. However, there’s still a problem: you must interrogate your subordinate as soon as possible to find out how he acquired it. For the next few days, until you’re certain things are safe, it’s best you stay home.”

“Thank you so much!” Tang Zhong gripped Song Kai’s hand with gratitude.

Song Kai simply smiled and waved it off. “It’s nothing.”

Tang Zhong nodded.

Beside them, Wang Dali remained horrified, pointing outside. “So that’s what Luo Kai brought you? He was trying to kill you!”

Tang Zhong looked at Wang Dali. “That’s why, Old Wang, I’m counting on you to get to the bottom of this from him. Honestly, if it weren’t for meeting this Daoist, we might never have seen each other again.”

With that, Tang Zhong warmly draped his arm around Song Kai’s shoulder. “So, Brother Song, today I must treat you to a proper meal.”

Song Kai hurriedly waved his hand, checking the time. “I’d better head back. Mr. Tang, you should rest for a few days at home, and remember to take the prescription I gave you. Well, I... I’m back at school these days, so I have no steady income. I need to go and wash dishes at the restaurant.”

He turned to leave, but his words were deliberate—he wanted Tang Zhong to realize this was the moment to offer him payment.

Tang Zhong let out a surprised sound. “Song Kai, you’re a student? Is it like in those stories, where you return from your mountain master to make your way in the city? You truly are remarkable. Tonight, I must host you for dinner, you must come!”

Song Kai felt a bit dejected that Tang Zhong hadn’t mentioned compensation. He waved his hand. “Fine, I’ll go now.”

He left, speechless.

Wang Dali was amazed. “He’s a Daoist, isn’t he? So young, yet so capable, and he even went down the mountain to study. Truly a disciple of a master.”

Tang Zhong nodded. “Indeed, these hermits... tsk tsk, they must not care about money. I need to think carefully about how to thank him.”

“Absolutely.” Wang Dali agreed.

Neither of them realized that Song Kai really needed money—he couldn’t even afford his rent, let alone being a hermit! If Song Kai heard their conversation, he’d probably collapse.

Song Kai returned to his room.

He couldn’t believe Tang Zhong hadn’t mentioned anything about payment!

Unbelievable.

People these days truly lack old-fashioned decency! Alas!

He was too shy to bring up compensation, but for someone like Tang Zhong, who’d spent years in official circles, how could he not understand?

Next time, he resolved to negotiate the price before doing the job, to avoid anyone pretending ignorance!

Drawing that talisman had consumed much of his energy. He collapsed onto his bed and fell into deep sleep.

Meanwhile, Tang Zhong had arrived home, recounting the entire episode to his wife, Yang Cailan.

Yang Cailan, thrilled to hear her husband was safe, threw her arms around his neck. “Old Tang, this is wonderful! We truly owe that young Daoist so much.”

Tang Zhong kissed her. “Right. Oh, did you know that young Daoist is actually a student—a university student, I think, though I didn’t ask the details. He’s definitely talented, a true hermit, a promising young man. By the way, dear, I want to invite him for dinner tonight, here at home. What do you think?”

“Of course! Wait... you said Song Kai is a university student? He isn’t a professional Daoist? Then, do you think he could get married?” Yang Cailan suddenly became excited.

Tang Zhong paused, then realized her intent and grinned. “You mean you want to match him with our Yingying? That’s a great idea! If he could become our son-in-law, I’d be truly satisfied. But Song Kai looks at most just over twenty... the age difference...”

“Age doesn’t matter anymore! He’s a good kid, kind-hearted, skilled in medicine and Daoist arts, quite a catch. Yes, let’s do it.” Yang Cailan declared.

Tang Zhong nodded. “I’ll call Yingying myself. Last time, we pushed her too hard about marriage, and she ended up leaving home. This time, we mustn’t be too obvious.”

“Exactly!” Yang Cailan agreed.

Tang Zhong chuckled, then picked up his phone and dialed his daughter. “Hello, Yingying, listen, I haven’t been feeling well lately—turns out someone tried to curse me... yes, yes, nearly died! Who’d have thought, in this day and age, that such ghostly things exist... But it’s all fine now, a young Daoist saved me. I plan to thank him properly tonight. If you’re free, come by. He knows some medicine, so you two can chat... Good, hurry over.”

He hung up and gave Yang Cailan a triumphant smile. Then he contacted Song Kai, making sure to ask if Song Kai was married. Song Kai, of course, was not, which made Tang Zhong even happier. He enthusiastically invited Song Kai for dinner, expressing his gratitude.

Tang Ying was exhausted as she drove her pink BYD Yuan back home.

Seeing Tang Ying return, Tang Zhong greeted her happily. “Hey, my precious daughter, you’re back!”

“Dad, are you all right?” Tang Ying tossed her bag onto the sofa. “Dad, I’m sorry—I had no idea your illness was so serious.”

Tang Zhong waved it off. “It’s all right now, that young man cured me.”

“Young man? Didn’t you say a Daoist cured you?” Tang Ying looked at her father in confusion.

Tang Zhong nodded. “Yes, a Daoist—a young one, both handsome and skilled in medicine and Daoist arts. He’s kind and righteous—a truly good young man.”

“Dad!” Tang Ying suddenly stood up. “You didn’t call me back just to arrange another blind date, did you? I’m telling you, you really don’t need to worry about my affairs!” With that, she stormed into her room and slammed the door.

Tang Ying was genuinely upset—she felt her parents were deceiving her, using the absurd excuse of critical illness to lure her home.

At twenty-seven, Tang Ying was, by societal standards, considered a late bride. However, she was a medical student, pursuing both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and now rotating through departments at the hospital. In fact, she was the youngest among the attending physicians.

Nevertheless, her parents fretted about her marriage prospects, bringing up blind dates every day after work, which she found intolerable. Eventually, she chose to move out, visiting her parents only occasionally.

This time, Tang Zhong claimed he was gravely ill, nearly died, and that a Daoist helped him, so Tang Ying came home. But upon arrival, hearing her father’s tone, she realized it was all about matchmaking, which she couldn’t accept.

Tang Ying lay on her bed, feeling increasingly aggrieved. She grabbed her purse and headed for the door.

Tang Zhong realized his daughter had misunderstood and hurried to stop her. “Daughter, you really misunderstand. I am truly inviting my savior over.”

Tang Ying snorted. “Dad! Do you think I’m three years old? I’m almost thirty and you’re still trying to trick me!”

Tang Zhong gave a bitter smile. “So you do know you’re almost thirty...”

“Dad!” Tang Ying pouted. “You don’t need to worry about me getting married. Your daughter is beautiful, with plenty of admirers. How could I not get married? I’m on duty tonight, so I’ll be leaving.” She was determined not to endure another blind date.

Tang Zhong tried to stop her, but it was futile.

Tang Ying walked to the door, opened it, and coincidentally, Song Kai arrived.

Song Kai was about to knock when the door swung open. Seeing Tang Ying, he exclaimed, “What are you doing here?”

Tang Ying looked at him, even more puzzled. “You... know my dad?”

Song Kai glanced at Tang Zhong and then at Tang Ying. “Director Tang is your father?”

Tang Zhong came out at that moment, delighted to see they knew each other. “You two know each other?”

Song Kai quickly understood and laughed. “Director Tang, so you’re Tang Jie’s father! Of course Tang Jie and I know each other—we live in the same house.”

“What?” Tang Zhong was startled.

Tang Ying kicked Song Kai. “What nonsense! If you can’t speak properly, don’t say anything.”

Song Kai scratched his head. “But it’s true.”

Tang Ying glared at him and explained quickly, “Dad, it’s like this: Song Kai couldn’t afford rent, and my apartment is big, so I let him stay temporarily. It’s not what you think. I share the place with Wu Hongying, as you know. Besides, Dad, aren’t you being a bit unreliable? He’s just a high school senior, still a kid, and you want to set me up with him?”

She couldn’t help but laugh as she said this.

Tang Zhong was alarmed. “Yingying, don’t be disrespectful. Song Kai is truly extraordinary—without him, I would have died.”

Tang Ying pointed at Song Kai, her lovely face full of surprise. “Dad! The young Daoist you mentioned is Song Kai?”

Tang Zhong nodded. “Of course—who else? Come in, Brother Song, you must be hungry.”

Song Kai scratched his head.

Now that Tang Ying realized Song Kai was the guest, she had no resistance—she was far more curious about Song Kai’s identity. Such a young man, with remarkable skills in Chinese medicine, and a Daoist to boot!

Tang Ying rubbed her temples. “Dad, please stop calling him ‘Brother Song’—that’s the wrong generation. If you call him ‘Brother Song,’ should I call him ‘Uncle Song’?”

Tang Zhong laughed heartily. “You’re right. Come in, sit anywhere. Yingying, go make Song Kai some tea—the Jade Dew tea in my study.”

Tang Ying brewed the tea and handed it to Song Kai. “Song Kai, you’re getting special treatment. My dad doesn’t even drink Jade Dew tea himself. Try it.”

Song Kai thanked her and took a sip. Suddenly, his expression changed.

Tang Ying, who had been chatting cheerfully, noticed his serious face. “What’s wrong?”