Ch 112: Is There Really Such a Good Thing? [QT]

Zhou Yunxuan had been having a smooth run recently. Aside from her public image taking a slight hit online due to Shen Yunxuan’s rising popularity, everything else was unfolding as planned.

The Xie family was immensely grateful to her for saving Xie Hengchen’s life. They were delighted by their mutual affection and treated her exceptionally well, introducing her openly to family and friends as if she were already one of them.

Xie Hengchen was nothing short of a perfect gentleman toward her, showering her with gifts and surprises. She felt as though she were living a dream life, soaking in the sweetness of their love. Zhou Yunxuan couldn’t be more thankful for switching fates with Shen Yunxuan early on. If not for that decisive action, she would never have become Xie Hengchen’s savior or enjoyed such a luxurious life.

It was a shortcut to the pinnacle of success. She had no regrets about abandoning her old life for this one.

Just as she was plotting to suppress Shen Yunxuan further, Xie Hengchen invited her to dinner and proposed.

In a luxurious rooftop restaurant, with the entire floor reserved for them, a violinist played just for her, a child presented her with flowers, and a diamond engagement ring worth millions sparkled under the lights. Zhou Yunxuan felt enveloped in happiness.

On one knee, Xie Hengchen smiled and asked, “Yunxuan, will you marry me?”

Zhou Yunxuan took a deep breath and nodded firmly. “I will!”

Rising, Xie Hengchen slid the ring onto her finger and embraced her. “This is wonderful. We’ll have a lifetime of love and grow old together. You’re heaven’s gift to me. From the moment you saved me and I heard ‘Yunxuan,’ you’ve been in my heart.”

Zhou Yunxuan’s joy froze. That day, he hadn’t heard “Yunxuan (of Zhou Yunxuan)”; he had heard “Yunxuan (of Shen Yunxuan).”

The gratitude and love he felt were meant for Shen Yunxuan. Everything she had now was stolen from her. Initially, after swapping fates, Zhou Yunxuan believed they could live separate lives without interfering with one another. But now, Shen Yunxuan’s mere existence felt like a thorn in her side. Once Zhou Yunxuan became Mrs. Xie, with money and power, she vowed to erase Shen Yunxuan from her world completely.

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At Shark Stream, the secretary reported to Lin Zixiao, “Boss Lin, Shen Yunxuan streamed for 20 hours straight, and her account followers have exceeded 800,000. During peak times, her live audience reached over 500,000. While she does have a foundation as a celebrity, these numbers are remarkable.

“She’s brought over a million new registrations to our platform and generated significant revenue. Her stream ranked first in real-time popularity throughout. Even in the early morning hours, her audience remained highly active. If we secure her long-term, she could easily become our platform’s top streamer.”

Having already seen Shen Yunxuan’s streams and attended three client meetings earlier, Lin Zixiao was thrilled by the numbers. “She’s that good? Then we absolutely have to keep her. Have you contacted her yet? Sent her a contract? Whatever she needs, make it happen.”

The secretary adjusted his glasses. “We’ve sent over a dozen private messages, but Miss Shen hasn’t responded yet, so we’re unsure of her conditions. Additionally, Xie Hengchen’s assistant reached out, asking us to ban Miss Shen’s account. The Xie family hinted at potential collaboration opportunities. Also, there have been numerous complaints and reports about Miss Shen’s streams. From what I’ve observed, these are mostly from Zhou Yunxuan’s fans and Miss Shen’s detractors. By the way, Zhou Yunxuan is currently dating Xie Hengchen.”

Lin Zixiao raised an eyebrow. He and Xie Hengchen moved in different circles. While Xie had always been the golden boy everyone admired, Lin enjoyed a more carefree second-generation lifestyle, dabbling in fresh ventures like live streaming. The two weren’t particularly close.

He hadn’t expected Xie Hengchen to stoop to this level for his girlfriend. It seemed his new girlfriend wasn’t as virtuous as she appeared—her character left much to be desired.

But Lin Zixiao didn’t care about their relationship drama. All he knew was that Shayu Stream was teetering on bankruptcy, and Shen Yunxuan was a godsend to inject new life into the platform. There was no way he was letting her go.

Thinking back, Shen Yunxuan’s Douyin account had likely been banned in a similar manner. Others might hesitate to cross Xie Hengchen, but Lin Zixiao wasn’t one to back down. “Ignore the Xie family. They run hotels, not streaming platforms. What could they possibly offer us? They’re just blocking our money flow. Get me Miss Shen’s details—I’ll reach out to her myself. If someone’s targeting her, we need to go above and beyond to show our sincerity. That’s how we’ll win her over.”

Opening the live playback to get a better sense of her streams, Lin Zixiao found himself genuinely frightened within minutes. Though he didn’t believe in the supernatural, watching her content gave him chills. “Is this even allowed? How is this not banned?”

The secretary, looking innocent, replied, “You specifically told us not to ban Miss Shen’s streams. There hasn’t been anything graphic—just implied supernatural themes. The ‘ghosts’ are just a matter of speculation since there’s no visible evidence, only the floating talismans.”

Lin Zixiao checked the trending topics and smirked. “The Xie family did us a favor by suppressing the buzz. Otherwise, regulatory bodies might’ve come knocking. Let’s assign a dedicated team of four programmers to monitor her streams. If anything questionable appears, they’ll immediately censor or mute it to ensure compliance. Now, let me go contact Miss Shen.”

Shen Yunxuan received a call from Lin Zixiao on her way back. After reviewing the contract details sent to her via private message, she found no issues with its terms. Satisfied with the revenue-sharing arrangement, she was open to streaming anywhere. However, based on her knowledge gained from the Book of Memories, Shen Yunxuan understood that since Lin Zixiao wanted her to boost the platform’s popularity, her compensation should reflect that. She responded, “The revenue terms might need some adjustments, Boss Lin. Please reconsider and let me know. If it works, I’ll sign.”

To her surprise, Lin Zixiao immediately invited her to visit the company, offering a tour to better understand its scale and operations.

With no pressing commitments, Shen Yunxuan and Idle Wanderer went to Shayu Stream headquarters.

“Miss Shen, welcome! I’m Lin Zixiao. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Lin Zixiao personally greeted her at the entrance, extending his hand and even acknowledging Xiansan Daoren.

“Boss Lin, a pleasure. You’ve decided this quickly?” Shen Yunxuan replied.

Lin Zixiao chuckled, “There was nothing to deliberate. Miss Shen, you’re someone I’m determined to work with, so there’s no need for pretense or games. I’m a straightforward person; there’s no point in haggling. Let me show you around first, and we can discuss the details afterward.”

Shayu Stream occupied the top three floors of a high-rise business building. The rooftop housed a beautifully landscaped garden for employees to unwind, while the workspaces were designed with a focus on comfort and ergonomics. From high-quality furniture to state-of-the-art computers, the facilities spoke of thoughtful investment. Even the tea room was well-stocked.

Although her past life had been largely confined, Shen Yunxuan had been to Xinxing Entertainment and Xie’s corporate headquarters, and through the Book of Memories, she knew about the companies run by her counterparts in other lives. Comparatively, Lin Zixiao’s Shayu Stream showcased a strong emphasis on employee welfare. This was undoubtedly a company worth respecting.

However, she also noticed something peculiar. Shayu Stream’s struggles—its near-bankruptcy despite such thoughtful design—couldn’t solely be blamed on late entry into the market or the lack of big-name streamers. Upon touring the premises, Shen Yunxuan realized that the company’s feng shui had been tampered with.

Back in Lin Zixiao’s office, he served her tea and presented a revised contract. “Miss Shen, here’s the updated agreement. If you sign with Shayu Stream, I’ll handle your contract issues with Xinxing Entertainment. Also, you’ll retain 100% of your streaming and sales earnings; the platform won’t take a cut. In return, you only need to stream for ten hours a month. All details regarding promotional spots and technical support are outlined here.”

Shen Yunxuan was momentarily taken aback. “Xinxing Entertainment… They’re asking for a termination fee of 10 million yuan.”

Lin Zixiao smiled. “Miss Shen, don’t worry about that. I have some connections in the entertainment industry. After some negotiation, it likely won’t cost more than two or three million. I’ll take care of it.”

This proposal would significantly ease her transition. Without resolving her contract with Xinxing Entertainment, she risked them claiming her recent earnings or blocking her collaboration with Shayu Stream. Having Lin Zixiao handle it was a stroke of luck. Looking at the contract again, she couldn’t help but ask, “Are you sure about these terms? They seem too generous.”

Ten hours of streaming per month—she could fulfill that quota by casually chatting or offering a few fortune readings. Lin Zixiao seemed to be banking on her presence revitalizing Shayu Stream’s audience base, so shouldn’t the requirements be stricter?

“I believe in mutually beneficial partnerships built on trust and sincerity,” Lin Zixiao explained. “If I show you my good faith, you’ll feel confident working with me, won’t you? Once you see the value of this platform, I trust you’ll naturally want to do more for it. To be honest, I’ve poured my heart into Shayu Stream, but it’s on the verge of collapse. Your arrival isn’t just a beacon of hope—it’s reignited my passion. I now believe there’s always a way out of adversity. Even if you decide not to sign, I won’t give up. That’s the greatest gift you’ve given me.”

Hearing this, Shen Yunxuan understood. Not all benefits were monetary. Lin Zixiao valued her highly and wasn’t shy about showing it. This, too, was fate. If her previous platform hadn’t banned her, she might never have come to Shayu Stream.

Fate was crucial for someone like her, and Lin Zixiao’s sincerity was undeniable. She saw no reason to refuse.

Signing her name, she handed back the contract, and they shook hands again, cementing their partnership.

“Boss Lin, since this is a mutual collaboration, I’d like to offer something in return,” Shen Yunxuan began. “During my tour earlier, I noticed the company has been affected by a yin-yang disruption feng shui array. It’s preventing success no matter how much effort is put in.”

Lin Zixiao froze, his expression one of disbelief. “What? The company’s feng shui has been sabotaged? Deliberately?”

“It’s not malicious per se,” Shen Yunxuan clarified. “The array only affects the company’s performance, not the people within. In fact, it includes a harmony element, promoting health and peace of mind for employees. That’s likely why your staff rarely fall ill.”

Lin Zixiao blinked in surprise, then turned to his secretary. The secretary hesitated before nodding. “Now that you mention it, yes. We’ve joked about how the company’s feng shui must be good. During flu seasons, very few people here get sick. There are also hardly any workplace conflicts—everyone gets along well. We just assumed it was because of the comfortable environment.”

Thinking back, Lin Zixiao realized he had been indulging in heavy drinking for months due to work stress. Yet, he hadn’t experienced the usual stomachaches or headaches. Could it really be the feng shui?

“Who would be so twisted as to ruin my business while ensuring everyone’s health?” Lin Zixiao questioned, skeptical. “Would someone actually do that? What’s the motive?”

Shen Yunxuan studied his features and said, “Judging by your face, it seems you have deep-seated conflicts with your father. If you’d like to know more, you can give me your birth details, and I’ll calculate it for you.”

After some hesitation, Lin Zixiao provided his birthdate. Shen Yunxuan closed her eyes and calculated. After a moment, she opened her eyes and looked at him with some hesitation. Lin Zixiao had already guessed the truth. His face darkened as he asked, “It’s my father, isn’t it?”

Shen Yunxuan nodded. “Your father set this up to sabotage your career and force you to return to take over the family business.”

Lin Zixiao felt his anger surge to the top of his head. He had heard of parents being controlling, but sabotaging their child’s career? That was next-level betrayal!

All because he didn’t like the family’s pharmaceutical business and chose to pursue streaming and gaming instead? He had even kept his independence, not relying on his family’s connections. Yet his father had sabotaged him just to make him come home?

Fuming, Lin Zixiao stood up abruptly. “Miss Shen, sorry for the abrupt departure, but I need to confront my father. Can I trouble you to…?”

Shen Yunxuan also stood up. “I’m part of the company now. Naturally, I should do my part. Leave the feng shui array to me.”

“Thank you! If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to call.” Lin Zixiao felt a surge of gratitude, grabbed his coat, and stormed out to settle things with his father.

The secretary stayed behind to assist Shen Yunxuan, providing her with the tools she needed. Slowly and carefully, Shen Yunxuan dismantled the disruptive array and replaced it with a wealth-enhancing “Daily Progress” array. She left the harmony-enhancing aspects intact, as they benefited the employees.

The changes weren’t announced publicly, but the employees weren’t clueless. Knowing that Shen Yunxuan specialized in metaphysics and had been making adjustments in the office, they deduced that she was addressing the company’s feng shui issues. Many speculated that the company’s struggles over the years had been due to these feng shui problems, and now Shen Yunxuan was there to set things right.

Curious employees tried asking the secretary, but he remained tight-lipped. However, the fact that Lin Zixiao and his previously skeptical secretary had approved of Shen Yunxuan’s work convinced many of her genuine abilities.

By the time Shen Yunxuan finished and was about to leave, a visibly pregnant female employee, about eight months along, mustered her courage to approach. In a low voice, she said, “Miss Shen, sorry to bother you, but could you read my fortune? I just want to know if my family of three will be happy and if my baby will be born safely.”

The woman had already opened her payment app, ready to transfer the fee.

After a brief moment of surprise, Shen Yunxuan accepted the payment. She calculated the couple’s fortune based on their birthdates, then smiled. “Don’t worry. You and your husband have compatible destinies. Both your parental and child palaces are excellent. Your baby will be born healthy, and you’ll have a happy family.”

The woman was overjoyed. “Thank you, Master! May your blessings come true!”

Another female employee stepped forward. “Master, could you read my fortune too? I just broke up with my boyfriend of seven years. Should I try to reconcile? Would we be happy together?”

After a moment of calculation, Shen Yunxuan answered, “He’s not your true match. Ending it is the best choice. You’ll meet someone better for you.”

The woman hesitated. “Seven years is a long time. I can’t let go. Master, is there really no way to salvage it? If I stay with him, what would happen?”

Shen Yunxuan was straightforward. “You’ll keep losing money. He’s blocking your financial luck.”

“Then forget it! Thank you, Master. I’ll move on!” The woman didn’t even wait for Shen Yunxuan to finish. She wiped her tears and left decisively. A man who disrupted her financial luck? No wonder she had never been able to save money all these years! That realization made her furious.

Having a partner was one thing, but losing money forever? Absolutely not.

Two more employees also sought her advice about minor issues, and Shen Yunxuan provided solutions. Most others remained hesitant, as fortune readings costing several thousand yuan weren’t cheap.

However, after the four initial consultations, the employees who’d gotten readings were swarmed with questions. They enthusiastically shared how accurate Shen Yunxuan had been, recounting her insights into their pasts and family situations. It was clear her abilities were genuine, as there was no way she could have researched their lives beforehand.

On her very first day at Shayu Stream, Shen Yunxuan became a legendary figure within the company, shrouded in an air of mystique. Employees eagerly anticipated how her presence would transform Shayu Stream. Having a fortune-teller and ghost-hunter among their ranks wasn’t just fascinating—it was a point of pride.

Shen Yunxuan returned to Idle Cloud Temple and immediately began crafting talismans, which she handed over to Idle Wanderer for delivery. She then went to her room to cultivate. The faith energy she received this time was significantly more than before, likely due to her demonstration of skill during the livestream, convincing many people and generating their faith.

Although compared to her cursed fate, this faith energy was like pouring a small cup of water into a swimming pool, it was still a substantial improvement over the single drop she had before. Feeling satisfied and joyful, Shen Yunxuan focused entirely on refining the faith energy, oblivious to the outside world.

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Lin Zixiao drove straight home, storming into the study to confront his father. “What do you mean by sabotaging my company? You set up a Feng Shui disruption array? Do you just not want to see me succeed?”

Lin’s father frowned, displeased. “Is this how you speak to your father?”

Lin Zixiao fumed. “Don’t change the subject. Was it you? I can’t believe it—you sabotaged all my hard work. I’m your son, but I’m also an individual! You get to run the business you love; why can’t I pursue something I enjoy? Or is it just because I’m your son that I have to be under your thumb my whole life? And hiring some shady practitioner to mess with me? Seriously?”

“Enough! That’s not some shady practitioner. It’s Master Xuanyang from Xuantian Sect. Don’t speak recklessly and offend him,” Father Lin quickly interrupted, aware that offending cultivators could have dire consequences.

Lin Zixiao sneered, “A righteous master would never set up such a harmful Feng Shui array.”

“I requested him to set it up,” Father Lin admitted, visibly annoyed. “You won’t inherit the family business, so what choice do I have? The Lin family has been in the pharmaceutical business for three generations. You’re the only heir. If you don’t come back, what happens to the company? Besides, the things you’re doing out there are nothing but nonsense—”

“Leave my career choices alone. I like what I do, and that’s what matters. We should respect each other as father and son. Here’s the deal: if I catch you interfering with my life again, I’ll cut ties with you. Don’t come looking for me in life or death.”

“You—!” Father Lin clutched his chest, collapsing into his chair.

Rolling his eyes, Lin Zixiao stepped forward to help his father catch his breath. “If I set up a disruption array in your company, what would you do? Probably break my legs on the spot and disown me. You can’t have double standards. Don’t upset yourself with your own wrongdoing.

I never said I wouldn’t inherit the business. I just want a few more years to explore what I love. That way, I won’t have regrets.”

Hearing this, Father Lin looked a bit uncomfortable. His actions had indeed been underhanded. Thinking about it, if Lin Zixiao had done the same to him, he wouldn’t be able to tolerate it. “Fine, I promise I won’t do anything like this again. When I asked Master Xuanyang to check the company’s Feng Shui, I casually mentioned you, and he came up with this idea. I thought it was a good way to get you to come back and focus on taking over the family business.

But fine. I’m still healthy enough. Go ahead and pursue your interests for a few more years. Just remember, eventually, you must come back to inherit the business. Even if you don’t return yourself, at least have a child who can.”

“Got it.” Lin Zixiao rolled his eyes again, muttering under his breath that he would never impose such burdens on his future children. They could choose their own paths. After a moment’s thought, he added, “By the way, stop associating with that Xuanyang guy. What kind of master is that? Giving you such bad advice—it’s like he’s trying to ruin our father-son relationship. If things went wrong, it’d hurt the business. Competitors could benefit from it.”

Father Lin frowned, considering this. It wasn’t impossible. Such methods could indeed have serious consequences. Why had Xuanyang proposed this in the first place?

He glanced at Lin Zixiao. “You mentioned having a high-level master on your side. Weren’t you always a skeptic? Who is this person who spotted the disruption array?”

Lin Zixiao looked wary. “Why do you want to know?”

“What else? If they’re a true master, of course, I’d like to build a good relationship. And you’ve made a good point—I’d also like them to check the Feng Shui of our home and business, maybe even see if I have any hidden enemies.”

Lin Zixiao didn’t agree immediately. “Alright, I’ll ask the master. Whether they’re willing to come or not depends on your luck. Oh, and be prepared to pay—this master isn’t cheap.”

🌸˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚⋆