Chapter 19: The Curse
“The Zhao family?”
Fu Xueyue was somewhat surprised—not because she doubted Chen Fan, but because it was hard to believe that the ones targeting her were the Zhao family.
“My... aunt?”
“I know the Zhao family has been facing difficulties. A few months ago, they even sold off some deals to the Zhao family.”
“The Fu Group has always supported the Zhao family. Why... would they do this?”
Fu Xueyue furrowed her brow, struggling to make sense of it all.
But above all, she remained calm.
“Chen Fan, you said before...”
“The head dragon devours the tail; in the end, only the head remains—that is, the Fu family’s legacy.”
“If... the Fu Group truly falls, then the remaining inheritance...”
Chen Fan nodded slightly. “That’s right. If you die, and your father dies, the Fu family’s assets will pass into your aunt’s hands.”
“She married into the Zhao family, whose fate and fortune are linked, so she won’t be affected by the head dragon devouring the tail.”
Fu Xueyue quietly ate a few bites of her meal, her expression unreadable.
Chen Fan said nothing. According to the contract, the decision on how to deal with the Zhao family was hers.
“This matter...” Fu Xueyue said coldly, “I don’t want my father to know.”
“And your decision?” Chen Fan raised an eyebrow.
At that moment, Fu Xueyue’s entire being radiated a chilling resolve.
“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”
“Are you planning to go to Jinling?”
Chen Fan shook his head gently. “Setting up the head dragon devouring the tail—they’re definitely waiting for the Fu Group to face a major crisis.”
“Then they’ll immediately take over the legacy you leave behind.”
“So...”
Chen Fan arched an eyebrow and smiled. “They’re already in Qingcheng.”
Fu Xueyue clenched her delicate fists. She didn’t understand!
The Fu Group had helped the Zhao family at every turn—why would they want to destroy them?
They were family beyond just business ties!
“I’ll meet with them first. You come with me,” Fu Xueyue said in a low voice.
Chen Fan nodded slightly.
...
The next day.
The Feng Banquet Hall.
Chen Fan sat beside Fu Xueyue in the lavish hall. Soon, three people entered.
Zhao Kai, Fu Yinghui, and a golden-haired Zhao Chenxi.
“Heh, niece Xueyue, you personally hosting the banquet—we’re truly honored,” Zhao Kai smiled as he sat down, exchanging glances with Fu Yinghui. His eyes showed some wariness toward Chen Fan.
Zhao Chenxi, like a proud little lion, glanced lightly at Chen Fan before taking a seat beside Fu Xueyue.
“Sister Xueyue...” Zhao Chenxi was about to speak but was interrupted by Fu Xueyue.
“Aunt, Uncle Zhao, I heard your company recently filed for bankruptcy?” Fu Xueyue said calmly.
Zhao Kai and Fu Yinghui exchanged embarrassed smiles.
“It’s nothing!” Zhao Chenxi said with a smile. “Though our family went bankrupt, my father found new channels.”
“We’ll be rising again soon!”
The little golden-haired boy’s proud demeanor made Chen Fan shake his head helplessly.
Indeed, they had found a way to rise again.
But it was by killing the Fu Group and feeding off their legacy.
It was utterly despicable—what was the difference from cannibalizing one’s own bloodline?
Fu Xueyue nodded calmly.
“Don’t you two have anything to say?”
Zhao Kai and Fu Yinghui exchanged a glance and gave forced smiles.
“What’s there to say? We’re just gathering here in Qingcheng, right?”
“I mean, about the feng shui,” Fu Xueyue shook her head slightly and laid her cards on the table.
Chen Fan shook his head in disappointment.
Originally, Fu Xueyue, seeing that Fu Yinghui was her aunt—and knowing that Fu Ankang had always doted on this sister—had mercifully wanted to give them a chance.
But only on the condition that they admit it themselves.
Unfortunately, they failed to seize that chance.
“Feng... feng shui?” Zhao Kai’s expression faltered, and he laughed. “What are you talking about?”
Fu Yinghui’s expression shifted drastically. She said anxiously, “Good niece, how can you believe in such nonsense as feng shui?”
“Hmm... I think it’s still believable,” Zhao Chenxi nodded, glancing at Chen Fan from the corner of his eye.
A flash of disappointment crossed Fu Xueyue’s eyes. She shook her head slightly. “The three of you may leave.”
“We have things to do, so we won’t stay,” Zhao Kai said with a smile.
After speaking, he and Fu Yinghui immediately left.
Zhao Chenxi stared after his parents, stunned.
Just like that? They left?
“Mom, Dad! Wait for me!”
Zhao Chenxi stood up, wanting to follow, but then turned back to rummage through his bag for a wooden bead bracelet.
“Sister Xueyue, this pendant was brought back from abroad by my mother for you. Don’t think it’s ugly. They say it brings protection. She asked me to give it to you...”
Seeing his parents’ backs vanish, Zhao Chenxi hurried after them.
“Sister Xueyue, I’m not saying anything! My parents left so fast!”
He placed the wooden bead bracelet on the table and rushed out.
Fu Xueyue watched Zhao Chenxi’s departing figure and couldn’t help but ask, “Is she... involved in all this?”
Chen Fan shook his head slightly.
More than just unrelated, this little golden-haired boy didn’t even know his family was bankrupt.
Seeing Fu Xueyue reach out to touch the wooden bead bracelet on the table, Chen Fan frowned and said, “Don’t touch it.”
“They sent people twice but failed to kill you. The people they sent all ended up dead.”
“Even if they’re stupid, they know you have a feng shui master assisting you.”
“Obvious curse attacks don’t work...”
Chen Fan chuckled lightly. “So they immediately switched to a slow and steady curse.”
“A curse?” Fu Xueyue’s delicate body trembled slightly.
“Yeah, it’s similar in effect to the previous feng shui formation—a gradual descent into death.”
Chen Fan nodded slightly. “But this curse is even more vicious than the prior feng shui formation.”
He stood and looked at the unremarkable wooden bead bracelet on the table.
With a blank expression, Chen Fan picked up a glass and forcefully smashed its bottom against one of the wooden beads.
The bead shattered instantly.
Dark, murky blood oozed from within.
An unbearable stench filled the entire private dining room.