Taboo Mage - Chapter 153 - The Deal

After hearing what I said, Taka’s expression turned extremely unpleasant. I looked at him coldly. What’s wrong? Not long ago, he insisted he could meet any demand, even willing to become my wife, just to achieve his goal!

And now, just asking him to kneel in front of the Gu Family’s ancestral tablet for a month is too much?

Chi Rui, standing on the side, glanced around with a look of schadenfreude directed at Taka. Seeing Taka’s pale face, he almost wanted to rise and applaud in congratulations.

“Tell me… Mr. Zhou, do you think your dignity is more important, or your pride?” Chi Rui asked with a sneer.

I raised an eyebrow, curious to see to what extent this man, who claimed he would do anything for the Zhou Family, could really go.

I don’t know how long I waited; just as I was about to fall asleep, Taka finally responded coldly, “I agree to your terms.”

Ha! I didn’t expect him to actually agree! I slapped my thigh as I stood up. “Alright, in that case, let’s book the tickets. You’ll be coming back with us tomorrow.”

“Okay,” Taka agreed swiftly this time.

“Remember, book tickets for everyone.” I chuckled, thinking how I couldn’t let this rich man off without extracting some wealth!

Our trip to Thailand went surprisingly smoothly, with no unexpected issues.

All night long, I felt it was all too calm, like I’d been caught in a huge web. It seemed like a big hand was orchestrating recent events from behind the scenes.

He was standing ahead, watching me, but the path was shrouded in mist, preventing me from seeing his face clearly.

This feeling had surrounded me since the day I first crafted a life amulet, but it was growing even stronger now.

The word “Beijing” suddenly flashed into my mind out of nowhere in the darkness.

Back when I first learned that my family’s curse might be related to the Chi Family in Shenyang, I had charged into Northeast China fueled only by courage. However, when I realized the truth lay in Beijing, I chose to escape.

After returning from Shenyang, I never mentioned searching for the truth in Beijing again.

But this time, after being tricked by Taka into going to Thailand, I could no longer avoid dealing with Beijing. Even so, I never believed that a trip to Beijing would provide all the answers.

Half-asleep, I finally drifted off and dreamt of my grandfather and father. This time, the dream took place in a serene outdoor setting, with my father and grandfather leisurely playing chess beneath a waterfall.

I approached and asked my grandfather whether the events in Thailand were truly related to the Gu Family curse.

Grandfather, holding a chess piece, looked up at me after hearing my question and scolded, “You rascal, you’re nearly back from Thailand and now you’re asking us? What good is that?”

I sighed internally, “I wanted to ask sooner, but you didn’t come to find me earlier…”

I hadn’t realized it was just a dream, and considering I was facing two spirits who had passed away years ago, they were obviously the ones who could manipulate my dreams.

Sure enough, my dad threw a handful of chess pieces at me, “All grown up, and you’re harboring complaints.”

This time, I didn’t dare to justify myself, knowing it would do no good.

Grandfather was naturally more amiable, smiling as he asked, “Qingshu, how are things with that kid from the Zhou Family?”

I replied with irritation, “Not well, just another little brat.”

“Heh heh…” Grandfather chuckled mysteriously, not saying more, just waving his hand.

I watched, realizing they were about to kick me out of my dream. As my consciousness began to clear, I shouted, “Grandfather, are you okay with those two old guys from the Zhou Family sleeping with you?”

“You rascal! You’ve agreed but still ask us!”

It was my dad who roared that last sentence. I jolted awake, with the echo of his yell still lingering, but everything else was normal.

I rubbed my eyes and glanced at the time on my wrist. It was just past four in the morning-not too early, not too late. I figured I wouldn’t be able to fall back asleep, so I got up carefully, tiptoeing downstairs to find something to eat.

To my surprise, as I opened the door, there was someone standing right at the entrance. In the dark of night, seeing someone at my doorstep startled me so much I almost lost my wits.

“Jue… Jue Chi? What are you doing at my door in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?” Once I regained my composure, I yelled in a hushed tone.

Standing at my door in the middle of the night was none other than Jue Chi, that pest of a monk! When he saw me open the door, he shamelessly grinned. The soft little fox at his feet brushed against my pant leg and darted past me.

Before I could say anything, Jue Chi pushed the door open wider and added, “Close the door.”

I stood there, stunned, my mouth agape and unable to process what was happening. What on earth was he planning?

The little fox, quite industrious, nudged the door closed with its two tiny paws.

“What… are you doing here in the middle of the night?” The sound of the door closing pulled my thoughts back to reality. Given Jue Chi’s nature, he wouldn’t stand at my door for no reason.

Sure enough, Jue Chi reached to flick the light switch on the wall, filling the room with light. He walked over to the bed, sat down, and said in a deep voice, “I want to ask you something.”

“Then just ask!” I frowned. What’s with Jue Chi being all hesitant today?

Holding the little fox, Jue Chi suddenly sighed and asked, “Do you really not like men?”

I gasped. “Of course not!”

As soon as I said that, a look of relief washed over Jue Chi’s face. I frowned, feeling something was off with Jue Chi tonight.

But exactly what was off? I couldn’t pinpoint it.

After that seemingly random question, Jue Chi got up and bid farewell, leaving. I sat on the sofa, watching his departing figure, and finally realized what was wrong.

Jue Chi… wasn’t wearing the walnut bracelet I gave him on his wrist.

Ever since our trip to Shenyang, after Jue Chi got teased by Lin Huan and me for his attire, he seldom wore his Buddhist prayer beads anymore. Instead, he usually wore the bracelet I gave him, saving the prayer beads for significant occasions.

The bracelet resembled the prayer beads so closely that unless someone mentioned it explicitly, most people wouldn’t even notice.