Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Inside the pagoda, Ji Kang knelt before a Buddha statue, both knees on the ground, his face utterly blank.
A man in a black cloak stood beside him, one hand pressed against the top of his head.
“Why didn’t you do it?”
Ji Kang’s eyes were hollow, his expression lost.
“I don’t know either. I… I couldn’t bring myself to.”
The man’s fingers dug viciously into his scalp. Ji Kang’s face twisted, and the brutal pain made his whole body tremble, but he clenched his teeth hard and did not make a sound.
Only after a long while did the man withdraw his hand.
Ji Kang collapsed limply to the floor, his clothes soaked through with cold sweat. He looked as if he had just been fished out of the water.
The man gave a cold snort.
“It wasn’t easy finding Xumi Hall and setting up a flawless trap to catch them all in one sweep.
“And you ruined everything!”
From the darkness, a hoarse laugh suddenly rang out. “Jie jie jie-”
The man’s expression tightened, and he respectfully stepped aside.
“Lord Youming.”
“No rush. He’s held back several times. Next time, it will be even easier for him to gain their trust.”
The man began laughing along.
“Yes, yes, of course. I’ll have them get ready right away.”
As he spoke, he took out his phone and dialed a number.
“Hello? Come out and meet your old friend.”
Hua Yuling woke from unconsciousness and saw me sitting at her bedside, both hands buried in my hair, teeth clenched, tears streaming down my face.
She coughed a few times, then, deeply moved, reached out and grabbed my arm.
“Qiao Moyu-I’m fine. Don’t worry so much.”
My teeth were chattering from how hard I was grinding them.
“Murder-
“The stock market is murdering people! A thousand stocks hit limit down! There is no justice! No law in this world!”
As I spoke, I tremblingly dialed customer service.
“Hello? My kid spent over a hundred thousand on stock trading. She’s underage, okay? Still in elementary school! Can I get a refund?
“Hello? Hello? Hey, why did you hang up on me?!”
I switched numbers and kept calling. “Hello? Police? I’ve been scammed!”
After trying everything and getting nowhere, I was so furious I charged straight over, grabbed Lu Lingzhu by the neck, and squeezed viciously.
“You accursed wretch! Give! Back! My! Hard-earned! Money!”
Lu Lingzhu struggled desperately, slapping at my arms with all her strength.
“Calm down! Listen to me!
“I got a huge job. One gig, and I’ll earn it all back for you. For real! Trust me!”
“You big liar. I’m not believing you again.”
I was seeing red and kept strangling Lu Lingzhu. Lu Lingzhu shouted, “As swiftly as the law commands!” Then she reached out and slapped a talisman onto my forehead.
Huh. Why was the talisman red?
I focused and looked closely. Turns out, it was a hundred-yuan bill.
I immediately let go, delightedly stuffed the bill into my pocket.
Lu Lingzhu let out a breath of relief and took the chance to run far away.
“Seriously. As long as you come with me to this place, not only will the client pay us a huge sum, I’ll cover your living expenses for the next year. How about it?”
“Hmph!”
“Two years!”
“Hmph!”
“Hmph one more time and you can get lost!”
“Hehe. Why would you say something like that to your bestie?”
I looped my arm around Lu Lingzhu’s and leaned over to look at her phone.
“Where are we going?”
Lu Lingzhu said, “If you wish to know what happens next, tune in for the next chapter.”
(End of this installment)