Chapter Seventy: Listening to Rain Among the Clouds

At Yun Hongliang’s enthusiastic invitation, Xiao Cheng made his way to Prosperity Hall, a respectable Sichuan restaurant. Xiao Cheng was slightly puzzled, unsure what scheme this traffic officer was up to, but he wasn’t worried. After a while of conversation, the two became familiar, and Xiao Cheng learned Yun Hongliang’s identity. Yun held a good position as a squad leader in the Pudong New District traffic police—quite a comfortable post that would be impossible to attain without some background.

During their conversation, Yun Hongliang repeatedly probed into Xiao Cheng’s identity, finally even asking outright if he knew of the reclusive Xiao family in the western suburbs. Xiao Cheng found it odd that Yun was so concerned about who he was, but he had no intention of revealing his background. He still needed Yun’s help to check traffic records and identify the person hiding behind last night’s events. If Yun knew too much about his background, it would only complicate the investigation.

Yun Hongliang’s repeated attempts to test him yielded nothing, leaving Yun somewhat disheartened. He realized that from the monk’s tone, the Xiao family was no ordinary clan; it was hardly a coincidence that he had just happened to meet Xiao Cheng. Things would require a more careful approach.

Xiao Cheng noticed the disappointment in Yun’s expression and, puzzled, asked him about it, but Yun only offered vague answers. Yun was frustrated—how could he explain such a matter to an outsider? Still, after some time talking, he found Xiao Cheng a decent person and confided that his daughter was ill. He explained that the request for an autograph had been for his daughter, though he said nothing about the old abbot.

Xiao Cheng nodded in understanding. So that was it—the daughter had been taken to every doctor, but all declared her illness incurable. No wonder Yun was disappointed and troubled.

Xiao Cheng didn’t rush to ask Yun for help investigating last night’s matter. They had only just met; it would be presumptuous to ask for favors right away. Besides, people these days were practical—without some benefit, who would go out of their way to help?

“I’ve studied some folk medicine. Why don’t you take me to see her? Maybe I can help.”

Xiao Cheng was not fond of trouble, but he found Yun Hongliang agreeable and worth befriending. If he could cure Yun’s daughter, it would be a good deed. As a cultivator, Xiao Cheng knew that many illnesses deemed incurable by ordinary people were nothing to him. If he could help, it wouldn’t take much time.

Hearing that Xiao Cheng knew folk medicine, Yun wasn’t impressed. He’d sought out both Chinese and Western doctors over the years; even the venerable abbot of Jade Buddha Temple had said there was only one way. He doubted a young man not yet twenty could cure his daughter.

Still, it would be good for Xiao Cheng to meet his daughter. As a traffic officer, Yun’s daughter loved racing from a young age. After seeing Xiao Cheng race at She Mountain, she’d become deeply enamored with the so-called “She Mountain God of Racing.” Yun thought Xiao Cheng’s visit would surely make his daughter happy.

“Heh, it’s settled then. After we eat, if you have time, come with me. I’m just getting off work.”

…

Yun Hongliang originally lived in the city, but after his daughter fell ill and needed more sunlight, he bought a house by the sea and moved his whole family there.

They drove to the coast, taking a little more than fifty minutes—the distance from Jade Buddha Temple to the shore was considerable.

Since Xiao Cheng had driven there, Yun left his police Volkswagen at headquarters and rode in the Lamborghini to the seaside. The salty sea breeze invigorated Xiao Cheng.

This was a quiet fishing village. After the clamor of Hu Hai City, arriving here felt like entering a paradise.

“Look, that’s my daughter!” Yun pointed out the window.

Following his gesture, Xiao Cheng saw, through a row of coconut trees, a girl of about thirteen or fourteen on the beach.

It was afternoon; the sun hung low in the sky, casting golden light over the sparkling sea.

The girl, wearing a baseball cap and a green dress, ran barefoot along the sand. It was low tide, and a series of cute footprints marked the wet shore. A plump, lively Saint Bernard followed behind her. When a wave washed up and licked her pale feet, she burst into a string of bell-like laughter.

What a lively child—how could such a girl be mortally ill? Watching her, Xiao Cheng couldn’t help but feel fondness; she had an infectious energy that brightened one’s heart.

“Hey! Tingyu, come see who’s here to visit you!” Yun rolled down the window and called out.

The girl’s name was Yun Tingyu—a beautiful name. Upon hearing her father’s voice, she turned around, saw him, and immediately ran over.

Dressed in green with a playful cap, Yun Tingyu was a pretty, adorable girl, radiating freshness and vitality. Had Yun not told him, Xiao Cheng would never believe this was a terminally ill child.

“Dad, why are you home so early today? And who is this big brother?” Yun Tingyu asked with a smile, her large eyes curving into crescents, her lips parting to reveal two mischievous little tiger teeth.

“I got off work early just to bring this big brother to see you.” Yun had gotten out of the car and led Tingyu to the Lamborghini, pointing at the license plate. “Look at the plate, then guess who this is.”

Tingyu glanced at the plate—BC748—and was momentarily stunned as realization dawned. She stared at Xiao Cheng, shyly hiding behind Yun, peeking out with wide, sparkling eyes.

Xiao Cheng couldn’t help but laugh. She truly was an endearing girl.

“Big brother, are you the She Mountain God of Racing? The one who broke the record that night and finished the course in twenty-five minutes?” Yun Tingyu’s face flushed with excitement.

“Heh, that’s me!” Xiao Cheng admitted. Even if he’d cheated to win that time, cheating was a kind of skill too.

“Is it really you?” Tingyu hopped with joy. She’d intended to ask for an autograph, but realized it was nothing compared to the chance before her. Now that the racing god was right here, she’d be remiss not to ask for a spin. She smiled bashfully and asked in a timid voice, “Big brother, could you take me for a drive? At the fastest speed!”

“Heh, that’s doable, but first let me check you over—after all, I’m a doctor.” Xiao Cheng hesitated to mention her illness, but since he was here, he had to see for himself. Such a sweet girl, suffering from a terminal disease.

At the mention of her illness, Tingyu’s mood hardly changed; she remained remarkably calm.

Xiao Cheng gently took her slim hand, pressed a finger to her wrist, and sent a current of true energy into her body. As it circulated, his brow furrowed—her condition was indeed grave.

“The illness is rather complicated,” Xiao Cheng sighed, turning to Yun Hongliang.