Seeing that his granddaughter enjoyed the pastries, Lu Fei took the ones from his table over to her.
"Junior Lu Fei, greeting Senior Duan."
"No need to be so polite, sit down."
Lu Fei sat down.
Huzi sat behind him, very well-behaved.
"Wow, it's pineapple shortbread!" Seeing the small pastry, Duan Lingyue's big, bright eyes were filled with surprise, and she gave Lu Fei a sweet smile, "Thank you, big brother!"
"You're welcome." Lu Fei also smiled.
Duan Lingyue, with her slender fingers like spring onions, picked up a piece of cake and stuffed it into her delicate little mouth.
"Lingyue, eat slowly, don't choke!" Duan Tiankui said affectionately with a smile, "My granddaughter is quite the glutton, don't laugh, young shopkeeper Lu."
"Not at all, if your little sister likes it, she should enjoy it," said Lu Fei, feeling a bit envious.
If his grandfather were still around, would he still be as innocent and carefree as this little girl?
"Little Lu, I know what you want to ask, but I didn't have much interaction with your grandfather. He was always a low-key person, not fond of socializing and never sought the limelight."
Duan Tiankui spoke softly.
"He only emerged when evil objects appeared in the martial world, otherwise, he never got involved in other matters."
"Later on, he even rarely sold those evil objects, and three years ago, he completely disappeared without a trace."
"Everyone thought Sinisterium Pawnshop had closed down, until they heard that you had reopened Sinisterium Pawnshop."
Lu Fei listened quietly, realizing that he knew very little about his grandfather.
Although Grandpa taught him a lot about evil objects, he never took him along when he went out to collect them.
Perhaps it was because of his parents' death.
At first, Grandpa definitely hoped that his descendants could inherit the ancestral business of the Lu family, but the unexpected death of Lu Fei's parents made him hesitate.
"No matter what, your grandpa is a very impressive person. There are very few people I, Duan Tiankui, admire in my life, and your grandpa is one of them."
Duan Tiankui smiled.
"I can see that you have a good nature. If you work hard to run your pawnshop, you will not be any less than your grandpa in the future."
"I will, thank you, Senior Duan," Lu Fei nodded firmly.
"Don't call me 'senior,' it makes us feel too distant. Call me Grandpa Duan instead."
"Yes, Grandpa Duan."
"Little Lu, it's fate that we met today. I might not be able to help with your grandpa's affairs. But I know of a few evil objects that, if you are interested, you can try to collect them."
Lu Fei hurriedly poured tea for Duan Tiankui.
"Please speak, Grandpa Duan."
"The first item is the Hundred-Year Fish Startlement Stone." After taking a sip of tea, Duan Tiankui spoke slowly.
"It is said that in Fuxian Lake, there is a giant fish that has become a spirit, having survived for at least a hundred years, and it may have already turned into a spirit. The Fish Startlement Stone from this giant fish, besides being more powerful in warding off evil and bringing good fortune, has other wondrous uses as well."
"The second item is called the Coffin Fungus, which grows on the boards of century-old coffins, absorbing the essence of yin and corpse energy..."
Sinisterium Pawnshop does not only collect evil objects from others; if there are any wild ones, they also collect them.
Lu Fei listened attentively, keeping it in mind.
Unexpectedly, before Duan Tiankui could finish his words, the man in white shirt at the neighboring table chuckled suddenly.
"You, old man, are quite malevolent, sending a novice to collect two great evil objects. Isn't that just sending him to his death?"
Duan Tiankui's face froze, and he looked at the man in white, displeased: "Sir, eavesdropping on others' conversations is not a gentleman's conduct!"
"Do I need to eavesdrop? The table is so close, it's hard for me not to hear," the man in white shrugged, appearing completely justified.
"Even so, you shouldn't have interrupted and said nonsense."
"I just can't stand seeing an old man like you cheating young people. How many people has that giant fish in Fuxian Lake eaten, and the coffin fungus only grows on the coffin boards of zombies. Did you tell them this?"
"What are you talking about! My grandfather would never cheat anyone!"
Upon hearing someone speak ill of her grandfather, Duan Lingyue immediately stood up, puffing with anger, hands on her hips, glaring at the man with her round, almond-shaped eyes.
She looked as if she wanted to hit someone.
Duan Tiankui comforted his granddaughter and sternly addressed the man, "Sir, you are being rather presumptuous. I hadn't finished speaking; it was you who interrupted us."
"Forget it, forget it. Whatever you say. You've ruined my mood for tea," the man in white said languidly as he got up, "Sister Hong, check out please."
After saying that, he paid and left.
"Xiao Lu, if you don't believe what I said, you can ignore these two evil objects. Just pretend I didn't say anything," Duan Tiankui resumed his calm tone.
"Grandpa Duan, who is he?" Lu Fei was very curious about this odd person.
Sister Hong walked over with a smile and explained, "His name is Jing Jian, a wandering cultivator who knows a bit of Yin-Yang techniques. He has a peculiar temper and often speaks and acts without much thought. Grandpa Duan, young Master Lu, you shouldn't take it to heart."
"I don't mind, the innocent will always be clear of blame." Duan Tiankui said faintly.
Lu Fei also said, "Of course I believe in Grandpa Duan. Grandpa Duan told me about these two evil objects because he values our Sinisterium Pawnshop."
"You are mature and discerning at such a young age; I didn't misjudge you." Duan Tiankui smiled with satisfaction and continued, "But what Jing Jian said is correct. The large fish in Fuxian Lake has eaten many people and is extremely fierce."
"And the coffin plank of the coffin fungus must indeed have buried a zombie. Someone has seen zombies in the area of the Great Yin Mountains near Luo River, but this information has not been verified, so we don't know if it's true."
"In short, acquiring these two evil objects is indeed very dangerous, so I hope you think it through and don't act on impulse."
"I understand, thank you for your concern, Grandpa Duan." Lu Fei was very grateful and rational.
Unless these two evil objects had a special use for him, he wouldn't take the risk easily.
"No need to be so formal. Many people know these two pieces of information; I'm just doing a favor. I hope Sinisterium Pawnshop will prosper more and more."
With that, Duan Tiankui took his granddaughter and bade farewell.
"We've been out long enough today, it's time to go back. Next time, if we have the chance, I will treat you to tea."
"Take care, Grandpa Duan," Lu Fei stood up.
Duan Lingyue turned her head and made a playful face at Lu Fei.
"Big brother, thank you for the treats, see you later!"
The old man and the young girl slowly disappeared into the street.
Lu Fei's mood improved. He felt that he had good luck today. He had more leads on his grandfather's whereabouts, and he also met an elder who had dealings with his grandfather.
"Huzi, we should go back too."
"No way, Boss, we haven't finished our tea yet. It's three thousand per pot; don't waste it."
Huzi picked up the teacup and drank like a horse, insisting on draining the last drop before agreeing to leave.
"Look at how little you've achieved." Lu Fei shook his head, and just as he sat down, his phone rang.
It was Mr. Yu.
His heart skipped a beat.
Could it be that Mr. Yu is calling to tell him there's been some progress with the child?
He quickly answered the call.
"Mr. Yu, have you found the child?"