“They will have a good ending in their next life.”
A faint smile lingered on Li Qiao’s lips.
After her reassurance, Li Shaoyang’s worries dissipated.
On their way back, as Li Qiao was about to part ways with He Jingnian at her doorstep, she took a few steps before suddenly turning around—only to meet his gaze.
It was as if he had been waiting for her.
Studying him carefully, Li Qiao couldn’t help but ask again, “Mr. He, are you really feeling alright?”
“Did you notice something else wrong?”
“No.”
But her repeated questioning made He Jingnian suspicious.
“There’s nothing wrong with my health, Qiaoqiao. No need to worry. I get a full medical check-up every year—my organs are fine, neurology and orthopedics are normal, and even… urology is perfectly healthy.”
Li Qiao: “???”
Li Shaoyang, who hadn’t yet entered the courtyard, nearly choked.
Urology?!
What the hell are you talking about?
This scheming bastard!
Once inside, Li Shaoyang couldn’t hold back his rant. “Qiaoqiao, we need to stay away from He Jingnian from now on. That old man is clearly up to no good.”
“Brother, he’s only twenty-six!” How was that old?
“Hmph, Qiaoqiao, you don’t understand. Men are like the setting sun once they hit twenty!”
Li Qiao: “…”
Dear second brother, I think you just insulted yourself too.
Meanwhile, He Jingnian returned home in high spirits.
Qiaoqiao was showing more concern for him lately—this was progress.
He Yi, however, was exasperated.
He nearly tripped hearing the Ninth Master’s shameless remark!
To those who knew him, it was harmless. To outsiders? It sounded like outright harassment.
And the look on Second Young Master Li’s face…
Sigh. The road to winning Qiaoqiao’s heart just got longer.
…
That night, chaos engulfed the Ye household.
Ye Sen, who had returned from the village, was like a madman—smashing things and screaming about ghosts.
The entire family was in disarray.
“Xiao Sen! What’s wrong with you?”
“There are ghosts! Mom, there are really ghosts!”
His face was deathly pale.
Yang Mao had also mysteriously vanished after their return from Xingfu Village, leaving Ye Sen in this deranged state.
To Ye Zhengfei, this was nothing but karma.
He and his wife sat quietly, already aware of Ye Sen’s atrocities. His cruelty knew no bounds.
Their calm demeanor only infuriated Wang Li further.
“Ye Zhengfei! How could you conspire with outsiders against your own nephew?”
Ye Zhengfei replied coldly, “Sister-in-law, you know exactly what he’s done. He brought this upon himself.”
“Ye Zhengfei! Sen is your nephew—the only heir to the Ye family! How could you abandon him?”
Old Master Ye watched silently from the sofa, his aged eyes sharp.
“What do you intend to do?”
“The guilty will face retribution. As for the rest, I won’t interfere. But from now on, Ye Sen will have no say in the company’s affairs. I refuse to mentor a monster.”
Without waiting for his father’s response, Ye Zhengfei added, “We’re moving out tomorrow. Living under the same roof as him would only shorten my lifespan.”
Once outside, Ye Zhengfei finally relaxed.
“Zhengfei… isn’t this too sudden?” His wife, Zhuang Daoyu, worried about the family’s reaction.
“I’ve planned this for a long time. I’m sorry for forcing you to endure Wang Li all these years. Some people are beyond redemption.”
“It’s my fault… for not giving you a child.”
A child?
Ye Zhengfei recalled Li Qiao’s words—they would have one soon.
After witnessing the horrors of the ritual, he now trusted her completely.
Overcome with emotion, he swept Zhuang Daoyu into his arms.
Time to make that child a reality.
Yu Shui Bay
After paying respects to her sect’s ancestors, Li Qiao stepped onto the balcony.
The night sky was a sea of stars.
The only sounds in the villa district were the chirping of summer crickets.
She snapped a photo of the sky and posted a Moment:
“Reading the heavens—rain at 6 AM sharp.”
Only five minutes remained until 6 AM.
Soon, comments flooded in:
-
Su Yan: “Qiao-mei, the stars are so bright. You’re off the mark this time!”
-
Shen Kuo: “Hmph.”
-
Wei Ting: “Master, seriously?! My underwear’s still hanging outside!”
-
Li Man: “Couldn’t make it in high society, so now you’re hustling as a street fortune-teller? ‘Reading the heavens’—what a joke! Just wait, my golden days are coming.”
Li Qiao ignored Li Man’s venom and went to bed.
Some people just never learn.
But others stayed awake, watching the clock.
One minute to six.
Would it really rain?
Wei Ting yanked open his window—
Splash!
Rain poured down on cue.
“MY BOXERS—!”
He bolted outside to salvage his laundry.
That night, sleep eluded many.
Xia Xia Village
Li Man woke early to cook and clean.
Her father, Li Dazhi, had recently partnered with Huang Youde to start a mango-trading business.
When they first proposed the idea, Li Man was stunned—then thrilled.
This was it!
In her past life, her father’s fortune began with mangoes.
Huang Youde might be a creep, but he was useful.
“Niece…”
Huang Youde pushed open the door, his eyes crawling over Li Man.
Disgust churned in her stomach, but she forced a sweet smile.
Filthy old lech. Dream on.
“Uncle Huang, Dad’s out buying mangoes.”
“I know. Just came from him. Manman, I forgot my ID at home. Could you fetch it for me?”
“Fine.”
She tossed aside the broom.
As she left, Huang Youde suddenly grabbed her, groping her before letting go with a smirk.
“Uncle Huang! You— Ugh!”
She stormed off.
Little temptress. I’ll have you soon.
Huang Youde’s house was in town. When Li Man arrived, the door swung open before she could unlock it.
Him.
Huang Feng—Shen Kuo’s lackey in her past life.
“You’re Li Man?”
“How do you know?”
He grinned. “Dad mentioned you.”
Huang Feng was Huang Youde’s son—a top student with the morals of a sewer rat.