Chapter Twenty-Eight: Xiao Wei’s Transformation

Wang Zihao carefully recalled the events of that day. After leaving the internet café, he wanted to take a shortcut straight to the back door of the bar and plunged into the deep alleys nearby. Being a regular in the university town’s commercial district, he was quite familiar with all the streets and lanes in the area. Yet, that day, as he walked, he felt strangely lost until he looked up and saw a small convenience store.

Thirsty, he went in to buy a bottle of soda. The shopkeeper was an elderly lady, dressed in black with gentle features, but no matter what, she refused to take his money. Instead, she produced a pile of red bamboo sticks and urged him, “Go on, pick one you like.” Eager to get away quickly, Wang Zihao simply chose one at random and hurried off, paying no attention to the old woman muttering behind him, “When fate arises, it cannot be avoided. The paths of man and ghost diverge, yet a marriage of yin is ordained.”

Hearing this, Lao Liao was visibly unsettled. “You were picking your own ghost bride! What happened to that stick? Do you still have it?”

Wang Zihao, a bit dazed, rubbed the back of his head and drew out a delicate red stick from his expensive crocodile leather wallet. On the front was written, “Year of the Guiyou, Month of Bingchen, Day of Jiachen.” On the reverse, engraved in seal script, were the words “Third daughter of the Wu family, Fate”—presumably the birth date and name of the female ghost.

“Liao, what should we do?” I asked helplessly.

“All things revolve around cause and effect. Even mediums must heed fate and destiny. In my opinion, Wang Zihao’s sudden ghostly marriage must have some unusual cause. Tomorrow, let’s seek out that medium and ask.”

We agreed to meet Wang Zihao the next evening in the university town. Lao Liao handed him a few talismans, and he left my tattoo shop weighed down with worry.

Just then, a familiar phone call came in. Glancing at my phone, I saw it was Xiao Wei. I’d heard he’d been doing quite well lately, working under Wang and managing a medical equipment project that had spread to major hospitals.

“Hey, Brother Xu?”

“Boss Xiao Wei, what can I do for you?”

“Hehe, I’ve made a lot of money lately. Let’s meet up, go out for a good meal tonight!”

“Sounds great. Come pick me up, and bring my pal Lao Liao along.”

“No problem. I’ll be at your shop at five this afternoon.”

Learning my close friend was doing well lately lightened the heaviness brought on by these supernatural matters. The idle hours of the afternoon flew by, and soon the roar of a sports car echoed from downstairs. Looking out the window, I saw a Mercedes coupe parked at our doorstep. Xiao Wei, wearing sunglasses, was behind the wheel, waving at us.

“Wow, this guy’s really made it.”

There’s no denying a luxury car is far more comfortable than my BYD—the difference is worlds apart. Lao Liao and I sat in the back, chatting idly with Xiao Wei, and before long we arrived at an upscale restaurant.

Whenever old friends reunite, drinks are inevitable. After a few bottles of beer, we were speaking freely. From Xiao Wei, I learned that President Wang of the medical company had looked after him, introduced him to many people in the circle, and handed him several lucrative projects. Xiao Wei was now a big name in the medical field.

“Brother Xu, that copper coin you gave me is truly magical!” Xiao Wei said, a little tipsy, raising his wrist and patting the coin tattoo I’d inked for him.

“Of course! Haven’t you seen how you’re rich now, and the two of us are dining in this fancy place? Hahaha.” I was genuinely excited. Just a few months ago, Xiao Wei had abruptly decided to leave the tattoo shop and follow Wang, which had left me feeling uneasy. At the time, I’d just started the Yin-Yang embroidery business and hadn’t thought much about it—it seemed to have hurt his pride.

I knew Xiao Wei had a strong sense of vanity and resilience; now that he was wealthy, he must have endured plenty of hardship. As his brother, I was sincerely happy for him.

“You two keep chatting. President Wang needs me. I’ll take this call,” Xiao Wei said, rising and heading outside.

Lao Liao sat there, not touching his food and not saying a word, his face heavy.

“What’s wrong, Lao Liao? A gathering of old friends—how can you be so gloomy?”

“Your friend’s fate is ruled by the Greedy Wolf star, while the Purple Star shines dimly. He doesn’t have the destiny for wealth. Yet now he’s gotten rich, and I just feel… something’s off.”

“No way, Lao Liao, are you just being superstitious? Maybe the sun embroidery tattoo I gave him is messing with your senses?”

“No, sun embroidery mainly nourishes and warms—it shouldn’t have such a dramatic effect in less than half a year. I’m worried he’s made his fortune through questionable means…”

“Lao Liao, you’re insulting me! He’s my best friend!” My anger flared, and I shouted at Lao Liao.

It was the first time I’d lost my temper with him. Xiao Wei was a childhood friend, a boy who’d grown up in hardship. He was simple and kind-hearted, only wanting wealth so others would respect him. I knew his character—he would never do anything wrong for the sake of money.

Lao Liao sat quietly, sipping a bowl of mushroom cream soup. Xiao Wei returned from his call and casually tossed the Mercedes keys onto the table, which made me frown.

The atmosphere grew awkward. Lao Liao ate in silence, while Xiao Wei kept talking about the lavish world of the upper business circles.

After the meal, it was time to part ways. I arranged to meet Xiao Wei again at the weekend, thinking that once I’d settled Wang Zihao’s business, I’d invite Xiao Wei, Lao Zhao, and President Wang for a meal to thank them for looking after him.

Xiao Wei drove us back to the shop in his sports car.

“Want to stay and hang out?”

“No, President Wang’s got a mahjong game tonight. I’m going to clean them out.” Xiao Wei’s eyes flashed with a strange excitement, making him seem unfamiliar to me.

Once again, only Lao Liao and I were left in the shop, silent. Lao Liao sat on the bench and suddenly said, “You still lack experience in this world. Remember, wealth is what changes a person most. Xiao Wei may not be the same Xiao Wei you used to know.”

“Maybe so.” I returned to my room and slammed the door shut.

Deep down, I knew Xiao Wei had changed. Our conversations had shifted from discussing long fish soup and scallion noodles to luxury cars and mansions. He used to walk five or six kilometers home just to save money, but now he casually handed the parking attendant a two-hundred yuan tip.

Lao Liao’s words cut into my heart like a long blade. The unfamiliar feeling Xiao Wei now gave me made me uneasy. I vowed to find out whether his wealth had come from honest means. If he was involved in anything shady, I’d risk everything to bring him back to the shop.