Sun Qian’s life was ruined, leaving her with no hope. After multiple failed suicide attempts, she made a decision.
“What decision?” Su Yan couldn’t help but ask, his fists clenched tightly.
Even as a mere listener, he was seething with rage.
They had destroyed a young girl’s life!
Old Man Sun sighed. “On the day of the wedding banquet, she laced the communal food with a double dose of pesticide. Everyone who ate it died.”
Recalling the horrific scene, his face filled with sorrow. “Almost the entire village perished. That night, she set the village on fire. I could hear screams—some human, some from stray dogs…”
For years, the memories of that night haunted him whenever he closed his eyes.
After taking her revenge, she killed herself.
Everything ended that night.
After hearing the story, they sat in stunned silence.
Su Yan sighed deeply.
“She was a tragic soul.” Anyone in her position would likely have done the same.
Why were girls always the ones sacrificed?
Old Man Sun covered his face and wept.
“I… I was useless. I couldn’t protect my sister. The dowry money was meant for me, to help me marry. I’m the reason she died.”
Their parents had squeezed every last bit of value from their daughter for the sake of their son.
The thought of Sun Qian tormented him.
Perhaps it was karma—he had lost his wife, his son, his daughter-in-law. Now, only his grandson remained by his side.
And all he could do was live in endless regret, finding no peace day or night.
“Grandpa… Jinbao will always stay with you.” The little boy hugged Old Man Sun, crying bitterly.
Xu Tong, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.
“She couldn’t rest in peace, so she came to me? What does she want? My love?”
Su Yan: “…”
Li Qiao: “…” Her silence was deafening.
Perhaps because Li Qiao’s gaze was too sharp, Xu Tong coughed awkwardly and continued, “Isn’t that the truth? She was forced to marry an old man, and now she’s after me because I’m young and handsome. Obviously, she’s after my looks.”
“You’re insane.”
Su Yan cursed under his breath.
This idiot deserved to be haunted.
Old Man Sun, now composed, turned to Li Qiao and bowed deeply.
“Thank you for freeing the trapped souls of Majia Village.”
Li Qiao’s eyes darkened, her tone calm. “Our meeting was fate. Go where you belong now.”
“Thank you… truly.” Old Man Sun’s gratitude was palpable.
With that, Li Qiao turned and left.
Su Yan hurried after her.
Xu Tong, still staring at the photograph, hesitated before following.
As he reached the door, he suddenly felt an inexplicable pull.
He turned back—just in time to see the grandfather and grandson, hand in hand, vanish into a golden light.
Xu Tong shrieked, pointing frantically. “They—they—they’re gone!”
The two had disappeared into thin air.
Su Yan gulped.
“Qiao-mei…”
“Exactly what you’re thinking. They weren’t human either.”
Su Yan: “You knew all along?”
“In his entire story, he mentioned everyone—except himself. He was a man with a conscience, tormented by his sister’s suffering. This… was his lingering regret after death. All he wanted was to guide the souls of the village—both the perpetrators and the victims.”
Li Qiao explained everything with eerie calmness.
Her composure was unshakable.
Su Yan admired her but couldn’t shake his anger and sorrow over the tragedy.
Xu Tong’s expression was complicated as he stared at Li Qiao.
“My mother said Qianqian was a demon?”
Li Qiao glanced at him. “The real Sun Qian is long dead. What remained was a demon wearing her skin. In other words, the one you were ‘in love’ with was a demon disguised as Sun Qian.”
She smiled slightly as Xu Tong’s face twisted in horror.
Su Yan suddenly understood.
Piecing together the clues, he burst into uproarious laughter.
“Xu Tong, you absolute idiot—you fell in love with a demon! HAHAHA—”
He doubled over, tears streaming from laughter.
“Su Yan, you’re dead!”
Xu Tong grabbed a brick from the ground and charged at him.
The two raced down the mountain, one chasing the other.
Li Qiao stood quietly among the trees, feeling the weight of immense spiritual merit settling upon her.
She murmured a quiet incantation before descending the mountain.
A gust of wind swept through the ruins, collapsing the last remnants of the village.
Only a small mountain shrine remained, standing solitary in the wilderness.
Later…
When Xu Tong returned home, he was still struggling to process everything.
Madam Wang frowned at her son’s dazed expression.
“Xu Tong, what’s wrong?”
“Mom, I—”
For the first time, he felt a pang of guilt under his mother’s concerned gaze.
His recklessness had nearly gotten her killed by a demon.
On the way back, Li Qiao had told him everything.
He had been a fool.
But the thought of dating a demon made him nauseous.
Overwhelmed, Xu Tong bolted outside without another word.
Madam Wang sighed.
Kids these days…
Well, she was an open-minded parent. He’d talk when he was ready.
Meanwhile…
After returning home, Li Qiao first paid respects to her ancestral master before heading downstairs.
Su Yan, who had just received a call from Li Shaojin, left in high spirits.
Li Qiao then hopped the fence to the neighboring house.
Inside a protective barrier, He Jingnian lay peacefully on the bed.
She studied his face intently.
So handsome…
She wondered when He Yi would have news.
“Mr. He, I’ll check on you later. Don’t worry—my barriers and talismans will keep any evil spirits away.”
Leaning closer, she marveled at his flawless skin.
Smooth, yet undeniably masculine.
And his aura—overflowing with spiritual merit.
The closer she got, the more she could absorb.
A wild thought crossed her mind.
If I kissed him… how much merit could I gain?
Her eyes darkened, lips pressing together—
Suddenly, she jerked upright and fled back home.
Her cheeks burned as she scolded herself.
Since when did I become such a pervert?
“Qiaoqiao…”
A voice called out.
She turned to see Dr. Jian Lanfeng standing there, smiling faintly.
“You don’t need to be so formal with me.”
Li Qiao smiled politely but said nothing.
She wasn’t keen on getting close to him—not after that ridiculous marriage discussion.
“Were you looking for my brother?”
“Can’t I come to see you?” His fox-like grin made her frown.
