Page 6

The person manipulating events behind the scenes was too ruthless.

"Who is it?"

Just as Chu Yuening was about to act, she heard the sound of a window opening upstairs. She quickly hid behind a large tree, standing in the shadows.

Ye Tianliang peered out for a while but didn't see anyone, so he closed the window. A plump woman had just come out of the bathroom, toweling her hair dry as she flirtatiously threw a glance. "Someone outside?"

Ye Tianliang embraced the woman. "No one. Must have been a stray cat."

Cindy looked at the wedding photo on the wall and stopped drying her hair, turning her head in surprise. "Hey, you have a wife? Let's get this straight, if your wife comes home and catches us in the act, there won't be any refunds."

Ye Tianliang kissed Cindy and carried her horizontally, tossing her onto the mattress. Recalling the woman he had pushed into the sea, he frowned with disgust. "Don't mention that damn ghost. Can't we just live our lives peacefully? She insisted on divorcing me even though I was only trying to provide for the family. She didn't give me any children and was always acting crazy."

"What happened?" Cindy traced circles on his chest.

"It's normal for men to have a few extra women on the side, right? I often go out for social events to ensure the well-being of my family. She didn't bear me any children and was constantly having mood swings." Ye Tianliang thought back to pushing Ajuan into the sea without any remorse.

"There's no one to make trouble now. She's been dead for a long time."

Sindy giggled like a silver bell as Ye Tianliang tickled her. "Right? Tell me, am I better or is your late wife better?"

"Is there even a question? Of course you're better. You know so many positions."

"Husband, you're being annoying..."

---

Chu Yuening emerged and took out a talisman from her bag. She crushed the cinnabar and sprinkled it on the manhole cover. The cinnabar, moistened by the humidity, turned into red liquid that trickled down the cover. The brush, dipped in the cinnabar solution, gradually turned crimson.

With a poised hand, Chu Yuening dipped her brush into the inkwell, focusing her energy. As the cinnabar stain touched the paper, it swiftly dried, leaving behind a faint trail of golden light that shimmered before vanishing entirely. Upon completing the dispelling charm, a subtle glow illuminated the symbol.

Initially, Chu Yuening intended to sketch another one, but she put down her pen.

Creating talismans requires immense mental effort, and that, in turn, is linked to one's personal cultivation. Those of the Profound Sect mostly rely on virtue to cultivate. She currently inhabits a new body with undeveloped skills.

With two fingers pinching the talisman, Chu Yuening executed a series of intricate hand gestures while silently reciting an incantation.

The Breaking Formation Talisman shot out with a crimson glow, diving into the well.

A deafening explosion echoed as the chains snapped, revealing a corner of the coffin rising from the well. A dark, ominous iron nail pierced through the lid.

The coffin nail suspended in mid-air, awaiting Chu Yuening's next move. She was too powerful; one talisman could dismantle the formation, so it dared not act recklessly.

They stared at each other in silence.

Chu Yuening spoke softly, "I only agreed to break the curse, not to clean up the haunted object." With that, she swayed her red plastic bag, held between her middle and index fingers, and turned to leave.

The coffin nail swiftly soared towards the second floor.

Soon, the night sky above Shek O Village was filled with the shattering of glass, followed by the shrill screams of men and women.

The next day.

On Temple Street, many passersby glanced at Chu Yuening, quickly averting their gazes when she looked back. Yawning, she pushed her cart to the designated payment spot.

A group of people gathered, waving as they saw Chu Yuening arrive.

"Here she is, here's Ning Ning."

Chu Yuening had been busy preparing ingredients for the dessert until 4 am that night and yawned as she walked up to Zhang's Tea Restaurant. "What's going on, everyone?"

Zhang Jiande asked mysteriously, "You don't know?"

Shanpo, the fruit vendor, who was short in stature, held a peachwood comb and brushed her graying hair as she leaned in to inquire, "You really don't know?"

"Wow," exclaimed the teaware vendor, wide-eyed, "You haven't read the newspaper yet, have you?"

Confused, Chu Yuening tilted her head and blinked. "What's going on?"

Lin Jiahua handed her a newspaper and, pushing his glasses up, whispered, "Ye Tianliang is dead."

Chu Yuening unfolded the paper and immediately saw the blurred-out face of the deceased on the front page.

"At midnight last night, a man in Shek O Village pierced his own skull with a coffin nail and killed himself. A sex worker witnessed the entire event. Three hours after the man's death, an employee of Dah Shin Insurance Company turned himself in at the police station, confessing to having colluded with the man to murder his wife for insurance fraud..."

Zhang Jiande shuddered, rubbing the goosebumps on his arms. "Ning Ning was right after all. Ye Tianliang was truly sinister; he deserved an even worse fate."

Shanpo also glanced outside. "Ah Jian was a police officer his whole life, how could he randomly suspect someone? It's a shame nobody believed him. Now, the truth has finally come to light."

As Shanpo finished her words, the vendors who had previously defended Ye Tianliang turned red with embarrassment and hastily tried to explain themselves.

"Shanpo, how were we supposed to know the real story?"

"It's Ye Tianliang's fault for being such a good actor, so devious that he'd even harm his own wife."

"A person like that bringing such misfortune upon Uncle Jian's family deserves to be struck by lightning."

Shanpo paid no heed to their apologies, brandishing her peachwood comb. "I don't have time for this. Open your stalls!"

Chu Yuening instinctively looked towards Ah Qiang's cart, only to find that he wasn't there today.

"There's no need to look. After defending Ye Tianliang so fervently yesterday, Ah Qiang must feel too ashamed to show his face today," Lin Jiahua said, taking a freshly baked egg tart from the tray and offering it to Chu Yuening with a smile. "Why not try my new egg tart flavor?"

"Hmm? You put grapes in it?" Chu Yuening took a bite of the tart, finding the crust crispy while the filling was velvety smooth and rich in milk flavor. Closing her eyes in delight, she gave a thumbs up.

"Delicious, your skills are truly remarkable."

Lin Jiahua patted his chest happily and gave a thumbs up. "Need I say more? The title of 'Prince of Temple Street Egg Tarts' is well-deserved."

After finishing her egg tart, Chu Yuening rolled up her sleeves and returned to the stall. She had specifically tied a scarf around her forehead to keep her bangs out of the way, making it easier to work. First, she lifted the ice box from under the food cart, releasing a puff of cold air. Inside, besides ice cream bars, there were also containers filled with cooked syrupy ingredients.