Chapter 13

As Sarah went to work, she endured the puzzled gazes of her colleagues, almost feeling humiliated and angry. Even her stern Irish boss, Kerry Stel, was smiling with a tight mouth.

"This is your receipt. The Los Angeles Police Department requires you to complete the necessary procedures by 4 PM today at the latest, so your car can be towed back for repairs."

Raine handed her a stack of documents.

"You go for me, I still need to go to Temecula!"

"Alright, no problem, but can I come with you to Temecula?" Raine looked at Sarah with anticipation.

"Just me!"

Sarah touched the bandage on her forehead again, her anger towards Zhen Fan rising. She had only been driving at 60 miles per hour, but she was still hit by that drunk bastard.

The morning sunlight was bright.

While running, Zhen Fan encountered Christine again and greeted her from a distance.

"Hey, Christine, I watched your show yesterday. It's unbelievable that I would meet a big star like you!" Zhen Fan stopped, and Christine also stopped. The two of them started walking along the river.

"The most unbelievable thing is that I didn't even ask for your autograph."

"Do you want one now?"

Christine smiled and then looked at Zhen Fan, teasingly saying, "It seems you're not prepared, no pen, no notebook!"

Zhen Fan laughed at what Christine said. After walking for a while, they sat on a bench by the river, just like the day they met, naturally, as if they were old friends.

"But from the first day I saw you, I felt you seemed troubled!"

Zhen Fan looked into Christine's eyes, which were full of fatigue.

"You know?" Christine giggled, "I'm doing great now!"

"Sure, if you sleep well at night, then you are indeed doing great!"

Zhen Fan looked at her eyes again, speaking seriously.

"If a beautiful woman's eyes are full of fatigue, it means she might be suffering from insomnia. Otherwise, I can't think of anything that would worry a young and successful woman!"

"We're not discussing this!"

Christine raised her hand, indicating her surrender.

"Alright, if I can help, just give me a call!"

Zhen Fan stood up, deciding to continue his run.

"Goodbye, Christine!"

Zhen Fan waved and ran towards his house.

"Remember to bring a notebook and a pen next time!"

Christine laughed, tightened the towel around her neck, and ran towards her villa. The villa was close to the sea, and from the balcony, one could see the surging waves and the sunny, crowded beach.

"Christine, you shouldn't be here. The director has called. If you don't go, I think there might be some trouble!"

A sharp, thirty-something woman in a black suit and glasses, looking serious, was speaking to Christine, who was sitting in the living room sipping tea.

"No... I can't, I can't do it! It's been almost half a month, and I can't get rid of that nightmare!"

Christine looked at the woman with sorrow, showing none of the ease and smile she had in front of Zhen Fan.

"A medium has come from Texas, named Seth DiNiro..."

"Don't introduce me to any mediums, they're all frauds!"

Christine suddenly burst out, her voice becoming sharp, her expression twisted, like a werewolf being provoked.

"This is the fourth one, a medium? Forget it, I just have nightmares. Can he understand my dreams or dispel them? No, he can't do anything!" Christine suddenly seemed to have all her energy drained, collapsing on the sofa, muttering, "God, what should I do? What should I do?"

"If you don't try, you won't have any chance at all!" The middle-aged woman insisted.

"Enough, you're just my agent, don't meddle in my private life, damn it!"

Christine curled up on the sofa, speaking fiercely.

"Stuart, don't be so stubborn, you'll ruin yourself!"

The middle-aged woman's tone was calm but firm.

"I'll think about it!"

Christine finally spoke softly, feeling very tired, wanting to close her eyes and sleep, but she forced herself to stay awake, not wanting to experience the suffocating fear in that dream again, which would kill her!

The middle-aged woman looked at Christine, sighed, shook her head, and finally left. She walked out of the living room, took out her phone, and dialed a number.

"Mr. DiNiro, yes, it's me, O'Carroll. Please come, I've convinced Christine!"

"Alright, Ms. O'Carroll, you know my rules. If the client isn't willing, I won't use my mediumship, as it involves communication with spirits, and lack of cooperation will just drain my life force!"

The voice on the other end was serious.

"I know, I've arranged everything. Christine agrees, everything is fine!"

Ms. O'Carroll hung up the phone, went back into the house, and spoke to Christine, trying to keep her awake.

No one would have thought that the witty and eloquent Christine on TV was in such a state.

Sarah borrowed a police car and drove from downtown Los Angeles to Temecula, filled with anger to seek revenge on Zhen Fan.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

Zhen Fan opened the door, and Sarah stood there, her head wrapped in white bandages, looking unhappy. Claire, who was behind Zhen Fan, saw Sarah and laughed.

This girl had become much more lively and cheerful since following Zhen Fan!

"I told you..."

Zhen Fan was interrupted by Sarah's rude interruption.

"Listen, I don't want to hear your nonsense. I was hit yesterday, all because of you, you bastard. Let me in, damn it, no... I'm not talking to you, Claire, I know your name, so beautiful!"

Sarah's sudden outburst almost made Claire cry; she was clearly scared by Sarah's appearance.

Zhen Fan quickly comforted her, and Sarah, holding back her anger, managed to cheer Claire up and then sat down on the sofa.

"Claire, go watch cartoons, I need to talk to Sarah!"

"Do you two want to kiss?"

Claire raised her little face, looking at Zhen Fan seriously and then at Sarah.

"Ha ha!"

Zhen Fan couldn't hold back.

Sarah's face turned red, and she looked down at Claire, "How could you think of such things, Claire? I just need to talk to Uncle Zhen, some... adult secrets, children shouldn't listen!"

Claire pouted and hugged her Barbie doll, walking to the side.

"I know, every time my dad wants to kiss mom, he says the same thing. Don't lie to children, I promise not to peek!"

"Ha ha!"

Zhen Fan couldn't hold back again and gave Claire a thumbs up!

Claire's lips curved into a smile, looked at Sarah's red face, and ran to the side!

"Little sprite!"

Sarah couldn't help but laugh and complain.

"Don't underestimate children, they are very smart!"

Zhen Fan stood up.

"Do you want tea, soda, or a drink?"

"Tea!" After the little sprite's interruption, Sarah felt much better and calmed down. After all, Zhen Fan's involvement as a consultant was somewhat reluctant, and her attitude was indeed not good.

Zhen Fan went to make tea, and Sarah looked around the living room again. It was simple but made her feel calm, and she unconsciously calmed down.

Zhen Fan placed a cup of tea on the coffee table in front of Sarah, made one for himself, and sat down comfortably, sipping it elegantly, waiting for Sarah to speak.

"I was wrong before!" Sarah raised her hands in a surrendering gesture, apologizing.

"I've already forgotten, did you yell at me?"

Zhen Fan smiled, but the teasing in his smile made Sarah's anger rise again.

"Alright, I admit, I shouldn't have interfered with your beliefs, but I have my own beliefs. I don't believe in spirits, but I believe in God!"

Zhen Fan had a look of "I knew it" and nodded.

"Alright, are you going to tell me to go to the lake with you?"

"If you're willing, of course. As a consultant, some things need to be done on-site!" Sarah tried to speak more tactfully.

"Alright, I agree!"

Zhen Fan nodded.

"Then... when do we leave?"

Sarah was delighted and couldn't sit still, standing up and staring at Zhen Fan.

"Wait a moment!"

Zhen Fan dialed a number on his phone.

"Annie, I might have to go out. Claire is with me. If possible, come over to look after her, or take her back!"

"I'll be there right away!" Annie answered promptly.

"We'll leave when Annie arrives." Zhen Fan walked into his study and took out a peachwood sword, which was worn and old.

But the older it looked, the more it had a sense of ancient simplicity.

"Uncle San, you actually kept such a good thing. If we don't use it, wouldn't it be a waste?"

Zhen Fan smiled.

"Zhen, Annie is here!"

Sarah called out loudly from the living room, making Annie look at her curiously.

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