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"My parents are gone, my younger brother is gone, and my wife is no more."

"If only I had known about cutting down the tree earlier," he lamented.

The neighbors were also filled with sorrow and astonishment.

Who could have foreseen that a simple tree on a gravesite, felled for a mere road construction, would nearly lead to the devastation of a family and their fortune?

Many were impressed by Chu Yuening's precise calculations.

Without even being present at the scene, she used her fingers to divine that a tree was the culprit, thus saving two lives.

"Master Chu," Chen Yichun regained his composure, wiping away his tears as he stood up to inquire, "May I ask if there's still any Purifying Charm Water available?"

"You want to buy more?" Chu Yuening asked in surprise, assuming that Chen Yichun needed it to boost his energy after taking care of the children.

"Yes. Last night, as soon as the kids woke up, I gave them the unsipped Purifying Charm Syrup from the fridge," Chen Yichun explained. Initially, he had purchased it because it was made by Chu Yuening, hoping it might be of some use.

Sure enough.

Recalling the improving children, Chen Yichun's mood gradually calmed down.

"At that time, they could get out of bed, but they were pale and weak, as if they were floating. I thought they were just hungry, so I heated up some sugar water for them to drink. After they finished, their faces started to regain color, and their spirits improved."

After hearing this, Chu Yuening reached under the food cart and pulled out a red plastic bag. "The Spirit-Cleansing Talismans already have a focusing effect. The children have been tossing and turning in bed for a while, so their souls were unstable. Hence, the sugar water infused with the talismans was beneficial to them."

"However, since they're already awake, drawing two more talismans would be even more effective."

Upon learning that the talismans would have a better effect than the sugar water, Chen Yichun eagerly agreed. "In that case, I'll trouble Master Chu."

Chu Yuening took out two yellow talisman papers from the red plastic bag. She casually picked up the sugar bowl on the table to weigh down the talismans. Opening the cinnabar bottle, she poured a small amount of cinnabar into the lid.

"Nie Ning." Lin Jiadong brought a glass of water over.

Chu Yuening took it with her left hand, pouring a bit of water into the lid. The rough cinnabar mixed with the water and melted.

With her right hand, she held a calligraphy brush, dipping its tip into the cinnabar liquid.

Gathering her energy, she focused her mind.

The talismans were completed in one breath, their ink slowly drying as a fleeting golden glow flashed by.

Looking at the two finished talismans, Chu Yuening felt quite satisfied. She had previously gained a significant amount of virtue through the Life Borrowing Formation, and as her virtue accumulated, the effectiveness of the talismans she drew grew stronger.

She put down her brush, folded the two talismans into triangles, and handed them to Chen Yichun. "These are calming talismans. Keep them safe. Place one under the child's pillow every night before they sleep. After a week, their condition should return to how it was before they fell ill."

Holding the talismans as if they were priceless treasures, Chen Yichun carefully tucked them away close to his body. Touching his nearly empty wallet, he hesitated to speak.

"Calculations for the child are unnecessary," Chu Yuening perceived his thoughts and smiled. "For them, this is the greatest adversity they'll face in their lifetime. Once they overcome it, even without great wealth, they will live a worry-free life."

"That's reassuring," said Chen Yichun, expressing his gratitude once more. He settled the payment for the two calming talismans and left.

Chu Yuening placed the four hundred yuan for the talismans in her small purse. The neighbors outside the stall eagerly awaited their turn.

"Ning Ning, since the Concentration Talisman water works so well, can I have a cup too?"

"I'd like a cup as well."

"Everyone, please hold on for a moment." As Chu Yuening tied her apron, she lifted the lid of the icebox and glanced inside before lifting her gaze. "There's only one cup of Spirit Refreshing Charm Syrup today. If you're interested in something else, I have alternatives."

No sooner had she finished speaking than a loud crash echoed from the neighboring stall.

Chu Yuening turned to look.

The wooden table, where cream puffs were displayed, had been flipped over. The pastries scattered across the ground, with quite a few rolling into the middle of the path. A couple in their fifties was bending low and nodding obsequiously at a group of rowdy youngsters.

One of the women pointed at Lin Jiahua and forced a smile. "Believe me, my son is selling cream puffs right here. If you have any debts to collect, just ask him. His business is doing well; he earns a few hundred dollars a day. You can take it all if you want."

Chu Yuening looked at the woman and then at Lin Jiahua, gradually feeling puzzled.

What was going on?

There seemed to be no trace of a mother-son bond in the appearances of Lin Jiahua and the woman.

Chapter 30

The tart stall was smashed, leaving the entire scene in silence.

Lin Jiahua watched as the freshly baked tarts were ruined. He picked up the fallen plastic tray silently and began collecting the scattered tarts one by one.

Seeing this, Chu Yuening closed the ice cream box, apologized to the neighbors who wanted to buy dessert, and then went over to grab a tray herself, quickly assisting in picking up the tarts.

Lin's mother tugged on her husband's arm, both of them staring at the overturned stall, trembling with fear. "Brother Feiyu, we've already told you the location. Can you let us go now?"

Brother Feiyu appeared to be in his early thirties, with a recent Japanese-style, long-haired manga look. He wore an orange-red jacket that exposed his muscular arms.

"Let you go?" Brother Feiyu sneered. "What about the three hundred thousand I lent you?"

"Three hundred thousand?" Lin's father turned pale with fright, his legs trembling. "Brother Feiyu, we only borrowed two hundred thousand. Even with interest..."

Feiyu impatiently interrupted, "You're talking about interest now? You didn't even bother to read the loan contract! Now, with interest, you owe me three hundred thousand!"

With that, he glared at the Lin couple with bulging eyes, his tone menacing. "Well? Don't want to pay back? I remember you have two lovely young daughters. If you can't pay, they can settle the debt!"

What other ways were there for young maidens to repay debts?

It's not like he entered a nightclub.

Bowing his head in submission, Lin's father stammered, "Yes, yes! I have a son! My son will definitely pay it back!"

Lin's mother hastily pulled Lin Jiahua, who was still picking up the custard tarts, and anxiously said, "Stupid brat, did you hear that? Pay back the money! Repay it quickly! Otherwise, your sister will be taken away to settle the debt!"

Lin Jiahua smiled bitterly as he picked up the dust-covered custard tart. "Your men have smashed the freshly baked custard tarts. How am I supposed to make any money now?"