Chapter 169

Chapter 169

Chen Ji watched the red-clothed figure leisurely, waiting for his response.

Regarding that incident back then, whether it was because Chen Ji lacked the capability at the time or for some other reason, since he hadn't finished the job and the people were still alive and well, there naturally remained room for maneuver later on.

—But then again, if he were to slap his own face just because someone pleaded with a few nice words and go running eagerly to save them, would it really be that easy? If they couldn't offer sincerity that moved him, why should he slap his own face?

A sheen of tears flickered in the red-clothed one's crimson eyes. "Mr. Chen, please, have some mercy... I really can't stay by his side any longer."

"He can no longer withstand the yin energy, I beg you, he's really about to die..."

"This has nothing to do with me." The smile faded from Chen Ji's eyes, replaced by a faint, deep-seated chill. Standing together with the red-clothed figure, for a moment it was impossible to tell which was the ghost and which was the human... or maybe there wasn't a living soul between them.

"You reap what you sow," Chen Ji said. "If I were at fault, you would have come to me long ago... wouldn't you?"

If it weren't for the fact that the other party was a red-clothed ghost who wasn't quite right in the head, and Chen Ji didn't want to cause trouble in the hotel, he had even more pointed remarks ready.

For example: You, a red-clothed ghost, bullied and humiliated to the point of suicide, your resentment so great it turned you into a fierce ghost. Now, I, having been bullied and humiliated, merely retaliated in a small way, and you actually plead for the bullies? Are you not betraying yourself?

Chen Ji thought this casually but didn't voice it—these words were too hurtful. Once spoken, any pretense of civility would be completely shattered.

The red-clothed figure lowered his head. He wanted to say more, but before he could speak, someone said, "Why don't you let me handle this instead?"

That person walked up to Chen Ji and extended a hand. "Hello, Mr. Chen. I am Zhang Ziran, a disciple of the Bohai Temple in S City."

Chen Ji didn't extend his hand, merely nodding faintly. "Hello, Taoist Master Zhang."

He deliberately left him hanging, to make a point that he wouldn't be an easy mark.

Zhang Ziran naturally put his hand down. He glanced at Second Master Huang on Chen Ji's shoulder and Chang Xu in his arms, then said, "Can we talk in detail inside?"

"Inconvenient," Chen Ji said. "I don't think there's anything worth discussing in detail with the Taoist Master. I have matters to attend to; I'll be leaving now."

Zhang Ziran stepped aside, indicating Chen Ji could go ahead. Chen Ji truly ignored him, walking away with the three little ones.

The red-clothed figure wanted to stop him again, but Zhang Ziran raised a hand. "Don't bother. Leave this matter to me to handle."

Having stayed by Xiao Lifan's side for several months, the red-clothed figure naturally knew Zhang Ziran. He snapped, "You can't handle it either! Including your grandmaster, none of you can save them!"

Zhang Ziran looked at him helplessly. Dying too young was like this—utterly lacking social experience. In a young person's world, things are black and white. If he guessed correctly, the next step would be trying to force Mr. Chen to save them—without even considering what Mr. Chen had by his side: a centuries-old monster; one or two red-clothed ghosts wouldn't be a problem.

...

Chen Ji found a scenic spot with a night market on his phone and took the three little ones to eat their way through the stalls. If anyone asked, he'd say Chang Xu was a tabby cat, Second Master Huang was a sable, and System Cat was just a real cat. They attracted quite a crowd taking photos. Chen Ji declined to be photographed himself but generously offered System Cat and Second Master Huang for others to snap pictures of.

Second Master Huang and System Cat were initially displeased but soon became intoxicated by the young people's constant praise, allowing themselves to be petted, held, and kissed.

Chen Ji sat nearby resting, casually stroking the little kitten in his arms. The kitten was staring unblinkingly at Second Master Huang and the others. Chen Ji asked with a smile, "Does Xiangxiang want to take photos? Such a beautiful little kitten is born to be kissed to death by humans."

Chang Xu looked up at him, silently tucked its head into his chest, not even lifting it—clearly expressing refusal. Chen Ji hadn't pushed it out because his Xiangxiang was socially anxious. If forced to take photos with a crowd, being held, touched, and kissed, it would probably get stressed first.

A gentle breeze blew, dispersing the stifling heat. Chen Ji tilted his face slightly, a hint of a smile dancing between his brows, like a creature transformed from moonlight, indescribably handsome.

Chang Xu, at some point, looked up at him unblinkingly. It had noticed long ago that whenever they left Little Green Mountain, Chen Ji seemed more alive... Little Green Mountain—Chen Ji probably didn't really like that place.

That was only natural.

Chang Xu blinked its round cat eyes, rubbing its head against Chen Ji's arm. Soon, a warm hand descended, stroking from its head all the way to the tip of its tail. It shuddered, its fur puffing up, unable to resist letting out a soft 'meow'.

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After about half an hour of being fawned over, Second Master Huang and System Cat were finally released. Chen Ji had gotten his fill of fun as well and took them away from the night market. When returning to the hotel, everything was normal. Zhang Ziran and the red-clothed figure were gone, but a letter had been left at the door.

Chen Ji didn't even glance at it and went straight in.

After washing up and lying in bed, Chen Ji checked his phone and indeed saw a pending friend request, the name simply 'Zhang Ziran'. Chen Ji ignored the message and turned over to sleep—let him stew for a few days.

Agreeing too quickly would make it seem like he was inclined to reconcile from the start, which wouldn't be worth much in negotiations.

—It should be soon.

If Xiao Lifan looked like he was about to die, presumably the other two weren't faring much better either. They were their own flesh and blood, and the preliminary groundwork for the Little Green Mountain development project had already begun. They had sufficient conditions to come and negotiate.

Chen Ji wasn't wrong. The next day, he received a dinner invitation, delivered to his door by a hotel staff member, detailing the location, time, and the license plate number of the car that would pick him up.

Chen Ji looked at it and thought, well, well, what a coincidence—wasn't this the same restaurant he went to yesterday?

Chen Ji still acted as if he hadn't seen it, going out to play on his own. N City was big enough, with plenty of scenic spots to visit. Chen Ji wasn't bored at all, having a great time with the three little ones.

On the third and fourth days, he still received dinner invitations, which Chen Ji completely ignored. On the fifth day, around his usual time to go downstairs for breakfast, his room door was knocked on.

Chen Ji thought the coffee he ordered had arrived and went to open the door.

Four people stood outside—three men and one woman. Zhang Ziran stood to the side, and additionally, an inhuman red-clothed ghost was watching intently. Seeing this, Chen Ji frowned slightly. "Excuse me, is there something?"

The man at the forefront extended a hand. "Apologies, Mr. Chen, for the abrupt visit. My surname is Yun, Yun Shaoyang's father, Yun Wei."

Chen Ji didn't extend his hand. "So it's you."

Yun Wei didn't mind the snub at all, naturally putting his hand down. He then introduced, "This is Xiao Lifan's father, Xiao Shao. This is Zhou Nan's mother, Li Yuqing. Our visit today is indeed presumptuous, but our sons' lives are hanging by a thread; we had no choice but to come."

Chen Ji said indifferently, "Wasn't that matter already over? Haven't you found anyone yet?"

Yun Wei's slightly sharp eyebrows lowered. He bowed his head and said, "Mr. Chen's willingness to spare our sons' lives was an act of great mercy already."

Back then, they had already sought Zhang Ziran's grandmaster, who could only suppress half of it—but people cannot live in such a state of constant alarm. Even if the body could hold on, the spirit was about to snap.

Whichever collapsed first would trigger the continuously gathering yin energy, causing a complete imbalance.

Chen Ji put on a wall of indifference. "If that's the case, why come looking for me?"

Before Yun Wei could speak, Zhou Nan's mother, Li Yuqing, immediately knelt down first. She was dressed luxuriously, with exquisite makeup, yet knelt down in public. Her face cold, she said, "The two of you can't swallow your pride, but I can! Mr. Chen, as long as you're willing to save my son, just name it—whatever you want, as long as I have it! Or if you still feel unsatisfied, whatever you want to do, let me take his place! Let me bear it for him!"

Chen Ji stepped aside to avoid her. "There's no need to kneel and beg."

"Begging requires the attitude of begging," Li Yuqing said. "Regardless of the reason, he was wrong, and that's that. I'm not here today to give empty formalities; I'm here to save my son! Again, as long as Mr. Chen is willing to help, I'll do anything."

Chen Ji said, "Misfortune shouldn't extend to family. Please stand up first before we talk."

Li Yuqing stood up as told. Her skirt was stained with dust, but this woman, impeccable from head to toe, didn't even brush it off, simply waiting for Chen Ji's next words.

At that moment, Xiao Shao said, "Mr. Chen, just name it. As long as we have it, we are willing."

Chen Ji said calmly, "Madam Li, please come in."

With that, he stepped aside to make way. Li Yuqing strode in, and Chen Ji closed the door behind her, leaving the others outside facing a shut door, exchanging bewildered looks.

Zhang Ziran shook his head and sighed. "You two are just too unwilling to swallow your pride."

Seeing as Mr. Chen’s attitude softened the moment someone knelt, they might as well just follow suit! What’s the point of keeping up the tough act?

People are social creatures. If the whole group knelt at the front door, wouldn't it be embarrassing for everyone?

Wouldn't Mr. Chen look just as bad?

“Forget it, let’s head back first.” Zhang Ziran’s words had barely left his mouth when the door clicked open again. Li Yuqing walked out looking thrilled. She didn't even bother to greet them, striding off immediately.

Zhang Ziran hurried after her. “Yuqing, what did they say?”

Li Yuqing shook her head. “I’m not allowed to say.”

With that, Li Yuqing didn’t even glance at Yun Shao and the others. She jabbed the elevator button repeatedly, clearly in a great hurry.

…

***

Second Master Huang blinked and looked at Chen Ji. “Isn’t this… a bit inappropriate?”

Chen Ji, lounging with his legs crossed and playing on his phone, replied lazily, “Why? It’s not like He would know.”

It’s just setting up a shrine for Xiangxiang—it’s not hard, nor is it a raw deal for them. With their massive estate, is providing incense throughout the year really so excessive they can’t afford it? Surely not.