Volume One, Chapter Thirteen: Lay It Bare in the Sun

"Is it that residential land in the east of the city?"
Though it was phrased as a question, Su Tong’s tone was full of certainty.

Xiao Shiyu nodded. "Yes."

In her previous life, because he had hit her with his car, Xiao Shiyu had been threatened by Su Mingzhe and refrained from bidding. In the end, the Su Group secured the land. Not long after, the government announced plans to build a gymnasium, a science museum, and a commercial center around that parcel. The value of the land soared several times over.

This time, Xiao Shiyu hadn’t hit her, nor had he been threatened by Su Mingzhe, so he was able to participate in the tender without hindrance. Still, to ensure the Su Group failed in their bid, Su Tong consulted her copper coins on his behalf.

"The Su Group is offering two billion. As long as you exceed that, the bid is yours."

Hearing Su Tong quote such a precise figure, Xiao Shiyu was both impressed and delighted. "Thank you, you really are my lucky star."

Su Tong replied with a serious expression, "There’s a fee."

"I know," Xiao Shiyu responded readily, considerate as ever. "Do you want merit or money?"

Su Tong thought for a moment. The amount involved in this land was significant, and the consequences far-reaching, so merit was the better choice. She held up six fingers. "Six merits."

Xiao Shiyu agreed cheerfully. "Alright, take them."

With a simple gesture, Su Tong collected the six merits with ease. Three dispersed, while the remaining three she kept for herself. Merit: -9993.5.

Yet she felt no satisfaction. It had been too easy—she should have asked for more. Eight, no, ten merits would have been more appropriate.

Noticing the way she grabbed the merits without her usual delight, and the little frown on her face, Xiao Shiyu’s heart skipped a beat. He asked cautiously, "Did I run out of merits? Should I pay you in cash instead? Or shares?"

Su Tong glanced up at him, her lips drooping, "I took too few merits."

The grievance in her voice was enough to bury him alive. He hurriedly said, gentle as could be, "Then take more, as many as you want."

Su Tong’s frown deepened, her expression on the verge of tears. "The transaction’s over. I can’t take any more."

There was nothing Xiao Shiyu could do.

Afraid that seeing him would only remind Su Tong of the merits she’d missed out on, he quickly excused himself and left.

Su Tong was a decisive person; after a moment’s sadness, she let the matter go.

Back in her room, she packed up the Soul-Binding Talisman and Ghost Gate Talisman she’d drawn the night before, and went downstairs to find Butler Yuan.

"Butler Yuan, I’d like to send this package to this address."

Butler Yuan took the package and checked the address—it was local. He said, "Miss Su, leave it to me. I’ll make sure it’s sent out this morning and it’ll arrive by the afternoon."

"Thank you," Su Tong replied.

As she turned to leave, Butler Yuan quickly called her back. "Miss Su, wait a moment."

Su Tong turned. "What is it?"

With a pained expression, Butler Yuan spoke, "The young master still hasn’t woken up. Could you take a look at him?"

Su Tong’s tone was calm. "He’s just been invaded by yin energy. He’ll be weak and sleepy for a few days, but it’s nothing serious. He just needs to spend more time in the sun."

"Really? No medicine? Or a ritual?" Butler Yuan sounded doubtful.

He’d spent all last night researching ghost encounters. According to others’ experiences, a ritual or burning talismans was always required.

Su Tong replied crisply, "No need. Sunlight is enough. If he can get eight hours a day, all the better."

She didn’t tell Butler Yuan that as for Xiao Wei’s nether regions—which had endured the longest torment—it might be unusable for some time. There was a solution, though: exposure, ten hours of sunlight a day, for ten days to half a month.

The image that conjured up made her shudder.

At 9:20, Su Tong finished tidying up, ready to leave for the household registration office.

Her phone rang. It was Xiao Shiyu.

She answered, and his excited voice came through: "We got the bid, Su Tong, thank you!"

She was genuinely happy for him. "You’re welcome. You paid for it."

"Where are you? Let me treat you to lunch."

Su Tong stepped out of the villa. "I’m heading out to take care of the household registration transfer. Pick a place and I’ll join you after I’m done."

Xiao Shiyu was urgent. "Wait for me at home, I’ll come pick you up right now."

"No need, by the time you get back, it’ll be too—" late. Before she could finish, he’d already hung up.

Su Tong was about to call him back, but thought better of it, put her phone away, and returned to the villa.

She thought back to her days in the Su family. She had to wait till everyone else had eaten before she could eat, wait till everyone else slept before she could sleep, even wait to use the car. There were too many such examples. She’d waited so many times—what harm was there in making Shen Xianglan wait for her just this once?

Xiao Shiyu returned to the Xiao household at 9:55. After picking up Su Tong, it was 10:40 by the time they arrived at the household registration office.

They got out of the car just in time to see Shen Xianglan emerging from her own car across the street.

Before Su Tong could say anything, Shen Xianglan’s face darkened and she began to scold loudly.

"I told you to be here at ten. It’s almost eleven, and you’re only just arriving!"

Su Tong shot her a look and snorted coldly, "You’ve only just arrived yourself. How can you say that with a straight face?"

"There was something at the office, so I’m a little late. So what?" Shen Xianglan was utterly unrepentant, speaking as if she were entirely in the right. She cast a contemptuous glance up and down at Su Tong. "But you, you have no sense of time at all. Useless. No one wants a person like you anywhere."

Su Tong had heard Shen Xianglan’s belittling words far too many times. In the past, she’d believed she wasn’t good enough. Now, she simply thought Shen Xianglan was classless and incompetent and couldn’t be bothered to argue.

But Xiao Shiyu, standing by her side, couldn’t bear to listen any longer. Fortunately, he’d come along. Otherwise, Su Tong would have been bullied mercilessly by her.

His face darkened and he said bluntly, "Mrs. Su, if you’re here to start a quarrel, we’ll just leave."

Seeing him, Shen Xianglan suddenly seemed to realize something. Her gaze toward Su Tong became even more disdainful.

"So this is why you’ve dared to talk back to me lately? Turns out you’ve found yourself a sugar daddy. A girl should have self-respect—don’t think selling your body will get you everything. In the end, you’re just someone’s plaything."

Xiao Shiyu was trembling with anger. "Mrs. Su, please watch your words and don’t slander others so lightly."

Su Tong tugged at his sleeve and said quietly, "There’s no reasoning with someone so self-righteous. Let’s just get on with what we came for."

Seeing their interaction, Shen Xianglan felt sure she’d guessed correctly. She snorted and turned away.

There weren’t many people at the household registration office that day, so the procedure went quickly. Holding her brand-new household register, Su Tong’s face broke into a broad, delighted smile.

Shen Xianglan, unable to stand seeing Su Tong happy, shot her a contemptuous glance. "Don’t get too pleased with yourself. Without the Su family, you’re nothing. When young Mr. Xiao gets tired of you, don’t come crying back to me."