Chapter 146: Zhuang Feixue’s Birthday
After obtaining the detection compass, Chu Feng couldn’t wait to test its sensing ability. The goblin-made compass operated on unknown principles and could detect the aura of Witch Stones within a hundred-mile radius. Its sensitivity far exceeded Illya’s. Illya’s ability to sense Witch Stones was only a byproduct of the gray mist and only worked when in close proximity to the stone.
Realizing how powerful the compass was, Chu Feng took Illya and roamed from place to place searching for signs of Witch Stones.
“Is it here?” Chu Feng asked, standing in front of a dilapidated house.
Illya nodded. “It should be. I can already sense the aura of a Witch Stone.”
When Chu Feng saw a rock pressed on a well cover, he asked doubtfully, “Is it this one?”
Illya looked at the moss-covered stone and nodded. “It probably is.”
“Just like that?” The previous Witch Stones had been hard to obtain. Picking up a stone from a rundown house felt almost unreal.
Illya nodded. “Seems it really is just that easy this time.”
Chu Feng shook his head. “Such a precious stone, and they used it to weigh down a well cover? What a waste.”
Illya glanced at Chu Feng and said, “Even so, isn’t that better? No need to stir up trouble.”
Last time, Chu Feng had found a Witch Stone in a museum. Fearing someone else might grab it first, he broke the security glass and forcibly took the stone. The noise from smashing the reinforced glass triggered the alarm, and Chu Feng had to flee with Illya.
Chu Feng nodded. “That’s true. If we can get the Witch Stone easily, why not?”
At the Qinhan Museum, several police officers were taking notes.
“Boss, no signs of forced entry on the windows or doors. Looks like a locked-room theft.”
“Anything on the surveillance footage?”
A nearby officer shook his head. “All surveillance footage was destroyed. And the reinforced glass—looks like it was smashed. That glass is newly developed. Even with a hammer, it shouldn’t break easily. How was it done?”
“It’s likely related to ability users,” another officer said. “Nothing else is missing—just a single stone. Apparently, a meteorite?”
“It really was a meteorite?” A researcher in the museum asked in disbelief.
Even museums can’t always guarantee every item is authentic. The so-called meteorite had always been under suspicion.
“Seems like a lot of people are searching for this meteorite lately,” one officer remarked. “Yeah, there have been several thefts involving stones like this recently.”
*
Witch Stones were incredibly rare. After over twenty days of searching, Chu Feng and Illya had only found seven.
Tossing one in his hand, Chu Feng said, “This feels a bit slow.”
Illya rolled his eyes. “These are Witch Stones we’re talking about!”
He used to think just seeing a Witch Stone once in his life would be enough. To find so many in such a short time was unbelievable. Chu Feng’s spatial teleportation ability had played a huge role. For days, they had done nothing but jump from place to place, covering dozens of provinces.
Chu Feng wrapped the stone in silkworm silk, instantly concealing its aura. He looked at Illya and said, “Let’s get something to eat.”
Illya nodded. “Sure.”
The constant teleportation to find Witch Stones had taken a toll on Chu Feng. The high-frequency use of his ability drained him.
After searching all morning, Chu Feng was exhausted. The two of them found a nearby noodle shop for a meal.
After so much rich food lately, a simple bowl of noodles was a refreshing change.
Chu Feng’s phone rang. He answered, replying with a few “mm-hm”s.
Illya glanced at him. “What’s up?”
Chu Feng shook his head. “Nothing much. My sister’s throwing a birthday party in a couple of days and invited me to attend.”
Illya nodded and let out an “Oh.” “You should go.”
Illya didn’t know many people here. Zhuang Feixue was one of the few, and Illya actually liked her.
Chu Feng nodded. “Yeah, I’ll go.”
Zhuang Feixue was the person from the Zhuang family he was closest to. With her, Chu Feng felt a warmth similar to family. His feelings for this sister were definitely special.
Chu Feng was silently thinking: The capital is a place rich in culture and talent—perhaps there will be more Witch Stones there. After all, I did manage to get one there before.
*
Inside the villa.
“You invited Chu Feng, sis?” Zhuang Cheng asked.
Zhuang Feixue nodded. “Yes.”
“Did he say he’d come?”
“He agreed. He should be on his way,” Zhuang Feixue replied.
Zhuang Cheng puffed out his cheeks and let out an “Oh.”
Zhuang Feixue looked at him with slight suspicion. “You seem really interested in your second brother lately.”
Zhuang Cheng gave an awkward smile. Ever since the last incident, he felt Chu Feng was unfathomable, and he’d developed a bit of admiration for him—but was too embarrassed to admit it.
Zhuang Feixue glanced at her phone and said happily, “He’s here.”
“Really? That fast?” Zhuang Cheng asked.
Zhuang Feixue nodded. “Yeah, I didn’t expect it either.”
Chu Feng and Illya walked in together. Seeing them, Zhuang Feixue smiled and said, “You two got here quickly. Did you take a flight? Which one? I should’ve gone to the airport to pick you up.”
Zhuang Cheng crossed his arms behind his back and sneered, “Sis, you forgot—Illya gets air sick. He can’t fly.”
Zhuang Feixue gave an awkward laugh. During the family banquet Zhuang Cheng had hosted, Chu Feng had claimed Illya couldn’t come because he got motion sick on planes. Back then, Zhuang Feixue hadn’t believed it—she thought Chu Feng just didn’t want to come and used it as an excuse.
Chu Feng glanced at Zhuang Cheng. “Skipped class again?”
Zhuang Cheng frowned. “Who skipped class? I’m on break.”
Chu Feng frowned back. “You guys get this many breaks? If you’ve got so much free time, why not take extra classes? Don’t you rich kids in the capital have those ridiculously overpriced tutoring courses? You could attend those—money’s not an issue for you anyway.”
Zhuang Cheng’s face darkened. “No need.” Sure, he had money, but he wasn’t stupid enough to waste it. He was sharp as a tack—what did he need extra tutoring for?
Chu Feng shrugged. “Happy birthday, big sister.”
Zhuang Feixue smiled. “Thank you.” Truth be told, she wasn’t a fan of birthdays. Each birthday meant another year older—and for many female celebrities, age is taboo.
While everyone chatted, Zhuang Feilei walked in.
Chu Feng turned to see her, accompanied by a handsome young man.
Zhuang Feixue’s expression shifted slightly. “Feilei, you’re here.”
Zhuang Feilei nodded. “Happy birthday, sister.”
Zhuang Feixue frowned slightly. “There’s nothing worth congratulating about getting a year older.”
Illya glanced at Zhuang Feixue and noticed her mood visibly dipped the moment Feilei arrived.
Zhuang Feilei kept her head down, looking a little forlorn. “I picked out a birthday gift for you.”
Zhuang Feixue accepted the gift. “Thanks.”
She casually placed Zhuang Feilei’s gift to the side.
“Happy birthday. I picked this out for you,” said Zhou Ting, handing over a gift box.
Zhuang Feixue frowned slightly but didn’t refuse it. “Thank you, Mr. Zhou.”
Zhuang Cheng glanced at Chu Feng and said coolly, “Second brother, you came to Second Sister’s birthday party—did you bring a gift?”
Chu Feng glanced at Illya, who took off his backpack, reached in, and pulled out a box, handing it to Zhuang Feixue.
Zhuang Feixue looked at the box with anticipation. “Can I open it?”
She opened the box and saw a collection of perfectly round pearls—each the size of a tangyuan (glutinous rice ball).
She gasped in shock. Pearls this size were incredibly rare on their own, and here was an entire box of them—unbelievable.
Zhou Ting looked at Chu Feng skeptically. “These can’t be real, right?”
Zhuang Feixue frowned, instinctively thinking they were fake, but the quality looked so good she began to doubt that.
Zhuang Cheng picked up one pearl and shone a laser pointer on it.
“They’re real.” Under the laser light, the pearl shimmered brilliantly.
Zhuang Cheng wasn’t surprised. Last time, Chu Feng had casually brought out a rock that turned out to be imperial jade—so producing this many pearls wasn’t too far-fetched.
Illya tilted his head and said, “You can grind the pearls into powder and use it on your face. It should whiten your skin.”
Zhuang Feixue: “…” That actually sounds like it would work… but using pearls this good for face powder seems like a waste.
“Grinding these into powder is way too wasteful,” she said.
Illya replied nonchalantly, “I’ve got plenty more. If you like them, I can have someone collect more for you.”
Illya tilted her head and thought: The merfolk clan has a lot of people harvesting pearls for business. Lan Hu is in Tianhai City now—getting more pearls isn’t hard. They’ve even got pearls the size of a baby’s head over there.
Illya had originally wanted to bring even larger pearls, but Chu Feng said that would draw too much attention.
Zhuang Feixue looked skeptical. “You can really harvest more?”
Illya nodded. “Of course.”
Zhuang Feixue: “…” Looks like between my brother and Illya, my brother is the one clinging to the sugar daddy.
Zhuang Cheng looked at Illya and shamelessly asked, “Can I get a few too?”
Illya shot him a glare. “Not for you.”
Zhuang Cheng: “Why are you playing favorites? I’m also Chu Feng’s brother, aren’t I?”
Zhuang Feilei stared at the pearls in the box, surprised.
What woman doesn’t like beauty products? Hearing Illya suggest using pearl powder for skincare, Zhuang Feilei was tempted too—but seeing even Zhuang Cheng got turned down, she didn’t dare ask.
Zhuang Feixue couldn’t help fondling the pearls lovingly. In the celebrity world, flaunting wealth was common. She thought, If I have these made into jewelry and wear them to an upcoming event, I’ll definitely stun the fans.
