Chapter 0005 You Know Feng Shui Too?

Inside the hospital ward, Jiang Yan pressed, “You’re saying someone interfered behind the scenes? That’s impossible. Not to mention the closure of various branches, even in our recent bids for major projects, I failed purely due to my own shortcomings. How could anyone manipulate such matters?”

Zhang Xiao pondered for a moment before replying, “To be honest, I have only a superficial understanding of feng shui and physiognomy. As the saying goes, ‘a full forehead eats at the government’s table, a square jaw commands authority.’ If you want to discern a person’s future, you can glean clues from the color and condition of their forehead. You naturally have a prosperous and noble face, but now your forehead is dark and clouded, which signifies obstacles in your career and blocked fortune. Generally, a person’s fate is predetermined, but a change in yours suggests someone has secretly tampered with your aura.”

Hearing Zhang Xiao’s reasoning, Jiang Yan and Jiang Kongqing were both dumbfounded—especially Kongqing, who had witnessed Zhang Xiao’s impressive martial prowess, then watched him break the soul-binding formation with his own blood, and now listened to him expound like a fortune teller. Who was this man, really?

Jiang Yan had never put much stock in feng shui, fate, or spirits, but after his recent ordeal—his soul was imprisoned—he found himself believing Zhang Xiao’s words a little more.

“So you’re saying someone altered my aura, and that’s why the Jiang Corporation’s business has suffered?”

Zhang Xiao replied with certainty, “Exactly. It appears someone did something in secret. In recent years, have you interacted with any feng shui masters?”

Before Jiang Yan could answer, Jiang Kongqing exclaimed, “When my mother was buried, my father hired a feng shui master to find the ideal spot!”

Reminded by his daughter, Jiang Yan said, “Yes, when my wife passed, I sought a feng shui master to find her a blessed burial plot, hoping she’d be reborn into a good family. Thinking back, it was after that year the company’s fortunes started to decline.”

Zhang Xiao narrowed his eyes and said, “Then it’s clear—the feng shui master must have meddled.”

After a moment’s thought, Zhang Xiao said seriously, “It seems we must visit your mother-in-law’s grave to get to the bottom of this.”

Mother-in-law?

For a brief moment, Zhang Xiao had presented himself as a sage, speaking with the gravitas of a man beyond the ordinary world. Then, with a single “mother-in-law,” he shattered the impression Jiang Kongqing had just begun to form. Jiang Yan’s expression grew strange, his mouth twitching.

Though Zhang Xiao’s odd remarks brought embarrassment, he was now their lifeline, so both father and daughter tacitly chose to let it slide.

Since Jiang Yan’s health was stable, Kongqing soon arranged for his discharge.

When the three left the hospital, the sun was nearly set. Zhang Xiao suggested they visit the grave the next morning, and that tonight Jiang Yan and Kongqing should rest.

Curious, Jiang Yan asked about Zhang Xiao’s origins, but he only said he had just arrived in Tianhe City for the Goddess’s Tear, and had nowhere to stay. Jiang Yan thought it over and invited Zhang Xiao to stay at Cloudwater Villa that night; after all, Zhang Xiao had been a great help, and he would need his assistance again soon.

Zhang Xiao accepted without ceremony, while Kongqing looked him over with increasing curiosity.

This man seemed full of secrets. His words were unreliable, but his actions so far had brought peace of mind. Still, why was he so intent on the Goddess’s Tear left by her mother?

Kongqing understood that Zhang Xiao wasn’t after money—the Goddess’s Tear was his goal. Yet aside from its commercial value, it was just an ordinary gem.

With these doubts in mind, the three returned to Cloudwater Villa, where Steward Zhao had already been informed of Jiang Yan’s recovery, and that Zhang Xiao had aided the family.

Upon seeing Zhang Xiao, Steward Zhao thanked him profusely, but Zhang Xiao merely smiled.

Jiang Yan asked Zhao to prepare a family dinner in Zhang Xiao’s honor, and Zhao dared not be remiss.

Shortly after the meal began, Steward Zhao came to announce that Zheng Shaowen had heard of Jiang Yan’s discharge and was coming to visit.

Jiang Yan and Kongqing’s faces darkened—how could Zheng Shaowen have the nerve, after orchestrating everything?

Only Zhang Xiao paid no heed, quickly eating and enjoying his meal.

Jiang Yan hesitated, then looked to Zhang Xiao. “What about this?”

Zhang Xiao set down his chopsticks and smiled, “Guests are guests; it’s not right to turn him away. Besides, we don’t have enough evidence to prove he was behind it. Let him in—we’ll see what he’s up to.”

Jiang Yan found the reasoning sound. There was no concrete proof that Zheng Shaowen had ordered Master Zhang to imprison his soul, and even if Zhang Xiao claimed their business woes were due to tampering with their feng shui, nothing was certain yet. If Zhang Xiao was mistaken, he’d still need Zheng’s family’s influence to weather the crisis. With that, he ordered Steward Zhao to bring him in.

Soon, accompanied by Zhao, Zheng Shaowen entered. Behind him were Master Zhang—whom they’d seen at the hospital—and a robust man.

Zheng Shaowen entered the lounge, saw Jiang Yan sitting hale and hearty in the main seat, and a shadow crossed his face. Master Zhang squinted, while the burly man’s expression remained blank, his gaze fixed on Zhang Xiao, who was busily demolishing a chicken leg.

Jiang Yan greeted Zheng Shaowen with a calm voice, “Shaowen, you should have called ahead—I could’ve had the kitchen prepare more.”

Zheng Shaowen smiled, “Uncle Jiang, we’re practically family. You being discharged is a big event; I came as soon as I heard.”

Jiang Kongqing felt nothing but disgust at Zheng Shaowen’s words, so she focused her annoyance on a lobster, following Zhang Xiao’s example.

Zheng Shaowen noticed everything, especially how Zhang Xiao, sitting opposite Kongqing, seemed a thorn in his side.

Zhang Xiao’s guess was correct: Zheng Shaowen had indeed asked Master Zhang to meddle with Jiang Yan’s soul, hoping Kongqing would look at him differently.

He knew, though Kongqing was his fiancée in name, she had no interest in him. Zheng Shaowen wasn’t the most handsome man in Tianhe, but he’d seen and played with countless women. Only Kongqing never smiled at him, never showed any affection—he was her fiancé!

So, Zheng Shaowen resorted to trickery, imprisoning Jiang Yan’s soul, planning to heroically rescue him at the crucial moment, hoping Kongqing would be grateful and fall into his arms.

Unfortunately for him, Zhang Xiao had ruined it all.

Master Zhang was equally furious. He’d expected rewards for helping Zheng Shaowen, but a wild card had appeared, ruining his plans and humiliating him with a punch at the hospital. Today, he and Zheng Shaowen had come to reclaim their dignity.

Zheng Shaowen, feigning ignorance, pointed at Zhang Xiao, “I didn’t expect this gentleman to be Uncle Jiang’s guest. To be honest, today at the hospital, Master Zhang and your friend had a minor disagreement. I tried to intervene, but you know Master Zhang—his reputation is everything. Being struck in the hospital without explanation, how is he to maintain his standing in Tianhe City? I had no choice but to bring him here to settle matters. Please don’t blame me, Uncle Jiang—I truly had no other option.”

Zhang Xiao laughed off the remarks, unconcerned, while Jiang Yan and Kongqing frowned, surprised that Zheng Shaowen was so brazen as to come to their home and cause trouble for Zhang Xiao, their savior. Especially at Cloudwater Villa, they could not let Zheng Shaowen play games here.

Jiang Yan forced a smile, “Shaowen, why do this? Zhang Xiao saved my life. Our families have been close for generations. You put me in a difficult position.”

Zheng Shaowen sneered inwardly—he had expected Jiang Yan’s defense, but today he intended to make an example of Zhang Xiao in front of Jiang Yan and Kongqing, to show he was not to be trifled with in Tianhe.

Before Zheng Shaowen could speak, Master Zhang stepped forward, “This has nothing to do with Young Master Zheng. I’m here to settle scores with this fellow!”

With that, he distanced Zheng Shaowen from the matter, leaving Jiang Yan unsure how to proceed.

At that moment, Zhang Xiao tossed aside the finished chicken leg, wiped his mouth, and laughed, “What, that punch earlier wasn’t lesson enough? I was right—you’ve wasted your sixty years.”

Master Zhang exploded in anger, pointing at Zhang Xiao, “You bastard! Don’t get cocky! I was caught off guard at the hospital, but I won’t let it happen again!”

Zhang Xiao eyed him with amusement, “Oh? Is that so?”

Just then, the burly man who’d been standing behind Zheng Shaowen stepped forward, eyes flashing with bloodlust. He spoke in a deep, guttural voice, “I hear you’re a Third Realm martial artist. Let me challenge you.”

Zhang Xiao was delighted—no wonder Master Zhang and Zheng Shaowen were so confident; they’d brought reinforcements.

The newcomer’s aura was restrained, his muscles sharply defined, his eyes deep and fearless, as if nothing in the world could faze him.

A true master, Zhang Xiao thought.

Steward Zhao also sensed it; he was experienced, and from the moment the man entered, his hair had stood on end. It felt as though this man had crawled out of a mountain of corpses.

Now... things were about to get complicated.