“Jiawen, that’s wonderful! Let me tell Mingyuan so he can pass the message to Linghang.”
Ye Jiawen held Shen Zhiqiu’s hand tightly. “Zhiqiu, don’t tell him yet. I’ll go there myself—that way, I can see his true character.”
“Alright.”
After dropping Ye Jiawen back at school, Shen Zhiqiu had just arrived home when Wang Fengqin’s call came in.
Unaware that Shen Liya had been arrested, Wang Fengqin’s tone was smug and domineering. She outright threatened that unless Ye Yunlin retracted his statement—ensuring Shen Daqiang’s release—Ye Jiawen would return home. Otherwise, they’d never see her again.
“Wang Fengqin, you’re the kind of person who goes back on your word. What if we retract our statement and you still refuse to let Jiawen go?”
“Shen Zhiqiu, do you really think you’re in any position to bargain with me? Or do you just not care about Ye Jiawen’s life?”
Wang Fengqin scoffed. “Let me tell you something—your uncle and aunt only pretended to be nice to you because they saw you climbing the Yue family’s social ladder.”
“It was me and your father who raised you! We got you into the cultural troupe and married you into the Yue family! And now, you ungrateful wretch, instead of repaying us, you send your own father to jail? You’ll get your karma!”
“When parents do evil, the retribution falls on their children. You’d better watch out for that little girl of yours!”
Suppressing her fury, Shen Zhiqiu shot back coldly: “I’ll throw those words right back at you! You’d better worry about Shen Liya and Shen Xiang!”
Wang Fengqin slammed the phone down. Shen Zhiqiu turned and pressed the stop button on the tape recorder—she had recorded the entire conversation as evidence of Wang Fengqin’s involvement in the kidnapping.
Ye Yunlin and Li Shuying, who had overheard, were frantic. Li Shuying grabbed Shen Zhiqiu’s hand. “Zhiqiu, is what Wang Fengqin said true? Did they really kidnap Jiawen?”
“Uncle, Aunt, don’t worry. Jiawen is already back at school.”
Shen Zhiqiu explained everything in detail. The couple exhaled in relief, only for anger to quickly replace their fear. “Birds of a feather flock together! That Shen Daqiang and Wang Fengqin are rotten to the core, coming up with these despicable schemes!”
“Heaven sees all. Those who do evil will meet their end.”
Ye Yunlin’s voice was grave. “What they’ve done is criminal. The law will teach them how to behave.”
“Uncle, Aunt, don’t let them upset you. How about we go out tomorrow to clear our minds?”
Shen Zhiqiu glanced toward Ya Ya’s room. “Wang Fengqin has used dark methods to harm Ya Ya multiple times. Elder Dong suggested we visit Qingfeng Daoist at Yunsheng Temple in the suburbs—he might have a way to break the curse.”
“This has been a thorn in my heart. Only by resolving it can I finally relax.”
“The mountain air is fresh, and a hike would do us good. It’s not worth falling sick over their nonsense.”
After exchanging a glance, Li Shuying and Ye Yunlin agreed. “Alright, Zhiqiu. I’ll prepare some food for us to take tomorrow.”
…..
At dawn the next day, they set out.
Even with Huo Jiusi arranging a car, it was nearly noon by the time they reached Yunsheng Temple.
Shen Zhiqiu respectfully handed Qingfeng Daoist the letter from Dong Hesong, along with Ya Ya’s birth details. “Please, Daoist, have mercy and save my daughter.”
After reading, the daoist extended his hands. “Let me see the child.”
Ya Ya, unafraid of strangers, mischievously tugged at Qingfeng Daoist’s beard and giggled. Unfazed, the daoist chuckled. “This child is blessed with exceptional fortune, longevity, and prosperity—no wonder evil eyes covet her.”
“Daoist, is there any way to protect her from harm?”
“Do not worry, madam. This child is under divine protection—her life will be peaceful and happy. Any who seek to harm her will only bring misfortune upon themselves. Moreover, she already carries a powerful protective charm.”
His gaze settled on the jade pendant in Ya Ya’s hand. “This pendant is crafted from thousand-year spiritual jade. No malevolent force can easily approach her.”
Shen Zhiqiu glanced at Huo Jiusi, surprised. So this was why the cursed pouch had burst into flames—the pendant had saved Ya Ya.
“However…” Qingfeng Daoist looked between Huo Jiusi and Ya Ya, hesitating.
“Daoist, what is it?” Shen Zhiqiu’s heart clenched again.
“There are two things to note.”
“First, this child must stay away from water—even small ponds. Her fate holds a water-related calamity.”
“Second, fortune and misfortune are intertwined. This child’s greatest benefactor is also her greatest trial. This person’s destiny carries a baleful aura, which may bring slight harm to those closest to them.”
“This is a karmic bond from a past life—inescapable.” Stroking his beard, the daoist sighed faintly.
Huo Jiusi frowned. The daoist had been looking at him the entire time. Did that mean he was Ya Ya’s destined benefactor—and source of misfortune?
“Daoist, how can I avoid harming those closest to me?” Huo Jiusi bowed deeply.
“A teachable young man.”
Pleased, the daoist took Ya Ya’s jade-clutching hand and placed it in Huo Jiusi’s, closing his fingers around hers. “Your fates are bound. No matter what trials come, if you stand united, you will overcome them.”
Huo Jiusi looked down at Ya Ya, who blinked up at him in confusion.
(Wait… this little devil is my greatest benefactor?!)
Thinking back, every time she’d been in mortal danger in her past life, it was him who’d saved her. And when she was by his side, she’d lived in luxury.
So… yeah. He kinda was her benefactor.
“Little one, come.”
Qingfeng Daoist mixed cinnabar with incense ash, dipped a brush in it, and pressed a red dot between Ya Ya’s brows. “If that evildoer tries to harm you again, I will know—and act.”
Seeing this, Shen Zhiqiu finally relaxed.
After a vegetarian meal at the temple, they began their descent.
Shen Zhiqiu kept glancing between Ya Ya and Huo Jiusi, her emotions tangled.
Li Shuying patted her hand. “Zhiqiu, Jiusi is a good boy. I believe he’ll protect Ya Ya.”
“I know, Aunt.”
But as a mother, she selfishly wished to shield Ya Ya from any harm.
