Chapter 34: You Have No Affinity with the Path

"What happened?"

Fu Xueyue now placed absolute trust in Chen Fan—a trust built upon their partnership. If she didn't trust him, it wouldn't just be her own life at stake; the Fu Group would likely end up under the control of the Zhao family.

"The dark aura between your brows hasn't dissipated; it has shifted," Chen Fan said calmly. "It means that if you don't go to Liangmian Mountain, you won't encounter any danger. This threat is directed at your father; if you go, the killing blow will be aimed at you instead. It seems Old Fu has offended quite a few people by securing the Liangmian Mountain project."

"Old Fu?" Fu Xueyue’s expression was playful.

"Aren't you worried about him?" Chen Fan asked, feeling helpless. This CEO Fu showed no concern at all that her father was in danger, yet she seemed fixated on the way he addressed Fu Ankang.

"Why worry about him? Don't I have Master Chen here?" Fu Xueyue replied, winking at him.

*I still prefer the aloof CEO Fu from before...* Chen Fan muttered to himself.

"CEO Fu, about our contract..."

"I can pay more."

"Then I want another five percent of the equity."

"Agreed."

"CEO Fu is generous!"

Five percent of the Fu Group's equity was worth at least over a billion. Once this job was finished, Chen Fan figured he could retire and live off the annual dividends. He smiled at Fu Xueyue, "CEO Fu, wait for my good news."

"I will be waiting for you."

As Chen Fan turned to leave, his steps faltered. The sentence had struck a chord deep within him. *CEO Fu... she really is a good person.* He turned back and said with a faint smile, "CEO Fu, when I return, can you tell me about the grudge between you and Old Fu?"

Fu Xueyue’s eyes crinkled with a smile, and she nodded slowly.

***

Liangmian Mountain.

Once a famous tourist destination in Qingcheng, it had lost much of its appeal after an earthquake years ago damaged its scenery. Nowadays, let alone tourists from out of town, few locals even bothered to visit. Chen Fan surveyed his surroundings.

"Two faces forming peaks, each distinct. No water, forming a 'Jia' shape. This is an exceptional place, a rare 'Return to the Fields' formation—a feng shui treasure for great wealth and prosperity."

This was precisely why the Qingcheng business groups were still fighting tooth and nail over the project despite the accidents.

"Wait... no. The side peak collapsed during the earthquake and fell into the ravine, breaking the 'Return to the Fields' formation. Instead, it became a 'Covering Earth' formation—earth covering and nurturing life, condensing into raw jade... This is the 'Earth Mother Protecting Life' formation."

As Chen Fan mused, Fu Ankang’s voice sounded behind him. "What is 'Earth Mother Protecting Life'?"

Chen Fan turned to see Fu Ankang. Aside from his assistant, Xiao Li, there was an elderly man holding a Yin-Yang compass.

"Earth Mother Protecting Life, where the earth nurtures the spirit. Legend says that in ancient rituals, 'Imperial Heaven' was above and 'Earth Mother' was below. We pray to Imperial Heaven for favorable weather and to the Earth Mother for the nurturing of life. A feng shui formation of 'Earth Mother Protecting Life' proves that this land will become vibrant and full of vitality in the future."

The old man tucked his compass away and said flatly, "But young man, this is not 'Earth Mother Protecting Life.' It is a 'Return to the Fields' formation, meant for gathering wealth."

Chen Fan looked at the old man with curiosity but did not argue. After all, the old man understood the concept but failed to see that the feng shui of Liangmian Mountain had already changed.

Fu Ankang smiled at Chen Fan, "Chen Fan, this is Jiang Mingyuan, the feng shui master who has always advised the Fu family. Elder Jiang, this is the Chen Fan I told you about."

Jiang Mingyuan looked at Chen Fan, chuckled, and nodded in satisfaction. Seeing that expression, Chen Fan half-expected him to say, "Young man, I see your bones are extraordinary."

"It’s a pity. You seem to have some talent, but your perspective needs tempering. Still, you are young and promising; you have time," Jiang Mingyuan said with a smile.

This patronizing lecture left not only Chen Fan but even Fu Ankang feeling rather embarrassed.

***

Fu Ankang quickly interjected with a smile, "Chen Fan, I'm very happy you came in Xueyue's place today... Let's walk around the mountain."

Chen Fan didn't take Jiang Mingyuan to heart and nodded slightly at Fu Ankang. He examined Fu Ankang’s face; the deep shadows between his brows and the lingering malevolent aura meant that even if he survived, he would surely be left with permanent injuries. It seemed the Fu family had truly provoked someone by touching this mountain—and it wasn't just the Taoist Society brought in by Zhao Kai.

"Little Fu, it’s better not to walk around. You should head home early today," Jiang Mingyuan said calmly. "I just returned from the capital, which broadened my horizons, and I can see the malevolent aura缠绕 (entwining) your brows. But since I am back, you can rest easy."

*It’s fortunate he came back late. If he had arrived two days earlier, I’m afraid Qingcheng would have had one more dead feng shui master,* Chen Fan thought, the corner of his mouth curling into a smile.

"Understood," Fu Ankang replied helplessly. Sometimes, seniority was an insurmountable weight. Jiang Mingyuan was a friend of his father’s generation and a trusted master; as long as it didn't involve matters of principle, Fu Ankang usually couldn't be bothered to argue.

"Young man, what are you smiling at?" Jiang Mingyuan asked, his tone carrying a hint of reprimand.

"I'm smiling at how you address the Chairman. Is there a problem with that?" Chen Fan replied with a detached smile.

Jiang Mingyuan shook his head. "Sigh. I originally saw that you had an affinity for feng shui and considered teaching you a trick or two. But I see you have no destiny for the Taoist path, so forget it."

Hearing this, Fu Ankang panicked slightly and quickly said, "Elder Jiang, you can't say it like that..."

Seeing Fu Ankang trying to intervene, Xiao Li leaned toward Chen Fan and whispered, "Mr. Chen, Chairman Fu had previously begged Jiang Mingyuan to teach you more..."

Chen Fan paused for a moment, unable to help but sigh inwardly. *This wasn't part of the contract; why is Old Fu going out of his way like this? And just how weak does he think I am?*