"I'll be going, then, senior. I'm really sorry."
"It's fine. Just remember to send me the money."
"Of course, of course."
"Send a little extra."
"That..."
"Haha. Go on, go on. I have a feeling we'll meet again."
"I do too."
"Off you go."
"Okay."
"..."
"Oh, senior, I found three Sword Pigs lying here, not moving! Did they eat poisonous grass and keel over? We can split them."
"Hmm..."
"Oh, there's a Restraining Seal around them. Why would there be a Restraining Seal? Never mind, I can break it!"
"..."
"You take two, senior, and I'll take one. How's that?"
"..."
"Senior, why are you looking at me like that?"
"They're mine."
"Okay, goodbye, senior... Oh, wait! Have you heard Highness Cinnabar's 'Rice Field'?"
"I know the song about childhood dreams."
"Okay, goodbye, senior."
Chen Shu sat back down, propped his chin on his hand, and watched her figure slowly recede. Faintly, he heard her voice:
"All right, all right. Don't be angry.
"I know how to sing that song now. You might think I only asked one question, but it opened up all the nerves in my brain. I remember everything now.
"Oh, and I had someone look into it. Several of the good new songs lately came from a hidden sect.
"It's called the Chinese Music Sect.
"I'm already looking for it.
"Once I find that hidden sect, I'll serve them tea and water if I have to. Then you'll have more new songs than you can listen to.
"Give me a smile. Fame and fortune aren't the goal..."
A smile tugged at Chen Shu's lips.
Once she was gone, he checked the time. It was about time to prepare dinner.
His days kept getting easier, while Brother Jiang's kept getting harder.
Brother Jiang really earned his