Reborn Heiress: Seeking Revenge-Chapter 88: The Strange Physiognomist (4)_1

But being treated like a fish on a chopping block, he had to behave and couldn’t fight back.

Shen Cheng’s heart felt heavy as he settled the bill. He had already blacklisted this restaurant in his mind. Aside from the high prices, he saw nothing special about it.

Shen Cheng watched as Shangguan You and her entourage disappeared from sight. He and Wanqian exchanged glances, told Shen Jia and the others to wander around, claimed there was an urgent matter at the company, and then drove away hastily.

The car sped through the city towards the outskirts, stopping in front of a very old house. Shen Cheng nimbly leaped onto the wall, then pulled Wanqian up. Together, they jumped down into the compound.

The iron gate outside was speckled with rust, secured by a large lock. The crumbling, whitewashed walls were overgrown with plants, completely obscuring the entire enclosure. From the outside, it looked like an abandoned courtyard.

When they jumped into the courtyard, they were met with an entirely different scene: potted plants and planters were meticulously arranged throughout the grounds.

"What are you two doing here?" an aged voice called out from the house, causing Shen Cheng and Wanqian to freeze in their tracks.

"Haven’t I told you not to come here unless you have an issue you can’t solve?" A door creaked, and they saw a dark silhouette with its back to them. Although they couldn’t make out his facial expression, they knew he was angry.

"Uncle, we... we..." Wanqian’s voice trembled, and her body shook slightly.

"We want to see her."

"Why?" The dark figure trembled slightly, and the aged voice spoke again.

"’Last night in the villa, I saw Wanyou,’ Shen Cheng’s voice was cold, with a hint of a tremor. ’She was sitting at the window, smiling at us just like before. She even said she would come back to accompany us every night. Then, she flew out of the window. But the strange thing is, only Wanqian and I saw her; no one else could.’"

Thinking back to last night, fear still lingered in his heart. Although he was an atheist, what he witnessed last night defied belief—can people fly? Impossible. Yet Wanyou had flown. Today, he had encountered Shangguan You, a girl who resembled Wanyou. He had to make this trip.

"I was scared stiff and fainted last night! I saw Wanyou too," Wanqian added, her voice still shaky. "And today, we accidentally met a sixteen-year-old girl named Shangguan You. She may not look exactly like Wanyou, but some of her words, even her habits, are identical to Wanyou’s."

If there had been any other way, she would never have come to this terrifying place.

"People can look alike; the world is vast and full of wonders. What’s there to fear? Go now." The figure spoke coldly and then disappeared from the doorway. The door leading to the second floor creaked open.

"Thank you, Uncle."

After bowing to the dark figure, they strode upstairs. The sky outside was clear, yet a cold, eerie aura loomed within the house, inciting an inexplicable sense of dread.

"Let’s go, Wanqian," Shen Cheng said, steadying Wanqian by the hand. They ascended to the second floor and continued to the third, where they paused.

The chill on the third floor was even heavier. As they approached, a blast of cold air hit them, causing an involuntary shiver. Only an old man like him would choose to live in a place with such a dense, gloomy atmosphere.

A crystal-clear jade coffin appeared before them. They stepped forward to gaze at the person inside, and an involuntary sigh of relief escaped them.

The weight that had been pressing on their hearts seemed to lift gradually.

"You should leave. Take these," the voice from downstairs rang out again. "With them, those unclean things won’t dare come near you, and you won’t see them anymore." Two thin slivers shot towards their foreheads, instantly merging with their skin.

"Will this really work? Will we truly not see her again?" Wanqian asked anxiously.

The only response Wanqian received was the CREAK of a door closing. The entire villa resumed its eerie silence. Exchanging a look, they climbed back over the wall at the same spot and jumped down. They drove away quickly, disappearing from sight. As soon as their figures vanished, the old villa was engulfed by dense plants and slowly shrouded in thick fog.

At the Shangguan residence, Li Wanying and Old Madam Shangguan watched as Shangguan Rou returned with a group of people, their faces beaming. Li Wanying, in particular, couldn’t stop smiling when she saw the Gui Jun siblings.

Shangguan Qing invited the men to the study on the second floor, leaving the downstairs to the women.

"Auntie, how could you not call us about something as important as Cousin Youyou coming home?" Li Meisu leaned into Li Wanying’s embrace, cooing playfully. "If Daddy and Mummy had known Cousin Youyou was back, they would have been thrilled! Auntie, you’re so partial, trying to hide Cousin Youyou away."

"Meisu, Youyou only returned yesterday," Li Wanying said teasingly. "We originally wanted her to rest for a few days, regain her strength, and get used to life here before calling you all. It just so happened that we’d barely stepped out when you ran into her. Encountering her yourselves is much better than your Auntie calling, isn’t it? You girls are all around the same age, so you have plenty to talk about. Ah, we’re old now; we have a generation gap with you youngsters."

"Yes, when you get old, you’re not as useful anymore. We certainly don’t have your youthful energy!" Old Madam Shangguan, seated with Shangguan Rou and Gui Luo who were telling jokes to amuse her, couldn’t resist joining in the banter after hearing Li Wanying’s words.

"Granny isn’t old at all! You’re as healthy as ever. If anyone dares say you’re old, I’ll get angry with them!" Shangguan You said, sitting beside Li Wanying. She saw Li Wanying’s forced smile and fawning expression and felt an inexplicable irritation. Yet, however much she disliked it, she couldn’t show it.

She would rather talk to Old Madam Shangguan than engage with Li Wanying, that viper.

"Hahaha, our Youyou really knows how to sweet-talk!" Old Madam Shangguan chuckled.

Just as Shangguan Zhi and Shangguan Yu entered, the living room was filled with a cheerful atmosphere. Shangguan You’s eyes lit up when she saw Shangguan Yu. She ran over to him, hooked her arm through his, and began to act coyly, much like a daughter would with her father.