Chapter 139: Sister, Help!

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Xu Lin stroked her chin thoughtfully. If Qin Fang intended to use the power of talismans or cards to accomplish her tasks, Xu Lin would have to find a way to sabotage them. She couldn’t let Qian Li and the others fall into the trap and become stepping stones for Qin Fang. In any case, as long as she could make Qin Fang unhappy, Xu Lin would be willing to bear the cost. After all, Qin Fang had no one to blame but herself for recklessly running into her.

With this in mind, Xu Lin began mentally sketching out various talismans she might need in different scenarios. Nowadays, it wasn’t easy to buy cinnabar or talisman paper, but since Xu Lin knew how to make them herself, it posed no difficulty.

After returning to the intellectual youth camp, she took time to draw a batch of talismans to keep on hand. Whenever something felt off, she would immediately throw a talisman.

With the aid of the Spirit Travel Talisman, Xu Lin arrived back at the camp just as the sky darkened. The moment she stepped into the courtyard, she sensed a strange atmosphere.

The first to rush out from a room was Qian Li. Upon seeing Xu Lin return, she immediately hurried over. “Linlin, you’re back!” she said, clutching Xu Lin’s arm with a trembling voice.

“Linlin, I—I think I’m ill. Whenever I see Qin Fang, I can’t help but feel drawn to her.”

“What’s going on?” Xu Lin looked up toward the door where Qin Fang was emerging.

Good heavens, compared to yesterday, Qin Fang seemed several times more beautiful. Even as a woman, Xu Lin couldn’t help but feel her heart flutter.

“I don’t know. Ever since the last time I inexplicably felt attracted to Qin Fang, I’ve been quietly on guard against her. But today, coming back from work, the moment I saw her, the feeling returned.”

Qian Li lowered her head and rested it on Xu Lin’s shoulder, unwilling to look in Qin Fang’s direction.

“I understand. Don’t say a word now. Wait until I tell you to speak,” Xu Lin whispered, and Qian Li’s body stiffened briefly before clutching her tighter.

Sure enough, she wasn’t the only one who sensed something wrong about Qin Fang. In her heart, Qian Li raged silently, wondering why she had to encounter Qin Fang. Why did that woman have to target her? What grudge or hatred was this? Why couldn’t she be left in peace?

For safety’s sake, Xu Lin first pushed Qian Li into her room before wheeling her bicycle inside, completely ignoring Qin Fang the whole time.

Qin Fang’s face turned green with anger, and she couldn’t help but question the system in her mind. “Xiao Qi, why aren’t they affected?”

“How would I know? Maybe they’re wearing some kind of protective magical artifact,” the system replied, followed by a barrage of irritating static noises that gave Qin Fang a headache.

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“System, what’s wrong with you?”

“Quiet. I’m analyzing Xu Lin and Qian Li,” came the system’s cold voice, and anticipation flickered across Qin Fang’s face.

She was desperate to know what secret Xu Lin and Qian Li held that allowed them to resist her allure.

Qian Li was somewhat better—her affinity score rose to thirty upon seeing Qin Fang—but Xu Lin’s did not improve; it actually worsened. Originally at negative twenty, after their eyes met, a look of disdain flashed across Xu Lin’s gaze, and the affinity score dropped to negative thirty.

Just one glance caused a loss of ten affinity points. No matter how Qin Fang thought about it, she was furious. Who was this? Not a single word was spoken, yet her affinity had plummeted. Why?

Once inside the room, Xu Lin activated a talisman formation before sitting beside Qian Li with a warm smile, comforting her.

“It’s all right now. Say whatever you want.”

“Am I sick? Or is there something strange about Qin Fang?” Qian Li asked.

“There’s definitely something odd about Qin Fang, and yes, you are ill,” Xu Lin replied with a smile, delivering a frustrating truth. “Your mind isn’t clear.”

Qian Li: ...So she’s calling me crazy.

“Don’t disbelieve me.” Xu Lin pinched a talisman between her palms and gently tapped it on Qian Li’s forehead. “Are you clearer now?”

Qian Li: ... (⊙o⊙)

Just as she was about to be angry, Qian Li suddenly realized her mind felt remarkably clear. The faint attraction she had toward Qin Fang vanished without a trace.

What was this? Shocked, Qian Li grasped Xu Lin’s hand and anxiously asked, “Linlin, what’s happening to me? Did Qin Fang cast a spell on me?”

“You could say that, but she hasn’t just targeted you. She’s cast a spell on everyone. Have you noticed how Qin Fang seems to glow, radiating charm everywhere she goes, making people inexplicably drawn to her?”

“Yes, yes, exactly that feeling!” Qian Li gave a thumbs-up, feeling Xu Lin’s description was spot on, as if she had experienced it firsthand.

“But why does this feeling arise?”

Faced with Qian Li’s eager expression, Xu Lin hesitated briefly before saying, “This involves superstition, and it’s hard for me to explain in detail.”

“Is it really superstition?” Qian Li asked, her heart pounding.

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“Do you think any superstition could last thousands of years? If there weren’t real power behind it, how could those things endure for millennia?”

Xu Lin’s question made Qian Li ponder. Indeed, without some genuine efficacy, how could any tradition survive through the tides of history? Only things with reason and substance could be passed down.

If it were all mere superstition... Qian Li lowered her head, then suddenly looked up at Xu Lin, her eyes sparkling as she asked, “Do you know something about this?”

“Hmm, I know a little, not much,” Xu Lin replied modestly. If someone from the realm of metaphysics heard her, they’d surely burst into tears. For someone at the pinnacle of the pyramid to claim limited knowledge—who would believe it?

Who was she kidding?

Qian Li clasped her hands together immediately. “Sister, save me! I’m counting on you for protection.”

“Don’t mention it, don’t mention it,” Xu Lin waved her hand. “Just pay the protection fee.”

“I’ll pay, definitely pay,” Qian Li cheerfully reached for her money. Suddenly, she realized this must be the second time Xu Lin had saved her. The first time was when she inexplicably felt attracted to Qin Fang, and now again. But why did Qin Fang want her affection?

“Linlin, what benefit does Qin Fang get from doing this?”

“There is a benefit. The more fond you are of her, the easier it is for her to absorb your luck and fortune. Once she drains all your luck, you’ll become a jinx. For details, you can look up Du Yong.”

Xu Lin took two yuan from Qian Li’s hand. “You have to be careful that Qin Fang doesn’t get hold of your destiny and essence.”

“Du Yong? Was he harmed by Qin Fang?” Qian Li shrank into a ball, inching closer to Xu Lin. “Is this money enough? Or should I draw a Great Unity talisman?”

“This is a friendly price; I won’t make you draw the Great Unity talisman.”

Xu Lin pocketed the two yuan, worried that Qian Li might fall victim to deceit, and decided to give her a lesson.

After all, this girl was very much to Xu Lin’s liking and was the first to approach her without any ulterior motives.

When Qian Li heard about so many harmful methods, she was so shocked she could have stuffed a fist in her mouth.

After a long pause, Qian Li asked, “So, what we’re facing now is just the most common few types?”