Chapter 1: Chen Fan, Give Yourself Some Dignity

"Ms. Fu, the 'Dragon Biting its Tail' feng shui formation cannot be interpreted simply as an Ouroboros representing a cycle."

"It will consume your career, your family, and..." Chen Fan stared at the pale-faced Fu Xueyue, "it won't end until your family’s entire estate and you yourself have been reduced to dust."

"The dragon’s head devours everything in its path; the fact that only the head remains signifies that it is feeding on the final remnants of the Fu legacy."

"Ms. Fu, who have you offended to have such a relentless, life-draining feng shui formation set against your house?"

Deep in the night, the rooftop of the Fu Group headquarters felt bone-chilling.

"I don't know. I have offended quite a few people." Fu Xueyue trembled. "Master Chen, you... you are my only hope."

Chen Fan climbed the water tank ladder with crisp, decisive movements, feeling for the protrusions on the railing by the moonlight. He found a piece of cotton cloth taped to the structure and tore it off with a forceful tug. Jumping down, he opened the cloth to take a look.

It was a withered index finger, looking as if it had been smoked.

Chen Fan wore an expression of disgust as he tossed the finger and its wrapping onto the ground and crushed it under his heel.

"What is that?" Curiosity flickered in Fu Xueyue's eyes.

"Nothing of consequence." Chen Fan shrugged. "Ms. Fu, you only need to know that the matter is resolved."

Fu Xueyue tried to look at what was under Chen Fan’s foot, but she found that, aside from the cotton cloth, there seemed to be nothing there at all.

"Phew..." Fu Xueyue let out a long breath, clearly feeling a sense of relief wash over her body.

"Does that mean our deal is finished?" There was a hint of reluctance in her eyes. The sense of security she had gained over the past few days was the most substantial she had ever felt in her life.

Watching from a short distance away, the old man in the mandarin jacket—Zhang Qiankun, President of the Qingcheng Feng Shui Association—grew anxious. He had no bottom line when it came to his pursuit of feng shui and physiognomy. He had begged and groveled for the chance to observe Chen Fan break the formation, hoping to learn a thing or two.

But Chen Fan’s keen eye for feng shui and his superb methods were far beyond his reach. It felt like a middle-schooler watching a university student solve calculus: he couldn't understand it, but he could perceive its profound depth.

"Master Chen, are... are you leaving?" Zhang Qiankun’s voice trembled.

Fu Xueyue frowned; Zhang Qiankun seemed even more reluctant to see him go than she was.

"According to my agreement with Ms. Fu, once I have broken the feng shui formation and received my payment, I will not appear before her again." Chen Fan smiled at Fu Xueyue. "Ms. Fu, business is business, and life is life."

However, his voice deepened. "But as for what follows, Ms. Fu, my helping you is no longer a transaction."

"Whoever changed the layout of your Fu Group building is a murderer."

"And they used a child..."

Zhang Qiankun clapped his hands, exclaiming, "No wonder the gloom over the Fu Group building never dissipated! They were using the feng shui layout to suppress the malevolent energy of a death!"

"That severed finger was made using a child's blood..."

"Silence."

Chen Fan reprimanded him. He turned back to Fu Xueyue with a smile and pulled out a contract.

"Ms. Fu, our previous transaction has ended. Now, let’s sign a new one."

"Beyond the million-dollar order you were already going to give to the Jiang family, I want you to transfer five percent of the Fu Group's equity to Jiang Xiao in the future."

"In return, I will take responsibility for finding the person who cast this evil art."

Fu Xueyue stepped forward and took the hands Chen Fan was using to draft the contract. A hint of shyness appeared on her cold, beautiful face.

"Divorce."

"Ms. Fu? What did you say?"

"When are you going to divorce Jiang Xiao?"

"Cough!" Chen Fan coughed twice. "Ms. Fu, you are a good person, but I am already married..."

Today, Chen Fan learned what it felt like to be "friend-zoned" by a 28-year-old female CEO with a cold temperament and looks that surpassed those of movie stars.

"No rush. I will wait." Fu Xueyue stepped back, elegantly raising her hand to tuck her hair.

"Master Chen, what about me!" Zhang Qiankun blinked, his face full of excitement.

Chen Fan was stunned. Why was this old man trying to get involved?

Realizing he had spoken out of turn, Zhang Qiankun patted his own mouth and laughed, "Master Chen, what I mean is, if you don't mind, could you take me as your disciple..."

If one hears bad news early, the next piece of news—even if it isn't great—becomes easier to accept. That was how Chen Fan felt now; taking this old man as a disciple didn't seem so hard to accept after all.

"Fine."

"Then in two days, I shall hold a ceremony to formally acknowledge you as my master!"

Chen Fan waved him off, ignoring Zhang Qiankun, and smiled at Fu Xueyue. "Ms. Fu, until next time."

"Mm..." Fu Xueyue watched Chen Fan’s retreating figure, biting her lower lip. She whispered to herself, "Mr. Chen, where exactly do I fall short compared to Jiang Xiao..."

"A man like that is truly charming," Zhang Qiankun sighed with emotion. "He is devoted to his feelings and remains uncorrupted by the vanity of the world. With such character, it is my honor to take him as my master..."

...

The next day. The Jiang family villa.

Chen Fan slept until the afternoon. In the living room, his father-in-law, Jiang Yueshan, was nervously rubbing his hands, acting overly cautious in front of Fu Xueyue.

"Ms. Fu, I never expected you to visit in person. I am truly flattered."

"You're too kind." Fu Xueyue took a cool sip of tea.

In the bedroom, Chen Fan, having slept for twelve hours straight, pushed the door open, still groggy. He had been physically and mentally exhausted after breaking several feng shui formations for Ms. Fu.

"Fu Xueyue? Why are you here?" Chen Fan was dumbfounded.

The contract he had with her clearly stated that business was business and life was life. Fu Xueyue was not supposed to visit him privately; he was afraid Jiang Xiao would misunderstand. Besides, it was strange for a CEO like Fu Xueyue to come in person to discuss a million-dollar order!

"Chen Fan!"

His father-in-law, Jiang Yueshan, stared at Chen Fan, who was wearing pajamas and still looking sleepy. He was so angry he felt like he was going to smoke!

To receive Fu Xueyue today, the anxious Jiang Yueshan had wanted to present the best possible image to make her believe the Jiang family was a trustworthy partner. He never imagined Chen Fan would still be hiding at home sleeping!

"And who is this?" Fu Xueyue didn't answer Chen Fan’s question, instead pretending she didn't know him.

Chen Fan sighed internally, grateful that Fu Xueyue also possessed professional integrity and hadn't exposed him.

"This is..." Jiang Yueshan’s expression turned ugly. He hadn't wanted to air his family's dirty laundry in front of Fu Xueyue. But since she had seen him, there was no point in hiding it. He had a useless son-in-law, which was nothing but a stain on his status and an obstacle to seeking cooperation with the Fu Group.

"Chen Fan, have some dignity."

"Sign the divorce papers and get out of the Jiang house this instant."