Chapter 39 – One Reaps What One Sows

Previously, this little girl had received money—ten times more than the price she had quoted—and her expression had already softened quite a bit. She might have even offered him a few extra words of advice.

But now, she didn’t look too happy?

Did he give her too little money?

In truth, money was the one thing Li Xiao lacked the least. But he didn’t dare give too much, worried she might not like it or think he was showing off his wealth.

He didn’t want her to feel there was too much distance between them.

But if she was unhappy, then…

Master Xiao moved his fingers again.

Another transfer of 100,000 yuan arrived on Yan Qiao’s phone.

She looked at Li Xiao, completely confused. “Why did you transfer money to me again?”

…

…

He was just saying she was rich and gullible, and now he was giving her money again?

“Uh… You don’t seem very happy?” Li Xiao asked tentatively.

It was his first time being this cautious around someone, especially a girl.

“I’m not unhappy!”

“Do you think I’m upset because you didn’t give me enough money?” Yan Qiao said bluntly, her brows slightly furrowed.

With Master Xiao’s sharp eyes, how could he not tell?

He quickly tried to explain, “Of course not. This is to buy incense for the Ancestral Master, and also for yellow paper, cinnabar, and all that.”

“We’re going to Mengjiang Village this time. You used a lot of talismans, didn’t you? Once you finish drawing more, I’ll need to buy some again.”

He said it so confidently, with such a firm gaze, that it didn’t seem like he was making excuses at all. His face showed very little emotion.

Yan Qiao thought for a moment, then accepted it.

“I’ll accept it on behalf of the Ancestral Master. But don’t send any more for now. You just gave a million in incense money a few days ago. When I return later, I’ll light incense and tell the Ancestral Masters to remember your virtue.”

“Got it.” Li Xiao let out a quiet sigh of relief. That was close—he almost made her angry.

After a moment of silence, Master Xiao still couldn’t give up. He probed again, “Why do I feel like you’re still unhappy? Is it because of the medicine?”

Yan Qiao wasn’t in the mood to hide anything.

“Yes, I’m a little reluctant. These are all good medicines. I worked hard to gather them,” she said with a hint of gloom in her voice.

Upon hearing this, Li Xiao couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

If she was reluctant to part with them, yet still decided to give them to him, and only charged 500 yuan… Ah Qiao was truly too kind.

“If you were reluctant, why give them to me?” Master Xiao wanted to hear something sweet.

But Yan Qiao said coldly, “Isn’t it because your body’s in terrible shape? Even after taking the Life-Prolonging Pill, you still look like a half-dead sickly man.”

“This medicine should help you feel better.”

That…

The dignified Master Xiao was once again looked down upon.

He clutched his chest. That hurt.

And yet, instead of getting angry, he had to reassure her: “Then I must thank you, Ah Qiao. I’ll try to recover quickly and take the medicine on time.”

If Mu Yunzhe saw him like this, he’d definitely exclaim in disbelief: Master Xiao, I don’t even recognize you!

When they returned to the villa, it was already one in the afternoon and they hadn’t eaten lunch yet.

Li Xiao followed Yan Qiao home.

Ever since Su Min suspected that this living King of Hell might be interested in her daughter, she had been looking at him with increasing disapproval.

Even the three young masters of the Yan family felt that lately, Master Xiao seemed to really enjoy eating at their house.

Didn’t he have anyone to cook for him at home?

The head of the household, Yan Zhengtian, was the most composed. His expression didn’t reveal much emotion.

He remained welcoming and acted as if it was a great honor.

“Ah Qiao, why didn’t you call me when you went out? Did you pick a location yet?” Yan Hao immediately came over to his sister’s side, not even looking at Li Xiao.

“You were sleeping. I’ve already picked it,” Yan Qiao replied to every question.

The rest of the family grew curious too. “Oh? Where is it?”

“The pedestrian bridge near University Town.”

Upon hearing that, Yan Hao’s eyes lit up. “Wow, that’s right by our school!”

“Ah Qiao, don’t worry. I’ll definitely pull my classmates to show up and support you.”

“No need. I’ll wait for those with fate,” Yan Qiao remained calm as always.

Yan Hao wasn’t upset by the rejection. He knew this was just how his sister was.

“Then I’ll help you find fated ones.”

“Alright, stop asking questions for now. Has Ah Qiao eaten yet?” Su Min came over to ask her daughter with concern.

“Not yet.”

“Then let’s eat first. I’ve saved you some food. It’s already past lunchtime—you must be starving, right?” Su Min only wanted to take care of her daughter. As for Li Xiao, she couldn’t even be bothered to look at him.

“President Li, please join us for lunch,” Yan Zhengtian said calmly.

Li Xiao furrowed his brow slightly. He had the distinct feeling that their attitude toward him had subtly shifted.

“Thank you for the hospitality, President Yan,” Li Xiao responded mildly.

While Yan Qiao and Li Xiao were eating, the others didn’t stay idle.

They had wanted to talk to Yan Qiao, but Su Min shooed them into the living room. “Don’t disturb Ah Qiao while she’s eating.”

That said, Su Min still sat nearby.

She just didn’t want Li Xiao to be alone with her daughter.

So it wasn’t until Yan Qiao finished eating that Yan Zhengtian brought up a serious matter.

“Ah Qiao, Uncle Chen said he’s coming over. He should be on the way now. When he asks for your help, do what you can for him. He’s been a close friend of your father’s for decades,” he said sincerely.

“If he asks, I’ll do my best.”

“Good. Discuss the price with him directly. Don’t worry, I’ve already told him—my Ah Qiao doesn’t work for free,” Yan Zhengtian said with fatherly pride.

“Mm.”

“Ah Qiao, are you going to Uncle Chen’s later?” Yan Hao asked eagerly.

After all, he was now the chief disciple of Longyu Temple. After a good nap today, he felt full of energy!

“I’ll decide after he explains the situation.”

The rest of the family waited in the living room.

Now that Shen Zhiyin’s soul had fully returned and she’d had a good night’s sleep, she was back to normal.

This was her first proper introduction to her sister-in-law.

“Ah Qiao, thank you so much this time! If not for you, I don’t know what would’ve happened to me,” she said gratefully.

“You’re welcome. It was just part of my duty,” Yan Qiao replied, her tone unchanged.

Still cool and distant, hard to approach.

“Ah Qiao, do you still have talismans? I want to buy more,” Yan Jue asked.

“Yes. No need to buy many. Just carry one on you at all times.”

Shen Zhiyin now felt that her sister-in-law was incredibly cool.

She had originally thought Ah Qiao didn’t like her, which was why she seemed so cold. But now she realized—Ah Qiao was like that with everyone. She felt relieved.

Half an hour later, Chen Hailong arrived at the Yan residence.

He was older than Yan Zhengtian and already in his fifties.

Before all the recent misfortunes, he had been full of vigor and didn’t look his age—more like someone in his early forties.

But now, as Yan Zhengtian had said, he seemed to have aged suddenly, with much more white hair.

Yan Qiao’s brow furrowed imperceptibly when she saw him.

“Ah Qiao, this is your Uncle Chen,” Yan Zhengtian introduced.

The rest of the Yan family looked surprised—perhaps they hadn’t expected him to have changed so much.

At that moment, Yan Hao suddenly exclaimed, “Ah Qiao, the evil aura on him is really strong!”

The Yan family was instantly shocked by Yan Hao’s words.

Even Li Xiao gave him another look, a trace of surprise flashing through his sharp, deep eyes.

“Ah Hao, you can see it too?” Yan Zhengtian was astonished.

Yan Hao himself found it a bit unbelievable.

Yan Qiao, however, remained perfectly calm.

At that moment, she looked at Chen Hailong and said coolly, “One reaps what one sows.”