After returning to her villa, Shangguan Rui took a bath. Changing into comfortable pajamas and lying in bed, she picked up the remote and put on a movie.
This was her newly bought villa; what nonsense about ghosts?
That little brat was speaking utter nonsense, trying to scare her?
Shangguan Rui was not someone who got scared easily!
By the time the movie ended, the sky had gradually darkened.
Shangguan Rui picked up her phone and played games for another two hours.
As sleepiness washed over her, she turned off the main lights, leaving only a dim, yellowish wall lamp on.
Half-asleep, she felt an eerie, bone-chilling coldness creep in.
Suddenly, the sound of little girls crying and a woman's weeping complaints echoed in her ears.
"Are you going to burn us to death just because I couldn't give birth to a son?"
"How are daughters any less than sons?"
"I'm going to strangle you..."
Shangguan Rui felt something tightening around her neck, giving her a suffocating feeling of breathlessness.
She jolted awake from her dream. Opening her eyes, she saw a face burned beyond recognition, and her own face turned deathly pale from terror.
"Y-You..."
When did such a terrifying person appear in her room?
Before Shangguan Rui could even react, two little girls crawled onto her face.
The little girls' faces were similarly burned beyond recognition.
Shangguan Rui wanted to scream, but with her neck constricted, she couldn't make a sound.
This mother and her two daughters were not human!
That little brat was actually right. There really were three ghosts in her villa!
"How are daughters any less than sons?" The woman's hands gripped tighter and tighter around Shangguan Rui's neck.
Shangguan Rui's throat was hoarse; she couldn't utter a single word.
She felt like she was going to die at the hands of this female ghost.
"I-I was wrong, I will never say that again..."
"Si Yao, help me..."
"I will apologize to your mother. I was wrong, I was really wrong!"
Shangguan Rui's voice was raspy. She knew that screaming like this, Yaobao downstairs definitely wouldn't be able to hear her.
Tears of panic and remorse slid from the corners of her eyes.
She really shouldn't have favored boys over girls.
Just as Shangguan Rui thought she would die at the hands of the female ghost, her bedroom door was suddenly kicked open.
Si Jingyi came in, carrying Yaobao on his shoulder.
Yaobao was holding an apple, munching on it with great relish.
Her fair and tender finger pointed at the female ghost, who was breeding malicious energy. "You cannot kill people."
Seeing Yaobao, the female ghost seemed frightened. She quickly pulled the two little girls back into a corner.
Yaobao had an innate spiritual aura; ordinary ghosts would retreat far away upon seeing her.
Yaobao climbed down from Si Jingyi and walked up to the female ghost. She gently tapped her index finger against the foreheads of the mother and the little girls.
Immediately, the female ghost and the two little girls returned to how they looked when they were alive.
"Little Immortal, we died unjustly. My family was originally wealthy, but that scumbag Zhou Chenghai played with my feelings. After I supported him to become successful, he despised me for not being able to give birth to a son. He found a mistress outside, burned the three of us to ashes, and then hired a master to suppress our souls here on the mountainside."
"If the suppression period hadn't expired, the three of us would still be imprisoned in this pitch-black place."
Yaobao pressed her hands together and chanted a heart-clearing mantra.
The female ghost's resentment slowly dissipated a bit.
Yaobao pointed at the TV, signaling Shangguan Rui to turn it on.
"There will be karmic retribution."
Following Yaobao's instructions, Shangguan Rui switched the TV to the news channel.
Sure enough, the anchor was broadcasting a recent traffic accident.
Zhou Chenghai had collided with a car on an overpass, suffered severe injuries, and died on the spot.
Seeing that Zhou Chenghai was dead, the resentment on the female ghost completely vanished.
"I will perform a passing ritual for you, so you can be reincarnated soon."
The female ghost pulled the two little girls down to kneel. "Thank you, Little Immortal."
Shangguan Rui slumped onto the floor. She had witnessed Yaobao's superpowers with her own eyes.
No wonder Si Moyan and Wen Yan only wanted one daughter. At just two years old, she was already so incredible. Who wouldn't treasure her!
"Little Princess, I will personally apologize to your parents tomorrow."
Yaobao took a bite of her apple, her large, dark grape-like eyes sweeping over Shangguan Rui. "If you speak about my mother like that again, I definitely won't spare you."
Shangguan Rui trembled. "I know, I know. I will never dare to do it again."
...
Yaobao was now the beloved treasure of the Si family, the Rex family, and the Royal family.
Everyone wanted to spend more time with Yaobao.
"Little Princess, you promised to make a cameo in your Second Uncle's new drama. Don't go back on your word."
"Little Princess, didn't you want to visit your Third Uncle's translation institute a while ago? When do you have time?"
"Little Princess, didn't you want to go to the amusement park? Auntie Xiazhi and your Fourth Uncle will accompany you."
"Yaobao, let your Fifth Uncle take you swimming!"
Si Youyou raised both hands in objection. "No, no, I am Auntie 'Dehua'. Little Yaobao's time recently can only belong to me."
"Stop arguing." Grandpa Si pulled Little Yaobao into his arms. "Yaobao is going to play chess with her Great-Grandpa lately."
Si Moyan and Wen Yan came downstairs. Seeing everyone fighting over Little Yaobao, the two exchanged a glance and shook their heads helplessly.
Little Yaobao was in such high demand that even as her parents, they couldn't fight for her time.
"Great-Grandpa, not today. Today I'm going to meet a friend."
Wen Yan and the rest of the Si family all looked at Little Yaobao. "Is it the friend you meet once every three months?"
Little Yaobao's friend was extremely mysterious; even Si Moyan and Wen Yan had never met him.
Little Yaobao took some delicious cake and fruit, and with her little legs, she trotted down to the villa's basement.
"Hubby, I'm a little worried about Little Yaobao's friend."
Wen Yan could see from her system that Little Yaobao's mysterious friend was the Son of the Underworld, Youming.
Youming was six years older than Little Yaobao, so he was still a child himself.
Although every time they met, it was just so he could eat the delicious food Little Yaobao brought him, she was afraid that spending too much time together would cause Little Yaobao to be affected by the dark yin energy.
Si Moyan understood Wen Yan's concerns. He put an arm around her shoulders and lowered his voice, "Let's quietly follow her later and take a look."
Wen Yan nodded.
After Little Yaobao reached the basement, Wen Yan and Si Moyan quietly followed.
In the dim space, Wen Yan and Si Moyan saw the legendary Son of the Underworld.
The young boy was different from what they had imagined. He wore a well-tailored white shirt buttoned up meticulously, and a pair of white sneakers beneath his black trousers.
Fine bangs fell across his forehead. His facial features were exceptionally handsome and elegant, with a high nose bridge and cherry blossom-like lips, looking as if he had walked straight out of a manga.
How did he look like the Son of the Underworld? He looked more like a noble prince from a royal court.
His appearance was impeccably perfect.
Although Yaobao was young, she was an absolute sucker for good looks.
She handed her favorite cake and fruit to the young boy. "Brother Ming, eat this. It's super delicious."
Youming was just about to take the fruit from Little Yaobao's hands when he suddenly sensed something unusual. His long, pale, and cold fingers instantly flicked upward, and a burst of flames shot out from his fingertips.
Yaobao immediately glanced toward the door. Seeing her parents peeking in, she hastily grabbed Youming's hand. "Don't hurt my mommy and daddy, or I won't be good friends with you anymore."
Youming withdrew the flames from his fingertips.
Yaobao smiled sweetly at Wen Yan and Si Moyan. "Mommy, Daddy, Brother Ming is my good friend. He won't hurt me, so don't worry."
Si Moyan's handsome features tightened, an inexplicable surge of anger welling up in his chest.
Wen Yan noticed Si Moyan's mood and quickly pulled him upstairs.
"Mrs. Si, I can finally understand why my father-in-law disliked me so much back then." His Yaobao was just making friends with Youming, and he was already feeling upset.
At the thought of her growing up, getting a boyfriend, and eventually getting married, he wanted nothing more than to beat the living daylights out of the brat who would marry her in the future.
Wen Yan looked at the man's gritted teeth and couldn't help but chuckle.
Yaobao was only two years old. Wasn't he thinking a bit too far ahead?
"Brother, Sister-in-law, Sister Shuyin is here," Si Youyou came down to inform them.
Wen Yan and Si Moyan returned to the living room. Jiang Shuyin handed a delicate box to Wen Yan. "Yanyan, take a look. This is the jewelry you ordered from me."
Jiang Shuyin had now become a jewelry designer and had gained quite a reputation in the industry.
Wen Yan's eyes filled with awe. "Wow, it's so beautiful."
The smile on Jiang Shuyin's lips deepened. "I'm glad you like it. By the way, where is Yaobao? I brought a gift for her."
"She's playing with a friend in the basement. I'll go call her in a bit."
Half an hour later, Yaobao came up from the basement and threw herself into Jiang Shuyin's arms. "Auntie, why didn't you bring Brother Yi and Sister Orange back?"
Jiang Shuyin patted Yaobao's head. "They are still at school. When they are on vacation, Auntie will bring them back to play with you, okay?"
"Okay!"
Wen Yan sat down next to Jiang Shuyin. "Last time I heard you mention that your company's headquarters was transferring you to the Hong Kong branch?"
Jiang Shuyin nodded. "I came back to the country this time just to handle the onboarding procedures. I'll be heading to the high-speed rail station shortly to go straight to Hong Kong."
"What about the twins?"
"The nanny is looking after them over there. You know little Yiyi; he's much smarter and more sensible than kids his age. He'll take good care of his sister. Once my job in Hong Kong is stable, I'll bring them over to go to school there."
Wen Yan nodded, hesitating for a moment before asking, "In these past three years, have you ever run into Lu Yan again?"
Jiang Shuyin recalled the last words Lu Yan had said to her on the day of Wen Yan and Si Moyan's wedding.
—Jiang Shuyin, you are ruthless! Rest assured, I won't come looking for you ever again, but please, don't ever appear in front of me again either. Otherwise, I won't let you off!
The world was so big; unless one deliberately sought someone out, how could they easily cross paths?
Jiang Shuyin shook her head. "It's best if we never meet again in this lifetime. My life is pretty good right now."
After leaving Ye City, Jiang Shuyin took the high-speed rail to Shen City, and then crossed the border to Hong Kong.
As soon as she arrived at the apartment rented for her by the company, she received a call from the young master of the Ji family, Ji Chi.
"Ayin, you've arrived in Hong Kong, right? I'm throwing a welcome party for you at the Charm Bar. I've invited all my buddies, so you have to come, otherwise I'll lose all my face!"
Ji Chi was one of Jiang Shuyin's suitors. The two had met on an airplane a year ago.
In Ji Chi's words, it was love at first sight.
Jiang Shuyin came to Hong Kong this time not only for work but also to investigate a very important matter.
Ji Chi was somewhat connected to the matter she was investigating, so it was hard for her to turn him down.
After having Ji Chi send her the address, Jiang Shuyin took a shower, changed her clothes, and headed out.
...
Charm Bar.
Inside a VIP booth on the second floor, a tall and wildly masculine figure sat in the middle of a leather sofa. The man wore a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing lean, muscular forearms. His legs were spread wide in a wild and uninhibited posture, and his entire body emanated a chilling, solemn aura of danger.
"Brother Yan, my girlfriend is coming over in a bit. Stop giving off the cold shoulder, I'm afraid you'll scare her."
The man called Brother Yan took a cigarette from his pack and held it between his lips. A woman sitting next to him immediately lit it for him.
The man narrowed his eagle-like eyes and exhaled a puff of smoke. "Did she agree to be your girlfriend?"
"I, Young Master Ji, am a pretty boy adored by thousands of girls. I've never failed at chasing a woman."
Han Chenlin, who was sitting to the side, laughed. "I heard you've been chasing her for a year this time, and you haven't even managed to hold her hand yet."
A hint of embarrassment and annoyance flashed across Ji Chi's handsome face. "Just you wait. Not only will I hold her hand later, but I'll also kiss her."
Roars of teasing laughter immediately erupted in the booth.
Ji Chi glanced downstairs through the booth's floor-to-ceiling window. With just that look, he immediately caught sight of the figure walking in through the bar's entrance.
Jiang Shuyin was wearing a white chiffon blouse and black cropped trousers—a clean, elegant, yet professional and capable outfit.
She stood in stark contrast to the provocatively dressed women in the bar.
"My beloved girl is here." Ji Chi dashed downstairs like a whirlwind.
Han Chenlin smacked his lips. "I've never seen him put so much effort into any woman before. He really looks like a peacock spreading its tail right now."
"Oh, the woman he's set his sights on this time really is a bit different."
The tall, muscular, and wildly imposing man in the middle of the sofa casually glanced downstairs.
Upon seeing the woman whose shoulders were now wrapped in Ji Chi's arm, his sharp brows couldn't help but furrow deeply.
