CHAPTER 266: CHAPTER 266: JUFU LANE

Second day, noon

Shen Qinglan prepared a gift and went to Shengxiang Restaurant to meet Duan Yunfei and Old Tang, preparing to visit the storyteller’s home together.

The storyteller’s name was Xing Kang, around forty years old. It was said he had twin daughters, both married now, leaving just him and his wife at home.

They lived in a quiet alley on North Street.

As soon as they entered the alley, the sight of dilapidated walls and courtyards greeted them, with some houses even covered by overgrown trees and grass. The red paint on the walls on both sides of the alley had peeled off, and moss covered them. Only a few courtyards along the way showed signs of life.

"I didn’t expect that within the bustling Jinxi Town, there would be such a rundown alley," Shen Qinglan sighed.

"It used to be lively here," Old Tang sighed lightly, "This alley is called Jufu Lane. Many years ago, it was home to many wealthy families. However, about ten years ago, a few households were raided overnight by bandits, losing both wealth and lives. Rumors of haunting spread, and people moved away, leaving it desolate."

Looking at the path overgrown with weeds and fallen leaves, Shen Qinglan couldn’t help but lament in her heart, ownerless deserted houses eventually gather dust, and once bustling places lose their charm and turn into deserted lands.

Old Tang wiped the sweat from his brow and stopped in front of an old-looking gate, "We’re here!"

He raised his hand and knocked loudly on the door.

Surrounded by high walls, outsiders couldn’t see what lay inside.

"Coming!"

A woman’s voice came from inside.

The door creaked open, and the woman looked hesitantly at the three of them, "May I ask who you are looking for?"

Old Tang smiled, "I presume you are Madam Xing? We are here to visit Mr. Xing."

"Oh! You’re here for old Xing!" the woman said, turning her head to yell inside, "Old Xing, someone’s here for you!"

"Who is it?" A man’s voice came from the courtyard.

Shen Qinglan heard footsteps approaching, and soon, a man dressed in black appeared.

"Shopkeeper Tang?" When he saw Old Tang at the door, the man was initially surprised, then quickly instructed his wife, "Fang Ling, go make some tea!"

He looked at the three, "Shopkeeper Tang and the young ones, please come in!"

Unlike the other rundown courtyards, the Xing family’s courtyard was clean and tidy, with many bamboo groves and flowers planted, providing a pleasant sight.

Shen Qinglan and Duan Yunfei placed their items on the table and then found seats to sit down.

Xing Kang looked at Old Tang, hesitantly, "May I know what brings Shopkeeper Tang here today?"

Old Tang laughed, "To be honest, we have something to discuss with you today. The details, I will leave this young lady to explain."

Xing Kang looked at Shen Qinglan with curiosity.

Shen Qinglan nodded slightly to him, "Hello, Mr. Xing. My surname is Shen, and my name is Shen Qinglan. I’m here today to invite you to serve as a storyteller at my teahouse."

"Storyteller?" Xing Kang was momentarily stunned. It wasn’t until some time had passed that he sighed softly, with a long-lost tone of reminiscence, "Storytelling, it’s been years since I last told stories."

After his father passed away, he requested to return to the teahouse but was refused and had not told stories since.

"Young lady, I truly apologize," Xing Kang said helplessly, "I am old now, and can no longer write interesting stories. You should seek someone else!"