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Kwan Yin sat with benevolent countenance in the shrine, its lintel inscribed with "Buddha's Light Illuminates All," while the sides read "Buddha Appears on the Lotus Throne" and "Serenity Amidst Purple Bamboo Groves." Fresh fruits were offered beside the golden lotus.

Li Shi placed the key down and promptly lit three incense sticks, pressing them to her forehead in a respectful salute. "Please, Goddess, bless Arong with safety as he comes and goes."

Due to local customs in Hong Kong, such shrines were common in almost every household.

Chu Yuening whispered, "Who's Arong?"

Shanpo replied softly, "He's Hóngméi's adopted son, working in the school canteen. He believes in science and despises anything supernatural or bizarre. Li Shi had to do a lot of convincing for him to allow this Kwan Yin statue into their home."

Chu Yuening had a general understanding of Li Shi's situation. The woman didn't seem to be the one causing trouble, so it must be the house itself, an issue with the living space.

That was precisely why Chu Yuening was here.

Hearing this, Shanpo slapped her thigh. "I told you it had to be something about the house."

Chu Yuening turned to the dazed Li Shi. "Where are the rooms? I need to inspect them all."

Li Shi snapped out of her reverie and began opening doors. "This is Arong's room, and this used to be my late husband's. He snored, so we've slept separately for a long time. Now, we're preparing it for our second son to move in."

"Second son?" Chu Yuening found it peculiar.

"He hasn't arrived yet," Auntie Li sighed. "He's the illegitimate son of a distant cousin. They didn't want to take care of him, leaving him to fend for himself. It was pitiful. Anyway, I had spare rooms here, so I thought I might as well take him in. With extra space and food already prepared, it wouldn't make much difference."

Chu Yuening inspected several rooms in succession, eventually arriving at Li Shi's quarters. The moment she stepped inside, a chill greeted her like a cold embrace.

"Shanpo suddenly exclaimed, "Oh dear, why is this place developing mold?"

Mrs. Li leaned in for a closer look and indeed noticed a damp patch in the corner, with numerous mold spots blooming on the white wall. "How peculiar. We open the windows every day for ventilation. How can there still be such heavy humidity?"

Chu Yuening immediately spotted the withered peach blossom exuding black qi through the iron window. She turned to ask, "Who placed this flower pot here?"

Li Shi picked up a rag to wipe the vase. "It was Arong. He said that having flowers by the window would brighten one's mood."

The small window was enclosed by an iron railing, directly facing the intersection at Stone Gorge End Street.

Chu Yuening identified the issue. "Now I know why you've been having nightmares every night."

"Why?" Li Shi was puzzled.

Chu Yuening pointed to the window. "The house is situated in an official star position, and the crossing is where the ghost gate lies. All wandering spirits would enter and exit from here. Originally, with the village houses towering above each other, there shouldn't be any major feng shui issues."

Shanpo asked in quick succession, "If there's no problem, then why does Hongmei have nightmares every night?"

"Here lies the issue with this peach blossom," Chu Yuening exposed the arrangement of the flower pot. "It's precisely by the window at the peach blossom position. The ghost gate's negative energy is directly aimed at it. The occupants will surely experience relationship strife; at best, constant arguments leading to disharmony, or at worst, one partner could be severely ill, with their life in danger."

Madam Li shuddered, unable to dismiss the truth. "That's right, my husband has indeed been ill for many years."

"When the peach blossom position is affected by negative energy, it might merely impact the feelings between a couple. But..." Chu Yuening paused, looking at the blackened peach blossom entwined with dark energy, then up at the hanging bell. With a gentle breeze, the bell chimed softly as it swayed.

In that instant, Shanpo trembled and looked around, seeking answers. "Hongmei, why is this room so cold without the air conditioning?"

Chu Yuening shook her head. "Peach blossoms and wind chimes shouldn't be placed here."

"A peach blossom placed facing the ghost gate is called a 'ghost peach blossom.' Coupled with the bell, it amplifies the flow of its energy. It's like a bright light in the dark, attracting wandering spirits who, upon seeing it, would think you're holding a matchmaking event with your door wide open."

"This setup is clearly done by someone knowledgeable in feng shui. Who wants to harm you?"

Shanpo pondered for a moment, then cast a sidelong glance at Mrs. Li. "Could it be Arong? He's the one who arranged the peach blossom pot. Moreover, there aren't any peach blossoms in all of Hong Kong right now, so why would he place peach blossoms there if not for a reason?"

Mrs. Li jumped in surprise, waving her hands hastily with dark circles under her eyes. "No way. I've worked so hard to raise Arong, he wouldn't have any reason to do this to me. It must be a coincidence. Arong has always believed in science; it was probably an unintentional mistake."

After saying that, Mrs. Li cautiously inquired, "Ning Ning, will it be alright once we move the peach blossom pot away?"

Suddenly.

The wall clock indicated the stroke of twelve.

A chilling malevolence drew near.

Mrs. Li's face contorted in agony, and she fell to the ground, clutching her head and rolling around. "It hurts so much, it hurts so much!"

Chu Yuening took a step back, her expression shifting slightly. With two fingers pinching the talisman, she held it before her eyes and quickly chanted an incantation.

With a flick of her hand, the talisman transformed into a red glow and shot out through the iron bars.

"Shatter!"

In the blink of an eye.

The peach blossoms within the window withered at an astonishing speed, their petals falling onto the sill and turning into black ashes.

Chapter 12

As evening fell, the sky blazed crimson, and the light on the earth gradually dimmed.

With the meat grinder slung on her back, Su Yinyin traversed the uneven brick alleyway. A red string around her neck dangled a yellow charm, swaying left and right amidst the beads of sweat trickling down her face. Upon reaching her destination, she straightened her back and knocked on the small door.

It was a blind grandmother who opened the door, standing on the threshold and reaching out to feel her way. "Yin Yin? Is that you, Yin Yin?"

"Mother-in-law," Su Yinyin entered the room and placed the meat grinder on the floor. "It's getting dark. You should go back and rest. I still need to help Father-in-law bring the cart back."

"Be good now," Grannie said, reaching out with a trembling hand to touch Su Yinyin's face. Smiling as she wiped sweat with her handkerchief, she added, "Grannie has prepared a delicious fish soup with scallions and preserved eggs. You'll have it ready when you come back."

"Very well, Grandfather adores coriander, preserved egg, and fish soup. He'll surely be delighted to have it upon his return."

Finishing her words, Su Yinyin supported Grandma inside the house before turning back out again.