Chapter 52: Way Too Hate-Inducing Part 1

Dinner was eaten in the hotel restaurant. After the meal, Zhang Qingshui said she wanted to talk with her, while Wang Cheng’an clamored for Old Tang to take him on a boat ride.

Old Tang stood up with a smile and said, “We’ll go for a night cruise on the Yongjiang River. Wang Ya, Little Zhang, you two take your time talking. We’re heading out first.” With that, he pulled Wang Cheng’an and Huang Qi along and left.

Wang Ya watched Wang Cheng’an leave without stopping him. She said to Zhang Qingshui, “Let’s talk somewhere else.” She couldn’t stand the constant stares from those around them anymore; it really wasn’t suitable to discuss matters under so many watchful eyes.

Wang Ya followed Zhang Qingshui into the room that Zhang Qingshui and Huang Qi shared. As soon as she stepped through the door, she said, “Zhang Qingshui, just say whatever you have to say.” Her demeanor was icy cold, keeping others at a thousand miles’ distance.

Zhang Qingshui had known Wang Ya for more than a day or two, so she wasn’t bothered by Wang Ya’s attitude. She leisurely changed into a pair of comfortable slippers, washed her hands, poured a glass of water for Wang Ya, brought over a plate of fruit and placed it on the small round table on the balcony, then gestured to the rattan chair beside her with a “please” motion, saying, “Sit down and we’ll talk slowly.”

Wang Ya sat on the rattan chair opposite Zhang Qingshui, casting her a sidelong glance as she asked, “What, are you planning a heart-to-heart chat with me?”

Zhang Qingshui nodded lightly and said, “I know the blood feud between the Feng Family and the Zhang Family has always made you dislike me, and you’ve always thought I’d try to take the Yin Spirit Scroll from you. Regarding the Yin Spirit Scroll and half of the Feng Family matters, I know more than you do.”

Wang Ya asked, “So what do you want to say? You’ve already explained why the Zhang Family exterminated the Feng Family—it was just convenient, right?”

Zhang Qingshui said, “That grudge was from over fifty years ago. If you want revenge on the Zhang Family, I’m ready for it anytime. I dare swear on my own head that the Zhang Family of today—I myself—have never harmed your Wang Family, nor Feng Yuqin or Wang Cheng’an. Wang Ya, you understand the principle that endless cycles of vengeance never end, so you haven’t made things difficult for me, have you? If you had even a shred of intent for revenge, Little Qi, Old Tang, and I wouldn’t have made it out of the underground palace alive.”

Wang Ya fell silent for two seconds before saying, “The guilty have their debts, and vengeance belongs to its owners. The one who exterminated the Feng Family wasn’t you. As long as you don’t provoke me, I have no need to tie myself down with blood feuds from generations past and force myself into a dead end.”

Zhang Qingshui quietly gazed at the bewitchingly alluring Wang Ya for a long time, then let out a soft sigh, saying, “After spending so much time together, I’ve come to understand your character somewhat. I’m sorry for some of the things from before.”

Wang Ya asked, “Which things? Ghost Granny?”

Zhang Qingshui nodded lightly and said, “Before Ghost Granny revealed your origins, we had no idea you were practicing the Feng Family inheritance. Knowing how tough Ghost Granny was and fearing you couldn’t handle her alone—while also being determined to get her ourselves—we followed shortly after you made your move.”

Wang Ya huffed irritably, “You followed, then squatted in the corner watching the show.”

Zhang Qingshui shook her head and said, “When we arrived, we saw you suppressing the Yin Snake manifested from the Yin Vein’s earth qi with the Mulberry Tree. Seeing how effortlessly you handled the Yin Snake, we knew you had real skills and wanted to see your background. We planned to step in if you were in danger. Your moves looked like a mishmash of wild, street-fighting tricks, yet you destroyed Ghost Granny’s corpse body—it truly shocked the three of us.” She paused before continuing, “We thought you’d subdue Ghost Granny on the spot, and we were even discussing how much more to offer for her Ghost Pill when suddenly we saw Ghost Granny possess the Ebony Staff and escape. You chased after her all the way but couldn’t catch up! Old Tang shouted, ‘Forget the money—let’s pin down that dead old ghost first!’ The three of us chased after the Ebony Staff as it fled the construction site.” She sighed softly. “We underestimated the Ghost Demon’s strength. Not only did we fail to pin it down, but it escaped. Little Qi needs the Ghost Pill to save her life.”

Wang Ya asked, “What?” She thought she’d misheard. Huang Qi needed a Ghost Pill to save her life? Huang Qi was lively and kicking, fleeing for her life faster than anyone—she really hadn’t noticed that Huang Qi needed saving.

Zhang Qingshui said, “Her eyes were blinded because of me.” At this point, her eyes reddened slightly. Afraid Wang Ya would see, she turned her face away.

After about a minute, Zhang Qingshui softly added, “She’s the child of my Little Aunt.”

This truly caught Wang Ya off guard. Zhang Qingshui and Huang Qi were cousins? She asked, “You’re blood-related cousins?”

Zhang Qingshui nodded. “Only a very few people know about this.”

Wang Ya thought of the exquisitely masterful Feng Shui Bureau in Huang Qi’s home and suddenly understood, inwardly exclaiming, No wonder! The lady of the house was from the Zhang Family’s legitimate line; setting up a Feng Shui Bureau while renovating her own home would be a piece of cake. She’d previously thought Huang Qi and Zhang Qingshui were lovers, with the Feng Shui Bureau arranged through Zhang Qingshui’s connections.