Taboo Mage - Chapter 133 - Departure

practical.

This big star was scared out of his wits, which was understandable. Anyone would be terrified in such a situation.

That afternoon, Jue Chi took the little fox back with him, reportedly to check how it was doing in his absence. I was a bit worried about the little fox. It had been eating and sleeping well with me, and in just a fortnight, it had grown chubby and healthy. Even Uncle Lin was surprised when he came to see it, almost unable to recognize it.

After the little fox left, the shop felt much quieter. Although Du Jun and his bodyguards were around, I didn’t have much fondness for this big star and usually couldn’t be bothered to interact with him. As of now, we hadn’t exchanged many words.

It was past ten that evening when Du Jun returned to my shop after his interview. Lin Huan and I were sitting on the couch waiting for him. Seeing Du Jun with a mask and sunglasses, I feared he might trip over the steps at any moment.

Once inside, Du Jun removed his face coverings, looked at me wearily, and asked, “Mr. Gu, when are we leaving?”

I frowned, “Didn’t we agree on a week later? There are still four days to go.”

Suddenly, Du Jun rushed over, his eyes wide with fear, shouting, “No! I really can’t wait. That thing will kill me! It won’t wait for four days!”

“What exactly is going on?” I leaned back to avoid his reaching hand.

Du Jun slumped onto the couch, clutching his head with both hands and said tearfully, “Just now… in front of all those reporters, it appeared again…”

Du Jun couldn’t finish his sentence, looking visibly pained. I turned to his agent, who was following him.

The agent shook his head helplessly and said, “During the interview, Du Jun suddenly went crazy and started fighting with the reporters. He even grabbed a knife, threatening to stab himself. The online buzz is in an uproar, with everyone saying he’s possessed.”

I raised an eyebrow. It seemed like the sharp-eyed netizens could even spot possession, which coincidentally proved how positive the image Du Jun maintained in public had been.

Lin Huan chimed in, suggesting that since we were leaving anyway, it wouldn’t hurt to go a few days earlier.

I snorted. It wasn’t that I was intentionally delaying; it’s just that the necessary preparations weren’t complete. If we rushed to Thailand and something happened, who would take responsibility?

The three of them buzzed around me like bees, which was really getting on my nerves.

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from the door, “Looks like I’m not too late.”

I froze for a moment, then turned to see Chi Rui standing there. As always, he was in a perfectly tailored suit, holding a black leather briefcase.

I stood up to greet him, surprised, “What brings you here?”

“Curiosity. I heard there’s an all-expense-paid business trip from here. I’ve been quite bored lately, so I decided to come check it out,” Chi Rui replied, glancing at Du Jun. “Is this the big star? If I join you on your trip to Thailand, will my food and accommodations be covered?”

Du Jun was taken aback and didn’t have time to respond before his agent quickly nodded.

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes; some people were just fearless, eager to jump in. Lin Huan, already beaming, instinctively took Chi Rui’s luggage and carried it to the guest room downstairs.

Great, now the only available room was occupied. It was a storeroom specially tidied up, initially meant for Du Jun.

Chi Rui didn’t seem to mind and, after a few casual exchanges with me, went off to sleep.

With one more person added, even meals felt a bit constrained. So, as I lay awake that night, I considered whether I should start charging them for meals.

Two thousand a month per person? Not bad…

The next morning, before I even got out of bed, I heard a commotion downstairs.

I have quite the temper when woken up, so I prepared to lash out, storming down the stairs in just shorts.

To my surprise, the living room was crowded with people. A few individuals in matching uniforms were moving a bunch of stuff into the shop.

I noticed the logo on one of the boxes. “Air conditioner? Who bought this? Are they burning money?”

Lin Huan, busy directing the operation, hadn’t had a chance to speak before Chi Rui, now in casual clothes, walked out of his room, looked at me, and said, “I bought it. Your room is too cold.”

I glared, “Too cold? You’re only staying for a few days, not squatting here permanently. If it’s cold, sleep with clothes on!”

Lin Huan gave me an awkward glance, “Boss, Mr. Chi actually plans on not leaving.”

“What do you mean? What’s he planning by staying?”

“Investing!”

Chi Rui plopped down on the sofa, holding my teacup, and even raised an eyebrow at me, clearly provoking me.

“No investing! None of that nonsense!” I couldn’t help but curse.

This guy wanted to invest just like that? Did I, the boss, agree to it?

Chi Rui chuckled, raising four fingers, “I’m not just freeloading. This number, with two more zeroes behind it, is my investment. Boss Gu, consider it?”

“Deal!”

I quickly walked over and slapped Chi Rui on the shoulder.

Turning down such an attractive offer would be stupid!

“As for the exorcism trip to Thailand for Du Jun, I’ve prepared everything needed. But rest assured, I’ve given the list to the agent. As soon as he transfers the reimbursement, we can leave anytime.”

“No problem!”

Though I didn’t know why Chi Rui took a liking to my small shop and spent so lavishly, if I rejected it, that would be foolish, wouldn’t it?

Du Jun couldn’t wait to leave within an hour. After receiving Chi Rui’s message, in less than ten minutes, there was a ping; the transaction notification came through.

I pulled out my phone from my shorts, glanced at it, nodded, put my hands on my hips, and declared, “I’ve decided, we’re leaving tomorrow!”

The supplies were shipped directly to Bangkok. Jue Chi, Chi Rui, and I traveled light and boarded the plane the next day. Du Jun followed shortly, heading straight to the airport once his work was done.

Unexpectedly, Jue Chi brought the little fox along, saying it was to supervise its weight loss. But such a flimsy excuse was something I refused to believe.