Married to Ke Qing

Chapter 8

Only a blind person would not have noticed that Ke Qing and I were in a rather elevated mood this morning. And so the few maids working for me looked with strange affection as we walked side by side to the living room where Bai Zhu was waiting for us. Having sent one of the maids to set the table for three with the others, we sat down opposite the doctor. And after waiting for the maids setting the table to leave, we began to talk.

- I see you have already discussed everything among yourselves. Will you share your decision? - Bai Zhu asked the question that was tormenting him.

"We decided that we would share this secret with you, but only after concluding a contract, the witness of which would be Mr. Zhong Li from the Wansheng Funeral Bureau," I stated my conditions.

"Is there any special reason for a funeral director to be a witness?" the doctor asked with interest.

"If he is the witness, then we can be sure that the terms of the contract will be fulfilled," Ke Qing replied, seeming to be able to truly believe my words about Zhong Li's true identity.

- Hmm, I have heard about this gentleman's wisdom and reliability. So I don't see any problems. - Agreed Bai Zhu.

- Excellent, then I suggest we try this wonderful breakfast prepared by our skilled chef and head to the Wansheng Ritual Bureau. However, we still need to agree on everything with Mr. Zhong Li.

Breakfast didn't take us long, so after 10 minutes the whole company was already approaching our destination when suddenly a short girl jumped out in front of me, and her bright red eyes with pupils in the shape of flowers met mine.

"Welcome to Wansheng Funeral Home, I am the seventy-seventh generation Hu Tao, buy one coffin today and we will prepare two as a gift!" the girl happily proclaimed, as if she was offering not a coffin, but an interesting trinket.

- Ahem-ahem. I hope that in the near future I will not need to buy a coffin. - I answered awkwardly. However, this is approximately how I imagined the meeting with this eccentric, but rather nice girl.

- Hmm, yes. You really are full of life, so you can't be a customer. - The girl confirmed after examining me carefully, and then she saw Bai Zhu. - That slippery guy is here too? Have you finally decided to let me put Qi Qi's unfortunate soul to rest?

"Miss Hu, we have discussed this before and more than once. I will not allow you to bury my ward alive," Bai Zhu answered politely.

- Hmm, it's not right for the dead to walk among the living. - the girl chuckled, and then, deciding not to continue the topic, she focused on us again. - So what brought you here?

"We were looking for Mr. Zhong Li. Can you tell me where we can find him?" Ke Qing asked.

- He is drinking tea in the reception area now, let's go, I will show you around. - Having said this, Hu Tao literally fluttered into the open door of the funeral home.

- Zhong Li! They've come to see you again! Try to get more money for us, because winter is coming and we need to prepare more coffins for adventurers. - Madam Hu, you should be more reserved about the topic of death.

- Hmm, there is no one who respects death more than me, so I will not be sad, but will arrange such a farewell for everyone, so that they can be happy even beyond the edge. - the girl chuckled at another moralizing. - Uncle Meng, have you prepared the leaflets yet?

- Yes, Mrs. Hu, but are you sure? It's a little...

- I am absolutely sure of my decision, let's hurry, I still want to have time to conclude a deal with the adventurers' guild! - snatching a stack of leaflets from the undertaker, the girl left the room, and we finally tore ourselves away from what was happening and concentrated on the purpose of our visit.

- Mistress Jade Balance, I didn't expect you to look for me, and in company. Please sit down and drink some aromatic tea. - A man invited us to the table, who was carefully examining us with his amber eyes, with pupils that shone like gold. Honestly, if I didn't know that in this world unusual eyes are quite common and the first thought would be that an adept was sitting in front of us.

After pouring three more cups of tea, Zhong Li turned to me. "I am acquainted with Doctor Bai and Madam Ke, but I do not know your name."

"My name is Yun Che, perhaps you knew my father Yun Jin."

- Yes, he was quite an interesting and wise man. - the archon nodded. - So what brought you to me?

"We want to conduct a transaction, the release of information beyond which can lead to many problems that can greatly affect Li Yue. And the only way out that came to my mind is to enlist your support as a witness in order to ensure the strict execution of the contract." I said.

"You're talking about a very important deal, but you want me, an outsider, to participate?" Zhong Li raised an eyebrow.

- But if you certify this contract, then my confidence will be no less than if Geo Archon himself were in your place, - I answered with a very thick hint.

"And many people know about your findings?" Zhong Li asked with a slight smile.

"Only my wife, and now Dr. Bai Zhu and his companion," I replied.

- Good. - the archon nodded. - I will be a witness, but you will also have to sign a contract with me. What is planned for the next 2 years does not include the disclosure of my everyday identity.

- I understand, but before we conclude it, we need to discuss all the conditions. - I did not refuse. In fact, I even expected that everything would be like this.

- How much you know, boy, - hissed Chang Sheng. - Even the Adepts did not know under what guise Morax walks among people.

"And I want it to stay that way for the foreseeable future," Zhong Li said.