Chapter 2 Old Acquaintance
The sea of people is surging, and so many encounters are like floating duckweed. With a quick glance, strangers are still strangers.
After sending the girl to the entrance of the Central Hospital in Tongyu County, the transaction between the two was completed. A driver and a passenger, after a while, they didn't even know each other's names.
Tan Xuan drove along the road and found a semi-open food stall. Every city has such a place, providing food and clothing for those who are still trying to make a living at night. Of course, they also do it for their lives.
There were not many people at the food stall, so Tan Xuan ordered some grilled skewers and a bottle of drink, then sat there waiting to comfort his stomach.
Thinking of the girl who had told him to wait until dawn before driving back to Jiangzhou, Tan Xuan shook his head and smiled bitterly. The girl still didn't believe that she had fallen asleep and had a nightmare, but she didn't force Tan Xuan to believe that she really saw a ghost. She just tactfully advised Tan Xuan not to drive when he was tired and it would be better to wait until dawn before returning to Jiangzhou.
Tan Xuan knew that the girl was in a hurry to come back just to see someone for the last time, so he didn't waste her time to explain anything, so that she could see a "warm" person and didn't rush back in vain. He just warned her not to walk at night in the days when she was not feeling well, which was also a return for the girl's kind words. He appreciated the girl's kindness, but he couldn't accept it. She was afraid of ghosts, not him. If he was scared by ghosts and didn't dare to walk home at night, he would be laughed at by some people.
As the food he ordered arrived on the table one after another, Tan Xuan put all his thoughts on the present. He picked up a handful of skewers in each hand and started to eat the skewers. There were so many things in the world that he shouldn't worry about. He had his own life and the key was to take care of himself.
Are the skewers delicious? They are just so-so. Tan Xuan is not a picky person. He just wants to fill his stomach, so there is no need to be too serious. If he really cares about the taste, he will not come to such a place.
In no time, a pile of meat and vegetarian skewers were all gone. After Tan Xuanshui had his fill, he patted his stomach, paid the bill, and found a dark corner to relieve himself. Feeling relaxed, he slowly returned to the car. He planned to return to Jiangzhou under the cover of night. If he was lucky, he might even meet two more passengers who were "tired birds returning to their nests."
Before Tan Xuan even sat down in the car, he noticed a drunk man standing not far ahead on the roadside. His good professional acumen enabled him to tell that the man was drunk and was trying to take a taxi, so he immediately drove the car forward a few steps and stopped next to the man.
"Brother, where are you going? Take a car?"
"I'll go..." The man agreed and looked up at the car, but then he waved his hand and said, "Forget it, I won't share the car with others."
"Carpool?" Tan Xuan frowned. "How much did you drink? I can see double. I'm alone, buddy."
After Tan Xuan glanced at the rearview mirror, he stopped talking and slapped himself hard on the forehead.
"Oh no!"
He didn't know when three figures appeared in the back seat of the car, one virtual and two real. He was very familiar with the two figures, one in black and one in white.
"Hehe..." After the laughter, there was a burst of teasing from the back row, "What's the matter, Xiao Xuanzi, you patted your head when you saw us, are you happy or unhappy?"
The two people next to the doors on both sides are old friends of Tan Xuan. Although they have different identities and are not from the same dimension, they have been in contact with each other a lot when they worked before, and have been through thick and thin together, so they gradually became friends. The two of them are responsible for the reception work over there, and the one in the middle is obviously the one they are receiving this time. However, since Tan Xuan left his original job, he has not had much contact with the past, and has not been in contact with them.
Tan Xuan's expression changed quickly. He turned around and immediately showed a very sincere smile. "Sister Quan'er, what are you talking about? Of course I am happy, but I was too excited. Why are you here? What happened? Have you also been demoted?"
"Shut up." The woman in white called Sister Quan'er immediately stopped Tan Xuan from speaking.
The man behind Tan Xuanzheng also spoke up, "Bah, bah! Stop talking nonsense, you old mouth. Don't you know what kind of person you are? Your bad mouth is like a blessing. We are not sent back to our hometown like you. We are here on official business."
Facing the black man's warning, Tan Xuan chuckled and said in a tactless manner, "So it's a business trip. You two showed up here. I thought there were layoffs there too."
"Shut up!"
The voices of the man and woman behind him sounded at the same time. Wow, the last sentence was about demotion, and the next sentence was about layoffs. This crow's mouth was also shocking. However, their sudden shock caused the man in the middle to scream.
"What's going on with you guys?" Tan Xuan glanced at the shadowy figure between the man and woman, his face showing undisguised disdain. Tan Xuan didn't dislike his condition, but his identity. Although he drove an online ride-hailing car, not everyone could get on his car.
Sister Quaner smiled and said, "We were ordered to come out to work and accepted this newcomer. We were planning to take him back, but we didn't expect to meet you here, so we came to find you to catch up."
"Who needs the help of his brothers and sisters? And he has come so far." Tan Xuan took another look at the man in the middle. Since he had alarmed these two to come in person, it seemed that this man was not ordinary. However, looking at his wealthy appearance, confused face, weak and unstable breath, he was obviously a "newcomer". However, he did not look like a wicked person at all, and was not worth these two people's personal trip.
The black-clothed man called Gou Ge snorted and said in a muffled voice, "The higher-ups arranged for us to come and welcome this great benefactor. They said he had done many good deeds in his lifetime and they were afraid that he would suffer on the way, so they sent us here."
Tan Xuanwenyan laughed and said teasingly, "It turns out that this person is a very powerful person with a great background. He might even be the guest of honor of your leader. You must serve him well and don't neglect him."
"Bullshit!" Gou Ge snorted heavily, with deep disdain. "There are too many people seeking fame and reputation these days. They just use some tricks to deceive people and ghosts and think they are perfect. I have seen a lot of them. They do bad things and always hope that no one will know about it. They do good things and want everyone to know about it. But everyone just turns a blind eye. What service do you want? Is he worthy of it? Just go through the motions and report back. If he doesn't listen, I will still teach him a lesson. Let's see who will be uncomfortable."
"You're awesome." Tan Xuan gave a thumbs up and laughed, "Then you guys go ahead and get busy. We'll make an appointment later when you're free."
Sister Quan Er patted Tan Xuan's chair and said unhappily, "Xiao Xuanzi, what do you mean? Are you trying to drive us away?"
Tan Xuan smiled bitterly but did not deny it. "Aren't you guys working right now? Don't delay your work. We'll get together again when we have the chance."
Gou Ge, who was standing by, said, "Don't delay. We need to take him to the state to register. It's just right for us to take your car back, so we don't have to go through the trouble."
"Take my car?" Tan Xuan's face suddenly turned bitter. Sister Quan'er might be joking, but Brother Gou rarely jokes. His dark face almost had the words "I am serious" written on it. Of course, with his skin color, he would have to write white words.
"Sister Quan'er, this is a car that carries people. You and Brother Gou are friends, so just sit there. What's wrong with him?" Tan Xuan pointed at the woman in white in the middle and said, because he knew that she was the one who kept her word, so he had to reason with her.
"Him?" Sister Quan Er chuckled, "He really isn't sitting here for nothing, and you're really not pulling him for nothing."
"Not in vain? Am I my relative?" Tan Xuan curled his lips, "Why, you two took the trouble to pull him out of my family's ancestral tomb? If so, that would be great, thank you two, it's just that you took the trouble to take me to identify the grave."
Tan Xuan didn't believe that the man had any relationship with him, because he was an orphan, raised by his master since childhood. Even his surname was given by his master based on the only sandalwood ball pendant he wore. He had no idea who his ancestors were or where his hometown was. At most, he regarded the place where he was picked up as his hometown.
"Stop talking nonsense." Sister Quan Er scolded with a smile. She knew Tan Xiao's experience from childhood to adulthood, so she didn't explain to him any more. "Anyway, you didn't suffer any loss. You will know it later."
"What's the meaning?"
Tan Xuan wanted to ask clearly, but unfortunately the two people behind him obviously had no intention of explaining further, and the "person involved" did not even have the ability to express himself.
"If you don't want to talk about it, then forget it. Let me ask you a question." Tan Xuan knew that he wouldn't get any result, so he changed the subject.
Before Tan Xuan could even ask, Sister Quan'er spoke up, and without the playful expression she had just had, she said seriously, "Are you asking about your master's whereabouts? If so, don't ask. We don't have any news about the old man."
Tan Xuan's expression suddenly fell . Although his master had disappeared for two years, he had asked many people during that time and got the same answer. But now, after hearing this from the mouths of these two people who were not human, the little hope in his heart was reduced even more.
Sister Quan'er put her hand on Tan Xuan's shoulder and comforted him, "Xiao Xuanzi, don't worry. Although we don't know the whereabouts of Mr. Guan, this is a good thing. At least it means he is still alive."
"Yeah, think about it from another angle. Why worry about something that hasn't come to a conclusion yet? What if the old gentleman is going to find a mistress for you, and then bring you a fellow apprentice?" Brother Gou also comforted him.
"Okay." Tan Xuan nodded. It was not easy for Gou Ge to tell such an unfunny joke. No matter what, he should not entertain guests with a depressed mood.
"Are you really on a business trip this time, not here to see me specifically?"
"I'm here to work. I'm seeing you to take care of some personal matters during my free time. It's nothing serious." Brother Gou put on his cold face again and said seriously.
"Oh, I see." Tan Xuan took a deep breath and nodded, then a sly smile appeared on his face. "As the old saying goes, brothers should settle accounts clearly. Since you are here for work, you can't ride in my car for nothing."
Tan Xuan changed his attitude faster than turning the pages of a book, which made Gou Ge unhappy. His already dark face almost turned shiny. He reached out and hit the back of Tan Xuan's chair, angrily saying: "Hey! Are you planning to ask us for the fare?"
Tan Xuan didn't buy his tricks at all, and continued to laugh and said: "You are on official business, so you should distinguish between public and private. If you came to see me specially, not only would I not charge you, but we would also have a good time together. But you are on official business now, I have a friendship with you, but I don't have any ties with your superiors... We don't use public power for personal gain, but we can't lose money either, don't you think?"
Gou Ge was about to retort, but Sister Quan Er stopped him and said with a smile: "Xiao Xuanzi is right. We are taking a taxi for official business, why should we use personal connections? We should pay Xiao Xuanzi for his hard work. From here to Jiangzhou, it's late at night, so five hundred is enough."
Tan Xuan smiled happily, "You guys are still reasonable. Five hundred is five hundred. It's government reimbursement anyway. I won't be polite to you. I accept the loss. I'll give you some invoices later so you can go back and get reimbursed."
"You kid..." Sister Quaner patted the chair and laughed.
Once the deal is done, it's a deal. Tan Xuan certainly won't delay his friend's business, so he started the car and hit the road again. And there was no need to rush, the speed was much faster than when he came. Of course, the atmosphere in the car was even more different from when he came. When he came, it was dead silent, but when he left, there was singing and laughter, especially when the two heard about Tan Xiao's encounter with a ghost while walking on the road at night , they laughed so hard that they fell backwards.
"Where did this stupid thing come from? Didn't you check the almanac before going out? How dare you find a substitute to find your midnight lover? Didn't you just deal with him?" Sister Quan'er smiled coquettishly, and her pretty white face was almost blooming with laughter.
Tan Xuan shook his head. "The passengers in the car were scared to death at that time, so I didn't make a fuss. Besides, the one who showed up was just an accomplice, and the others didn't show up. I'll pass by there later, so please trouble Sister Quan'er to solve the problem. The recent incident has had a bad impact."
Sister Quan'er snorted and pretended to be angry: "I don't care if you think of your sister Quan'er at this time. It's not like you can't solve it yourself."
Tan Xuan chuckled, "I can solve it, but I'm not as professional as you are, and I've resigned now. I have no official title, and it's easy for people to think that I'm trying to catch a rat with a dog. It's totally a thankless task."
Sister Quan'er stopped laughing and looked at Tan Xiao with a look of regret. "Xiao Xuanzi, your brother Gou and I knew everything about what happened back then. Don't be displeased by what I have to say to you. Don't blame your director for your master's disappearance. She has her own difficulties. She has been looking for your master's whereabouts through her channels in the past two years. Everyone knows about the relationship between you two, and everyone understands your feelings. It's enough for you to make a big scene in your bureau. Although you have resigned, you should not have any resentment, and you should not care about those things just because you are no longer in the Liangren Bureau. Don't forget, you are Muye Liangren, and it is your duty to eliminate evil."
Gou Ge at the side also said: "Yes, whether you are in the Good Man Bureau or not, when you encounter something that you should be involved in, don't choose to turn a blind eye because of your personal grudges. Mr. Guan would definitely not want you to be like this..."
Tan Xuan shook his head and smiled bitterly: "What are you talking about? I sound like a broken jar. Although I don't do my previous job anymore, I am now self-reliant and still a promising young man with ambition and ambition, okay?"
Seeing that the two did not answer, Tan Xuan could only sigh and continue: "To be honest, I don't blame anyone. My master and I lived that kind of life in the bureau. Even if something happened, it was reasonable. At most, it would be glorious. I can only blame myself for my lack of ability. It was only when things really happened that I found that I was not as strong as I expected... I have even less resentment towards our director. She has always taken good care of me and been very tolerant. She has to worry about everything in the bureau, from top to bottom. I am driving an online car-hailing car now. Not only did she find someone to help me with the procedures, but she also accompanied me to buy the car..."
"Brother Gou, Sister Quan'er, you don't have to worry about me. I just interact with people more often now, and I know a little bit about the ways of the world. I don't take action because I'm afraid of accidentally ruining other people's good deeds. After all, this is how some people make a living. It's different for you. Catching ghosts is your job, and no one can escape the blame."
Sister Quaner looked at Tan Xuan's profile for a while and let out a long sigh, "It's good that you have made up your mind. Just stop the car when you pass by."
"Then I'll have to trouble Sister Quan'er to try to get all those things in one go." Tan Xuan turned around and said with a smile.
Tan Xuan changed too quickly, making Sister Quan Er a little uncomfortable. She glared at Tan Xuan and said, "You don't need to be so long-winded about this. When have you ever seen any of my men slip through the net?"
"Yes, yes, when Sister Quan'er takes action, not a blade of grass grows. No, no, even gods and ghosts are frightened." Tan Xuan flattered without any seriousness. Anyway, there were professionals who took action to eliminate the pests, and it was free, so Tan Xuan didn't mind giving a few more words of praise from the bottom of his heart.
Tan Xuan's plan was good, but he was soon disappointed by reality. Although he had invited extraordinary helpers and capturing a few ghosts was just a piece of cake, when he arrived at the river, he found that it was clean and tidy. Not only were there no evil ghosts that were deliberately trying to make trouble and take lives, there was not even a single wandering ghost nearby.
Tan Xuan stared at the road and the river in the night, stunned, "Fuck, what's going on?"
Gou took a cigarette from Ye Shu and put it in his mouth. "I didn't smell any ghosts, nor did I find any signs of fighting. It didn't look like your companions had been here. I guess those guys were scared by your majestic figure, so they moved away overnight."
"This..." Tan Xuan was completely speechless and had no intention to refute Gou Ge's teasing.
Sister Quan'er looked at the night outside the car, her eyes flashing red, and soon returned to normal. She turned to Tan Xuan and whispered, "They left and even deliberately dispelled the ghost aura. It's obviously intentional. This is a bit abnormal. Heizi and I have official business to attend to, so we shouldn't waste time investigating. You should pay more attention in the future. Since you have come into contact with them, it's impossible for you to push it away and hide away. You can't push away the actions that you should take."
Tan Xuan glanced at Sister Quan'er who had a serious expression. Although it was unusual, he didn't take it to heart at all. He said nonchalantly, "Let's talk about the future later. If I really run into it, I won't sit idly by. Anyway, I just hope no one thinks I'm a dog trying to catch a rat."
Sister Quan'er's face darkened, "If anyone dares to object, tell him to come to me."
Hearing that Sister Quan'er was so righteous, Tan Xuan smiled and said, "Okay, I'll just listen to your words."
Since he failed to do the good deed of accumulating some merit along the way, Tan Xuan could only drive back obediently. As for whether he would really have to do it himself in the future, Tan Xuan didn't care. He would deal with it if he encountered it anyway, and he would not ignore what was his responsibility.
No matter what he said or what he did, he couldn't delay his friends' work. Besides, they were his customers, so he had to help them. The return trip was much faster than the trip in. There was nothing unusual along the way. Tan Xuan drove the three "passengers" in the car to a city god temple in the old city of Chunzhou.
After the "passengers" got off the bus, Tan Xuan said hello to them and left. As for the agreed fare, Tan Xuan did not ask for it nor did he mention it again, because he knew that since his two friends had agreed, they would not refuse to pay. It's just that they would not hand it to him personally. After all, their money was not circulated here, and they would transfer it to him in other ways.
Watching Tan Xuan's car disappearing quickly on the street, Sister Quan'er sighed, looked at the big black man beside her and asked, "Do you think Xiao Xuanzi has really come to terms with it?"
Gou snorted coldly and said loudly, "Bullshit! It's strange that he can come to his senses. Sometimes he is even more stubborn than me."
"I hope he is okay." Quan'er looked in the direction where Tan Xuan disappeared again, with undisguised worry flashing in his eyes.
Gou Ge glanced at his companion and curled his lips, "What can happen to a notorious Mu Ye Liang Ren?"
"The problems in your heart are more difficult to deal with than the problems in your life."
"If you can keep it in your heart, it's not a big deal. At least not now. It will become a big deal when you can no longer keep it in your heart."
Sister Quaner looked at her companion in surprise, shook her head, and said nothing. After a while, the two turned around, one on the left and one on the right, pulling the person they had always regarded as air into the gate of the City God Temple.
What is a Night Lover? A lover is not someone's husband, and a Night Lover is not a common husband. A lover is a good person who does good for the good, while a Night Lover is someone who appears at night, but they do not do good for the good, but do evil for the evil, and the targets they target are all non-human beings.
The streets were finally quiet in the early morning. Those people who were full of energy at midnight have now fallen asleep or gotten drunk. Only a few people are drunk on the streets. I don’t know if they are homeless or have forgotten where their home is. From time to time, they add some inappropriate roars and a few puddles of dirty things to the quiet night.
Tan Xuan drove around the streets. He did not take any more orders, nor did he look for people who were in a hurry to return home at night. He just drove slowly. The car was moving forward, but his mind returned to the past.
The night wind is cool, and endless worries fill my heart. I think silently, but my sweetheart is only in my heart.
