C16 Tianyou Group

I immediately grasped why Wu Tianxiong had brought us here.

He must have realized that Third Uncle and I had dealt with the haunted mansion and purposefully invited us to this skyscraper. It appears that Wu Tianyou needed assistance with Feng Shui and sought our help. In need of a favor, he generously forgave a debt of several hundred thousand yuan.

Yet, I'm clueless about the specific challenge he's facing. It's evidently a significant issue, one that not even four hundred thousand yuan could resolve.

Third Uncle seemed fully aware of this, as evidenced by his straightened posture.

Typically, Third Uncle has a bit of a stoop, walking with a slight bend. But I've noticed that whenever he feels confident or discusses his area of expertise, he stands tall and exudes vitality.

It was no different this time. After Wu Tianyou's inquiry, Third Uncle stood erect and nodded, "Since childhood, I've immersed myself in the study of Taoism, a discipline both broad and profound. Feng Shui is merely a minor aspect of its extensive scope."

I couldn't help but glare at Third Uncle, thinking to myself, "Just keep on pretending. You're well aware of our limits. We nearly lost our lives in that dilapidated building, and if someone like Wu Tianyou, with all his connections, can't handle it, how will you? You've really put on a show, now let's see how you'll wrap this up."

Wu Tianyou, listening to Third Uncle, gave a slight nod and said, "So the Master hails from a distinguished lineage. I have a matter here that I would like the Master to resolve. May I inquire which mountainous Taoist temple you practice in? I understand that the Master practices for self-cultivation and shuns worldly recognition. Should the Master help me with this issue, I will ensure to refurbish the temple and cast a new golden statue in your honor."

Caught off guard by Wu Tianyou's earnestness, Third Uncle was momentarily at a loss. He had only been posturing, not expecting Wu Tianyou to take him at his word. The idea of reconstructing a temple and casting a golden statue was overwhelming.

With an awkward chuckle, Third Uncle replied, "I wander the world without a permanent abode. This... well, wandering also requires sustenance... So, regarding the temple construction, let's just set that aside, hehe..."

Wu Tianyou cast a glance at Third Uncle's plate, which still had quite a few chicken bones on it. He chuckled and said, "Even better. Let me make you an offer: if you two can help me solve this problem, the debt that Tianxiong lent you will be forgiven. On top of that, I'll pay you an additional five hundred thousand for your travel expenses..."

The figure made me perk up. Five hundred thousand was no small sum, significantly more than what we'd anticipated earning from the desolate tower. Third Uncle's eyes briefly sparkled with interest, but the look was fleeting.

Seeing our silence, Wu Tianyou added, "If the Master feels it's insufficient, we can negotiate further."

To push further would seem rather unseemly. Third Uncle, recognizing a good deal, quickly interjected, "Director Wu is generous, and we are not insatiable. Please, Director Wu, share the details of the matter with us. We will certainly give it our all. As for the travel expenses, let's revisit that after the issue is resolved."

Wu Tianyou nodded, about to speak, when there was a double knock at the door. A young woman in uniform entered.

She leaned in and murmured something to Wu Tianyou.

Rising, Wu Tianyou addressed us, "Excuse me, I have to take an important call. Liang here will fill you in on the details. She's my special assistant, and you can make any requests to her."

With that, Wu Tianyou gave Liang a nod and exited, leaning on his cane. I noticed that his use of the cane wasn't just for show; there seemed to be a genuine issue with his right leg.

The young woman in uniform, probably in her early twenties, had tidy short hair and a charming appearance with refined features and dimpled cheeks, which lent her a friendly look.

Yet, as soon as Wu Tianyou left the room, her smile vanished, replaced by a frosty demeanor. She gave me and Third Uncle a cold look and asked, "So, you two are the masters who've come to consult on the feng shui?"

The girl's voice was quite pleasant, melodious and lilting, yet her demeanor left much to be desired, as her tone was laced with unmistakable scorn.

I mulled it over. Judging by her age, she didn't seem to be a college graduate. Perhaps Director Wu had taken a shine to her simply because of her youth and looks. To put it nicely, she was a special assistant, but in plain terms, she was just a secretary who had climbed the corporate ladder through her physical attributes. And here she was, looking down on us—what was so extraordinary about her, anyway?

Feeling slighted, I responded, "Your last name is Liang, isn't it? Secretary Liang, let me set you straight—we were invited by your boss, not the other way around."

Upon hearing this, the girl bristled, fixing me with a glare as she retorted, "Hey, I'm not a secretary. My name is Liang Yue. My title is Director Wu's assistant, his special assistant. Got it?"

I shrugged nonchalantly and quipped, "What's the difference, really?"

Under her breath, Liang Yue grumbled, "Country bumpkin."

I was ready to confront her, but Third Uncle quickly intervened to defuse the situation, "Well... Secretary Li... I mean, Assistant Liang... My nephew is a bit green, please don't mind him. But we truly were invited by Director Wu. We'll need your assistance with what comes next. Could you fill us in on the details?"

Liang Yue pouted skeptically, "Are you up to the task?"

Third Uncle assured her with a smile, "Rest easy, we're not like those street magicians. We wouldn't be here if we weren't confident in our abilities."

Reluctantly, Liang Yue nodded and shared with us the details of Director Wu's vexing issue.

Indeed, the situation seemed to have a connection to Feng Shui, and there were even whispers of hauntings.

The story, however, began many years prior...

At that time, Shenshi's economy was booming, and the real estate sector was thriving. Wu Tianyou, starting with a modest sum, leveraged his astute business acumen and bold character to found Tianyou Group, quickly carving out a significant niche for himself in the business community.

Three years ago, Wu Tianyou ventured into the real estate market of Shenshi, taking a fresh approach.

He acquired a plot of land through bidding, aiming to develop a commercial plaza. This prime piece of real estate was in the heart of the city, bustling with traffic and teeming with people—a juicy opportunity in the eyes of many.

After acquiring the land, Wu Tianyou swiftly erected Tianyou Square and began soliciting businesses. Given its prime location, it quickly became a hub for merchants, even reaching a point where available space was scarce. Since its inception, Tianyou Square had rapidly evolved into the local commercial hub and a renowned city landmark, generating substantial profits for Tianyou Group.

However, over the past two years, Tianyou Square's fortunes have waned. Merchants have vacated, leaving shops empty, and consumers have lost interest, rendering the square desolate. The bustling activity outside starkly contrasts with the quiet within.

In response, Tianyou Group implemented numerous strategies, pouring significant funds into marketing and promotional incentives, yet to little avail.

Moreover, Tianyou Group's overall business has suffered during this period. If Tianyou Square's project fails, the initial investments will be lost, posing a severe setback to the company's growth.

Wu Tianyou, a seasoned businessman, holds a firm belief in Fengshui and has sought the counsel of numerous Fengshui Masters, though to no effect. It was only recently that Wu Tianxiong encountered us and extended an invitation to Tianyou Group's headquarters, Tianyou Building.

Liang Yue gave us a rundown of the situation, her tone suggesting they were grasping at straws with little expectation of success.

After her briefing, Liang Yue eyed us and inquired, "What do you think? The fate of Tianyou Group hangs in the balance. Are you confident you can handle this?"

I countered, "If the square's development is faltering, why immediately blame Fengshui? Have you not considered potential management issues?"

Liang Yue responded with a dismissive smirk, "Director Wu is far-sighted, surrounded by a multitude of business elites. How could there be any missteps in his management?"

I nodded, smiling, "Assistant Liang, I see. But I suspect there's more to the story of the square that you haven't shared. Businesses once flocked here, and now they're fleeing en masse. Something must have transpired. No Fengshui issue could cause such a drastic shift in behavior. Without full disclosure, even the most skilled professionals can't assist you. Surely, this isn't what Director Wu intended when he asked for our collaboration?"

Liang Yue appeared somewhat taken aback by my words. She pursed her lips and retorted, "Who... Who's trying to hide anything? I... I wasn't finished speaking..."

Third Uncle chuckled and said, "Assistant Liang, it's best if you lay out the details for us. Don't skip any. It's akin to performing surgery – knowing the specifics helps us locate and excise the problem."

Liang Yue nodded in agreement. "Alright. I assumed you'd be deterred by the difficulty, but since you're intent on getting to the root of the issue, I'll fill you in. That square... it's been the site of suicides for years, with someone jumping every year without fail. Consequently, many believe it's cursed, a magnet for vengeful spirits. They say that if a normal person spends too much time there, they'll become haunted, and the only escape is to jump. With that kind of reputation, who would want to invest there?"

Third Uncle nodded in understanding. "Makes sense. Could you arrange for someone to show us around Tianyou Square?"

Liang Yue replied, "That won't be a problem. I'll take you myself."

I glanced at Liang Yue skeptically and questioned, "You?"

Rolling her eyes, Liang Yue shot back, "What's wrong with me? What are you implying?"

I gestured dismissively, "No offense, but it's not the best idea for a young woman to go to a place that's supposedly haunted. It wouldn't be right for you to get frightened and end up in tears, leaving us to comfort you."

Liang Yue scoffed at me, "Pfft, as if I'm easily frightened!"