Top Soldier Pursued by a Beauty

Gu Moning screamed and clutched Zhao Dong's hand, squeezing her eyes shut. "Zhao Dong, what on earth was that thing just now?!" she cried, her voice trembling.

"Just a stray cat," he said. "It's nothing."

With that, Zhao Dong stepped into the small building. He found the light switch and flicked it on with a CLICK! Light instantly flooded the small courtyard, but perhaps due to years of neglect, the already dim bulb flickered erratically.

Gu Moning's breathing was unsteady; the desolate surroundings truly terrified her.

Zhao Dong narrowed his eyes, surveying the yard before speaking slowly. "I know where the problem lies."

"Where?"

Instead of answering, Zhao Dong spotted some tools in a corner of the yard and picked up a shovel. Muttering something under his breath, he walked forward a few steps, then took four steps to the right. Finally, he tapped the ground in front of him four times with the shovel.

"It's right here!"

Zhao Dong immediately started digging. Gu Moning watched, completely bewildered. As he worked, she glanced around the yard and suddenly screamed, clinging to him tightly.

"Zhao Dong… I… I saw something move over there! It looked like a person, and they were wearing red!"

"You must be mistaken." Zhao Dong frowned, looking where she pointed. "There's no one here."

"I really did see it! I'm not lying! It was… it was right there!" Gu Moning was so frightened her words trembled, but when Zhao Dong looked again, he still saw nothing.

He gave a wry smile. "You're probably just seeing things. It's okay. Don't look around, just stay by my side."

Zhao Dong resumed digging. Finally, his shovel struck something solid, and he froze. He took a deep breath and forcefully scooped the last layer of soil away.

What lay beneath was revealed.

Zhao Dong's expression changed drastically. Gu Moning saw it too and was petrified. She was so terrified she couldn't move a muscle or even make a sound.

The pit was filled with a mass of bizarrely shaped dead snakes. They were grotesquely twisted and tangled together, their dark-red blood seeping into the surrounding earth as a pungent, foul stench assaulted their nostrils.

Three seconds later, Gu Moning let out a terrified scream and stumbled backward.

Zhao Dong quickly grabbed her, signaling for her to be quiet.

Gu Moning clamped a hand over her mouth, tears streaming down her face, her eyes wide with terror.

Zhao Dong was also shocked by the scene. This was the entryway, known in Feng Shui as a place that gathers fortune. Yet, a pile of dead snakes was buried here. It was obvious someone had put them here intentionally.

This pile of dead snakes had corrupted the Feng Shui of the Gu Family's ancestral home. Instead of gathering fortune, this place had been turned into a nexus of sinister energy. And because this sinister energy was concentrated at the entrance, it could affect the entire property. That was why the Gu Family had been plagued by mishaps recently, and why Gu Moning herself had been cursed. It was clear that someone had done this deliberately.

Zhao Dong took a deep breath to calm himself, then turned to Gu Moning. "This is what's been causing all your family's recent problems. We just need to burn them, and it will be over."

Fearful tears streamed down Gu Moning's cheeks. Her body trembled as she leaned heavily against Zhao Dong, sobbing, "Zhao Dong… why are these things here? Did someone put them here on purpose?"

"Exactly. It was deliberate. It was either an enemy of your family or someone who's jealous of you."

Zhao Dong didn't hesitate. He gathered some dry weeds from the yard, threw them into the pit, and then retrieved a can of gasoline from his car, pouring it over the snakes.

He then lit a fire.

Instantly, a SIZZLING sound erupted from the pit, and a strange, unidentifiable stench filled the small courtyard.

Gu Moning pressed herself tightly against Zhao Dong. Surrounded by darkness and unknown fears, she only felt safe next to him.

Just then, the courtyard gate was pushed open, and a figure walked in.

Zhao Dong and Gu Moning both looked over, startled. It was Li Xiaoran.

Strangely, she was wearing a red dress. It was a beautiful dress, and combined with her own good looks, the effect was quite stunning. Up close, her features were delicate, her lips red and her teeth pearly white. Her every expression was full of girlish charm and liveliness.

Still, wearing a red dress this late at night was decidedly odd.

Li Xiaoran walked straight up to them. Staring at the roaring flames, she asked in shock, "Big Brother Zhao, Moning, what are you two doing?"

After a moment's hesitation, Gu Moning told her what had happened.

Li Xiaoran was stunned. "What?! Someone buried dead snakes here to harm the Gu Family? Who on earth would do such a thing?"

Gu Moning shook her head and sighed. "I have no idea. The Gu Family is always charitable. I can't imagine we've offended anyone like that. Ugh!"

Li Xiaoran offered a cryptic smile. "That's hard to say. Maybe your family did something to feel guilty about, and that's why someone resents you."

Gu Moning shook her head, a confused look on her face.

Li Xiaoran smiled. "Alright, Moning, since the problem is solved, don't dwell on it. You two wait here. I've cooked a couple of dishes, so I'll bring them over and we can eat at your place. My house is a mess."

Gu Moning was touched. "Xiaoran, you're too good to me!"

Li Xiaoran smiled gently. "What are you talking about? We're the best of friends, aren't we?"

And with that, Li Xiaoran turned and left.