“President Song, why would Auntie Yang bring me here if I weren’t a metaphysics master?”
“I thought you only knew how to read faces and tell fortunes.” I had no idea you were this incredible.
That earlier phenomenon—wasn’t that heavenly thunder?
A metaphysics master who can summon heavenly thunder is seriously impressive.
“I can read faces and tell fortunes too. Also, we should leave this place as soon as possible,” Li Qiao reminded them.
Only then did the two men recall the horror they’d just witnessed. They immediately got into the car and sped off.
When the trio arrived at the Song residence, Mrs. Yang promptly had someone serve them calming tea. Her husband and Old Qin were badly shaken.
Old Qin recounted everything that had happened by the lake, leaving Mrs. Yang aghast. “What on earth is going on? How could there suddenly be a zombie?”
And of all people, why did it target them?
All three pairs of eyes turned to Li Qiao. After finishing her tea, she smiled and said, “Actually, it wasn’t just a zombie—there was also a water ghost, the one President Qin saw first.”
“He… he… isn’t dead?”
“Oh, he’s dead.”
“Good, that’s good.” President Qin patted his chest in relief.
With heavenly thunder striking down, both the zombie and the ghost would have been reduced to ashes.
President Qin and President Song exchanged a glance.
They could finally breathe easy—or so they thought, until Li Qiao added, “But your problems aren’t over yet.”
“Qiaoqiao, have they offended something they shouldn’t have?” Mrs. Yang had already guessed as much, and Li Qiao nodded.
She studied their faces intently. “Your foreheads are darkened with ominous energy. President Qin, you should go home and check if there’s anything unusual there.”
“I’ll head back right now.”
President Qin was a man of action, but as he reached the living room doorway, he suddenly paused.
“Master… could I trouble you for a protective talisman?”
Having witnessed Li Qiao’s extraordinary abilities, he now regarded her with deep respect.
As a businessman, he held metaphysics masters in high esteem. After all, what entrepreneur didn’t care about feng shui?
This was a long-term investment.
Li Qiao readily handed him a talisman, and President Qin just as readily transferred the payment.
One million yuan arrived in her account. As expected of a family patriarch—his generosity was as impressive as his wealth. The rich really could afford to be extravagant.
With the talisman in hand, President Qin left the Song residence in high spirits.
Now, it was President Song’s turn. Li Qiao had already checked his home earlier and found no issues, but his darkened forehead indicated impending disaster.
“President Song, would you like one?” She still had another talisman. Mrs. Yang interjected eagerly, “Yes, yes! Old Song, hurry up and transfer the money.”
Another million yuan later, Li Qiao was inwardly delighted.
“With this talisman, President Song will overcome any misfortune.”
“Thank you, Master. It’s getting late—why don’t you stay the night?” President Song offered warmly.
Mrs. Yang was equally enthusiastic. She held Li Qiao’s hand, her admiration growing the more she looked at her. So young and yet so skilled—how wonderful it would be to have a daughter like her.
Ugh, another day of envying Liu Yusi!
Unable to refuse their hospitality, Li Qiao stayed overnight at the Song residence.
Lying in bed, she couldn’t stop thinking about the zombie. Someone in this world was raising the undead—this was not good news.
Damn it, why did I have to read pirated novels back then? Heaven above, can’t you just give me the official version?
What on earth happens in the later plot?
Li Qiao sighed.
The Liu Family
Ever since Old Master Liu caught Liu Yulan in bed with another man, he’d been furious whenever he saw her.
Lately, Old Madam Liu had also noticed her husband behaving strangely.
He used to dote on Liu Yulan, but these days, no matter how harshly Old Madam Liu scolded or hit her, Old Master Liu remained silent.
Had he finally seen the light?
She had no energy to spare for Liu Yulan. Her focus was entirely on Liu Yusheng.
After Liu Yusheng was left disabled, his legal troubles were resolved, but he was forbidden from leaving the capital. If he caused trouble again, prison awaited him.
Though she disliked Liu Yulan, the two were already married, so Old Madam Liu assigned Liu Yulan the task of caring for Liu Yusheng.
“Go, take this meal to my son.”
“Understood, Mother.”
Liu Yulan glanced at Old Master Liu. When he showed no reaction, she left.
Inside the room, Liu Yusheng lay in bed, his expression dark.
Originally, he’d only broken his leg, but on the way to the hospital, Old Madam Liu had thrown herself onto him in tears, accidentally pressing on his already injured spine. The pressure damaged his spinal nerves, paralyzing him from the waist down.
Filled with resentment, Liu Yusheng blamed everyone—especially Song Xi.
This was all her fault.
When Liu Yulan entered with his meal, Liu Yusheng looked at her pitifully. “Yulan, I’m useless now.”
“Don’t say that. To me, you’ll always be the strongest. Yusheng, focus on your recovery. One day, you’ll stand again.”
Liu Yulan was as kind as ever. Liu Yusheng gazed at her adoringly, but the thought of never being able to touch her again filled him with agony.
His anxiety spiked. He grabbed her hand, his eyes burning. “Yulan, now that I can’t move, I’ll have to rely on you for everything.”
Liu Yulan understood his meaning and blushed. “Yusheng, you’re really…”
“You don’t want to? Do you despise me now too?” His face fell.
Liu Yulan climbed onto the bed, pulled back the covers, and showed him with actions rather than words whether she found him repulsive.
Liu Yusheng, though passive, was overjoyed. He reveled in her initiative.
The two were in the midst of their activities when the door, left slightly ajar, allowed Old Master Liu to peek inside.
The sight sent his blood boiling. He remembered catching Liu Yulan in bed with another man—both of them naked.
Liu Yulan was a born temptress. She was his woman, yet she still fooled around with other men.
One day, he’d teach this slut a lesson.
But halfway through, Liu Yulan suddenly retched.
Liu Yusheng, who’d been on cloud nine, turned crimson with humiliation. “Do I disgust you?”
“N-no, that’s not it…”
Liu Yulan rushed to the bathroom.
Her complexion was off. Lately, she’d been feeling unwell.
Could it be—?
She placed a hand on her stomach. Was she pregnant?
The thought brought no joy. Her mind was in turmoil.
Who was the father?
The old man’s?
Liu Yusheng’s?
Or someone else’s?
After a moment, she steadied herself. No matter who the father was, this child could only belong to the Liu family.
When she returned, her shy, demure expression stoked Liu Yusheng’s desire.
“Yusheng, I have good news for you.”
“What good news could there be?” He was a cripple now. What good could possibly come his way?
Hah!
“Yusheng, I might be pregnant. You’re going to be a father.”
She took his hand and placed it on her belly. Liu Yusheng’s shock quickly gave way to elation.
“Hahaha… I’m going to be a dad!”
After years of marriage to Song Xi, they’d never had children. Yet here was Liu Yulan, pregnant.
So the problem had always been Song Xi—not him!
