Is what you're learning correct?

Chapter 27 Looking at each other in bewilderment

Wei Hongbing withdrew his gaze from them, raised his glass to Lu Chi, and said, "I've taught all my life, believed in materialism my whole life, and thought that mathematics could solve everything, but I never imagined that something like this would happen to us!"

Lu Chi gripped the cup with both hands: "Hey, teacher, please don't..."

Wei Hongbing shook his head: "These kids drove all the way from Jiangnan, they went to every place they could, and it's been going on for months. Now, Xiao Shuang's body can't take it anymore!"

Wei Jindong quickly raised his glass, his voice hoarse, "Um... Master Lu... I know you might not be very welcoming of us. We were a bit presumptuous this time, but whatever happened, we really had no other choice. Xiao Shuang, he just started university, a very good university. His life hasn't really begun yet. When he's feeling better, he can eat a little bit, but when he's not feeling well, he can only rely on IV fluids... I've tried everything... Before the New Year... we traveled to eight provinces! More than a dozen cities! We've been to every place we can think of, and even places we haven't been to, we've begged and pleaded with everyone we know to ask! I... sigh..."

Xi Ran's face was flushed red from the alcohol, and tears streamed down her face. "Look at all of us—Xiao Shuang's great-grandparents, parents, uncles and aunts, siblings—you can imagine how many places we've been to and how many masters we've consulted. We've brought everything we need ourselves, not just the supplies. As long as you can save Xiao Shuang, we'll agree to anything you ask!"

The group of people, some with wine, poured drinks, others with tea, silently raising their glasses. Lu Chi swirled his glass, then without much hesitation, stood up, clinked glasses with them, downed his drink in one gulp, and then covered Wei Jindong's glass with his hand: "Are you all full?"

Wei Jindong's eyes suddenly welled up with tears: "Hey! Hey hey!"

Lu Chi reached out and grabbed Wei Shuang, slinging her over his shoulder: "Take your things and come with me. Teacher Wei, you..."

Wei Hongbing: "I'm going too!"

Lu Chi carried Wei Shuang directly into the cat house and put him in the middle: "You two will stay in this room tonight. You can't go out or sleep. Wrap him up with blankets or something so he doesn't bump into anything. You can loosen the bindings, but don't let him move around."

"Hmm, and then?"

"At night, take turns watching him. If anything comes knocking, open the door and don't do anything else. Remember, no one can sleep. You can pet the cat or play on your phones. There's no password for the Wi-Fi, and there are power strips here. Just find a place to charge your devices."

"It's...it's that simple?"

"Master Lu...aren't you going to ask...um...about Xiao Shuang's situation?"

Lu Chi snapped, "No way, I already said I don't know how to watch this stuff, why are you asking me?"

"What if...they didn't knock? What should we do then?"

"It would be best if you had one. If not, you'll have to go on a long journey to Ningxia. I know an old lady who can read these things, but given his current condition, it's hard for him to withstand that kind of ordeal."

"I...I understand..." Wei Hongbing said, "No matter what happens to Xiao Shuang, you are still her benefactor, and we will repay you handsomely!"

Lu Chi glanced at the time: "It's not me, I can't stay here. I'll come back tomorrow at dawn."

"Huh? Is there some kind of explanation?"

"I have an early class."

"?"

Which morning class?

The kind that embodies the essence of the sun and moon, like a rainbow rising from the clouds.

It can't be the kind of "Abandon" that's placed in the classroom, can it?

"Master Lu, Master Lu, could you add some green bubble tea? Just in case anything happens, I can ask you for help."

"Um."

After Lu Chi left, there was another long silence.

Thinking about everything that happened today, the group of people were exhausted, looking at each other in bewilderment, feeling both absurdity and a sense of reliance as if they had grasped a lifeline.

Wei Jindong paced back and forth in the cat house, attracting the attention of more than a dozen cats who stared at him as if he were crazy. "Uncle, who is this Master Lu?"

Wei Hongbing wasn't good at interpersonal relationships, so he temporarily put aside the math problems in his mind and tried hard to recall: "Lu Chi... Lu Chi... I remember now... he was recommended to Yancheng University..."

Wei Rui stared at Lu Chi's green bubble interface and asked curiously, "Why?"

Wei Hongbing said, "I don't know, it seems to be related to Yanda University, but he's not very smart, at least he was terrible at this subject, I hardly remember him. Hmm, I do think I've heard someone call him 'Grandpa,' who was it? Let me think... Right, Lu Ying, that little teacher in our grade named Lu Ying!"

Wei Jindong asked, "Uncle, what else do you know?"

"Uh..." Wei Hongbing took off his glasses, rubbing his flushed face and brow. In the words of those kids, he felt like he was about to grow a brain: "I'm a rehired employee of the school, so I don't really care about these things. After class, I have to go home and cook for my grandma..."

Wei Hongbing's wife: "..."

Everyone: "..."

Wei Jindong's younger brother, Wei Jinnan, said, "Brother, I think we shouldn't pay attention to those things. He asked us to stay here all night, but if you ask me, it's all just an excuse. In the end, it will still come down to the Ningxia master he's talking about. Sister-in-law, what do you think?"

Wei Jindong nodded slowly, then quickly shook his head: "Don't talk nonsense. Since we're here, let's just make the best of it..."

Xi Ran stared at her son and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

The gag in Wei Shuang's mouth was covered with teeth marks, saliva, and blood. The white tube had turned a strange pink color from the saturation. It made a sticky whistling sound with every breath. Her face was pale, with bulging veins. The blood vessels in her eyes were frighteningly thick. Her irises, which were completely inherited from Xi Ran, even showed a strange blue-green color. Her pupils were shrunken to pinpoints. Her expression and gaze together outlined a neurotic fear and madness. Her throat made a hoarse sound, and her body kept struggling and twisting.

"Master Lu... is really different..." Xi Ran gently stroked Wei Shuang's forehead, trying to soothe his emotions. "I have a feeling that the so-called Master Ningxia is probably just an excuse for this young Master Lu. He is actually confident, but for some reason, he doesn't want to take it on, or he doesn't want to make any promises?"

Wei Jindong thought for a moment: "Master Lu seemed particularly angry just now. Hmm, could it be that the family we were inquiring about has some kind of problem?"

"Turning kindness into enmity? Love turned to hate?" Wei Rui peered around, guessing based on his years of intensive internet surfing experience: "Didn't he say something about being haunted? According to my analysis, he's probably being haunted by that guy surnamed Zhu..."

"Sister... Dad... Mom..." Wei Heng's voice trembled, "You...you guys come quick and take a look...this...this thing...it looks like a tiger!"

"?"

A tiny creature, about half the length of a palm, covered in spots and markings, its body a bloody mess. Its eyes were closed, and it could barely crawl, yet its paws were several times the size of a normal adult cat's.