Sheng Feijin is seventeen this year and will face the college entrance exam next year, yet there isn't a hint of pressure on his face. His room is cluttered with all sorts of action figures, professional gaming equipment, and snacks, but not a single book is to be found.
Xu Weiying, fearing that Yuyin might offend Sheng Feijin, gave her a brief rundown of the Sheng family history, including this pampered, lawless third child of the Sheng family. The most famous member of the Sheng family is the patriarch, a master of Xuanmen who raised his children before leaving home to wander as a monk, his whereabouts unknown to this day. His son, Sheng Anguo, has three children: the eldest, Sheng Feiran; the second daughter, Sheng Feiyan; and the youngest, Sheng Feijin.
Sheng Feijin is the least accomplished but the most striking in appearance. He suffers from a congenital heart condition and an eye disorder that makes him unable to distinguish beauty from ugliness. With a volatile temper and no interest in his studies, he spends his time gaming and collecting action figures. At such a young age, he has single-handedly supported several toy manufacturers, becoming their primary benefactor.
"Cousin, if you offend him, we won't get a single cent. You have to flatter and pander to him," Xu Weiying warned, earnestly instructing Yuyin to butter up Sheng Feijin.
"You do it. I don't know how," Yuyin thought to herself, musing that the Sheng family seemed to share a genetic disdain for traditional schooling while excelling in other areas. Of course, Sheng Feiyan, who graduated from a prestigious university, was an exception—she wasn't blood-related, after all.
This spoiled and wilful young master has recently taken a leave of absence from school, claiming a master had divined that he would face a "death trial" this year and must remain indoors. When she heard "death trial," Yuyin glanced at him. Sheng Feijin’s life is short, but he is not destined to die young or perish this year.
"Feijin, my cousin is a real expert. If you need help with anything, just tell her. She’ll definitely handle it for you."
Sheng Feijin appraised Yuyin. Seeing how young she was, his handsome face crinkled in annoyance. "Why did you bring me such an ugly woman? And she's so young! Didn't you say your cousin was prettier than the school beauty?"
Seeing his insufferable attitude, Yuyin walked over and tapped the back of his head. "Heart disease, eye disease, and I suspect a brain disease too. No normal person would say something like that."
"How dare you insult me! You're the one with the brain disease!" Sheng Feijin, displeased, launched into a tirade against Yuyin from head to toe.
Seeing the two on the brink of a confrontation that would kill the business deal, Xu Weiying hurriedly squeezed in to mediate. She grabbed both of them, her voice reaching a shrill, strained pitch. "Young Master, age doesn't matter. What matters is that my cousin can help you! She is the head of Lianxi Taoist Temple; ordinary people can't even hire her."
Sheng Feijin scoffed, still brooding over Yuyin’s appearance. "I wouldn't even believe that if a ghost told me."
Yuyin also has a temper. Since he was unwilling, she didn't want to linger, fearing she might actually anger this rich young master to death.
"He's had heart problems since he was a child, and the whole family has spoiled him rotten. Cousin, please, hold your tongue," Xu Weiying whispered to Yuyin, afraid her bluntness would offend the young master.
Yuyin lifted her gaze to look at Sheng Feijin. "Sheng Feijin, if you're sick, get treated. Locking yourself away is useless..." The boy had a decent physiognomy, but she was powerless against his physical ailments.
Xu Weiying jumped up, rushing to cover Yuyin’s mouth, regretting having brought her along.
"Just leave. I don't want her help."
Xu Weiying frowned, wanting to grab Sheng Feijin but pulling her hand back. "Why? We took an hour-long taxi ride to get here. How about... you just settle the bill?"
"No need to pay. I didn't do any work," Yuyin said, turning to walk out. She didn't want to stay another second. Xu Weiying was frantic; she had paid for the taxi, and if she didn't get the money, it would have been a wasted trip.
There was a pot of orchids outside Sheng Feijin’s room. As Yuyin passed by, she noticed how vibrant the flowers were and squatted down to touch them.
"Stop!" Sheng Feijin shouted, looking as though he wanted to kill her. Xu Weiying’s face turned pale, and she nearly collapsed in fright. She had seen this orchid in his social media posts more than once and heard it was Sheng Feijin’s "pet plant," which even had a fancy name.
Sheng Feijin blocked the path, refusing to let Yuyin leave. "Pay up! I had a friend buy this 'immortal grass' for me. It cost one hundred thousand yuan."
A fake flower for one hundred thousand? Were all these rich young masters brainless? Yuyin was just about to retort when she saw a figure storming up the stairs, who promptly slapped the back of Sheng Feijin’s head.
"How have I been raising you? How can you have no manners? You must be polite to guests!"
Yuyin looked up to see Sheng Feiyan had returned, accompanied by Song Lian. The two were dressed in formal wear—a dashing man in a suit and a beautiful woman in a cheongsam. They looked like a perfect match. Yuyin pretended not to recognize Song Lian, her expression indifferent.
"Hello, Miss Yuyin. We meet again. What brings you to my home today..." Sheng Feiyan was curious about why Yuyin was here. After their last meeting, she had looked into her and knew that Yuyin was indeed capable.
Xu Weiying hurriedly explained, "Sister Feiyan, I invited her. Feijin has been saying this floor feels unclean, so I brought my cousin to take a look. She’s incredibly skilled."
Hearing that Yuyin practiced divination and feng shui, Sheng Feiyan looked a bit excited. "Is that so? Then please, go ahead."
Seeing Yuyin carrying a worn-out backpack, Sheng Feiyan stopped her again. "Miss Yuyin, I’m sorry. My brother is a bit of a germaphobe. You can't bring anything into his room. You’ll have to wear shoe covers, gloves, and a hairnet."
Yuyin found the requirements absurd and turned to leave. "Weiying, let’s go. I’m not taking this job." It wasn't as if she were starving; there was no need to humiliate herself like this. Even thieves didn't need this much gear.
"I happen to be heading back to the city in a moment. I can give you a lift," Song Lian spoke up, his gaze drifting over Yuyin.
Xu Weiying thanked him with a smile, surprised by the unexpected opportunity to save a few dozen yuan on fare.
"Cousin, please, just bear with it. I’ve already accepted the deposit!" Xu Weiying pulled her back, attempting to put the shoe covers and hairnet on her. Seeing her so eager, Yuyin realized her cousin might have a crush on the Sheng boy—or, more likely, she just loved money.
"Cousin, after you broke off the engagement with the Cheng Family, they took back the house. I need to save money to buy a place! If we take this job, we won't have to worry about food or rent for three years." Xu Weiying pressed her palms together in a pleading gesture, nearly rubbing a hole in Yuyin’s sleeve.
Yuyin figured it was worth it, so she set her backpack and phone on a nearby sofa.
Sheng Feijin finally looked at Yuyin properly. Recognizing her as the little Taoist who had caused such a stir in the news, he was shocked. No wonder his classmates said the uglier they were, the more skilled they were.
"Why didn't you marry Cheng Fangnan? Isn't his family very rich?" Sheng Feijin was dying to know the reason; there had been all sorts of speculation among his classmates.
Yuyin didn't want to explain, her gaze growing colder.
"Young Master, shall we check the room first?" Xu Weiying’s forehead was beaded with sweat; she didn't know the real reason for the broken engagement either and couldn't explain it.
While Yuyin was momentarily stunned, Xu Weiying finished dressing her in all the gear.
"Miss Yuyin, please wear this mask as well," the nanny said, handing over a white mask.
Yuyin was stunned. With all this on, all she needed was a hazmat suit and she could head straight to the front lines of an epidemic. It was incredibly uncomfortable.
"Cousin, just endure it so we can live in a big house," Xu Weiying whispered in her ear, terrified she might walk away.
Yuyin heard a stifled laugh nearby. She turned to find Song Lian had also turned his head at that exact moment; she couldn't tell if he was the one laughing.
The Sheng villa had many rooms, but the three on the left side of the second floor belonged to Sheng Feijin. The bedroom, the action figure study, the game room, and the walk-in closet were ridiculously large. She examined them one by one, her gaze finally settling on his bedroom.
"The bedroom is the problem," Yuyin said, noting the telltale signs, and walked into the room, leaving the others behind.
Sheng Feijin looked down in surprise, feeling that Yuyin was actually quite sharp. He had only told Xu Weiying that his floor felt unclean, but he hadn't specified which room was the culprit.