After Swapping Lives, the Metaphysics Side Character Became the Wealthy Family's Beloved - Chapter 44

Li Qiao met He Jingnian’s gaze steadily before quickly looking away. She whispered, “Mr. He, there are people everywhere here.”

“I know. That’s why I deliberately lowered my voice—no one else can hear,” He Jingnian replied, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes.

She couldn’t help but smile. The usually serious He Jingnian actually had a mischievous side.

This man… she was starting to think of him as a treasure.

His words—

They sounded undeniably intimate.

Li Qiao’s heart skipped a beat.

He Jingnian paid no mind to the onlookers, openly displaying his special regard for her.

After all, he had every right to.

The Liu family wanted to approach him, but without his permission, He Yi wouldn’t let them pass.

Li Qiao chuckled. “They’re waiting to curry favor with you.”

“Just a bunch of irrelevant people,” He Jingnian said dismissively. On the way here, he’d been worried Li Qiao might suffer at the Liu family’s hands—their reputation in their circles was far from stellar.

His concern had been genuine.

Since He Jingnian wasn’t going over, Li Qiao was naturally pleased. So what if the illustrious Ninth Master He attended the Liu family’s banquet?

They didn’t even get a chance to speak to him.

Everyone present could see it clearly—He Jingnian hadn’t come for the Lius.

He’d come for Li Qiao, the true daughter the Li family had just brought back from the countryside.

“Yulan, didn’t you say Ninth Master He came for you?”

Liu Yulan’s expression stiffened. “Mom, I never said that.” It had been Liu Yusheng’s claim.

Old Madam Liu felt a twinge of discomfort but couldn’t bring herself to scold her.

“No wonder the He Group chose to collaborate with the Li Group. Turns out your sister offered up her daughter,” Liu Yusheng insinuated maliciously.

His wife, Song Xi, frowned. That niece of hers seemed like a good girl.

The Liu family bullied her sister-in-law enough—now they were slandering her child too?

How had she ever fallen for such a despicable man?

Song Xi loved Liu Yusheng, but she also resented him deeply.

“Your sister has gone too far. Money is important, but how could she sacrifice her own daughter’s happiness? I heard this Ninth Master He brings misfortune to those around him…”

“Godmother, those rumors might not be true,” Li Songsong suddenly interjected, a shy flush still lingering in her eyes.

Liu Yulan’s eyes lit up with realization—Songsong had a crush on He Jingnian. She probed, “Songsong, you’re interning at the He Group, right?”

“Yes.”

“Songsong, opportunities belong to those who seize them,” Liu Yulan said meaningfully.

Li Songsong’s heart stirred, her gaze turning tender as she looked at He Jingnian.

But when her eyes landed on Li Qiao, they filled with loathing.

Ninth Master He was hers—someone like Li Qiao, that country bumpkin, had no right to covet him.

Before the banquet ended, He Jingnian and Li Qiao left.

The reason? He Jingnian had suddenly fallen ill. As they hurried out, the red string of Five Emperor Coins on his wrist snapped.

Once in the car, He Jingnian coughed up blood. Li Qiao immediately wiped the blood from his lips with a talisman.

He Jingnian lost consciousness.

Li Qiao’s voice was grave. “He Yi, drive back to the villa. Now.”

“Yes.”

The three of them sped back to the villa.

He Yi helped He Jingnian lie down while Li Qiao frowned. This shouldn’t be happening.

“Miss Li, is Ninth Master in danger?” He Yi asked urgently.

Li Qiao turned to him. “Where have you been recently? Think carefully—anywhere with strong yin energy. Don’t overlook anything.”

“The cemetery. Madam’s grave.”

“Take me there.”

He Yi glanced at He Jingnian on the bed. Li Qiao flicked out a talisman, creating a barrier to protect him from malevolent spirits.

The two rushed to the He family cemetery.

The site was spacious, with excellent feng shui—clearly chosen by an expert.

But—

Li Qiao stopped in front of He Jingnian’s mother’s grave, her frown deepening.

“I’ve been wondering how the person behind this is swapping Jingnian’s fate. They say death extinguishes all—once someone dies, any spells tied to them should weaken over time. Jingnian shouldn’t be facing certain death.”

A terrible suspicion formed in He Yi’s mind.

His voice trembled. “M-Miss Li… is this… related to Madam?”

“Yes.” Li Qiao bowed slightly at the grave, then looked at He Yi. “Find your Madam’s real remains.”

He Yi froze, his eyes widening.

“Th-this… Miss Li, Madam’s bones…”

“Were stolen. This is a trap—one set specifically for Jingnian.”

Whoever was behind this didn’t just want everything He Jingnian had—they wanted him to die horribly, and they’d dragged his own mother into it.

Li Qiao didn’t elaborate.

The perpetrator was too vile.

He Yi swallowed hard, his expression turning steely. “I’ll find Madam’s remains.”

“Use blood as a guide. This talisman is stained with Jingnian’s blood. Keep it on you—if it grows hot, lock onto the person immediately.”

“Thank you, Miss Li. As for Ninth Master…”

“I’ll take care of him.”

After expressing his gratitude, He Yi left.

Li Qiao smirked. He Yi, finding the person isn’t urgent—but you could’ve taken me with you before running off!

Your Ninth Master really is your top priority.

She dialed Su Yan’s number. The background noise was chaotic—a bar, probably. She heard chants of “Kiss her, kiss her!”

“Qiao-mei… miss me?”

Biting back the urge to scold him, Li Qiao said, “Come pick me up at Guangzhou Road. And… if you actually kiss someone, well… never mind.”

She hung up.

Su Yan stared at his phone, bewildered. The crowd around him was still egging him on.

He glanced at the voluptuous woman beside him—long hair, delicate features, gazing at him shyly under the dim lights.

“Brother Su…”

Su Yan shoved her away and screamed, “A ghost!”

He bolted out of the private room, leaving everyone stunned.

Su Yan sped toward Guangzhou Road. The master must’ve foreseen something.

How could he have forgotten his past horrors? He should’ve stayed away from women.

Trembling, Su Yan pulled up in front of Li Qiao. He stepped out, arms open for a hug, but she sidestepped gracefully.

“Qiao-mei… save me. There’s a ghost.”

Su Yan was genuinely terrified.

The thought that he’d nearly hooked up with another ghost made him want to die.

Li Qiao hadn’t expected him to be this jumpy. She sighed. “You have my protective talisman. Don’t you know whether you’ve encountered a ghost or not?”

Su Yan paused, then groaned. “Qiao-mei, you’re evil. You tricked me.”

“Tehe~”

Su Yan: “…” Don’t think your pretty face gives you the right to bully me.

As Li Qiao opened the car door, she caught sight of someone—Madam Wang’s son, Xu Tong!

Was he still searching for Sun Qian?