After steadying herself, Cao Qingtong let out a long breath and continued.
"Once I knew there was a ghost in my house, there was no way I could keep staying there."
"So for the past few days, I've been living at the company, while ordering my people to keep searching for a real master."
"At first, nothing happened."
"I even naively thought that as long as I didn't go home, I'd be safe."
"But what happened later proved I was wrong."
"That ghost… she followed me to the company!"
Recalling what she'd seen, Cao Qingtong's body trembled slightly. Fear flashed across her eyes.
Even though she'd navigated the business world for ten years—
Even though she couldn't count how many people had died indirectly or directly because of her—
They were still people.
Facing a ghost, even this infamous business "black widow" couldn't help but reveal a fragile side.
Without realizing it, she grabbed Ning Chen's arm. It took a while before she calmed down again.
"I… I saw her face!"
"In the mirror!"
"It was twisted beyond imagination—one glance and you'd never forget it!"
"She was lying right on my shoulder!"
"Even though it was just an instant, I'm sure—she's the female ghost that's been haunting me!"
"I couldn't stay at the company anymore… and I didn't dare go home either."
"So I went to a bar to drink myself numb."
"Luckily… that's where I ran into you."
Turning her head to look at Ning Chen, her gaze softened.
"Even though… our first meeting wasn't exactly pleasant~"
"At least the outcome was good."
"Do you know how happy I was when I realized you were a cultivator?"
"Like a drowning person grabbing onto their last straw."
"Ning Chen… you can save me, right?"
She clung tightly to his arm, her eyes full of hope.
Ning Chen casually flicked away the cigarette butt and let out a long breath.
After hearing her out, he'd already made his decision.
"Even though I don't know why that ghost hasn't made a move these past few days—"
"You're still incredibly lucky."
"Any ghost that can leave a life-claiming curse on you is at least Grade Three."
"Grade Three?"
Cao Qingtong froze, confusion in her eyes.
"That's a classification of ghosts. A Grade Three ghost could slap you to death with one hand."
"Now do you see why I said you're lucky?"
Ning Chen explained calmly.
Her face immediately paled.
She clutched his arm even tighter, as if doing so gave her a sense of safety.
"Then… can you deal with it?"
"Kid stuff."
"Running into me means your luck has turned."
"This problem—I'll take care of it."
"However—"
Feeling the warmth pressed against his arm, Ning Chen closed his eyes in enjoyment and subtly shifted twice.
That earned the female CEO a bright red blush.
Yet she still didn't let go.
Capable.
Really treating me like one of her own.
"…However what?"
Ning Chen opened his eyes and continued.
"However, I think someone is behind this."
"Don't you find this whole thing strange?"
"Your company takes on a redevelopment project in the old city."
"You go pray at a temple."
"Then you come back and get haunted."
"There's definitely a connection."
"Someone's利益 got touched—and they decided to kill you."
"And that Hongyun Temple? It's probably not clean either."
That finally made Cao Qingtong react.
A cold glint—one that didn't match her usual seductive demeanor—flashed through her eyes.
"You're right."
"Someone probably does want me dead."
"I'll have people investigate this thoroughly."
"But—"
"The problem shouldn't be Hongyun Temple."
"You might not know this, but Master Hongyuan is a renowned enlightened monk."
"Plenty of tycoons and celebrities travel thousands of miles just to worship there."
She looked at Ning Chen doubtfully.
"Could it be another link in the chain?"
"Where did the jade Buddha on your neck come from?"
Ning Chen asked instead.
"The jade Buddha? This one?"
"Master Hongyuan gave it to me. Is there a problem?"
"A problem?"
"A huge problem."
Ning Chen sneered, his eyes flashing.
He reached out and yanked the jade Buddha straight off her neck.
"Are you sure Master Hongyuan personally gave this to you?"
"No. After the ceremony ended and Master Hongyuan left, a monk named Hongji delivered it to me."
"He said Master Hongyuan had already consecrated it but forgot to give it to me."
Cao Qingtong's face turned pale as she spoke, clearly realizing something was wrong.
"So you mean—?"
"See for yourself."
Ning Chen gestured.
Golden light flowed from his palm like liquid.
The instant it touched the jade Buddha, strands of dark red ghostly aura seeped out—
Only to evaporate instantly under the golden light.
"…This…"
Cao Qingtong stared, stunned.
"See it now?"
"This isn't a consecrated jade Buddha."
"It's a ghost-sealing charm."
"That monk was clearly acting under orders. He wanted you dead."
Ning Chen crushed the jade Buddha into powder and scattered it with a flick of his hand.
Looking at Cao Qingtong—who had finally pieced everything together—he raised an eyebrow.
"So?"
"Want me to help you get revenge?"
"The mastermind is definitely one of your business rivals."
"You find them. I'll handle it. Silent and clean."
"And that monk too."
He sliced his hand across his neck, smiling coldly.
If there's revenge to be taken, Ning Chen never leaves it unpaid.
Since he now knew who was responsible, retaliation was inevitable.
Cao Qingtong's eyes lit up, her expression instantly returning to that fox-like charm.
"You'll help me?"
"Of course."
"But—"
He paused, then flashed a brilliantly shameless grin.
"We'll need to add more money."
Pay-Up Cultivator Ning — Online!
"Add!"
"Money's the one thing your big sister never lacks."
"I'll give you another twenty million~"
"Deal."
Ning Chen agreed instantly.
Even though their first meeting had been unpleasant—
Now?
Pure satisfaction.
Not only did this involve supernatural events and an evil cultivator—
That merit value alone would be massive.
Plus, he'd be pocketing thirty million in cash.
Three birds with one stone.
This woman might actually be my lucky star.
Ning Chen gave her a strange look.
Noticing him staring, Cao Qingtong's cheeks reddened slightly.
She tucked her hair behind her ear and asked:
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
"Because you—"
Ning Chen snapped back to his senses, about to say something cheeky—
When suddenly—
A sharp screech of brakes echoed nearby.
At the same time, Hongdou's excited voice rang out in his ear:
"Master—look!"
"The ghost bus is here!"
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