Chapter 12: A New Arrival

Lin Zixuan, Ding Jiayin, and Du Xiaojing were the first to arrive at the Furen Guesthouse, followed by four young men. Sima, Lu Yuan, and Shen Yihe, however, were still nowhere in sight. Lin Zixuan instructed everyone to go ahead and check in at the front desk. Just as he pulled out his phone, a call came through from Sima, who reported that they had been involved in a car accident near the Second Ring Road. Their taxi had been rear-ended by a Toyota Camry; the collision was severe enough to knock off the bumper. They were currently waiting for the traffic police to arrive and anticipated a delay.

What an unexpected misfortune! Lin Zixuan felt a pang of anxiety but was somewhat relieved that the car hit from behind was a taxi. Regardless of who was at fault, it wouldn’t affect the passengers much. He comforted Sima, advising him to be patient and cooperate with the police, and to call him if any issues arose.

After hanging up, Sima’s eyes fell on the offending vehicle. The driver of the Toyota was a young woman, a graceful young wife with delicate makeup, her brows slightly furrowed as she made a phone call. Beside her stood a little girl, who appeared to be her daughter. The girl was dressed somewhat maturely, with a delicate diamond-studded earring on her right earlobe that caught the light brilliantly. She stood straight by the streetlamp, her posture elegant and poised, as if trained in gymnastics or dance, exuding a calm and refined temperament.

Sima’s “Spiritual Gu”—a mystical entity attuned to the energy of Gu insects—became alert, sensing the presence of Gu. A chill ran through him, heightening his vigilance as he scrutinized the young woman. No, she was just an ordinary person, not a host to any “Demon Gu.” He then turned his gaze to the girl. Almost simultaneously, she looked up and locked eyes with him. Sima’s heart skipped a beat, nearly betraying his secret. The girl glanced at him briefly before shifting her attention to Lu Yuan and Shen Yihe, her eyebrows subtly rising in appreciation.

The “Spiritual Gu” not only enhanced Sima’s physical constitution but also sharpened his perception, allowing him to detect subtle emotional shifts that would have escaped him before. Although Lu and Shen were not dazzling beauties, both possessed a refined and striking charm—one scholarly and graceful, the other spirited and bold—captivating the eye nonetheless.

Despite the accident, the young wife remained calm. After finishing her call, she asked the traffic police to wait a moment. The officer, familiar with the situation, was in no rush to resolve the matter. North City was known for its wealthy residents, and a Toyota Camry was hardly an ordinary car. Fortunately, though the collision was serious, no one was injured, and the Jetta taxi had a sturdy rear end, meaning repairs wouldn’t be costly. After a short wait, the officer received instructions via radio, returned to the scene, and exchanged a few words with both parties. The young wife agreed without objection and immediately paid the taxi driver 1,000 yuan. The driver accepted the money with satisfaction, called the passengers back into the cab, and continued the journey to the guesthouse.

This was Sima’s first encounter with Chen Su’e and Chen Lian, though at the time he was unaware of their identities.

Back in the taxi, Sima called Lin Zixuan to report that the accident had been settled and they were en route to the guesthouse. After hanging up, he pondered: the “Spiritual Gu” was still in its infancy and hadn’t fully awakened; though it could sense the presence of Gu insects, it couldn’t discern their specific nature. North City was a big metropolis, likely harboring many hidden “Demon Gu.” Having just arrived without even unpacking, they had already run into trouble. Was it mere coincidence, or did the “Demon Gu” somehow attract each other?

Lin Zixuan had been waiting outside the guesthouse for quite some time. Seeing them step down from the taxi finally put his mind at ease. The trunk had been dented and jammed; the driver struggled to open it before they could retrieve their luggage one by one. These days, suitcases mostly contained clothes, not delicate electronics like laptops. Lu and Shen didn’t wear makeup or bring cosmetics either, sparing them the hassle of broken bottles from the collision. Sima paid the fare, and together with Lin Zixuan, helped carry the luggage into the guesthouse. After checking in, everyone retreated to their rooms to rest.

Lu Yu had originally booked six rooms, but since he was now studying abroad, one was left vacant—just enough for Lin Zixuan and Sima to have their own rooms. Though the Furen Guesthouse couldn’t compare with a five-star hotel, it was clean and tidy, which satisfied Sima. It was already late; after a quick shower, he fell asleep immediately.

Fatigued from the journey, everyone slept in the next day. Near noon, Lin Zixuan led the group to “Bianyi Fang” to enjoy the famous roasted duck cooked in a clay oven. Ten people ordered three ducks, expecting plenty, but it wasn’t enough. Sima’s appetite astounded them—he finished an entire duck by himself, along with a generous portion of vegetable dishes. “Bianyi Fang” was renowned for its Qianlong cabbage, bean curd, and braised eggplant, though the southern guests found these dishes less palatable—the cabbage tasted of sesame sauce, the tofu was sour, and the eggplant wasn’t tender enough. Lu and Shen barely touched their food.

After lunch, the group wandered the streets of North City but eventually got separated. Sima, Lu Yuan, Shen Yihe, and Wang Husong regrouped and decided to visit Lu Xun’s former residence at Gongmenkou in Xicheng District. Sima bought a map, studied it carefully, transferred across several buses, and inquired along the way until they reached their destination. Having been introduced to Lu Xun on the train, Lu and Shen were keen to explore his home, while Wang Husong was somewhat indifferent but willing to accompany the two “beauties” on their outing. It was Sima’s first visit too.

The residence at No. 21 Gongmenkou Street was now the Lu Xun Museum. From the exhibits, they learned that after renovation, Lu Xun only lived there for two years before moving south. He later lived with Xu Guangping and had a son with her. Lu Xun’s mother and first wife, Zhu An, continued residing there until they passed away.

Shen Yihe quietly asked, “So, was Lu Xun’s wife Zhu An or Xu Guangping?”

Sima answered, “Zhu An. Lu Xun and Xu Guangping never formally married.”

“Then why did Lu Xun never accept Zhu An?” Shen pressed.

Sima replied, “Probably because Zhu An wasn’t beautiful enough...”

Lu and Shen couldn’t help but laugh, thinking he was joking. But as they walked on, Lu found the explanation increasingly absurd and quietly asked Sima, “Is it really just about looks? Didn’t they say arranged marriages lack emotional foundation?” Sima smiled without answering, sensing it was a delicate topic. Lu seemed to understand and didn’t pursue the matter further.

The four left Lu Xun’s residence as evening approached, and Sima planned to treat them to braised pork with steamed bread. However, considering the presence of ladies who might not eat offal, he changed plans to enjoy zhajiangmian instead. At a place called “One Bowl Residence,” they sampled not only zhajiangmian but also traditional snacks like pea jelly, donkey rolling cake, stuffed intestines, fried tripe, bean curd, and fried meatballs. Sima ordered one of everything; with his hearty appetite, he managed to finish the lot.

Unexpectedly, North City seemed to be a den for “Demon Gu,” as he once again ran into an acquaintance at “One Bowl Residence.”