Chapter 25 - 17 [A Buddhist Ceremony] (Happy New Year 2025!)_2
Hey! You should have said so sooner!
A month's rent is fifteen thousand!
Do it!
Go ahead, do it!
Chen Yan's face immediately lit up with a smile: "No problem, no problem! Just let me know which day you want to do it!
After all, it's just a ritual. I can stand by and enjoy the show."
Next to him, Luo Qing snorted, and Assistant Yan immediately said with a smile: "Well... doing a ritual is not something you can let outsiders watch.
Uncle Qing is a remarkable person, and as they say, you can't pass on divine skills indiscriminately."
Oh, you can't watch?
Chen Yan thought for a moment and decided it was fine. If they didn't want him to watch, then he wouldn't. Fifteen thousand anyway.
"Okay. Just let me know in advance which day you'll come, and I'll find somewhere to hang out, maybe go see a movie or something. I'll leave the house to you."
"Uh, well..." Assistant Yan hesitated, lowering his voice a little: "During the day, it's also not suitable."
Chen Yan blinked: "You mean, at night?"
Luo Qing replied coldly: "It's about the yin and yang of day and night! Midnight is the peak of yin qi, when all the evil energies come to life... Anyway, it's something you youngsters wouldn't understand.
You just need to know that the ritual must be done at night."
Chen Yan was still smiling, but the smile on his face was completely different from before.
"So, you mean, I need to find a night, in the middle of winter, to leave my own home, find a place outside to stay overnight, and vacate the house for you to do the ritual, right?"
Assistant Yan nodded cautiously: "I know, such a request is a bit inconsiderate..."
"Half a year of property fees." Chen Yan didn't wait for him to finish and spoke up directly.
"Hm?"
"I mean, add half a year of property fees." Chen Yan said lightly: "Although the house belongs to your boss, I've rented it. Before the lease is up, it's my home.
Whether I believe in those things you said or not... I've been to college, I believe in science.
You want me not to come home at night, in this cold winter, to find somewhere else to stay and let you mess around in my house. I should get some extra compensation, right?
The one month's rent you mentioned is not enough. Add half a year of property fees."
Assistant Yan looked at Chen Yan, pondered briefly, and then nodded: "Okay! Mr. Chen has a point, our request is somewhat unreasonable.
Let's do as you say. We'll add half a year of property fees."
Chen Yan felt quite pleased: Generous indeed.
This time, Luo Qing beside him didn't say a word.
After all, it's not his money spent. As long as President Fang doesn't reduce his ritual fee, other things don't concern him.
Afterward, Assistant Yan and Chen Yan arranged that they would come the day after tomorrow at 10:30 PM for the ritual, and Chen Yan had to go out and stay away for the whole night.
Chen Yan didn't have any valuable items at home.
The three most critical things he had were:
A jadeite ring, a secret manual, and half a candle.
He could just put them in his pocket and leave.
·
After they finished talking, Chen Yan saw them out. As they were outside the yard, Chen Yan called Assistant Yan to stop.
"Words alone aren't enough, you need to give me a written agreement.
Also, the half-year property fees, you should pay the management office today.
Since we've made an agreement, let's get things done."
Assistant Yan looked at Chen Yan and reasonably agreed: "Mr. Chen's request is fair, I will go pay the property fees right away."
Luo Qing, standing beside him, grumbled: "Do you have to go to the management office now? I'm in a rush to meet someone..."
Assistant Yan smiled and said: "No problem, let the car take Uncle Qing first. I can get a cab back after I finish."
With that, he politely escorted Luo Qing into the car and gave careful instructions to the driver to provide excellent service and ensure this remarkable person got home safely.
Chen Yan observed this and gained a bit more respect for Assistant Yan.
This guy, not bad.
·
Some people, after working for a wealthy boss for a long time, inevitably become arrogant, waving their tails proudly, as if they've become rich themselves just by being around wealthy folk.
But this Assistant Yan remained polite and humble, doing his work with discretion and respect. Chen Yan knew that some of his recent words had been somewhat provocative.
The conditions he proposed were also somewhat testing.
But Assistant Yan didn't show any sign of anger, maintaining his courtesy throughout.
That's the quality of an excellent assistant to a wealthy boss.
Those who act arrogant and shout orders under their boss's name only attract resentment towards their employer.
This guy understands the proper boundaries.
·
Assistant Yan went to the management office and paid the half-year property fees, over 18,000 yuan.
This luxury villa's property fees are over 3,000 yuan a month.
He not only paid the fees but also borrowed pen and paper from the office to write a memo stating the exemption of Chen Yan's one-month rent.
Then he returned to the villa, knocked on the door, and handed the receipts and memo to Chen Yan.
Doing things properly from beginning to end.
Chen Yan smiled at Assistant Yan: "Come in and sit for a while?"
"No, there's still work to be done at President Fang's place. So, about the day after tomorrow, we'll leave it in your hands, Mr. Chen.", his tone remained as polite as ever.
After saying that, Assistant Yan was ready to leave, but Chen Yan suddenly smiled: "The midnight ritual, aside from the high master's reason, is also to avoid attracting attention, right?"
Assistant Yan paused.
"This is a haunted house, and after years of quietness, it's been rented out several times.
It seems the incident has faded over the years... but suddenly suggesting a ritual, neighbors might start spreading rumors about this house being problematic again.
If that rumor spreads, it'll affect President Fang's investment in this property, right?
So, the ritual has to be done at midnight?"
Assistant Yan smiled without denying: "Mr. Chen, you are sharp and insightful. You understand us completely. Don't worry, after the ritual, I'll make sure someone cleans the place thoroughly and it won't affect your living here."
Chen Yan nodded: "I trust Assistant Yan to handle it well."
And then he suddenly said: "Oh, I just remembered something."
"Yes?"
Chen Yan glanced at Assistant Yan:
"Stay here for a moment, I'll go get something..."
He turned and went back inside.
Assistant Yan stood there, his expression puzzled.
What... You've been to college, and I'm not uneducated!
You think I haven't read "The Back Shadow"?
A few minutes later, Chen Yan came out and stuffed a small cloth bundle into Assistant Yan's hand.
"Fifteen thousand rent plus eighteen thousand property fees. This trip you made earned me thirty-three thousand.
I can't take this money for nothing.
In my line, there are rules: when accepted cash must compensate."
Chen Yan smiled and said: "This thing, I made it myself, it's just a little trinket. It's definitely not as powerful as the high master President Fang hired.
But you can keep it on you as a peace talisman."
"What? This... this..."
Chen Yan pretended to be mysterious and smiled: "Assistant Yan, you think I would dare rent a haunted house if I was just an ordinary college student?"
With that, Chen Yan closed the door.
Assistant Yan stood there, puzzled for a moment.
What...
Line? Rules? Peace talisman?
Didn't you say you believed in science because you went to college?!
Why are you pulling this now?
Holding the thing in his hand, he walked a few steps and opened the cloth bundle to have a look.
A palm-sized jade token.
Having been around a wealthy boss, his taste wasn't bad. He saw at a glance that it was a piece of poor-quality white jade.
There were some tiny patterns on it, carved with a knife.
However, those patterns resembled ghostly talismans that he couldn't decipher. The workmanship was undoubtedly crude!
Thinking it over, he picked up the phone and dialed a number.
Once connected, Assistant Yan respectfully held the phone: "Boss, the matter is settled. The renter agreed."
After a pause, Assistant Yan added: "But the renter stated additional conditions. Besides one month's rent, he asked for half a year's property fees, totaling thirty-three thousand... Considering the importance of this matter, and since it's within your budget, I agreed."
The person on the other end listened quietly and succinctly replied: "Got it."
Assistant Yan hesitated a bit: "Uncle Qing is preparing. But... Boss, I'm a bit uneasy.
The previous rituals were always done by Elder Zi. This time calling Uncle Qing, I'm not sure..."
"Hmph, it's not that I don't want to ask Elder Zi. But he's been out of Jinling Prefecture these months, invited by Northern State leaders to deal with matters. Uncle Qing is Elder Zi's senior brother. His skills shouldn't be inferior, right?
Let's leave it at that."
·
On the first day of 2025, I wish you all well!
May you have warm winds and enchanting clouds on your journeys.
May you find a home where you can lay down your burdens.
May the person who brings you joy be by your side.
·
[Requesting a tip as a red envelope, not much, just a token gesture.]
·