Ye Tiancheng put himself in the shoes of the situation. If he were to find out his school was like this, he would want to transfer overnight unless there was no other option.
So, he went to ask Ou Xiaoxue. Of course, he didn't reveal the results of his investigation through Hou Mingzhu. After all, Ye Tiancheng wasn't foolish; he wouldn't do something so thoughtless. His mind was quite sharp.
Ye Tiancheng used an indirect approach, prompting Ou Xiaoxue to recount similar situations herself. Then, he asked, "If you ask me, your school's atmosphere is too bizarre. Aren't you transferring? If it were me, I'd have been far away by now. Aren't you afraid something will happen?"
After hearing Ye Tiancheng's words, Ou Xiaoxue had a different perspective. "Most people wouldn't believe that playing these games would actually cause trouble. Besides, as long as it doesn't affect me, I don't really care what others want to do."
"Everyone has their own freedom. As long as they can bear the consequences, there's nothing to criticize. And it's not easy for me to transfer alone. I need others to help with these kinds of procedures."
The latter point was indeed a significant issue. However, regarding Ou Xiaoxue's initial viewpoint, her words themselves were not problematic. But the current situation suggested that Ou Xiaoxue herself was the one bearing the consequences.
"But if they bear their own consequences, that's one thing. But haven't you considered that you might be the one bearing the consequences now? Otherwise, why would you encounter such things for no reason?"
Ye Tiancheng stated frankly, essentially laying everything bare. Ou Xiaoxue became somewhat silent. She probably understood Ye Tiancheng's meaning, but it was difficult for her to think that way all at once, as she wasn't a malicious person. She found it hard to accept.
After speaking, Ye Tiancheng didn't bother Ou Xiaoxue too much. Even as a straightforward man, he could tell that Ou Xiaoxue needed some quiet time.
Anyone who experienced such a situation, and suspected they were being targeted repeatedly, how could they not overthink?
This was exactly what Ye Tiancheng wanted. Although it was a bit mean, he couldn't let Ou Xiaoxue provide no clues. Things always needed to be resolved, at least partially.
Hou Mingzhu's investigation was progressing smoothly. Although Hou Mingzhu was eager to send her daughter, Ye Qingcheng, to Ye Tiancheng as soon as possible, Ou Xiaoxue was still here, and the timing was not right. Therefore, Hou Mingzhu's investigation was very active. She hoped to send Ou Xiaoxue away soon so that she could confidently send Ye Qingcheng over.
The next day, Ye Tiancheng waited for Ou Xiaoxue early in the morning. Ye Tiancheng didn't know what the girl had been pondering all by herself. When he saw Ou Xiaoxue, her eyes were red, and she had dark circles under them, clearly having not slept well.
It was normal not to sleep well, after all, in the span of one night, her entire perception of the world around her had been overturned.
The first thing Ou Xiaoxue said to Ye Tiancheng was, "Brother Ye, I thought about it all night, and I've come to a clear conclusion. Things have to be resolved sooner or later. If I don't get involved with the situation at my villa, it will be very difficult for you and Brother Ye Li, right?"
"Those malevolent spirits are targeting me, and they are wary of you and Brother Ye Li, so they won't come out easily. Unless I go back, they have no reason to take the risk. Even if I were them, I would choose to hide because there's no reason to take risks."
"But if I go back, the situation will definitely be different. They will be impatient sooner or later because I'll be in front of them every day. They want my life but can't touch me. Sooner or later, they will be provoked. At that time, it will be much easier for you and Brother Ye Li to investigate anything."
Ye Tiancheng looked at Ou Xiaoxue seriously and said, "This is not a small matter. It involves your safety. You need to consider it carefully. Ye Li and I won't always be helpless. If you want to help, you can help in other ways. There's no need to put yourself in danger."
"This is using yourself as bait, and it's no small matter. If we fail to protect you, you could lose your life."
Although Ye Tiancheng wanted to use Ou Xiaoxue for something, he didn't intend to go to such extremes.
Ye Tiancheng would not joke with anyone's life, including this young girl he had only recently met. Even if Ou Xiaoxue had made up her mind, Ye Tiancheng still hesitated.
Ou Xiaoxue was a bit anxious when she couldn't persuade Ye Tiancheng, as she genuinely wanted to help. She felt truly guilty being protected like this.
"My mind is made up. If you don't let me go, I'll find a way to go myself. Wouldn't that be even worse?"
Ou Xiaoxue's words made Ye Tiancheng somewhat helpless. He couldn't be sure if Ou Xiaoxue would really do as she said. If that were the case, it would be truly troublesome. It would be better to bring her to his side, at least then he could keep an eye on her, take care of things, and the risk would be lower.
"Don't be so willful. Look, you're the only one left in your family. Your parents surely want you to live well, right?"
Ye Tiancheng persuaded her earnestly, "Besides, think about it, if you die like this, what will happen to the inheritance your parents left behind? It will surely be divided up by your relatives. Do you want to see that happen?"
Ou Xiaoxue pursed her lips. She had indeed thought about these things. "I know, but I also understand what I must do. This is what I have to do. I won't change my mind."
"Brother Ye, please let me go with you. I'm really uneasy. If I can't even do this small thing, then I'm too useless. I'll be careful, careful, and even more careful. I'll be fully armed with the talismans from Brother Ye Li. Is that still not okay?"
Ye Tiancheng looked utterly distressed. Seeing Ou Xiaoxue's stubbornness, he didn't know how to persuade her.
The little fox suddenly appeared, perhaps looking for them, and overheard Ou Xiaoxue's words. "Brother, I think what Ou Xiaoxue said is indeed feasible. As long as she's protected well, there shouldn't be too much of a problem. If she's so determined to go, it's okay to bring her along."
"After all, she's so resolute. If you still refuse Ou Xiaoxue, and she sneaks over by herself, that would be a real big trouble."
Ye Tiancheng glanced at the little fox. He understood this logic. So, he finally sighed, "Alright, alright. Since you've said it yourself, if you want to go, then go. Ye Li and I will do our best to protect you. But let's be clear beforehand, even though Ye Li and I will try our best to protect you, we cannot guarantee your absolute safety."
"You insisted on going yourself. You said before that everyone must bear the consequences of their actions. If something unforeseen happens, you will bear the consequences yourself."
Ou Xiaoxue's concession made Ye Tiancheng sigh. "I don't know what you young people are thinking. Isn't it good to cherish your life a little?"
After this conversation ended, Ye Tiancheng looked at the little fox. "Did you come here to find me, or to find Ou Xiaoxue? Is there something you need?"
The little fox smiled and said, "Of course, I came to find you, Brother. There's something I need to tell you."
Since the little fox put it that way, Ye Tiancheng immediately went out with the little fox. The little fox had indeed found some clues.
This time, they had thoroughly inspected Ou Xiaoxue's villa. Although they hadn't had many thoughts or discoveries at the time, after returning, Hou Mingzhu's investigation results came out and were sent to Ye Tiancheng, who then forwarded a copy to the little fox.
After comparing the information and considering the common, unhealthy games played by people at Ou Xiaoxue's school, the little fox had some ideas.
The little fox had sensed some energies at the time. Many things that were initially chaotic in his eyes now made some sense.
When Ye Tiancheng heard that the little fox had some ideas, he naturally wanted to hear them.
The little fox told Ye Tiancheng, "I think there's a high probability it's a mirror spirit, or at least there is definitely a mirror spirit. This type of malevolent spirit is very difficult to capture if the other party intentionally hides."
"However, when I was investigating, I sensed some energies, which gave me some ideas. I'm quite confident."
Ye Tiancheng asked the little fox about matters related to mirror spirits. The little fox explained them in detail to Ye Tiancheng. Ye Tiancheng's observation wasn't as meticulous as the little fox's, as he wasn't as sensitive. However, he knew that the little fox wouldn't deceive him with such matters. After careful analysis, he also felt there was a high probability.
The little fox was a cautious and intelligent person. He didn't overestimate himself. Despite having excellent talent, he didn't let it inflate his perceived strength. If he wasn't very confident in his claims, the little fox usually wouldn't voice his thoughts, so the probability was indeed very high.
The two of them put their heads together. Besides being a bit troubled by Ou Xiaoxue's insistence on going with them, they had no other major concerns.
Both of them were confident in their abilities. Now that they were unconstrained, they could do as they pleased. As long as their strength was not limited, they could walk sideways in many places.
However, now that Ou Xiaoxue was destined to join them, the little fox needed to prepare more. To better protect Ou Xiaoxue, more protective measures would be needed for her, which would rely on the little fox's talismans.
The little fox said he was doing it for practice and had no objections. Since he had agreed, Ye Tiancheng said nothing more.
However, one thing Ye Tiancheng didn't understand was that the little fox, behind Ye Tiancheng's back, had a bit of a mischievous streak. He just didn't dare to show it in front of Ye Tiancheng, fearing abandonment, so he hoped to appear harmless.
Even so, the little fox would still subtly tamper with some things, not out of malice, but as a precaution.
For example, the batch of talismans Ye Tiancheng sent to Song Chuyue had been tampered with by the little fox. If Song Chuyue had problems, it would be disastrous.