Chapter 121: Breaking the Spell of Misfortune

“Exactly. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe such strange things could exist in this world…”

“There’s all sorts of wonders in this vast universe; some things simply defy disbelief.”

…

Hearing this, Qing Qing couldn’t help but smile inwardly.

This wasn’t superstition—it was cutting-edge technology!

Suddenly, her vision blurred, and she noticed a visible gray mist spreading throughout the main hall of the Juxiang Pavilion.

What was this gray haze?

Last time, when she used a tool that enhanced affinity, she could see the angelic light surrounding herself.

Others couldn’t see it.

Likely, this gray mist was invisible to everyone else as well—only she could perceive it.

At that moment, her phone beeped.

She took it out and read a line of text:

“The phrase ‘Deserted as a Dead End’ has been applied three times consecutively in the same location, triggering a hidden effect. This place has become a feng shui dead zone, and no customers will enter for the next six months…”

Qing Qing was astonished.

She hadn’t expected that stacking it three times would activate a hidden effect—and such an impressive one at that!

It directly turned the place into a barren wasteland; no customers in half a year. For Zhou the Usurer, who had been losing money steadily, if he didn’t close down soon, bankruptcy was inevitable.

Qing Qing felt an exhilarating rush!

People like Zhou the Usurer, wealthy yet ruthless, bullying the weak and fearing the strong, deserved a harsh lesson.

“Here, this is your mother’s wage—take it and get out quickly,” Zhou flung a wad of cash from the register onto the table in front of Qing Qing.

Unhurried, Qing Qing counted it—only four thousand yuan.

“Boss, shouldn’t it be five thousand? You’re short by a thousand.”

“Hmph, shouldn’t we deduct pay for taking leave? Plus, your mother broke several fine new plates…”

Qing Qing remained calm and composed as she pocketed the four thousand yuan.

“Alright then, I’ll come back tomorrow to have a chat with Boss Zhou about life.”

Zhou’s face darkened, a mixture of pain and anger flaring in his eyes.

Yet he dared not show his fury.

He feared Qing Qing visiting daily—he couldn’t afford the damage.

He dug into his pocket again, flicking another thousand yuan onto the table.

“Fine, here’s the full amount. This kind of treatment has never happened to any employee in our store, but you have to promise me—don’t come back, alright?”

“Okay, I promise I won’t come again. Even if you invite me, I won’t return. If you’d paid up earlier, we wouldn’t be in this mess today. Well, no more chit-chat—goodbye, Boss Zhou. And goodbye to all the uncles and aunties!” Qing Qing smiled brightly and turned to leave.

Zhou the Usurer was like a plague carrier. After Qing Qing left Juxiang Pavilion, he personally took a broom and mop and cleaned the spot where she had stood…

When he finished, he lifted a basin of water, muttering a charm to dispel bad luck. The staff watched in stunned silence.

***

When Qing Qing returned home for dinner, the food had gone cold.

Seeing the five thousand yuan she brought back, Yu Fen was pleasantly surprised.

“Qing Qing, Boss Zhou is really quite decent to pay you so quickly without deductions…”

“What’s decent about that!” Qing Qing recounted the entire ordeal.

Yu Fen laughed so heartily she couldn’t straighten up.

“Qing Qing, if you weren’t my daughter, I’d swear you knew some secret arts. Scaring that Zhou the Usurer was well deserved.”

“Mom, your cooking is so good. How about we open our own little eatery?” Qing Qing said as she took a bite of rice.