Their expressions changed instantly, tense with worry. Nanning was afraid; she didn’t want to implicate Jiang Cheng.
Upon learning that Nanning wanted to break up out of concern for him, there was no way Jiang Cheng would let her have her way. In this lifetime, the woman Jiang Cheng had set his heart on was Nanning, and only Nanning.
The two held each other tightly in an embrace. Li Qiao rubbed her eyes and said, “Let’s go. There’ll be plenty of time for hugging later.”
Teased like this, the pair both flushed with a hint of shyness.
Just as the three were preparing to leave, Zhang Huan opened the door.
“Nanning, where are you going?”
“Huanzi, I’m going to stay at Jiang Cheng’s place tonight. Make sure you lock the door and stay safe, okay?” Safety first for a woman living alone.
Zhang Huan frowned. “I’ll be scared if you leave.”
“Just lock the door at night, and you’ll be fine. If anything else happens, remember to call the police,” Jiang Cheng suddenly interjected, his voice cold.
Nanning offered an apologetic smile.
Then they left.
Once outside, Jiang Cheng grumbled, “Nanning, you spoil her too much. Just now, she even wanted to come with us. She loves being a third wheel and has no sense of boundaries.”
“Huanzi… just relies on me too much.”
“Tch, she’s so annoying.”
Li Qiao withdrew her gaze. The three of them arrived at Jiang Cheng’s place, where he ordered takeout.
Nanning, however, sat nervously beside Li Qiao, still frightened.
“Master… if it’s not a person, is it a ghost haunting me?”
“Most likely. Try to recall if anything unusual has happened around you recently.”
Nanning was tainted with a heavy Yin aura.
It wasn’t a ghost marriage—she bore no marks of such a bond.
“No…”
She thought carefully. Recently, she had been busy interviewing for jobs. Normally, she would have started at the company next week, but with this happening now, Nanning truly felt drained.
Although that thing hadn’t completely claimed her, who knew if it might suddenly go mad and force itself on her?
Nanning’s nerves were stretched taut.
Li Qiao took her hand, her gaze gentle. “You can rest easy tonight.”
“Thank you, Master. I didn’t catch your name.”
“Li Qiao.”
“Master Li.”
“…” She was getting used to being called “Master” by now.
When the takeout arrived, the two ate, but Li Qiao politely declined.
She wasn’t hungry at all.
Li Qiao fingered the beads in her hand. They felt warm and smooth, with a pale green hue—a magical tool that suited her well.
[Qiaoqiao, where are you?]
[What’s up?]
[Missing you~]
[…Mr. He, you’re laying it on a bit thick~]
The smile on He Jingnian’s lips vanished almost instantly. He glanced at the book on his desk, The Guide to Wooing Women.
Useless trash!
The night passed quietly.
Everything was normal for Jiang Cheng and Nanning that night.
But—
Nanning grew even more afraid. She had experienced strange occurrences for three days in a row, yet with Li Qiao there, everything was calm.
She was certain that thing wasn’t human.
“Master… what should we do?”
Nanning trembled with anxiety.
“Perhaps we’ve alerted it. Today, I won’t be here. Keep these talismans with you at all times. If anything unusual happens, call me immediately.”
“Master, can’t you stay here with us?” Jiang Cheng asked, his heart uneasy.
“Don’t worry. These two talismans can save your lives if needed.” After reminding them, Li Qiao left.
Yushui Bay.
When Li Qiao returned, she saw He Jingnian on the second floor.
Their eyes met, and they smiled at each other.
But then Li Qiao noticed two people at her doorstep: Li Shaoyu and Jian Lanfeng.
