The Twenty-Ninth Chapter

The four of them played outside all day. After leaving Qingshan Temple, Zheng Xuan invited them to a very nice barbecue restaurant. While eating, they chatted. As a senior, Zheng Xuan, with a sense of responsibility, educated them on some less serious school knowledge.

For example, the cooking of the master chef in the Second Canteen has always been consistent, but the braised fish every Thursday noon always has a familiar smell of stinky socks. Either the master chef or the fish is not hygienic.

Qian Xiaomeng, cutting through all obstacles, got straight to the point: "Senior, do you also have the problem of stinky socks?"

Zheng Xuan: How was he supposed to answer this? Why was this junior female classmate so tricky?

Didn't she know that stinky socks were the trouble of every male student in the sports department! Of course, they were his trouble too!!

Zheng Xuan waved his hand: "Let's skip this question."

Another example, the corner position by the wall on the fifth row of the third floor of the library is a blind spot for surveillance. You can consider going there for a date.

"So what have you done in that spot?" Qian Xiaomeng retreated, and Liu Mumu stepped up.

Zheng Xuan: Why did I open my mouth today?

Although the meal was somewhat unpleasant for Zheng Xuan, it was very enjoyable for Liu Mumu and the others. Senior Zheng entertained them well.

They all ate to their heart's content. Zheng Xuan paid the bill and safely sent them back to school.

On the way back to the dormitory, Qian Xiaomeng glanced at Xue Lan walking beside her and suddenly asked her with some confusion, "Lanlan, you're feeling much better today. You ate so much barbecue tonight and didn't seem uncomfortable?"

They had all eaten a lot today, including barbecue and seafood. Previously, Xue Lan would react quickly if she ate too much greasy food, but now she seemed perfectly fine.

Moreover, when she was usually tired, her complexion would be very poor.

Although they took a car to and from the temple, Qingshan Temple was so large that walking around it would take at least an hour. Yet, Xue Lan's complexion was still rosy, and she hadn't complained of being tired.

Xue Lan was also taken aback when she heard Qian Xiaomeng's words. She touched her forehead, which was covered in a fine layer of sweat.

Before, it was as if she was covered by a veil, unable to feel the heat of summer at all, only feeling cold.

But now, her skin could suddenly feel the temperature, and even the air she breathed felt stuffy and hot.

It felt as if she had suddenly returned to the human world.

"Really... after returning from the temple, it seems things are indeed different." There was surprise in Xue Lan's eyes, along with a hint of hesitation.

She hoped her body had truly recovered, yet she worried that such normalcy was only temporary.

Qian Xiaomeng glanced at Liu Mumu and smiled, "It seems Qingshan Temple is quite effective. You were right to listen to me and come out more."

"That makes sense. Next time, we'll bring Wei Xue along."

The sounds of the three chatting and laughing gradually faded. The streetlights that lit up on campus stretched their receding shadows long.

Perhaps because she had exceeded her daily exercise limit, Xue Lan climbed into bed to sleep at half-past ten.

Soon, faint snoring could be heard from her bed.

The thick quilt she usually needed to cover herself with tightly had long been kicked to the foot of the bed. She was only wearing a thin cotton pajama set but didn't feel cold.

In fact, everyone used to sleep like this; only Xue Lan felt cold.

Qian Xiaomeng tiptoed to look at Xue Lan's bed, then quickly ran to Liu Mumu's bed and whispered to her, "What was the deal with that safety charm today?"

Although she had accepted the fact that Liu Mumu could tell fortunes, she was still somewhat shocked by the unscientific scene she had witnessed.

"I'm not sure either." Because she didn't understand, Liu Mumu couldn't jump to conclusions. She could only say, "I'll find a knowledgeable friend to ask about this in the next few days."

She had just sent Yan Xiu a message, but unfortunately, he hadn't replied.

On the third day of the holiday, at seven-thirty in the morning, Dong Zhenghao called Liu Mumu to come downstairs.

"Dad, why aren't you sleeping in at home during this wonderful holiday?" Liu Mumu grumbled, rolling over and placing the phone on her ear, not wanting to move.

"Because Dad misses you, and your sister misses you too," Dong Zhenghao said, then turned the phone towards the back seat.

Dong Yue, sitting obediently in the back seat, called out, "Sister, Dad and Mom are fighting, and he&*..."

Before she could finish, Dong Zhenghao quickly pressed the phone to his ear, "Anyway, hurry downstairs. I'll give you five... no, fifteen minutes!"

"Okay."

A man who had argued with his wife and was possibly planning to leave home with his two daughters was someone we should tolerate his occasional whims.

After brushing her teeth in the bathroom and splashing her face with cold water, Liu Mumu, with her messy bun hairstyle, rushed downstairs.

Seeing his daughter running towards him in shorts and a tank top from a distance, Dong Zhenghao muttered with dissatisfaction a phrase he had recently learned from his business partner from the North: "Hasty and flustered."

After saying that, he turned to warn his younger daughter, "Don't tell her!"

Dong Yue sat obediently in the back, not speaking.

Liu Mumu opened the car door and squeezed into the back seat. Once she was seated, Dong Yue whispered, "Dad said you're hasty and flustered."

Dong Zhenghao, whose hearing was quite good: What's the difference between raising daughters and raising traitors!

After picking them up, Dong Zhenghao first took them for breakfast, then went to a nearby flower market.

Liu Mumu thought he wanted to grow some flowers and plants to cultivate his temperament, but who knew he went straight to a stall selling cacti after getting out of the car.

The cacti the seller had were as big as a bear's paw, with thin and long spines.

Dong Zhenghao bought a pot to his satisfaction, then picked out a cactus ball the size of a soccer ball. If one accidentally sat on it, their remaining life would be over.

"What got into him?" Liu Mumu whispered to Dong Yue.

"Mom and Dad argued this morning because of Grandpa and Grandma. Mom took Dong Qi to Grandma's house, and Dad was very angry."

"What does that have to do with him buying a Cactus Ball?"

"Um..." Dong Yue's expression was a little awkward. "Grandpa and Grandma have recently gotten into health fads. I don't know who they heard it from, but they say there's helium in the air, which is bad for your health. They spent over twenty thousand yuan on a pure oxygen machine and then said they were short on cash and asked Mom for fifty thousand yuan. Dad overheard them."

Dong Zhenghao, hearing his two daughters whispering, paid for the cactus and turned around. He said fiercely to Dong Yue, "When your mom gets home, tell her to send these two pots to your Grandma's house. They only breathe pure oxygen, right? Let them hug these and breathe. A natural oxygen generator, less than a hundred yuan."

Liu Mumu exclaimed in surprise, "Dad, you actually know that cacti produce oxygen. You're so knowledgeable."

Then the two daughters stood there and applauded him.

Dong Zhenghao stood up shamelessly, puffed out his belly, and said, "Of course. Your dad was a top student when he was young."

The stall owner selling cacti behind them looked at the father and daughters with a complex expression.

Liu Mumu's National Day holiday started with a cactus and ended with a cactus.

On the last day of the holiday, Jiang Li, who had already argued with her husband twice, finally transported the cactus and cactus ball to her parents' house.

There was no money, but there were two pots of "care" from her son-in-law.

She wondered if they were touched.

Around 2 PM, Yan Xiu, who had been out of contact for four days, finally replied to Liu Mumu's message.

Yan Xiu: Just got off the plane. Something wrong?

Liu Mumu: Yes!

Yan Xiu, who was about to call, paused and sent a message instead.

Yan Xiu: Meet me at the City Bureau in an hour.

Beside Yan Xiu, a young woman with a ponytail curiously peeked, wanting to see his phone screen. She flinched back when he gave her a cold look.

The car waiting outside the airport picked them up and took them directly to the City Bureau.

Liu Mumu arrived half an hour after Yan Xiu and his group, still carrying two large plastic bags.

Fang Chuan saw Liu Mumu approaching with bags as he walked out of his office. He went to take the bags from her and said politely, "You didn't have to bring anything. We absolutely won't accept a single cent from the public."

Liu Mumu's face was cold. "Oh, this is the fruit salad my younger sister made for my dorm mates."

To keep it fresh, two ice packs were included.

Fang Chuan's hand froze.

Liu Mumu walked past him into the office, adding, "The other bag is for you guys."

There was an abundance of fruit at home recently, and she needed Yan Xiu's help anyway, so it was a good opportunity to show some appreciation.

Yan Xiu's office had been completely renovated. All traces of the previous destructive attack were gone.

Liu Mumu thought, this must be the power of money. And that ornament on the desk looks really expensive, making her feel a bit greedy.

Yan Xiu was looking down at a document and didn't notice her approach. Liu Mumu was about to knock when she suddenly realized someone else was in the office – a very beautiful young woman.

The woman seemed about to speak to Yan Xiu. She paused when she saw Liu Mumu and asked, "Do you need something?" with a puzzled look.

Liu Mumu narrowed her almond eyes, her gaze unfriendly.

Yan Xiu looked up and saw Liu Mumu standing at the doorway. He calmly put down the document and asked, "What is it?"

Behind Liu Mumu, Fang Chuan had just distributed the fruit salad she brought and was eating a box. He had intended to give a box to Yan Xiu too, but seeing the current situation, he decided it was best not to get involved.

"Who is she?" Liu Mumu didn't answer his question, instead asking him aggressively.

That's a good question, Fang Chuan thought as he ate a grape. He also wanted to know.

He only knew that this woman was an investigator from the headquarters in Jing City, but she seemed very close to Yan Xiu.

"...My cousin." After a brief silence, Yan Xiu replied.

"Why don't you look alike at all?" Liu Mumu glared at him fiercely, her eyes clearly showing disbelief.

Yan Xiu crossed his arms and thought for a moment. "Perhaps my genes are better than hers?"

A statement completely devoid of sibling affection.

Yan Ling looked bewildered. Why was she being brought into this? And who was this young girl? Was she his boss?

Liu Mumu walked in, half-believing, looking from Yan Ling to Yan Xiu. They really didn't look alike at all.

"Do you need me to go downstairs and get a certificate to prove our blood relation?" His tone was too normal; it was unclear if he was serious or mocking.

Liu Mumu quickly sat down in the chair opposite his desk, placing her hands on her lap. "Actually, I'm not that curious."

Yan Xiu's dark eyes shifted from her. "What is it?"

She held out her finger to show him. "Look, it's red."

The finger she had touched with the talisman was still red after several days.

Although it didn't hurt or itch, it was a bit strange.

"What did you touch?" Yan Xiu frowned slightly and pinched her fingertip. "Does it hurt?"

"It doesn't hurt, I don't feel anything." After saying that, she even hooked her finger with Yan Xiu's hand, which he hadn't withdrawn.

Yan Ling: Someone is harassing her cousin here, and they haven't been kicked out and killed a hundred times yet. My goodness, how exciting!

"I just touched a peace talisman in my classmate's hand, and then my hand became like this. The talisman also turned to ash," Liu Mumu said innocently.

Yan Xiu withdrew his hand: "It's just a minor backlash. A peace talisman can't hurt you."

A red mark wasn't considered a serious injury, but the fact that it left a trace showed the backlash's power was considerable. Liu Mumu had a Diviner's License on her, a life-saving item for diviners. To penetrate its protection meant the talisman was already quite potent.

Liu Mumu looked at the mark on her fingertip, lost in thought: "So, that wasn't a peace talisman?"

She looked up at Yan Xiu: "Can you determine what type of talisman it was? Was it beneficial or harmful to people?"

"If you didn't behave improperly towards the talisman's owner when all this happened, then there's an eighty percent chance the talisman is more dangerous."

Liu Mumu blinked, resting her arms on the table and leaning forward slightly: "That was a talisman my classmate's boyfriend gave her. So, if I report it now, can you arrest him?"

"Where's the evidence?"

"That talisman..." Liu Mumu fell silent. The talisman was gone.

She still wasn't giving up: "But there's clearly something wrong with this. I feel like my classmate's health improved after the talisman disappeared. Can you really investigate?"

Yan Xiu remained silent.

Fang Chuan stepped forward at this moment, patting her shoulder: "It's not that we won't investigate, but what you're saying is basically equivalent to: you found out your classmate's boyfriend gave her a gun, you then made the gun disappear, and now you suspect her boyfriend wants to kill her.

If it were really a gun, we'd have to investigate even on suspicion. But it was just a talisman of unknown purpose. It doesn't prove it was meant to harm someone. Maybe he bought the wrong talisman, or there could be various other reasons. I can bring the person in, but without any evidence, they'll be released after twenty-four hours."

Even if they believed Liu Mumu, they couldn't investigate a case that hadn't happened, with no victim and no evidence.

Liu Mumu bit her lip: "I still trust my judgment."

Fang Chuan could only look at Yan Xiu. After a brief silence, Yan Xiu finally spoke: "I can draw a peace talisman for you to give to her. If she's really in danger, it could save her life."

"Okay," Liu Mumu nodded. This was the best solution for now.

Yan Xiu glanced at Yan Ling beside him. She quickly went to get yellow paper and cinnabar.

Yan Xiu casually drew two peace talismans. He folded one and placed it in the talisman bag Yan Ling provided, then pushed it towards Liu Mumu.

The other one wasn't folded yet. Yan Ling tried to reach for it, but her cousin hit her finger with the tip of his brush. She quickly withdrew her hand, not daring to make a sound.

Liu Mumu also extended her hand, but before she could touch it, she heard Yan Xiu say: "Peace talismans are ineffective on you."

"I just wanted to try," she said sheepishly, retracting her hand.

Fang Chuan chuckled and picked up the extra peace talisman. He skillfully folded it. Yan Xiu didn't stop him, clearly intending it for him.

Having received the peace talisman, Fang Chuan showed it off to Liu Mumu: "Alas, it's a shame you can't use it."

Liu Mumu pouted: "We diviners never rely on talismans for safety. Before I left, I already calculated whether stepping out with my left or right foot today would be luckier for finding money. Can you do that?"

I really can't, Fang Chuan thought. It seemed he had been outdone.

With the peace talisman obtained, Liu Mumu's goal for the day was considered achieved.

Glancing at the time, she picked up the fruit salad she had brought for her roommate and ran out: "I'm leaving, bye-bye."

"Hey, do you want a ride back to school?" Fang Chuan asked from behind.

"No need."

Her voice hadn't even faded before she was gone.

"She runs really fast," Fang Chuan muttered.

"Like a rabbit."

"What?" Fang Chuan didn't hear clearly.

"Nothing. Where are the case files I asked you to get?" Yan Xiu asked.

Fang Chuan slapped his forehead. He had been too busy watching the commotion and forgot what he was supposed to do. He said to the two people in the office, "Wait a moment."

Then he rushed out.

Yan Ling still looked expectantly at her cousin, wanting to ask about the girl who had so much influence with him, but seeing his expressionless face, she ultimately suppressed the thought.

When Liu Mumu arrived at the dormitory, Wei Xue had also returned.

Strangely, Xue Lan was also there. Liu Mumu had thought she would be meeting Xu Anze.

After distributing the fruit salad brought from home, made by her younger sister, everyone unanimously declared that Liu Mumu's younger sister was now their younger sister.

Liu Mumu very stingily rejected their casual attempts to claim her sister.

"Lanlan, hasn't your boyfriend returned yet? Why aren't you out with him?" Liu Mumu asked tentatively.

Xue Lan, wearing a nightdress, sat on the bed with her legs dangling over the edge. After thinking for a moment, she replied, "Aze said he wouldn't be landing until seven tonight."

"So late?"

"Yeah, his flight was originally this morning, but something happened and it got delayed, so he rebooked."

"Oh..." Liu Mumu exchanged a look with Qian Xiaomeng.

Wei Xue suddenly spoke up: "I've been wanting to ask, Lanlan, what have you been through these past few days? Why have you suddenly become so... healthy?"

During the holiday, Xue Lan's condition had improved at a visible rate. After not seeing her for a few days, Wei Xue felt like she had a new roommate.

Xue Lan happily touched her face, "Really? I haven't had a chance to tell Aze yet. He'll be so happy when he finds out."

Whether Xu Anze would be happy, they didn't know. He currently had no intention of contacting Xue Lan.

He had originally agreed with Zhuo Ran to go their separate ways on the return trip, but just before he was about to head to the airport, Zhuo Ran suddenly developed a headache, forcing him to stay.

Zhuo Ran had been sickly since childhood. Ever since he was sent to the Zhuo family, he had been the one accompanying Zhuo Ran.

Every time she got sick, her temper would worsen, and she would frequently hit and scold him, forbidding him from retaliating. In the eyes of Uncle Zhuo and Aunt Lin, it was just children playing. In Xu Anze's eyes, it was humiliation.

Unfortunately, no matter what he thought, it didn't matter. He couldn't escape the Zhuo family. He was one of the means his family had sent him to use to extend Zhuo Ran's life.

On the plane back to Qing City, Zhuo Ran, her face pale, rested her head on Xu Anze's shoulder. Her hands were tightly gripping his arm.

The two were so close that her almost venomous words clearly reached his ears.

"My body had already recovered, why did it suddenly worsen? Did your mistress girlfriend find something out? Or did you deliberately tell her?"

Xu Anze initially didn't want to indulge her unreasonable demands, but her voice grew louder, attracting the attention of the surrounding passengers. He could only lower his voice and explain, "Since I promised to help you, I won't go back on my word. I haven't told Lan... Xue Lan anything."

Zhuo Ran let out a scoff, "Perhaps you suddenly couldn't bear it anymore? You saw me suffer since childhood and thought this was what I deserved. You couldn't bear for her to become like me."

"She is indeed very important to me, and I don't want to see her become like you. But since I promised, I won't go back on my word. This is what I owe the Zhuo family, and what I owe you."

"You better not go back on your word!" Waves of dizziness and nausea caused Zhuo Ran's fingernails, digging into Xu Anze's arm, to press even deeper.

"Perhaps Xue Lan's Substitute Life Talisman was just lost. Uncle Zhuo said when we left that the ritual was prepared. On your birthday, once the Substitute Life ritual is formally held, the Substitute Life Talisman will no longer be needed."

The so-called Substitute Life ritual, of course, couldn't be prepared overnight.

For this, he was sent to Xue Lan, who was chosen to be born on the same day, month, year, and time as Zhuo Ran. At the cost of their feelings, he obtained everything needed for the Substitute Life ritual.

At first, he just wanted to exchange Xue Lan's health for his own freedom.

The Zhuo family was like shackles on him. As long as Zhuo Ran remained frail, he would never be able to escape.

Xu Anze knew clearly that the Zhuo family looked down on him, but he could help suppress Zhuo Ran's illness. If Zhuo Ran recovered, his value would disappear, and whether they were willing to let him go was just a matter of their word.

After meeting Xue Lan, he felt it was a worthwhile trade to exchange this deal for the possibility of a future together with Xue Lan.

Xue Lan's health would deteriorate, but he would always take care of her.

The plane finally landed. Xu Anze helped Zhuo Ran off the plane. He guided Zhuo Ran to a nearby seat to rest and went to retrieve their luggage. Before he could get the suitcases, he suddenly heard a scream.

He turned around to see Zhuo Ran collapsing on the ground, her face covered in blood.

At the same moment, in the dormitory bathroom, Liu Mumu placed the peace talisman she had obtained from Yan Xiu into Xue Lan's hand. She looked into Xue Lan's eyes and said very seriously, "This is a peace talisman I specially asked a friend to get for you. It's very important, keep it close to you at all times."

She paused, then added, "Don't tell anyone, including your Xu Anze. Can you do that?"

Xue Lan clutched the talisman in her hand. She wasn't sure if it was her imagination, but she felt a warmth spreading from her palm throughout her entire body.

She nodded heavily, "I remember. I won't tell anyone."

Then, she said very solemnly to Liu Mumu, "Thank you, Mumu."

She knew Liu Mumu could divine fortunes, so her friend must be no ordinary person. Even Liu Mumu had to seek them out, which must have come at a considerable cost. Xue Lan kept this kindness in her heart.

In reality, there was no cost. She even took the opportunity to hold her hand, which was quite profitable.