Chapter 23: The Car Accident

Stepping out of the courthouse, I said, "See? I told you, we’re perfectly fine."

An Mingshan replied, "Uh..."

However, I clearly heard Jiang Ruyu mutter, "Since the authorities won't uphold justice for the people, I’ll take matters into my own hands!" Although it was very soft, I still caught it. I didn't pay it much mind, a lapse that nearly led to a catastrophe.

As An Mingshan and I were chatting about where to grab a bite, I heard her scream, "Get out of the way!" She shoved me several meters, sending me sprawling to the ground, followed by a sharp cry of pain. I had barely scrambled up and found my footing when I was knocked down again. I looked up and saw that An Mingshan had been thrown onto me! My heart shook; I never expected her to risk her life for mine. I helped her lie down slowly, wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth with my sleeve, only to realize she had been struck by a car. I hurriedly called for an ambulance and the police, all the while calling her name to keep her from losing consciousness.

Five minutes later, outside the operating room of the Chengyang City First People's Hospital.

I was frantic and lost, so I called Liu Shan and told him to get to the hospital immediately. But after a few minutes, while Liu Shan was still nowhere to be seen, the doctor emerged. She asked, "Who is the patient's family member?"

In my desperation, I blurted out, "I am! Is there anyone else here? I am!"

The doctor said, "The patient has lost a dangerous amount of blood and needs an urgent transfusion. The hospital is low on supplies. What do you think..."

I interrupted, "Say no more. What is her blood type?"

The doctor replied, "We’ve tested it. Type B."

I said, "That’s mine too. Use mine; consider it a voluntary donation."

The doctor nodded, "Very well, go to the laboratory for blood work."

After the draw, in Ward 203 on the second floor, Liu Shan finally arrived.

I complained, "Damn it, they took 500cc from me, nearly bled me dry."

Liu Shan scoffed, "500cc is bled dry? You’re way too fragile. Back in the day, I gave 800cc and didn't bat an eye. By the way, why are you being so proactive this time? I remember last time we did voluntary blood drives, someone only gave 200cc, right?"

I retorted, "You’re just so tough. As they say, 'Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda.' I’m just doing a good deed."

Liu Shan grinned, "Look at you, soft-hearted for a beauty, yet still trying to talk tough."

"Keep it down, you'll wake her," I whispered, glancing at An Mingshan, who lay on the bed receiving the transfusion.

"Let’s step outside. Didn't you say you had something to tell me? About her father?" With that, Liu Shan and I quietly slipped out.

Outside the ward, Liu Shan asked, "Do you remember this place?"

I replied, "No. What about it? Is it haunted?"

Liu Shan said, "This is where you two first met! How could you forget?"

"Oh, I remember now, I think that rings a bell. Anyway, what is this secret about her father that you couldn't say in front of her?"

Liu Shan lowered his voice, "If I tell you, you must not tell her, or things will go wrong."

"Don't worry, I'm a professional when it comes to keeping secrets. Tell me!"

Liu Shan hesitated, "I'm still not sure... Tell you what, go find Dr. Wang. He knows everything."

Before I could ask more, he added, "Take this, so he knows you're legitimate." I took a cloth bundle and left. Walking to the first floor, a thought struck me. I pulled out my phone and realized it was dead! I turned it on and called Liu Shan: "Hey, Fatty, where is that guy?"

Liu Shan asked, "You mean Dr. Wang? Where he is... how would I know?"

"What? Brother, where am I supposed to find him? Wait, do you have a photo of him? If you have a photo, it’ll be easier."

Liu Shan said, "You’re in luck, I actually do. I’ll send it to you."

Finally, after waiting until I thought I would wither away, Liu Shan sent the photo to my WeChat. It was a picture of Dr. Wang and An Qimin; it was just a headshot, likely taken in a rental room. But one thing stood out—this Dr. Wang and An Qimin looked far too young. The An Qimin I knew was at least fifty; the man in the photo was a completely different person. I ran to the information desk and asked. It turned out he did exist. His real name was Wang Yong, a specialist—a pediatrician! I found out his office was on the third floor.

At 4:50 PM, at Wang Yong’s office.

I knocked and asked, "Excuse me, is Dr. Wang in?"

I had barely finished when he replied, "Yes, please come in."

I entered and saw that this Dr. Wang was much older than the one in the photo; I truly don't know how the staff at the information desk recognized him.

I said, "Hello, I am Mr. An’s representative..."

Wang Yong replied, "I heard from little Liu. Do you have the item?"

I handed him the bundle. He took one look and put it away, sighing, "Sigh, truth be told, Qimin has had it very hard..."

Reader Q&A.

Question: Mr. Author, which celebrity do you like?

Answer: I like Lam Ching-ying—Uncle Nine, Taoist Priest Mao Xiaofang. His film works were the catalyst and inspiration for me to study the *I Ching* (Book of Changes), and also served as the motivation and reference for writing this novel. It was because of his films that I began reading the *I Ching*, *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio*, and other such books, which sparked the desire to write. At the same time, it laid the foundation for the professional content involved in this novel, such as divination, Bazi, Feng Shui, Taoist rituals, drawing talismans, catching ghosts, and subduing demons.

Here, the author sincerely pays tribute to the late senior Lam Ching-ying!

At the same time, the author found a poem online in memory of Lam Ching-ying:

A bowl of clear water reflects the cosmos,
A single talisman commands the spirits.
Feet treading the Yin-Yang Bagua steps,
Hands wielding a wooden sword to slay demonic souls.
Tears shed and wine spilled on the spirit's ground,
The Taoist aura endures with the gods of heaven and earth.
The red rope and glutinous rice remain today,
But the ghost-catcher of those days is nowhere to be seen.