Li Qiao didn’t like foxes, and her attitude was noticeably cold and distant.
Jian Lanfeng, sharp as ever, picked up on this immediately.
Yet, he maintained his usual smile and got straight to the point: “I came to see Shaoyang. His phone’s off—if he comes back, just let him know I stopped by. He’ll understand the rest.”
“Got it.”
“Well then… I’ll be on my way?” There was a hint of something unspoken in his tone.
Without hesitation, Li Qiao waved him off: “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”
With that, she strode back into the Li family mansion.
Jian Lanfeng watched her leave, then chuckled to himself.
Just then, his phone rang. After answering, he headed straight for the Linglan Clubhouse.
Inside, a group of men were lounging with beautiful women, drinks in hand, chatting loudly.
The moment Jian Lanfeng stepped in, he winced and waved a hand in front of his face—the thick cigarette smoke was suffocating.
“We bet on whether you’d show up this time. Looks like I lost. Congrats, Jiang Feng—the Cayenne’s yours,” said Song Jinzhao, a cigarette dangling from his lips as he shuffled a deck of cards with practiced ease.
“Winning against Brother Song even once is a rare feat,” Jiang Feng replied with a laugh.
Jian Lanfeng didn’t mind being the subject of their bet.
A woman sidled up to him, holding a glass of red wine, her cheeks flushed as she tried to feed him a sip.
Jian Lanfeng was undeniably handsome, with eyes so tender they could make even a dog feel adored. Countless women had fallen for his charm.
“Ah, Lanfeng’s always the center of attention. Wherever he goes, women flock to him,” Song Jinzhao teased.
“Speaking of which, isn’t the Li family’s long-lost daughter your childhood fiancée? Have you met her yet?” Jiang Feng asked casually between sips of wine.
Everyone in their circle knew about the Li family’s recently recovered daughter, though few had actually seen her. From the rumors, she didn’t seem particularly impressive.
Jian Lanfeng’s eyes narrowed slightly. “She’s… interesting.”
“Oh? So you’re into her?” Song Jinzhao smirked, wrapping an arm around the woman in his lap as he played his last card.
Jian Lanfeng didn’t answer—he only smiled.
The conversation soon shifted to He Jingnian, whose declining health might cost him his position as the He family’s heir.
“He Jingnian was personally chosen by Old Master He. It won’t be easy for anyone to take his place,” Jiang Feng pointed out.
Everyone knew how much the old man favored He Jingnian.
Song Jinzhao scoffed. “What if the heir dies?”
Jian Lanfeng and Jiang Feng exchanged glances—this was no small matter.
Song Jinzhao, never one to hold back among friends, filled them in: Rumor had it, He Jingnian didn’t have long to live. The next heir would likely be chosen from the second or third branches of the family.
“Just a little bird’s whisper, but it’s usually reliable,” Song Jinzhao added with a grin.
“Not necessarily,” Jian Lanfeng said coolly.
Jiang Feng shared his skepticism.
He Jingnian was a wolf—underestimating him was dangerous.
As the others drank and laughed, Jiang Feng moved closer to Jian Lanfeng, raising his voice over the noise.
“Lanfeng… my people saw He Jingnian entering and leaving the Yushui Bay villas with a young girl.”
Yushui Bay was one of the capital’s most exclusive residential areas. He Jingnian owned property there—and so did the Li family.
Jiang Feng wasn’t one to gossip without reason. His expression neutral, he added, “Might as well say it outright.”
“Well, the girl with He Jingnian… might’ve been the Li family’s newly recovered daughter.”
He had friends in Yushui Bay. One night, they’d seen Li Qiao kicking down the Xu family’s door in the middle of the night. The whole scene had been witnessed.
Jiang Feng hadn’t planned to mention it, but today, sensing Jian Lanfeng’s interest in the Li girl, he’d decided to share.
Jian Lanfeng didn’t stay much longer. Yet, before leaving, he made a detour—back to Yushui Bay.
Li Qiao was surprised to see him again. She’d already passed his message to Li Shaoyang. Why was he back? Did he not trust her?
“Qiaoqiao… are you drawing talismans?” Jian Lanfeng leaned in curiously.
“Mm. For warding off evil.”
She didn’t elaborate, though if he wanted to buy one, she’d give him a discount.
Jian Lanfeng studied her work and smiled. “Quite the unusual hobby. I’ve never believed in this supernatural nonsense. When you’re gone, you’re gone—no ghosts, no afterlife.”
Li Qiao’s reaction was flat.
“Okay.”
His beliefs were none of her concern.
Nearby, Li Shaoyang didn’t bother explaining his sister’s abilities. Some things didn’t need explaining—especially to those who wouldn’t understand.
As Jian Lanfeng and Li Shaoyang chatted, Li Qiao finished her talismans and headed next door. The lights were on at He Jingnian’s place.
But inside, she found an unwelcome guest: Li Songsong, the adopted daughter of Liu Yulan, whom she’d met at the Liu family banquet.
The moment Li Songsong spotted Li Qiao, her eyes turned icy with hostility.
“This is Ninth Master He’s home. Not just anyone can waltz in.”
Her tone dripped with disdain.
“I’ll say the same to you. Leave now, or I’ll report you for trespassing.”
“This isn’t your house. You don’t get to give orders here, Li Qiao. You’re just some country bumpkin. Did you really think you could marry into the He family? Know your place—don’t reach for what isn’t yours.”
Ah—
Li Qiao finally understood.
This woman had a crush on He Jingnian.
The realization made her grin even wider.
Li Songsong frowned. “What’s so funny?”
“You’re ugly, yet you dream big. You like He Jingnian, but he’d never want you.”
“You—! You’re not worthy of Ninth Master He!”
Li Qiao casually adjusted her bun, a cold smirk playing on her lips. She loved putting loudmouths in their place.
With a light tap on Li Songsong’s back, she sent the girl into a rage.
“Let me enlighten you. He Jingnian is mine. You’ve got no chance. See this?” She pulled out a photo. “It’s a bedside snapshot of him.”
The image showed He Jingnian sleeping peacefully—one she’d taken earlier.
Li Songsong’s face flushed crimson. A bed photo? If Li Qiao had this, then they must’ve—
“Shameless bitch!”
Li Qiao had no patience for her. With a flick of her wrist, Li Songsong went flying into the yard.
Stunned, the girl struggled to process what had just happened.
How?!
What kind of power was this?
A wave of terror crashed over her.
Li Qiao… was a monster.
Legs trembling, Li Songsong scrambled to leave.
Of course, she’d never know—Li Qiao had slipped a ghost-attracting talisman onto her back.
Dusting off her hands, Li Qiao turned with a satisfied smile—only to lock eyes with He Jingnian, whose gaze was deep and unreadable.
“You— You’re awake?”
She froze.
“I woke up the moment you said I was yours.”
Li Qiao: “…?”
