Chapter 34 Su Fu

At the entrance hall, Su Fu was speaking with Captain Wu; the two seemed to be discussing something when their gaze fell upon Zhang Xiaoman, who had remained silent amidst the crowd.

"Wu Feng, is this Half-immortal Pei? He looks quite young."

"Yes, this person is the master Xiao Hei brought in, reportedly the most famous fortune teller in Qionghua City. He just arrived and hasn't entered yet."

He paused here before continuing:

"Xiao Hei says this man is genuinely skilled. He could call out his name upon a single meeting and in conversation, he doesn't like the other masters who indulge in mystifying things… How about… you let him give it a try?"

Upon hearing this, Su Fu turned his head to look at Captain Wu:

"Wu Feng, I know you want to plead for Xiao Hei, and I know it's not all his fault… But that is my son, after all. If he is fine, naturally, I won't say a thing. But if something truly happens to him, do you think I can act as if nothing happened and let him stay?"

Seeing that Wu Feng didn't speak further, he then looked towards Zhang Xiaoman in the crowd and said:

"As for that so-called Master Pei, I think he's just like the rest. Those fortune-telling and name-guessing tricks—Xiao Hei might not know any better, but do you think they can deceive me?"

"So, should I send them all back now?"

Su Fu waved his hand, "No need. Since you mentioned it and Xiao Hei went to great lengths to find him, I will give this young man a chance. It would also let Xiao Hei truly give up… Well, once this is over, help Xiao Hei arrange a position at Old Zhang's company."

Captain Wu was initially taken aback, then a smile appeared on his face, and he said, "Thank you, Boss. I will make sure to arrange it properly. I'll thank you on Xiao Hei's behalf too."

Su Fu shook his head, resigned, "Let it be then. I know Xiao Hei is your comrade, but don't tell him that I arranged this."

Captain Wu happily responded and turned towards where Zhang Xiaoman was.

Meanwhile, Zhang Xiaoman was enjoying watching the performances of the people around him when he suddenly felt someone approaching. Turning his head, he saw it was the previously mentioned Captain Wu.

Wu Feng being in a good mood, strode over to Zhang Xiaoman and in a calm voice said:

"Master Pei, our boss would like you to have a try at resolving the… issue with his son. Are you available to take a look now?"

Zhang Xiaoman was here precisely for this reason; there was no reason to refuse. He immediately nodded in agreement and followed him.

The surrounding old charlatans, who had been enjoying their performance, saw someone else going to attempt and all stopped to look curiously over, sizing up the man.

"Eh? Why is it a youngster?" someone said, looking puzzled.

"Don't know, and looking at his attire, it's hard to figure out which sect he's from. So young, he might be sent by his elders for training."

"Truly ridiculous! This is a matter of life and death, how can they let a junior handle it? I don't know whose idea this was, but it's very inappropriate!"

"Heh, indeed, a mere junior – what would he know about exorcism? I fear it won't be long before he comes out embarrassed."

The old Taoists stood together, expressions filled with indignation as if they were quite displeased that a junior dared to undertake rescuing someone here.

Their words were not spoken quietly, and there seemed to be a purpose in making sure others overheard, which naturally also reached Zhang Xiaoman's ears.

However, he merely glanced in the direction the voices came from and did not argue, instead following Wu Feng directly to where Su Fu was.

"Master Pei, thank you for offering your help. Things have been busy today, and I'm sorry for any previous neglect," he said.

It was a handsome middle-aged man. Although Xiao Hei had said he was over fifty, one couldn't deny that this wealthy man's maintenance was excellent.

The neat short hair and a well-groomed beard, wearing a fitting casual suit along with the charisma brought by confidence, Zhang Xiaoman thought he looked like a dashing uncle in his forties.

Su Fu was indeed a tycoon who soared in the business world.

All displeasure from his face had vanished the moment Zhang Xiaoman approached, replaced by a graceful and collected expression, a subtle smile on his lips – neither too much nor too little.

His eyebrows relaxed just right; in the impeccable gaze, he nodded at the other party, neither appearing rude nor awkward, just a glance was enough to involuntarily earn goodwill from someone, as delightful as a spring breeze.

Zhang Xiaoman couldn't help but internally remark that there was indeed a reason behind everyone's success.

"Boss Su, you flatter me. I am too young to be called a master, it's just what others call me, so please don't mock me."

"It's not about age, it's about achievements that make a hero. Master, there's no need to be overly modest, please come in."

Su Fu smiled and made a welcoming gesture, even though he didn't hold Zhang Xiaoman in high regard, he still showed no neglect.

Accompanied by Su Fu, Zhang Xiaoman walked into the villa and headed toward a room on the ground floor.

The villa's decor was quite tasteful, not the gaudy opulence Zhang Xiaoman had initially imagined, but rather a simple modern European style.

Inside the hall of the villa, several people were sitting at that moment, who looked to be the Su family's relatives.

Seeing another young man enter, and hearing Su Fu address him as master, they all looked over, several of them with disdainful glances.

With a calm glance at them, Zhang Xiaoman remained unmoved.

Among these people, aside from those few cold onlookers, most wore expressions of despair, including a woman who was continuously crying, likely Mr. Su's mother.

Zhang Xiaoman couldn't help but shake his head slightly, lamenting how harsh the world could be, treating all beings as mere straws dogs.

Whether you are a high official or a commoner, in the face of death, everyone looks so similar. Only by stepping onto the true Extraordinary Path can one avoid this suffering and reach eternity.

Mr. Su, named Su Changqing, was about the same age as Zhang Xiaoman. He originally lived on the third floor of the villa, but now for the convenience of medical care, he was staying downstairs.

"Master, up ahead is Changqing's room, in a moment..."

Su Fu was about to say something, but a voice interrupted him.

"Daddy! Daddy! You're taking someone to see Brother again, right? I want to go see him too!"

The speaker was a little girl, Zhang Xiaoman saw a six- or seven-year-old girl run over from a woman's side and throw herself into Su Fu's arms, hugging his waist and acting coquettishly.

Kuangkuan, behave, don't go in."

Su Fu crouched down, gently stroking the little girl's head, and said softly, "Brother is sick now, he could infect you, he can't see you, be obedient, okay?"

Su Kuangkuan reluctantly shook her head, protesting, "But everyone else can go in, I'm not afraid of getting infected, I want to go in too!"

Su Fu looked at her with affection, then rested his forehead against the little girl's forehead, whispering,

"Kuangkuan, can you be good? Remember our promise? If you fold Xiao Hua into a hundred, Daddy will bring Brother to see you, okay?"

After hesitating for a long while, Su Kuangkuan finally nodded and said, "Okay, but I've already made 55, Daddy, you better not trick me!"

"Of course not, when have I ever tricked you when we do our forehead touches? Go on, go back to Mommy. She really needs you now."

The little girl went back, turning her head back with every step she took towards the woman, her pitiable look tugging at one's heartstrings.

Watching this scene, Zhang Xiaoman felt an indescribable complexity in his heart.

Usually occupied with a routine job, his thoughts and soul had gradually stiffened, as if forgetting many social graces.

To him, people seemed more like NPCs living in the world, emotionless, without a life, merely appearing at specific places, at specific times, just being encountered by him incidentally.

Once parted, they would turn back into unconscious puppets, only waiting for him to pass by again.

But the moment Su Fu made that promise with his daughter, it slightly moved his heart, suddenly giving rise to a strange feeling.

Those who originally seemed like NPCs, now seemed to come alive once again.

"You must find it amusing, my little girl doesn't understand much, always wanting to go in."

After seeing his daughter return to her mother's side, Su Fu stood up again and said to Zhang Xiaoman.

"Changqing is inside, let's go in now."