Volume One, Chapter Five: Your Days Are Numbered

Xiao Yue was not like an ordinary fool. In fact, calling him a fool was not quite right; he was more accurately described as dull—spiritless. His eyes were vacant, lifeless, as if he were a wooden puppet. He sat quietly in place, showing no response to the world around him.

Grandmother Xiao sighed softly. “A-Yue suddenly became like this on his twentieth birthday. I’ve sought out renowned doctors from at home and abroad, all of whom say there’s nothing wrong with his body. I truly have no other options but to pin my hopes on folk remedies.”

The master she had invited insisted that only a joyful wedding could cure A-Yue, which was why she was so eager for the two to get engaged.

But Chi Xingwan knew that Xiao Yue was suffering from soul-loss, his spirit having left his body—a condition that could not simply be cured by a wedding. The reason he suffered from this soul-loss was because he was a descendant of the Nalan family.

Years ago, when the Celestial Profound Sect was wiped out, Chi Xingwan had barely escaped, gravely wounded. Fortunately, she was saved by the Nalan family, who sheltered her until her injuries healed and she could avenge her sect. Once her vengeance was fulfilled, she returned to express her gratitude, only to discover that the Nalan family had been cursed.

Every descendant bearing Nalan blood would die before the age of thirty. Moreover, upon turning twenty, they would fall gravely ill, tormented for ten years until they died in agony.

Back then, she had tried to break the curse for the Nalan family, but it was too malicious to be undone easily—especially since her cultivation had been greatly weakened by her quest for vengeance, leaving her own soul fractured.

Years passed, but before she found a solution, her body could no longer hold on; her time was almost up. Using the last of her spiritual power, she entered a thousand-year slumber to mend her soul. She then worked two thousand years in the underworld to earn another chance at life.

In this life, she was determined to repay the Nalan family’s kindness and free their descendants from the curse. But time had washed everything away—the Nalan family had long ago scattered to the winds, its descendants now dispersed across the world.

Chi Xingwan could only search for them in the gaps between her daily work. Xiao Yue was the first living descendant of the Nalan family she had found.

“President Xiao, Miss Chi, it’s about time—guests should be arriving soon,” Secretary He reminded them gently.

Grandmother Xiao stepped forward, taking Xiao Yue by the wrist and whispering, “A-Yue, come with Grandma.”

Xiao Yue stood up and followed her, his face still blank, his eyes devoid of light.

Chi Xingwan followed them back into the main villa’s banquet hall. The Xiao family had all changed into formal attire and were already greeting the arriving guests.

When Grandmother Xiao appeared with Xiao Yue and Chi Xingwan, a hush fell over the banquet hall.

All eyes were drawn to Xiao Yue. People had heard that the Xiao heir had become a fool, but few had seen it with their own eyes—until now.

Xiao Yue was indeed different from ordinary people. Yet, calling him a fool wasn’t quite right; he didn’t behave like others with similar afflictions, who might cause a scene or drool uncontrollably. Outwardly, he remained the extraordinary, handsome heir of the Xiao family. No wonder Madam Xiao refused to give up on him—he didn’t seem hopelessly lost. Perhaps, with time, he could truly be cured.

After observing Xiao Yue, the guests’ attention shifted to Chi Xingwan, their expressions varied. Some were immediately taken aback by her beauty and poise—she was not outshone by anyone. Others looked down on her, thinking her family was unworthy of marrying into the Xiao family, especially since she had been lost as a child and raised in the mountains, only recently found and brought home.

The engagement ceremony began. The emcee delivered a long string of felicitous words, finally reaching the most important part: the exchange of tokens.

With Grandmother Xiao’s help, Xiao Yue and Chi Xingwan exchanged engagement rings.

Chi Xingwan considered for a moment, then took out a jade pendant and placed it around Xiao Yue’s neck. “This is a consecrated jade amulet—it will protect you.”

Grandmother Xiao was pleased. She had thought it enough if Chi Xingwan did not despise A-Yue; she had not expected the girl to be so attentive and caring toward him.

With the ceremony over, the banquet began. Grandmother Xiao took Xiao Yue back to the small villa.

Chi Xingwan also wished to leave, but her family would not allow it. Every family present tonight was more powerful than the Chi family; neither Chi Zhenghua nor Yang Jing, nor Chi Boyu, Chi Qianyu, or Chi Yueyao would miss such a golden opportunity to forge connections.

Left with no choice, Chi Xingwan suppressed her impatience and stayed. She slipped out to the balcony, closed the doors, and shut out the bustle of the hall.

Summer’s breeze carried a hint of heat, yet it was far more pleasant than the air inside. Chi Xingwan closed her eyes, feeling the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Suddenly, the jarring sound of the door opening interrupted her meditation. She opened her eyes, annoyance evident on her face.

Xiao Duo approached, holding a glass of red wine, his steps unsteady. “Miss Chi, why are you here alone? My younger brother can’t accompany you—are you lonely?” His smile was frivolous, perhaps thinking himself charming, but to Chi Xingwan, it was simply repulsive.

She glanced at him and turned away. “I have no desire to speak with you. Go back.”

“Playing hard to get?” Xiao Duo closed in on her. “Too bad that doesn’t work on me—I prefer women who take the initiative.”

Indeed, there were always egotists in every era.

Chi Xingwan turned to leave, but Xiao Duo blocked her path. “You’re so beautiful, with such a figure—it’s a waste for you to be with that fool. Why not come to me? I’ll treat you well.”

“Bad man, bad man…” A parrot with fiery red feathers suddenly swooped down, shrieking at Xiao Duo and clawing at his hair with its talons.

Enraged, Xiao Duo flung his wine at the bird. The parrot dodged with a flick of its wings, not a drop touching it.

“Idiot! Idiot!” it jeered before flying off.

Chi Xingwan couldn’t help but laugh aloud.

Xiao Duo’s anger shifted to Chi Xingwan. He smashed his glass, eyes venomous. “You don’t know what’s good for you, do you? I’m never short of women like you by my side. You’d better accept my kindness, or you’ll regret it.”

Chi Xingwan looked at him without the slightest emotion. “Your brow is dark, your body shrouded in black mist. Lately, nothing has gone right for you. It’s because your misdeeds are many. If you don’t atone soon, your end is near.”

Xiao Duo was taken aback, then his expression twisted with rage.

Chi Xingwan had already walked back into the hall, excusing herself to the restroom but actually stepping outside the villa.

Soon, she found the very parrot from before. Looking closely, Chi Xingwan realized that a fragment of a soul was trapped within the bird’s body.

Normally, even if a soul found another vessel, it would instinctively seek out its own body. Chi Xingwan’s eyes lit up as she asked, “Hey, are you Xiao Yue?”

The parrot tilted its head. “Who is Xiao Yue?”

The soul inside could answer her questions, clearly conscious. By rights, it should remember its own name.

Apparently, he truly didn’t know who Xiao Yue was.

Chi Xingwan felt a wave of disappointment.