I, the number one master of metaphysics, have achieved legendary status in the entertainment industr

"...It was a gift from one of my father's business partners, who said it symbolized foresight." Ding Xingyou's voice trembled.

Lu Fan didn't say anything, but walked to the bedroom door and glanced inside.

On the bedside table was a palm-sized antique bronze mirror.

"A mirror facing the bed can attract negative energy, disrupt sleep, and cause nightmares." He looked at Ding Xingyou. "Was this also a gift from someone else?"

Ding Xingyou could no longer speak, he could only nod vigorously, his eyes beginning to redden.

"It seems the Zhou family has gone to great lengths to sow discord among us." Lu Fan walked to the center of the living room and took out several blank yellow talismans and a cinnabar pen from his bag.

He quickly drew three talismans, and then dealt with those items one by one:

The first talisman wrapped around the incense stick in the incense burner, and after chanting an incantation to light it, the incense stick instantly turned into wisps of smoke, and the sweet, cloying scent dissipated.

The second talisman was affixed to the brass eagle ornament. The ornament trembled slightly, and a trace of dark red liquid seeped out from the eagle's beak before quickly evaporating.

The third talisman was affixed to the back of the bronze mirror in the bedroom. A ripple-like pattern appeared on the surface of the mirror before returning to normal, but the mirror surface looked a little cloudy than before.

After doing all that, Lu Fan drew a "Heart-Cleansing Talisman," folded it into a triangle, and handed it to Ding Xingyou: "Keep it close to your body for three days, and don't let it get wet. Get plenty of sunshine these days, eat a light diet, and try not to go out at night."

Ding Xingyou took the talisman, held it in his palm, and tears finally fell.

"I'm sorry..." Her voice choked with emotion, "I...I didn't know...I thought you had changed, that I had misjudged you..."

"It's not your fault," Lu Fan said gently. "These methods are very subtle, and most people wouldn't notice them. Moreover, they knew you have a strong personality and wouldn't easily complain to others, which is why they dared to act so blatantly."

Ding Xingyou wiped away her tears and looked up at him: "Then...why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I only had suspicions before, no evidence," Lu Fan said honestly. "Besides, you were angry at the time, and you wouldn't have believed me even if I told you. It wasn't until last night when I broke their formation and it backfired that they panicked, and the energy fluctuations of these arrangements became obvious, which allowed me to confirm it."

Ding Xingyou bit his lip, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "What about your meeting with my dad...?"

"It's both a business matter and a personal matter." Lu Fan looked at her. "The Zhou family won't let this go, and Qingsong is still looking for help. I can't deal with the forces behind them on my own. I need your father's help."

"My dad..." Ding Xingyou hesitated, "He has a very bad impression of you because of what happened to me. I'm afraid of him..."

"We should give it a try." Lu Fan smiled. "Besides, there are some things your father should know. For example... the Zhou family's true purpose."

Ding Xingyou looked into Lu Fan's calm and determined eyes, took a deep breath, and nodded emphatically:

"Okay, I'll make the appointment for you."

……

Two days later, in a private teahouse on the outskirts of the city.

Ding Jianguo sat in the main seat, slowly brewing tea. He was dressed in a dark Zhongshan suit, his hair was neatly combed, his face was serious, his eyes were sharp, and his aura of being in a high position was particularly imposing in the small space.

Lu Fan sat opposite him, his back ramrod straight, his expression calm.

Ding Xingyou sat to the side, watching the two of them with some nervousness.

The aroma of tea wafted through the air, yet it couldn't dispel the heavy atmosphere.

"Lu Fan." Ding Jianguo put down the teapot, looked up at Lu Fan, and got straight to the point, "Xingyou told me about your situation. I'm very grateful to you for helping her get rid of those dirty things. I, Ding Jianguo, will remember this favor."

He paused, then changed the subject: "But one thing at a time. You embarrassed my daughter on set, and you need to give me an explanation for that."

"Uncle Ding," Lu Fan began, his tone neither humble nor arrogant, "First of all, I sincerely apologize to Director Ding for my impulsive words on set that day. I misspoke, and I'm sorry."

He turned to Ding Xingyou and bowed slightly: "Director Ding, I'm sorry."

Ding Xingyou quickly waved his hand: "No, no need, I went first..."

Ding Jianguo raised his hand to stop his daughter from speaking, staring at Lu Fan: "Is an apology all it takes?"

"Of course not." Lu Fan raised his head and looked directly at Ding Jianguo. "I'm here today not only to apologize, but also to discuss a deal with Uncle Ding—or rather, a collaboration."

"Oh?" Ding Jianguo raised an eyebrow. "What kind of cooperation?"

"Let's deal with the Zhou family together," Lu Fan said, surprising everyone.

Ding Jianguo's eyes narrowed, but he remained silent, waiting for Lu Fan to continue.

"Uncle Ding should have heard about the Zhou family's recent moves," Lu Fan said slowly. "They're not only targeting me, but also anyone who might help me. Su Qin's company is currently facing internal and external troubles, Yu Tinglan is being pressured by various means, and even Director Ding... has fallen for their dirty tricks."

"On the surface, this was to vent Wang Huajian's anger. But in reality—"

Lu Fan leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice: "Their real purpose is something I possess. A treasure that could elevate the Zhou family's fortune to a new level, and even... change certain aspects of the landscape."

Ding Jianguo frowned: "What is it?"

"It's an artifact left by my master." Lu Fan didn't go into details. "The Xuan Master Qingsong hired by the Zhou family has already sensed its existence, which is why he spared no expense to set up the 'Ambush from Ten Sides' and the 'Blood Guiding Array' in an attempt to forcibly seize it."

He paused, then looked at Ding Jianguo: "I broke their formation, damaged Wang Huajian's foundation, and Qingsong also suffered a backlash. But they won't stop there; they'll only become more frenzied. I alone, or Jiaxing and President Su's side, can't stop their next counterattack."

"So you want to drag me into this?" Ding Jianguo asked with a half-smile. "On what grounds? Just because you saved Xingyou once?"

"Given the Zhou family's ambitions, it's not just about me." Lu Fan met his gaze. "Uncle Ding, you know Zhou Li's personality better than I do. Since she dared to target your daughter, she won't be satisfied with just dealing with a 'small-time entertainer' like me. Once she gets what she wants and her power increases significantly, who will be her next target?"

He paused, then said slowly and deliberately, "In this circle, there aren't many who have the qualifications and ability to make the Zhou family wary. The Ding family is definitely one of them."

The private room quieted down.

Ding Jianguo slowly picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked deep in thought.

After a long while, he slowly spoke:

"How can I help you?"

Lu Fan knew that the negotiations had succeeded.

He suppressed the turmoil in his heart and said clearly:

"First, I need Uncle Ding to make a statement within the circle to show our attitude—not necessarily to support me directly, but just to let people know that the Ding family is very dissatisfied with some of the Zhou family's recent 'overstepping' behaviors."

"Secondly, if the Zhou family further suppresses me in terms of resources and connections, I hope Uncle Ding can help me at key junctures, or... provide some opportunities for equivalent resource exchanges."

"Third," Lu Fan paused, his voice growing deeper, "I would like to ask Uncle Ding to help me investigate someone."

"Who?"

"Qingsong," Lu Fan said, "His background, his teachers, what he's done in the past, and which forces he's connected with... the more detailed the better. I need to know his background so I can find out who's really behind the Zhou family."

Ding Jianguo put down his teacup and tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

"The first two are not difficult," he said slowly. "The third one... I've also heard of Qingsong. He has quite a reputation in the metaphysical circle, but he's also very mysterious. He rarely appears in public and only takes on jobs from the top wealthy circles. It won't be easy to find out his background."

"It's precisely because it's not easy that Uncle Ding needs to step in," Lu Fan said sincerely. "Moreover, investigating him isn't just for me, but also for the Ding family. Having someone like that behind the Zhou family is a threat to everyone."

Ding Jianguo pondered for a moment, then finally nodded:

"Okay, I promise."

He looked at Lu Fan, his eyes sharp as knives: "But I also have one condition."

"Please speak."

"If things go smoothly in the end, the Zhou family will fall." Ding Jianguo said, emphasizing each word, "I want a 51% controlling stake in the three high-end hotel chains under Zhou's Capital."

Lu Fan was slightly taken aback.

Ding Jianguo smiled, a smile that revealed the shrewdness and ruthlessness of a businessman:

"What, do you think I'm taking advantage of your misfortune?"

"No," Lu Fan shook his head, "It's very fair. Uncle Ding took the risk, so he should naturally receive a corresponding reward."

"Then it's settled." Ding Jianguo stood up, extended his hand, and said, "It's a pleasure doing business with you."

Lu Fan also stood up and took his hand.

"It's a pleasure working with you."

The two held hands tightly.

At this moment, a counter-alliance against the Zhou family was officially formed.

Meanwhile, Zhou Li and Qing Song, far away in the hospital, had no idea that the "turtle in a jar" they saw had already woven a large net, waiting for their next attack.

The atmosphere of the decisive battle is drawing ever closer.

……

That evening, Lu Fan returned to his residence, and as soon as he closed the door, his phone vibrated.

It was a text message from an encrypted number, containing only one short sentence:

"Qingsong is a disciple of the 'Ghost Witch Sect' in Southeast Asia. Thirty years ago, he was expelled from the sect for using evil magic to harm people. He later came to China and now handles 'unspeakable' matters for the powerful and wealthy. He has a past relationship with a certain 'big shot' who has retired in Beijing. The fact that the Zhou family was able to hire him suggests that this person might be behind it. Be careful."

The text message was unsigned, but Lu Fan knew who sent it.

He stared at the phrase "a certain 'big shot' who has retired from the capital," his gaze darkening.

Sure enough, there were others behind the Zhou family.

And its background... is quite impressive.

Lu Fan deleted the text message, walked to the window, and looked at the deep night outside.

The jade pendant was slightly warm against his chest, and the wisp of dragon energy flowed slowly, as if responding to the fighting spirit in his heart.

Master, when you left this jade pendant back then, did you foresee that this day would come?

He gently grasped the jade pendant and murmured to himself:

"No matter who's behind you, if you want to harm me or the people I care about..."

"They all have to ask about my skills first."

As night deepens, an even greater storm is quietly brewing.

Lu Fan was already prepared.

To fight back, or... to end it all completely.