Qin Han Tang, though unaware of Chen Xiao's relationship with Song Yan, could surmise their connection was extraordinary given Chen Xiao's use of Song Yan's Maserati. He hastily used Chen Xiao's name to explain to Song Xiangyu:
"Director Song, please don't worry. Dr. Chen has stated that the frequent safety accidents at our construction site are due to a cruel and inhumane Yin Sha formation set by someone. This means that where Dr. Chen marked with lime powder, there is a buried child no older than four years old. I was about to use a demolition drill to break through and then call the police..."
"Pfft—"
Song Xiangyu was clearly surprised to encounter Chen Xiao here. She was appraising him with a teasing gaze when Qin Han Tang's words were cut short by her uncontrollable laughter. She said sarcastically:
"Dr. Chen, I never imagined you were not only a skilled physician and an excellent cook, but also a part-time dispeller of misfortune and exorcist of evil!"
She paused, not waiting for the bewildered Qin Han Tang to react, and continued in an even more mocking tone:
"But what I find even more unbelievable is that the esteemed President Qin of Han Tang Construction actually believes such baseless superstitions and supernatural nonsense. Song Yan truly had blind eyes to insist on letting someone as brainless as you contract the engineering project for Hong Lou Chun Phase Three."
Even Qin Han Tang, slow as he was, sensed Song Xiangyu's hostility towards Chen Xiao. He retorted indignantly:
"Director Song, you can mock me, but must you insult Dr. Chen with such harsh words..."
"Shut up!"
Song Xiangyu's beautiful eyes turned cold, and she aggressively interrupted Qin Han Tang:
"Enough nonsense! Either terminate the contract and pay damages immediately, or kick out that swindler named Chen. Choose one!"
As her words fell, the bodyguards accompanying her brazenly surged forward and surrounded Chen Xiao.
"Song Xiangyu, you've gone too far!"
Qin Han Tang was furious. Forgetting the consequences of offending Song Xiangyu, he unhesitatingly shielded Chen Xiao:
"Dr. Chen is my honored guest. If you dare to disrespect him again, I'll fight you to the death!"
Song Xiangyu shrieked hysterically:
"Besides being handsome, what other charm does that Chen fellow possess that makes you all grovel and fawn over him?"
The "you" she referred to naturally included her sisters, Song Yan and Song Nuan, whom she had always looked down upon. This was precisely the root of her animosity towards Chen Xiao.
Chen Xiao, looking at her exaggerated, almost contorted face in anger, felt both amused and exasperated. He deliberately continued to provoke her with a half-smiling tone:
"An old auntie with endocrine imbalance due to jealousy, I admit I am indeed handsome, but my charm is not limited to that. It far surpasses your extraordinary abilities. You can't accept it, but it's the truth!"
"Old auntie with endocrine imbalance? You... you dare insult me? I... I'll tear your mouth apart!"
As expected, Song Xiangyu immediately flew into a rage and moved to tear at Chen Xiao herself. Qin Han Tang, though tall and strong, was sent spinning like a top by her casual slap, delivered with her inch-punching technique.
However, the moment she stepped into the oval of lime powder in front of Chen Xiao, she inexplicably glanced towards the balcony and was instantly stunned.
Maintaining her posture of striking Chen Xiao, her expression was filled with undisguised horror, as if she had seen a ghost.
"Hey! Little one! Don't climb over the balcony! It's dangerous..."
In the next second, accompanied by extremely tense and urgent words, she, to the astonishment of seven or eight bodyguards and assistants, lunged uncontrollably towards the empty balcony shrouded in the night.
After all, a life was at stake. Though reluctant, Chen Xiao ultimately held her slender waist tightly from behind at the critical moment.
"Ah—"
Song Xiangyu screamed as if possessed. With Chen Xiao holding her exposed fair waist, her pupils bulged, and her arms and hands stretched desperately towards the balcony. She roared hysterically:
"Chen, didn't you see the little child in the red padded jacket fall from the balcony? Help! Save them..."
As she spoke, she struggled frantically.
Qin Han Tang and the seven or eight bodyguards and assistants exchanged bewildered and terrified glances. In particular, a petite female assistant wearing thick-rimmed glasses stammered:
"Di... Director Song, you... you must have seen wrong? The balcony... the balcony is empty. There isn't a single... single ghost in sight. Where... where did the child in the red padded jacket fall from?"
"Wh... what?"
Song Xiangyu's feet suddenly felt ice-cold. The horror on her face intensified. She looked again at the oval of lime powder at her feet, her scalp tingling and her heart pounding. She instinctively turned to look pleadingly at Chen Xiao:
"Is... is there really something unclean down there?"