“Thank you.” A stone finally fell from her heart. Qiao Zhao forced a smile and rushed out with pale lips.

“Li San—” Chi Can lifted his foot to chase after her.

Coroner Qian walked out with an unchanged expression.

Little Six caught up: “Master, don’t leave! This disciple will treat you to drinks.”

Coroner Qian raised his hand: “No need, and don’t bother me on the mountain in the future either.”

Little Six followed closely behind Coroner Qian: “Oh my, Master, please don’t say that. In the future, when this disciple doesn’t understand something, I’ll still need you to take action!”

Coroner Qian sneered: “Only this once, there won’t be a next time.”

Shao Mingyuan followed beside Coroner Qian as they walked out. At a glance, he saw Qiao Zhao bent over by an ancient tree in the courtyard, vomiting continuously, while Chi Can stood nearby, taking out a handkerchief to offer her.

“Please bring some water,” Shao Mingyuan said, handing over a piece of broken silver.

Little Six was stunned, carefully glanced at Coroner Qian, and seeing his expressionless face, quickly took the silver, thanked him, and ran off.

Coroners were the lowest people in the county office – such windfalls were rare.

Soon, Little Six returned carrying a water kettle.

Shao Mingyuan took the water kettle and walked toward Qiao Zhao.

“Miss Li, please wash your hands first.”

Hearing Shao Mingyuan’s voice, Qiao Zhao couldn’t help but straighten up. She faced away from him for quite a while before turning around: “Thank you.”

She repeatedly washed her hands with the water from the kettle, used a handkerchief to wipe the corners of her mouth. Her pale complexion looked somewhat disheveled, completely unlike her usual composed and calm appearance.

At this moment, both Shao Mingyuan and Chi Can truly realized that everything just now had indeed been painful torture for the young woman before them.

She was just an ordinary girl, without supernatural powers.

Chi Can looked at Coroner Qian with eyes full of disgust.

This old bastard – they’d settle accounts after autumn!

Coroner Qian glanced at Chi Can and sneered: “What? Young man wants to settle scores with me later?”

Qiao Zhao couldn’t help but glance at Chi Can.

Chi Can could see that in that glance was worry that he might ruin things.

He couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

No matter how angry he was, he couldn’t let her efforts go to waste.

“How could that be? This young master has always respected the elderly and loved the young. Coroner Qian is overthinking.”

“Hmph!” Coroner Qian snorted coldly, obviously not caring about any future consequences, and directly asked Qiao Zhao: “Have you vomited enough?”

Qiao Zhao bowed slightly: “I made you laugh at me.”

“Not laughing. Since you’ve vomited enough, let’s continue with the next test. If we delay further, it’ll be dark.”

“There’s still a test? Didn’t you just say she already passed the test?” Chi Can’s face darkened with anger, yet he could do nothing about Coroner Qian.

Coroner Qian chuckled: “Originally she had passed, but I find you unpleasant to look at, so I’m adding an extra test for her.”

Chi Can’s face immediately turned pale. He looked at Qiao Zhao, opened his mouth, but couldn’t speak, his eyes full of guilt.

In Li San’s eyes, was he completely useless, only able to cause trouble?

Qiao Zhao smiled: “Coroner Qian, please don’t joke. You said just now that I only temporarily passed the test – naturally, there are still more tests waiting.”

“Ha, the little girl is quite clever.” Coroner Qian gave Chi Can a white look and lifted his foot to walk forward.

Chi Can looked at Qiao Zhao and couldn’t help but curve his lips, his eyes bright.

She was afraid he’d feel bad and was helping him save face, wasn’t she? This meant she still cared about him a little, right?

“Shixi, let’s go.” Shao Mingyuan pulled Chi Can.

Only then did Chi Can realize Qiao Zhao had already walked far ahead.

“Tingquan,” his mood was elated, completely at odds with this gloomy, oppressive charity morgue, his eyebrows and eyes unable to contain his joy. “I’m somewhat happy.”

Shao Mingyuan didn’t respond but patted his arm.

“When we catch up with Yang Er and the others later, let’s drink.”

“Good.”

After leaving the charity morgue gates, Qiao Zhao let out a long breath of stale air.

By this time, the sun was about to set, and the cool breeze finally brought a hint of autumn.

There weren’t many pedestrians near the charity morgue. After walking forward for some distance and turning onto another street, it suddenly became lively.

Cooking smoke rose from residential houses, pedestrians hurried along the roads, and lanterns in front of taverns and restaurants lit up early – it was already time for dinner.

“Hungry?” Coroner Qian asked Qiao Zhao with a smile.

Qiao Zhao’s face was calm, but she smiled bitterly inside.

Though she had vomited up all her lunch earlier, how could she possibly eat at this moment?

“Can’t eat?” Coroner Qian’s smile didn’t diminish.

Shao Mingyuan spoke up: “Where would Coroner Qian like to eat?”

Coroner Qian looked at Qiao Zhao with what seemed like a smile: “How about that Xilaifu on East Street?”

“Good, Coroner Qian’s treat.”

The group headed straight for Xilaifu.

A waiter came up to greet them: “Oh, so it’s several honored guests – please come inside quickly.”

His gaze fell on Coroner Qian, first stunned, then suddenly his eyes widened: “You, you are that—”

Chi Can directly throw a piece of silver into the waiter’s arms: “Stop babbling and lead us to a private room!”

The silver immediately took effect. The waiter bent over repeatedly, saying: “Several guests, please come in!”

The group was led into a room by the waiter, who asked with a face full of smiles: “What would the honored guests like to eat?”

Shao Mingyuan turned to ask Coroner Qian: “What would Coroner Qian like to eat?”

“Stir-fried pig tongue, quick-fried liver tips…” Coroner Qian unceremoniously rattled off a string of dish names.

With each dish he named, Qiao Zhao’s face grew a shade paler, until she could barely sit still.

She could already guess what Coroner Qian’s next test for her would be.

They had come early, so it didn’t take long before steaming hot dishes were brought up.

“Please enjoy your meal, honored guests.”

After the waiter left, he thought for a moment and quietly slipped to the back.

Coroner Qian’s son was staring out the window in a daze. Today someone had suddenly come looking for that old bastard, which left him quite disturbed.

“Mr. Qian,” the waiter called out.

“What is it?”

“Coroner Qian has come to our tavern to eat—”

Before the waiter could finish, Coroner Qian’s son stood up abruptly and walked out in two or three steps: “How did he come here?”

“Oh my, don’t get excited. Coroner Qian didn’t come alone. If the guests’ meal is disturbed, the manager will scold us.”

“I understand.” Coroner Qian’s son smoothed his long robe and walked toward the front.

Inside the private room, the aroma of food filled everyone’s nostrils, but except for Coroner Qian, only Shao Mingyuan’s expression remained relatively calm.

Chi Can glanced at the full plate of stir-fried pig tongue and forcibly pressed his lips together to suppress the urge to vomit.

At the charity morgue, he had inadvertently caught a glimpse of Qiao Zhao using her gloved hands to turn over the deceased’s tongue at Coroner Qian’s request.

Coroner Qian picked up the plate of stir-fried pig tongue and poured half into his bowl, then pushed it in front of Qiao Zhao: “Eat this half plate of stir-fried pig tongue without vomiting, and I’ll go with you.”

“Truly?” Qiao Zhao asked softly.

Coroner Qian scoffed: “Would I deceive a little girl like you?”

Qiao Zhao lowered her eyes to stare at the stir-fried pig tongue placed before her. Her eyelashes trembled as she picked up her chopsticks and reached over.

Another pair of chopsticks suddenly pressed down on hers.