Demon-Revealing Mirror

Guo Lantai made a high-profile return. As the butler, Uncle Meng was the most enthusiastic of all. Just as he went out to greet him and help arrange parking for the motorcycle, Cen Muxiao, in the third-floor gym, saw the returning man through the enormous floor-to-ceiling window.

The man who had left in low-key clothes without a word had completely changed upon his return. His whole style had shifted abruptly. Just the carefree flick of his bangs when he took off his helmet spoke of untamed ease and free-spirited confidence, not to mention that casual, toothy smile of his. It could absolutely stir a person's heart.

Cen Muxiao picked up a towel and wiped the sweat from his face, pondering to himself. This was probably Guo Lantai's true nature.

He had behaved himself in front of him for two days, but after going home once, he had let himself loose and no longer wanted to suppress who he was.

Still, this side of Guo Lantai seemed easier to like. The faint, inexplicable gloom that had been drifting through his heart these past few days miraculously vanished the moment he saw him.

He quietly watched Guo Lantai follow Uncle Meng to the garage, then watched him come out and enter the villa all the way through the front doors before stiffly pulling his gaze back.

He was curious how much stuff this man had brought back. There were several bags and packages, big and small. One look at the way Uncle Meng was walking told him they were quite heavy. Was this some kind of hint that he had treated him poorly?

But the moment the CEO thought that, he immediately felt guilty. He truly had never specially prepared anything for Guo Lantai. Even though he knew a newlywed was moving in, he had never considered whether the household should purchase suitable clothing or daily necessities for him in advance.

Including that bedroom, everything was simply what the villa kept on hand as a matter of routine. Whoever came could use the same things.

Song Anning, on the other hand, had always been an exception and had always received special treatment. Cen Muxiao had even taken him out shopping once, and the items they ordered had gradually been delivered. He had often seen Song Anning's delighted smile because of it.

Seeing Song Anning happy should have made him feel gratified, yet for some reason, that satisfaction and happiness did not feel genuine from the bottom of his heart. Instead, there was an empty, uncomfortable feeling.

Cen Muxiao gathered his thoughts, packed up after finishing his workout, and left the gym with a towel around his neck, turning toward the stairs. The moment he lowered his head, he ran into Guo Lantai coming up the steps.

Guo Lantai was also slightly stunned when he saw Cen Muxiao. He was wearing a white athletic tank top and black pants, his two muscular arms exposed, his hair slightly damp with sweat as he looked directly at him.

He could not help roaring inwardly, Damn, that body, that face, that overwhelming aura of hormones... No wonder the original owner had been obsessed with him to the point of death. He really was too damn attractive.

But what was with that look?

Did he look down on this outfit? Didn't he have to own a few outrageously designed motorcycle suits? They were both in the same circle—who looked down on whom was still up in the air!

Complaining silently, he withdrew his raised foot and obediently stepped back to make way for him. A gentle smile appeared on his face. "Finished working out, sir? Then please, go ahead!"

That was absolutely respecting elders and caring for the young, humble, courteous, and well-mannered of him, right?

Hearing that, Cen Muxiao silently withdrew the foot he had been about to move back. Then, expressionless, he nodded at him. "You're back."

"Yeah!"

Guo Lantai answered, then stepped back again. The meaning was obvious: Could you hurry downstairs already? I'm still waiting to get back to my room.

At that moment, Uncle Meng caught up from behind. The instant he looked up and saw the two of them, one above and one below, staring wide-eyed at each other, the corner of his mouth could not help twitching. What were they being so polite for here? If they wanted to talk, they could go somewhere else and have a proper chat.

"Young Master, you're finished?"

He greeted him politely, then likewise moved to the side and made a path for Cen Muxiao to go downstairs, waiting for him to move first.

Seeing this, Cen Muxiao swallowed the words that had been about to leave his mouth. He simply continued downstairs, but when he passed in front of Guo Lantai, he suddenly stopped.

After thinking it over, he turned to Guo Lantai and spoke as though comforting him. "I've already arranged everything regarding the project. I've also sent people to look after your parents and brother. You needn't worry."

After saying that calmly, he went straight back to his room, leaving Guo Lantai and Uncle Meng staring at each other.

Guo Lantai: ...Should he be acting flattered beyond belief, so moved that he wanted to cry? Was this man comforting him?

Uncle Meng gave a couple of dry coughs, then smiled. "After Young Master Guo's accident, our young master had already started arranging everything. He takes this matter very seriously. He was also afraid you might take things too hard by yourself. But it's good that you're back. If anything else happens, just tell our young master directly. I believe he won't ignore it."

Guo Lantai felt baffled for a while, but after hearing Uncle Meng say that, he smiled soundlessly. This man's concern was quite awkward. At the very least, he could put on a nicer expression!

Still, this was finally a good sign. At least Cen Muxiao had taken the initiative for once. Whether he had spoken only because he was mindful of their cooperative relationship and had no choice but to offer some token comfort, his attitude was gentle enough.

"Mm, I appreciate sir's kindness. Then let's go upstairs!"

"Alright."

Uncle Meng agreed and followed him upstairs. But when they reached his door, Guo Lantai stopped directly in front of it.

After thinking for a moment, he pulled a small bronze mirror from the backpack on his back. Holding it up, he compared it with the door, then turned to look downstairs. Once he decided the placement would work, he hung the bronze mirror directly from one corner of the door.

Uncle Meng did not understand. "Mr. Guo, what are you..." Doing some kind of ritual?

"Oh, I just feel like I've been having bad luck lately, so I specifically went to a temple and asked for a bronze mirror to protect the house, ward off evil, and reveal demons. Have you heard of a Demon-Revealing Mirror? It reveals demons and turns your luck around."

"No, what do you mean by that? Why are you revealing demons now?"

Uncle Meng was greatly startled. He was even more confused inside. Guo Lantai had married into a wealthy, prestigious family, a blessing that many people could not earn even across ten lifetimes. How could he still have bad luck? What misfortune was he talking about?

Standing beneath the bronze mirror, Guo Lantai tilted his head around a little, confirming that its direction was correct before replying, "You'll understand once I explain it. Look, things went wrong for me on my wedding day. First, someone disrupted the ceremony. Then I was left behind at the hotel. After that, my eldest brother had an accident overseas, and I couldn't even go back for the post-wedding visit. Doesn't that mean I'm cursed? Or maybe some petty person is trying to bring me down! Nothing has gone right! Nothing has gone right at all! So I have to find a way to resolve it myself!"

As Uncle Meng listened, he considered it along with him. Thinking about it, it did seem to make sense, and he could not help nodding. "So that's what you mean. But this mirror of yours... Oh dear, that direction is Mr. Song's room. Isn't that a little inappropriate?"

Guo Lantai's explanation came smoothly. "What's inappropriate about it? One mirror of mine can reveal a hundred demons. Maybe it can even help shield him from disaster. Let's hang it here for now. Who knows, maybe my luck will turn around tonight!"

After hearing that, Uncle Meng really found it hard to say outright that Guo Lantai was treating Song Anning like a demon and using the mirror on him.

He truly had not expected these two people's jealousy and petty squabbling to escalate into this kind of method. He wondered how Mr. Song would feel when he saw this bronze mirror.

Would he also find a bronze mirror and hang it facing this one? Then the upstairs and downstairs lighting would really be bright enough!

Besides, Mr. Guo had the wrong premise entirely. Other than those two who could stir up trouble, where were there any demons in the Cen Family Villa?