“You asked, so you probably already understand.”
Jiang Lai met Pei Jingchuan’s gaze calmly and boldly.
“I used to do too much for the Gu family. Because of that, they stopped valuing it. I don’t plan to pave the way for them anymore.”
“But since the project carries the Pei Group’s name, it’s more convincing this way — so why not use my fiancé? No need to let it go to waste, right?”
She winked slyly. A flash of admiration crossed Pei Jingchuan’s eyes.
“If anything comes up in the future, you can come to me directly,” he said more gently, meaningfully. “Whether it’s about the Gu family… or something as small as finding a place to live.”
He stepped closer; his warm breath nearly brushed Jiang Lai’s neck.
“You did well this time, Jiang Lai.”
Jiang Lai was dragging her suitcase when Fu Baiqing pulled her all the way back to his apartment.
As soon as the door closed, he spoke coldly:
“Didn’t you say you were staying at a friend’s place? How did that suddenly turn into a fiancé today? Don’t you think you owe me an explanation?”
His tone sounded like a formal interrogation.
Jiang Lai coughed awkwardly and rubbed her nose, feeling guilty.
They say “an older brother is like a father.” She had spent most of her childhood with Fu Baiqing. They bickered often, but when he got serious, it was terrifying.
“This engagement is just a deal. I don’t want everything that belongs to me to fall into Gu Qianhe’s hands,” Jiang Lai explained honestly like a child admitting a mistake.
“Besides that, Pei Jingchuan and I are friends and partners.”
“Mm.”
Fu Baiqing seemed mostly satisfied.
“According to the rules, once your life tribulation is resolved, you should return to the Hidden Sect. If you get too deeply involved with the outside world, it will only make things harder for you.”
“I know. Don’t worry, senior brother,” Jiang Lai promised.
He didn’t press further, gave her a few brief instructions, and left.
Jiang Lai finished tidying the apartment, then went with **Ya to Lan Ting at the scheduled time.
Room 1663 was a large, antique-style private room. A Suzhou-embroidered screen stood at the narrow entrance, separating the space.
**Ya sat nervously at the redwood table, constantly sipping water and tapping her earpiece.
“Master, are you sure this will fool them? What if they recognize you?”
Jiang Lai hid calmly behind the screen. “They won’t.”
The screen was made of special material that perfectly concealed her figure. Besides, Song Yue was coming out of desperation — she wouldn’t scrutinize the room too closely.
**Ya swallowed and replied obediently, “Okay.”
Less than three minutes later, Song Yue arrived — with Song Qin beside her.
Knock, knock.
“Master, I’m coming in,” Song Yue said.
They opened the door and both froze when they saw **Ya sitting there.
The “great master” invited by the Zhuang family was so young?!
“Did we go to the wrong room?” Song Qin whispered, scanning the room suspiciously.
“No.” Song Yue stepped forward. “Are you the master invited by the Zhuang family?”
“No,” **Ya replied calmly, as rehearsed. “My master said your situation isn’t serious enough for her to personally act, so she sent me instead.”
Song Yue’s expression darkened.
Song Qin looked even more displeased.
“We paid eight million! What kind of airs does your master have — she won’t even show her face?” Song Yue snapped.
The moment she finished speaking, her knees suddenly buckled. An invisible pressure forced her to the ground — she couldn’t stand up.
Jiang Lai’s voice came through the earpiece: “Just a small trick. Continue as I told you.”
**Ya composed herself. “My master said if you don’t believe her, you can leave now. But next time, it won’t be eight million.”
Cold sweat poured down Song Yue’s back. She clawed at the carpet, trembling.
Song Qin tried to pull her up — but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t move her an inch.
“What did you do to my sister?!” Song Qin shouted.
“Just a little demonstration.” **Ya formed a hand seal theatrically. After hearing Jiang Lai say “OK” in the earpiece, she spoke again: “You’re fine now.”
Song Yue shakily stood up, clinging to Song Qin — completely subdued.
The suffocating feeling had been too real. She now believed this “apprentice” and her master truly had abilities.
“H–Honored Master… I was rude just now. Can you tell me what’s wrong with me?” Song Yue asked respectfully.
**Ya put on a serious air. “It’s not a big issue. You’re entangled by a resentful spirit. Carry this talisman for a week, and everything will resolve.”
She then glanced at Song Qin.
“Actually, your sister’s problem is worse. There is someone in your household who is secretly stealing your fortune. No matter how glorious your first half of life is, your latter half will end in poverty.”
“Nonsense!” Song Qin glared at her. “The Gu family is doing just fine — we don’t need your curses!”
**Ya ignored her and repeated exactly what Jiang Lai instructed through the earpiece:
“Within one day, your company’s cash flow will collapse. Within two weeks, strange incidents will occur in your home…”
“My master says: wait for the Gu family to come looking for her.”
She handed Song Yue a talisman and signaled for them to leave.
As they exited, Song Qin shot **Ya a venomous look.
Song Yue tucked the talisman into her pocket, feeling strangely refreshed.
“Big sister… I think what that master said might actually be true.”
“Stealing fortune?” Song Qin raised an eyebrow. “Who would do something so sinister to us?”
“Jiang Lai!” Song Yue blurted out — then paused. “Wait… she’s already moved out, so maybe—”
Song Qin scoffed dismissively. “Don’t overthink it. With Qianhe — our lucky star — in the Gu family, no matter what happens, everything will turn out fine.”
After all, the biggest uncertainty — Jiang Lai — has already moved out.
From now on, the Gu family would be smooth sailing and prosperous in every way.