“Young Master, this Ni Yuan has already won quite a lot here. Should we let him continue like this? I’m afraid it might become difficult to handle later,” a man in a blue suit said respectfully to the man in white within the gambling den.
“It’s about time to reel in the net. Go and make the preparations,” the man in white replied.
After the blue-suited man withdrew, the man in white revealed a sinister smile.
“What is your purpose in getting close to Ni Manxin?” A woman dressed in white silently appeared in the private room, standing before the man in white as she posed her question.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. And who might you be?” the man in white inquired.
“Tang Yubo, do you truly not recognize me?”
The man replied, “Miss, you’ve mistaken me for someone else. If there’s nothing else, please leave quickly. It’s inappropriate for us to be alone together.”
“Tang Yubo, do you take me, Fang Yi, for a fool? Have you forgotten who I am? Fine, since you insist on denying it, forget it. I originally thought of collaborating with you, but it seems I’ve approached the wrong person.”
As Fang Yi turned to leave, Tang Yubo’s voice came from behind her: “You want to cooperate with me? How? And on what terms?”
After scrutinizing Tang Yubo carefully and confirming that he carried no trace of divine and demonic energy—being merely an ordinary mortal—Fang Yi boldly stepped forward.
“My goal is clear: I only want Dong Yue. As for other unrelated individuals, I have no interest. And you? What is your objective?”
Fang Yi fearlessly voiced her thoughts, confident that a mere mortal could do nothing to her even if he learned the truth.
Sensing a hint of distrust, Tang Yubo said, “You want Dong Yue, and I want Ni Manxin. It’s as simple as that.”
Fang Yi gazed at him with a skeptical expression. Did Tang Yubo genuinely have feelings for Ni Manxin? If so, why would he harm her father? She had clearly seen the fleeting ruthlessness in his eyes moments earlier.
For some reason, she felt that although Tang Yubo was a mortal, there was more to him than met the eye. As for his words, she could only half-believe them and would decide later.
On another note, he had been in contact with Dong Yue for quite some time, even living together for a period. With Dong Yue’s immense divine power, it shouldn’t have been difficult to discern Tang Yubo’s background. So why had Dong Yue not taken action?
When it came to anything threatening Ni Manxin, Dong Yue never held back.
For instance, the previous shop owner had been forcibly dragged to the Netherworld by Dong Yue to perform endless hard labor.
Could it be that Tang Yubo truly loved Ni Chang, which was why Dong Yue hadn’t intervened?
But then why would Tang Yubo target Ni Chang’s father? Was there some unresolved grudge between them? She needed to investigate this thoroughly another day.
“Deal,” Fang Yi agreed.
With that, the two sealed their pact with a handshake, and Fang Yi vanished instantly.
This little girl thinks she can investigate me with her meager Celestial Clan powers? How laughable.
But Dong Yue won’t be so easy to deal with. I must be extra cautious.
That object is with Ni Chang. While they remain unaware, I must find a way to draw it out and obtain the supreme divine power.
As for this Tang Yubo’s body, it’s truly convenient. Remembering how that foolish young man naively asked me how to find a master to help exorcise evil spirits almost made me laugh aloud.
He thought he could use exorcism methods against Dong Yue? Utterly ridiculous. So, when he wasn’t paying attention, I directly consumed his soul and took over his body.Early the next morning
Fang Yi, whom she hadn’t seen for several days, appeared at Ni Manxin’s home. Ni Manxin was quite surprised—Fang Yi had left without a word and now returned just as silently.
“Fang Yi, don’t take this the wrong way, but could you stop appearing and disappearing like a ghost? My heart can’t take it!” Ni Manxin pretended to complain.
Fang Yi ignored her and directly sat on the sofa watching TV.
Ni Manxin shook her head helplessly. “Fang Yi, you know that dessert shop where you worked? Dong Yue has taken it over now. What a coincidence, don’t you think?”
Coincidence? She truly didn’t understand why Dong Yue would take interest in such a foolish Mortal Soul. Could it be that Ni Chang hadn’t noticed at all that this was all part of the Monarch’s carefully orchestrated plan? Things in this world were never that coincidental.
Fang Yi hummed in acknowledgment as a response.
“Fang Yi, honestly, I really envy you. To have such a wonderful boyfriend like Dong Yue—he even bought the shop for you. It makes me so jealous. Oh, right, Dong Yue wants you to come back to work. Will you go? I think you should…” Before Ni Manxin could finish, Fang Yi interrupted her.
“You just said Dong Yue wants me back? Is that true?”
Fang Yi was somewhat excited. Heaven rewards the diligent—she had finally waited for this day.
Seeing Fang Yi’s tear-streaked face, Ni Manxin immediately felt at a loss. What was wrong with her? Had she argued with Dong Yue? Or what?
“Fang Yi, Dong Yue is a rare catch. If you like him, go after him. He’s already swallowed his pride to ask you back—don’t be stubborn!”
Fang Yi looked at Ni Manxin, feeling that Ni Chang wasn’t as detestable as before, even finding her somewhat cute.
“I must be bewitched—how could I find her cute? She’s the one trying to steal Dong Yue from me! I must have stayed in the mortal world too long—my mind isn’t working right,” Fang Yi muttered quietly to herself.
There weren’t many customers all morning, so Ni Chang gazed boredly out the window.
Tang Yubo entered the shop carrying something in his hand.
After a silent glance exchanged with Fang Yi, he walked directly to Ni Manxin and opened the bag he was holding—it was filled with all of Ni Manxin’s favorite snacks.
“Manxin, here’s your favorite spicy crayfish. Try it and see how it tastes?” Tang Yubo placed the peeled crayfish meat in a bowl and handed it to Ni Manxin.
Ni Manxin felt quite embarrassed, secretly glancing around. Fortunately, none of the other staff had seen, or she’d have no way to explain herself.
“What’s wrong, Manxin?” Tang Yubo asked with concern.
“Nothing, really. Don’t keep peeling crayfish for me—you should have some too,” Ni Manxin said softly.
Tang Yubo smiled. “Alright, let’s eat together.”
Noticing some crayfish sauce on Tang Yubo’s face, Ni Manxin quickly took a tissue from her pocket and carefully wiped it for him.
Dong Yue happened to push the door open at that moment. Seeing the scene, his face immediately darkened.
Unable to hold back, he stepped forward and said, “Ni Manxin, are you working or dating here?”
Ni Manxin looked at Dong Yue’s icy expression fixed on her, unable to say a word. She stood frozen in place, unconsciously lowering her head.
“Are employees at your shop not allowed to eat? That makes no sense at all!” Tang Yubo, who had been watching from nearby, immediately voiced his dissatisfaction.
“Starting today, all employee meals at the dessert shop will be provided by the establishment. Family members and outsiders are strictly prohibited from bringing in food. Violators will be fined! Is that understood?”
This undoubtedly saved another portion of food expenses, and everyone clapped and cheered upon hearing it.
Dong Yue looked at Ni Manxin: “Clean this up for me. We’ll be opening soon, and it’ll leave a bad impression on customers.”
Tang Yubo slammed the table angrily: “Dong Yue, you should at least let Ni Manxin finish her meal! How could you…”
Dong Yue examined Ni Manxin with a scrutinizing gaze: “Are you full?”
Ni Manxin was about to say no, but meeting his icy stare, she immediately replied: “Tang Yubo, thank you. I’m already full.”
Tang Yubo knew Ni Manxin was lying but could do nothing about it, so he left awkwardly.
“Why are you still standing there? Go clean this table for me,” Dong Yue said, suppressing his anger.
“Okay.”
“Wait, don’t bother cleaning it. This table is too dirty. Throw it out for me. I’ll buy a new one tomorrow.”
Ni Manxin stood there dumbfounded. What was Dong Yue trying to say? Too dirty? If it’s too dirty, wouldn’t cleaning it make it clean again? Who throws away a table just because it’s dirty? Even the wealthy wouldn’t discard tables every day…