Sun Xiaoxuan had just returned to her room when her phone rang.
Seeing the caller ID, her expression turned slightly panicked.
She quickly closed the door before answering the call.
Suppressing her voice, she snapped angrily, “Didn’t you just take 80 million? What else do you want?”
“Oho, Miss Sun, no need to get so worked up. Be careful not to disturb the baby, you might scare our little one,” came a man’s voice from the other end of the line.
His tone carried a hint of amusement and mockery.
“Who’s your baby?! I’m Xie Jingling’s wife now!” Sun Xiaoxuan reminded him sharply.
But the man only chuckled. “Oh, so Miss Sun is the type to pull up her pants and pretend nothing happened? That night, you were quite enthusiastic. I wonder what expression Xie Jingling would have if he found out his wife had already been with so many men, that he’s just the unlucky guy left holding the bag, and that the child isn’t even his? I can’t wait to see~”
“What do you want?!” Sun Xiaoxuan clenched her fists. “Didn’t you say you’d leave me alone once the money was transferred?!”
“Tsk tsk, Miss Sun, you didn’t really think 80 million would be enough to get rid of me, did you?” He sneered.
Sun Xiaoxuan gritted her teeth. “What do you mean ‘just’ 80 million? What about the month I spent sleeping with you? Doesn’t that count?!”
“Well, didn’t you enjoy it too?”
“You!”
“Alright, enough nonsense,” the man cut in impatiently. “Give me another 200 million, and I promise I won’t bother you again. I won’t tell the police about your past deeds, and I won’t spill our little secret to that Xie guy. But if you don’t do as I say… well, I can’t guarantee what I might let slip.”
The man’s threat drained the color from Sun Xiaoxuan’s face.
“Fine! Just give me some more time!”
She took a deep breath, forcing the words through gritted teeth.
Only then did the man whistle in satisfaction and hang up.
That night, as Sun Xiaoxuan and Xie Jingling slept soundly, a sudden chill brushed against her neck.
She jolted awake with a start.
When she opened her eyes, she was met with a ghastly, blood-streaked face.
Two hollow eyes stared fixedly at her as dark, corpse-like fingers slowly reached for her throat.
“You venomous witch! Give me back my life! Give it back to me!”
“AHHHHHHH!”
At the sight of that familiar ghostly face, Sun Xiaoxuan’s eyes widened in terror, and she let out a piercing scream.
This person…
It was her…
She stared in disbelief, her entire body trembling like a leaf.
The noise woke Xie Jingling beside her.
He quickly turned on the bedside lamp and pulled Sun Xiaoxuan into his arms.
“Xiaoxuan, what’s wrong?”
“Jingling, a ghost! There’s a ghost!”
Frowning, Xie Jingling glanced in the direction she was pointing.
But there was nothing there.
Gently patting her back, he reassured her, “You must’ve had a nightmare. There’s nothing there.”
Sun Xiaoxuan shook her head frantically. “No! I really saw it! It was trying to strangle me!”
“Shh, it’s okay. Don’t be afraid. I’m here, I’ll protect you.”
Xie Jingling held her close, murmuring soothing words.
For the next two nights, Sun Xiaoxuan woke up screaming from nightmares.
Each time, she would panic and insist that a ghost was trying to kill her.
Her distress kept the entire Xie household awake, leaving everyone with dark circles under their eyes.
“If this keeps up, I might as well pay a visit to the King of Hell!” Zhao Mei grumbled, her temper flaring.
“Yeah, with Sister-in-law making such a scene every night, I’m on the verge of a nervous breakdown,” Xie Tongtong chimed in, equally displeased.
“Maybe we should invite a master to come take a look at the house?” Zhao Mei suggested.
Xie Jingling frowned.
Though he didn’t believe in ghosts, Sun Xiaoxuan’s nightly disturbances were becoming unbearable.
“Fine, I’ll ask around and see if there’s any reliable master we can call.”
…
Before they knew it, a week had passed.
Today was the day Yun Mojiu and Xiao Junhe had agreed to meet.
At exactly ten in the morning, Jian An pulled up at the entrance of the residential complex.
Once Yun Mojiu got in, the car headed straight for the Xiao residence.
The Xiao family estate was located in the city center, a sprawling private property complete with an artificial lake, swimming pool, tennis courts, a basketball gym, and even a golf course. The landscaping alone was exorbitantly expensive.
Just the fountain at the entrance had cost a staggering hundred million, designed and built by the most renowned landscape artist in the country.
At the heart of the estate stood a three-story villa, elegant and refined, exuding grandeur while maintaining an air of dreamy romance like a castle under the blue sky, mysterious and noble.
Surrounding the estate were all manner of shopping malls and entertainment venues, making travel and shopping incredibly convenient.
Owning such an estate in the city center was a testament to the family’s staggering wealth.
When Yun Mojiu arrived, Xiao Junhe was in the middle of a video conference.
Spotting her, he exchanged a few words with the person on the screen before closing his laptop and walking toward her.
“Miss Yun.”
His gaze lingered on Yun Mojiu’s flawless face, the corners of his lips lifting slightly.
Yun Mojiu nodded. “Let’s begin.”
“Of course. This way, please.”
Xiao Junhe gestured toward a room on the first floor.
Yun Mojiu hesitated.
She didn’t understand why they needed to go to a separate room when the living room would have sufficed, but as a guest, she obliged and followed.
Once inside, Xiao Junhe closed the door behind them.
Then, he began unbuttoning his shirt.
Yun Mojiu: ???
“What are you doing?” she asked, baffled.
Xiao Junhe paused mid-button, his expression unreadable.
“Undressing.”
“Why?”
“Last time at the hospital, you…”
Though he didn’t finish, Yun Mojiu understood.
At the hospital, she had unbuttoned his shirt.
So now, he assumed he needed to be shirtless again and had started undressing himself.
But…
“That won’t be necessary this time.”
The corners of her lips twitched, as if suppressing a laugh.
Her faint smile was like a gentle breeze sweeping over green mountains, coaxing wildflowers into bloom.
After a moment, she added, “And it won’t be necessary in the future, either.”
This was the first time Xiao Junhe had seen Yun Mojiu smile like this, and for a brief second, he was spellbound.
But he quickly regained his composure, clearing his throat as he slowly fastened the two undone buttons.
“Then I’ll trouble you, Miss Yun.”
He walked calmly to the bed.
“Should I lie down or sit?” he asked.
“Sitting is fine.”
“Alright.”
Obediently, Xiao Junhe sat on the edge of the bed, his long legs resting naturally against the floor.
Yun Mojiu stepped forward and took out two talismans…
Half an hour later.
“All done.”
Yun Mojiu withdrew her hand and was about to step back when her foot accidentally caught on Xiao Junhe’s shoe. Losing her balance, she swayed slightly and nearly stumbled.
“Careful.”
With quick reflexes, Xiao Junhe reached out and steadied her.