Volume One, Chapter Two: Will You Take Me In?

Su Tong had her own plans when she suggested moving out on her own. The Su family had once relied on her luck to shield them, transforming a small company into the Su Group with assets worth hundreds of millions. Now she wanted to see, without her, whether Su Mingzhe’s intelligence and emotional acumen alone could continue to grow the group.

By her old nature, she would never have asked her parents for money. But now, as long as Su Mingzhe and Shen Xianglan suffered—even if only a trivial loss of ten thousand yuan—it brought her joy.

Su Mingzhe and Shen Xianglan knew Su Tong was always obedient and sensible; her words suited their wishes. Though reluctant, they quickly transferred the money to her to avoid any complications.

Seeing Su Tong accept the transfer on her phone, Shen Xianglan’s eyes flashed with contempt. She urged, “Tongtong, this place is far from the city. You should leave while it’s still light; it’s not safe for a girl to travel late.”

She truly could not wait for Su Tong to sever ties with the Su family. Coincidentally, Su Tong felt the same.

A cold smile flickered in Su Tong’s heart, but she showed gratitude. “Thank you for your concern, Mom. I’ll go upstairs and pack my things.”

Back in her cramped room, Su Tong’s expression turned icy. She glanced at the red bracelet on her wrist, bit her finger, and painted a few strokes in blood on the beads, adding a backlash spell atop the life-exchange ritual.

The calamity she once diverted from Su Xi became a strange, lingering malice that now flew away.

Meanwhile, outside, Su Xi was gaming with friends when she suddenly felt a pang of unease—but she paid it no mind.

Su Tong owned little: a few clothes, toiletries, her admission letter to Hai University—all fitting neatly into a single suitcase.

Knowing that once she left, misfortune would descend on the Su family, she hastily drew a talisman for peace with a regular pen on white paper. Its effect couldn’t match a true talisman, but it should be enough to protect Su Hao.

Su Hao was six this year, and unlike the rest of the Su family, he had always treated her well. Su Tong was clear in her debts and gratitude. Since Su Hao had given her warmth, she would safeguard him—even if it meant acting obedient before the others.

When she left, as expected, only Su Hao came to see her off.

“Sister, I don’t want you to go. Can’t you stay?” Su Hao, eyes wide and shining, tugged at her sleeve, pleading.

Su Tong patted his head and smiled gently. “I’ll just stay out for a couple of days. I’ll be back soon, and I’ll bring you your favorite big airplane.”

She wasn’t lying; before long, Su Mingzhe and Shen Xianglan would beg her to return.

Su Hao pouted unhappily, but the thought of the airplane quickly made him forget the pain of parting. He drew a huge circle with his hands.

“I want a plane this big.”

“Alright.”

Su Tong ruffled his soft hair, her face full of affection. Then, she pressed the folded talisman into his hand and solemnly explained, “This is a gift from your sister. It’s enchanted—you must wear it every day. I’ll check when I come back.”

Su Hao put the talisman in his pocket, patted it, and promised with bright, clear eyes, “I’ll listen to you, Sister. I’ll wear it every day.”

After saying goodbye to Su Hao, Su Tong pulled her suitcase and walked away. Behind her, the Su family villa, once bathed in bright sunlight, seemed overshadowed by gloom.

It was the height of summer, the sun blazing fiercely. Yet as the searing heat approached Su Tong, it seemed to bend around her, passing by as if by magic. When she stepped out of the villa, not a drop of sweat marred her skin.

The estate was halfway up a hill, surrounded by other villas, sparsely populated, and without public transport. The nearest bus stop was at least an hour’s walk away.

But Su Tong wasn’t worried. Soon, Xiao Shiyu would arrive by car.

Xiao Shiyu was the most outstanding among the younger generation of the prestigious Xiao family, earning his doctorate at twenty-two. This year, at twenty-three, he was already the general manager of Hai City’s Yangming Real Estate Company under the Sunshine Group.

Rumor had it he was refined, gentle, very low-key—a sought-after, wealthy bachelor.

In her past life, Su Tong had thrown herself in front of Xiao Shiyu’s car, nearly sending him to prison and ruining his prospects. The Xiao family had declined because of her.

This time, she wanted to help Xiao Shiyu.

She checked her phone: 14:45.

“Perfect timing.”

Just as she spoke, a black Bentley rolled into the villa district.

She waved eagerly.

But as the car neared, it showed no intention of slowing.

Su Tong: ?

Was she supposed to throw herself in front of it again, as in her previous life?

Seeing time slip away, she had no choice but to dash into the road.

With a screech of brakes, the Bentley halted just a fist’s breadth from Su Tong.

Feeling a little guilty, Su Tong offered Xiao Shiyu inside an apologetic smile and waved him out.

The car door opened, and Xiao Shiyu stepped out, long-legged and imposing.

His usually gentle face was tinged with anger as he scolded, “Are you out of your mind? If you want to die, can’t you do it in a way that doesn’t trouble others?”

Even his rebuke, delivered in a mellow voice, lacked true harshness.

Sunlight carved sharp lines across his features: straight brows, star-bright eyes, a high nose bridge. Even angry, he was strikingly handsome.

In her past life, Su Tong’s spirit had seen Xiao Shiyu many times, but seeing him again now, she was still stunned by his beauty.

Even more astonishing was the radiant golden aura of merit around him—it nearly blinded her.

Had he saved the world in a previous life?

Xiao Shiyu saw the girl’s cherubic face frozen in shock, like a startled rabbit. He regretted his harsh words, wondering if he’d been too severe.

Her eyes were clear, her body frail but full of vitality, looking barely into her teens. She certainly didn’t seem scheming like other women, probably just wanted a ride.

As for running into the road, it likely wasn’t intentional—this was a downhill slope, perhaps her suitcase slipped and pushed her forward. She must have been frightened.

Thinking this, Xiao Shiyu’s tone softened, “Miss, are you alright? Are you hurt? Do you need a hospital?”

Su Tong recovered, puzzled by his sudden change in attitude, and shook her head.

“I’m fine, no need for a hospital.”

She paused, then asked, “Could you give me a lift?”

“Of course.”

Whether from guilt or an inexplicable sense of familiarity with Su Tong, Xiao Shiyu agreed without hesitation.

He helped her put her suitcase in the trunk. When he returned to the driver’s seat, Su Tong was already settled in the passenger side.

As he started the car, he asked with genuine concern, “Where are you headed?”

Previously, Su Tong had planned to rent any room for now, but upon seeing Xiao Shiyu’s aura of merit, she changed her mind.

She blinked her bright eyes, looking at Xiao Shiyu expectantly.

“I have nowhere to go. Could you let me stay for a few days? Just until September first, when school starts. I can pay rent.”