Even if a solution could be found, it would likely take a long time, and Li Er's body definitely couldn't hold out that long.

"Don't pull such long faces yet," Xia Liang said with a light laugh, looking at their ashen expressions. "Although this situation can't be resolved for now, Li Er, if you get more than five miles away from here, the peace charms can still fend things off for a while."

He thought for a moment before adding, "They'll each last for about three days."

Hearing this, Li Er's eyes lit up. To him, spending one-tenth of a currency unit for three extra days of life was well worth it. As for where he would go, that was his own business. Xia Liang naturally wouldn't concern himself with it.

Xia Liang glanced at the time. It was nearly dusk, so he decided not to return to the shop. He went straight home and called Su Qianyun, asking her to deliver twenty peace charms to Li Er.

「Early the next morning.」

Xia Liang was awakened by his phone ringing.

"Boss Xia Liang, time to get to work!" It was Xu Wanying's voice on the other end.

"Work?" Xia Liang rubbed his eyes. "It's only eight o'clock. What's the hurry? The sky outside is barely even light."

"You didn't show up at all yesterday afternoon," Xu Wanying said. "There are still a lot of customers' problems that haven't been dealt with."

"That's true. I'm on my way."

Xia Liang hung up, quickly washed up, and then headed for the shop. Even this early in the morning, his shop was already overflowing with people. The mall's security guards were even suffering along with the crowd, having been roused from their sleep to open the doors.

Xia Liang didn't waste any words and got straight to work. A little later, he called Su Qianyun over.

"Tell the customers at the very end of the line that I'll be busy this afternoon, so they don't need to wait."

Su Qianyun was slightly taken aback but nodded and went to do as he asked.

Xu Wanying was curious. "Xia Liang, what do you have going on this afternoon?"

Xia Liang chuckled. "This afternoon, a fat man will come crying to me for help. Believe it or not?"

"A fat man? Crying for your help?" Xu Wanying frowned, clearly not understanding who Xia Liang was talking about. She tilted her head. "Which fat man? Why would he come crying to you?"

Xia Liang just smiled and didn't answer, continuing with his Fortune Telling.

This nearly drove Xu Wanying mad. With her gossipy nature, she couldn't stand it when someone left a story half-told. But no matter how much she pestered him, Xia Liang wouldn't answer.

Finally, Xu Wanying grew exasperated. "Xia Liang, I refuse to believe it! Even the most accurate Fortune Teller can make mistakes, right? How about we make a bet?"

Without looking up, Xia Liang asked, "Bet on what?"

"If you lose," Xu Wanying said, "you'll be punished by having to kiss me... no, kiss Xiao Yun."

Su Qianyun, who had just returned, heard Xu Wanying's silly proposal and rolled her eyes at her. Her lips moved, but she said nothing, busying herself with her work. Her ears, however, had secretly pricked up, eager to hear Xia Liang's response.

Xia Liang smiled and asked in return, "And if I win?"

Xu Wanying declared triumphantly, "If you win, I'll be at your disposal."

"At my disposal?" Xia Liang raised an eyebrow, looking at Xu Wanying with a wicked smile. "Does that mean I can do anything I want to you?"

His smile momentarily frightened Xu Wanying, and she took a small step back. But after a moment, she bit her lip and puffed out her chest. "At your disposal means at your disposal! I'll even kneel and call you daddy if you want!"

"Alright, it's settled then," Xia Liang chuckled, then returned to reading fortunes for his customers.

Time passed quickly, and soon it was past five o'clock in the afternoon. The so-called fat man still hadn't appeared.

Xu Wanying grinned. "Xia Liang, you're about to lose!"

"I doubt it," Xia Liang chuckled.

Before Xu Wanying could reply, a howl like a pig being slaughtered faintly echoed from the distance.

"You old fool! You just had to ignore the Master's words, and now look! It's too late!"

"Darling, take it easy! OUCH!"

"Take it easy? You treated the Heavenly Master's words like they were nothing! What use are those pig ears of yours?"

"Honey, I didn't know yesterday! If I had known..."

"Shut up! When we get inside, you'd better beg him properly for his help!"

Accompanied by the painful cries, a portly woman walked in, dragging a fatter, middle-aged man by the ear. The pain was likely so intense that the man's howls were tinged with sobs, and the corners of his eyes seemed to glisten with tears.

When everyone got a closer look, they saw it was none other than Meng Kexi!

"Master, you have to help him find a solution!" Meng Kexi's wife pleaded the moment she saw Xia Liang.

Seeing Meng Kexi's miserable state, Xia Liang found it both funny and pitiable. "Wang Chunping, don't be so anxious. What's done is done. Even if you chopped him into slices to go with your wine, it wouldn't help now."

Wang Chunping, Meng Kexi's wife, watched her eyes light up when Xia Liang said her name. "A Master is truly a Master! You knew my name with just one look! Master, please give my husband some advice, or our scenic resort will be ruined!"

Meng Kexi, who was normally so imposing in public, was now as docile as a fat cat, not even daring to breathe too loudly.

Xia Liang smiled faintly. In Qingyun City, this Meng Kexi was a man of some standing. However, the fact that he was terrified of his wife was famous throughout their social circle. And his wife was quite the tigress.

Xia Liang smiled. "Meng Kexi, stand up and speak."

However, Meng Kexi didn't move. Instead, he looked up timidly at Wang Chunping.

Xia Liang spoke again. "This isn't your home. Stop kneeling."

Only then did Meng Kexi finally stand up, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

Xia Liang teased, "So, you finally know to come looking for me?"

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