Chapter 22: Tampered With

Pei Hexuan's secretary delivered the items he had been asked to purchase. Bai Qianzhou rummaged through the large box for a while, and upon confirming that everything she needed was inside, she was delighted.

Afterward, Pei Hexuan left for work at the company. Bai Lu sat on the sofa, watching Pei Yanlin teach Bai Qianzhou how to use a smartphone. Pei Yanlin even downloaded several popular games for her. He specifically took two photos of Bai Qianzhou focusing intently on the phone and sent them to his eldest brother, Pei Yanchen, telling him about how impressive Bai Qianzhou was. Pei Yanchen did not say much else, simply instructing Pei Yanlin to take good care of Bai Qianzhou at home, promising that he would rush back as soon as he finished the project he was working on.

Bai Qianzhou had no desire to go out, so Bai Lu and Pei Yanlin stayed home to keep her company.

In the evening, Pei Hexuan returned home looking rather exhausted. Bai Qianzhou was drinking water when she sensed an unusual aura. She looked up and was startled by what she saw: Pei Hexuan’s golden aura of merit was now tainted with streaks of black mist. Those dark traces stood out conspicuously within the gold light.

"Mr. Pei, could you tell me what you did today besides going to work?" Bai Qianzhou asked quietly.

"Hmm? I didn't go anywhere else. I was busy at the company the whole time. My secretary brought me lunch, and I just stopped by the manor earlier. Why do you ask?" Pei Hexuan looked at Bai Qianzhou with a perplexed expression, his brow slightly furrowed.

"The manor?" Bai Qianzhou repeated the word.

"It’s the Pei family manor. We used to live there all the time, but after Mom and Dad got married, Mom was desperate to find you, and since her health wasn't very good, we moved out," Pei Yanlin explained from the side.

Bai Qianzhou couldn't help but frown. "Is there anyone else in the manor right now?"

"My second uncle and aunt are very busy with work and rarely return home. Their two sons—our cousins—just started high school, and since the manor is too far from their school, they moved to a place closer to campus for convenience. They only come here to stay for a couple of days during breaks, or they might spend a couple of days at the manor. Aside from the gardeners and servants, there is no one else there now. Why?" Pei Yanlin asked, his gaze fixed on Bai Qianzhou.

"Someone has tampered with the manor. It would be best to have everyone leave immediately and ensure no one goes in or out," she replied.

Pei Hexuan did not doubt Bai Qianzhou's words for a second. He immediately took out his phone and called the manor, ordering everyone to take leave and vacate the premises at once. Although they were filled with confusion, under Pei Hexuan’s authority, they obeyed and hurriedly left the manor.

Afterward, Pei Hexuan notified his brother, Pei Hechuan, instructing him to tell the two boys not to return to the manor for the time being and to come straight here during their break, waiting for further notice.

"Zhouzhou, you said the manor was tampered with—what exactly is going on?" Bai Lu asked, her eyes shimmering with worry.

"When Mr. Pei left this morning, there were no issues, but now he is shrouded in a layer of baleful energy. Since he said he only went to the company and the manor, the problem must lie with the manor. As for what exactly is wrong, I can't be sure until I go see for myself," Bai Qianzhou explained. She was puzzled; even if there were baleful energy, it shouldn't be this intense—unless the energy had been present on him all along but suppressed by something. It was only after he visited the manor and came into contact with the source there that his own baleful energy had erupted.

"Then... will this baleful energy hurt Hexuan?" Bai Lu felt a wave of panic.

Pei Hexuan took her hand and patted it gently, signaling her not to be nervous. He knew that if there were truly a major problem, Bai Qianzhou would not be so calm; she would have already resolved it.