The Byoukidere Is Her Sweetie

Chapter 132: 132: Bullying jerks feels great, constantly bullying jerks is a consistent thrill

“It’s the almighty Lord Black Impermanence!”

Old Lady Jiang naturally didn’t believe this nonsense, and she asked Jiang Chuan again, “What kind of ghost-talk is this? Who exactly was it?”

Jiang Chuan was already too scared to speak.

Seeing that no words could be gotten out of him, Old Lady Jiang called a few servants over, “You all go up there and take a look.”

A group of them went up together.

They returned in less than two minutes.

...

“Old Madam, there’s no one upstairs.”

Upon hearing this, everyone was puzzled.

Someone asked, “How is that possible? The exits were all blocked, could the person have flown away?”

Eyes were everywhere, could someone really sprout wings and fly?

The “idiot son” from the Landlord Ming’s family started babbling some superstitious nonsense again, “Of course people can’t fly, but Lord Black Impermanence can.” Worrying no one would believe him, he patted his chest to assure, “I’ve seen it with my own eyes, Lord Black Impermanence’s mana is boundless.”

It was beginning to sound more plausible.

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“Jiang Chuan,” Old Lady Jiang had someone help him up, “I’ll ask you one more time, who is upstairs?”

Jiang Chuan had recovered a bit, but his expression still betrayed a residual fear, as he replied, “It was Lord Black Impermanence.”

Geez!

Xue Baoyi rubbed his arms, “I’m freaking getting goosebumps.” He elbowed Qiao Nanchu who was next to him, “Do you believe in ghosts?”

“People with a guilty conscience believe in ghosts.”

“But the person on the roof really did vanish into thin air, and we even have two ‘eyewitnesses’ who saw the ghost.”

The whole ‘no guilty deed, no fear of ghosts knocking at the door’ didn’t quite suit the crowd attending the banquet today. These were people at the top of the pyramid, and those who managed to climb that high rarely had clean hands; there were bound to be a few guilty consciences.

Xue Baoyi was among them.

He felt a chill on his back, “I kind of do believe it. I figure I might have a ghost in my heart, come to think of it, I’ve done my fair share of bad deeds. Should I make a donation tomorrow, maybe build a Hope Primary School or something?”

“What, scared of a ghost coming knocking?”

“Scared, yeah.” Xue Baoyi started to joke again, “But if it’s a pretty female ghost, that’s a different story.”

Qiao Nanchu was too lazy to talk nonsense with him, “Look at Jiang Zhi.”

Suddenly faced with ghosts, everyone was on edge, except for Jiang Zhi. He sat there leisurely, legs crossed. Xue Baoyi clicked his tongue, “He’s got quite the seductive smile.”

That smile was full of triumph.

You could tell, the little beauty was in a good mood.

Qiao Nanchu’s smile was ambiguously mischievous, “Maybe bewitched by a ghost.”

The birthday party was thrown into chaos because of this incident. Many guests were anxious; they wanted to leave but didn’t dare to, and everywhere outside was damp. In the cold night, thin ice was already forming.

Old Lady Jiang made a decision, “Fuli, take Qinghe back to your room to freshen up.”

Luo Qinghe, frozen stiff, was a mess. She was far from her usual fierce self and struggled to even stand, supported by Jiang Fuli and other servants, she withdrew first.

Old Madam gave another order, “Ah Gui, take some servants and search the house. Don’t miss a single spot.”

“Yes, Old Madam.”

After giving the instructions, Old Madam then turned to the guests, “I apologize for the fright. I, an old woman, will use tea to substitute wine and offer my apologies here.” After finishing her tea in one gulp, Old Madam continued, “The banquet will be set up in the mansion in the back garden. Please, everyone, join us there.”

The guests were led by the servants to the main mansion’s back.

Ming Songding, when no one was watching, grabbed his idiot son by the ear, “You come here!”

Ming Yanghua hopped and skipped three steps away, dodging him and looking pitifully at Ming Saiying for help, “Sis.”

Her sister was wearing some man’s suit jacket, her face twisted in annoyance. Not only did she not help, but she also kicked his behind, “Go over there!”

This was his own sister and father!

Ming Yanghua didn’t even have time to lament his miserable fate before his father caught his ear again, “You little brat, daring to spout nonsense even in a place like this. Can’t go a day without courting trouble, can you?”

Ming Yanghua winced in pain, “Dad, come on.”

He was already in his twenties; yet his father still pulled his ears at the drop of a hat. It was so embarrassing. Hadn’t he any face to lose?

Annoying!

Ming Yanghua turned around, glaring at his father, “You can’t hit me, I’m Lord Black Impermanence’s mortal messenger—”

Ming Songding brought down his fist.

“Ouch!”

Lord Black Impermanence’s mortal messenger just got a thrashing.

Using his hands wasn’t enough, Ming Songding also kicked with his feet: “What kind of crap mortal messenger are you? Spout more nonsense and I’ll beat you to death!”

Ming Yanghua was defiant, yanking her ear from her father’s grip: “I really am a mortal messenger. Lord Black Impermanence said so, praised my extraordinary bones. Only I can see the Hell Messengers, you bunch of mortals—”

Mortal Ming Songding retorted: “Only you can see them? Then what did Housekeeper Jiang see?” His volatile temper flared as he bellowed, “A ghost, huh?!”

Oh, right.

How could Housekeeper Jiang also see Lord Black Impermanence?

“Mortal messenger?” Ming Songding kicked again, “Messenger my ass!”

Feeling as if she’d been played like a fool, Ming Yanghua: “…”

Damn!

Was she deceived? Did a ghost really trick her?!

Damn damn damn damn damn!

“Ao ao ao ao ao—”

Following that was Ming Yanghua’s pathetic, wailing scream, drowned out by the uproar of the crowd.

Qiao Nanchu pulled Jiang Zhi aside to a quiet corner where they could talk and asked, “Who was on the rooftop just now?”

He actually replied seriously, “Lord Black Impermanence.”

Bullshit!

Qiao Nanchu took out his lighter and cigarettes: “Do you think I’d believe that?”

As he was about to light up, Jiang Zhi snatched the cigarette away: “Don’t smoke in front of this invalid.” He tossed the cigarette into the trash, “If it was you on the rooftop, and there were people guarding downstairs, how would you escape?”

Qiao Nanchu surveyed the terrain: “There’s another room behind.”

Jiang Zhi glanced at him with a hint of amusement in his eyes: “There’s a ten-meter gap, are you going to fly over it?”

“If I had the right tools, it wouldn’t be impossible,” Qiao Nanchu added, “Of course, the average person shouldn’t even think about it, it would have to be someone with special training.”

Jiang Zhi overturned his hypothetical: “That room behind has a flat roof with nothing to grab onto, no tools can be used.”

There’s no escape then.

Qiao Nanchu twiddled the lighter in his hand: “So?” How did the person get away?

Jiang Zhi brought out the same serious nonsense: “So it was Lord Black Impermanence.”

Qiao Nanchu laughed, a rare display of enthusiasm: “I was only suspicious before but seeing how adamantly you defend, I’m convinced now, it was your person.”

Busted, Jiang Zhi grumbled: “As a police officer, speak with evidence.”

“No evidence, but plenty of sensational rumors are swirling among the errand runners. They say she has three heads and six arms, is bulletproof and omnipotent,” Qiao Nanchu said with a playful look, “Does your person really have the ability to climb walls?”

Jiang Zhi didn’t answer directly, instead, he bluffed pretentiously, with an air of pride: “She might be a fairy whose seals have been unlocked, possessing boundless mana.”

“Wasn’t it Lord Black Impermanence? Now she’s a fairy?”

“Quit trying to fish for information, go enjoy your drink,” Jiang Zhi glanced at his watch, “In no more than ten minutes, things will wrap up.”

This abrupt statement confused Qiao Nanchu: “Wrap what up?”

He said no more and ambled away lazily.

Ten minutes, huh…

Qiao Nanchu timed his wait, and at the eighth minute, a servant from the Jiang Family rushed in, flustered.

“Old Madam, two Misses from the Luo Family have started fighting.”

Both adjacent tables heard, that Luo Family, never a moment’s peace.

Old Lady Jiang was still seated, unfazed and detached: “This is the Luo Family’s private matter, report to the father-in-law, the old master.”

The servant got the hint and informed Luo Huaiyu.

He summoned Tang Xiang and was just getting up with his cane when shrieks could already be heard.

“Ahhh ahh ahh ahh ahh ahh—”

Still Luo Qinghe.

Today, she seemed determined to lose face all at once.

In the great hall of the leading house, the Luo sisters were in a ‘heated fight’; to be precise, Luo Yinghe was single-handedly beating Luo Qinghe.

The ground was covered with blue petals.

Unknown what plant it was, the flowers had six petals, slightly transparent blue, with no leaves, thorny stems, slim and sharp, as long as fingernails.

Luo Yinghe grabbed a bunch and fiercely whipped Luo Qinghe with them.

The needle-thin thorns broke off when they pierced the skin, causing Luo Qinghe to shriek in pain. Stumbling and falling while trying to dodge, she was weakened by a bone-chilling cold and a high fever, utterly lacking the strength to get up, so she could only curl up and scoot backward.

She was furious, “Stop!”

“I refuse to.” Luo Yinghe, seemingly unaware of pain, clutched a bunch of flower stems and violently swung it, landing a solid hit on Luo Qinghe’s back.

She screamed in pain.

But Luo Yinghe became even more excited as she lashed out, her veins bulging and her eyes reddening. She cursed wildly as she beat mercilessly.

“Who do you think you are?”

“Why do you get to boss me around all the time!”

She was completely irrational, her face twisted in a grotesque sneer, staring down Luo Qinghe with a handful of flower stems, taking out all her resentment on her.

Intermittent explosive disorder.

She had an episode, even more out of control than usual.

The bouquet’s petals were all gone, the slender thorns scraping against the skin, leaving long trails of blood. Luo Qinghe, drained of all strength, was forced back into a corner, shouting, “Luo Yinghe!”

On any other day, what Luo Yinghe feared most was her cousin’s stern and cold gaze. But now her mind was in a state of extreme excitement; the shouts not only failed to stop her but further agitated her. She raised her hand high and struck Luo Qinghe’s face with the thorny flower stem.

“What are you putting on airs for!”

“What’s so great about you! You’re only a few years older than me!”

“You think you’re so tough?”

“Show me how tough you are! Ah!”

For each insult, she whipped her, unleashing all the suppressed resentment and anger.

She acted like a madwoman.

Jiang Fuli stepped forward to pull her away, “Yinghe.”

She shook him off forcefully, “Get lost!”

“Luo Yinghe!” Jiang Fuli grabbed her whipping hand, “Calm down.”

She didn’t listen at all, her eyes fierce as if she’d eat someone, flailing the thorny branches, “Move or I’ll beat you too.”

Something was not right…

She only had mild intermittent explosive disorder, it shouldn’t have driven her to such madness.

As Luo Yinghe turned her frenzy towards Jiang Fuli, Luo Qinghe, leaning against the wall, staggered to her feet, only to be yanked back by the hair by someone behind her and dragged away forcefully.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Tears sprang from the pain, her hair disheveled, her face covered in blood. She bit down on her teeth in hatred, utterly exhausted, head yanked back as she was pulled by her hair.

The flower stem lashed at her again.

Luo Yinghe’s eyes seemed like they would pop out, bloodshot and crazed. Her carefully styled hair was a mess; she clutched at a handful of it.

“Who said you could leave?”

After her roar, she pushed Luo Qinghe against the wall and pressed the thorny stem against her, “I’m not done teaching you a lesson, who said you could leave!”

Luo Qinghe, still in a high fever and unable to move, wished she could kill this mad woman, “You lunatic, you better kill me, or else—”

Luo Yinghe slapped her squarely.

“I am a lunatic, I am prone to outbursts, but I’m still better than you and your father. You’re a beast, and so is your father, he even—”

“Enough!”

Following the shout was the sound of Luo Huaiyu’s cane and the commotion of footsteps.

The battling pair were stunned.

One with a ferocious countenance, the other covered in blood, the two Misses of the Luo Family had truly become a spectacle for all the guests to behold. Luo Yinghe was tolerable; she was known for being trouble and spoiled. But Luo Qinghe…

As haughty and dominant as she was before, today she was in a pitiful state of disarray.

And the Luo Family, their image utterly tarnished, became a laughingstock in the circles of the Imperial City.

Luo Huaiyu’s hands trembled with his cane, his pupils a fiery red with rage, but with everyone present, he restrained himself, “Old Madame Jiang, may I borrow a few people?”

Old Madame Jiang nodded and signaled a few men over.

They stepped forward and grabbed Luo Yinghe. Unwilling, she cursed and struggled, the girl displaying strength unknown from whence it came, defiant even when dragged by several men, kicking and flailing.

Luo Qinghe, supported by Jiang Fuli, was in disarray after the ordeal, her usual defiance and spirit completely worn down. Her clothes were disheveled, panting weakly as if hanging by a thread.

Luo Huaiyu’s face was ashen as he fought the surging anger, “My granddaughter is ill, please help me take her to the hospital.”

Several men worked together to finally drag her away.

Curses echoed until they were far away, Luo Yinghe spewing the word ‘beast’ at Luo Changde, Luo Qinghe, and even Luo Huaiyu.

Once the yelling had faded, Luo Huaiyu grimaced as he apologized to the guests, “My granddaughter suffers from intermittent explosive disorder, which causes her to speak nonsense when it flares up. Please forgive us for this embarrassing spectacle.”

Whether it’s nonsense or not, one man’s meat is another man’s poison.

“Today I’ve spoiled everyone’s mood, I’ll hold a feast at the Luo Family’s place another day to make amends.”

Luo Huaiyu apologized formally, and then Old Lady Jiang stepped in to ask the guests to move on.

At this point, Jiang Zhi suddenly squatted down, picked up a fallen flower from the ground: “What kind of flower is this?” He sniffed gently, “It has a medicinal scent.”

Old Lady Jiang’s heart immediately rang alarm bells: “Brother Zhi, don’t touch it.”

He let go.

The flower stem hit the ground and broke into several petals.

Only then did everyone notice, the flower had a medicinal scent.

Old Lady Jiang turned around and questioned the few servants in the room: “Where did this flower come from?”

The servants were silent as cicadas in winter and could not answer.

“Old Madam,”

It was Qin Shiyu, who stepped forward, his tone as mild as ever: “This is my flower, a medicinal plant. It seems that a servant made a mistake and used it as a decoration.”

He resided at the Jiang Mansion, and in the garden behind there was a flower arbor dedicated to his use, where he often cultivated medicinal herbs and flowers.

Old Lady Jiang was aware of this, so she said no more.

Qin Shiyu made an apology and then squatted down to pick up the fallen branches and petals, carrying them away in his clothes.

“Wait a minute.”

Jiang Xiaolin suddenly spoke up, seemingly casually, and asked, “Shiyu, does this flower have another name, known as Qiu Luhua?”

Qin Shiyu did not reply, his expression unclear as he lowered his eyes.

Jiang Xiaolin did not press further, instead, he raised his eyes and turned to his old classmate, “Do you still recognize this flower? We saw it back when we were in school.”

Tang Xiang and Jiang Xiaolin had studied biology in college.

Upon this mention, she recalled, “If I’m not mistaken, the medicinal scent that this flower emits can cause hallucinations after prolonged exposure, and it’s a banned substance, isn’t it?”

Qin Shiyu remained silent.

Everyone revealed an enlightened look on their faces, no wonder then—the second young miss of the Luo Family acted like she had gone mad. So there was trickery at play here.

Indeed, where there is something abnormal, there must be a demon.

Luo Huaiyu said coldly, “Tang Xiang, call the police.”

A fine birthday banquet ended abruptly like this.

Before nine o’clock, all the guests had left.

Jiang Zhi called Qiao Nanchu aside and took him back to his room, not bothering with pleasantries, he bluntly asked, “How long can you be imprisoned for illegally purchasing and cultivating banned plants?”

“If the circumstances are not serious, it won’t be for long,” Qiao Nanchu leaned back against the table, “You’re the one pulling strings, aren’t you?” His tone was joking, but his voice was sure.

Jiang Zhi neither admitted nor denied it.

This guy, full of schemes and plots.

Qiao Nanchu found it amusing and pressed on, “So, are you after the Luo sisters or Qin Shiyu?”

“Qin Shiyu,” he replied distractedly, as if it had nothing to do with him, without a trace of awareness that he had caused trouble, speaking lazily, “The Luo Family is just incidental.”

To use another’s hand to kill one’s enemy, and even achieve two ends with one means.

If you talk about being sinister, no one among these people could beat Jiang Zhi.

Qiao Nanchu asked this sly fellow, “Did he offend you?”

“I’ve already stopped my medication, Qin Shiyu is a nuisance,” Jiang Zhi stood by the window, gazing outside, seeming somewhat absent-minded, “And I also want to know if he contributed to my ‘illness.'”

Qin Shiyu was a deep one.

Friend or foe, he had not yet figured it out, and without the patience, he’d deal with it directly.

“I advised you for so long, and you wouldn’t listen, you just got a girlfriend and stopped your medication,” Qiao Nanchu teased, “Brother Zhi, are you planning on counting on your child’s fortune?”

Jiang Zhi shifted his gaze from the window, “That’s a good suggestion.”

Actually thinking about counting on his child’s fortune.

As a brother, of course, he had to offer advice, “Then I suggest you get your infertility treated first.”

Jiang Zhi: “…”

Damn, did you have to bring that up?

Alright, not to touch on his sore point, Qiao Nanchu spoke seriously, “I’ve asked professionals, the fragrance of Qiu Luhua accelerates nerve stimulation and has hallucinogenic effects, but there are no studies concerning whether it has adverse effects on patients with explosive disorder.” In other words, Luo Yinghe’s episode might not be related to that bunch of flowers.

Jiang Zhi continued to look outside the window, not knowing what he was observing, his eyes full of moonlight.

Qiao Nanchu walked over and asked, “Did you drug Luo Yinghe with something else?”