Bai Luoluo felt that he didn’t like Lin Zhuomin. But he found that it seemed like he was the only one who felt this way.
After Lin Zhuomin and the others finished their business, they were ready to book tickets and fly back. Even with the generous invitation from Director Huang, they couldn’t be persuaded to stay.
The next day, the five of them went to the airport together.
With this incident, Lin Zhuomin’s attitude towards Bai Luoluo remained unchanged, as cold and indifferent as before, avoiding unnecessary conversation. However, Bai Luoluo felt somewhat uneasy and restless.
On the plane, Bai Luoluo and Lin Zhuomin happened to be seated together. When Bai Luoluo looked at his seat, he silently cursed at Wu Tuisan, who had arranged the seating. Little did he know, Wu Tuisan patted him on the shoulder from behind, and when Bai Luoluo turned around, Wu Tuisan’s face showed an expression that said, “I can only help you up to this point.”
Bai Luoluo: “…” He had some foul words he wasn’t sure whether to say or not…
However, since the tickets were already in hand, Bai Luoluo couldn’t just change seats on purpose. Besides, Lin Zhuomin seemed completely disinterested in who sat next to him. He appeared to be dozing off, with earphones plugged in, showing no interest in what was happening around him.
Initially, Bai Luoluo felt like he was sitting on pins and needles. But later, seeing Lin Zhuomin’s indifference, he gradually relaxed.
With nothing to do on the plane, Bai Luoluo picked up a newspaper at random. To his surprise, the headline on the front page caught his eye: “Series of Misfortunes Hit the Qin Family, Family Business Faces Waterloo.”
Thinking of the word “Qin,” Bai Luoluo first remembered the Qin family members he and Lin Zhuomin had encountered during their trip to the Northeast. Undoubtedly, the experiences there had left a deep impression on Bai Luoluo.
Bai Luoluo briefly skimmed through the newspaper and was amazed to find that the Qin family mentioned in the article was indeed their Qin family. At first glance, the content seemed incredibly unbelievable, reporting bizarre and unfortunate incidents plaguing the Qin family for the past few months. The most terrifying incident involved an elderly member of the Qin family, a woman in her sixties. Allegedly, while taking a bath one night, she slipped in the bathtub. The water tap then mysteriously turned on by itself, causing the water level in the bathtub to rise. Unable to move and watching helplessly, the elderly Qin family member could only witness the water slowly approaching her ears, cheeks, and mouth. Just before she was about to be drowned, someone happened to discover the situation, preventing her from meeting a watery demise. Although she didn’t die, the elderly woman, traumatized by this slow approach of death, ended up in the hospital.
Bai Luoluo, after reading the newspaper, was shocked. If he didn’t know some inside information, he would have thought the newspaper editors were fabricating stories, and poorly at that.
After reading the newspaper, Bai Luoluo hesitated for a moment but still decided to tell Lin Zhuomin about it. His voice was a bit soft, but Lin Zhuomin, with earphones on, still heard him.
Lin Zhuomin said, “Normal.”
Bai Luoluo asked, “Are they so unlucky because of their ancestors?” Thinking of the coffin submerged in black water from before.
Lin Zhuomin said, “Not entirely.” The Qin family members were arrogant and conceited, and encountering such events was only a matter of time. The resentment of their ancestors was just an opportunity.
Bai Luoluo said, “That’s really unfortunate.”
Lin Zhuomin replied, “The Hu family might be involved.”
Bai Luoluo took a moment to react and then remembered that the Hu family referred to those foxes. He said, “Oh, I see.”
“The Hu family places great importance on the bloodline within the clan,” Lin Zhuomin explained. “Moreover, that fox is a rare male fox, probably holding a high status within the clan.”
Bai Luoluo seemed to comprehend something.
Lin Zhuomin continued, “Once he dies, the foxes in the clan won’t let the Qin family off.”
Bai Luoluo nodded and said, “I see.”
Lin Zhuomin added, “Everything is subject to the law of cause and effect, and all has a predetermined destiny.”
Bai Luoluo nodded in a puzzled manner.
After saying these words, Lin Zhuomin seemed to have more to say but eventually chose to remain silent. He put his earphones back on.
Several hours later, they landed, and Lin Zhuomin’s driver came to pick them up. With two cars for the five of them, Bai Luoluo and Lin Zhuomin got off the car last. When Bai Luoluo was about to get into Wu Tuisan’s car, Wu Tuisan said, “It’s full here; you can sit with the Master.”
Bai Luoluo asked, “But don’t you have one more seat?”
“We used them to store backpacks,” Wu Tuisan replied, revealing a few large backpacks on the seat next to him.
Bai Luoluo, feeling a bit confused, vaguely remembered that Wu Tuisan and the others didn’t have many backpacks when they left.
Bai Luoluo looked at the back and said, “What about the trunk?”
An impatient Wu Tuisan said, “It’s all packed. There’s no room for people. Hurry up; the Master is waiting for you.”
After a moment of silence, Bai Luoluo could only turn and walk towards the car where Lin Zhuomin was.
Once Bai Luoluo turned around, Wu Tuisan made a victory gesture to Wu Zusi and said, “Four, how about my assist?!”
Wu Zusi replied, “I’m not giving you a full score to prevent you from getting too proud.”
In the back seat, Lin Zhuomin, Bai Luoluo hesitated for a moment, but still chose to sit next to Lin Zhuomin. After all, if he turned around and sat in the front seat, it felt like he was deliberately avoiding Lin Zhuomin. Bai Luoluo sat uncomfortably in the chair, feeling a slightly awkward atmosphere inside the car.
As the car slowly started moving, Lin Zhuomin suddenly spoke, “What happened that night was my fault.”
The hairs on Bai Luoluo’s back stood up directly due to Lin Zhuomin’s words. He swallowed and wanted to say something, but he didn’t know what to say.
Lin Zhuomin didn’t mind Bai Luoluo’s awkwardness and continued, “It was my mistake. If I hadn’t taken you to the scene, you wouldn’t have been invaded by the Yin Qi.”
Bai Luoluo said, “I-is that so?”
Lin Zhuomin said, “Yes, the focal point of the Mirage Array must be suppressed by extremely Yin objects, and the probability of success increases if there is dense Yin energy nearby during the activation.”
Bai Luoluo said, “Oh…”
Lin Zhuomin apologized, “I’m sorry.”
Bai Luoluo didn’t expect Lin Zhuomin to suddenly apologize to him. As he listened to Lin Zhuomin’s words, memories of that night involuntarily flashed back. Lin Zhuomin’s sexy frowning expression appeared again in Bai Luoluo’s mind. This image made his face turn red again, and the only thing Bai Luoluo was grateful for was that Lin Zhuomin couldn’t see his embarrassed appearance at the moment.
Lin Zhuomin’s voice softened, a rare occurrence. He said, “If you’re willing, I can take responsibility for you.”
Bai Luoluo was silent.
Seeing Bai Luoluo’s lack of response, Lin Zhuomin mentioned another option. He said, “If you’re unwilling, I can offer you other compensation.”
Although Bai Luoluo had never been in a romantic relationship, he understood the meaning of taking responsibility. For a moment, he felt dizzy, and his heart thumped like a drum.
Lin Zhuomin quietly waited for Bai Luoluo’s answer.
Bai Luoluo’s breath was a bit uneven, and in a dazed state, he asked the system, “Oh my god, what do I do, what do I do?!”
The system said, “Calm down. Haven’t you forgotten that you’ll leave this world sooner or later?”
This sentence was like a bucket of cold water poured over Bai Luoluo’s head, making him realize his current situation. His flushed face instantly cooled down. Finally, Bai Luoluo pursed his lips and said cautiously, “No need.”
Lin Zhuomin’s eyelashes trembled, and he paused for a moment before saying, “Is that so.”
Bai Luoluo said, “Really, there’s no need. What happened that night was just an accident. You don’t have to take it to heart.” He knew that Lin Zhuomin was not the type to take advantage of others in a vulnerable situation. Using this method, there was probably no other way.
Lin Zhuomin nodded without saying anything, and the atmosphere in the car froze again.
Bai Luoluo felt a bit lost. He lowered his head and fiddled with his phone, but he thought of the real-world employee handbook again. He had immersed himself in the role a bit too much, but fortunately, he realized it wasn’t too late.
When they arrived at the residence, Lin Zhuomin didn’t greet them and went straight to his place.
Wu Tuisan, who initially expected progress between Lin Zhuomin and Bai Luoluo, was surprised to witness this scene. He poked Bai Luoluo’s waist inexplicably and said, “What happened?”
Bai Luoluo shook his head, not saying anything.
Wu Tuisan, seeing Bai Luoluo looking desolate, first thought that Bai Luoluo had confessed to Lin Zhuomin and got rejected. He reached out to pat Bai Luoluo’s neck and said, “Okay, okay, I won’t ask. What do we eat tonight?”
Bai Luoluo said, “Chicken.”
Wu Tuisan exclaimed, “Why are you swearing?”
Bai Luoluo clarified, “No, I mean, let’s eat chicken.”
Wu Tuisan said, “Alright, I’ll buy chicken for you.”
So, that night, the four of them sat at the table eating chicken. Wu Tuisan somehow managed to get chickens, including a mother hen and several young ones, all raised in a rural setting.
Bai Luoluo stewed the mother hen with dried shiitake mushrooms to make a soup. He plucked the feathers off the young chickens, marinated them, and then roasted them in the oven until they became crispy and juicy. After the three of them helped Bai Luoluo in the kitchen, they moved to the living room to play poker.
Wu Meiwu was the landlord for the night, with a simple and honest smile on his face. Wu Tuisan and Wu Zusi, on the other hand, were arguing. Wu Tuisan said, “Are you stupid? You actually blocked me with a high card; otherwise, I would have played out all my cards already.”
Wu Zusi retorted, “I think you’re the stupid one. If you didn’t block the cards, wouldn’t Wu Meiwu have played them all?”
Wu Tuisan said, “Clearly, it’s you—”
The two of them were arguing fiercely, and Bai Luoluo knocked on the table, saying, “Dinner is ready.” Only then did the two stop their quarrel, but they continued to glare at each other when putting the cards on the table.
In winter, enjoying a warm chicken soup was a blissful thing. Bai Luoluo served himself a bowl and drank it slowly. Wu Tuisan found an authentic mother hen, and the soup was thick and flavorful. The shiitake mushrooms added a unique fragrance, dispelling the chill from their bodies. Bai Luoluo also cooked a few side dishes with other ingredients from the refrigerator, and they all enjoyed a satisfying meal.
After dinner, it was Wu Zusi’s turn to do the dishes.
The other three lounged on the sofa, looking at the ceiling. Bai Luoluo felt a bit drowsy, saying, “I’m going to bed first.”
However, Wu Tuisan suddenly stopped him, shouting loudly, “Zhou Zhizhi.”
Bai Luoluo said, “Huh?”
Wu Tuisan loudly declared, “Don’t be discouraged. The master has always been slow to warm up. If you like the master, don’t give up! The master has never treated anyone as well as he treats you!”
Bai Luoluo said, “Ah, Tuisan, you misunderstood—” He wanted to explain that he didn’t actually like Lin Zhuomin.
But Wu Tuisan waved his hand and said, “I’m just saying if. Of course, if you don’t like the master, consider it as if I never said anything.”
Bai Luoluo was speechless and could only nod. Turning around, he left.
Little did Bai Luoluo know that as soon as he left, Wu Tuisan started talking to Wu Meiwu, “Of course, I know he must like him. Everyone around me should like the master.” As Lin Zhuomin’s number one admirer, Wu Tuisan sincerely believed that everyone in the world should like Lin Zhuomin.
After returning home, Lin Zhuomin seemed to disappear. He didn’t come to eat the food Bai Luoluo cooked, and he didn’t appear in the room where Bai Luoluo stayed. Initially, Bai Luoluo was a bit curious, but later, he stopped asking, thinking that Lin Zhuomin must be busy with something, given his prolonged absence.
Over a month later, Bai Luoluo finally saw Lin Zhuomin again.
When Lin Zhuomin entered the room, the four of them were playing cards. Bai Luoluo and Wu Tuisan were a team, having just lost a round. At this moment, Wu Tuisan was hugging Bai Luoluo, howling like a wolf.
However, this posture changed instantly when Lin Zhuomin entered the room. All four of them stood up, calling out “Master.”
Lin Zhuomin’s expression was indifferent, his face unusually pale, and he looked a bit unwell. He said, “Zhou Zhizhi, come with me.”
Bai Luoluo said, “Ah? Oh, sure, Master.”
If it were in the past, the Wu brothers would have looked at Bai Luoluo with envy, but now, their envy had turned into blessings.
Wu Tuisan still made a cheering gesture for Bai Luoluo, making Bai Luoluo want to punch him.
Lin Zhuomin took Bai Luoluo out of the room and stopped after walking a short distance.
He took out a bracelet from his pocket. Bai Luoluo took a closer look and realized that the bracelet was exactly the same as the one he had lost a few days ago at the construction site.
“The effect is not as good as the previous one,” Lin Zhuomin said, “but it can still be worn.”
Bai Luoluo said, “I can’t accept this…”
Lin Zhuomin frowned and asked, “Why not?”
“I have already received too much from you,” Bai Luoluo spoke truthfully. “The previous bracelet, the rabbit jade pendant…”
Bai Luoluo hesitated, feeling like he couldn’t continue. Although Lin Zhuomin’s eyes were still closed, Bai Luoluo had a strange feeling that he was being stared at. It made Bai Luoluo’s heart inexplicably uneasy.
“Take it,” Lin Zhuomin said softly, “you paid for it with your own money.”
Bai Luoluo hesitated for a moment before Lin Zhuomin said, “If you don’t want it, I’ll throw it away.”
At this point, Bai Luoluo would be overly affected if he continued to decline, so he reluctantly took the bracelet from Lin Zhuomin’s hand and slowly put it on his wrist.
Whether it was Bai Luoluo’s psychological effect or not, as soon as he wore the bracelet, he felt a spiritual shock, giving him a refreshing and invigorating sensation.
Lin Zhuomin said, “Let’s go back.” He turned around, seeming to intend to leave.
Bai Luoluo looked at his departing figure and, after hesitating for a moment, asked, “Master, why haven’t you come to eat recently?”
Lin Zhuomin’s steps paused slightly, saying, “During this time, I haven’t been at home.”
Bai Luoluo said, “Oh… I see.” He thought Lin Zhuomin had distanced himself from him due to the previous incident, but it turned out Lin Zhuomin had been away during this time.
Bai Luoluo touched the bracelet on his wrist. However, when he raised his head again, he found Lin Zhuomin had disappeared without a trace.
Back in the room, Wu Tuisan, Wu Zusi, and even Wu Meiwu all wore expressions that hinted at their curiosity.
Bai Luoluo glanced at the three of them and said, “How about having hot pot tonight?”
Wu Tuisan said, “Sounds good, sounds good.” After realizing he was off-topic, he quickly redirected the conversation, asking, “Zhou Zhizhi, what did the master say to you?”
Bai Luoluo said, “Nothing important.”
Wu Tuisan said, “I don’t believe you. You must be hiding something from us.”
Bai Luoluo said, “I’m not hiding anything from you.” After a moment of hesitation, he told Wu Tuisan and the others the truth. He said, “The master gave me another bracelet.” As he spoke, the air in the room seemed to freeze.
Wu Tuisan, in a daze, said, “No wonder the master hasn’t been home for more than a month. It turns out he went to get you a bracelet.”
Bai Luoluo said, “Huh?” It was only then that he realized Lin Zhuomin’s absence from home was related to the things in his hands.
Wu Tuisan said, “Can you show me the bracelet?”
Bai Luoluo nodded and stretched out his hand without taking it off.
Wu Tuisan looked at Bai Luoluo’s bracelet and said, “Oh my, I didn’t read it wrong, right? Isn’t this the spine of the Year-Finding Fish?” His gaze lingered on the pure white and tranquil bead on Bai Luoluo’s bracelet.
The other two also came over to observe Bai Luoluo’s bracelet carefully.
The bracelet had seven black beads and one white bead. Although the black beads had the same color, their textures were different; some looked like bones, some like stones, and some like wood.
Wu Tuisan, wide-eyed, said, “I can’t believe it. Isn’t this the hoof bone of the Black Donkey from the Jiazi year?”
Wu Zusi said, “Indeed.”
Bai Luoluo said, “Black donkey? Is it the kind of black donkey I’m thinking of?”
Wu Tuisan said, “Yes and no. This bone has such good color and texture; it can’t be an ordinary black donkey. I guess the master went home for a visit…” Families with knowledge of Feng Shui often had precious materials. For example, black beads made from the hooves of a black donkey were priceless and unattainable without at least eight digits in the price tag. Moreover, there were four other materials that they couldn’t identify.
The three of them stared at Bai Luoluo’s hand for a long time, but in the end, they could only identify four of the materials, and the other four remained a mystery.
After watching, Wu Tuisan lay down on the sofa, weeping bitterly, saying that he also wanted Yin Qi to enter his body, and he also wanted such a necklace. Wu Zusi, on the other hand, smoked on the side and calmly said, “I am willing too.”
Bai Luoluo: “…”
Wu Meiwu didn’t laugh this time, and there was a bit of resentment on his face.
Bai Luoluo, looking at the three of them with a horrified expression, quickly slipped upstairs.
On the bed, Bai Luoluo said, “What does Lin Zhoumian mean?”
The system said, “It’s nothing. He just gave you a chain to keep you from running away.”
Bai Luoluo said, “Am I a dog? I don’t wander around.”
The system said, “You might not, but Zhou Zhizhi might.”
Bai Luoluo said, “Well…” Indeed, Zhou Zhizhi is a swindler, not only deceiving money but also emotions. Whatever he does can be understood.
After some contemplation, Bai Luoluo decided not to dwell on it and said, “Come on, let’s make dinner.”
For dinner, Bai Luoluo decided to make hot pot.
There were still plenty of ingredients at home, so Bai Luoluo started by preparing the broth.
In the afternoon, Wu Tuisan suffered a blow from Bai Luoluo and still wore a listless expression.
Seeing him like this, Bai Luoluo found it amusing and said, “Could it be that if Mr. wants to be with you, you’d be willing?”
Wu Tuisan nodded vigorously and said, “Willing, willing.”
Bai Luoluo asked, “Do you really have a girlfriend?”
Wu Tuisan said, “I don’t, but Zu Si does. However, he’s so shameless that she must be half reluctant.”
Bai Luoluo had nothing to say to this shameless person and went to the kitchen. After preparing the broth, Bai Luoluo cut a lot of meat and vegetables. As the weather got colder, it was suitable for eating these warming foods.
After simmering the broth, Bai Luoluo went back to the kitchen to prepare the ingredients. When he returned to the dining room, he unexpectedly saw Lin Zhoumian.
Lin Zhoumian sat next to Wu Zusì, giving him some instructions.
Wu Zusì listened attentively and occasionally lowered his head to record something on his phone.
Hearing Bai Luoluo’s footsteps and smelling the strong aroma, Lin Zhoumian said, “Let’s eat first. I’ll talk to you later.”
Wu Zusì nodded in agreement.
Bai Luoluo put on an apron, found a seat, picked up his chopsticks, and started eating.
Once again, Lin Zhoumian demonstrated his incredible ability — as someone who couldn’t see anything, he managed to pick the dishes he liked.
Bai Luoluo and Wu Meiwu preferred vegetables, while Lin Zhoumian and the other two preferred meat.
Knowing that this group had big appetites, Bai Luoluo deliberately prepared more ingredients, and the entire refrigerator was emptied. Beef, pork, vermicelli, tofu skin – all kinds of ingredients were plentiful. Bai Luoluo’s personal favorite was the soft vermicelli, slightly spicy and flavorful. After filtering it in sesame oil, putting it in the mouth allowed for a chewy and fragrant experience.
Lin Zhoumian, on the other hand, preferred meat. His chopsticks never stopped, and what was even more terrifying was that he seemed impervious to the heat. He would pick up meat and put it directly into his mouth with a bit of oil, seemingly unaffected by the spiciness. Perhaps due to the spiciness, his originally pale-pink lips turned bright red, resembling a fox spirit in ancient paintings, the kind that loved to seduce elegant scholars.
Bai Luoluo dared not look too much and continued to eat quietly.
Wu Tuisan had no eye for details and asked loudly, “Zhou Zhizhi, are you feeling hot? Why is your face so red?”
Fortunately, they were having hot pot; otherwise, Bai Luoluo might not have been able to continue. He said, “Ah, it’s too spicy.”
Wu Tuisan said, “Then drink more water.”
Bai Luoluo, in despair, said to the system, “No wonder Wu Tuisan doesn’t have a girlfriend.”
The system said, “Do you have one?”
Bai Luoluo: “… A direct hit.”
After dinner, Bai Luoluo initially thought Lin Zhoumian would leave in a hurry, but he unexpectedly asked for a cup of tea, saying he had something to tell them.
Bai Luoluo was speculating about what it could be, and then he heard Lin Zhoumian say something astonishing: “Zhou Zhizhi’s previous incident was not an accident.”
When this was said, everyone was stunned.
Lin Zhoumian said, “I checked the array, someone tampered with it.”
“Tampered with it?” Wu Tuisan exclaimed, “Mr., who would dare to tamper with your array? Is it serious? Did the array malfunction?”
Lin Zhoumian’s voice remained indifferent, “If there were a problem, would I be sitting here today?” The project was crucial, and any oversight could not only damage Lin Zhoumian’s reputation but also lead to potential arrest.
“So, Mr., have you identified the culprit?” Wu Zusì asked what everyone was thinking.
“I have some clues,” Lin Zhoumian said, “but I’m not sure yet. Be careful in the near future.”
Everyone agreed.
“Zhou Zhizhi,” Lin Zhoumian said, “try not to go out recently. If you have to, make sure at least one of them accompanies you.”
Bai Luoluo said, “Alright, sir.” He initially thought Lin Zhoumian’s words were just a special reminder for him, but to his surprise, Lin Zhoumian added, “If I’m not mistaken, those people are targeting you. You should think about whether you’ve offended anyone.”
Bai Luoluo was at a loss for words at this revelation.
Seeing his puzzled expression, Lin Zhoumian smiled and said, “Looking at you like this, I almost forgot why I had to keep you here.”
Bai Luoluo awkwardly chuckled a few times.
Although Lin Zhoumian warned Bai Luoluo to be careful, the days in the building were very calm.
Apart from reading and cooking, Bai Luoluo seemed to have nothing else to do every day. On the contrary, Wu Tuisan and the others became busier, running around, leaving Bai Luoluo without anyone to talk to.
This peaceful routine continued for over half a month, but an unexpected visitor came knocking at the door.
One morning, Bai Luoluo, with messy hair, went downstairs and saw a woman sitting on the sofa. At first, he thought he was having a hallucination. He rubbed his eyes heavily, only to find that the person in front of him had not disappeared.
The woman’s appearance seemed somewhat familiar. She wore a fiery red coat, and her black hair was tied into a ponytail behind her head. She looked like a proud plum blossom blooming in the snow.
The woman said, “Long time no see.”
Hearing her voice, Bai Luoluo remembered her identity. This person was the fourth sister who had visited Lin Zhoumian’s house before, the one who touched his pulse and declared him dead. Bai Luoluo became nervous when he realized who she was.
“Sir is not here today,” Bai Luoluo honestly said. “He seems to have gone to province H.”
“I’m not looking for him; I’m looking for you,” the fourth sister raised an eyebrow slightly, and her expression seemed unfriendly. Without beating around the bush, she directly asked, “Have you been with Lin Zhoumian?”
Bai Luoluo: “…” Are all girls nowadays so straightforward?
Although Bai Luoluo didn’t answer, his reaction had already given the fourth sister the answer. She said, “Damn, you really did.”
Bai Luoluo found himself momentarily speechless.
The fourth sister stood up suddenly. Although she was shorter than Bai Luoluo, her imposing aura was by no means weaker. She scrutinized Bai Luoluo’s face, her eyes full of disdain. She said, “I really didn’t see it.”
Bai Luoluo asked, “What do you mean?”
“What do I mean?” The fourth sister said coldly, “What do I mean? Don’t you know in your heart?”
Bai Luoluo indeed didn’t understand why the fourth sister’s attitude was so sharp until she slammed a file in front of him.
Bai Luoluo took a glance and hesitated for a moment before picking up the file.
It was a file about Zhou Zhizhi, detailing how he deceived people as a swindler and ruined others. Bai Luoluo flipped through a few pages and saw victims who were deceived by Zhou Zhizhi’s schemes, leading to their homes being destroyed.
“How delicious is your body that makes Lin Zhoumian wholeheartedly devoted to you?” The fourth sister, with red nail polish on her fingers, hooked Bai Luoluo’s chin and said, “Hmm?”
Bai Luoluo couldn’t find the words to respond. What could he say? Zhou Zhizhi was indeed a swindler, so faced with the aggressive fourth sister, he could only turn to the system and say, “Can you handle this situation?”
The system: “…” It couldn’t even enjoy its sunflower seeds anymore.
Bai Luoluo, feeling distressed, said, “Look, I wanted to be a good person, but no one believes me.” Zhou Zhizhi, at this level of deception, saying he wanted to reform – who would believe that?
The system said, “What can I do? I’m also desperate.”
Bai Luoluo said, “To be reasonable, it’s probably because Lin Zhoumian has a good temper. In my world, someone like Zhou Zhizhi would probably have five meters of grass growing on his grave.” And he would likely have people dancing on his grave to celebrate.
The system said, “Exactly, and they would probably appear on Legal Online.”
Both Bai Luoluo and the system fell into a pitiful sense of despair.
Seeing Bai Luoluo silent, the fourth sister thought he was feeling guilty and sneered, “Can’t find words to say now, huh?”
Bai Luoluo could only say, “I’m sorry. I know I deserve to die.”
The fourth sister initially thought Bai Luoluo would argue, but to her surprise, he easily admitted his mistake. She raised an eyebrow in mild astonishment.
Bai Luoluo said, “But please give me a chance to turn over a new leaf. I’m willing to return all my assets to them.”
The fourth sister indifferently said, “It’s already returned. Lin Zhoumian even helped you fill in the holes; otherwise, do you think you could stay here?”
Bai Luoluo: “…” Lin Zhoumian, I misunderstood you; you’re really a good person.
The fourth sister added, “But recognize your identity.”
Bai Luoluo said dejectedly, “I’m sorry.” Lin Zhoumian was indeed too gentle with him, so gentle that he almost forgot he was a detestable criminal.
The fourth sister seemed a bit puzzled by Bai Luoluo’s extremely sincere apology. She asked skeptically, “Are you not just trying to appease me? Huh?”
Bai Luoluo said, “No, I’m telling the truth.”
While rationality told her that Bai Luoluo was likely lying, her intuition read his sincerity. The pitiful young man in front of her was sincerely admitting his mistake.
The fourth sister said, “Is that so?” After saying this, she sat back on the sofa, lit a cigarette, and exhaled a white smoke.
Bai Luoluo held the evidence of his past crimes, standing in front of the fourth sister, not daring to speak.
“I’ll tell you this way,” the fourth sister said. “Lin Zhoumian has recently gotten into trouble. I trust his abilities, but I’m afraid someone might stab him in the back.”
Although her demeanor seemed lazy, her tone was as sharp as a knife. She said, “The Lin family has been doing this for generations. It’s always been a matter of ‘you don’t offend me, and I won’t offend you.’ Zhou Zhizhi, I’m telling you clearly today. If you have any ill intentions toward Lin Zhoumian, I guarantee you’ll live worse than death.”
Having said this, the fourth sister revealed a bewitching smile. She said, “I promise that by then, you’ll be begging me to kill you on your knees.”
Lin Zhoumian wasn’t easy to provoke, and the fourth sister in front of him seemed even more challenging. Faced with the threat from the fourth sister, Bai Luoluo could only nod and respond calmly.
The fourth sister observed Bai Luoluo’s face and didn’t find any flaws indicating lies. After taking another puff of smoke, she sighed slightly and regretfully said, “I shouldn’t have let them control him so tightly. Look, look, the taste is really strange. There are so many cute girls, and he returned you. I would have chosen a soft and fragrant girl…”
In Bai Luoluo’s mind, he silently gave a thumbs up to the fourth sister and secretly expressed agreement.
After saying this, the fourth sister stared at Bai Luoluo for a moment, then muttered to herself, “But standing like this, it’s quite obedient, like a little rabbit… Rabbit, come here, let me have another look?”
Bai Luoluo: “…” He had thought before that the jade rabbit Lin Zhoumian gave him had some profound meaning, and now he finally understood Lin Zhoumian’s weird taste from the fourth sister’s words.
Bai Luoluo asked the system, “Do I look like a rabbit?”
The system said, “You don’t.”
Bai Luoluo was delighted, “(⊙v⊙).”
The system said, “But you are.”
Bai Luoluo: “…” Can he use foul language?
Bai Luoluo felt that he didn’t like Lin Zhuomin. But he found that it seemed like he was the only one who felt this way.
After Lin Zhuomin and the others finished their business, they were ready to book tickets and fly back. Even with the generous invitation from Director Huang, they couldn’t be persuaded to stay.
The next day, the five of them went to the airport together.
With this incident, Lin Zhuomin’s attitude towards Bai Luoluo remained unchanged, as cold and indifferent as before, avoiding unnecessary conversation. However, Bai Luoluo felt somewhat uneasy and restless.
On the plane, Bai Luoluo and Lin Zhuomin happened to be seated together. When Bai Luoluo looked at his seat, he silently cursed at Wu Tuisan, who had arranged the seating. Little did he know, Wu Tuisan patted him on the shoulder from behind, and when Bai Luoluo turned around, Wu Tuisan’s face showed an expression that said, “I can only help you up to this point.”
Bai Luoluo: “…” He had some foul words he wasn’t sure whether to say or not…
However, since the tickets were already in hand, Bai Luoluo couldn’t just change seats on purpose. Besides, Lin Zhuomin seemed completely disinterested in who sat next to him. He appeared to be dozing off, with earphones plugged in, showing no interest in what was happening around him.
Initially, Bai Luoluo felt like he was sitting on pins and needles. But later, seeing Lin Zhuomin’s indifference, he gradually relaxed.
With nothing to do on the plane, Bai Luoluo picked up a newspaper at random. To his surprise, the headline on the front page caught his eye: “Series of Misfortunes Hit the Qin Family, Family Business Faces Waterloo.”
Thinking of the word “Qin,” Bai Luoluo first remembered the Qin family members he and Lin Zhuomin had encountered during their trip to the Northeast. Undoubtedly, the experiences there had left a deep impression on Bai Luoluo.
Bai Luoluo briefly skimmed through the newspaper and was amazed to find that the Qin family mentioned in the article was indeed their Qin family. At first glance, the content seemed incredibly unbelievable, reporting bizarre and unfortunate incidents plaguing the Qin family for the past few months. The most terrifying incident involved an elderly member of the Qin family, a woman in her sixties. Allegedly, while taking a bath one night, she slipped in the bathtub. The water tap then mysteriously turned on by itself, causing the water level in the bathtub to rise. Unable to move and watching helplessly, the elderly Qin family member could only witness the water slowly approaching her ears, cheeks, and mouth. Just before she was about to be drowned, someone happened to discover the situation, preventing her from meeting a watery demise. Although she didn’t die, the elderly woman, traumatized by this slow approach of death, ended up in the hospital.
Bai Luoluo, after reading the newspaper, was shocked. If he didn’t know some inside information, he would have thought the newspaper editors were fabricating stories, and poorly at that.
After reading the newspaper, Bai Luoluo hesitated for a moment but still decided to tell Lin Zhuomin about it. His voice was a bit soft, but Lin Zhuomin, with earphones on, still heard him.
Lin Zhuomin said, “Normal.”
Bai Luoluo asked, “Are they so unlucky because of their ancestors?” Thinking of the coffin submerged in black water from before.
Lin Zhuomin said, “Not entirely.” The Qin family members were arrogant and conceited, and encountering such events was only a matter of time. The resentment of their ancestors was just an opportunity.
Bai Luoluo said, “That’s really unfortunate.”
Lin Zhuomin replied, “The Hu family might be involved.”
Bai Luoluo took a moment to react and then remembered that the Hu family referred to those foxes. He said, “Oh, I see.”
“The Hu family places great importance on the bloodline within the clan,” Lin Zhuomin explained. “Moreover, that fox is a rare male fox, probably holding a high status within the clan.”
Bai Luoluo seemed to comprehend something.
Lin Zhuomin continued, “Once he dies, the foxes in the clan won’t let the Qin family off.”
Bai Luoluo nodded and said, “I see.”
Lin Zhuomin added, “Everything is subject to the law of cause and effect, and all has a predetermined destiny.”
Bai Luoluo nodded in a puzzled manner.
After saying these words, Lin Zhuomin seemed to have more to say but eventually chose to remain silent. He put his earphones back on.
Several hours later, they landed, and Lin Zhuomin’s driver came to pick them up. With two cars for the five of them, Bai Luoluo and Lin Zhuomin got off the car last. When Bai Luoluo was about to get into Wu Tuisan’s car, Wu Tuisan said, “It’s full here; you can sit with the Master.”
Bai Luoluo asked, “But don’t you have one more seat?”
“We used them to store backpacks,” Wu Tuisan replied, revealing a few large backpacks on the seat next to him.
Bai Luoluo, feeling a bit confused, vaguely remembered that Wu Tuisan and the others didn’t have many backpacks when they left.
Bai Luoluo looked at the back and said, “What about the trunk?”
An impatient Wu Tuisan said, “It’s all packed. There’s no room for people. Hurry up; the Master is waiting for you.”
After a moment of silence, Bai Luoluo could only turn and walk towards the car where Lin Zhuomin was.
Once Bai Luoluo turned around, Wu Tuisan made a victory gesture to Wu Zusi and said, “Four, how about my assist?!”
Wu Zusi replied, “I’m not giving you a full score to prevent you from getting too proud.”
In the back seat, Lin Zhuomin, Bai Luoluo hesitated for a moment, but still chose to sit next to Lin Zhuomin. After all, if he turned around and sat in the front seat, it felt like he was deliberately avoiding Lin Zhuomin. Bai Luoluo sat uncomfortably in the chair, feeling a slightly awkward atmosphere inside the car.
As the car slowly started moving, Lin Zhuomin suddenly spoke, “What happened that night was my fault.”
The hairs on Bai Luoluo’s back stood up directly due to Lin Zhuomin’s words. He swallowed and wanted to say something, but he didn’t know what to say.
Lin Zhuomin didn’t mind Bai Luoluo’s awkwardness and continued, “It was my mistake. If I hadn’t taken you to the scene, you wouldn’t have been invaded by the Yin Qi.”
Bai Luoluo said, “I-is that so?”
Lin Zhuomin said, “Yes, the focal point of the Mirage Array must be suppressed by extremely Yin objects, and the probability of success increases if there is dense Yin energy nearby during the activation.”
Bai Luoluo said, “Oh…”
Lin Zhuomin apologized, “I’m sorry.”
Bai Luoluo didn’t expect Lin Zhuomin to suddenly apologize to him. As he listened to Lin Zhuomin’s words, memories of that night involuntarily flashed back. Lin Zhuomin’s sexy frowning expression appeared again in Bai Luoluo’s mind. This image made his face turn red again, and the only thing Bai Luoluo was grateful for was that Lin Zhuomin couldn’t see his embarrassed appearance at the moment.
Lin Zhuomin’s voice softened, a rare occurrence. He said, “If you’re willing, I can take responsibility for you.”
Bai Luoluo was silent.
Seeing Bai Luoluo’s lack of response, Lin Zhuomin mentioned another option. He said, “If you’re unwilling, I can offer you other compensation.”
Although Bai Luoluo had never been in a romantic relationship, he understood the meaning of taking responsibility. For a moment, he felt dizzy, and his heart thumped like a drum.
Lin Zhuomin quietly waited for Bai Luoluo’s answer.
Bai Luoluo’s breath was a bit uneven, and in a dazed state, he asked the system, “Oh my god, what do I do, what do I do?!”
The system said, “Calm down. Haven’t you forgotten that you’ll leave this world sooner or later?”
This sentence was like a bucket of cold water poured over Bai Luoluo’s head, making him realize his current situation. His flushed face instantly cooled down. Finally, Bai Luoluo pursed his lips and said cautiously, “No need.”
Lin Zhuomin’s eyelashes trembled, and he paused for a moment before saying, “Is that so.”
Bai Luoluo said, “Really, there’s no need. What happened that night was just an accident. You don’t have to take it to heart.” He knew that Lin Zhuomin was not the type to take advantage of others in a vulnerable situation. Using this method, there was probably no other way.
Lin Zhuomin nodded without saying anything, and the atmosphere in the car froze again.
Bai Luoluo felt a bit lost. He lowered his head and fiddled with his phone, but he thought of the real-world employee handbook again. He had immersed himself in the role a bit too much, but fortunately, he realized it wasn’t too late.
When they arrived at the residence, Lin Zhuomin didn’t greet them and went straight to his place.
Wu Tuisan, who initially expected progress between Lin Zhuomin and Bai Luoluo, was surprised to witness this scene. He poked Bai Luoluo’s waist inexplicably and said, “What happened?”
Bai Luoluo shook his head, not saying anything.
Wu Tuisan, seeing Bai Luoluo looking desolate, first thought that Bai Luoluo had confessed to Lin Zhuomin and got rejected. He reached out to pat Bai Luoluo’s neck and said, “Okay, okay, I won’t ask. What do we eat tonight?”
Bai Luoluo said, “Chicken.”
Wu Tuisan exclaimed, “Why are you swearing?”
Bai Luoluo clarified, “No, I mean, let’s eat chicken.”
Wu Tuisan said, “Alright, I’ll buy chicken for you.”
So, that night, the four of them sat at the table eating chicken. Wu Tuisan somehow managed to get chickens, including a mother hen and several young ones, all raised in a rural setting.
Bai Luoluo stewed the mother hen with dried shiitake mushrooms to make a soup. He plucked the feathers off the young chickens, marinated them, and then roasted them in the oven until they became crispy and juicy. After the three of them helped Bai Luoluo in the kitchen, they moved to the living room to play poker.
Wu Meiwu was the landlord for the night, with a simple and honest smile on his face. Wu Tuisan and Wu Zusi, on the other hand, were arguing. Wu Tuisan said, “Are you stupid? You actually blocked me with a high card; otherwise, I would have played out all my cards already.”
Wu Zusi retorted, “I think you’re the stupid one. If you didn’t block the cards, wouldn’t Wu Meiwu have played them all?”
Wu Tuisan said, “Clearly, it’s you—”
The two of them were arguing fiercely, and Bai Luoluo knocked on the table, saying, “Dinner is ready.” Only then did the two stop their quarrel, but they continued to glare at each other when putting the cards on the table.
In winter, enjoying a warm chicken soup was a blissful thing. Bai Luoluo served himself a bowl and drank it slowly. Wu Tuisan found an authentic mother hen, and the soup was thick and flavorful. The shiitake mushrooms added a unique fragrance, dispelling the chill from their bodies. Bai Luoluo also cooked a few side dishes with other ingredients from the refrigerator, and they all enjoyed a satisfying meal.
After dinner, it was Wu Zusi’s turn to do the dishes.
The other three lounged on the sofa, looking at the ceiling. Bai Luoluo felt a bit drowsy, saying, “I’m going to bed first.”
However, Wu Tuisan suddenly stopped him, shouting loudly, “Zhou Zhizhi.”
Bai Luoluo said, “Huh?”
Wu Tuisan loudly declared, “Don’t be discouraged. The master has always been slow to warm up. If you like the master, don’t give up! The master has never treated anyone as well as he treats you!”
Bai Luoluo said, “Ah, Tuisan, you misunderstood—” He wanted to explain that he didn’t actually like Lin Zhuomin.
But Wu Tuisan waved his hand and said, “I’m just saying if. Of course, if you don’t like the master, consider it as if I never said anything.”
Bai Luoluo was speechless and could only nod. Turning around, he left.
Little did Bai Luoluo know that as soon as he left, Wu Tuisan started talking to Wu Meiwu, “Of course, I know he must like him. Everyone around me should like the master.” As Lin Zhuomin’s number one admirer, Wu Tuisan sincerely believed that everyone in the world should like Lin Zhuomin.
After returning home, Lin Zhuomin seemed to disappear. He didn’t come to eat the food Bai Luoluo cooked, and he didn’t appear in the room where Bai Luoluo stayed. Initially, Bai Luoluo was a bit curious, but later, he stopped asking, thinking that Lin Zhuomin must be busy with something, given his prolonged absence.
Over a month later, Bai Luoluo finally saw Lin Zhuomin again.
When Lin Zhuomin entered the room, the four of them were playing cards. Bai Luoluo and Wu Tuisan were a team, having just lost a round. At this moment, Wu Tuisan was hugging Bai Luoluo, howling like a wolf.
However, this posture changed instantly when Lin Zhuomin entered the room. All four of them stood up, calling out “Master.”
Lin Zhuomin’s expression was indifferent, his face unusually pale, and he looked a bit unwell. He said, “Zhou Zhizhi, come with me.”
Bai Luoluo said, “Ah? Oh, sure, Master.”
If it were in the past, the Wu brothers would have looked at Bai Luoluo with envy, but now, their envy had turned into blessings.
Wu Tuisan still made a cheering gesture for Bai Luoluo, making Bai Luoluo want to punch him.
Lin Zhuomin took Bai Luoluo out of the room and stopped after walking a short distance.
He took out a bracelet from his pocket. Bai Luoluo took a closer look and realized that the bracelet was exactly the same as the one he had lost a few days ago at the construction site.
“The effect is not as good as the previous one,” Lin Zhuomin said, “but it can still be worn.”
Bai Luoluo said, “I can’t accept this…”
Lin Zhuomin frowned and asked, “Why not?”
“I have already received too much from you,” Bai Luoluo spoke truthfully. “The previous bracelet, the rabbit jade pendant…”
Bai Luoluo hesitated, feeling like he couldn’t continue. Although Lin Zhuomin’s eyes were still closed, Bai Luoluo had a strange feeling that he was being stared at. It made Bai Luoluo’s heart inexplicably uneasy.
“Take it,” Lin Zhuomin said softly, “you paid for it with your own money.”
Bai Luoluo hesitated for a moment before Lin Zhuomin said, “If you don’t want it, I’ll throw it away.”
At this point, Bai Luoluo would be overly affected if he continued to decline, so he reluctantly took the bracelet from Lin Zhuomin’s hand and slowly put it on his wrist.
Whether it was Bai Luoluo’s psychological effect or not, as soon as he wore the bracelet, he felt a spiritual shock, giving him a refreshing and invigorating sensation.
Lin Zhuomin said, “Let’s go back.” He turned around, seeming to intend to leave.
Bai Luoluo looked at his departing figure and, after hesitating for a moment, asked, “Master, why haven’t you come to eat recently?”
Lin Zhuomin’s steps paused slightly, saying, “During this time, I haven’t been at home.”
Bai Luoluo said, “Oh… I see.” He thought Lin Zhuomin had distanced himself from him due to the previous incident, but it turned out Lin Zhuomin had been away during this time.
Bai Luoluo touched the bracelet on his wrist. However, when he raised his head again, he found Lin Zhuomin had disappeared without a trace.
Back in the room, Wu Tuisan, Wu Zusi, and even Wu Meiwu all wore expressions that hinted at their curiosity.
Bai Luoluo glanced at the three of them and said, “How about having hot pot tonight?”
Wu Tuisan said, “Sounds good, sounds good.” After realizing he was off-topic, he quickly redirected the conversation, asking, “Zhou Zhizhi, what did the master say to you?”
Bai Luoluo said, “Nothing important.”
Wu Tuisan said, “I don’t believe you. You must be hiding something from us.”
Bai Luoluo said, “I’m not hiding anything from you.” After a moment of hesitation, he told Wu Tuisan and the others the truth. He said, “The master gave me another bracelet.” As he spoke, the air in the room seemed to freeze.
Wu Tuisan, in a daze, said, “No wonder the master hasn’t been home for more than a month. It turns out he went to get you a bracelet.”
Bai Luoluo said, “Huh?” It was only then that he realized Lin Zhuomin’s absence from home was related to the things in his hands.
Wu Tuisan said, “Can you show me the bracelet?”
Bai Luoluo nodded and stretched out his hand without taking it off.
Wu Tuisan looked at Bai Luoluo’s bracelet and said, “Oh my, I didn’t read it wrong, right? Isn’t this the spine of the Year-Finding Fish?” His gaze lingered on the pure white and tranquil bead on Bai Luoluo’s bracelet.
The other two also came over to observe Bai Luoluo’s bracelet carefully.
The bracelet had seven black beads and one white bead. Although the black beads had the same color, their textures were different; some looked like bones, some like stones, and some like wood.
Wu Tuisan, wide-eyed, said, “I can’t believe it. Isn’t this the hoof bone of the Black Donkey from the Jiazi year?”
Wu Zusi said, “Indeed.”
Bai Luoluo said, “Black donkey? Is it the kind of black donkey I’m thinking of?”
Wu Tuisan said, “Yes and no. This bone has such good color and texture; it can’t be an ordinary black donkey. I guess the master went home for a visit…” Families with knowledge of Feng Shui often had precious materials. For example, black beads made from the hooves of a black donkey were priceless and unattainable without at least eight digits in the price tag. Moreover, there were four other materials that they couldn’t identify.
The three of them stared at Bai Luoluo’s hand for a long time, but in the end, they could only identify four of the materials, and the other four remained a mystery.
After watching, Wu Tuisan lay down on the sofa, weeping bitterly, saying that he also wanted Yin Qi to enter his body, and he also wanted such a necklace. Wu Zusi, on the other hand, smoked on the side and calmly said, “I am willing too.”
Bai Luoluo: “…”
Wu Meiwu didn’t laugh this time, and there was a bit of resentment on his face.
Bai Luoluo, looking at the three of them with a horrified expression, quickly slipped upstairs.
On the bed, Bai Luoluo said, “What does Lin Zhoumian mean?”
The system said, “It’s nothing. He just gave you a chain to keep you from running away.”
Bai Luoluo said, “Am I a dog? I don’t wander around.”
The system said, “You might not, but Zhou Zhizhi might.”
Bai Luoluo said, “Well…” Indeed, Zhou Zhizhi is a swindler, not only deceiving money but also emotions. Whatever he does can be understood.
After some contemplation, Bai Luoluo decided not to dwell on it and said, “Come on, let’s make dinner.”
For dinner, Bai Luoluo decided to make hot pot.
There were still plenty of ingredients at home, so Bai Luoluo started by preparing the broth.
In the afternoon, Wu Tuisan suffered a blow from Bai Luoluo and still wore a listless expression.
Seeing him like this, Bai Luoluo found it amusing and said, “Could it be that if Mr. wants to be with you, you’d be willing?”
Wu Tuisan nodded vigorously and said, “Willing, willing.”
Bai Luoluo asked, “Do you really have a girlfriend?”
Wu Tuisan said, “I don’t, but Zu Si does. However, he’s so shameless that she must be half reluctant.”
Bai Luoluo had nothing to say to this shameless person and went to the kitchen. After preparing the broth, Bai Luoluo cut a lot of meat and vegetables. As the weather got colder, it was suitable for eating these warming foods.
After simmering the broth, Bai Luoluo went back to the kitchen to prepare the ingredients. When he returned to the dining room, he unexpectedly saw Lin Zhoumian.
Lin Zhoumian sat next to Wu Zusì, giving him some instructions.
Wu Zusì listened attentively and occasionally lowered his head to record something on his phone.
Hearing Bai Luoluo’s footsteps and smelling the strong aroma, Lin Zhoumian said, “Let’s eat first. I’ll talk to you later.”
Wu Zusì nodded in agreement.
Bai Luoluo put on an apron, found a seat, picked up his chopsticks, and started eating.
Once again, Lin Zhoumian demonstrated his incredible ability — as someone who couldn’t see anything, he managed to pick the dishes he liked.
Bai Luoluo and Wu Meiwu preferred vegetables, while Lin Zhoumian and the other two preferred meat.
Knowing that this group had big appetites, Bai Luoluo deliberately prepared more ingredients, and the entire refrigerator was emptied. Beef, pork, vermicelli, tofu skin – all kinds of ingredients were plentiful. Bai Luoluo’s personal favorite was the soft vermicelli, slightly spicy and flavorful. After filtering it in sesame oil, putting it in the mouth allowed for a chewy and fragrant experience.
Lin Zhoumian, on the other hand, preferred meat. His chopsticks never stopped, and what was even more terrifying was that he seemed impervious to the heat. He would pick up meat and put it directly into his mouth with a bit of oil, seemingly unaffected by the spiciness. Perhaps due to the spiciness, his originally pale-pink lips turned bright red, resembling a fox spirit in ancient paintings, the kind that loved to seduce elegant scholars.
Bai Luoluo dared not look too much and continued to eat quietly.
Wu Tuisan had no eye for details and asked loudly, “Zhou Zhizhi, are you feeling hot? Why is your face so red?”
Fortunately, they were having hot pot; otherwise, Bai Luoluo might not have been able to continue. He said, “Ah, it’s too spicy.”
Wu Tuisan said, “Then drink more water.”
Bai Luoluo, in despair, said to the system, “No wonder Wu Tuisan doesn’t have a girlfriend.”
The system said, “Do you have one?”
Bai Luoluo: “… A direct hit.”
After dinner, Bai Luoluo initially thought Lin Zhoumian would leave in a hurry, but he unexpectedly asked for a cup of tea, saying he had something to tell them.
Bai Luoluo was speculating about what it could be, and then he heard Lin Zhoumian say something astonishing: “Zhou Zhizhi’s previous incident was not an accident.”
When this was said, everyone was stunned.
Lin Zhoumian said, “I checked the array, someone tampered with it.”
“Tampered with it?” Wu Tuisan exclaimed, “Mr., who would dare to tamper with your array? Is it serious? Did the array malfunction?”
Lin Zhoumian’s voice remained indifferent, “If there were a problem, would I be sitting here today?” The project was crucial, and any oversight could not only damage Lin Zhoumian’s reputation but also lead to potential arrest.
“So, Mr., have you identified the culprit?” Wu Zusì asked what everyone was thinking.
“I have some clues,” Lin Zhoumian said, “but I’m not sure yet. Be careful in the near future.”
Everyone agreed.
“Zhou Zhizhi,” Lin Zhoumian said, “try not to go out recently. If you have to, make sure at least one of them accompanies you.”
Bai Luoluo said, “Alright, sir.” He initially thought Lin Zhoumian’s words were just a special reminder for him, but to his surprise, Lin Zhoumian added, “If I’m not mistaken, those people are targeting you. You should think about whether you’ve offended anyone.”
Bai Luoluo was at a loss for words at this revelation.
Seeing his puzzled expression, Lin Zhoumian smiled and said, “Looking at you like this, I almost forgot why I had to keep you here.”
Bai Luoluo awkwardly chuckled a few times.
Although Lin Zhoumian warned Bai Luoluo to be careful, the days in the building were very calm.
Apart from reading and cooking, Bai Luoluo seemed to have nothing else to do every day. On the contrary, Wu Tuisan and the others became busier, running around, leaving Bai Luoluo without anyone to talk to.
This peaceful routine continued for over half a month, but an unexpected visitor came knocking at the door.
One morning, Bai Luoluo, with messy hair, went downstairs and saw a woman sitting on the sofa. At first, he thought he was having a hallucination. He rubbed his eyes heavily, only to find that the person in front of him had not disappeared.
The woman’s appearance seemed somewhat familiar. She wore a fiery red coat, and her black hair was tied into a ponytail behind her head. She looked like a proud plum blossom blooming in the snow.
The woman said, “Long time no see.”
Hearing her voice, Bai Luoluo remembered her identity. This person was the fourth sister who had visited Lin Zhoumian’s house before, the one who touched his pulse and declared him dead. Bai Luoluo became nervous when he realized who she was.
“Sir is not here today,” Bai Luoluo honestly said. “He seems to have gone to province H.”
“I’m not looking for him; I’m looking for you,” the fourth sister raised an eyebrow slightly, and her expression seemed unfriendly. Without beating around the bush, she directly asked, “Have you been with Lin Zhoumian?”
Bai Luoluo: “…” Are all girls nowadays so straightforward?
Although Bai Luoluo didn’t answer, his reaction had already given the fourth sister the answer. She said, “Damn, you really did.”
Bai Luoluo found himself momentarily speechless.
The fourth sister stood up suddenly. Although she was shorter than Bai Luoluo, her imposing aura was by no means weaker. She scrutinized Bai Luoluo’s face, her eyes full of disdain. She said, “I really didn’t see it.”
Bai Luoluo asked, “What do you mean?”
“What do I mean?” The fourth sister said coldly, “What do I mean? Don’t you know in your heart?”
Bai Luoluo indeed didn’t understand why the fourth sister’s attitude was so sharp until she slammed a file in front of him.
Bai Luoluo took a glance and hesitated for a moment before picking up the file.
It was a file about Zhou Zhizhi, detailing how he deceived people as a swindler and ruined others. Bai Luoluo flipped through a few pages and saw victims who were deceived by Zhou Zhizhi’s schemes, leading to their homes being destroyed.
“How delicious is your body that makes Lin Zhoumian wholeheartedly devoted to you?” The fourth sister, with red nail polish on her fingers, hooked Bai Luoluo’s chin and said, “Hmm?”
Bai Luoluo couldn’t find the words to respond. What could he say? Zhou Zhizhi was indeed a swindler, so faced with the aggressive fourth sister, he could only turn to the system and say, “Can you handle this situation?”
The system: “…” It couldn’t even enjoy its sunflower seeds anymore.
Bai Luoluo, feeling distressed, said, “Look, I wanted to be a good person, but no one believes me.” Zhou Zhizhi, at this level of deception, saying he wanted to reform – who would believe that?
The system said, “What can I do? I’m also desperate.”
Bai Luoluo said, “To be reasonable, it’s probably because Lin Zhoumian has a good temper. In my world, someone like Zhou Zhizhi would probably have five meters of grass growing on his grave.” And he would likely have people dancing on his grave to celebrate.
The system said, “Exactly, and they would probably appear on Legal Online.”
Both Bai Luoluo and the system fell into a pitiful sense of despair.
Seeing Bai Luoluo silent, the fourth sister thought he was feeling guilty and sneered, “Can’t find words to say now, huh?”
Bai Luoluo could only say, “I’m sorry. I know I deserve to die.”
The fourth sister initially thought Bai Luoluo would argue, but to her surprise, he easily admitted his mistake. She raised an eyebrow in mild astonishment.
Bai Luoluo said, “But please give me a chance to turn over a new leaf. I’m willing to return all my assets to them.”
The fourth sister indifferently said, “It’s already returned. Lin Zhoumian even helped you fill in the holes; otherwise, do you think you could stay here?”
Bai Luoluo: “…” Lin Zhoumian, I misunderstood you; you’re really a good person.
The fourth sister added, “But recognize your identity.”
Bai Luoluo said dejectedly, “I’m sorry.” Lin Zhoumian was indeed too gentle with him, so gentle that he almost forgot he was a detestable criminal.
The fourth sister seemed a bit puzzled by Bai Luoluo’s extremely sincere apology. She asked skeptically, “Are you not just trying to appease me? Huh?”
Bai Luoluo said, “No, I’m telling the truth.”
While rationality told her that Bai Luoluo was likely lying, her intuition read his sincerity. The pitiful young man in front of her was sincerely admitting his mistake.
The fourth sister said, “Is that so?” After saying this, she sat back on the sofa, lit a cigarette, and exhaled a white smoke.
Bai Luoluo held the evidence of his past crimes, standing in front of the fourth sister, not daring to speak.
“I’ll tell you this way,” the fourth sister said. “Lin Zhoumian has recently gotten into trouble. I trust his abilities, but I’m afraid someone might stab him in the back.”
Although her demeanor seemed lazy, her tone was as sharp as a knife. She said, “The Lin family has been doing this for generations. It’s always been a matter of ‘you don’t offend me, and I won’t offend you.’ Zhou Zhizhi, I’m telling you clearly today. If you have any ill intentions toward Lin Zhoumian, I guarantee you’ll live worse than death.”
Having said this, the fourth sister revealed a bewitching smile. She said, “I promise that by then, you’ll be begging me to kill you on your knees.”
Lin Zhoumian wasn’t easy to provoke, and the fourth sister in front of him seemed even more challenging. Faced with the threat from the fourth sister, Bai Luoluo could only nod and respond calmly.
The fourth sister observed Bai Luoluo’s face and didn’t find any flaws indicating lies. After taking another puff of smoke, she sighed slightly and regretfully said, “I shouldn’t have let them control him so tightly. Look, look, the taste is really strange. There are so many cute girls, and he returned you. I would have chosen a soft and fragrant girl…”
In Bai Luoluo’s mind, he silently gave a thumbs up to the fourth sister and secretly expressed agreement.
After saying this, the fourth sister stared at Bai Luoluo for a moment, then muttered to herself, “But standing like this, it’s quite obedient, like a little rabbit… Rabbit, come here, let me have another look?”
Bai Luoluo: “…” He had thought before that the jade rabbit Lin Zhoumian gave him had some profound meaning, and now he finally understood Lin Zhoumian’s weird taste from the fourth sister’s words.
Bai Luoluo asked the system, “Do I look like a rabbit?”
The system said, “You don’t.”
Bai Luoluo was delighted, “(⊙v⊙).”
The system said, “But you are.”
Bai Luoluo: “…” Can he use foul language?
