Chapter 18: A Prickling Feng Shui

  "Of course, I'll come pick you up right away, Master Lu," Xie Yao replied promptly.

  After hanging up, Lu Fei rubbed his face, got up to wash, and changed into a fresh set of clothes.

  A short while later, a graceful figure with a refined femininity walked into Xie Zihou.

  "Miss Xie."

  Lu Fei rose, feeling his eyes brighten at her appearance.

  Xie Yao was dressed in her usual elegant white dress, yet her aura was completely transformed. Her eyes were dark and bright, her lips full and rosy, and her skin naturally radiant and fair, smooth as silk. The dress accentuated her graceful figure, and though she wore only light makeup, she looked radiant.

  Pearl earrings, like morning dew, adorned both sides of her face, giving her the look of a blooming white rose, innocent yet charming. If one didn't look closely, they'd miss the faint fatigue behind her eyes.

  "It seems Miss Xie is in good spirits," Lu Fei remarked with a smile.

  "Thanks to you, Master Lu. Without your help, I wouldn't have had the chance to pull myself out of the mire." Xie Yao smiled, her expression complex.

  In truth, Lu Fei was curious about what had driven her fiancé to go to such lengths to harm her. However, respecting her privacy, he refrained from asking further.

  "Shall we go, Master Lu?" 

  Lu Fei closed the shop door and walked with Xie Yao down the street.

  Since the Antique Street was a pedestrian-only zone, cars were parked outside, and Lu Fei noticed that Xie Yao's presence attracted many admiring glances along the way.

  Only Liu Fugui observed knowingly, "No wonder he needed a day off—it turns out there was a lady's invitation…though one day doesn't seem quite enough, does it?"

  Xie Yao's car, a subtle white Mercedes, had a faint yet pleasant scent of perfume.

  She drove Lu Fei out of the bustling city streets toward the outskirts.

  Lu Fei found this curious.

  Did her family prefer a quiet, secluded life?

  During the ride, Xie Yao was unusually silent, her fair, slender hands holding the steering wheel as she looked intently ahead, showing Lu Fei a delicate profile deep in thought.

  Lu Fei, sensing her mood, closed his eyes to rest, letting her drive him further and further from the city.

  "Master Lu, we're here."

  After a while, the car came to a stop, and Xie Yao's melodious voice woke him.

  Lu Fei opened his eyes, looking out the window.

  The air was fresh, surrounded by lush mountains and clear waters, a beautiful wooded landscape—only…

  Among the verdant cypress trees, tombstones were faintly visible.

  "A cemetery?" Lu Fei was taken aback.

  Xie Yao led Lu Fei to a secluded grave with a look of apology.

  "I'm sorry, Master Lu. My grandfather has passed away. On the way here, I kept thinking of how to explain this, but I couldn't find the right words."

  "He's passed? Then how could he have directed you to Xie Zihou?" Lu Fei felt disappointed.

  "The business card was something he gave me before he passed, telling me to find Xie Zihou on Antique Street if I ever encountered something dangerous," Xie Yao explained, feeling even more remorseful. "At the time, I didn't give it much thought, merely keeping it as a memento. But when the situation with that bone necklace arose, I remembered it again."

  At the time, she had only taken a chance, never expecting Lu Fei to truly save her.

  Afterward, she had learned more about Xie Zihou, discovering what a unique establishment it was.

  The cemetery was serene. 

  The grave was spacious, set apart from the others to enjoy a peaceful spot. Nearby was a flowing river and distant mountains, with an open view ahead.

  The feng shui was excellent; the location was clearly chosen with care.

  Lu Fei looked at the tombstone, his expression thoughtful.

  He had hoped to find some clues about his grandfather, only to end up disappointed.

  "I'm very sorry, Master Lu. Could you tell me why you wanted to meet my grandfather? Perhaps I can help in some way," Xie Yao apologized sincerely, eager to make amends.

  Lu Fei was silent for a moment before speaking softly, "I'm searching for my grandfather."

  "What?" Xie Yao was taken aback. "Didn't you say Master Lu had gone on a long journey?"

  "Yes. Three years ago, he left and never returned. I've been searching for him ever since, hoping I might find a lead here with your grandfather."

  "I'm truly sorry…I understand how it feels to lose a loved one. I should have explained sooner, but I was too focused on solving my own troubles…"

  "It's not the same. At least your grandfather is clearly laid to rest here. As for my grandfather, I don't know if he's alive or dead or where he might be."

  Lu Fei gave a self-deprecating smile, showing no resentment toward Xie Yao but rather a relaxed wave of his hand.

  "Don't worry about it, Miss Xie. This has nothing to do with you. My grandfather is deliberately hiding from me; he doesn't want to be found."

  "It's just that I was never very obedient. I've been going against him my whole life, so one more won't make a difference."

  His casual tone made Xie Yao feel even guiltier.

  "In any case, this is on me. Leave the information search to me—I know people who are very good at tracking."

  "That would be fantastic." Lu Fei brightened up. He could tell Xie Yao's family was well-connected, and her resources could be much more effective than his own attempts at inquiry.

  However, he disliked owing favors without return, so he looked around and asked, "Miss Xie, was this cemetery site your choice?"

  "My grandfather chose it himself, saying it would bring good fortune to future generations and keep me safe." Xie Yao gently brushed the leaves from the tombstone, smiling. "Since he passed, I've faced some troubles here and there. But in the end, I've always managed to get through safely."

  "I often wonder if he really is watching over me."

  This recent situation with the bone necklace was another example. If it weren't for the business card her grandfather had left her, she might have become a soulless puppet by now.

  Lu Fei shook his head. "No, something's off here. The feng shui of this place actually brings harm to descendants."

  "What?" Xie Yao looked at him, her dark eyes filled with disbelief. "How could that be, Master Lu? Did you make a mistake? My grandfather raised me; he's my only family. He would never harm me!"

  Her conviction was as strong as Lu Fei's faith in his own grandfather.

  "That's strange, then." Lu Fei pointed to the woods on either side of the tomb. "Miss Xie, who planted the roses over there?"

  Following his gaze, Xie Yao saw several large rose bushes among the trees, their dark green vines spreading out and climbing up the trunks, growing vibrantly.

  It was May, the season when roses bloomed in abundance. Vast patches of pink and white flowers blossomed with fervor. As the wind blew, petals drifted, creating a beautiful, picturesque sight.

  She looked puzzled. "When my grandfather was buried, there were no flowers here, and I didn't ask anyone to plant them. They must be wild roses."

  "Roses may look beautiful, but their vines are thorny. If thorned vines surround a grave, it disrupts even the best feng shui." Lu Fei frowned. "Think about it—if you were pricked constantly, could you possibly be at peace?"