Chapter 40: Good for Nothing

It was twelve noon at my brother's house.

Seeing us return, my mother remarked with visible annoyance, "Why did she come back?"

My master said, "Madam, please do not be angry. Let the trivial matters of children and grandchildren be. After all, both young masters are no longer children."

My father apologized, "Forgive us for the poor hospitality. Regarding the wedding of my eldest son, Shuhua, I must trouble you for your guidance."

My master replied, "It is no trouble at all. However, as for the second son's situation, you see..."

My mother sighed, "It is a misfortune for our family to have raised such an incompetent child. Please excuse the embarrassment."

"Actually, he is quite talented," my master countered. "It is merely that the educational methods used were not suited to him, which is why he resisted the schooling provided by your family. I realized this early on, which is why I handed him over to the state for the government to supervise his upbringing. I discussed this with you years ago, and you agreed to it. I only ask for your forgiveness for taking the liberty of taking the second son under my wing..."

At this point, my father hurried over to us and asked, "Then, the brilliant disciple you mentioned earlier, could it be..." He looked directly at me.

My mother said, "How can that be? Has this brat been causing you trouble?"

My master smiled, "He currently holds an important position and is quite full of himself."

"When have I ever been full of myself?" I protested. "I am usually very humble, okay?"

My father asked, "And where exactly is he employed?"

My master answered, "He serves as a master at the Suiyi Residence, established by the organization."

My mother asked, "Isn't the Suiyi Residence something he opened himself?"

My master replied, "In the beginning, he operated it himself. Later, the organization took it over and kept him on to manage it. I heard you were unable to find it?"

"Yes," my mother admitted. "I once sent people to look for it, but they returned saying it had been turned into a convenience store."

"That was a decision made by the organization," my master explained. "They had him leave the original storefront to operate near the headquarters. Here, this is the new address for the Suiyi Residence." He handed my mother a business card. I glanced at the contents and nearly died of shock. It read:

"This shop specializes in: Fortune telling, physiognomy, Dream Interpretation of Duke Zhou, services for weddings and funerals, geomancy for homes and graves, naming and name analysis, exorcism and ghost hunting, and all related matters.

Solemn Pledge: Enthusiastic service, money back if ineffective.

Contact: ***
Phone: 138xxxx9975
Address: Suiyi Residence, No. 1 Phoenix Avenue, East District, Chengyang City."

An Mingshan remarked, "That is certainly detailed! By the way, are you really as capable as this claims?"

"This isn't even my business card," I said. "And when did I ever say I knew how to do these things? At most, I can cast a few hexagrams or look at some feng shui. Exorcism and ghost hunting? That’s Old Man Liu’s business—what does that have to do with me?"

An Mingshan asked, "Then this card..."

"You’ll have to ask my master about that," I replied.

Just then, my mother grabbed a broom from somewhere and shouted, "I’ll beat you to death, you little brat! Of all the things you could learn, why did you have to choose this?"

Seeing that she was serious, I hid behind my master in terror. "Ma... Master, look, my mother is trying to kill me!" To my surprise, my master stopped her with a single hand.

He pulled me out from behind him and scolded, "Useless! Look at your lack of spine—you’re not even as good as a girl!" I caught his drift and looked at An Mingshan, but she was sitting on the sofa, studying the business card, completely ignoring me.

My eyes darted, a lightbulb went off in my head, and I instantly put on a pitiful expression. "Master, please, talk some sense into my mother. I really do want to serve in the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs. Besides, I have yet to repay the debt of gratitude I owe you for your mentorship."

"Enough, enough, you spineless boy," my master said. Then, turning to my mother, he added, "Madam, take my advice. The second son is grown now; it is time to let him choose his own path."

"He cannot do this!" my mother insisted. "If he must work, he should do something respectable."

My master asked, "I do this for a living. Are you suggesting that what I do is not respectable?"

"I didn't mean you," my mother clarified. "I meant this brat."

My father stepped in, "Alright, alright. If the boy likes it, let him be. Look, isn't he doing fine now? Shucheng, you must remember, as a man, I hope that once you commit to something, you will see it through. Do not be like you were before, fishing for three days and drying nets for two. Anyway, it’s noon. Let’s not delay Shuhua’s wedding. Let’s go out for a meal and then check the hotel to see what still needs to be done." With that, he pulled my mother toward the door. An Mingshan kindly returned the broom to its proper place.