Records of the Halls of Ten Thousand Affairs: Chapter 5 The Grievance of the Drudging Soul (Part 1)

Records of the Halls of Ten Thousand Affairs: Chapter 5 The Grievance of the Drudging Soul (Part 1)

Chen Jiu nearly plopped back down when she caught a glimpse of what Xu Xin had pulled out of her bag.

Does this girl think I’m some heartless swindler? She even brought the house deed!

Heading to her small dining table, Chen Jiu said, “There’s a form in the drawer beside you. Fill in Li Mengran’s details.”

Xu Xin nodded and began filling it out. After writing several lines, she felt odd it looked just like a job application resume.

Chen Jiu did not admit she’d printed it from a random online template. Rather than waste leftover paper, she repurposed it. For living clients, resumes worked; for ghosts, only birth dates and horoscopes sufficed.

“Just fill in the basic info,” Chen Jiu said, shoveling instant noodles at incredible speed.

Xu Xin frowned slightly and finished the form carefully. By the time she looked up, Chen Jiu had already wiped her mouth with a tissue and finished eating.

Silence fell. The streets grew quiet. Xu Xin gripped her pants nervously, as if awaiting judgment.

Gifted with innate talent, Chen Jiu cast the divination swiftly second-best in her sect. She tossed six copper coins. They clattered, spinning and rolling across the table. The moment they settled, the answer revealed itself.

“Li Mengran’s death… was natural,” Chen Jiu said, picking up the coins and glancing at Xu Xin.

Xu Xin froze. After a long pause, she shook her head. “No way.”

Sadness washed over her. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She looked confused yet stubborn. “Please… cast it again. Is your divination reliable? I don’t believe it, but… please try again.”

Chen Jiu studied her for a moment. “Three days ago, you fell and scraped your knee outside the company. A month ago, you lost your wallet; it’s still in the southeast corner of your home. A few months ago, a family member passed away, and you dreamed of them for seven nights straight.”

Xu Xin stared in shock, then collapsed onto the table and burst into tears.

Chen Jiu waved at someone watching from the second-floor railing. Xiaoxuan stretched lazily, trotted down the stairs, and nuzzled Xu Xin’s feet.

When Xu Xin didn’t look up, the cat hopped onto her lap, kneading her legs gently with its paws.

Gradually, Xu Xin’s sobs softened. “What’s its name?” she asked through tears.

“Chen Xiaoxuan,” Chen Jiu replied. “Chen with the ear radical, Xiao as in small, Xuan meaning mystery.”

Wiping her tears, Xu Xin sat up and stroked the cat. “It sounds like a child’s name.”

“Pets occupy the Palace of Children in destiny charts. Giving them a proper name helps bind karmic ties for future lives,” Chen Jiu smiled—a genuine one this time.

Xiaoxuan let out a long, triumphant meow.

After playing with the cat, Xu Xin felt slightly better. “I’ll pay you.”

Chen Jiu cleared the table casually. “Scan the QR code on the wall. This reading is only 88 yuan.”

Xu Xin froze. “But you said life-and-death divinations…”

“I raised the price,” Chen Jiu said flatly.

Xu Xin quickly scanned the code. At the door, she turned back and bowed deeply to Chen Jiu.

Time passed quickly. It was now the seventh day after Li Mengran’s death the day her spirit was supposed to return. Her parents still fought fruitlessly for compensation. Negotiations between the family and DH Company dragged on.

DH dared not send official representatives. Instead, they asked Xu Xin and Li Mengran’s direct supervisor, Zhou Xu, to offer condolences as personal friends. Driving there, Xu Xin noticed dark circles under Zhou Xu’s eyes he clearly hadn’t slept well.

“We’re here, Manager Zhou,” Xu Xin said softly, waking him from his daze.

Zhou Xu looked disoriented, caught between dreams and reality. “You go in first,” he said. “I need a cigarette.”

Xu Xin hesitated but dared not disobey.

“Wait,” Zhou Xu handed her a white envelope. “From the company for her parents. Be careful with your words.”

Xu Xin felt its thinness with her fingers probably only one or two thousand yuan.

“Okay.” She nodded reluctantly. It was obvious they wanted her to be the scapegoat.

Turning around, her expression fell. She followed other guests into the Li family home dejectedly.

Surprisingly, the elderly couple treated her gently. Their expressions shifted subtly upon hearing her name.

“Mengran often spoke of you on the phone,” Mother Li said, studying her as if looking through her. “She never had many friends, especially after starting work.”

Xu Xin felt tears welling up.

“Don’t just stand there. Come in for tea,” Father Li said.

Xu Xin handed them two envelopes: one was her own personal donation, thick with cash; the other was DH’s meager condolences.

Father Li sighed. “Why bring so much? You’re still young and just starting work.”

Unable to hold back her tears, Xu Xin quickly pressed the envelopes into their hands and ran outside.

She hurried back to the car, where Zhou Xu stood smoking his second cigarette.

“What’s wrong?” Zhou Xu asked, handing her a tissue.

Xu Xin wiped her tears silently. Zhou Xu watched her, cigarette in mouth.

After a moment of silence, she suddenly looked up. “Manager Zhou, were you working overtime with Mengran the night she fell?”

Zhou Xu burned his fingers with ash, frowning sharply. “What are you implying?”

“Nothing,” Xu Xin said, voice trembling with grief. “I just want to know what happened to her before she died. No one kills themselves without reason. Please tell me. I won’t say a word. I know it’s confidential, but…”

“Calm down, Xu Xin,” Zhou Xu interrupted coldly. “I know her death hit you hard, but don’t suspect everyone. Everyone handles pressure differently. The whole team worked overtime. Why did only she break down? No one knows but her.”

Xu Xin’s temper flared, but she couldn’t find the right words to argue. She simply stared at him.

Zhou Xu made a dismissive gesture. “I’m exhausted too. I still have work to do and need to explain rumors to my superiors. I feel wronged too.”

Xu Xin knew the rumors were cruel: that Li Mengran had slept with Zhou Xu for promotion. She knew her friend was nothing like that.

Irritated by her persistent stare, Zhou Xu snapped, pointing directly at her. “If you still think I’m responsible, find evidence yourself. Don’t falsely accuse me.”

Frightened by his fierce gaze, Xu Xin’s hands trembled. Her eyes turned red. Summoning courage, she retorted, “If you’re innocent, why are you angry? Are you guilty?”

Enraged, Zhou Xu raised his hand to slap her.

Suddenly, a stone flew out of nowhere, hitting his wrist hard. He stumbled back, clutching his hand in pain.

“Damn it!” he roared. “Who did that?!”

Xu Xin opened her eyes wide. Both scanned their surroundings. A face suddenly hung upside down between them, long hair swaying eerily.

Gazing at Zhou Xu, the face said coldly, “Why so anxious? You don’t have much time left anyway.”

Screaming, they stumbled backward. Chen Jiu somersaulted down from a tree branch, Xiaoxuan leaping onto her shoulder. The pair walked away nonchalantly.

Delighted to see her, Xu Xin hurried after her. Before she could speak, Zhou Xu blocked Chen Jiu’s path, furious.

“Who are you? What did you mean by that? Explain yourself!”

“Have you been dreaming of dead people lately?” Chen Jiu asked calmly.

Cold sweat broke out instantly on Zhou Xu’s forehead. A chill ran down his spine. “Who are you?! Did you investigate me?!”

Chen Jiu slapped his pointing hand away, frowning. “Do you always point at people when you talk?”

Emboldened by Chen Jiu’s presence, Xu Xin stood beside her. “This is Master Chen from Wanshi Zhai! Her divinations are extremely accurate. Watch your tone!”

Realization dawned on Zhou Xu. He glared at Xu Xin. “So you hired her?”

“Stop jumping around, brother,” Chen Jiu said. “Your dark facial lines extend all the way to your life palace. Death energy has entered your body. Within one day at the fastest, seven days at the slowest… you will face bloody disaster.”

Zhou Xu sneered. “How much did she pay you? In this day and age, you’re spreading feudal superstition. I’ll call the police!”

“Very well,” Chen Jiu smiled faintly. “Let me elaborate. In your dreams, there’s a child standing with his back to you in the corner. No matter how you call him, he never replies, does he?”