Volume One, Chapter 28: She Truly Lacks Sense

Chi Xingwan led Chu Fangfei and Jin Feng to the guesthouse, where Guan He personally came out to greet them.

His attitude was completely different from before, a broad smile on his face. “Masters, I was blind to your greatness earlier. Please, don’t take it to heart. I wouldn’t have troubled you if it weren’t necessary. If you can help us resolve this issue, we will reward you handsomely.”

His demeanor had turned a full one-eighty. While Chu Fangfei, inexperienced in the ways of the world, was taken aback, Chi Xingwan knew well: the moment they failed to help him, his face would change again.

Chi Xingwan didn’t truly intend to help Guan He; she was simply curious about what was happening inside.

The three entered the courtyard. A dense, dark aura rushed to meet them, making Chu Fangfei cough. She had the lowest spiritual power and weakest resistance; Chi Xingwan handed her a talisman.

“Keep this with you.”

Chu Fangfei clutched it like a treasure, and the discomfort faded as soon as she held it.

Inside the guesthouse, murderous intent lurked in the black aura. Ignored yesterday, if not dealt with today, bloodshed would soon follow.

Jin Feng was shocked: “Just one day, and the black aura here has grown so quickly?”

“We’ll know if we ask,” Chi Xingwan’s gaze settled behind Li Luoqi.

“Ask about what?” Zhang Qunying asked nervously. “Master, is there really something evil here?”

Chi Xingwan shook her head. “Not something evil. Just a poor soul driven to death.”

Her eyes never left Li Luoqi as she spoke. Almost everyone present was clever enough to follow her gaze.

Li Luoqi felt a chill down his spine. Since yesterday, the three had focused on him, though he didn’t know what he’d done to offend them.

But he knew: he couldn’t let this accusation stick, or his reputation in the industry would be ruined.

“Miss Chi, what do you mean by staring at me? Are you trying to blame all these strange happenings on me?” Li Luoqi was the first to challenge her.

Chi Xingwan nodded honestly. “That’s right. The problem lies with you.”

---

“Don’t slander me. Who sent you to frame me?” he snapped.

Chi Qianyu’s eyes darted as she said, “Cousin, Brother Qi and I work at the same company. He’s well-liked and always looks out for us junior colleagues. How could he possibly drive someone to death? You must be mistaken.”

Li Luoqi seized the opportunity. “So, you’re targeting me because I work with Qianyu? I didn’t expect you to be so vicious. It’s not enough to target her; now you’re going after those around her, too.”

Chi Qianyu was very pleased with Li Luoqi’s reaction, apologizing with a troubled look, “Brother Qi, I’m sorry. It’s all because of me that you’re being smeared.”

Li Luoqi quickly replied, “It’s not your fault; you’re a victim too.”

Turning to Guan He, he said, “Director Guan, these three harbor deep animosity toward me and Qianyu. No matter the cause of these strange events, they’ll blame us. We absolutely cannot accept this.”

Liu Jian stepped in to smooth things over. “Director Guan, Li Luoqi has a point. Why don’t we each find someone else, see if another master can solve the problem?”

Guan He hesitated.

Jin Feng lost his patience, face cold. “You can call whoever you want. But as long as your expert is genuine, the conclusion will be the same.”

He pointed at Li Luoqi. “You caused someone harm, so the black aura clings to you and has started to affect those around you.”

He spoke with conviction. Liu Jian and Zhang Qunying were startled, instinctively moving a bit away from Li Luoqi.

Chi Qianyu was still unwilling to give up, standing firmly with Li Luoqi. “Words alone aren’t proof. Show us your evidence if you can.”

Chu Fangfei, who’d held her tongue for a while, couldn’t help mocking Chi Qianyu. “Honestly, is your brain clogged with cement? This has nothing to do with you, yet you insist on barging in. Don’t blame us when you get caught up in this mess.”

Chi Qianyu’s face turned red in anger and embarrassment. “You’re targeting me, clearly!”

“See? You refuse to accept you’re brainless. Let me ask you: since we arrived, have we mentioned you even once? You’re the one desperate to tie yourself to Li Luoqi, then claim we’re targeting you. Who do you think you are—why would you be worth targeting?”

Everyone realized she had a point. The three had focused only on Li Luoqi since entering, never once glancing at Chi Qianyu. It was Chi Qianyu herself who’d bound herself to him.

Chi Qianyu was nearly in tears, wanting to argue, but Zhang Qunying pulled her aside, “Qianyu, enough. Come stand by me.”

---

“Teacher Zhang, I can't back down. They’re smearing Brother Qi, and if word spreads, the impact on him will be huge. If people start using these dirty tricks to ruin others, what justice is left?”

Chi Qianyu had made up her mind. The cameras were still rolling, filming continued, and she was convinced Chi Xingwan was just bluffing. A bumpkin back from the mountains—what real skills could she have?

She must’ve been paid by Li Luoqi’s rivals to smear him.

Though she and Li Luoqi weren’t close, they worked for the same company. If she handled this well, the video could help her attack Chi Xingwan and earn her some goodwill.

So she was determined to stand by Li Luoqi.

Zhang Qunying had only meant to advise her, but since Chi Qianyu wouldn’t listen, she didn’t insist. She simply resolved to keep her distance from Chi Qianyu in the future.

She truly lacked sense. The truth was still unclear, yet she rushed to pick a side, never considering the consequences if she chose wrongly. Short-sighted and foolish—she wondered how Yang Jing had taught her.

Seeing the situation deadlocked, Guan He wavered. Xiao Shangwen, who had intended to be invisible, spoke up, “Director Guan, why don’t we hear what they have to say first?”

Guan He agreed there was no point arguing further, so he turned to Chi Xingwan. “Master, why don’t you explain what happened?”

Chi Xingwan addressed Li Luoqi directly, “Do you know Zheng Zimo? He’s right behind you.”

Li Luoqi’s face changed drastically. He spun around, but behind him was nothing but emptiness.

“So you’re here for Zheng Zimo. You’re his fan? No, he doesn’t have fans anymore. You must be hired by his family.”

Zheng Zimo had been a teammate of Li Luoqi’s in the same group. Half a year ago, rumors surfaced that he’d seduced a wealthy woman, stole resources, and suppressed his teammates, ruining his reputation—he was cursed online for months.

Finally, not long ago, unable to bear the pressure, Zheng Zimo took his own life at home.