SES Chapter 133 Part 2

Uncle Zheng immediately understood—Luo Ren wouldn’t have time to handle that himself. He must be planning to come back.

Uncle Zheng wanted to help, but times had changed. The reputation of Phoenix Pavilion and its signature dishes all rested on his shoulders now.

Luo Ren reassured him, “Don’t worry. I’ll hire a full-time caretaker for Pingting—someone who’ll live with her and coordinate with Dr. He’s treatments.”

“That’s the best way,” said Uncle Zheng. “But make sure you interview carefully—and let Pingting meet them first. If she doesn’t like the person, don’t keep them.”

“Got it,” Luo Ren said with a small laugh.

After hanging up, he entered Dr. He Ruihua’s room.

There were no other patients at that hour. Pingting was wandering around, curious about everything, occasionally asking, “Uncle He, what’s this?”

Dr. He smiled kindly and explained each thing with patience.

The more time Luo Ren spent around Dr. He, the more he found the man easygoing and compassionate—especially toward patients. It made Luo Ren wonder why someone so gentle could’ve said such harsh things about Mu Dai before.

Luo Ren sat down on the sofa and beckoned. “Pingting, come here.”

She skipped over, calling, “Brother Xiaodao!”

He frowned. “Oh, now you remember I’m Brother Xiaodao? Back home, you ignored me completely and kept calling someone else that.”

Pingting looked embarrassed. She hugged his arm and rubbed her head against his shoulder like a kitten.

Luo Ren felt a pang of guilt. He had indeed been neglecting her lately.

He reached out, wanting to pat her head—but her good behavior lasted all of three seconds. Before his hand even touched her, she darted off toward Dr. He. “Uncle, I want to watch a movie!”

Dr. He had a collection of short psychological animations—each just a few minutes long. They looked lively but were actually cognitive tests. Pingting loved them.

He opened one. Pingting dragged over a chair, squeezed in beside him, and propped her chin on her hands like an attentive little student.

Just then, Dr. He’s assistant knocked and came in, looking awkward. “Dr. He, your next appointment arrived early…”

Not wanting to interrupt business, Luo Ren tried to take Pingting away, but she was engrossed and refused, stamping her foot.

Dr. He chuckled. “Let her watch. There’s more than one consultation room.” He told his assistant to take the guest next door.

That casual generosity…

Luo Ren glared at Pingting, but she huffed, “This Brother Xiaodao’s mean! I still like the other Brother Xiaodao better.”

He could only shake his head with a bitter smile, sit back on the couch, and pull out his phone.

He opened the group chat to reread the photos and messages.

He’d already gone over them and even called the Shaman and Mu Dai about it before, but since he had time now, it didn’t hurt to think things through again.

Book burnings…

When Laozi left through Hangu Pass, the story was already recorded on bamboo slips. At that time, he sealed the Seven Cursed Slips with the Phoenix-and-Luan clasp, which meant the existence of those slips wasn’t exactly a secret.

Mozi, the first leader of the Mohist school, lived long before the book burnings—so he must have known about the legend of the Seven Slips.

But what made the Juzi and the Mohists so special?

Luo Ren searched online.

“The Mohist school was a tightly organized brotherhood…”
“They obeyed orders absolutely, willing to face fire or death without retreat.”
“Its members were mainly craftsmen and lower scholars…”
“Mohists were fierce fighters—early exemplars of the knightly spirit…”

Interesting…

“Brother Xiaodao, it’s over!”

Pingting’s sudden squeal shattered his train of thought.

He sighed. “Wait.”

The animation would automatically move to the next episode—she just needed patience.

But if she had that kind of patience, she wouldn’t be here for therapy.

She fidgeted like an ant on a hot pan, clicking the mouse frantically and even smacking the monitor as if that would make the next video appear.

Luo Ren got up, exasperated, and took two steps toward her. Then Pingting suddenly said, “Huh?”

The speakers crackled. A faint sound came through.

It was a video—but the voice that followed froze Luo Ren in place.

“What if… I can’t fall in love with Luo Ren?”

That voice—Mu Dai’s.

Luo Ren’s heart pounded wildly. He stepped closer to the screen.

Pingting, unimpressed by the video, pouted and reached for the mouse again. Luo Ren caught her hand. “Don’t move,” he said sharply, eyes locked on the monitor.

The background was dim and noisy—a cybercafé. Mu Dai sat back in her chair, headphones on, a beer can in one hand and a microphone toyed between her fingers.

The last time Luo Ren had seen that expression on her face… was also in a video.

He hit pause and opened the playlist.

Now he understood. It was an old recording—somehow, Pingting had accidentally clicked on it.

The file date showed it was from the night before she’d left Nantan.

Luo Ren gently pulled Pingting away from the chair and sat down himself.

She pouted. “That’s my seat!”

He looked up at her—expressionless, cold-eyed.

Pingting shrank back, fiddling nervously with her sleeves.

“Lock the door,” Luo Ren said quietly. “If Dr. He comes back, tell him we’re playing hide-and-seek. Don’t let him in.”

Pingting’s eyes lit up. “Really? Hide-and-seek with Uncle He?”

“Yes.”

She giggled and hurried to the door, twisting every lock tight. She even dragged over a stool to reach the top deadbolt.

On the frozen screen, Mu Dai’s gaze met his—clear and transparent as always, like water that revealed everything.

But this time, he couldn’t read her at all.

He stared at her eyes for a long, long time.

What secrets are you hiding, Mu Dai?