“Hey! How’d it go?!” When Gloria dragged herself out of the meeting, Sue, Sifu Tae Kuo were already there waiting for her.

“Oh, you’re here.” Gloria responded after a short moment, shaking her head with a wry smile: “Sorry - it was not - well, it could be better.”

“What did they say?” Tae Kuo asked, frowning.

“He - the enforcer basically said I have a history of being irresponsible as a temp watcher, and the incident about that body was my fault.” Gloria shrugged.

“And did he say anything about the reports and results from all of those investigations? I am pretty sure if the man has read it, he’ll know for sure that you did all you can and it would be unreasonable to ask for anything else…” Tae Kuo asked with a heavy frown.

“Well, I think it’s pretty clear that either he did not read it, or that he was not going to quote it at all.” Gloria looked around, then turned and gestured toward a tea house nearby: “Let’s talk in private. ”

“What is happening?” Sue looked even more worried when they found a discreet corner in the tea house: “Did the guy threaten you or something?”

“Something like that. But I think it’s a bit more complicated.” Gloria sighed: “I think they might be looking for trouble, not exactly aiming at me, but aiming at the coffin house. And that means you, Sifu, and you Sue.”

“What’d he ask?” Tae Kuo frowned harder.

“Basically what kind of circumstances were, and if I could bring up some failures or errors in how the house is run. I get the sense that he was trying to dig up something.” Gloria took a sip of the tea: “I just told them that we didn’t have enough time and resources when everything happened. And I don’t really regret the decisions I made because it was out of necessity.”

Tae Kuo nodded, then filled up Gloria’s tea cup, then Sue’s then his own. He sat for a while, then raised his cup at Gloria, with both hands, as a sign of respect and gratitude: “My sincere thanks, Gloria. What is the ruling?”

“Six month suspension of temp watcher qualification, and one year probation. Consecutive.” Gloria sighed, then raised her cup back at Tae Kuo: “I think he wanted to permanently suspend me, but one of the overseers kinda - kinda coughed some sense into him.”

“Two overseers, looks like they actually are paying a lot of attention.” Sue frowned: “Did they announce themselves?”

“No.” Gloria finished her tea, then poured some more for Tae Kuo and herself.

“It’s getting to election time for the city council, as well as the community collective. ” Tae Kuo said as he looked at the table top, his eyes unfocused from his thoughts: “And usually this means time for promotion, appointments. The simplest explanation would be this Fyman Nu wants something to pad his resume.”

“And what of the no-so-simple explanation?” Sue raised her eyebrows.

“Well, let’s not name it. For everything I could say would be pure speculation.” Tae Kuo let out a long sigh: “But rest assured, I’ll do everything in my power to make sure we’re be okay.”

“Thank you, Sifu.” Sue raised her cup at Tae Kuo: “And please let me know how I can help. I - I really want this to be over.”

“Oh, and here.” Tae Kuo, took out two envelopes, and handed them to Sue and Gloria.

“What is this?” Gloria peeked into it, and found that there were a few bills inside. “Sifu Kuo, this - why? Thank you very much! But why?”

“Meh, just something I owe both of you.” Tae Kuo chuckled: “When I was traveling, I came into the opportunities of helping some folks outside of the city with their troubles. It’s only fair that I share the fortune with you. It’s the right thing to do.”

“Thank you, Sifu.” Sue tucked the envelope away, and nodded at him.

“Yeah, yeah. Don’t worry about it.” Tae Kuo finished his tea, and Sue promptly filled his cup: “First things first, I will talk to some folks in my circle, pull some strings and see what can be done. This is - very problematic, to say the least.”

“How about Bulu Wang? He was the lead investigator, right?” Gloria asked, with her fingers tapping the tabletop.

“He - he was reassigned.” Tae Kuo sighed: “And this is why I will be asking you this: be careful, don’t talk to anyone about the incident. I sense that something big is happening, we must not act rashly.”

“But - what should we actively do? We can’t just stay passive, can we?” Gloria looked up at the ceiling of the house. The wooden panels were tidy and meticulously placed, and the red lanterns were clean, pretty and bright. She just was not in the mood to enjoy what otherwise would be a very pleasant sight.

“Stay put for now. And stay low.” After a moment of consideration, Tae Kuo answered: “Don’t rush into anything. I think soon we will be able to see what their agenda is. I am not going to guess what it is. You might have your theories, but no need to tell me for now.”

“Oh - okay.” Sue and Gloria exchanged looks.

“Now, I’ll need to go in as well.” Tae Kuo smiled and stood up: “It’s no surprise they want to question me as well. But I am at least glad that I now know more about the man who’s going to lead the questioning.”

“Wait, you have a meeting as well?” Gloria almost asked out loud.

“Yes. And they just informed me this morning. Needless to say, no time to ask for witnesses on our side.” Tae Kuo shrugged: “Now, go home and take a break. You look tired, and I can smell the negative paranormal energy from you. You must have been very busy.”

“Well - ” Sue immediately sniffed her own sleeves and collar: “Is it that bad?”

“Not too bad. But take a bath with ginger and sage water, don’t forget some talisman ashes.”