“G-g-ghosts… Inside… it’s full of g-g-ghosts…”
Su Yan’s mouth twisted in terror as he pointed toward the cave, his entire body drenched in cold sweat.
“How is that possible?” Jiang Yi shook his head in disbelief.
He refused to believe their claims. Li Qiao, however, smiled faintly. “Jiang Yi, take out the handkerchief Lü Yi gave you.”
Jiang Yi immediately pulled a handkerchief from his pocket—only to find it had turned into a yellow funeral paper!
He flung it away in horror, staring at the paper on the ground.
“T-then… it’s really full of ghosts inside?” Jiang Yi clung to a sliver of hope.
“You can try entering again. See if you can get in. As the village chief said, only those fated may enter.”
Li Qiao’s smile deepened. She took pleasure in shattering a young man’s illusions.
Following her suggestion, Jiang Yi walked into the cave—but the path was now a dead end. No matter how many times he tried, the entrance to the Peach Blossom Spring was gone.
When Jiang Yi finally emerged, his face was deathly pale, devoid of any color.
Standing before Li Qiao, he collapsed to the ground.
Li Qiao rubbed her eyes and said, “Su Yan, carry him.”
“Huh? Why me? Why not Ninth Master He?”
Li Qiao glanced at him, sizing him up from head to toe. “You’re no match for Mr. He.”
“…” Su Yan screamed internally.
Discrimination!
So what if He Jiu was richer, more influential, more powerful, taller, and handsomer?
He was two pounds heavier than He Jiu!
He had some merits, okay? Qiao-mei was so biased.
The favored He Jingnian, however, wore a pleased smile.
Gazing at Li Qiao beside him, he reached out and took her hand.
She blinked in surprise.
“Consider it a gift of merit.”
Her lips curled into a smile, and she held on tightly.
Hand in hand, they walked side by side.
Su Yan, carrying Jiang Yi on his back, looked as if he’d swallowed a fishbone.
What a scheming man!
He secretly snapped a photo of their intertwined hands and sent it to Li Shaojin.
Ahead of them, He Jingnian asked curiously, “So… they can never come out?”
“Right. That place is their home—the only one beyond the underworld’s jurisdiction. Those inside can never leave, but they won’t cause harm either.”
After her words, the village chief would surely keep the villagers in check.
The moment she appeared, they’d recognized her as a Tianshi (Celestial Master).
Both sides sought harmony.
They were clever ghosts who knew what to do—and what not to.
He Jingnian mused, “So, Tao Yuanming’s Peach Blossom Spring might not have been about a utopia for humans… but for ghosts.”
After leaving Shanghe, they returned to Yushui Bay.
Regarding Jiang Yi’s situation, Li Qiao sent a message to Li Shaoxing.
The house was empty—likely everyone was at the hospital.
On the way back, He Jingnian was picked up by a luxury car, presumably by the He family.
Su Yan took Jiang Yi to the hospital.
Without a driver’s license, Li Qiao couldn’t drive herself, so she headed to Mrs. Wang’s house.
Just as she raised her hand to knock, Xu Tong stepped out.
Their eyes met.
Xu Tong spoke first, “You… need something?”
“Can you drive?”
“Yes.”
“Take me.”
“…”
Behind the wheel, Xu Tong’s mood was complicated.
How did I end up as Li Qiao’s chauffeur?
“You look better lately.”
“Yeah, without all that nonsense, of course I’m doing well. Thanks, Master.”
His tone didn’t sound entirely grateful.
Li Qiao pretended not to notice. “No need for thanks. I love helping others—I couldn’t bear to see a young man fall for an old woman. I’m just a good person.”
“…”
Damn it.
She could’ve just stayed quiet.
Xu Tong didn’t dare speak carelessly for the rest of the ride.
Before getting out, Li Qiao warned, “Avoid bodies of water for the next week.”
Xu Tong’s heart raced.
His friends were texting, urging him to go swimming.
Should he?
In the end, he decided yes.
Li Qiao must be lying. Even if he was unlucky, he couldn’t be unlucky forever.
Right?
Hospital Room
Li Qiao studied Li Shaoxing’s face—his fortune was excellent.
Among the Li family, his aura was the strongest, though there was a minor issue.
She planned to adjust his room’s feng shui later.
Li Shaoxing, ever the chatterbox, kept asking about Shanghe.
Just then, Jiang Yi woke up.
Li Qiao nudged him. “Third Brother, let Jiang Yi explain. He was there.”
“Me? No way—”
Jiang Yi shuddered at the memory.
How could he admit he’d slept with a ghost?
Ancestors, spare me from ever meeting ghosts again!
Terrified, he asked, “Sis… why did she target me?”
If he knew the reason, he’d avoid it at all costs.
“Simple. She thought you were handsome.”
Jiang Yi: “…” Guess I’ll keep this face then.
Still uneasy, he begged Li Qiao for a talisman.
Seeing his sincerity, she gave him one for free.
Jiang Yi nearly knelt in gratitude.
“Sis… from now on, you’re my only sister.”
Li Qiao facepalmed. “That’s not necessary.”
On the bed, Li Shaoxing fidgeted like an ant on a hot pan, demanding details about Shanghe.
Outside the Ward
Li Qiao sat on a bench when Ding Xiaozhou sent her a news update:
The fire had been ruled as arson. The culprit, Liu Xing, was arrested—but he’d gone insane.
He babbled about seeing ghosts, his mind utterly broken.
He confessed eagerly, begging the police to lock him up and “hire a master to exorcise the ghosts.”
The police ignored his absurd requests.
Only Shao Rong and Ding Xiaozhou knew the truth. A bastard like him deserved worse.
The case went viral again.
[Master, you’re our lucky star!]
[Work hard, young man. You’ll rise high.]
[Hehe, thanks for the blessing, Master.]
Stretching lazily, Li Qiao turned her head—and locked eyes with a stranger.
He had a noble bearing, radiating righteous energy, likely blessed by ancestors.
His intense gaze made her pause.
“Do… you know me?” she asked, then immediately regretted it.
Maybe he just happened to look this way?
The man smiled softly.
“You’re Qiaoqiao, right? I’m your second brother.”
Li Qiao: ???
