Chapter 804: Ji Qingwei Stole Si Fuqing’s Luck (1)

Hearing this, the butler’s expression changed slightly. He hesitated for a moment before asking, “Wouldn’t this be too much of a blow for the old master?”

LI Yuzhi had been in a state of decadence for many years. According to the family’s rules, he should have been expelled from Sijiu City.

However, the old master couldn’t bring himself to banish him to the side branch, and LI Yuzhi still received dividends from the LI Group.

This was unlike the old master’s usual firm approach.

If it were another son, the old master wouldn’t have been so lenient, showing his favoritism towards LI Yuzhi.

Second Master LI had secretly made many attempts to tarnish LI Yuzhi’s reputation over the years, but it only made the old master slightly disappointed in him.

“Who told him to run off to a foreign country?” Second Master LI’s expression turned sinister, and he sneered. “The borders of the Karanli Dukedom are also at war. Can the old master manage that?”

The LI family was among the top five families in the Great Xia Empire, but on an international scale, it was far less significant.

“Moreover, the most important thing is that if he really finds his son and uses reverse tracing methods, the events of those years will eventually be exposed.” Second Master LI’s gaze grew darker. “Are you sure he won’t tell the old master? Does the old master trust him or me?”

“Yes,” the butler finally made up his mind. “This matter will be handled properly.”

“Go,” Second Master LI nodded. “You will be well rewarded once the task is accomplished.”

“Thank you, Second Master,” the butler said thoughtfully, “And about President LI and Miss Bai…”

“He’ll get tired of her and move on,” Second Master LI dismissed it with a wave. “I’ve already chosen a wife for him. Once he’s promoted to chairman, he’ll settle down.”

Bai Jinxi was just a plaything for LI Yanchen. Second Master LI wouldn’t allow him to marry a girl from a small family.

Once LI Yanchen became the chairman of the Li Group, other families would naturally offer their daughters in marriage.

The Bai family wasn’t even notable in Sijiu City and couldn’t bring any benefits to LI Yanchen. Second Master LI naturally didn’t approve.

“Second Master, you’re wise. But that Miss Bai is quite opportunistic. We should keep an eye on her to prevent her from clinging to President LI,” the butler suggested.

“I don’t need you to remind me of that,” Second Master LI said with disdain. “I certainly won’t let her marry into the family.”

But the most urgent task was to deal with LI Yuzhi.

He couldn’t allow LI Yuzhi to return from the Karanli Dukedom alive.

With a sinister look, Li Er hired several assassins on the dark web, paying them a high deposit.

After handling this, he lay back on the sofa and closed his eyes to rest.

**

Elsewhere, Ji Qingyao had just left the Thousand Army Alliance and went to Guanghua Temple to offer incense.

She had to admit that the temple’s incense offerings had significantly decreased since Master Mingdeng’s passing.

Ji Qingyao knew that Master Mingdeng had shown considerable favor towards Ji Qingwei, but there was no personal connection between them.

Master Mingdeng’s death was just that.

After offering incense, Ji Qingyao was about to leave when she keenly sensed a gaze.

Her expression turned cold, and her fingers clenched. When she turned her head, she saw the bald head of a monk.

The expensive robe the monk wore indicated he was the new abbot of Guanghua Temple.

Ji Qingyao relaxed her grip and respectfully bowed before speaking, “Master, do you have any guidance for me?”

“Sigh, I do not deserve to be called master,” the monk said awkwardly. “I am not skilled enough for this position and was reluctantly pushed into it. I saw you were deeply engrossed in worship and didn’t want to disturb you. Are you the eldest daughter of the Ji family?”

Ji Qingyao bowed more deeply. “Yes, I am.”

“No wonder,” the monk calculated with his fingers. “The energy within you is depleting, but it seems voluntary, so there’s no disorder. However, your sister’s energy is chaotic and does not belong to her; it cannot be retained.”

Ji Qingyao’s expression changed. “Master, do you mean my sister has also stolen someone’s luck?”

“Amitabha,” the monk sighed. “Stealing luck is more malicious than swapping lives. At least in a life swap, the life can be saved.”

“In the end, those who steal luck will find their victims not only dead but their souls restless.”

Ji Qingyao took a deep breath. “Master, what is a life swap?”

“I haven’t seen it myself but heard about it from my master,” the monk said seriously. “The story goes like this: A family’s daughter was exceptionally talented, cheerful, and academically successful, the pride of her parents.”

“Their neighbor’s son, on the other hand, suffered from severe depression, was reclusive, and overweight due to hormonal issues. But one day, the daughter became depressed, started gaining weight, and turned unattractive, while the neighbor’s son suddenly recovered and got into his dream university.”

Even Ji Qingyao, known for her composure, felt a chill down her spine.

“That’s a life swap,” the monk said with his hands clasped together, his voice calm. “One gains immediate benefits, but such actions defy natural laws and will inevitably face retribution.”

He couldn’t fathom who might be aiding the Ji family.

The practice of stealing luck was rare and difficult to succeed in.

Ji Qingyao’s gaze changed as she recalled the past.

Ji Qingwei, two years younger than her, was born healthy and full-term.

But at five, something happened, and her health declined sharply.

Yet, it was then that Ji Qingwei displayed unprecedented talent, like a prodigy from ancient tales.

Ji Qingyao had often heard about Ji Qingwei’s genius but never suspected anything else.

Without the monk’s words, she wouldn’t have considered that Ji Qingwei’s talents were due to stolen luck.

“Master, do you know whose luck I have stolen?” Ji Qingyao asked, her fingers clenched. “Is there a quick way to return it?”

The monk looked surprised, then smiled. “I believe you have already met the rightful owner.”

Ji Qingyao was taken aback, then her pupils contracted sharply as she seemed to realize something. “Master, is the person I seek in An City, Northern State?”

The monk smiled but remained silent, reciting “Amitabha” before leaving.

Ji Qingyao was now certain.

The original owner of the luck was Si Fuqing.

Though she and Ji Qingwei were sisters, they didn’t resemble each other much.

If Si Fuqing and Ji Qingwei were seen together, they might be mistaken for sisters, likely due to the luck connection.

Although Ji Qingyao didn’t know how Si Fuqing’s luck had transferred to her, or how to return it, she knew she had to go to An City, Northern State.

After calming herself, she left Guanghua Temple and went back to the Thousand Army Alliance to request leave.

**

In An City, Northern State.

After the New Year, Ye Zhenmian’s restaurant had reopened.

Located near several schools, it offered affordable prices and large portions, attracting more customers as its reputation grew.

Nian Yi’an often did his homework in a small private room at the restaurant on weekends. These days, he hadn’t invited Lin Jihuan because he was still working on controlling his evolved abilities.

At school, he was constantly on edge, fearing he might accidentally reveal his wings.

After finishing a practice exam, he went out to get something to eat.

It was three in the afternoon, not very crowded. He noticed a customer in the corner who had ordered at least eight dishes.

The customer had two phone stands on the table and seemed to be filming something, occasionally speaking to himself.

“Mom, why did that person order so much food? Can he finish it all by himself?” Nian Yian quietly asked Ye Zhenmian. “He only eats a bit of each dish and spends most of his time taking pictures and talking. It’s such a waste.”

“We’ve reminded him several times,” Ye Zhenmian said helplessly. “But he insists on ordering, saying that refusing him would be disrespectful to the customer.”

“He’s obviously not here to eat,” Nian Yi’an frowned. “Mom, you should keep an eye on him.”

Ye Zhenmian nodded.

As it turned out, the young man who ordered the eight dishes didn’t eat much, only a few bites from each, spending most of his time talking to himself.

He stayed until 4:30, took some pictures of the restaurant’s interior, then started to leave.

“Excuse me, sir, you haven’t paid your bill,” a waiter politely approached him. “You can pay at the front desk or through the QR code on the table.”

“Pay the bill?” The young man stopped, looking surprised. “You want me to pay? No way. I’m giving you free publicity by visiting your restaurant, and you want me to pay? Do you know how much I charge for a single Weibo post?”

He was promoting for this restaurant for free, and they’re making him pay?