No One Is Allowed To Lay Eyes On The Evil God’s Precious Beauty - Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Making You Worry

A ritual banner was hung in the courtyard of the Qin mansion. Li Qingquan, dressed in his Taoist robes and holding an incense burner, slowly walked out from the basement. His lips moved rapidly as he muttered incantations, plunging the courtyard into a bizarre, solemn atmosphere. After circling the area, he threw a token into the center of the burner and lit it.

A fierce fire flared up. Qin Yifan, standing nearby, was startled and stumbled back half a step. After a bodyguard steadied him, Qin Nianyu turned back and gave him a cold look. Feeling guilty, Qin Yifan whispered, “I just have a bit of low blood sugar.”

The woman ignored him, turning back to watch Li Qingquan’s ritual with deep, calculating eyes. Once the fire burned out, Li Qingquan offered three sticks of incense and gestured for them to step forward. After each person had offered incense, the ceremony concluded.

Li Qingquan was currently listening to Wu Yi’s amazed gasps through his earpiece. Before he could find a chance to reply, a figure blocked his path.

“Master Li.” Qin Nianyu nodded politely but skipped the pleasantries. “What is the result today?”

Li Qingquan immediately wiped the smile from his face, replacing it with a look of distress. “He doesn’t want to come back.”

Qin Nianyu frowned, clearly dissatisfied. “A soul-less body is like a walking corpse. Can it still have its own thoughts?”

“It’s not a walking corpse!” Wu Yi snapped through the earpiece, sounding quite offended.

Li Qingquan suppressed a laugh and said patiently, “Ms. Qin, a normal person’s body would be as you say. But the one your family lost… is not ordinary at all.”

Qin Nianyu fell silent, appearing skeptical.

“This body is extraordinary. You must know that even inanimate objects touched by the divine can grow a soul. It’s not unusual for a vessel that once housed a god’s spirit to develop a self-awareness of its own.”

Li Qingquan’s words were blunt. Qin Nianyu’s pupils shook. She stared at him for three seconds before looking away with a long sigh, seemingly surrendering. “Then what should we do? Can we detect its specific location? Can’t we just go find it ourselves? Why must we wait for it to return on its own?”

“If he is unwilling to return, you won’t find him even if you search. You should be able to deduce that much.”

Qin Nianyu closed her eyes. She didn’t truly believe this was useful, but recalling the legends of her family and the eerie footage from the security cameras, she suppressed her doubts. “Then what does Master Li suggest?”

“Continue as we have these past few days. Have someone keep watch at night and light incense at set intervals.”

“And if he never returns?”

Sensing her dwindling patience, Li Qingquan swallowed his excuses. “If he’s still not back by tomorrow night, I’ll find another way. Please remain calm; I’ll return tonight to consult my Master for guidance.”

Hearing this, Qin Nianyu’s attitude finally softened. “Then I’ll trouble you, Master Li. Please give my regards to Grandmaster Kongyuan.”

“I will. Rest assured.”

Li Qingquan watched her leave and let out a massive sigh of relief. He wiped his back, feeling his shirt soaked with sweat. Through the earpiece, Wu Yi’s voice came: “Her aura is so strong.”

“Tell me about it.” Li Qingquan downed two large glasses of water, deciding to treat himself to a good meal once he got back. After a few more words, Wu Yi hung up, his curiosity satisfied.

As Li Qingquan packed his props and prepared to leave, he saw Qin Yifan and Qin Sijin chatting in the yard. Qin Nianyu was standing under the eaves. Beside her was a stranger who hadn’t been there during the ritual, whispering in her ear and showing her a phone.

Whatever she saw or heard made her expression darken. Her gaze caught Li Qingquan’s, and she stared straight at him. Li Qingquan’s heart skipped a beat; he felt an ominous premonition. But Qin Nianyu only stared for two seconds before giving a slight nod. Li Qingquan nodded back and hurried out of the courtyard.

It wasn’t until the Qin villa was out of sight that his pace slowed. He checked his phone and saw a location pin from Wu Yi—a Western restaurant near the city center. He flagged down a taxi. As he opened the car door, he hesitated.

He looked back. It was lunchtime; the wide street was empty save for the whistling cold wind. Strange. Why do I feel like someone is following me? After a moment, urged by the driver, he got in. Looking out the window as they drove away, he still saw no one. Must have seen things.

…

After meeting Li Qingquan, Wu Yi kept asking when he would call his Master. Ever since learning the Master was a great fortune teller, Wu Yi had been restless with curiosity.

Li Qingquan was helpless. “That was just a stalling tactic. We both know you stole the body. How could I call my Master? He’d scold me to death.”

Wu Yi’s disappointment was visible.

“Besides, the old man is busy growing vegetables and watering flowers on the mountain. He doesn’t have time for my calls.”

“Okay then.” Wu Yi watched Li Qingquan eat heartily. He marveled at the man’s silver tongue; even though he knew Li Qingquan was lying, he somehow found himself wanting to believe him.

A plate of peeled crab meat was pushed toward him. “Thanks, Brother.”

Fu Liuye nodded silently. He had grown accustomed to ignoring the conversation between the two. Though initially reluctant, he realized that if he kept these details in mind, Wu Yi would only worry about him more. So, he chose to pretend he heard nothing.

After lunch, Wu Yi had no other plans. But as he washed his hands in the restroom and saw his reflection, an intense sense of unease bloomed deep in his chest. His heart pounded, making him daze for a moment.

This feeling… it had appeared before when he and Qing Zhu were hunting for targets to absorb willpower. Back then, he thought it was just excitement. But why now?

Even after getting into the car, the feeling didn’t dissipate. He looked at Fu Liuye outside the window. “Brother, are you going home later?”

Fu Liuye leaned down to the window. “Later. Why?”

Wu Yi couldn’t explain it. He just clung to the window and whispered, “Just… be careful. Don’t be too late.”

He looked so sweet that Fu Liuye couldn’t help but reach out and brush his knuckles against Wu Yi’s soft cheek. “I know. Send me a message when you get home.”

As the car drove away, Wu Yi watched Fu Liuye’s standing figure until he rolled up the window. The carefree Li Qingquan didn’t notice anything wrong; he was busy watching a livestream on his phone. Hoping to distract himself, Wu Yi leaned over. “What’s that?”

The screen showed a game interface. A character was performing brilliant, fluid maneuvers. Comments scrolled in the bottom left.

“You haven’t played this? It’s supposedly very fun, but hard on mobile. I want to build a PC later to play it.”

Before Wu Yi could respond, a casual voice drifted from the phone. “Pro? Is a pro stronger than me?” The tone was slightly mocking, but with a trace of hidden melancholy at the end.

Wu Yi’s heart stirred. “Who is that?”

“Him? He’s a very popular streamer for this game. His skills are insane. People say he’s a pro player hiding his identity.” Li Qingquan watched intently. When the character won, he sent a “little heart” gift. “Sigh, I’m too broke to give more support.”

Wu Yi didn’t believe him. “Didn’t the Qins give you money?”

“That’s different. That money is for ‘big things.’ My Master said that even if you live as you please, you should save for emergencies.”

Wu Yi nodded. “Your Master makes sense.” He looked back at the screen as the game ended, then looked away.

That night, Wu Yi lay in bed, but the heavy anxiety followed him into his dreams.

In the dead of night, the cold wind howled. The riverside, bustling by day, was now dark and lonely. Strange ripples formed on the water. A figure huddled on the bank, shrouded in a thick fog of despair. The body was like a motionless statue. As the panic in Wu Yi’s chest rose, the person finally looked up.

The eyes were black and hollow. The pale, cold face still held traces of his usual gentleness, but it was mostly filled with deathly silence.

Wu Yi’s heart slammed against his ribs. It was Shen Yue.

He woke up with a jolt, gasping for air. He looked out the window to find a gloomy sky and drizzling rain. He opened the window, smelling the damp air. His mood turned heavy, infected by the emotions from the dream.

Shen Yue… Every time he’d seen him, the man was full of spirit. Why would he look so defeated in a dream? For some reason, Wu Yi couldn’t convince himself it was just a dream. He grabbed his phone and called Shen Yue immediately.

The phone was off. His heart trembled with worry. If it were someone he knew better, he might have rushed to their house, but he knew Shen Yue had multiple properties in the city. He didn’t know where he had stayed or if he had a performance.

Frantic, he found another number. As the phone rang, his chaotic brain cleared. The ringing stopped, followed by the sound of someone tossing in bed and a raspy, annoyed voice: “Who is it?”

“Brother A-Mu, it’s me,” Wu Yi said quickly.

A-Mu usually had a terrible temper upon waking, but hearing that soft, obedient voice, his anger vanished. “Something wrong?” He rolled over, then apparently saw the time. “6:30? What kind of kid’s schedule is this?”

Wu Yi, with messy hair, asked dejectedly, “Do you know where Shen Yue was last night?”

“No. Why? You looking for him?”

“Mhm. His phone is off.”

A-Mu yawned. “He’s definitely sleeping at this hour. Why do you need him?”

Wu Yi didn’t know how to answer, so he said, “Nothing, just wanted to ask if he’s free lately.”

At this, A-Mu’s tone turned serious. “If it’s not important, don’t bother him. He’s in a bad mood; had a conflict with some people.”

Because of the dream, Wu Yi wasn’t surprised. “Why?”

“Something happened with his orchestra. It’s a big mess. You know how proud he is. He said some harsh things, and now people are out to get him. The situation is pretty bad for him right now.” A-Mu paused, softening his voice. “But it’s not the end of the world. With his talent, he’ll shine anywhere. He might just have a rough couple of years.”

Wu Yi froze, suddenly understanding. He didn’t continue the conversation, told A-Mu to go back to sleep, and hung up. He couldn’t go back to sleep now. He got up, put on his shoes, and walked out. Li Qingquan was still dead to the world on the sofa. Wu Yi pulled the blanket back over him and then headed to the guest room.

Inside, Qing Zhu was still lying peacefully. Being in this room always gave Wu Yi strength. He sat on the floor, leaning against the bed. “Qing-qing, did something bad happen to Shen Yue? I can’t feel the willpower, so I don’t know if I should help him. Why is it like this?”

No matter when they met, Shen Yue was always like a treasure shining on stage. But even such a person has moments of despair. Wu Yi realized he should have known—no one’s life is perfectly smooth.

Qing Zhu remained silent, but Wu Yi didn’t feel hurt. Silence was normal for them. He’d talk a lot, and Qing Zhu would listen patiently. If Wu Yi ever asked a specific question amidst his rambling, Qing Zhu would always give a clear answer. He was used to this.

“If you want me to find Shen Yue and give him one of your dolls, stay like that. If you don’t want me to, wake up and tell me.”

He watched the body expectantly. One second, two seconds… Two minutes passed. Qing Zhu didn’t wake up. Wu Yi sighed. “Fine then. I asked for your opinion.”

He found a cute, sharp-beaked penguin among the dolls—a penguin that stood tall and proud, just like the Shen Yue he remembered on stage.

When he was ready to leave, Li Qingquan finally woke up. “So early? School hasn’t even started.”

“I’m going to find someone.”

“Okay, come back early. It’s dangerous out there.”

Wu Yi drove to Shen Yue’s house. He stood outside the fence for a long time, but no one came to the door. The once beautifully kept yard now looked desolate. He wasn’t there.

Wu Yi grew more anxious. He returned to his car and called A-Mu again, but this time it didn’t go through for a long while. He asked around and heard that Shen Yue had left the orchestra. There were rumors of plagiarism and power struggles, though there was no proof.

After a day of fruitless searching, he went to the Fu house and ate with Cen Yue and Cen Jin. By the time night fell, he saw the doll in the passenger seat and felt a wave of gloom.

Traffic was heavy during rush hour. Feeling depressed, he drove to a more remote road by the river. It was quieter here. He slowed down, and the dream imagery returned. Is he really in a place like this?

He found a parking spot. The biting wind stung his cheeks, so he went back to wrap himself in a scarf and hat. In this cold, the park by the water was empty. He didn’t want to believe Shen Yue would be here. If he’d been here since last night, then…

He hurried into the park, walking along the dark riverside path. The flickering streetlamps made the river look like a terrifying monster. He walked for a long time, his hands and feet turning icy. He thought about giving up, but the memory of Shen Yue introducing him to musical masters kept him going.

His phone vibrated. It was Li Qingquan. “What time is it? Where are you?”

“Coming back soon,” Wu Yi whispered, his warm breath instantly scattered by the wind.

“Tell me when you arrive. I’ll meet you downstairs.”

Wu Yi hung up. His hands were frozen. He decided to walk for ten more minutes. If he didn’t find him, he’d go home. He quickened his pace, his breath coming in gasps. The penguin doll in his pocket had been warmed by his hand.

Ten minutes became twenty. Usually, Wu Yi would never walk for ten minutes in the winter, but now he had walked for nearly an hour and didn’t want to stop. His eyes stung from the wind. Suddenly, he froze.

There was a dark shadow on the lower steps of the riverbank—a person sitting with their head bowed.

Wu Yi’s heart throbbed. He scrambled over the railing—not his usual forte, but his long limbs made it easy. As he approached, he smelled strong alcohol. Empty bottles littered the ground.

It was Shen Yue, with his head on his knees, unresponsive. His light chestnut curls were a mess. He was still wearing the elegant brown coat he loved, but now he was a wreck, drinking himself into a stupor by the river.

“Shen Yue…” Wu Yi crouched down. The man seemed to be fast asleep. In this cold, he would die.

Wu Yi pushed him gently. “Don’t sleep here. It’s dangerous.”

The man remained unconscious, only mumbling something unintelligible. Wu Yi reached into his pocket, found his phone, and called his own number. Then he called A-Mu from his own phone.

A-Mu answered quickly. “Looking for Shen Yue again?”

Wu Yi put on a panicked voice. “Brother A-Mu, Shen Yue just called me.”

“Eh?”

“But he didn’t speak. Someone else said they found him drunk by the river. They saw a missed call and called me. I’m heading there now…”

“Wait!” A-Mu interrupted. “Don’t just go! It could be a scammer. Where exactly?”

“Near the museum side.”

“I got it. Stay home. I’ll go check.”

“Should I come with you?”

“No! Take a shower and go to bed. I’ll let you know if I find him. If I don’t… I’ll find that prankster and give them a beating for tricking a kid.”

Wu Yi hung up, feeling even colder. He wiped Shen Yue’s phone and placed it back to look like it had been handled. He took off his own scarf and wrapped it around Shen Yue’s neck, shielding him from the wind. He tucked the warm penguin doll into Shen Yue’s arms.

Wu Yi didn’t know if Qing Zhu’s absence would affect the result, but he folded his hands in prayer. “Brother Shen Yue, life has its setbacks, but you are amazing. Your light won’t be hidden. I hope everything gets better for you.”

He sighed and hurried away. He waited in the park above, stomping his feet in the cold. Fifteen minutes later, he saw figures on the path below. A-Mu was in the lead. Seeing them carry Shen Yue away, Wu Yi finally relaxed and ran to his car. It took five minutes in the car for the feeling to return to his limbs.

…

Shen Yue is home. He was in a bad mood after leaving the orchestra. He’s just a bit feverish now. Someone is watching him, don’t worry.

Wu Yi saw A-Mu’s message the next morning. He’d been too exhausted the night before. It was nearly noon. Li Qingquan, knowing he was tired, hadn’t woken him. Wu Yi looked out the window and realized school started next week. His mood plummeted again.

Then, a new message arrived.

Shen Yue: Thank you

Wu Yi’s heart skipped. He thought he’d been caught, but then realized it was probably for calling A-Mu.

Shen Yue: Sorry for making you worry. I’m fine. Want to meet up if you’re free? With A-Mu and the others. Shen Yue: I’m going abroad.

Wu Yi froze and replied: Why?

Shen Yue sent a screenshot—an invitation from a world-class orchestra that even Wu Yi had heard of. After a quick search, Wu Yi realized it was one of the most prestigious in the world.

So… something good had happened to Shen Yue. Wu Yi breathed a sigh of relief. The cold walk was worth it. Though he believed Shen Yue was talented enough on his own, and the doll might not have done much.

He was truly happy for him and agreed to the meetup. Shen Yue mentioned a gift he’d bought earlier was at the door. Wu Yi hopped out of bed to change.

Li Qingquan wasn’t home. At the Qin house again? Wu Yi felt exhausted on Qing Zhu’s behalf. When the deity woke up, he’d have to make up for all this.

He picked up the heavy delivery box at the entrance. Back at the unit door, he scanned his face to enter. He heard someone follow him but didn’t think much of it. He pressed the elevator button.

The people behind him didn’t move. The elevator was stuck on a high floor. Time passed. Wu Yi grew impatient. As he turned to look at the other elevator, he saw a man watching him.

His movements froze. His palms began to sweat. Something is wrong with these two.

He tried to pick up the box to leave, but as he stepped forward, a hand pressed something over his mouth. He struggled, inhaling a pungent, chemical scent. His body went limp, and his vision went black.