After closing the shop that evening, Wen Ning called Lu Ming and Feng Dema over.
Feng Dema sat in the chair opposite the counter, his hands resting on his knees. Lu Ming leaned against a shelf, twirling a pen in his hand.
Wen Ning told them everything about Fang Qingqin from beginning to end.
After listening, Lu Ming waited a moment before speaking.
"Sounds like she's bound to that temple. She made a wish, they granted it, and now they've come to collect."
Wen Ning nodded.
Feng Dema sat beside them with his brows tightly knitted, his mismatched eyes looking unusually serious.
He listened intently without interrupting once, then asked a question when Wen Ning finished.
"Where's the temple? Is it far?"
"Yunxi County."
Feng Dema counted on his fingers, then slapped his thigh.
"Then let's go tomorrow!"
Lu Ming glanced at him.
"What's the rush? We need to prepare for this."
"Prepare what? Big Brother already said he'd help, so let's get going."
Wen Ning picked up his teacup and took a sip without saying anything.
Feng Dema had put it crudely, but he had a point.
"We'll leave tomorrow."
Wen Ning set down his cup.
"Lu Ming will come with me. We'll close the shop. Dema, you-"
"I'm coming too!"
"I haven't finished."
"I'm coming no matter what you say."
Feng Dema stiffened his neck stubbornly.
"She's one of us at the shop. You can't leave me out."
Wen Ning glanced at Feng Dema and stopped trying to dissuade him.
"All right, you can come too. But one condition: once we're there, follow my instructions. Don't act on your own."
Feng Dema nodded vigorously, like a chick pecking at grain.
Early the next morning, the three of them packed up and headed out.
They had just reached the