Chapter 38: Does He Have Feelings for A-Qiao?

He always kept the protective talisman in the inner pocket of his suit jacket. Every time he changed clothes, he would take the talisman out and place it in the outfit he planned to wear. Since he didn’t go out today, he didn’t switch it.

It had been perfectly fine just the day before.

He hadn’t checked it for just one day, and now the once-bright yellow paper with the drawn charm had faded to colorlessness.

A-Qiao had previously told them that if a talisman faded, it meant it had protected him from disaster.

“You went alone yesterday?”

“Yes.”

“Your mother’s been worried about you lately and not in a great mood. I didn’t call her.”

Yan Zhengtian’s expression darkened slightly.

Looks like Old Chen was definitely going to seek A-Qiao’s help.

…

…

“A-Qiao, what are you doing today? Are you free?” he immediately asked.

“I need to go scout some locations later to prepare for setting up a stall.”

“Tonight, Li Xiao said Young Master Mu’s parents are treating us to dinner together,” Yan Qiao answered truthfully.

Yan Zhengtian nodded thoughtfully.

He didn’t want to interfere with his daughter’s affairs, and it wouldn’t be polite to reject the dinner.

“All right. Go after dinner, then. I’ll call your Uncle Chen later and set up another time. You handle your own matters first.”

“Okay.” Yan Qiao nodded.

After a pause, she pulled out another protective talisman. “This is for you—keep carrying it on you.”

“Alright, Dad will transfer you two hundred yuan.” Yan Zhengtian accepted it readily this time.

“No need. It’s a gift.”

She no longer accepted money from her beautiful mom or handsome dad.

Unexpectedly, Yan Zhengtian refused: “No way. Drawing talismans must be hard work for my A-Qiao. Dad can’t take it for free—I need to support you in a tangible way.”

Yan Qiao bit her lip. The love in Yan Zhengtian’s eyes was undeniable. Normally strict and cold, his voice softened unconsciously when speaking to her.

Her heart was touched.

She couldn’t help but wonder—back then, when they gave her away, were they heartbroken too?

“Okay.” She agreed but didn’t reveal too much emotion.

Yan Zhengtian transferred the money and put the talisman away.

Su Min also came downstairs.

She saw the father and daughter having breakfast.

“A-Qiao, why not sleep a little longer?” She sat down beside her daughter and asked with concern.

“I’m used to getting up early.”

“All right.”

“Just rest whenever you feel tired.” Su Min’s face radiated motherly love.

After breakfast, Yan Qiao prepared to go out.

“A-Qiao, can I come with you? Otherwise, I won’t know where your stall is going to be,” Su Min offered.

But Yan Qiao declined.

“Stay home and rest today. Once I’ve confirmed the location, I’ll take you tomorrow.” Her tone was calm, seemingly without much emotion.

But Su Min understood—this was her daughter showing care.

Perhaps she’d noticed the fatigue on her face.

“Okay, I’ll listen to you. If anything happens, call your brother—don’t trouble Mr. Xiao.” Su Min reminded her.

“I know.”

It was just that all three brothers were still asleep.

At 9 a.m., Li Xiao arrived on time to pick up Yan Qiao, and they left together.

Su Min stood at the door, watching them drive away.

“Minmin, what’s wrong? A-Qiao’s already in the car, they’ve driven off. Come back inside.” Yan Zhengtian wrapped an arm around his wife’s shoulders.

“Zhengtian, do you think this Mr. Xiao… might have feelings for our A-Qiao?” she looked at him, worry in her eyes.

Rumor had it that Mr. Xiao had always been cold and ruthless, decisive in his actions, and disinterested in women.

But lately, the way he treated A-Qiao was clearly different from what the rumors said.

“Maybe it’s because A-Qiao can save his life? So he’s just treating her better?”

“I don’t believe that. I heard the Li family is a major family in the capital and very complicated. I don’t want A-Qiao to get involved with him or suffer any grievances!” Su Min voiced her true thoughts.

“That you don’t need to worry about. Look at how cool and indifferent our A-Qiao acts. Does she seem like she has feelings for him?”

“This child is fully devoted to her path. I actually think she’s very steadfast.”

“Worst-case scenario, if A-Qiao really does like him one day, would you have the heart to oppose her and make her unhappy?” Yan Zhengtian asked.

She couldn’t.

They only wanted A-Qiao to be happy, safe, and healthy.

“Every child has their own path. A-Qiao is a clear-headed girl—we just need to support her.”

Su Min nodded, as if realizing that was the only thing they could do.

There were several overpasses in Jiangcheng, but only two in the city center.

Yan Qiao planned to survey all of them.

Special Assistant Ling was in charge of driving them.

They checked each overpass one by one.

Today’s weather was great.

The sun was shining, warm on the skin.

Yan Qiao still carried her cloth bag on her back and wore her usual old Daoist robe, her hair tied up in a bun on top of her head, revealing a fair neck.

Since her return, she still preferred wearing her Daoist robe. Su Min didn’t push her otherwise—she could wear whatever she liked.

Even in her plain, simple robe, her stunning beauty was impossible to hide.

The Yan family had good looks across the board, and Yan Qiao had inherited every single one of her parents’ best features.

As they walked on the overpass, Li Xiao followed at her side.

He felt this moment was very pleasant.

It had been a long time since he’d gone for a walk in the sun like this.

Might as well treat it like a stroll.

After checking a few overpasses, Yan Qiao finally settled on one near the university district. The space was wide, there were lots of people, and the feng shui layout was exactly what she wanted.

“A-Qiao, are you sure about this spot?” Li Xiao stood beside her. From the overpass, one could see the heavy traffic below.

“Yes.”

This overpass connected four roads and had a wide surface—just the kind of place she liked.

“All right. It’s just that it’s a bit far from your house—takes about forty minutes to drive here.”

“That’s fine. I only plan to do ten readings a day,” Yan Qiao replied with her own reasoning.

She wasn’t in it for the money—it was to accumulate merit. She had other plans, too.

“Okay.”

Once the location was confirmed, Yan Qiao headed home.

After walking all morning, Li Xiao wouldn’t admit it, but he was definitely tired. Although he had taken the life-extending pill from Yan Qiao, it only prolonged his life—it hadn’t healed his body much.

Yan Qiao, on the other hand, didn’t feel the least bit tired. For her, that number of steps was no pressure at all.

Right before reaching home, Yan Qiao pulled a bundle wrapped in yellow paper from her cloth bag.

“Take this herbal medicine and decoct it when you get home. Five hundred yuan.”

Li Xiao raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at his lips. “A-Qiao, what is this medicine? Is it bitter? I heard Chinese medicine is both bitter and stinky.”

“Stabilizes spirit and condenses energy.”

“Then never mind.” Hearing that, she was about to take it back.

But Mr. Xiao snatched it first: “I want it. If it’s from A-Qiao, it’s something money can’t buy—how could I not want it?”

“Smart move. Take it for seven days, once a day after meals.” Yan Qiao said coldly.

“Got it. I’ll remember. Let me transfer the money.”

This time, Mr. Xiao was clever. She said five hundred, and he transferred five thousand.

Yan Qiao pouted—what a rich fool!

“You gave it yourself! Don’t say I swindled you,” she reminded.

“Of course not! A-Qiao’s medicine is worth it.” Li Xiao found her serious expression absolutely adorable.

But soon, he felt something wasn’t right again.