After Swapping Lives, the Metaphysics Side Character Became the Wealthy Family's Beloved - Chapter 11

“Whose… memorial tablet are you holding?” He Jingnian steadied his breathing, his gaze complicated as he stared at Li Qiao.

He Yi: Has someone in the He family passed away?

“It’s the memorial tablet of my sect’s founding master. I just made a new one for him, and he’s very happy. He asked me to thank you for providing the wood.” Li Qiao hugged the tablet, beaming.

He Jingnian was at a loss for words. “…You’re welcome.”

With that, Li Qiao cheerfully walked off, still cradling the tablet.

He Yi, unable to hold back any longer, tapped his temple. “Ninth Master, is Miss Li… not quite right in the head?”

Who in their right mind makes a memorial tablet—let alone for a founding master?

According to their intel, Li Qiao had never even studied under a master!

Li Qiao was full of mysteries. He Jingnian’s fingers unconsciously brushed over the Five Emperor Coins at his wrist. “There are always people beyond people, skies beyond skies.”

What they saw might not be the whole truth. This world was full of unknowns.

He Yi stopped questioning.

If Miss Li could save the Ninth Master’s life, then she was good in his book.

Li Qiao carried the tablet home, only to be met with a shrill voice that made her ears itch.

She dug a finger in her ear.

“Li Qiao! Is that a memorial tablet? Are you cursing your grandfather?” Li Ergu’s voice was loud enough to shake the walls.

She glared at Li Qiao, berating her for being an unfit junior.

On the sofa, Grandpa Li was also a little confused by his granddaughter’s actions—but he trusted her judgment.

Qiaoqiao was extraordinary. Ever since he started carrying her talismans, his health had improved drastically.

As long as his granddaughter was happy, this old man didn’t mind.

“I’m not cursing Grandpa. This tablet is for the founding master.” It was meant for a deity—did Li Ergu even understand that?

From the moment Li Qiao had returned home, Li Ergu had it out for her.

This time, Li Ergu seemed convinced she’d caught Li Qiao red-handed. She launched into a tirade, playing the stern elder.

“A wild child from the countryside—no manners at all! The Li family’s decline is probably your fault. Eighteen years old, yet you act without a shred of propriety. Dad, mark my words, you must discipline her strictly. Otherwise, she’ll offend the wrong people someday!”

Li Ergu wasn’t done. “Yuwei told me Li Qiao sets up a fortune-telling stall on the overpass, peddling superstitious nonsense. Dad, look at her—good-for-nothing, no ambition. If word gets out, how will the Li family save face? She’s a disgrace!”

She refused to accept a bumpkin niece who couldn’t elevate her status—only drag her down.

Whenever she met with her socialite friends, the hottest gossip was always about her “country bumpkin” niece.

In their circles, the slightest ripple in one family became a tidal wave of chatter.

“Qiaoqiao is an adult. She knows what’s appropriate. As her aunt, you should respect her.” Not scold his granddaughter in his own home!

He’d missed out on eighteen years of her life. Now that she was finally back, he wouldn’t let anyone bully her—not even his own daughter.

Li Ergu scoffed. The old man’s favoritism knows no bounds!

Yuwei never got half this much affection, yet this backwater brat waltzes in and gets everyone wrapped around her finger?

“Auntie, a word of advice—accumulate good karma in this life, or you’ll reincarnate as livestock in the next.”

“You—you’re cursing me?!” Li Ergu nearly exploded.

Li Qiao carried the tablet upstairs, enshrining it properly in her room. She bowed respectfully. “Founding Master, I’m not dead yet—aren’t you happy? Now I can keep offering to you.”

Thud.

The tablet tipped over in front of her. Li Qiao giggled. The Founding Master is pleased.

…

To Li Ergu, Li Qiao’s behavior was sheer lunacy.

The moment Li Shaojin returned home, she pounced, recounting every bizarre detail.

But instead of sharing her outrage, Li Shaojin only frowned. Undeterred, Li Ergu rambled on.

Liu Yusī cut in coldly, “My daughter is a metaphysics master. She’s not insane.”

“Sister-in-law, have you lost your mind?!”

Li Ergu refused to believe it.

What master? She’s a con artist—I’ve seen plenty like her.

When reasoning with Liu Yusī failed, Li Ergu turned to Li Shaojin. As the family’s heir, surely he wouldn’t fall for Li Qiao’s tricks.

“Second Aunt, Qiaoqiao is the real deal. If you ever encounter anything… unusual, remember to come to her. She’ll help you.”

He’d witnessed his sister’s abilities firsthand.

“Shao Jin! You too? You’re the Li family’s successor—how can you let Li Qiao fool you? She’s a fraud, a delinquent!”

“You should let go of your prejudices.”

“All of you are insane! This family is doomed!”

Ever since Li Qiao returned, everyone had lost their minds.

She must be using dark magic.

I have to save the Li family.

Li Ergu stormed out. Liu Yusī didn’t bother asking her to stay for dinner—her sister-in-law’s constant nitpicking had soured her mood.

Back when Yuwei lived with them, she’d doted on the girl. Now, her sister-in-law’s hostility stung.

After Li Ergu left, voices murmured outside. The doorbell chimed.

Liu Yusī tensed. “Could it be debt collectors?”

Li Qiao, descending the stairs, smiled. “Mom, it’s good news.”

If Qiaoqiao said so, it must be true. Li Shaojin strode to the door without hesitation.

This villa complex housed Beijing’s elite.

A crowd had gathered outside the Li residence. To bystanders, it looked like another scene of troublemakers.

Among the wealthy, gossip never died.

“Huh? They don’t look like debt collectors…”

“That face seems familiar…”

“Isn’t that the head of the Shen family and his son? Why are they visiting the Lis? The Li family’s not worth networking with anymore.”

Curiosity burned.

The Shen father and son had already stepped inside.

“The old master looks much healthier.” Shen Juncheng studied Grandpa Li. The last time he’d seen him, he’d assumed the man was on death’s door.

Today, the change was striking.

Shen Juncheng carried himself with the poise of a seasoned leader.

“Good fortune brings vigor,” Grandpa Li laughed.

“The Li family reclaiming their lost jewel is cause for celebration. This must be the young lady?” Shen Juncheng’s assessing gaze settled on Li Qiao.

From the moment he entered, she’d stood out.

For someone raised in the countryside, her presence was… unusual.

“Qiaoqiao, greet Master Shen,” Liu Yusī reminded gently.

“No need for formalities,” Shen Juncheng said. “We’re here to thank Miss Li for saving my son’s life.”

A middle-aged man beside him bowed deeply. “Yes! Miss Li, thank you for rescuing my daughter, Jiajia. Since her return, she’s been unwell, so my wife is caring for her at home. Once she recovers, we’ll visit again to express our gratitude properly.”

When he’d seen his daughter’s state at the pig farm, he’d wanted to stab himself.

What kind of father lets his child suffer like that?

Those damned traffickers.