Huo Zihong woke up in the morning with a feeling that something would happen today.

Sure enough, before she even reached downstairs, she heard Zhang Shu complaining loudly: “Every single one of them, all gone! Not even a chicken left behind! These workers nowadays act like they’re the masters, just like that heartless landlord Huang Shiren!”

All gone?

Huo Zihong was stunned for a moment, her brows immediately furrowing. Privately, she also felt that Yi Wansan and the others had been acting strangely these days, constantly running off somewhere. If it was just young people having fun, she could understand, but they hadn’t gone anywhere proper for entertainment.

When she reached downstairs, she discovered that Zhang Shu wasn’t entirely correct. That “Master Shen” whom Yi Wansan and the others often mentioned was still there, doing his morning exercises in the courtyard, currently performing twisting movements while counting, “One, two, three, four, two, two, three, four.”

Outside was unusually noisy, more lively than usual, and in the distance, she glimpsed two people in police uniforms.

Huo Zihong asked Zhang Shu, “What happened?”

Aside from occasional tourist thefts and petty crimes, the ancient town had always maintained good security. The current scene could be considered quite rare.

Zhang Shu looked up and glanced outside. “I heard that during the night, a car was stolen.”

Is that so? Huo Zihong inwardly clicked her tongue and reminded Zhang Shu, “Be careful these days. When you sleep at night, make sure to lock the doors and windows.”

Just as she finished speaking, she heard a commotion outside, accompanied by the harsh sound of brakes, and a small van with a crumpled front, driving erratically, stopped at the entrance of the bar’s courtyard.

After a brief silence, someone screamed.

“My car! That’s my car!”

Huo Zihong looked at the vehicle in surprise: These thieves are certainly bold, parading around with stolen goods in broad daylight? Or perhaps they had a change of heart and were returning the stolen car?

The crowd gathered around, the police approached, and Huo Zihong and Zhang Shu couldn’t resist going out to see, while only Shen Gun remained focused, still seriously doing his back bends.

“Three, two, three, four, four, two, three, four…”

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, the car door opened.

The first to come out was a spirited and lively pheasant, flapping its small wings and darting toward the bar like a streak of light.

Zhang Shu drew in a sharp breath, “Cao Jiefang?”

The second to emerge was Yi Wansan, with a bruised face covered in dirt and ash, torn clothes, an arm wrapped in bandages, and large bloodstains on his sleeve, carrying a plastic bag filled with water.

The third to come out was Cao Yanhua from the driver’s seat, looking no better than Yi Wansan, with a black bruise under one eye, resembling a panda.

After getting out, Cao Yanhua first made a phone call, said a few words, and then handed the phone to the police.

The officer took it, listened for a few moments while nodding constantly, then, after hanging up, didn’t give Cao Yanhua and the others any further trouble. He pulled the car owner aside, gave him some instructions, and then they left together in the car.

The spectators were confused but gradually dispersed with reluctance. Yi Wansan and Cao Yanhua stood rooted to the spot, hesitating about whether they should step forward. Meanwhile, Cao Jiefang was happily running around the courtyard, basking in the morning sunlight.

Zhang Shu hesitantly asked, “Did you two… go out for a gang fight in the middle of the night?”

Yi Wansan didn’t know where to begin. Early that morning, he had already been through a life-and-death situation, and everything that happened afterward was so urgent and chaotic that he still hadn’t fully recovered his senses.

First, Cao Yanhua had called, cursing him up and down. He understood the main point: they needed a car! Immediately! Luo Ren was dying.

Yi Wansan couldn’t drive, so he told Qingmu, who also panicked. Together, they carried the leopard’s carcass into the car and sped back along the original route.

They met up with Cao Yanhua and the others at the factory district, all in terrible shape. Seeing Luo Ren’s severe injuries, Qingmu was also dumbfounded. At this critical moment, Zheng Mingshan stepped forward to arrange everything.

—Emergency services had already been called, and the route was confirmed with them. Qingmu and the others would drive Luo Ren to meet them halfway, maximizing every second for rescue.

—The leopard’s body was left behind. Zheng Mingshan stayed at the factory, contacting all his connections. Unlike Luo Ren and the others, he was a domestic special forces soldier. Even after retirement, his former comrades were spread throughout various key systems. The international police friend he had contacted earlier was just one example.

Zheng Mingshan would handle all the messes they had created from last night until now, whether it was stealing a car, beating someone half to death and leaving them on the road, or the gun battle with casualties at the abandoned factory.

When sending Cao Yanhua and the others off, he first instructed Cao Yanhua: “If anything related to this incident happens, if any police come looking for you, regardless of whether you did it or not, push it all onto me. I’ll resolve it, understand?”

Then he pointed at Qingmu: “You’ve been in combat, you also know emergency rescue. Before the ambulance arrives, you’re responsible for keeping him alive, got it?”

Qingmu nodded instinctively.

As the car sped away, Cao Yanhua thought: My Grand Uncle-Master is so cool.

Then she thought again, in this lineage, from Plum Blossom Ninth Lady downward, there weren’t many people, but all were capable individuals who could handle themselves. She suddenly felt immense pressure: she must work diligently and not tarnish her Great Master’s reputation, otherwise people would say, what an impressive master, but what a useless disciple!

Everything went smoothly, except the ambulance couldn’t accommodate so many people, especially Cao Jiefang—the emergency personnel were very displeased, saying: “Don’t you have any common sense? Chickens carry so many viruses and bacteria, how can you put it in the same vehicle as an injured person?”

In the end, Qingmu and Mu Dai went with the ambulance. Yi Wansan felt that Mu Dai was too close to Luo Ren and worried she couldn’t handle it if something happened, so he gestured for Yan Hongsha to go along—having a girl around would be better.

So those who returned first were the two people and one chicken that Huo Zihong saw: firstly, the matter was concluded, so someone had to return with news; secondly, the stolen car should be returned to its owner; and thirdly…

And most importantly, the sixth deadly clue had to be secured before they could feel at ease.

After hearing the entire story, which had been “processed” by Yi Wansan, Huo Zihong felt dizzy and almost lost her balance.

So Old Lady Mei had already passed away.

So the reason Mu Dai hadn’t shown her face all these days wasn’t because she was in Fog Town “taking care of her dying master” or “inheriting the mantle,” but because she had been kidnapped by someone Luo Ren had once offended.

This little girl, who knows if she suffered in the hands of the kidnappers. In the past, she would cry over the slightest grievance.

Yi Wansan, observing her expression, quickly added, “Our little proprietress is fine, just some minor injuries. Luo Ren’s condition is serious; he’s been sent to the hospital for emergency treatment.”

She’s fine, that’s good. Huo Zihong let out a long sigh of relief, suddenly realizing her expression was too relaxed, and felt a bit embarrassed.

People are inevitably selfish, always more concerned about those who are closer to them.

Partly to cover up and partly out of concern, she asked Yi Wansan, “How badly is Luo Ren injured?”

How badly injured? Thinking of Luo Ren’s bloody appearance at the time, Yi Wansan couldn’t help but shudder.

The following time was particularly difficult to endure. Yi Wansan kept staring at his phone, afraid yet hoping it would ring.

At dusk, the phone suddenly rang. Yi Wansan almost lunged for it, answering with trembling hands. On the other end was Yan Hongsha.

With a tearful voice, she said, “Yi Wansan, Qingmu says to bring Luo Ren’s family, Pin Ting, and Uncle Zheng over here. You all come too, in case… in case we need to say goodbye…”

Yi Wansan’s mind exploded: “Is Luo Ren’s condition not good? Huh?”

“It’s uncertain. They’ve been resuscitating him for a long time, but he’s still not past the danger period. The doctor says… it’s not looking good, he could go at any moment.”

After hanging up, Yi Wansan realized that Huo Zihong, Zhang Shu, Shen Gun, Cao Yanhua, and the others had all gathered around him.

He stammered, trying to speak, when he suddenly noticed his face felt warm. Reaching up to wipe it, he didn’t even know when he had started crying.

He murmured, “Let’s… let’s all go see Luo Ren.”

That night, for the first time, the “Gather and Disperse at Will” bar put up a “Not Open for Business” sign.

Everyone split into two taxis and set off. As the cars drove away, Yi Wansan looked back at the bar, which appeared darker against the surrounding brilliant lights, and suddenly felt that the words “Gather and Disperse at Will” were strangely sorrowful.

Why couldn’t gatherings and partings be in our own hands, instead of being entrusted to elusive fate?

The intensive care unit was on the top floor of the hospital. Perhaps because this incident was sensitive and involved foreigners, Zheng Mingshan had pulled some strings, and the hospital was especially accommodating, with no other patients assigned to this area.

Zheng Mingshan had too many matters to handle and wasn’t present. When they arrived, only Qingmu and Yan Hongsha were accompanying Mu Dai. She sat on a bench in the corridor, hugging her knees. The wound on her collarbone had been bandaged, with white gauze visible at her collar, but other than that, she hadn’t cleaned up at all. She was still wearing her blood-stained clothes, and the blood on her face had dried. If she tried to wipe it, large flakes would suddenly fall off.

Huo Zihong was heartbroken and rushed over in a few steps, asking her, “Mu Dai, are you alright?”

Mu Dai raised her head, looked at Huo Zihong, smiled strangely, then reached out and hugged her waist, resting her head against her abdomen.

Huo Zihong’s tears immediately flowed. She embraced Mu Dai, gently stroking her hair. In a daze, it was like returning to when Shen Wen had the accident years ago. After Shen Wen’s family had come to trash their home, the young Mu Dai had curled up in her arms, asking, “Auntie Hong, what should I do?”

At that time, she had answered, “We’ll move.”

But now, how should she comfort this little girl?

She heard sobbing nearby. Pin Ting was crying, and Uncle Zheng was sighing. The old man’s sighs sounded particularly heavy. The doctor came over, and Huo Zihong heard him cautiously answer everyone: “The situation is still unstable. If he can make it through this night, perhaps his life can be saved, but whether he’ll wake up or when he might wake up, no one can say.”

Huo Zihong comforted Mu Dai, “Don’t worry, good people have good fortune. Little Knife Luo will be fine.”

Then she asked her, “Mu Dai, do you want to find a place to sleep for a while?”

Mu Dai shook her head, “No, I want to wait until dawn.”

Huo Zihong sighed and continued standing beside Mu Dai, stroking her hair. During this time, Zhang Shu brought a chair over, gesturing to ask if she wanted to sit down, but Huo Zihong gently shook her head: Mu Dai didn’t want to move and had no strength to move; if she sat down, it would disturb Mu Dai.

Little girl, it feels so good to have her resting in her arms like this, reminiscent of when she had first adopted her.

Back then, a single candy would be enough to soothe her tears into smiles.

In the corner, Qingmu was carefully explaining to Pin Ting and Uncle Zheng what had happened: as the most formal “family members,” they had the right to know the full story.

Huo Zihong noticed that Pin Ting’s expression was deteriorating; she kept biting her lip and frequently looking over at Mu Dai.

Sure enough, Pin Ting suddenly stood up, rushed over, and pointed at Mu Dai, shouting, “It’s all your fault!”

She couldn’t get close because Yi Wansan suddenly slapped his hand on a chair and yelled, “What are you shouting about! Are you blaming one of our own now?”

Pin Ting burst into tears, “Who says she’s one of us!”

Mu Dai sighed, raised her head from Huo Zihong’s embrace, and gestured for Yi Wansan to sit down, saying, “Yi Wansan, sit down, don’t make noise.”

Her voice wasn’t loud, filled with fatigue, somewhat weak. Yi Wansan sat down against the wall without a word. Yan Hongsha, sitting nearby, glanced at him and said in a low voice, “You yelled well. I actually wanted to yell at her too.”

Mu Dai then looked at Pin Ting and said, “You sit down too. Don’t disturb Little Knife Luo.”

Pin Ting sobbed, wiped away tears, and said, “You don’t get to decide.”

“You and Uncle Zheng have no blood relation to Luo Ren. But Luo Ren proposed to me, I’m closest to him, so what I say goes. No noise allowed. If anyone makes more noise, don’t blame me for being impolite.”

After speaking, she looked around at each person, one by one. When she finished, she slowly leaned back into Huo Zihong’s embrace and gently closed her eyes.

Uncle Zheng came over and gently coaxed Pin Ting back.

In the corner, Shen Gun was sitting with Cao Yanhua and suddenly nudged her with his elbow, saying softly, “Look at our little pocket, she’s got the demeanor of a first wife!”

……

The night was exceptionally long. Mu Dai kept waiting, sometimes feeling like she had fallen asleep, sometimes feeling like she was still awake. At dawn, hearing the clinking sounds of tools in a medical tray, she raised her head and realized she had been hugging Huo Zihong the whole time.

She asked Huo Zihong, “Auntie Hong, have you been standing all night?”

The doctor pushed open the door from Luo Ren’s room and, meeting everyone’s expectant gaze, said, “He’s past the danger period now, but… there’s no sign of him waking up. The family… should prepare… for the long term…”

Mu Dai smiled.

She seemed not to have heard the doctor’s latter half and said to Huo Zihong, “Auntie Hong, Little Knife Luo made it through the night.”

Huo Zihong forced a smile and kept nodding at her.

“Whether Little Knife Luo wakes up or not in the future, I will always take care of him.”

Huo Zihong nodded, her voice a bit choked, “Alright, whatever you want is fine.”

Mu Dai let out a long breath, slowly lay down on the bench, and said, “Now, I’m going to sleep. I’m exhausted.”