Chapter 66: The Phone Call

"So much time has passed?" I checked my phone and saw that the date had skipped two days, and it was still noon.

There were several missed calls on my phone—from Han Shanshan, Zhang Xiaofei, and even Senior Brother, along with a few unknown numbers.

My expression changed as I looked over at Jiang Han, who wore a troubled expression. Song Wanyi looked as though she wanted to write something down, but she decided to wait until I had digested the current information first.

There were two or three unread text messages that I hadn't checked yet, so I tapped on them casually.

"Remember to eat something when you wake up. There are groceries in the fridge. —Zhao Qian"

"Hey, why aren't you answering my calls? I need to talk to you about something! —Han Shanshan"

"Xiaotian, give Mom a call."

Seeing that the text was from my mother, I was startled and quickly called her back. "Hello, Mom, what's up?"

"Oh, nothing much. It's just Xiaoxue. She said she wants to come here and help me out for a month during her summer break, so I'm letting you know. She has already arrived." My mother told me.

Yu Xiaoxue actually went to my mother's place? I was taken aback. "Oh, alright then. It's pretty boring for her here anyway. I'll pick her back up when the semester starts."

"Mm-hm. Well, take good care of yourself over there, and call me if anything happens. Xiaoxue is right next to me; you should talk to her." My mother said.

"Brother Tian! You're awake? I'm at Aunt's place right now, don't worry! I already told Sister Zhao Qian last night. It was too boring over there, so I ran over to help Aunt out." Yu Xiaoxue told me happily.

Actually, how could I not understand? Yu Xiaoxue had been staying in the villa all by herself, and since it was the holidays, she didn't have any friends to hang out with. City kids all had their own social circles, and I was worried that someone might lead her astray. Having her help my mother was a good idea, especially since I was so busy I barely had time to catch my breath.

"Alright then, just sleep in my room when you get there. In a few days, when I have time, Sister Zhao Qian and I will come visit you." I told her.

"Okay, bring me a gift when you come." Yu Xiaoxue said cheerfully from the side.

"Alright, I'll hang up first; I have a lot of things to take care of here." I knew Yu Xiaoxue went to my mother's place because she didn't want to become a burden to me, and she wanted to help manage the business. After all, my mother's side was quite busy, and I wouldn't feel at ease leaving her alone.

I called Han Shanshan. "Looking for me? Make it quick."

"You're finally willing to call me back? Let me tell you! Zhao He is already out of the detention center. You'd better keep an eye on him." Han Shanshan said on the other end of the line.

Hearing this, I frowned. It seemed Ren Yun was truly determined and had already gotten her son out. From my perspective, staying in the detention center wasn't necessarily a bad thing, as it would have helped him avoid the Wang family's retaliation. Now, Ren Yun might be happy, but Wang Cheng would definitely not let Zhao He off the hook; he might even try to destroy him completely.

"Come on! Couldn't you have just let him stay in the detention center a bit longer? Don't you know what kind of trouble he'll face now that he's out?" I frowned.

"I'm just a minor detective; how am I supposed to manage all of that? Captain Huo signed the release papers, what does it have to do with me? I'm just giving you a heads-up, so... that's that. I'm busy." Han Shanshan knew I wouldn't be happy, so she hung up on me directly, figuring I wouldn't just sit idly by anyway.

For Zhao He to pop back out at a time like this—wasn't that just disgusting the Wang family? I called Zhao Qian, and it took a while before she answered.

"Qian, are you with your brother?"

"Yes, Brother Tian, he's right next to me. My dad, mom, and I are having lunch at a restaurant. I saw you were still resting, so I didn't dare wake you up. Do you want to come over now? I left the car for you, you know." Zhao Qian told me. It was very quiet on her end; she was probably in a restroom or somewhere similar.

That must have been it. She certainly wouldn't dare mention that I was still staying at my house in front of her mother.

"Keep an eye on your brother, and call me if any trouble comes up. I won't come to the restaurant; I have some things to take care of." I could only sigh.

"Oh, okay. I made something delicious for you, it's in the fridge, make sure you eat it, okay?" Zhao Qian said.

"Alright, thank you." After I said that, I hung up the phone, my brow furrowed deeply. If the Zhao family could live in peace from now on, I wouldn't believe it. The Wang family was never full of good people; hiding in the police station was the only way to stay alive, and running out now was a recipe for disaster.

I was just about to call Senior Brother Hai to see what he wanted when my phone rang. I checked the caller ID—it was Lei Qing. I answered it immediately. "Lei Qing, what's up? Has the Wang family made any unusual moves?"

"Ah? Brother Tian, you calculated that even before I said anything? Awesome! Well, isn't that the truth? Wang Dong has already put the word out, telling us to block Zhao He and catch him if we see him. Old Man Wang got so furious today that his blood pressure spiked and he ended up in the hospital. The Wang family says they're bringing in outside help to deal with Zhao He for good!" Lei Qing sounded anxious on the other end. At least he had the heart to notify me.

"Alright, I get it. Thanks a lot this time. Whatever you need in the future, I'll look out for you—though only up to matters of life and death." Providing help in times of need was rare, and Lei Qing's actions already constituted a gesture of allegiance. I had to show some appreciation. In reality, Lei Qing was only a minor boss under Wang Dong and had his own little schemes, but I chose not to expose him for now. Seeing him work so hard for me would have major benefits.

"Brother Tian! What are you saying? Given our relationship, of course I have to tell you! Not only that, I've told all the brothers under me not to make a move on Zhao He yet, but to notify me first." Lei Qing patted his chest heavily on the other end.

"Very well, I owe you a favor." I said. Setting aside the connection through Zhao Qian, Zhao He was still an acquaintance of mine in the county. If it was within my power, I didn't want anything bad to happen to him either.

After giving a few more instructions, I hung up with Lei Qing and immediately called Senior Brother Hai. "Senior Brother, were you looking for me?"

"Junior Brother! You've got to get over here! We're at Little Xuanduan Teahouse, and a few old fellows are drinking tea! Didn't I mention this to you before? Hurry, hurry, hurry! I've already called twice, why did you sleep until this hour? I'll give you half an hour! Something big is happening!" Senior Brother Hai urged me. In the background, I could hear the chatter of many people, along with the loud laughter of some middle-aged women.

Hearing the words "Little Xuanduan," I got goosebumps all over. It would be a miracle if it was actually anything important, but I quickly agreed and told him I would be there soon.

Just as I hung up on Senior Brother Hai, I saw two missed calls from another line, so I called back.

"Brother Tian! I've missed you to death, brother! After being locked up for days, I'm finally out! We have to grab a drink and calm our nerves!" Zhao He's booming voice came through the phone. It seemed Zhao Qian had already told him I was awake.

I was utterly speechless regarding Zhao He, but now wasn't the time to scare him. Having spent several days locked up, he had suffered enough. Perhaps things weren't as serious as I imagined, so I said to him, "Alright, it's good that you're out. We can talk about drinking tonight; I need to go see Senior Brother Hai in a bit."

"Oh! Great! Then should I bring a few bottles of good wine to find you tonight?" Zhao He asked immediately.

"Fine, see you tonight then." I had no choice but to nod. Originally I wanted to refuse, but seeing how excited he was, I could only agree.

I looked over at Jiang Han, who had been waiting for a long time with a bitter expression on his face, though I didn't pay attention to him right away. My two little ghost treasures were still hungry.

Extending my finger, I decided to feed Xijun blood first.

Afraid that Song Wanyi would scold her again, Xijun looked over at her. Song Wanyi checked my forehead with her hand and nodded once she felt my temperature was normal.

Actually, I checked my own body and found that I felt uncomfortably hot and flushed. I figured it was just my blood pressure rising due to all the sudden troubles piling up.

Old Man Wang's physique could explain his high blood pressure, but why was my blood pressure spiking when my body was deficient in vital energy?

While I was deep in thought, Xijun bit my finger. Feeling the pain, I looked down at her, but she just blinked her innocent eyes at me with a blank expression. I could only smile back.

After Xijun finished licking the wound, she wore an expression of lingering satisfaction, but soon she showed an excited look. Her eyes grew much brighter, especially the red rings around them, which became much more distinct. The scars left from absorbing too little vital blood previously had completely vanished now.

Excitedly, she lunged at me and wrapped her arms tightly around my neck, refusing to let go.

Song Wanyi stared in shock, looking back and forth from Xijun to my finger.

"Your turn." Unsure of what was happening, I could still sense that something was amiss. It seemed my vital energy had truly recovered? Sleeping for two days seemed to have done wonders for my recovery.

Song Wanyi gently lifted my hand with both hands and squeezed my fingertip slightly. A purplish-red drop of blood appeared before my eyes. Staring at it, I was stunned on the spot!

"This is..." I was shocked. Was I poisoned? This was clearly much more concentrated than my previous blood.

Song Wanyi's eyes lit up. She gave it a lick, and shortly after, the red rings in her eyes brightened just like Xijun's.

Seeing Song Wanyi's condition, Jiang Han stood by in a daze, looking envious and jealous as he quickly licked his lips.

Seeing this greedy expression, Xijun, who was still hugging my neck, bared her fish-scale-like teeth. She rubbed against my neck with a cold glint flashing in her eyes, her pupils turning red as she instantly took on the appearance of a predator ready to devour someone.

Jiang Han's eyes darted away, terrified that she might actually pounce, and he quickly muttered some conciliatory words.

Knowing that Jiang Han's gesture was completely unconscious, I stopped Xijun from taking any further action.

Xijun had been well-behaved just a moment ago; why did she become so bellicose right after absorbing my vital blood? Could it be that something extra had been added to my blood?

"Blood of the Dao lineage, essence of vitality. Congratulations, my Master, for inheriting the Dao lineage." Song Wanyi wrote down those words excitedly.

"The Dao lineage of the Feeding Ghost Tao?" I frowned. Could it be that after entering the dream, Sister-in-law Goddess had passed on the Dao lineage to me? No way!

I recalled how Sister-in-law Goddess hadn't said many words, yet stubbornly led me in circles the entire way. The scenery looked like splashed ink, and wave after wave of bloody mist rolled past. If I didn't know better, I would have thought she enjoyed it.

Could it have been during that time that Sister-in-law Goddess secretly restored my vital energy and passed on the Dao lineage to me?

Thinking of Sister-in-law Goddess made my heart ache. Sister-in-law, you really are too proud. Clearly you planned everything for my sake, yet you refused to say a single extra word. If you don't say anything, how am I supposed to understand what you're thinking?