Neither Qi Lin nor Qi Yuan were home early in the morning.
Unable to dissuade Qi Quan and with no help at hand, the couple could only watch helplessly as she dragged a small suitcase out the front gate.
Qi Quan left behind a card containing all the expenses she had incurred during her stay, taking with her only a few worn-out sets of clothes—the same ones she had worn before returning to the Qi Family.
Aside from these, she also took two ghosts with her.
"Once we move to the new place, can I finally play freely?" Wang Hua floated around excitedly.
Su Rong replied, "You can't. But I can."
Wang Hua: "..."
The resentment was real.
When he learned that Su Rong had chosen to become a ghost servant, he was utterly shocked.
As a ghost, he had picked up bits and pieces of knowledge, and he knew very few ghosts would willingly bind themselves as servants.
But Su Rong did so without hesitation.
Now, Su Rong could materialize at will, touch objects, and even savor the delicacies he craved.
Wang Hua wasn’t immune to the temptation, but he valued his freedom and the chance for reincarnation more.
With his accumulated merits, he could linger in the mortal world for a long time. Once he witnessed Huang Qifeng’s downfall and punishment, he would move on to the next life.
After Qi Quan left, Gu Qiao felt as if a gaping hole had opened in her heart, letting in a cold, howling wind.
"She truly resents us," she sobbed, covering her face.
Qi Changrong sighed. "With her abilities and the favor she’s earned from the Su Family, she’ll achieve great things. No one will dare bully her. Our home was ultimately a cage for her. If you’re worried, you can visit her more often."
After all, she had only been brought back as an adult. How much affection could three months foster? Especially when the family had indeed neglected her after her return.
The villa gifted by the Su Family was located in the southern suburbs, nestled by a lake with breathtaking views. Its classical architecture perfectly suited Qi Quan’s taste.
Upon entering, one was greeted by a spacious courtyard with a clear pond at its center, filled with blooming lotuses and the occasional flash of koi fish—a scene of serene beauty.
With no one else around, Su Rong materialized and considerately took Qi Quan’s suitcase.
Wang Hua: "..."
No comparison.
Not only was this guy handsome, but he also had high emotional intelligence. Even if Wang Hua were willing to serve, he couldn’t compete.
The only oddity was Su Rong’s outfit—a childish, bright yellow dandelion-patterned cotton jacket. Though it had grown along with his form and still fit, it looked absurdly comical.
Qi Quan seemed to notice this too and said, "Once we’re settled, I’ll make you some proper clothes."
"Make clothes?" Wang Hua followed them into the living room, puzzled. "Don’t you usually burn offerings for ghosts?"
Ghosts typically relied on items burned as offerings—paper houses, paper cars, and the like.
Qi Quan smiled without answering.
The mystical arts had many ways to subdue ghosts but few to aid them. To her, ghosts were once human. As long as they didn’t cause harm, they were no different from the living.
In her past life, she had amused herself by crafting stylish uniforms for her ghost servants. That skill hadn’t faded.
Su Rong was easy on the eyes; he deserved clothes to match.
Burned offerings carried a charred smell—something she disliked.
The villa was vast, with a central hall and wings on either side. Qi Quan took the main residence, while Su Rong and Wang Hua occupied the east and west wings. Unless summoned, neither ghost was to disturb her.
The villa was fully furnished, even stocked with premium fabrics in the storage room. Qi Quan had planned to buy materials but now had no need.
She began cutting and sewing, crafting a new wardrobe.
Meanwhile, Du Jiaming dressed to impress for his date with the love of his life.
Qin Ruo had actually initiated the meeting this time—he was overjoyed!
They were to meet at a park.
Du Jiaming never frequented parks, but with Qin Ruo there, anywhere was paradise.
At the entrance, Qin Ruo stood in a pristine white dress that ended at her knees, revealing slender, flawless calves. Her jet-black hair cascaded over her shoulders, her skin glowing under the golden sunlight like a celestial maiden.
Du Jiaming was spellbound.
In a daze, he approached, his voice distant, his thoughts scattered—only instinct remained.
"Ruo Ruo, you’re breathtaking."
Qin Ruo smiled softly, her delicate features curving like the moon reflected in water—ethereal and enchanting.
Seeing the infatuation in Du Jiaming’s eyes, her smile deepened.
For the first time, she reached for his hand.
The moment their skin touched, a searing pain shot through her fingers as if scorched by flames. She barely stifled a scream.
Snatching her hand back, she hid it behind her, forcing a sweet smile.
"Jiaming, I just remembered something urgent. I have to cancel today. Let’s meet another time, okay?"
Without waiting for a response, she hurried away.
Once in her car, she examined her right hand.
The tips of all four fingers (except the thumb) were blackened, reeking of burnt flesh, the pain unbearable.
Luckily, she carried mystical pills. After swallowing one, the marks gradually faded.
Her eyes darkened with malice as she dialed Yang Su’s number.
Du Jiaming had made her suffer—now he’d know the agony of heartbreak.
Yang Su, thrilled by the unexpected invitation, rushed to the café.
Their meeting spot was crowded, and all three men had spies keeping tabs on each other.
When Du Jiaming learned Qin Ruo had ditched him for Yang Su, his heart twisted in anguish. He didn’t blame her—his hatred was reserved for Yang Su.
She had chosen him! What had gone wrong during their park meeting?
Yang Su, on the other hand, felt like he’d won the lottery. Overjoyed, he reached for Qin Ruo’s hand.
Normally, she’d never let him touch her, but to torment Du Jiaming, she didn’t pull away.
The instant his fingers brushed her left hand, the same scorching pain flared. She wrenched free, her face contorting.
"Yang Su, what are you wearing?" Her usually sweet voice turned icy.
Yang Su was baffled. "Wearing? Do I look bad?"
Qin Ruo clenched her injured hand behind her back, seething.
Something was wrong. These idiots were sabotaging her!
Suppressing her rage, she called Zhang Chengyan in front of Yang Su.
"Chengyan, where are you?"
Yang Su’s face paled as he experienced the same heart-wrenching pain Du Jiaming had felt earlier.
"Great, wait for me at Century Plaza."
The spies exchanged glances: What kind of game was this woman playing? And why were these three men acting like they were under a spell?
At Century Plaza, Zhang Chengyan finally saw Qin Ruo approaching.
He was utterly overjoyed, having assumed today would be a lost cause—only to find light in the darkest hour.
The square was spacious, and the person tailing them didn’t dare get too close, so they couldn’t overhear the conversation between the two.
Qin Ruo had already resolved not to touch anyone else today.
Standing before Zhang Chengyan, she looked at this man—so easily manipulated, utterly defenseless in her grasp—and felt nothing but contempt. Yet her expression remained soft as she murmured,
"Why didn’t you ask to meet me yesterday?"
Just the day before, the three of them had been perfectly fine. But after missing just one day, this had happened. There had to be something more to it.
"Yesterday?" Zhang Chengyan answered without hesitation. "I went to a Taoist temple."
That’s it?
Qin Ruo frowned. A man she had ensnared could resist seeking her out for an entire day—just to visit some temple?
"What did you go there for?"
"Don’t laugh, but I’m a bit superstitious. I went to get a protective charm."
"Did Du Jiaming and Yang Su get one too?"
"...Yes."
Qin Ruo closed her eyes, suppressing the fury rising inside her. "Which temple?"
Which temple’s charm could possibly harm her?
"Lingxu Temple."
Qin Ruo stiffened. How was that possible?!
