Seeing Lin Guo off.

Zheng Qing wiped away the smile, carrying his thoughts, and walked silently into the alley.

Although today is the Lantern Festival, the time in this alley seems frozen. No matter when he comes, it always exudes a somber and silent aura. The high, bluish-gray walls stand on both sides, like a solid cage, creating a strong sense of oppression, making each step quieter.

In this environment, even the leaves sprouting from the vines on the walls seem a shade darker than those outside.

It wasn’t until Zheng Qing reached the Abnormal Life Research Institute that he felt the oppressive atmosphere around him slightly loosen. The lanterns hanging outside cast overlapping oval light spots, with a low long table placed in the center, adorned with wine, celery, dates, chestnuts, soup of sorts, and various sacrifices.

Also known as the vegetable offering ceremony.

But compared to the ceremony at Greenhill Mansion, the arrangement at the institute appeared rather shabby. Besides the slightly inferior quality of the wine and dishes, there were no conch shells, golden bells, jade platforms, and other ceremonial instruments displayed.

As for why his family’s altar was placed outdoors, Zheng Qing guessed it might be related to Doctor Du Zemu’s non-Huaxia background; or perhaps simply because his family’s courtyard was small and couldn’t accommodate the altar; another possibility was the Doctor’s unorthodox manner, who might use this single table to also pay homage to the two Door Gods on the gate—for Zheng Qing noticed a small incense burner placed next to the altar, with three slender white tendrils of smoke rising from it, disappearing into the talisman board on the door.

Though God Tu and Yu Lei still held their weapons, appearing diligent, their hazy eyes betrayed that they were indulging in the incense smoke, unable to extricate themselves.

However, the white-haired tiger was spirited, bouncing around on the door panels, holding a Little Orange Lamp drawn by someone unknown.

"Hey! You little thief!"

Upon seeing Zheng Qing’s figure, the white-haired tiger was suddenly overjoyed, flinging the small lamp aside, crouching, wagging its tail, with two large golden eyes shining brightly in the night air, full of vigor:

"Who goes there? State your name!"

"Zheng Qing, I have an appointment with Doctor Du Zemu for a visit tonight," the young man answered honestly.

"Do you have a visiting card?" The white-haired tiger asked sideways.

Zheng Qing froze for a moment: "A visiting card? In the past, didn’t I just knock on the door directly? Don’t you recognize me? I was talking to you just last night!"

As he spoke, he involuntarily glanced at the bell on the large blue-black door.

"Ha, where did this bumbling fool come from!"

The white-haired tiger sneered again and again, enjoying the wag of its tail behind: "Not just any Ah Mao or Ah Gou can meet my Doctor! Without a visiting card, don’t make trouble at the door. Beware I report you to the top, and let the Trisword lock you up with an iron chain!"

Zheng Qing scratched his head.

It’s not that the white-haired tiger was blustering; as a Door God, it indeed has close ties with the Alliance’s law enforcement agencies and can actively request cooperation from institutions like Trisword.

But for someone like him who frequently visits Doctor Du Zemu isn’t usually treated this way.

The young wizard strongly suspected that it was because of last night’s incident at the door, where he and the witch ’recalled funny things’, which annoyed the white-haired tiger, leading to it making things difficult for him at the door.

The trouble lies in that the Door Gods do indeed have the power to ’close the door’. If this white-haired tiger really blocked the door, cutting off internal and external communication, Zheng Qing couldn’t very well smash someone else’s door to barge in.

At this awkward time.

The heavy blue-black door slowly opened, revealing an old face.

It was Elder Constantin, Du Zemu’s servant.

"Good evening, Young Master Zheng Qing." The elder politely greeted the young wizard, opened the door, blocked the white-haired tiger in front, and respectfully said: "Our young master knows you are here and is waiting in the study... don’t bother with this little cat, it had too much incense smoke tonight and is a bit restless."

"It’s fine, it’s really fine." Zheng Qing smiled and waved repeatedly, but couldn’t resist making a face at the white-haired tiger as he walked past it.

The old servant, with eyes observing nose and nose observing heart, seemed oblivious.

It was the white-haired tiger that was quite upset, waving around the small orange lamp in a chaotic manner, venting its agitated temper, flickering the light to nearly extinguished.

Similar to yesterday, Doctor Du Zemu was still busy with his drafts at the desk today.

But different from yesterday, the study appeared a bit cramped today. Zheng Qing noticed a large chair next to the desk, with a large glass jar holding a sunflower vase and a bottle of apple dew tied to celery.

Zheng Qing was familiar with the glass jar.

Because he chose this glass jar himself, and the sunflower inside was the one occupied by three sleeping Sprites from the dormitory. At this moment, they were still sound asleep on the blooming flower head, seemingly unaware they were in a foreign land.

As for the glass jar, Xin Fat Man brought it ahead of time at Zheng Qing’s request when he was gathering insights at the Pedestrian Street this afternoon, allowing more time for the Doctor’s inspection.

That apple dew tied to the celery looked quite peculiar.

"It’s a vegetable offering from my classmate Lin Guo." Doctor Du Zemu explained briefly after noticing the warlock’s gaze while finishing his work.

Zheng Qing suddenly understood.

The vegetable offering for the Lantern Festival is an ancient rite, but also used in different ways. The offering at Greenhill Mansion is a disaster-removing ceremony, mainly for eliminating ominous omens and praying for blessings. There’s another type of vegetable offering for visiting teachers or worshipping ancestors, to show respect and honor.

However, in Zheng Qing’s impression, Lin Guo, living alone at such a young age, theoretically shouldn’t understand complex and trivial rituals, but it was unknown where he learned such knowledge.

Then again, he thought, feeling somewhat relieved—Lin Guo grew up in the best university in the Wizard World, surrounded by neighbors and elders occasionally looking out for him, how could he not learn things?

As these thoughts flashed through his mind, he didn’t forget to take out his prepared gift, respectfully handing it over.

Doctor Du Zemu, holding the apple dew Zheng Qing gave, raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Although apple dew is the most cost-effective, safe, and suitable gift for students, yours clearly doesn’t belong to that category." He joked as he gestured around: "Your bottle of apple dew is enough to buy this old building of mine... of course, excluding the knowledge inside."

"Of course, of course, since knowledge is priceless." The guest nodded with restraint, but felt somewhat lost. Although he knew that bottle of apple dew wasn’t low-grade, he hadn’t expected the price to be so high.

This old building, just judging by its layout, would also be worth dozens of jade coins!

No wonder Su Man, the head housemaid, didn’t look pleased when he took it.