Old Master Li was delighted when Jian Lanfeng arrived.
Finally, someone to play chess with!
Polite and humble, Jian Lanfeng had quickly won the old man’s favor.
Li Qiao brought over tea, refilling her grandfather’s cup before glancing at Jian Lanfeng’s empty one. Without a word, she poured for him too.
He shot her a look.
Li Qiao walked away without hesitation.
Jian Lanfeng’s eyes flickered briefly before he resumed his game with Old Master Li.
In the living room, Song Xi’s eyes were red-rimmed.
All she wanted now was to finalize her divorce and cut all ties with the Liu family.
“What are your plans after the divorce?” Liu Yusi asked.
Wiping her tears, Song Xi replied, “Leaving Beijing. My aunt runs a restaurant abroad—I’ll go help her. I probably won’t come back.”
There was nothing left for her here.
“That’s for the best.”
Liu Yusi nodded.
Sometimes, leaving the past behind was the only way to start anew.
Years of mistreatment from the Lius had shattered Song Xi completely.
Peeling an orange, Li Qiao suddenly spoke up.
“Song Xi, you can’t go abroad.”
The two women exchanged puzzled glances before turning to her.
“Remember what I said before? Your fate shows you’ll have both a son and a daughter. If you leave now, you’ll never have children.”
“Oh! That’s right!” Liu Yusi gasped. “Song Xi, you still have a bright future ahead. Don’t let that bastard ruin your happiness.”
Song Xi stared at Li Qiao, dazed.
“You mean… I’ll really remarry one day?”
“Marriage is your choice. But there is a destined relationship waiting for you—a good one.”
“Where is he?”
“Think carefully, and you’ll know. Some love isn’t loud or dramatic. It’s quiet, steady… always there.”
Li Qiao left it at that.
How much Song Xi understood was up to her.
Some things couldn’t be spelled out.
After a long silence, Song Xi suddenly stood up, realization dawning.
“Qiao… thank you.”
With that, she left.
Handing Liu Yusi a slice of orange, Li Qiao said, “Mom, Song Xi will be happy. She’s strong—the kind of woman who knows when to walk away from trash. No one should settle for less.”
The words struck a chord in Liu Yusi.
Her eyes softened with heartache as she studied her daughter.
Only eighteen, yet so wise…
What had she endured in her past life to speak like this?
Li Qiao blinked, puzzled.
Why is Mom looking at me like that?
Determined to make up for Li Qiao’s hardships, Liu Yusi decided to cook her a meal—a proper display of motherly love.
“You actually practice metaphysics?”
Jian Lanfeng’s voice came from behind.
Li Qiao hadn’t noticed him lingering.
Now, the living room held only the two of them.
“Doctor Jian, belief is subjective. It exists if you believe; it doesn’t if you don’t.”
“Then read my fortune.”
He sat across from her without hesitation.
Li Qiao silently pulled up her payment QR code. “Five hundred.”
After scanning it, Jian Lanfeng waited.
Once paid, Li Qiao studied him closely—then paused, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.
Jian Lanfeng noticed. “Something wrong?”
“Have you… encountered anything unusual lately?”
He thought for a moment.
“No.”
“That’s impossible—”
Suddenly, she grabbed his hand, inspecting his palm.
Nothing.
Then she pushed up his sleeve.
A red string was tied around his wrist.
“My sister gave me this,” Jian Lanfeng explained. “A protective charm from the temple.”
“Take it off.”
“Why?”
“It’ll kill you.”
Her tone was dead serious.
Jian Lanfeng’s heart skipped a beat—but then doubt set in.
“You think my sister would harm me?”
Clearly, he didn’t believe her.
And why would he? They were siblings.
Li Qiao’s warning, with no proof, sounded absurd.
“Lanfeng, if Qiao says so, you should listen.”
Li Shaojing’s voice cut in as he walked in.
If Li Qiao sensed danger, it was real.
But if the person involved refused to believe, there was no point forcing it.
Jian Lanfeng ignored him, eyes locked on Li Qiao. “Explain.”
“Remove the string.”
Under her unwavering gaze, he hesitated—then untied it.
A faint red mark circled his wrist.
Jian Lanfeng stiffened.
He rubbed at it. No pain, no itch.
Dye transfer?
He rushed to wash it, scrubbing furiously with soap.
The mark stayed.
“That’s a ghost marriage seal. When it darkens, your ghost bride will come to claim you.” Li Qiao smiled faintly.
Jian Lanfeng froze.
Ghost marriage?
Bride?!
His wrist burned under the mark.
He was numb with shock.
“Doctor Jian, you might want to ask your sister if she gave your birth details to someone.”
Her tone was kind but firm.
No lies detected.
Jian Lanfeng thanked her stiffly before leaving in a daze.
“Can he be saved?” Li Shaojing asked.
“That’s up to him.”
If he sought help, she’d intervene. If not, she wouldn’t force it.
Ghost marriages were no joke.
The Jian Residence.
Jian Lanfeng returned home, tense. “Where’s Lanxin?”
“Second Miss went out with friends.”
“Where?”
“Moonlight Resort.”
He left immediately.
Moonlight Resort.
Fresh from a swim, Jian Lanxin sipped juice. “Youwei, are you sure this’ll work? What if my brother and your cousin don’t click?”
“Friendship first. Feelings will grow with time.” Li Youwei smiled. “Is Brother Jian still wearing the red string?”
“Of course! I told him it’s for protection—a gift from his favorite sister.”
Jian Lanxin smirked proudly.
Li Youwei’s smile deepened. “Good.”
Just then, someone called out, “Lanxin! Your brother’s here!”
Puzzled, Jian Lanxin went to meet him.
Behind her, Li Youwei’s eyes narrowed.
She dialed a number.
“It’s going smoothly.”
Outside, Jian Lanfeng confronted his sister about the string.
Her explanation matched before—word for word.
“Brother, why are you interrogating me over a string? People will think I’m trying to hurt you!”
Jian Lanxin’s voice wavered with guilt.
They’d always been close.
How could he doubt her?
With a sigh, Jian Lanfeng rubbed his temples.
Had he really let Li Qiao’s words get to him?
