It was already past work hours. Heyan had originally intended to go home, but the thought of the trouble awaiting him there made him reconsider. He decided to call Shang Jingchen and head over with them later.
He had no desire to do anything else after finishing work. He hadn't slept well in days and felt exceptionally drained. He decided to lie down in the office lounge and wait for Shang Jingchen’s call.
Who would have thought that after drifting off, he would begin to feel breathless before long? Unlike the previous times when he couldn't wake up, this time he managed to open his eyes successfully. It was only later that he realized he had been startled awake by a searing heat on his chest.
As his consciousness cleared slightly, he reached out to touch the burning spot. Surprisingly, the protective talisman he had bought from Ye Zhixing at noon today was emitting heat. It was likely at its peak temperature, as if to warn him.
The lounge was pitch black, and outside the window, a gale howled as if someone were weeping. It was freezing inside. He had the air conditioning on, but this was a different kind of cold—an bone-chilling frost accompanied by gusts of ghostly wind. He realized he was in danger and wanted to leave as quickly as possible.
Yet, just as he stepped onto the floor to head out, he felt as if something were dragging his feet, making it impossible to take a step. He pulled out the protective talisman and pressed it against his leg. A sizzling sound immediately came from his ankle, followed by the faint scent of something burning—and Heyan found that his feet were free.
He was finally able to run toward the door. As he did, he didn't forget to praise the effectiveness of Ye Zhixing’s talisman. It really worked. It was just a pity he had only bought one; he should have bought more.
Suddenly, his pupils dilated in shock as he saw the talisman in his hand slowly fading in color. A thought flashed through his mind—what Ye Zhixing had said yesterday: if the protective talisman turned gray, it meant it had been rendered useless, having already fulfilled its purpose by shielding him from a disaster.
Heyan grew anxious. If this talisman turned completely gray, what would he do? He felt that today’s sense of discomfort was more severe than ever. A growing sense of unease filled his heart.
Heyan didn't dwell on it further. He rushed toward the door, clenching his teeth; he absolutely could not stay here. He saw his body seemingly entangled in a plume of black mist. Once again, he was unable to move. A seductive laugh echoed in his ears: "I like you so much, why don't you just give in to me..."
"What is this?!" The talisman in Heyan's hand hadn't failed yet, and his consciousness remained clear.
"I’ve chased you so hard. As long as you agree to me, I will bring you endless pleasure. Sleep with me, and I’ll make you feel like you're in heaven..." The voice was delicate, carrying a clear, bewitching intent.
Heyan’s eyelids began to droop, and his gaze gradually lost its focus.
When Ye Zhixing and Shang Jingchen arrived, Heyan was lying on the bed, his complexion ashen, several buttons of his shirt undone. Ye Zhixing didn't say a word; she stuck a talisman onto his forehead.
The lounge was as cold as an ice cellar. The lights were off, the curtains drawn, leaving it in total darkness.
"Shang Jingchen, turn on the lights and open the windows."
The door had already been kicked open when they arrived.
"Alright," Shang Jingchen replied, not even noticing that the young girl was ordering him around.
After applying an exorcism talisman to Heyan and reciting a heart mantra, his complexion finally began to improve.
"Go pour some hot water for him to drink."
"Alright." President Shang was unusually compliant.
After Shang Jingchen left, Ye Zhixing immediately pulled out a talisman and threw it at the wall behind the bed. A wisp of black mist emerged from within. An angry, hideous voice shrieked: "You brat! How dare you ruin my plans? I won't let you off—"
"Overestimating yourself," Ye Zhixing said in a low voice.
When Shang Jingchen returned, he saw a flash of light in mid-air, and the atmosphere in the lounge seemed to return to normal. Having experienced such scenes with Ye Zhixing several times, he now understood a little. This meant that Ye Zhixing had already taken care of the malevolent spirit in the room.
He walked over, helped Heyan up, and fed him some hot water.
"Ye Zhixing, is Heyan’s situation resolved?" he asked curiously.
"Not entirely. The root cause is at his home," she replied, her voice remaining cold and detached.
"Should we wake him up now?" Otherwise, it would be difficult for them to deal with him while he was in such a deep sleep.
"No need, he will wake up on his own in a moment," Ye Zhixing said with certainty.
True to her word, the moment she finished speaking, Heyan slowly opened his eyes. A flash of surprise crossed Shang Jingchen’s eyes again. Even though he had already witnessed her profound abilities, he couldn't help but be amazed every single time.
"Jingchen, how... how did you get here?" Heyan pressed his temples, looking utterly exhausted.
"If we hadn't come, you might have lost your life!"
"What exactly happened?" He looked somewhat bewildered.
"That’s what I should be asking you. You don't remember anything?" Shang Jingchen frowned slightly.
Heyan tried to recall, his head throbbing with pain, but the memories gradually flooded back into his mind. "Damn it!"
Seeing this, the corners of Shang Jingchen’s mouth twitched. Seeing his reaction, he figured he must have remembered.
Heyan looked at Ye Zhixing immediately, his eyes filled with a hint of fear: "Abbot Ye, I want to buy a few more protective talismans! They really save lives!"
Heyan’s gaze toward Ye Zhixing was now full of adoration and admiration.
"There is no need to buy so many. Now, we just need to resolve your problem, and then you can buy one more."
"A protective talisman is only for self-defense; it is better to resolve the actual root of the problem."
"Right, I understand. Are we going to my place now?" He rubbed his face with both hands, feeling much more alert.
"Yes."
Shang Jingchen looked at his old friend and couldn't help but worry: "How are you feeling? Can you walk?"
"No problem. I feel much better now."
Shortly after, the three of them headed straight to Heyan’s home.
In the car, Ye Zhixing asked: "Has someone been pursuing you lately? Someone who is being very aggressive, and you’re about to say yes?"
Heyan, sitting in the back, was stunned. This was truly supernatural.
Heyan was a famous scion of a wealthy family in the Capital—from a prestigious background, handsome, mature, steady, and successful. He was the dream guy for many young women. The women chasing him were as numerous as carp crossing a river.
However, he hadn't had much interest in dating, as he was focused entirely on his career. But in the last six months, there had indeed been a socialite pursuing him very aggressively. At first, he felt annoyed, but at some point, he suddenly began to feel that she was actually wonderful. The more he interacted with her, the better he felt, and the more his heart was moved.
"Yes, there is indeed someone like that."
"Has she been to your home?" Ye Zhixing continued to ask.
"She has. But not with friends. We were alone," Heyan explained truthfully.
Hearing this, Shang Jingchen, who was driving, began to grasp the situation: "So, it has to do with that woman?"
The answer seemed obvious.
Heyan still couldn't fathom it: "How did she do it? Did she use some kind of twisted, crooked method?"