Old Guan's Changes

The dining hall in Shishen Apartment had a classic design that could be traced back to the 1800s with cemented floor, floral wallpapers and frosted glass window. Judging from the size of the building and the number of rooms, the apartment could accommodate at least fifty tenants so it was natural that the dining hall would be spacious too. The largest table could accommodate up to eight people, whereas the smallest was only for two.

When Jin Jiuchi and Nian entered, Tang Ye and Xinxin were already sitting on the largest table.

Now, seeing two more people coming in, Tang Ye waved energetically at them, "Sister Hong, Brother Zhi! Good morning, did you two have a good rest?"

Xinxin looked visibly relieved to see them. "Good morning, seniors," she greeted politely.

Nian stared at the table in front of him with his head lowered, pretending to be a good and harmless child, whereas Jin Jiuchi was still engrossed in poking and squeezing the tiny chicken between his fingers. "Tell me, tell me! How does it work?"

A dark look crossed Sister Hong's face when she noticed that Jin Jiuchi and Nian outright ignored her seniority in this place. With Surnamed Zhi in tow, she walked toward them and naturally sat down on the chair the man had humbly pulled for her.

Everyone was stunned when they saw this. Last night, Brother Zhi was adamant on keeping some distance from them and not talking unless necessary, but today… how did his relationship with Sister Hong become intimate all of a sudden?

However, Sister Hong acted like nothing was wrong so no one dared to speak up either. She scoffed when she saw Jin Jiuchi toying with the chicken in great interest. "A common prop, huh? Was it you last night who caused such a great ruckus? Are you so keen on seeking death?!"

"Sister Hong, it's me…" Xinxin raised her hand gingerly just like a student in the class who wanted to speak with the teacher.

"You?" Sister Hong turned to her, frowning. But before she could open her mouth to give a lecture, Nian placed something on the table and slid it in front of Xinxin. It was a yellow talisman drawn with red cinnabar.

"For you," he said, ignoring the surprised look from others. "It can be used to protect yourself from one supernatural attack. Consider it my gratitude for your help last night."

"Oh me too, me too!" Jin Jiuchi immediately perked up when he heard that, unwilling to lose out to Nian. As shocked as he was – because what the hell, Nian also had something as magical as the screaming chicken? Why didn't he bring it out last night for Jin Jiuchi to see?! – he was truly grateful for Xinxin's timely assistance last night. Otherwise he would have died if he had to hold his breath for one more second! "Um, wait a minute…" he patted his pocket with great hope only to be disappointed when he found nothing inside. Last night, he had come out with only a little cash, enough to buy a portion of lamb skewers. Let alone any magical item, he did not even have a single cent on his body.

He murmured sadly. "I don't have anything on me…"

Sister Hong sneered and murmured loud enough for the whole table to hear. "Idiot newbie, of course you don't."

"No, no…" Xinxin hurriedly refused and reached out to grab Nian's talisman. "It's okay, Brother Yang. That prop is very cheap and I have received this—" her eyes flared wide in surprise as she choked out, "Oh my God, this talisman is almost thrice as expensive as my chicken!"

"What? What is it?" Tang Ye scooted closer in curiosity and when Xinxin allowed him to take a peek, his eyes similarly grew wide. "Woah, this is a good common prop! Little brother has good stuff!"

Nian remained as cool as a cucumber under Xinxin and Tang Ye's sparkling eyes. "Xinxin has saved my life. This is nothing."

Jin Jiuchi pouted his lips, sulking. Even Nian could bring out something so awesome, what about him?! He racked his brain and his eyes lit up when he thought of something that might compare to Nian's talisman. "I owe you one," he told Xinxin seriously and thumped on his chest. "In the future, if you need me, I will definitely help you even at the expense of my life!"

Sister Hong sneered again, louder this time. "You waste a prop to save a newbie and a child?" she asked Xinxin in a demanding tone. "Have you gone crazy? Every single prop is precious and may save your life in unexpected times. You can barely take care of yourself so what makes you think that you can take care of others?!"

Xinxin's face grew pale in fright. "I–I know…" her voice was shaky. "I won't do it again next time, Sister Hong."

"Ha! Next time? You are lucky if there will be a 'next time'!" Her lips curled into a contemptuous arc as if mocking Xinxin's kind-hearted yet foolish gesture. Then she shook her head and turned her gaze to the door. "Forget it. Why should I waste my time to lecture you? It's up to you how you want to live your life. Whether you're dead or alive, it's none of my business. Where the hell is the other newbie? Don't tell me that he stupidly ran out last night and got himself killed!"

"Actually…" Tang Ye interjected awkwardly from the side. "Last night, I heard Old Guan's screams. It sounded like he had been terribly frightened by something. Then I saw him… bursting out of his room…"

A hushed silence fell over the table. If Old Guan indeed left his room last night, then he must have been—

"Good morning, everyone."

"Ah!" Xinxin clasped her mouth in shock, her widened eyes trailing after Old Guan who had just stepped in through the door. Everyone's eyes landed on him with various degrees of shock and disbelief, half because they really thought that he had met his demise last night, while the other half was because…

"O–Old Guan?" Tang Ye stood up in reflex. "You… are you okay?"

Old Guan still looked the same as he did last night, yet at the same time, it was also like he had turned into a wholly different person. His frightened and frenzied demeanor was no more, his eyes were no longer shifty and bloodshot like a jumpy rabbit. He looked… refreshed, to say the least.

If only his lips were not black in color.