Chapter 21: Su Shen Gun¹

Translator: Tim Editor: Tehrn/Carolin

As Su Jingwen drove, she mused, "Why did Ning Qingxue come? I'm very familiar with her." Someone like Ning Qingxue wouldn't usually attend an uninvited birthday party.

Suddenly, she remembered something important. "Oh no!" she exclaimed. "Ye Mo is coming tonight! What if they see each other?"

Li Mumei, noticing Su Jingwen's distraction, asked, "Jingwen, what's wrong? You seem preoccupied."

"Oh, nothing," Su Jingwen replied. "I just remembered something, but it's fine now. Mumei, you didn't tell me Qingxue was coming. Qingxue, have you taken over your father's business? I heard you're already at Ning Family Medical Materials." She sought conversation to distract herself.

Li Mumei explained, "Sister Qingxue took over the Beijing business ages ago, and I've been helping her manage it. However, some things happened, and she's temporarily left Ning Family Medical Materials."

Su Jingwen didn't press for details. It was likely an internal conflict, best left unasked. Ning Qingxue's furrowed brow suggested unhappiness. Should Su Jingwen call Ye Mo to keep him away, sparing Ning Qingxue further distress?

Then, a crucial realization struck her: Ye Mo didn't have a phone, wasn't at school, and she didn't know where he lived. Contacting him was impossible. It seemed inevitable that Ye Mo and Ning Qingxue would meet.

Ning Qingxue, sensing Su Jingwen's distraction, initiated a conversation. "Sister Jingwen, Mumei mentioned your mother wasn't well. Is she better now?"

Su Jingwen, deciding to worry about Ye Mo later, replied cheerfully, "My mother's fine! Didn't Mumei tell you?"

Ning Qingxue felt awkward; she hadn't inquired about Su Jingwen's mother beforehand. Undeterred, Su Jingwen continued, "I met a master by chance—you wouldn't believe it—but this master's charms…"

Su Jingwen, deeply admiring Ye Mo, portrayed the charm seller as unrivaled, recounting the purchase and use in vivid detail.

Ning Qingxue and Li Mumei stared, jaws agape. Su Jingwen's superstition was surprising, especially given her high education. The charm seller, they concluded, must have been a skilled salesman.

Li Mumei gently hinted, "Um, Jingwen, it's good your mother's well. No need to elaborate on her recovery…"

Su Jingwen sighed, "I know you don't believe me, but I have a fireball charm. If I wasn't so attached to it, I'd show you. But I can't replace it; I can't find that master anymore."

Li Mumei conceded, "Okay, we believe you, Su Shen Gun."

Even Ning Qingxue, usually stoic, wanted to laugh. Su Jingwen, despite her age and reputation, was acting utterly out of character. The contrast between her usual astuteness and her current superstitious beliefs was striking. If Ning Qingxue's own situation weren't so difficult, she probably would have laughed.

…

Ye Mo, unable to find suitable packaging, simply pocketed the bracelet he'd made. He immediately began recovering his chi; creating the bracelet had been arduous. He'd make more to sell if they weren't so difficult to market.

For the first time, Ye Mo took a taxi. He didn't want to run to Yu Wan's private residence, nor did he know the way.

His taxi stopped outside. The guard, surprised by Ye Mo's unassuming appearance—neat but ungroomed hair and inexpensive shoes—stopped him.

"Sir, this is a private residence, not open to the public—" Before the guard finished, Ye Mo, unconcerned, produced his invitation. His appearance warranted scrutiny.

The guard examined the invitation, then apologized and let him in. As Ye Mo entered, a red Porsche arrived. The contrast between Ye Mo's entry and the Porsche's was stark; the guard seemed merely decorative in the latter instance. The Porsche driver, recklessly reversing, was clearly arrogant. A girl leaped out.

Clad in a red top and tight jeans, she exuded arrogance and glamour.

"Su Mei…" Ye Mo wasn't surprised; she was Su Jingwen's cousin. While arrogant at school, she usually remained reserved. Here, however, her arrogance was unrestrained.

"Ye Mo? Stop! What are you doing here?" Su Mei, still smarting from a previous encounter, demanded. Ye Mo feigned bafflement. "I was invited. Is this yours? Must I report to you?"

Another girl, similarly dressed but with yellow hair, emerged. "What's wrong, Mei Mei? Who's this guy?"

Su Mei sneered. Then, a military-plated Audi arrived, from which a young man emerged. He spotted Ye Mo and approached.

"Mei, long time no see. You seem unhappy," he greeted cheerfully. Su Mei's face brightened. "Brother Wang Shu, you didn't even visit, and you say 'long time no see'?"

¹Shen Gun: A person who pretends to be spiritually connected to a higher being and spreads false religious content to gain respect and social status.