The young woman, having slept poorly the previous night, sat on Dao Zun Tang's sofa with Xu Yan and me by her side. As her fears began to ease, she eventually leaned back and closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep after a short while.
About an hour later, Chen Yuanshan had yet to return. Feeling a bit hungry, I decided to make lunch.
"Xu Yan, stay here with this lady. I'll go upstairs and cook."
"Sure."
Xu Yan nodded in agreement.
Having bought plenty of groceries with Chen Yuanshan last time, the refrigerator was stocked with meat, seafood, eggs, and vegetables.
I started by cooking a pot of rice and then prepared three dishes: leek and egg stir-fry, spicy pork stir-fry, and braised cod with miso.
Once the dishes were ready, I called Chen Yuanshan.
"Master Chen, lunch is ready. Will you be coming back for it?"
"I won't be able to make it back for lunch; I've been warmly invited to eat elsewhere. I'll return after lunch. You don't need to wait for me."
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
"Oh, by the way, a woman came to Dao Zun Tang, claiming to have encountered a ghostly phenomenon called 'ghostly wall-hitting.' She's been waiting for you here."
"Alright, I got it. I'll finish my meal as soon as possible and head back."
Chen Yuanshan acknowledged and hung up.
I went downstairs and saw the lady still sleeping. Xu Yan was sitting on the sofa, focused on reading the "Book of Changes."
"Xu Yan, lunch is ready. Let's eat."
I called Xu Yan from the middle of the stairs.
"What about her?"
Xu Yan pointed at the sleeping young woman, asking me.
"Maybe you can wake her up. She can join us for lunch. I've made enough for three people. I called Master Chen, and he won't be back for lunch."
Xu Yan nodded in understanding and gently nudged the young woman.
"Sister, it's already noon. We've prepared lunch. Would you like to join us?"
"Sure."
The young woman, without hesitation, agreed. Xu Yan thought she might politely decline, but she surprised us with her straightforward acceptance.
On the second floor, I served three bowls of rice on the dining table. The young woman sat down, picked up her chopsticks, and started eating heartily.
After finishing our meal, we sat at the table and chatted.
"Are you two a couple?"
The young woman asked Xu Yan and me.
Xu Yan and I exchanged glances and shook our heads, indicating that we weren't a couple.
"I thought you were. When you two find partners in the future, make sure to choose wisely. If you're compatible, be together. If not, don't force it. Being together won't lead to happiness."
The young woman shared her story after expressing her thoughts. Her name was Jiang Yulin, 32 years old, divorced with a son living with her ex-husband's parents.
She told us about her ex-husband's infidelity, which led to their divorce. After the separation, she gave the new house to her ex-husband and kept the old one for herself.