Zhenglin

With Joey by the locksmith, Evening

Joey: So you see things that others can't, then? I'll let you in on a secret — I can, too.

Zhenglin: So you're aware that you've got a spirit following you around?

Joey: A ghost behind me!? What!?

(Interaction with A-Bin)

A-Bin: Yes, that's right! That mine I saw online is just up ahead.

Zhenglin: Alright, escort mission complete. I'm gonna head out.

A-Bin: No, wait, please stay! I need your protection, Master. If those nasty things show up again, you're the one I'll be counting on.

Zhenglin: Okay, okay. But just so you know, this will cost extra.

A-Bin: Sure, as long as I can dig something up. By the way, sure you aren't interested in joining our mining crew? You might just strike it rich!

Zhenglin: I'm good. You're a gold mine as-is.

A-Bin: Oh?

(Interaction with Rye)

Rye: Zhenglin, let's play mahjong! We need one more! Old Cheng and Miss Lian are already waiting. C'mon, you could be our fourth!

Zhenglin: No I can't. I'm on the clock right now.

Rye: Come on, the shop won't go under without you. But us three? Well, we'd be toast! Toast, I tell you!

Rye: Lin! Wait up! Lin! C'mon, there's no mahjong game without you!

(Interaction with Chunshi)

Chunshi: Yo, you heard? There's this new part-time gig hiring people at 80,000 Dennies per hour.

Zhenglin: That much? You sure it's legit? What are the requirements?

Chunshi: Should be above aboard, right? They say you gotta pay 100,000 Dennies upfront as a training fee, though — which you can get back after you start working.

Zhenglin: Wait, that sounds like a total scam no matter how you look at it!!

Chunshi: What? Phew. Good thing I don't even have money worth scamming off me...

(Interaction with a child)

Zhenglin: A moment if you would, young believer. You've been possessed by an Ahriman.

Child: Nonsense! Mom says you're all liars.

Zhenglin: Your complexion is dull, and the area around forehead has darkened. Please, let me do a quick reading... You've been having nightmares lately, right? Feeling under the weather, with no appetite, perhaps?

Child: Wait... You're actually spot on... Master, please help me!

Zhenglin: You must've been to the Hollow recently, where you fell under that taint.

Zhenglin: "Five thunders roar, dispel the filth, Ahriman, Ahriman, begone!" There you go, child. You're safe now. But remember — stay far away from the Hollow from now on.

Child: *sniff sniff*... Thank you, Master!

(Interaction with Old Cheng)

Old Cheng: So Zhenglin, what's up with this apartment's feng shui? Must be off, right? The tenant's been complaining about getting dizzy in their sleep lately.

Zhenglin: Hey old man, when did all this stuff get piled up by the window?

Old Cheng: Hah, I knew it. Placing all these things must have messed with the feng shui.

Zhenglin: That's not the issue, Uncle Cheng. With all these windows blocked up, no air can circulate. It'd be more shocking if it didn't make a fella dizzy!

(Interaction with Rye and Lowlife Passerby)

Rye: This guy, cutting in line and spitting everywhere...

Zhenglin: Knock it off, man. It's not worth it.

Rye: You punk, what's wrong with you? You're the kind of dude who'd spit on your old man and not even know it, huh?

Lowlife Passerby: What's up? What did you just say?

Zhenglin: He said you're looking sharp...

Lowlife Passerby: Oh, uh, thanks!

(Interaction in front of cable car station, Late Night)

Zhenglin: Talismans ready, compass aligned, water bottle filled.

Zhenglin: Alright, time to exorcise some spirits.

Zhenglin: Hold up, this is giving me some serious déjà vu...

Zhenglin: I feel like I've been through all this before.

Zhenglin: Whatever, let's go grab something to eat first.

(Interaction with Eleanor)

Zhenglin: Got any tong sui? You know, the sort that can get rid of bad status effects?

Eleanor: Uh, well... We do have something that can help cool you down — seaweed and mung bean soup.

Zhenglin: Uh... I mean tong sui used to ward off bad luck I might've picked up after seeing an Ahriman.

Eleanor: What? You mean charm water, don't you? Head over to Suibian Temple next door and ask that panda guy.

Zhenglin: ...Eh, whatever. Just get me some seaweed and mung bean soup.

Zhenglin frowns, and takes his seaweed mung bean soup with him out of the tong sui shop.

(Interaction with Xianglu)

Zhenglin: Dan Zhu, Mouth Deity, expel miasmic filth. Zheng Lun, Tongue Deity, unclog fates and nourish the spirit.

Xianglu: Hey, Master Zhenglin, you finally made it. Our target's still that "Lady in White," by the by.

Xianglu: I ran into her again while looking at apartments recently — she just *snap* popped out of nowhere in a dark corridor!

Zhenglin: Zheng Lun, Tongue Deity... unclog fates and nourish the spirit...

Xianglu: You have no idea how terrifying it was!

Zhenglin: Alright, alright, I get it. Just lead the way, and be quiet for a bit. I can't concentrate...

(Interaction with Xianglu)

Zhenglin: Xianglu, are you sure it's really around here?

Xianglu: I swear I saw it behind Check Inn! I waas [sic] showing a client around that day — a 5 million-Denny deal, let me tell you! And she had to come along and ruin it.

Zhenglin: But no matter how you look at it, there are no signs of paranormal activity here.

Zhenglin: Hold up, did you hear that rustling sound?

Zhenglin: Seems to be coming from the Echo Chamber. Xianglu, there's too much killing intent ahead. Let's hold our position here for now.

(Interaction with Xianglu)

Zhenglin: *cough cough*... Stay back, there's something dangerous inside...

Xianglu: Zhenglin! Zhenglin! Are you alright?

Zhenglin: Three hours we fought... I gave it my all, but still couldn't beat her.

Xianglu: Hey, man, hang in there. Don't you collapse in my arms! I already have a haunted house on my hands, I don't need a murder too!

(Zhenglin's gaze slowly becomes vacant, then focuses again.)

Xianglu: ...Zhenglin!? Hey! Hey! Wake up!

Zhenglin: Huh... Xianglu? What are you doing here? Wait, what am I doing here?

Xianglu: What... I... Guess the exorcism failed again, huh? Hold on, I'll take you to the hospital.

(Interaction with "Lady in White")

Zhenglin: Talismans, compass, all packed and ready!

Zhenglin: Yeah, but I've got this bad feeling. Like I've forgotten something about this commission...

Zhenglin: Plus, this place feels so familiar — there's even the scent of my signature peach blossom charm water lingering in the air.

Zhenglin: But why can't I remember it...

"Lady in White": Ugh, here we go again...

(Interaction with Reed)

Reed: Hey Zhenglin, there's gonna be a merchandise sale tonight. Make sure you're ready. When Miss Lian comes...

Zhenglin: When she comes, make sure to haggle with her a lot — she lives for this stuff! Old Cheng won't splurge on Porcelume, but he'll definitely take some of this year's new tea home. Don't worry, I remember everything you told me this morning.

Reed: Not bad, Zhenglin. You're really putting your heart into this.

Reed: But why do we have to chase Ginger out if we see 'im?

Zhenglin: That kid's eyes are just too sharp! He'll have snatched up all the good stuff in no time. No one would even bother to browse after that!

Sailume Bay

(Interaction with Jia'ao)

Jia'ao: Thanks a lot, Zhenglin.

Jia'ao: Otherwise, that boss will end up making us form a ghost-busting squad sooner or later...

Jia'ao: I knew it! An evil ghost hiding in the light box just to scare people? Nonsense!

Zhenglin: Public Security Officer, please help report this incident to the electric utility. We hope they can resolve the voltage instability issue in Sailume Bay as soon as possible...

Zhenglin: I've already received over a dozen commissions from clients to exorcise those "Flickering Fiends" from their light boxes...

Jia'ao: No problem!

(Interaction with Joey, Morning)

Zhenglin: How could a hermit crab's shell possibly be a shadow spirit?

Joey: I've got proof!

Joey: First, the shell was once a living being too.

Joey: Second, a hermit crab can never see the shell on its back.

Joey: Third, the shell never denied being a shadow spirit.

(Interaction with Old Cheng, Evening)

Old Cheng: Zhenglin, think about it again!

Old Cheng: Rare chance to catch a real dragon boat race! And the Waifei team definitely needs a young talent like you!

Zhenglin: But I've still got my part-time jobs...

Old Cheng: Don't worry. Your bosses all gave me the green light. If you're in, you'll get all the time off you need!

Zhenglin: I'll think about it...

Old Cheng: Oh right, don't you dare use any of those weird Waycraft skills...

Old Cheng: Friendship first, competition second.

Zhenglin: O—Okay...

(Interaction with Rye, Weekend, Morning)

Rye: *sigh* Lost at mahjong again this afternoon.

Rye: Looks like I need to work on my math skills...

Zhenglin: Maybe it's just bad luck...

Zhenglin: If you need... I can help you calculate your feng shui...

Rye: No! Absolutely not!

Rye: I play scientific mahjong. How could I resort to such supernatural mumbo-jumbo?!