Ji Si had matured into a High Priest, capable of maintaining his composure with a forced smile in almost any bizarre situation, unless it was utterly unbearable.
However, on his second day on Earth, his smile gradually faded. Not only did he start reminiscing about the glorious days of the past, but he also began to see the familiar old faces of his teammates as unexpectedly youthful and charming.
He missed the team captain who loved to amass wealth, hoarding treasures like a mythical Pixiu; he missed the Nine-tailed Fox, whose flirtatious glance alone was enough to have others willingly pay his way…
With teammates around, he never had to worry about money.
A single mention of “I need yellow paper and cinnabar,” and high-quality materials would pile up; a casual query if there were any “dragon scales or phoenix feathers,” and fresh supplies would stack before his eyes.
A High Priest, skilled in all trades, was revered like an ancestor. He could fill any gap in the team and act as a reliable compass in the maze of illusions.
Effort always equaled reward—a solid creed in their team.
Thus, although he wasn’t the wealthiest member, he was the most dignified. He used a brain-computer interface, traveled in a starship, leaned on a unique cosmic scepter, and wore a singular silver-branch moon crown.
But what use were these items on Earth?
Due to insufficient technology, there was no fertile ground for a brain-computer interface; due to limited space, there was no place to park a starship; due to different beliefs, there was no opportunity for metaphysical tactics.
Unable to quickly amass wealth through conventional means or achieve his goals, even simple issues like dealing with a cellphone became an insurmountable barrier.
Left with no choice, Ji Si had to find another way.
Internet cafes were bustling hubs of activity. When he left the private booth, others would soon enter. He didn’t have a scarf, but others did. As long as messages could spread, they would eventually serve as a warning.
Ji Si chose large fonts and typed out a prophecy into a document. Finally, he pondered exporting it as an image to replace the desktop wallpaper of the computer.
When his time was up, Ji Si picked up his napkin and cola and left the internet cafe, stepping into the early morning streets.
Breakfast shops were open, and the fast-paced life brought students and workers, whose chatter and footsteps awakened the city.
Walking along the main street, perhaps because he had tied up his long hair and wore a cap, Ji Si was no longer a focus of attention.
December was cold, and wearing a white robe indeed seemed odd, but with school and work starting, who cared about a stranger’s eccentric appearance?
People hurried past, a typical scene of city life.
Ji Si entered a bookstore and spent a long time squatting there. Finally, he spent all his money on a “Self-Driving Travel Traffic Route Atlas.”
He truly intended to make his own way, walking to his destination on his own two legs.
…
When Si Nuocheng received a call from Yu Mingyang, he was still in the Magic Capital. Originally planning to rely on someone to take care of his incompetent buddy, the call came as a surprise.
His mother had arranged a blind date, “Ah Cheng, your Uncle Zhou’s niece just returned from studying abroad. Mom met her yesterday and really liked her! Why don’t you come back this week and meet her?”
The eightieth “Uncle’s niece”? Was this a selection for a concubine?
Si Nuocheng: …
Despite his arrogance, venomous tongue, and excellence that made him unreachable, he wasn’t a player nor did he maintain a pond of romantic interests.
Constant blind dates as graduation approached, his WeChat stuffed with girls of various ages, completely cut off any normal chances for love at first sight or a gradual romance. He really didn’t deserve this, did he?
To reasonably dodge his mother’s arranged date, Si Nuocheng finally appreciated Yu Mingyang’s usefulness.
The saying goes, “Raise a child for a thousand days, use him for a moment.” Although Yu Mingyang might be silly, he came through when needed. Like now, just by handing over his phone, Yu Mingyang could babble away and handle the situation.
“Aunt Shi, yes, it’s Yangyang here!”
“Yes, yes, your precious Ah Cheng is with me! Eh, Ah Cheng didn’t run off on purpose, it was… me! Yes, my fault, I forgot to tell you, I introduced him to a girl, and he came to Chengdu to see her today.”
“If they hit it off, Ah Cheng might not come back this week.”
“Ah, they are already meeting, and the atmosphere is great! Why else would I be using his phone to talk to you?” Yu Mingyang’s tone was like that of a matchmaking auntie in the neighborhood, “The girl coming for the blind date is top-notch, long hair, white clothes, exceptionally handsome… Alright, then I’m looking forward to celebrating at the wedding!”
And he laughed heartily as if he could already see the young man and maiden married, filled with the unique celebratory and flattering spirit of a community auntie.
Si Nuocheng: …
No matter how many times he heard it, he was always shocked by Yu Mingyang’s ability to produce such laughter spontaneously.
After hanging up, Yu Mingyang looked utterly despondent. He tossed the phone back to Si Nuocheng, feeling that if this happened a few more times, he might get beaten up by the Si family one day.
Life was precious!
He earnestly advised, “Boss Si, I mean… why don’t you get a contract girlfriend like they do in TV dramas? Like a contract worker, pay her to shield you, and split when the time’s up. Maybe you could even break up and get back together a few times, then head towards a happy ending.”
“Save yourself from Auntie constantly pushing you into blind dates. I’m truly heartbroken; the neighbor’s cat died just listening to it!”
Si Nuocheng, “The cat didn’t deserve this.”
Yu Mingyang: … then I’m truly doomed?
“I’m not planning to find one right now.” Si Nuocheng wasn’t in a hurry; his marital matters were his own to decide, family included, “Women slow down my contract signings.”
Yu Mingyang, “Alright, then get a contract boyfriend, cut off Auntie Shi’s plans to introduce you to girls altogether.”
“That’s even less likely.” Si Nuocheng shook his head, “No man can take a penny from me.”
Yu Mingyang: … you’re ruthlessly single by skill.
Si Nuocheng was a man of his word, though harsh on Yu Mingyang, he never shirked a promised help. Since they were here, they might as well accompany the doomed buddy on a journey.
Where to?
To the local police station to check bus surveillance footage!
Yu Mingyang was stunned, “Boss Si, shouldn’t you be the kind of tycoon who sits in an office and just makes a phone call saying, ‘Five minutes, I want all the surveillance footage from this bus,’ and someone would deliver it to you within minutes?”
Si Nuocheng, “You’re really Sun Wukong.”
Yu Mingyang, puzzled for a long while, finally deciphered Si Nuocheng’s implied words with a perfect score in reading comprehension.
Sun Wukong is a monkey.
Monkeys love to eat peaches, always thinking about peaches.
Peach in English is “peach,” colloquially “eating fart.” Given the context, he got the whole meaning, “You’re fantasizing.”
Yu Mingyang fully convinced, “Boss Si’s literary cultivation is improving.”
Si Nuocheng, “Your Stockholm syndrome is getting worse.”
Yu Mingyang: …
Don’t think money can make the devil turn the millstone; a law-abiding society does not tolerate demons. Despite the formidable economic backgrounds of the Si and Yu families, their upbringing did not allow their offspring to act recklessly.
Following procedures, step by step. Only by claiming to have lost important documents on the bus could they apply to access specific bus travel records.
Unfortunately, when the footage from Bus 81 was laid before them, neither Si Nuocheng nor Yu Mingyang could make out Ji Si’s face.
A child in the front seat, standing on tiptoes and clinging to the backrest, coincidentally blocked the face of the man in the rear seat all the way to the final stop. Afterward, a crowd alighted in a rush, and whether due to the angle or lighting, the man’s features remained blurred.
So, a lighting issue?
Si Nuocheng stroked his chin, “Does this person have any distinguishing features?”
Yu Mingyang recalled carefully, “Handsome face, nice voice, long hair… seems to be an artist, wearing some kind of robe or hoodie, and seemed to be carrying something… a carrying pole?”
“Sorry, Boss Si! I was too focused on the face, truly a handsome guy.”
Si Nuocheng: …
If it weren’t for your history with girlfriends and being a goddess’s lapdog, I’d suspect you were living at “Gay” Wharf.
With no other options, they had to give up. Parting ways, Yu Mingyang decided to buy a new SLR camera, while Si Nuocheng planned to buy a vehicle for commuting.
As a tycoon, he was indeed casual about it, directly picked up a luxury SUV from a nearby dealership, took the keys, and drove off. He planned to roam outside the city and enjoy the scenery of Sichuan.
However, not long after hitting the streets, Si Nuocheng spotted a somewhat familiar figure.
A white robe, wide cloud sleeves, wearing a cap, leaning on a cane, the man was carrying a plastic bag that didn’t match his demeanor, walking unhurriedly along the road.
It was the man he had encountered in the park yesterday…
The SUV unconsciously slowed down. Si Nuocheng had to admit, aside from the other’s inexplicable demeanor and mismatched aura, the man’s charisma and appearance were unparalleled.
However, thinking back to how he hadn’t finished his sentence after saying “Bring the umbrella” made Young Master Si feel uncomfortable everywhere. Honestly, no man had ever made him feel inferior; he had always been the top dog.
Hmm, time to show what real capital is.
Si Nuocheng rolled down the window, deliberately slowing down as he drove past Ji Si. From the front of the car to the rear, the smooth lines, high-end materials, and eye-catching logo, each waft of exhaust fumed with the scent of money.
Ji Si didn’t pay attention.
There were many cars on the street, and he didn’t recognize the logos.
The SUV creeped by, laden with the smell of money, but at the next intersection, it turned abruptly like a possessed demon, speeding around in circles, crossing lines, dashing through green lights—then stubbornly circled back.
The second time, it slowly, slowly drove past Ji Si again.
It was like a replay of the scene, Ji Si glanced briefly, hardly noticing who was inside. He was familiar with this tactic; many taxi drivers hoped he’d hail them when they performed like this.
But he had no money.
Ji Si waved his hand, “Driver, I’m not taking a taxi.”
The SUV bizarrely stuttered for a moment, then whimsically moved forward. Soon after, it broke away like a runaway horse, speeding right, drifting in circles, racing through green lights, desperately trying to circle back!
This time, Ji Si stepped onto a large bridge, and Si Nuocheng directly blocked his path with the car.
The car door opened, Young Master Si slightly lifted his chin, “Dare to get in?” Experience my opulence up close.
Ji Si: …
Whether Si Nuocheng was wealthy or not, Ji Si couldn’t tell. He recognized the other’s face and confirmed his identity.
Was he… a taxi driver?
To chase a single fare, he really went to great lengths. Born with a face rich enough to rival nations, no matter how poor he was, it wasn’t his fault—perhaps he was mistaken?
Ji Si smiled, “I didn’t bring any money.”
For the sake of a man’s pride, Ji Si would never say, “I have no money.”
Si Nuocheng, “Don’t worry about the gas, consider it a good deed, I’ll give you a ride.”
“Alright.”
Ji Si calmly got into the car and fastened his seatbelt. Afterwards, they closed the doors, and the speed hit 200 mph, super exhilarating.
…
The internet cafe welcomed a teenager who had skipped class to play games. To avoid getting caught, he paid extra for a private booth.
After booting up the computer, he laughed at the desktop.
“Hahaha! December 20th, the abyss opens, monsters awaken seeking food… hahaha!” He laughed so hard he was bending over backward, “Which idiot set up this desktop, it’s killing me, hahaha!”
The teenager took out his phone, snapped a photo of the desktop, and immediately posted it to his WeChat Moments, “Saw this epic desktop as soon as I booted up, which genius did this, come forward, I’ll carry you in the game!” with a picture attached.
Click, send.
At that moment, the butterfly’s wings began to flap.
Author’s Note:
PS: Si Nuocheng: How about my car? I’ve got hundreds more in my garage.
Ji Si unleashed his starship: How about my ship? It could fit your hundreds of garages.
Si Nuocheng: …
