Chapter 4
Chapter 4
The Jiang Family was the wealthiest in A City. Back then, they spent a fortune-over four hundred million-buying a six-acre villa at Huazhou Junting in the eastern part of the city. For Jiang Haoyan’s birthday banquet this year, they even sent several big buses to pick us up from our school.
The students were chattering excitedly on the way there, but once we stepped into the lavish, gold-and-crystal grand hall of the Jiang Family’s estate, everyone instantly turned sheepish and cautious.
“Oh my god, that chandelier must be six or seven meters tall! This place is like a palace! Qianqian, have you been here before?”
Lou Qianqian gave a proud little snort and lifted her chin.
She’d dressed up carefully today, with light makeup, sparkling jewelry, and a smart little dress-she really did look just like a lofty white swan.
“Some people need to remember that just because Jiang Haoyan likes them, it doesn’t mean they can act all high and mighty. Entry into high society isn’t that easy, you know? Mother Jiang’s family are big shots in the Capital-she’s extremely old-school and traditional. There’s no way she’d let someone like you into her home.”
Lou Qianqian threw me a withering glare and curled her lip in disdain.
“If she ever finds out about your dirty laundry, she’d toss you right out the door, no questions asked! And really, Qiao Moyu, this is a banquet-how could you show up in sneakers? Embarrassing. I honestly don’t know what kind of spell you put on Jiang Haoyan.”
No sooner had she finished than a stir swept through the crowd. The students started whispering, glancing behind me.
“Wow, is that Jiang Haoyan’s mom? She’s so graceful and beautiful!”
I turned to look, and sure enough, Madam Jiang-elegant as ever-was coming our way with Jiang Haoyan on her arm.
Lou Qianqian immediately straightened her back, gave her hair a quick tidy, and put on her most dignified, lady-like smile.
“Auntie, it’s Qianqian! I came by your house last time, you-”
Madam Jiang reached past Lou Qianqian and warmly grasped my hand.
“Oh! You must be Qiao-Qiao Moyu, right? Lovely to meet you, finally. Haoyan’s father is on his way home already, I’m so sorry he’s not here yet-please forgive us.”
She even gave me a polite little bow. At that moment, everyone was stunned speechless.
I glanced around the living room: the floors were lined with seamless marble, and in each corner stood an impossibly tall column, carved in the style of Roman pillars. Right now, those columns were radiating thick, ominous black mist-so dense you could see it with the naked eye.
My face instantly fell.
“Get every member of the Jiang Family out here to see me-within the hour.”
My classmates stared at me in disbelief. Lou Qianqian looked completely shell-shocked.
“Qiao Moyu, are you drunk or just crazy?”
Madam Jiang hurriedly shoved Lou Qianqian aside, her grip on my hand respectful, cheeks flushed with excitement.
“Yes, yes, I’ll get right on it.”
I nodded, then strode toward the pillar in the northwest corner.
This job was shaping up to be the toughest case of my Earth Master career so far. I’d have to charge extra for this one!