Chapter 8: Evil Spirit Possession

Li Xun never told Assistant Ling what he intended to do.
Assistant Ling, of course, dared not ask.

At the Yan Residence

After lunch, the family gathered in the living room. Yan Qiao, who usually preferred solitude to draw talismans or meditate, found herself reluctantly staying at her mother’s insistence. Su Min held her hand, eyes brimming with affection, and Yan Qiao couldn’t bring herself to refuse.

“Mom, since Big Brother and Second Brother are back, are we having dinner with Sister-in-Law’s family?” Yan Hao asked thoughtfully.

“Yes. The restaurant is booked—it’s a welcome dinner. Your future sister-in-law will join us too.”

Yan Hao clicked his tongue. “I hate dining with her family. They act so superior. If not for Big Brother’s integrity, their relationship would’ve ended long ago!” he muttered, careful not to let his father hear.

Su Min shot him a warning look. “Stop talking nonsense!”

“Hm?” Yan Qiao glanced at her brother, curious.

Seizing her interest, Yan Hao eagerly explained, “A-Qiao, you don’t know how snobbish Sister-in-Law’s parents are. They think we’re nouveau riche unworthy of their ‘old-money’ status. As if a man like Big Brother isn’t a rare gem! The Shen family does rank higher among Jiangcheng’s elite—they’re the top of the Yan, Liang, and Shen clans. Thankfully, Sister-in-Law adores him, or they’d have forced her to marry into a Beijing dynasty.”

“Wealthy people scorn other wealthy people?” Yan Qiao asked flatly.

“You don’t get it—there’s a hierarchy even among the rich! Mom and Dad built our fortune from scratch. Others inherited theirs. Anyway, if you ever date, pick someone with decent in-laws! No toxic families!”

Su Min scolded him again. “Enough! Your sister’s only eighteen! Don’t fill her head with this nonsense!”

Yan Hao grinned sheepishly. “Right! Any guy who dares chase her will answer to me!”

Yan Zhengtian snorted in agreement—his daughter was not leaving anytime soon.

That Evening

By 4 p.m., the family headed to the restaurant. The sky darkened ominously by five.

Yan Jue (eldest son), his fiancée Shen Zhiyin, Yan Chen (second son), and Shen’s parents arrived. Shen Zhiyin, an only child molded by her parents’ exacting standards, had chosen Yan Jue despite their disapproval.

As they entered the private dining room, Yan Qiao’s gaze locked onto Shen Zhiyin. Narrowing her eyes, she declared coolly, “Evil spirit possession. Her life is in danger.”

The room fell silent.

Shen Zhiyin’s mother, already disdainful of the Yan family, seized the chance to lash out. “Who is this brat? How dare you curse my daughter? Shut your mouth if you lack manners!”

Su Min’s composure snapped. “Mrs. Shen! A-Qiao is our beloved daughter, not some ‘brat.’ Control your tongue!”

The three Yan brothers gaped—their gentle mother had never been so fierce. Yan Zhengtian backed her firmly. “Respect our daughter, or leave.”

Tension crackled.

Yan Jue, caught in the middle, hesitated until Yan Chen stepped forward at Su Min’s command. “A-Qiao, I’m Yan Chen, your Second Brother.” He smiled warmly, his scholarly demeanor mirroring hers.

Yan Qiao pulled out a Calming Talisman and a Protective Talisman, handing them to him. “Four hundred yuan,” she stated.

Baffled but amused, Yan Chen paid. Instantly, his mind cleared, and the fatigue weighing him down vanished. Incredible…

The Shens, unused to defiance, fumed. “She insulted us first! You coddle her instead of apologizing? This dinner is over!” Mrs. Shen spat.

Yan Hao stood firm. “My sister never lies. Show respect!”

“Respect? She’s a fraud!” Mrs. Shen snarled, her rage spiraling. Shen Zhiyin, oddly passive, stared blankly.

As Su Min prepared to retort, a cold voice cut through the noise. “What a lively scene.”

Everyone turned.

Li Xun stood at the door.

Mrs. Shen’s anger melted into fawning delight. “Sir Xun! What an honor to meet you here!”

Ignoring her, Li Xun walked straight to Yan Qiao. “Your talismans and medicine worked wonders. I’ve improved greatly,” he remarked, his voice carrying deliberate clarity.

Mrs. Shen flushed, humiliated.

Yan Qiao nodded. “Naturally. I made them.”

Li Xun’s lips twitched—her unflinching confidence amused him.

Mrs. Shen stormed out, dragging her daughter. “We’re leaving!”

Yan Jue moved to follow, but Yan Qiao stopped him. “Don’t.”

“Why?” he asked, bewildered.