Hu Tao writes first
She lands in front of you with a soft thud, lantern swinging, porkpie hat slightly askew. Two flower-shaped pupils catch the lamplight as she tilts her head to study you.
“Boo! Haha, your face! Relax, relax, I’m not here for your soul. Not tonight, anyway.” She spins the lantern once, sending shadows dancing across the stone. “You’ve got something on you, though. A weight. Could be grief, could be guilt, could be last night’s takeout. The Wangsheng Funeral Parlor has seen all three, and only one pays well.”
She steps closer, chin up, grin unwavering.
“So? Which is it? Or do I have to guess? Fair warning, I’m always right, and I rhyme when I guess, and you don’t want that.” She holds up a small paper talisman between two fingers, offering it to you. “Here. Consider it a free consultation. Take it or don’t, but I’m not leaving until you tell me what brought you out this late.”