After Swapping Lives, the Metaphysics Side Character Became the Wealthy Family's Beloved - Chapter 5

“Yuewei, isn’t that your cousin?”

Someone deliberately pointed it out to Jiang Yuewei.

Jiang Yuewei’s expression darkened as she recalled how her mother had returned from the Li family yesterday, hurling insults at Li Qiao. At the time, she hadn’t understood her mother’s anger—why would an elder stoop to berating a younger girl? But now, she realized her mother had actually gone too easy on her.

Li Qiao, a country bumpkin, had the audacity to set up a stall here and scam people.

If word got out that she had such an embarrassing cousin, how could she ever hold her head high in their social circle again?

Jiang Yuewei despised Li Qiao.

Before Li Qiao returned, her grandfather and uncles had doted on her the most. But ever since news of Li Qiao’s existence spread, their attention had completely shifted. How could she not feel jealous?

Even if the Li family had fallen from grace, there was no way Li Qiao should have resorted to fraud.

Jiang Yuewei was dragged by the crowd to Li Qiao’s stall.

Surrounded, Li Qiao remained perfectly composed. Her gaze swept indifferently over their faces.

“Fortune-telling, face-reading, character divination… Who among you seeks answers?”

Her tone was calm and straightforward.

One of the onlookers teased, “What makes someone a ‘fated client’?”

“Five hundred per reading—that’s what makes a fated client.” In her line of work, the law of cause and effect was paramount.

They paid for the reading—that was the cause. She interpreted their fortunes and accepted payment—that was the effect.

“Pfft, you make it sound so noble. You’re just scamming people!”

“Look around you—other fortune tellers charge twenty per reading. You’re asking for five hundred? You can’t even lie convincingly.”

“You can’t get rich overnight, little girl. This trade isn’t for you. Go home to your mommy.”

“I’ve never believed in fortune-telling anyway.”

Jiang Yuewei’s face burned with secondhand embarrassment.

“Li Qiao, go home. Stop humiliating yourself here.” She planted her hands on the table, eyes blazing.

The others watched with glee.

Li Qiao replied flatly, “And you are…?”

“I—my mother is your second aunt. I’m your cousin.” Though she loathed admitting it, everyone in their circle already knew. Denying it would only make her look foolish.

“Oh… that cousin. I see.”

She had sensed their familial connection.

Jiang Yuewei’s expression darkened. She was certain Li Qiao was mocking her. Her fingers clenched.

“Leave. Now.”

“Cousin, if you’re not here for a reading, step aside. You’re blocking my business. Everyone, five hundred per reading—limited slots!”

Most of the bystanders were spoiled heirs.

A young man with bleached blond hair pushed through the crowd, his demeanor arrogant.

“Ugh, ugly yellow hair.”

Li Qiao wrinkled her nose in distaste.

Blondie: “…” Did she just insult his hair color? Unforgivable.

“I’ll take a reading. But if you fail, what then?”

“I never fail.” Her confidence was unshaken.

The crowd scoffed. What an arrogant little brat.

The blond youth recounted a family tragedy:

His cousin, a ten-year-old girl, had gone missing five years ago.

Every time his family mentioned her, they wept inconsolably.

He wanted to find her—but the moment the words left his mouth, regret set in.

If his family found out he’d brought this up again, they’d be heartbroken all over again.

“So? Can she be found?”

He smirked, challenging her.

Li Qiao studied his features carefully.

Then, she pulled out a talisman from her bag.

She eyed his hair again, disdain flickering in her eyes.

Blondie was baffled.

What’s her problem?

“To save your cousin, head east for twenty li. There’s a pig farm. Go now.”

Blondie frowned. The crowd urged him not to believe her.

Li Qiao pressed a folded paper talisman into his hand.

“Doubt me if you want. But if you don’t go, you’ll regret it.”

“…” He hesitated. “How do I know she’s really there?”

“I’ve warned you. It’s only twenty li away. Your choice. But if you hurry, you might save her life…”

“…Fine. I’ll go.” His voice was low, tense.

After scanning her QR code to pay, he bolted from the overpass.

Blondie and his uncle sped toward the pig farm twenty li away.

Was it real, or was she lying?

When they arrived, the farm existed.

Disguising themselves as workers, they sneaked in.

Blondie spotted a limping young man heading toward the backyard.

An inexplicable dread gripped him.

The man lifted a cellar hatch and climbed down.

Blondie followed—and gasped at the hidden space below.

It was vast, furnished with a bed, a cabinet…

Further in, he saw a girl on the bed.

His vision turned red with rage.

“Jiajia!”

He charged at the limping man.

The kidnapper, startled, grabbed a butcher’s cleaver and swung at Blondie.

A spoiled heir was no match for a butcher.

Blondie’s arms were pinned. Helpless, he watched the blade descend—

BANG!

A golden light erupted from his chest.

The cleaver rebounded, slashing the kidnapper’s face.

A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the cellar.

Above, shouts rang out:

“On the ground! Hands behind your head!”

When Blondie emerged, he touched his chest.

The talisman had turned to ash.

His eyes widened. It saved me?

In the crowd, Li Qiao observed silently.

Later, Blondie learned she’d called the police.

“A weakling like you can’t fight a butcher.”

Harsh, but true.

Trembling, he bowed deeply.

“Master, thank you.”

“Call me Abbot Li. ‘Master’ sounds old.” She deadpanned.

Blondie nodded hastily. “Thank you, Abbot Li. I’ll visit to express my gratitude. And I apologize for my words earlier.”

His father had warned him: Offend a villain, but never a mystic. Or you’ll die without knowing why.

After witnessing her power, his respect for her soared.

The case made headlines—a girl imprisoned, a horrifying crime.

The public outcry was immense.

Yet in all this, Li Qiao’s role remained unknown.

When she returned home, guests awaited.

One was her neighbor, He Jingnian.

The other, a friend of her father, Li Shanchuan.

“Why are you here?”

She whispered to He Jingnian, close enough to catch his unique scent.

He leaned back slightly, face stern.

“Visiting.”

She didn’t buy it.

He Jingnian never did anything without reason. But aside from his shortened lifespan… he seemed fine.

Wait—

She studied the mark between his brows.

“…Oh no. You’re dying even faster now.”