“President Shen, don’t quarrel with your son because of me. After all, I’m just an outsider. I’d feel terrible if I came between you two.”
Ye Chu’s “understanding” tone visibly pleased Shen Juncheng. “You’re my woman. It’s my duty to protect you.”
“President Shen…” Ye Chu gazed up at him with saccharine devotion.
“Gag!”
An untimely retching sound shattered their cloying moment.
Shen Juncheng’s expression darkened. “Shen Kuo!”
“Loud and clear, old man. Since you’ve got so much free time, get my friend a spot at Capital Sixth High.”
“You think I own the school?” Shen Juncheng snapped. “Do you know what it cost to get you in? Focus on your studies instead of meddling.”
Shen Kuo scoffed, legs sprawled insolently. “Some ‘tycoon’ you are—can’t even secure one lousy school slot. Maybe drop the CEO act.”
Ye Chu interjected with faux concern: “Sixth High seats are priceless. If your friend lacks either grades or money… they’ll be expelled anyway. I know you mean well, Young Master, but some things are beyond—”
Shen Juncheng nodded approvingly. Ye Chu simpered.
Disgusting. Shen Kuo stood, appetite lost. “For the record, the ‘friend’ is Li Qiao. Help or don’t—your call.”
A beat of silence.
“Oh! A girl’s name?” Ye Chu brightened. “Is Young Master in love? Bring her home! We’d hate for you to be deceived by some gold-digging—”
“Enough.” Shen Juncheng’s icy cut-off sent her recoiling.
Shen Kuo sauntered upstairs, grinning at the sound of his father’s rebuke. Serves her right.
Li Residence
The restored courtyard gleamed—courtesy of Shen Kuo’s guilt-driven reparations.
Between enthusiastic chopstick-loading, Li Shanchuan gushed: “Our Qiaoqiao’s amazing! You should’ve seen her shred that skin-stealing ghost! Without her, your son and grandson would’ve been—ptui!—goners!”
“Funny,” Liu Yusi remarked, “coming from the man who thought she’d lost her marbles.”
“My eyes were clouded! But Qiaoqiao—” He paused. “Old Sun’s lottery win… that was you?”
Li Qiao dabbed her lips. “His forehead glowed with sudden fortune that day. I merely… pointed it out.”
As she explained physiognomy basics, Li Shanchuan thrust his face forward. “Read mine next!”
“Currently… fine. Grandpa, Mom, and Brother’s misfortunes have reversed. The house’s feng shui is corrected.” She set down her bowl. “Whoever targeted us… failed.”
Silence.
Li Shaojin’s chopsticks froze. “The items you made us discard… they were part of the setup?”
Sharp as ever. Li Qiao nodded. “This scheme took decades to execute.”
“Decades?” The family paled.
“Why not just steal our luck outright?” Li Shanchuan blurted.
“Overflowing water spills itself.”
The weight of an invisible enemy settled over the table—until Li Qiao’s calm voice cut through: “They won’t succeed. Not while I’m here.”
“Exactly!” Liu Yusi squeezed her hand. With Li Qiao’s guidance, the Li family’s resurgence was inevitable.
Yet one puzzle remained:
“The He Group’s offer…” Li Shanchuan frowned. “They’re handing us profits on a platter. Why?”
Li Shaojin’s gaze slid to Li Qiao, who nibbled rice with studied innocence.
“Take the deal,” he advised.
“Done.”
Li Qiao’s mind wandered. Is He Jingnian at the He estate? Did he arrange this?
She thumbed her phone’s messaging app—then startled as Uncle Qian entered, cradling a wooden tablet.
“Young Miss, is this yours? I found it in the garden.”
“Ancestor Master!”
She snatched the spirit tablet, wiping dew off its engraved title with her sleeve. After profuse thanks, she placed it reverently on the table—
Thud. It toppled.
She righted it. Thud. Again.
“…Apologies, Ancestor Master.” Li Qiao bowed. “Those fools have been punished. A grand new Xiangyun Temple awaits you—thousands of devotees, the finest incense—”
This time, the tablet stood firm.
The family gawked.
It really is sentient!
After Li Qiao explained her aunt and cousin’s sacrilege, Li Shanchuan’s smile turned dangerous. “How… thoughtful of them. A hospital visit is in order.”
Li Qiao bit her lip. “Mom, will Dad… start a fight with the Jiangs?”
“Your father always negotiates… persuasively.”
Relieved, Li Qiao retreated to her room—only to freeze at a new friend request:
Username: Jiang Yuwei
Avatar: Sunflower
Bio: You’ll get yours someday.
“…”
She declined. The request immediately reappeared with a note:
“Li Qiao! Hiding now that the Li family’s bankrupt? Too ashamed to face me?”
