Chapter 38: An Unexpected Encounter with Su Yao

“We’re from the Security Department of the Film City!” they replied.

“The Security Department doesn’t bother with pickpockets and thieves, so why are you dealing with us?” I said, feigning a bad temper.

Lin Chuan smiled at the two uniformed officers. “It’s fine, if you want to check, go ahead. My little brother has a bit of a fiery temper.”

He handed over his ID card, and told me to do the same. Though I acted reluctant, I still gave it to them. They looked over our IDs, registered our information, and, finding nothing unusual, returned them and let us go.

“They’re really strict. Good thing we didn’t say anything careless earlier. But you really know how to act!” Lin Chuan looked at me.

I smiled. “You weren’t bad yourself!”

With that, we took the map and started wandering around the Film City. At the moment, though, neither Republic Street nor Chang’an Street was open to visitors, so we could only look from outside.

“Why can’t we go in here?” Suddenly, a few girls next to us asked the security guard at the gate.

“They’re filming inside. No entry allowed!” the guard replied.

Lin Chuan and I immediately understood—it wasn’t really filming, they were preparing for the market opening!

“Let’s grab some food first,” I said to Lin Chuan.

He nodded, and we found a nearby restaurant. Since the place was full, we sat at an outdoor table. As we waited for our food after ordering, I suddenly saw a woman chasing a man, looking as though he had snatched something from her.

I glanced at Lin Chuan. “Looks like a robbery. Should we help?”

“Are you sure it’s not a scene from a movie?” Lin Chuan asked suspiciously.

“I don’t know, but it doesn’t look like it. There’s no camera crew following them!” I replied.

Just as I finished speaking, Lin Chuan leapt up and rushed over. Seeing him go, I hurried after him. After becoming a Yang Envoy, and with He Yanran’s treatment yesterday, my physical condition had improved, so I ran quite fast.

Soon, I overtook Lin Chuan and caught up with the man being chased. I grabbed him, and he tried to struggle, preparing to fight, but alone he was no match for me. Before his fist could land, I had already knocked him to the ground.

“Is this a movie scene?” someone nearby asked.

“No, there aren’t any cameras around!” another replied.

“Phew, finally caught him. Thank you so much, handsome!” the girl who was robbed approached, panting.

“No problem. You’re not filming here, right?” I confirmed again.

“No, that’s exactly what this guy thought—he dared to steal here because everyone assumes it’s part of a movie, so no one stops him. Luckily you were here, thank you!” The girl was polite, and attractive, dressed like someone from a wealthy family.

But as she took back her stolen bag, she said something to the thief that surprised me. She had seemed ladylike, but suddenly she spat, “Tired of living, are you? You dare steal from your daddy? Believe me, I’ll make you regret it!” She kicked the thief as she spoke.

Seeing a girl refer to herself as “daddy,” I was stunned. Lin Chuan, meanwhile, was itching to interrogate, as was his habit, and looked a bit constrained.

“Have you called the police? Let’s hand him over to the constables,” I said to the girl.

“No need, I’ll have my people take him away,” she said boldly.

Soon enough, several men in black suits and sunglasses arrived. Seeing this, I realized she must be a wealthy girl out for fun, bringing four bodyguards with her.

After the thief was taken away, the girl turned to Lin Chuan and me. “Thank you both. Everyone thought it was a movie scene, but you two stepped in. Let me treat you to a meal.”

“No need to thank me, it was him who caught the guy,” Lin Chuan replied.

“You just weren’t as fast as this handsome fellow, but I saw you were the first to chase after him, so thank you both. Come on, I’ll treat you!”

“No need, we’ve already ordered our food over there,” I said quickly.

“Already ordered? Then let’s eat at your table, I’ll pay for it!” she said cheerfully.

Lin Chuan and I exchanged a helpless glance, but since we had time and there was no harm in sharing a meal, we agreed to let her join us.

“Waiter, another set of chopsticks, please!” she called out as she sat down.

She was generous and easygoing, making both Lin Chuan and me feel comfortable. I asked, “Are you here for fun too?”

“Yes!” she replied.

“Are you alone?” Lin Chuan asked.

“Yes, but with those bodyguards, there are five of us,” she said with a touch of resignation, then quickly asked about us, “By the way, I’m Su Yao. I haven’t asked your names yet!”

“I’m Zhang Xiaobei,” I answered.

“I’m Lin Chuan,” he said.

“Thank you both again. Do you drink? My treat!” She suddenly changed the topic.

“No thanks, I’m a bit allergic to alcohol,” I replied, truthfully—tonight we had things to do, Lin Chuan and I couldn’t afford to drink and risk messing up.

Seeing me refuse, Su Yao turned to Lin Chuan. “Brother Lin, what about you? If you drink, I’ll join you!”

“I can’t either, I have to drive,” Lin Chuan said.

“All right! I was hoping to thank you with a drink, but since you both don’t, let’s forget it. If you ever come to Nanjiang, call me and I’ll treat you to a proper meal!” Su Yao said generously.

She mentioned Nanjiang, and I asked, “You’re from Nanjiang?”

“Yes!” she replied.

Hearing this, Lin Chuan and I exchanged a glance. I wasn’t sure if he caught my thought, but I suspected Su Yao might also be here for the black market. Her behavior didn’t match that of a typical girl her age.

But why would a girl come to the black market?

Since I didn’t explain my question, Su Yao asked, “Is there something about me coming from Nanjiang?”

“No, just a coincidence. I used to live there too, and will be going back soon,” I told her.

“Really? That’s great! Get in touch when you’re there, I’ll show you around!” she said again with genuine generosity.

She kept offering to treat us, making me feel a bit embarrassed. “You’ve already treated us, how can we let you keep spending money?”

“It’s nothing. Besides, if it weren’t for you two, I’d have lost something very important in my bag today, so I should thank you!” she said breezily.

Though I wasn’t sure if her “important thing” was a black market pass, I figured it probably was. But it wasn’t something I could ask about, so I said nothing more.

Just then, our food arrived. “Let’s eat. We haven’t been here long, and after lunch we plan to look around some more,” I said.

“Alright, I have things to do later, so I won’t stay long. But if you come to Nanjiang, be sure to contact me!” Su Yao reminded me.

I nodded, and we chatted idly as we ate. Su Yao wanted to stay longer, but her bodyguard came over and whispered something to her. She didn’t even finish her meal before going to pay the bill.

“Xiaobei, Brother Lin, take your time. I’ve settled the bill, but I have things to do, so I’ll head off now!” she said after paying.

“Alright!” Lin Chuan and I both responded.

After Su Yao left, we ate in silence, then moved aside and began to talk. “She’s probably going to the black market too.”

“Yeah, that’s what I think,” I replied.

“But I don’t get it. She looks about your age—what’s she doing here?” Lin Chuan wondered, gazing toward Republic Street.

“I’m not sure either. But her surname is Su, and her family seems wealthy. If we look up the rich Su families in Nanjiang, we might find out something,” I suggested.

He chuckled and patted my shoulder. “Not bad, Xiaobei. You’ve got some talent for our line of work—never let a suspect slip away.”

“Is that so? Will you officially enroll me then?” I joked.

“Sure, but it’s not up to me. You’d have to pass the exam!” he replied seriously.

I was just joking. In a couple of days I’d be heading to Nanjiang, and I wouldn’t pass anyway. With only a high school diploma, I wasn’t qualified to sit the exam.

We dropped the topic and went to Chang’an Street, but it was blocked off too, supposedly for filming.

It wasn’t as strict as Republic Street, though. With a local’s help, we slipped inside, paying twenty yuan for the privilege.

Inside, some places did look like a movie set, since all the vendors on the street were wearing ancient costumes.

“Do you think they’re filming?” Lin Chuan asked me.

“Looks like it, but it’s not. Did you see the stuff on those stalls? Peachwood swords—used to ward off ghosts!” I whispered to him.

“Want one? I’ve seen in those shows that ghost hunters always carry them. If you want, I’ll buy one for you!” Lin Chuan leaned over with a grin.

I glanced at him and shook my head. “I don’t need it, and I don’t know how to use it.”

“Why? Aren’t you—”

“I’m a Yang Envoy—I guide ghosts who don’t want to leave the world to the underworld. I’m not a ghost hunter, those people have teachers, they know the rituals and spells. I don’t,” I explained honestly.

He still looked confused, so I didn’t bother to explain further. Just then, a female ghost suddenly appeared in front of me, blocking my path.

I had no idea what she wanted, or if she knew who I was.