Volume One, Chapter Fifteen: The Client Feels Deceived

Chi Yueyao was secretly delighted, but on the surface she said, “Xiao Jin, after all, Xingwan didn’t grow up in a good environment—she never had the chance to make friends in high society.”

Xiao Jin replied with disdain, “Even so, she shouldn’t choose friends of such poor quality. Those two just now, the total value of everything they wore probably doesn’t add up to a few hundred yuan. We can’t have paupers like that clinging to our families.”

“That won’t happen. I trust Xingwan knows where to draw the line.”

“Hmph. A country bumpkin raised in the backwaters—she probably doesn’t even know how to write the word ‘restraint’.” The more Xiao Jin thought about it, the more repulsed she felt.

“If you ask me, only you, Sister Yueyao, are a good match for my second brother. You two were supposed to be engaged, but then this Chi Xingwan suddenly appeared—how could there be such a coincidence?”

Chi Yueyao sighed. “Xiao Jin, please don’t say any more. I suppose your brother and I simply aren’t meant to be.”

Her desolate expression tugged at Xiao Jin’s heartstrings, making her even more sympathetic.

“It’s only an engagement, and it was all Grandmother’s idea—not something my second brother wanted. Sister Yueyao, you mustn’t give up. I’ll help you.”

Chi Yueyao was about to decline politely, but she recalled seeing Xiao Yue at the engagement banquet. His condition didn’t seem as dire as the rumors suggested—perhaps there was still a chance for recovery.

With that in mind, she decided to keep Xiao Jin on her side.

“All I hope for is that your second brother regains his health soon. I dare not ask for more, nor do I want you to be scolded by your grandmother on my account.”

Xiao Jin wanted to insist she wasn’t afraid, but just thinking of her grandmother made her nervous. Of all her family, her grandmother was the one she feared most—a stern glance from her would leave Xiao Jin on edge for half the day.

In the end, she simply said, “There’s a long road ahead. In any case, I’ll never let that woman, Chi Xingwan, marry into our family.”

...

Chi Xingwan followed Chu Fangfei and Jin Feng to Liuhe Road.

She needed no introduction to know which house belonged to the Chen family. Of all the residences on Liuhe Road, only one was shrouded in a sinister aura.

“Are you sure there’s a ghost in that house?” Chi Xingwan asked.

Chu Fangfei replied, “That’s what the Spiritualists’ Association concluded—it shouldn’t be a mistake.”

Jin Feng immediately asked, “Boss, do you think it’s not a ghost in there?”

“We’ll only know for sure once we see it,” said Chi Xingwan.

“Then let’s contact the client now.”

Chu Fangfei took out her phone and reached out to the person who’d posted the request.

...

Inside the Chen family villa, Chen Qifan’s phone chimed.

[@SailingForward: You have received a private message.]

Chen Qifan hesitated for a moment before realizing what it was about. Not long ago, he’d stumbled upon an app called “Ling Ling Yao,” a gathering place for metaphysics enthusiasts, which included a help-seeking section.

On a whim, he’d posted a request for help. By the next day, he’d forgotten all about it and hadn’t opened the app since. He never expected to actually receive a private message.

[Hello, I’m the spiritualist who accepted your request. We’re currently on Liuhe Road. Would you be able to meet with us?]

He read the message several times, thinking, what kind of scammer was this, trying to lure him out? No way.

He was about to block the sender when his stepmother and stepbrother, Chen Xin, walked in, accompanied by a man in Daoist robes.

“Dad, this is Master Wuchen, a reclusive expert I managed to find. He can help us resolve the old house’s problems,” Chen Xin announced to their father.

Chen Qifan sneered. “Just grabbed a random guy and called him a reclusive master? As if you could find someone like that.”

Master Wuchen immediately scowled. “If you don’t believe in my abilities, I’ll take my leave.”

Chen’s mother and Chen Xin hurried to stop him.

“Dad, Master Wuchen is well-known in his circles. I called in many favors to bring him here. I just want to help the family,” Chen Xin pleaded.

His stepmother added, “Qifan, I know you don’t like me or your brother, but we truly have no ulterior motives. Can’t you just not oppose us this time?”

Chen Qifan was nearly sickened by their performance, but his father was always taken in by such words.

“Master Wuchen, please don’t take offense at my son’s rudeness. We genuinely invited you to help our family,” his father said.

Chen Qifan bristled. “Dad!”

“That’s enough,” his father scolded. “Just look at yourself. It’s bad enough you’re so unmotivated, but when your brother tries to help, all you do is drag us down.”

Feeling indignant, Chen Qifan suddenly remembered the private message on “Ling Ling Yao.”

“He’s not the only one who wants to help the family. Dad, actually, I also found an expert—they’re waiting for us on Liuhe Road right now.”

His father eyed him suspiciously. “If that’s the case, let’s all go to the old house right now.”

Liuhe Road wasn’t far. The Chen family and Master Wuchen soon arrived.

Chen Qifan glanced around but saw no one promising. He began to suspect he’d been duped.

“Well, big brother, where’s this expert you mentioned?” Chen Xin taunted.

“Qifan, call your expert over. Don’t make Master Wuchen wait,” his father added.

Chen Qifan was at a loss, his mind racing for an excuse.

“Excuse me, are you Mr. Chen Qifan?” Chu Fangfei approached, phone in hand, matching the client’s profile picture.

“I’m Chen Qifan. And you are?” he asked, bewildered.

Chu Fangfei introduced herself, “I’m Chu Fangfei, the spiritualist who just contacted you.”

Chen Xin, sharp-eared, caught her words and mocked, “Seriously, big brother? This is the expert you found? You’ve been scammed, haven’t you?”

The Chen family and Master Wuchen all turned to look at Chu Fangfei.

His stepmother could hardly hide her smirk. “Qifan, is this a friend of yours? Why not introduce us?”

Chu Fangfei replied earnestly, “Ma’am, you’re mistaken. I’m not Mr. Chen Qifan’s friend—he’s my client.”

“Oh? And what is the commission?” she asked.

“The Chen family mansion on Liuhe Road is rumored to be haunted. Mr. Chen Qifan posted a request, and I accepted it as a spiritualist.”

His stepmother feigned embarrassment, “Such a young expert, I see.”

His father frowned, “Qifan, stop fooling around.”

Clinging to hope, Chen Qifan asked, “Master Chu, you’re not alone, are you?”

“Of course not,” Chu Fangfei replied.

Relief washed over Chen Qifan. “I knew it! You must have a teacher with you. Please, ask your teacher to come.”

Chu Fangfei called Jin Feng.

“Senior brother, yes, I’m at the entrance to the Chen family house. Come over when you can—oh, and bring me a milk tea, thanks. Bye.”

After hanging up, she told Chen Qifan, “My senior brother and a senior-grade spiritualist will be here shortly.”

Chen Qifan nodded enthusiastically. “A senior-grade spiritualist—that sounds reliable.”

But when Chi Xingwan and Jin Feng approached, each holding a cup of milk tea, Chen Qifan felt as if his entire world was collapsing.