The Enduring Roots of Jinbaihan

As they made their way to Jinbaihan, Deng Shuqi’s gaze incessantly swept over Bai Wanwan, scrutinizing her from head to toe.

Meanwhile, Bai Wanwan remained engrossed in examining the bag at her side, meticulously ensuring all her necessary ‘tools’ were accounted for.

After all, Jinbaihan’s dangers remained unknown and unmitigated; only through meticulous preparation could Bai Wanwan truly find peace of mind.

Consequently, Bai Wanwan remained oblivious to the astonished gaze Deng Shuqi cast her way, her attention captivated instead by the luxurious Maybach.

To be frank, whether in her previous life or this current one, it was her very first time experiencing a ride in this vehicle, rumored to be capable of escaping even the Nibelungen.

‘It feels quite good,’ Bai Wanwan mused, secretly vowing that after her demise, she would ensure several such vehicles were burned for her use in the afterlife.

As for purchasing one in reality? ‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ she thought. If Bai Wanwan could manage to clear her exorbitant debts within the next five years, that alone would be nothing short of a miracle.

Jinbaihan was not far; within a mere fifteen minutes, the car glided to a smooth stop before the grand, opulent, and slightly ostentatious entrance of the establishment.

Given that it was daytime, and especially due to the fatality the previous night coupled with the ongoing police cordon, the entrance appeared eerily deserted.

“Master Bai, we meet again.”

Liu Guochang was already waiting patiently by the entrance. The June weather in Baishi was far from cool, and the sunlight glinted off the fine beads of sweat on his forehead, betraying the fact that he had been standing there for quite some time.

“Mr. Liu.”

Bai Wanwan offered a polite nod and a greeting. After all, he was a significant patron of her live stream, and proper etiquette was paramount.

“The talisman I spoke of last time.”

From her bag, Bai Wanwan produced a talisman meticulously drawn on yellow paper. It was clearly far more professional than the makeshift ones she had previously sketched on toilet paper.

Liu Guochang accepted the talisman as if it were a priceless treasure, carefully tucking it into a pocket close to his person.

“Please, don’t call me ‘Boss.’ Master Bai, ‘Old Liu’ will suffice. I’m afraid I’ll be troubling you this time; please, accompany me inside so we can assess the situation.”

As Liu Guochang spoke, he cast a subtle glance towards Deng Shuqi, who stood behind him. Deng Shuqi, however, was currently engrossed in scrutinizing Liu Hanzhi, who was carrying Bai Wanwan’s bag.

Gazes at the graceful beauty in the cheongsam before her, a woman who had effortlessly leaped from an upper floor and landed without a single scratch, Deng Shuqi couldn’t fathom how such a person could be so utterly devoted to Bai Wanwan.

‘Are they, perhaps, married?’

“Ahem, Miss Deng, Master Bai is still waiting. Would you mind leading the way?”

Liu Guochang cleared his throat, and it was only then that Deng Shuqi snapped back to attention, nodding hastily.

“All…all right, Master Bai, please come this way.”

As Deng Shuqi led the way, the moment Bai Wanwan stepped across the threshold of Jinbaihan, she was assailed by an overwhelming scent of blood.

Though it was unmistakably June, the interior of Jinbaihan was frigid, like an ice cavern. It was, without a doubt, the chilling temperature of the deceased.

Bai Wanwan had experienced this exact temperature before, when she’d struck Liu Hanzhi’s thigh – a bone-chilling cold, as if from an ice cave.

“This place is fraught with danger…”

Bai Wanwan surveyed the decor of Jinbaihan’s entrance. Immediately upon stepping inside, they were greeted by an unknown statue, its face ghastly green and fanged, clutching a steel fork, and standing in a menacing, grotesque posture.

“This is a deity statue we acquired from Southeast Asia,” Deng Shuqi explained. “Before, strange occurrences were constant here at Jinbaihan, but with its presence, things remained peaceful for a considerable period.”

Observing Bai Wanwan’s apparent interest in the statue, Deng Shuqi quietly offered this explanation.

“Miss Deng,” Bai Wanwan began, “I’ve always been rather curious: is this Jinbaihan truly so profitable? Why, even after all these disturbances, are you still unwilling to close it down?”

Bai Wanwan found it difficult to comprehend. Merely from the presence of this statue, it was clear that Deng Shuqi had spared no effort, exhausting every possible means to address Jinbaihan’s supernatural afflictions.

Owing to the persistent supernatural incidents, Jinbaihan’s business had not been particularly robust.

Rather than simply discarding such a troublesome venture, she insisted on maintaining it, patching it up piece by piece as if mending a tattered garment.

Bai Wanwan couldn’t fathom her motivations.

“To be frank with you, Master Bai,” Deng Shuqi began, “Jinbaihan was the very first enterprise through which the Deng family prospered in Baishi. A respected master once prophesied that as long as Jinbaihan remains, the roots of the Deng family would endure.”

“As long as Jinbaihan remains open, the Deng family will continue to flourish.”

Deng Shuqi had always been a skeptic regarding such metaphysical matters, and to a degree, she still was. Yet, the events unfolding within Jinbaihan had compelled her to confront and, reluctantly, accept their reality.

She even found herself filled with a sense of reverence…

“And indeed, it has proven true. As long as Jinbaihan operates normally, the Deng family experiences smooth sailing in every conceivable aspect. Whether it’s newly established ventures or the academic and professional pursuits of the family’s descendants, everything genuinely thrives.”

“However, the moment Jinbaihan is shut down, even if only for a temporary closure, numerous misfortunes inexplicably plague the Deng family.”

Deng Shuqi’s expression grew solemn.

“It’s either a stock market crash or business partners absconding with funds. Yet, these are ultimately mere financial losses. What truly solidified my resolve to address this matter was an incident that occurred last year.”

“Last year, when Jinbaihan was once again embroiled in a fatality, I closed the establishment for a month. The devastating consequence was that my own younger brother was struck by a car with faulty brakes, leaving him in a vegetative state, where he remains in the hospital to this day.”

“Moreover, I would frequently encounter various inexplicable events during the night. On one occasion, I even narrowly escaped with my life.”

Deng Shuqi gestured towards the two bodyguards clad in black standing behind her.

“In the past, I never employed bodyguards; I found it far too ostentatious. But now, I am genuinely terrified…”