Chapter 16: Restless

Huo Ting was so furious she was gritting her teeth. It was true that she had thrown herself at Lu Fengzhou countless times, yet she had never even received a glance. Back then, Qiao Jiu and Lu Fengzhou weren’t together yet. She’d had her father spend money to try to poach him—after all, he was just a bodyguard, and under normal circumstances, he’d go wherever the money was. Who could have guessed that Lu Fengzhou had set his heart on staying by the old master Qiao’s side, unmoved no matter how much was offered?

The Huo and Qiao families were evenly matched, and she and Qiao Jiu had similar backgrounds and status. If Lu Fengzhou only wanted to climb the social ladder, it wouldn’t matter which of them he chose. She used to think that his decision to stay proved he liked Qiao Jiu. But now, it seemed that wasn’t the case.

Huo Ting let out a snort. “So what if you’ve tasted the sweetness? In the end, you still got dumped. Couldn’t even keep your family company. Who knows if your father can rest easy in his grave.”

Perhaps she was afraid Qiao Jiu would retort. Qiao Jiu might not be good at much, but she was a formidable opponent in an argument—her words could really sting. After saying her piece, Huo Ting slammed her foot on the accelerator, and the car sped off with a screech.

Qiao Jiu stood by the roadside, teeth clenched, her chest heaving noticeably only after a long while.

Yes, her father had worked hard all his life, building up his little kingdom, and she, hopeless as she was, couldn’t do anything right. He used to say he was worried she’d be bullied in the future and wanted to leave her with more. In the end, she still let him down; she couldn’t even hold on to what was hers.

If her father knew how she was living now, he certainly wouldn’t rest peacefully in his grave.

With her lips pressed tight, Qiao Jiu stood there for a while before walking quickly back home.

When she got home, she sat down and took out her phone, scrolling once more through gossip about Song Wan. There was a flood of news about Song Wan—currently the hottest name in the entertainment industry, landing one luxury endorsement after another, with movies and TV dramas lined up. Yet her reputation didn’t match her popularity; her acting was widely regarded as terrible, her looks unremarkable, and her background often mocked.

Lu Fengzhou must have paid a heavy price to get her to this level.

Qiao Jiu pursed her lips, her gaze lingering on Lu Fengzhou’s name in the gossip articles.

…

Lu Fengzhou stood at the entrance of the Grand Hall at Taiping Temple. Down the steps, people were burning incense at the censer, palms pressed together, murmuring prayers. His expression was cool and indifferent; after a brief glance, he looked away.

Before long, a young monk approached, saying that Master Niantong was teaching a class and would be a little late, inviting him to wait in the guest hall.

Lu Fengzhou considered for a moment. “I’ll wander around. No need to mind me.”

The little monk quickly pressed his palms together. “Very well, benefactor, please make yourself at home.”

Lu Fengzhou waited for a moment before descending the steps. There were many people burning incense, all seemingly wishing for something.

As he walked past, he glanced over again, and somehow, certain memories surfaced.

Old Master Qiao was a devout Buddhist, coming here to kneel and pray on the first and fifteenth of every month. Every time, Lu Fengzhou would follow, standing not far away, watching the old man burn incense with devotion, palms together, chanting just like these people.

With such a vast family business, surely it wasn’t wealth he was asking for—most likely, he was seeking forgiveness from Buddha for the karma he had accumulated.

Lu Fengzhou let out a faint snort and turned toward the pond where animals were released.

There weren’t many people by the water. Lu Fengzhou sat down in a small pavilion nearby, and before he’d been there a few minutes, his phone rang in his pocket.

He took it out, glanced at the screen, and answered, “Finished shopping?”

Song Wan’s voice was coy and petulant. “You wouldn’t even come with me. It’s boring; I don’t want to walk around anymore.”

Lu Fengzhou chuckled. “Didn’t I arrange for people to go with you? If you’re bored, chat with them.”