Li Qing had originally been so certain he could use that leverage to threaten Zuo Zhu and achieve his goal.
Reality, however, dealt him a harsh slap in the face. Zuo Zhu simply refused to play along.
He could only grit his teeth and watch her leave, utterly helpless.
And that was not the end of it. Not long after finishing with Li Qing, Zuo Zhu had barely wandered around the courtyard when she ran into someone else.
Even after last night’s ordeal, Zhao Yunling still appeared in excellent condition today. From her looks and bearing, it was not hard to understand why Third Uncle Li had once willingly given up an entire forest for her.
“Little sister, why haven’t I seen Master Huo today?” she asked with a smiling face as she approached Zuo Zhu, feigning puzzlement.
“He’s busy,” Zuo Zhu replied with the same answer as before.
“I see. I was planning to thank him properly last night, but I didn’t catch sight of him.” Having received her answer, Zhao Yunling did not linger and soon left, as though she had truly come only to ask that one question.
Zuo Zhu sighed.
Last night’s incident had become a turning point. Before anyone could gauge Huo Fu’s true abilities, aside from a few impatient people, most had merely observed. Once his strength was revealed, however, everyone became eager to act.
…
Though Zhao Yunling had learned nothing useful from Zuo Zhu, her expression did not change. Inside, however, her thoughts were in turmoil.
As she prepared to enter her room, her elder brother suddenly leaned close and murmured, “I just saw Master Huo return. He’s alone in his room.”
The implication in his eyes was obvious, and Zhao Yunling immediately understood.
She made her decision at once. “That little girl should still be strolling in the courtyard. Keep an eye on her for me and try to delay her as long as possible.”
“Understood.”
Without further hesitation, Zhao Yunling returned to her room to tidy herself up slightly. Taking advantage of the quiet villa during the day, she knocked on Huo Fu’s door.
Huo Fu had only just come back and had not seen Zuo Zhu in his room. He had been about to go look for her when the knock sounded.
Opening the door and seeing Zhao Yunling, he regarded her calmly. “What is it?”
“Master Huo, I’ve come to thank you. If you hadn’t captured that hanging ghost last night, I might have continued suffering under it.” She brushed back her hair. “Perhaps you’ll let me come in so I can thank you properly?”
She emphasized the word properly with deliberate ambiguity. Any man could understand her suggestion.
Huo Fu looked at her and smiled. “Not now.”
Zhao Yunling froze, surprise and delight flashing in her eyes.
The delight came because she had begun to doubt her own charm. From yesterday until now, Huo Fu had shown no reaction to her advances, remaining indifferent and even cold. She had nearly suspected that he was not interested in her at all. Otherwise, she would not have been so impatient to approach him. After all, men rarely cherish women who are too forward.
When he said not now, she wondered whether it had been because Zuo Zhu was always by his side before, forcing him to maintain the appearance of a gentleman. Now that Zuo Zhu was absent, perhaps he was revealing his true nature.
As for her confusion, she simply did not understand why he would say not now when this seemed the perfect opportunity.
Seeing her confusion, Huo Fu chuckled. “Come tonight. I’ll send her away.”
He was undeniably handsome, far surpassing even the most popular young male stars. Though a ghost catcher, he carried himself with the refined air of someone raised in wealth and privilege.
If the Li family exuded the air of nouveau riche, Huo Fu gave the impression of a noble heir cultivated in a true aristocratic household.
There was also a faint ruthlessness and carelessness about him, well concealed but still perceptible to Zhao Yunling’s sharp instincts.
Her knees nearly buckled. A flush rose to her cheeks as she replied softly, “All right.”
This Master Huo was far superior to both Third Uncle Li and Second Uncle Li. Though she had married well, she had always harbored dissatisfaction.
She had hooked up with Third Uncle Li before even graduating from university and married him right after graduation. Within a year or two, he had died.
The Li family was no good place to stay. After becoming wealthy, President Li and Second Uncle Li constantly struggled for control. As a childless widow, she could only accept small allowances from them while enduring the disdain of the entire household.
She had expended considerable effort to entangle herself with Second Uncle Li.
Yet she remained unwilling to accept her fate, unwilling to waste her youth on two older men when she was so beautiful.
Now, seeing Huo Fu, younger by nearly a decade yet so exceptional, her heart was thoroughly stirred.
Before leaving, she cast him a flirtatious glance. “I’ll come to you tonight.”
Huo Fu watched her depart with a smile. The moment the door closed, the smile vanished.
Standing idly behind the door, he seemed to mutter to himself, “I treat you well, don’t I?”
It was unclear whom he was addressing. After a moment, he let out a cold laugh. “Once your stomach is full tonight, stop biting the back of people’s necks all the time. If you ever bite off a piece of flesh, see whether I spare you.”
After speaking to himself, he remembered he still had to find Zuo Zhu, who had no idea where she had wandered.
No sooner had he thought of her than she burst through the door, beaming.
“Son, are you hungry? Mom brought you roast duck from the kitchen!”
Having learned from the servants that Huo Fu had returned, Zuo Zhu remembered he had not eaten brunch and grabbed a steaming roast duck from the kitchen.
Huo Fu’s face darkened. He could never understand her peculiar fondness for treating him like her son, constantly gazing at him with maternal affection every few days.
“I’m not hungry,” he replied stiffly.
A strange irritation welled up within him. The thought of this carefree woman annoyed him inexplicably.
Did she not notice Zhao Yunling’s obvious intentions? Even as a nominal boyfriend and girlfriend, was she not worried about him being seduced away?
Zhao Yunling, at least, had initiative, coming to his door after only a day. Meanwhile, Zuo Zhu cared only about roast duck, utterly unaware of the temptation he had just refused.
Zuo Zhu assumed his dark expression stemmed from displeasure at being called her son, but she had no intention of correcting the title.
“How could you not be hungry?” she protested, lifting the lid. “You still need to eat.”
Huo Fu glanced at the roast duck and saw that two legs and two wings were missing.
His displeasure lasted only a moment. He quickly adjusted and said coolly, “Find another room to sleep in tonight.”
Zuo Zhu froze. “Why?”
Was she no longer needed as the evil ghost’s midnight snack?
“Zhao Yunling is coming to this room tonight.” Huo Fu idly toyed with a silver necklace in his hand and smiled faintly. “You know I prefer slimmer types.”
He had indeed said that before.
Zhao Yunling was beautiful, slender, and though not as well-endowed as Zuo Zhu, she fit his criteria perfectly.
Zuo Zhu was stunned. “But at night it’s the evil ghost who comes out, isn’t it?”
Could the evil ghost replace him in intimacy with Zhao Yunling?
Huo Fu gripped the back of her neck and said wickedly, “Don’t you understand? Since Zhao Yunling suits my standards so well, I’m thinking of changing partners. If she satisfies me tonight, you’ll be out of a job.”
His touch sent goosebumps across her skin. Trembling, she asked, “Th-then what about me?”
Huo Fu’s tone was meaningful. “You know the evil ghost is still hungry.”
Zuo Zhu instantly grasped the implication.
“Brother Huo!” she wailed dramatically, throwing her arms around his waist. “You can’t abandon me like this! I’ve slept beside you so many nights. Even if I have no merit, I’ve worked hard! Give me a little more time. I’ll definitely behave and lose weight. I’ll be slimmer than Zhao Yunling!”
The sudden blow left her dizzy, making her realize how complacent she had become.
She was only a temporary partner, easily replaceable, yet she had grown content, neglecting her weight loss and even daring to play mother.
No wonder Huo Fu could not tolerate her.
Now he intends to change partners. As a former partner without value, she would simply be fed to the evil ghost.
“Brother Huo, give me one more chance! We’ve built such understanding together. If you switch partners, you’ll have to start over. That’s exhausting. If you like slim, I’ll start dieting today!”
Full of regret, she clung to him, tears brimming. “We’ve been through so much together. Have you forgotten? You can’t be this heartless…”
“Been through what?” Huo Fu pressed a finger to her forehead to stop her from rubbing tears onto him. “You mean when you planned to leave with Li Fang in the Ghost Village, or when you almost went into Li Qing’s room last night?”
She looked pitiful. “You’re the only one in my heart. I don’t even know any Li Fang or Li Qing.”
Huo Fu looked down at her and smiled. “So you know you were wrong now?”
“I do!” Zuo Zhu nodded frantically.
He lifted her chin slightly by the nape of her neck. The silver necklace in his hand rose on its own and fastened itself around her throat.
Freed hands encircled her as he adjusted the clasp.
The necklace lay against her pale neck, her slightly tilted head making her resemble a fragile white swan.
His cool fingers slid from her jaw to her collarbone, finally resting on the pendant at the center. The chill of his touch against her warm skin heightened her sensitivity.
He seemed very satisfied with the necklace and murmured softly, “Good.”
Zuo Zhu asked cautiously, “What is this?”
“I refined that hanging ghost into it. No matter where you hide, I’ll be able to find you.”
His gaze locked onto hers. “I gave you a choice. You chose not to end our partnership. Don’t come crying later that you regret it or that you’re afraid.”
Zuo Zhu burst into tears.
Ending the partnership meant death. Continuing it meant dying later.
What kind of choice was that?