"The body can't be burned, and there's singing..."

Xu Lai couldn't help but laugh. "That sounds quite interesting. Is the singing any good?"

"..."

If he didn't know what Xu Lai was capable of, Old Jiang Ba would have been jumping up and down cursing.

Any good? This isn't about whether it's good or not—it's scary enough to kill someone!

In truth, Old Jiang Ba hadn't wanted to trouble Xu Lai at first. He had been in the funeral business his whole life and had seen his fair share of strange occurrences. When his subordinates reported the incident, Old Jiang Ba went to investigate in person.

The result...

He heard the eerie singing and the BANG! BANG! of fists against the morgue's iron door. The air was so cold it made him shiver uncontrollably. Old Jiang Ba was so terrified he nearly lost his mind, scrambling away in a panic. Unfortunately, three staff members inside the funeral home were too slow to escape. They all fainted on the spot and are still in the hospital's emergency room.

Knowing he couldn't delay any longer, Old Jiang Ba came to find Xu Lai for help first thing in the morning.

"Same as usual. Thirty million," Xu Lai said, wagging a finger.

Time to get serious about making money. Otherwise, I'll never be able to afford the five hundred million bride price for my cheap mother-in-law. I can't possibly let my wife, Ruan Tang, chip in, can I?

"Yes, yes, of course."

Old Jiang Ba let out a long sigh of relief. He would have paid three hundred million, let alone thirty! This isn't about money anymore. One careless move and my life could be on the line.

"So, Mr. Xu, when do we go?" Old Jiang Ba asked, his expression full of anticipation.

"Give me the address. We'll meet there at midnight," Xu Lai said flatly.

After leaving the address, Old Jiang Ba finally got up to leave, his steps at least three times lighter than when he'd arrived. His eyes were sparkling so brightly, he looked twenty years younger!

"Director Xu, what did Eighth Master want with you?"

An hour later, Liu Nanwei returned to the school infirmary, eager to gossip. "Does he have another enemy he wants nailed inside a coffin? Is it burial or a burial at sea this time?"

Xu Lai gave a bitter smile. The last time this came up, outside the construction site, Ruan Lan had the same suspicion. Eighth Master had tearfully explained the false accusation of "nailing a competitor's entire family to death," a rumor he had shouldered for decades. At this moment, he felt compelled to clear Old Jiang Ba's name. "Those are just rumors."

Liu Nanwei looked skeptical. "Are you sure? Everyone in East Sea, Hangcheng, and Liu City knows about it. Besides, did you see Eighth Master's eyes? They were completely bloodshot. So scary..."

Xu Lai sighed softly.

This is just the dark side of human nature. People only see what they want to see and only believe what they want to believe. They just need to say a few words like 'the cruel and ruthless Old Jiang Ba' to make a crying child stop, and that's enough for them. As for the truth? Besides Old Jiang Ba, who was hurt by the gossip and rumors, I'm afraid no one really cares. Besides, the real reason Eighth Master's eyes were so bloodshot was that he'd been too terrified to sleep last night.

"Are you free tonight? I'll take you somewhere fun," Xu Lai asked.

"..."

Zhou Feng, who had just pushed the door open, heard this and silently closed it again.

Liu Nanwei rolled her eyes at Xu Lai. "Director Xu, that's harassment, you know. Be careful, or I'll tell your wife. But... where are you taking me?"

Hiding outside the door, Zhou Feng couldn't help but sigh softly. "Li Mi, it's getting cold. I'll buy you a hat later." Then he hurried away.

"Weren't you curious about what Old Jiang Ba wanted from me?" Xu Lai said with a smile. "He hired me to solve a problem at his funeral home. I could take you along to see it, but it's a bit late. We're meeting at midnight."

Midnight.

Eighth Master's funeral home...

And he calls that 'somewhere fun'!?

"Director Xu, I'll be taking my leave!" Liu Nanwei cupped her fists, turned, and walked away with decisive speed.

Only two students came to see him all day, both with minor colds. Xu Lai wrote them simple prescriptions and finished his day's work.

At five in the afternoon, he went to the kindergarten to pick up Yiyi.

When Qian Xiao saw Xu Lai, he waved excitedly. "Uncle Xu, I missed you so much!"

Xu Lai pursed his lips. This little rascal clearly just saw the cloud-spun candy in my hand.

The two children each held a stick of the cloud-spun candy, munching on it happily.

Just then, Xu Yiyi said in a soft, sweet voice, "Daddy, our kindergarten is having a parent-teacher meeting soon."

"Mhm, Daddy will be there," Xu Lai smiled.

"By the way, Uncle Xu, every kid has to perform a talent at the parent-teacher meeting. Are you really not going to teach me how to make the cloud-spun candy?" Qian Xiao asked, looking up at him with pleading eyes.

If I learned that trick, I'd definitely be the star of the show!

"How about I teach you to summon a Somersault Cloud instead? You'd be even more impressive flying through the sky," Xu Lai said with a grin.

Qian Xiao, who was afraid of heights, made a face like he'd bitten into a bitter melon. He said dejectedly, "...I guess I'll just stick to playing the piano."

"The top dog of Galaxy Kindergarten is just going to play the piano for the talent show? How can you live up to your reputation as 'East Sea's Little Tyrant'!?" Beibei scoffed from her perch on Yiyi's shoulder.

"I... I..." Qian Xiao stammered, embarrassed. "Then I'll breakdance! You know, the Thomas flare?"

"Pfft," Beibei burst out laughing. "Instead of conquering other kindergartens at home and abroad to make a name for yourself, you're just going to breakdance in tiny little Galaxy Kindergarten? Qian Xiao, I really overestimated you."

That disdainful look and regretful tone made Qian Xiao flush red with embarrassment. "I only know how to do those two things!" he retorted, annoyed. "So what do you want me to do?"

"Alright, even though I can't stand how you follow Yiyi around like a lost puppy, I, Beibei, am a loyal friend. I've decided to help you out, just this once." Beibei gave him a kind smile. "I have a way to make you the coolest kid in all of Galaxy Kindergarten!"

The coolest kid!?

Qian Xiao's breathing quickened, and his heart pounded with excitement, but he was still skeptical. "You'd really be that nice?"

Beibei shrugged. "Don't believe me then. It's not my reputation on the line. Besides, I'm only offering to help for Yiyi's sake."

I, Qian Xiao, am the head honcho of East Sea's kindergartens and Sister Yiyi's number one follower. How can I bring shame upon my big sister? Absolutely not! Otherwise, what's the point of saying 'When the kindergartens are strong, Hua Country is strong'? How could I ever take on the world?!

"Please, you have to help me!" Qian Xiao said earnestly. Then he scratched his head, chiding himself. "Sister Beibei, I'm sorry. I can't believe I actually suspected you were trying to trick me. I was wrong."

Tsk. What a naive boy. Your suspicions were right on the money!

Beibei continued to smile sweetly. "It's fine. It's a great virtue to correct your mistakes. We'll perform a ventriloquism act."

Ventriloquism!

Just the thought of it made Qian Xiao giddy with excitement. He wished the parent-teacher meeting would come sooner so he could see everyone's stunned and admiring faces.

On that day, not only will I be the coolest kid, but I'll also make Sister Yiyi see me in a whole new light!

Xu Lai glanced at Qian Xiao sympathetically. The poor kid, calling her 'Sister Beibei' so eagerly. He's being sold down the river and is still helping count the money...

"See you tomorrow, Sister Yiyi, Uncle Xu!" Qian Xiao waved excitedly. "Sister Beibei, we'll start rehearsing the ventriloquism tomorrow!"

"Sounds good," Beibei said with an innocent smile. But as soon as Qian Xiao turned to leave, the corners of her mouth curled up into a smirk.

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