He examined the bead, his casual demeanor shifting to one of determined desire.
"What's your price for letting it go?"
Li Ye held up one finger, a gesture Ning Wei had pre-arranged with him.
No need to ask why they had to settle with a finger; Ning Wei had seen it done on television.
"One million?" Young Master Gao blurted out a price he was almost ashamed to utter.
Ning Wei's gaze towards him was filled with disdain. He considered himself a rich second-generation, and to offer such a paltry sum for a treasure like this, he was clearly taking Li Ye for a fool.
Though Li Ye was not human, he was not entirely ignorant.
Thus, when Young Master Gao named one million, a hint of contempt flickered in his smile.
Young Master Gao, who had initially been arrogant and even brought two bodyguards to appear imposing, found himself growing uneasy as Li Ye remained so calm.
A nouveau riche like him couldn't compare to someone like Li Ye, whose bearing was refined by time and culture.
Li Ye remained silent, simply watching him.
Young Master Gao rubbed his nose, trying to salvage the situation. "It can't be ten million, can it?"
Ten million for a bead seemed exorbitant.
"This bead is not only ancient but also a treasure that can be used for self-defense," Li Ye said slowly.
Young Master Gao was dismissive. "I have two bodyguards, why would I need a treasure for defense?"
"I'm referring to defense, not a person."
Young Master Gao's pupils dilated slightly. He recalled the faces of those who had died at his hands.
Their final moments still flickered in his mind. While he wasn't truly afraid, facing the unknown naturally induced a degree of apprehension.
Even if he hadn't encountered trouble yet, who could guarantee he never would?
Just like the ring he had bought at a high price and had barely worn, which had mysteriously vanished.
"Does this bead truly work?" Young Master Gao asked with a hint of suspicion. Such treasures were rare and hard to come by; he hadn't expected to encounter one so easily.
Truth be told, individuals of their standing held some belief in the supernatural.
For instance, his mother had become the mistress of a high-ranking official. When the official's wife discovered the affair, his mother developed depression and committed suicide. This had haunted his mother with nightmares for days.
If someone hadn't advised her to find a skilled master, she might have been plagued by those nightmares for much longer.
After that incident, his mother became a fervent believer.
Initially, he had scoffed at it, but under his mother's persistent influence, he had gradually started to believe.
"This treasure of yours, is it truly effective?"
Li Ye nodded. "If I weren't in need of money, I wouldn't sell it. I obtained this treasure from a tomb raider; it's incredibly useful!"
"But ten million is too much. How about five million?"
Li Ye held up another finger, indicating eight million.
The two haggled back and forth between five and eight, until finally, Li Ye conceded slightly. "Alright, let's consider it a friendship."
Young Master Gao clutched the bead as if it were a priceless gem. Li Ye, seizing the moment, asked for his name.
Young Master Gao was in good spirits, and seeing that Li Ye didn't seem like a vengeful person, he not only revealed his name but also his residential area to Li Ye.
The bodyguards had intended to intervene, but Young Master Gao was too quick with his words.
Besides, he was the master; it wasn't appropriate for him to overstep his bounds and displease his employer.
Following Young Master Gao brought not only a generous salary but also unexpected benefits, which was why the bodyguards were reluctant to leave this lucrative position.
With the bead in hand, the financial matters could be left to his subordinates.
Young Master Gao, holding the precious bead, left with one bodyguard.
The other stayed behind to discuss with Li Ye how the substantial sum would be transferred.
Since Li Ye wouldn't have an account, he simply stated that there was no rush.
After everyone had departed, Ning Wei leaned on Li Ye's shoulder and whispered, "He really took it. What will you do now?"
Ning Wei hadn't forgotten that it was with the bead's augmentation that Li Ye possessed his current abilities.
Moreover, Li Ye had mentioned that after acquiring the bead, he had vague recollections of his lost memories, making it a crucial item for recovering his past, something that absolutely could not be lost.
"Don't worry. What's mine, no one can take away."
Ning Wei was confused. "Why are you doing this? We don't need to deal with this murderer anymore, especially since the ring is already in Shanshan's possession."
Li Ye picked up his coffee cup, took an elegant sip, and then said to Ning Wei, "I know what you intend to do, and I'm helping you."
Ning Wei stared at him, speechless.
She did have a plan, but she had no intention of revealing it to anyone.
It was primarily because her planned actions were too audacious; if others knew, they would surely look at her differently.
She didn't intend to confess, and Li Ye didn't press her.
"Rest assured, with my involvement, your plan will be accomplished with twice the results for half the effort!" Li Ye stated with confidence.
"But that bead..." Ning Wei was reluctant to part with the bead so easily for her plan, given how difficult it was to obtain.
Whether it was five million or eight million, Ning Wei didn't care. After all, one could print billions in ghost money.
As a ghost catcher, money wasn't of much use to her; treasures were more important.
"Don't worry." Seeing Ning Wei's persistent concern about the bead, Li Ye gently cupped her troubled face.
Their eyes met, and an ambiguous aura filled the air.
Li Ye leaned in and kissed her, albeit on Ning Wei's forehead.
"Don't frown, you can almost see your forehead lines," he said with genuine sincerity.
The cool touch on her forehead sent a wave of sweetness through Ning Wei.
However, Li Ye's subsequent remark felt like a bucket of ice-cold water poured over her head.
Her face instantly darkened, and she abruptly stood up and returned to her room alone.
To Li Ye's bewilderment, he had spoken the truth. His eyesight was excellent; he couldn't possibly have misjudged.
Those three lines on her forehead were precisely what people called forehead wrinkles.
Back in her room, without her key card, Ning Wei opened the door using her own methods.
Once inside, she immediately locked it and collapsed onto the soft bed.
She felt too embarrassed to face him; the fleeting sweetness she had just experienced felt like a cruel joke.
Li Ye quietly followed her in. Seeing Ning Wei lying on the bed without a word, he assumed she was in a bad mood.
To lift her spirits, Li Ye said, "The spider ghost from the elevator has appeared."