CHAPTER 337: CHAPTER 337: INSTIGATION AND RIGHT HOOK

Qiao Xiyu had obviously never experienced a setback in love before. She cried until she was exhausted, then curled up on the seat staring blankly out the window at the night.

"I’m not angry anymore. At the next service area, I’ll take over driving for a bit, so you can rest." Yang Hongye transferred the money for the barbecue to him, and also expressed her gratitude for his chivalrous assistance.

Jiang Yuan, upon seeing the transfer, found it both amusing and exasperating, "You’re splitting just one meal with me so meticulously? Are you afraid I’ll ask you to treat me to something nice another day?"

"Business is business. You got involved in all this tonight because of me, so it’s naturally on me to treat. Next time, I’ll treat you to a nice meal at a new private kitchen restaurant that opened under our company; the food there is great! When we get back... Oh crap! I haven’t even asked Lao Zhang for leave yet!"

At her sudden outburst, the tense atmosphere in the car lightened considerably.

Jiang Yuan turned on the car music, letting the relaxed rhythm flow out, as the Mercedes G-class drove along the lightly trafficked highway, guided by the GPS, towards another bustling city.

By the time they arrived at the residential complex where Qiao Xiyu rented her apartment, it was a quarter past midnight.

"He hasn’t called since we hung up; he’s probably asleep now..." She took out her keys from her bag, hesitant to open the door.

Zhang Rui had become incredibly irritable and completely changed his temperament. Usually, their disagreements would at most lead to a quarrel; never had he resorted to directly throwing dirt and insults like tonight. She was worried that if she provoked him again, they would start arguing, disturbing the neighbors and making a scene.

Yang Hongye grabbed the key and boldly opened the door, "Not even a word of concern, and he immediately sullies you with insults, then goes off to bed? I’ll give him a piece of my mind!"

"Click!"

The landlord was considerate; even the front door was recently replaced with a new one, so the new lock opened smoothly without making much noise.

Just as Qiao Xiyu was about to reach for the light switch, Jiang Yuan stopped her and signaled her to be quiet.

The room was unlit, but the streetlight outside streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, faintly illuminating the living room. A man sat motionless on the sofa with his head down, which was an eerie sight. Qiao Xiyu took a step back, uncomfortably glancing at Yang Hongye.

The two girls exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of the situation.

Jiang Yuan, however, saw clearly—a shadowy figure crouched behind the man, whispering insidiously in his ear, "Where do you find decent women these days? Where are the virgins? They are all gold diggers! Scammers! Sluts!

Qiao Xiyu claims sweetly that she doesn’t want a dowry, a car, or a house, instead wants to strive alongside you. You work hard to save up money, but what about her?

Think about what income a woman could possibly have, her clothes, bags, how much do all those cost? Where did her money come from? She definitely sold herself! She’s afraid that if you find out, you’ll leave her, so she ambushes you! She’s just a lowlife!

Women like this need to be taught a lesson! Don’t you understand? She’s looking for an affair, cheating on you, she needs a beating! Beat her senseless..."

While Yang Hongye and the others couldn’t hear the taunting, Jiang Yuan clenched his right fist in anger as a flame began to flicker and dance.

Damn, what kind of garbage is this!

Unable to endure seeing young couples in love, you trample on others just ’cause you’re stuffed!

"Bang!" He kicked the ajar door wide open and turned on the foyer light.

Zhang Rui was startled back to his senses by the sudden light and looked up abruptly. His entire body was wrapped in black energy, so much so that Jiang Yuan couldn’t even discern his facial features—his whole head was shrouded in black lines, making him look like a character from a comic book covered in dark doodles.

"You even brought a lover back with you?" An irrational Zhang Rui, having been bewitched, only saw a stranger standing there, and the anger instantly surged within him, making him believe all the filthy words he heard were true.

He charged forward, but Jiang Yuan met him head-on with a burning right hook imbued with the Heaven-Burning Flame, aiming directly for Zhang Rui’s jaw!

Though of similar build, Zhang Rui, a office worker lacking any training, was no match for Jiang Yuan, who had honed his physique by chopping trees and mining in the Wilderness World.

At the first encounter, Zhang Rui was knocked back, stumbling two steps before collapsing to the ground. The fierce flames burned away the possessing black energy, finally revealing Zhang Rui’s real face. He was dazed for a few seconds before regaining his senses, his gaze becoming clear again.

"You dare try to hit someone?" Yang Hongye was utterly shocked and at the same time saw Jiang Yuan in a new light.

Usually, she regarded him as a polite young man, who wouldn’t even quarrel, let alone fight, yet here he was rising up to a real threat!

Not to mention fast, accurate, and fierce with explosive power, suddenly exuding a powerful, masculine aura!

Of course, she was no pushover either, and upon seeing this, she picked up the vase from the shoe cabinet in the foyer, ready to bash the scumbag’s head in.

Jiang Yuan’s punch had landed effectively, so he quickly stepped in to stop her;

Qiao Xiyu, having never seen such a scene, was at a loss. Her tears began pouring down again, "Zhang Rui, I gave you my whole heart and you just threw it to the dogs! You throw dirt on me and even attempt to hit people. All those years didn’t mean a thing to you!

I earn more than you, covering all the household expenses, yet you... I’m calling the police! We’re definitely breaking up today!"

She felt both embarrassed and relieved that her friend’s friend was here, as otherwise, how could two girls defend themselves against him? Wouldn’t they be beaten to death behind closed doors?

"Honey! Honey, I was wrong!" A sobered Zhang Rui felt as if he just woke up from a nightmare.

Whether it was the delusions or the impassioned shouting at the phone, everything felt muddled—even though he vaguely remembered the events, he couldn’t believe he had actually done it.

He quickly rushed over to grab his girlfriend’s hand, explaining, "Those words weren’t mine! I-I was possessed! Believe me, we’ve been together so long, don’t you know me?"

The door was left open, and the commotion made the shadow extremely displeased, glaring at Jiang Yuan as if assessing his strength.

"Your boyfriend really was possessed, and it seems he’s come to his senses now. Would you like to go downstairs to find a place to have a good talk?" Jiang Yuan feared that things might escalate and frighten the three of them, so he advised, "Sister Yang, keep a bit of distance while supervising. If Zhang Rui dares to lay a finger, call the police immediately."

Qiao Xiyu continued to cry; Zhang Rui was in a panic scrambling to explain; Yang Hongye glanced at Jiang Yuan suspiciously, and recalling Chuci’s extreme change in attitude towards him, she faintly guessed something.

"Go ahead, you two sort out whether to make up or break up, I’ll keep some distance so as to not be a third wheel. But if you dare say one more disgusting word..." she waved the vase in her hand, glaring at Zhang Rui.

Zhang Rui, clearly aware of the uncanny events in the house, was somewhat fearful and hurriedly tugged his girlfriend towards the exit, "Thanks, buddy, owe you one! I must repay you later! Uh... you’re Yang Hongye, right? We’ve met before, really sorry, let’s—let’s head downstairs first..."

A bit flustered and very frightened, he promptly pressed the elevator button to go downstairs.

Jiang Yuan closed the door, recalling how when dealing with the ghost lady from the advertising company at the hospital, a master mentioned the standard procedures in this field. Generally, you must first understand why the mischief took place, then resolve it properly if possible, but if not, physical exorcism should be unhesitant.

"Are you a cultivator?" To his surprise, the shadow spoke first, in a tone full of delight and flattery, "I knew it! There must be cultivators in this world of ours! That means there must be ghost cultivators too... great!

My friend, do you know any ghost cultivators? If you can get me a ghost cultivation technique, once I’ve achieved mastery, I can become a great asset on your cultivation journey!"

Jiang Yuan: ???

Holy crap, is this just another novel fanatic gone berserk?