"No way, he's the same big idiot you told me about, the one you grew up with, who heartlessly abandoned you and has been hiding from you all these years?"
Even after the terrifying ordeal they had just experienced, it couldn't dampen Lu Caiwei's gossipy nature.
Lu Caiwei's eyes widened as she circled Yan Shouyi three times, scrutinizing him as if he were a giant panda.
Yan Shouyi helplessly raised his hands and looked at Lin Zitong, "Did we have such a tumultuous story?"
"For you, it was simple; you were just hiding from me," Lin Zitong said with immense grievance, "Do you know how hard I looked for you?"
"Ahem..."
Long Feicheng, peeking out from the dormitory, shouted, "Brother Yan, I think you can chat about your matters later. Otherwise, this kid with a punctured stomach will bleed out from shock!"
Everyone remembered Li Tao, who was seriously injured. Yan Shouyi quickly said, "You two should leave quickly. We'll handle things here."
"But what if you run away again?" Lin Zitong asked angrily.
"Not this time. Didn't you hear? I still need to retrieve my uncle's soul in three days. Why would I run?"
Lin Zitong thought this made sense and finally released the soul-summoning bell, granting Yan Shouyi his freedom.
Long Feicheng shouted, "Brother Yan, we're just little security guards. This kid is so badly injured, it's not a small matter. How should we handle it?"
Hearing this, Lin Zitong whispered to Yan Shouyi, "Just send them to the hospital. My dad is one of the biggest shareholders of Shanghang Art School. Once I give the word, no one will dare to make trouble for you."
"Okay, you leave quickly."
"Don't leave me behind again."
"Aiya... Less nonsense..."
Yan Shouyi waved his hand, ushering Lin Zitong and Lu Caiwei away. He then entered the dormitory and carried all four unconscious individuals into the hallway.
The female ghost and ghost infant were still in the dormitory, which was why the yin energy was so heavy. Even if they weren't injured, they couldn't stay in the dormitory, or they would be plagued by the yin energy. Although not fatal, it would be extremely uncomfortable.
At the same time, Yan Shouyi also asked Long Feicheng to call an ambulance.
Just as the two finished, a figure suddenly appeared in the hallway. The person exclaimed in surprise, "What happened?!"
Yan Shouyi and Long Feicheng were startled. As the person approached, they recognized him as Brother Wei, the security guard.
Brother Wei ran over with a flashlight and asked, "What's going on? Damn, this kid is seriously injured. We need to call a doctor quickly!"
Long Feicheng explained, "We just arrived here and haven't had time to call an ambulance yet!"
"Let's take him directly to the infirmary. Our school's medical facilities are no worse than a regular hospital!"
Brother Wei, being an experienced security guard, remained calm in the face of such an incident. After a short trip downstairs, he found a stretcher.
"My back isn't good. You two are young, quickly carry him to the infirmary. I'll take care of the others here," Brother Wei called out.
"Okay."
Yan Shouyi and Long Feicheng didn't think much of it and carried Li Tao towards the infirmary.
"Wait!" Brother Wei called out to the two again. "Did these guys get hurt in this dormitory?"
"Yes!"
"...I'll go with you."
Brother Wei immediately got scared. He bowed several times towards the dormitory, repeatedly saying he meant no offense to the gods and spirits. He was truly about to abandon the unconscious Zhou Hui and the other two.
Yan Shouyi said helplessly, "Brother Wei, you can't abandon them. Besides, it's definitely safe here now. Otherwise, Xiao Long and I would have been in trouble long ago?"
Hearing this, Brother Wei's expression improved slightly. He took three cigarettes from Long Feicheng and, with the cigarette in his mouth, was no longer as scared, "You guys go, I can do it alone!"
Yan Shouyi wasted no more time. The two immediately carried Li Tao to the infirmary.
After they left, Brother Wei took a deep drag of his cigarette and looked fearfully at the haunted dormitory, muttering, "Please don't be actually haunted..."
...
Infirmary.
As a prestigious private institution, Shanghang Art School had shareholders who included the dean of a top-tier hospital in Rongcheng. To ensure the safety of students on campus, Shanghang Art School's infirmary was well-equipped with staff and facilities.
As soon as Li Tao was brought to the infirmary, he was taken by doctors and nurses for surgery.
Yan Shouyi and Long Feicheng finally breathed a sigh of relief.
They sat on a bench outside the infirmary. Long Feicheng, belatedly asking, "Brother Yan, what's your relationship with that beautiful woman just now? You seemed to know each other."
"We know each other; we've known each other since childhood."
"Oh ho, childhood sweethearts!?" Long Feicheng said enviously, "I've noticed you have such good luck with women, Brother Yan. You were picked up by a girl even when you were caught during the vice crackdown a few days ago, and today you met a childhood sweetheart while catching ghosts."
"Don't spout nonsense. We are innocent, and I am engaged," Yan Shouyi said sternly.
When it came to love, Yan Shouyi inherited the conservatism of his grandfather and father, believing that love should be steadfast and unwavering, not fickle.
With an engagement, he could not get involved with other women, as it would be irresponsible to his fiancée.
However, if one day the engagement were to be voided, Yan Shouyi would be willing to choose a girl he liked himself.
Yan Shouyi was so serious, but Long Feicheng, with a knowing look, said "Oh" and then looked at Yan Shouyi as if he were a degenerate, "You're playing this big even though you're engaged..."
"You???"
Yan Shouyi pointed at Long Feicheng, speechless. How did everything that came out of Long Feicheng's mouth become so vulgar?
As they were talking, a group of people quickly entered the infirmary from outside. The leader was Captain Gao Junming of the security team.
It was already deep into the night. Gao Junming's security uniform was in disarray, with even the buttons buttoned incorrectly, indicating that he should have been sleeping soundly tonight but had his slumber disturbed.
This group entered the infirmary and immediately split into two factions. One group went to the operating room to find the doctor, while the other headed straight for Yan Shouyi and Long Feicheng.
"Principal Tang, these two were on duty tonight!" Gao Junming pointed at Yan Shouyi and Long Feicheng and said, "They just started their shift on their first day and requested to patrol the girls' dormitory at night, resulting in this incident. I was completely unaware of it, truly!"
Long Feicheng cursed Gao Junming inwardly. This guy was washing his hands of the matter and kicking them while they were down, seeming eager to have them expelled.
Beside Gao Junming was a stern-looking middle-aged man wearing glasses. He was Tang Hongkai, the vice-principal of Shanghang Art School.
Principal Tang put on a stern face and asked, "What exactly happened?"
"I don't know," Yan Shouyi replied simply.
Gao Junming was furious, "You don't know? How can you not know? You were on patrol tonight, and such a major incident occurred. You must be responsible for this!"
Yan Shouyi now understood that although Gao Junming had seemed to obey him in the afternoon, he was actually very displeased. Now that he had the opportunity, he intended to use this incident to have Principal Tang dismiss him and Long Feicheng.
It was simply too much.
Since the other party had crossed the line, Yan Shouyi would not tolerate it. He stood up and said loudly, "The incident occurred in the girls' dormitory, but the injured party was a male. The girls' dormitory closes at 10:30 PM, so the male must have sneaked into the dormitory before closing. And as far as I know, the security guard responsible for the girls' dormitory before closing was Captain Gao, right? Xiao Long and I were on patrol, and we rescued the people as soon as we discovered the situation. Should we be punished? No, we should be commended! Otherwise, if security guards at Shanghang Art School encounter such situations in the future, they might as well stand by and do nothing, as the students' lives and deaths are irrelevant to us. At worst, we'll just lose our jobs, but if we manage it, we'll be scolded and punished. What kind of logic is that?!"
Gao Junming clearly didn't expect the seemingly honest Yan Shouyi to be so articulate when speaking, leaving him momentarily speechless and stammering.
Principal Tang remained silent for a moment, seemingly agreeing with Yan Shouyi's statement. He looked at Gao Junming and questioned, "How were you managing the girls' dormitory?"
"I... this... uh..."
Gao Junming was speechless because he usually went out to play cards during the day and only patrolled the girls' dormitory at night if he happened to see female students in pajamas.
So, if Li Tao and the others sneaked into the girls' dormitory during his watch, Gao Junming truly had no way to refute it!
Seeing Gao Junming's reaction, Principal Tang also lost face. He directly stated, "After tonight, you should return to your hometown and rest for a while."
Gao Junming became anxious, "Uncle, you can't..."
"Shut up!" Principal Tang commanded.
It turned out that Principal Tang was Gao Junming's uncle, and Gao Junming's position as security captain was entirely due to Principal Tang.
However, Principal Tang also knew Gao Junming's character. He took this opportunity to send him back to his hometown to prevent future trouble.
Gao Junming did not dare to disobey Principal Tang and could only swallow his resentment, but his eyes were filled with unwillingness and hatred towards Yan Shouyi.
Long Feicheng, being straightforward, grinned when he saw Gao Junming in trouble, almost making Gao Junming furious.
"Don't get too happy too soon, the two of you," Principal Tang said unexpectedly. "Something happened at the school, and someone has to take responsibility. I think you two are still young and shouldn't have trouble finding jobs. Go to the finance department to collect this month's salary and leave."
Long Feicheng's smile froze on his face, not understanding why this Principal Tang wasn't following the usual protocol.
Yan Shouyi, however, understood clearly. Gao Junming was, after all, Principal Tang's relative. Principal Tang could dismiss Gao Junming, but he would never keep the two of them.
Yan Shouyi had encountered people like this countless times during his travels over the years.
Yan Shouyi didn't care about being a security guard, but he still had to catch the mysterious Taoist priest in three days. Without the identity of a security guard, it would likely be troublesome.
"Tang Hongkai."
At this moment, another car arrived outside the infirmary. An old man in a suit and tie stepped out. It was he who called out Principal Tang's name.
Upon seeing the old man, Principal Tang was taken aback and then quickly stepped forward, "Old Master Ye, why have you come?"
Although the old man was advanced in age, his back was straight, and his spirit was full of vigor.
He leaned on a cane as smooth and lustrous as white jade and said as he walked into the infirmary, "This young man is a benefactor of our Lin family. If he wants to be a security guard, let him be."
Old Master Ye was referring to Yan Shouyi.
Seeing Old Master Ye, Yan Shouyi also smiled knowingly. He knew that Lin Zitong had found someone to help him out of this predicament.
The old man's name was Ye Chengfu, the Lin family's steward for decades. When Yan Shouyi was still at the Lin family, he was very familiar with him.
Over the years, Ye Chengfu's hair had turned much whiter, but his spirit was still strong. Judging by his current condition, he must have retired from his role as a steward. His years of loyalty had made him a member of the Lin family with extraordinary status.
Principal Tang pointed at Yan Shouyi in astonishment, "Old Master Ye, you say, he is a benefactor of the Lin family?"
Ye Chengfu ignored Principal Tang and approached Yan Shouyi, smiling as he looked him over. He couldn't help but sigh, "Shouyi has really grown up. You haven't visited for so many years. Old Master Lin often talks about you! I was so excited when I received your call the night before last that I couldn't sleep all night. Tell me, how should you compensate this old man?"
Yan Shouyi hesitated for a moment, "How about... I treat you to a beer?"
"..."
Ye Chengfu was silent for a moment, then burst into laughter, shaking his head, "You brat, you haven't changed a bit!"
"Hehe, I'm just following my dad's wishes to be steadfast."
"That's right, hahaha!"
The old man and the young man ignored everyone else and burst into laughter in the infirmary.
Principal Tang dared not doubt their relationship at this moment. He turned and shot Gao Junming a fierce glance.
Gao Junming felt incredibly wronged and said quietly to Principal Tang, "Uncle, Yan Shouyi is indeed well-connected. Even that young master Wang Kang is afraid of him. But I didn't expect his backing to be so strong; he's actually from the Lin family..."
"Enough nonsense. You just cause trouble for me. See how I deal with you later!" Principal Tang couldn't help but hit Gao Junming on the head.
The Lin family was one of the largest shareholders of Shanghang Art School, and the person who represented the Lin family for Shanghang Art School was this Old Master Ye.
With just one word from Old Master Ye, he, the vice-principal, could be fired.
Therefore, Principal Tang was extremely flustered at this moment, trying to figure out how to salvage the situation.
The reunion was over. Ye Chengfu tidied up Yan Shouyi's slightly messy uniform and said to Principal Tang without looking back, "Principal Tang, do you have anything to say?"
Principal Tang quickly said, "Yan Shouyi is responsible, diligent, and handles matters steadily. Therefore, I still maintain my previous plan: let Yan Shouyi and Long Feicheng collect this month's salary and then leave their current positions, promoting them to Security Captain and Vice-Captain!"
At this statement, even Long Feicheng couldn't help but admire Principal Tang's ability to save the situation.
He had actually managed to cover for him!
Ye Chengfu also smiled, "Alright, let's arrange it as Principal Tang suggested."
Principal Tang's heart was filled with sweat, thinking that at least he had managed to get through this.
Learning of Yan Shouyi's extraordinary background, Principal Tang had already decided that he would definitely take care of him in the future. If he could gain the support of the Lin family, he might have a chance to be promoted to principal in the future...
"Shouyi, do you have anything else to do? If you're free, why not accompany this old man for a walk?" Ye Chengfu extended an invitation.
"No problem."
Yan Shouyi could tell that Ye Chengfu seemed to have something to say to him, so he readily agreed.
Principal Tang quickly said, "Leave the matters here to me. You can all rest assured!"
Long Feicheng hesitated for a moment, "Then... should I go back to the dormitory to sleep?"
"Go ahead."
Yan Shouyi nodded, and then walked out of the infirmary with Ye Chengfu. The figures of the old and young man were gradually swallowed by the darkness.