Cheng Hao withdrew his gaze. Now that his injuries had healed, it was time to settle some scores.
“Have there been any movements from those people recently?”

“Don’t worry, Hao. Our men have been keeping a close watch. That group of hooligans is really nothing—just a bunch of thugs relying on their numbers to bully the small business owners. But they all take orders from a guy named Yan Biao.”

These people had been running rampant, extorting and stirring up trouble, making it a headache for the local police.

In the early ’90s, as the number of small private businesses grew like mushrooms after the rain, it also attracted a bunch of unemployed troublemakers. When too many people gathered, it was easy to stir up conflicts. These idlers were lazy by nature and had to resort to shady ways to make money.

“Dig deeper into this Yan Biao guy. Find out who he really is.”

Anyone daring to challenge the Security Department deserved at least some respect.

Since his return from the military, few things had piqued Cheng Hao’s interest.

Dai Qing had just returned home and finished freshening up when there was a knock at the door.

Standing at her doorstep was Aunt Wang, accompanied by an older woman with a sorrowful expression. The woman’s face was clouded with misfortune, and there was a clear vertical wrinkle between her eyebrows in the “children palace”. The lines were chaotic, suggesting that her children were not faring well and that there were likely debts involved.

It was a face marked by misfortune—a reflection of the woman’s personality.

“Xiao Qing, this is Aunt Zhao, an old friend of mine. She’s been going through some tough times and wanted to consult with you.”

“Come in, let’s talk inside.”

Dai Qing welcomed them in, and Aunt Zhao stared at her in disbelief, clearly skeptical about her friend’s claims.

Could such a young girl really know anything about face reading?

Ignoring the doubt, Dai Qing poured them some water and calmly said, “Face reading depends on fate. If you believe, there’s meaning; if you don’t, there’s none. If you have doubts in your heart, there’s no need to ask.”

Her words caused the two older women to exchange glances. Aunt Wang chuckled lightly, “Sister, don’t underestimate Xiao Qing just because she’s young. She’s inherited her family’s skills. I wouldn’t bring just anyone to her.”

Aunt Zhao forced a sheepish smile. She was already half-convinced. She hadn’t spoken a word since they arrived, yet the girl seemed to understand her concerns immediately. Clearly, there was some truth to her ability.

“Master, I apologize for doubting you.”

“If you’re Aunt Wang’s friend, just call me Xiao Qing. I’m not worthy of being called a master yet—still just learning the ropes.”

“Are you here about your son, Aunt Zhao?”

Hearing this, Aunt Zhao froze, her last shred of doubt disappearing.

“You can tell? Amazing! I really underestimated you. Xiao Qing, you’re right. I’m here because of my son. He’s desperate to make it big as a small business owner. He quit his stable job, took all of our savings, and even borrowed money.

“Our family’s funds are running dry. If this venture fails, we’ll be ruined. It’s embarrassing to admit, but my son even borrowed money from my daughter and son-in-law, and they’re already upset about it. I haven’t slept for days, worrying if my son will be able to turn a profit this time.”

As Aunt Zhao spoke, Dai Qing observed her facial features once again. The children’s area was uneven, the lines chaotic—signs of a difficult life for her children, and that they were indeed in debt. The wealth palace on her face appeared sunken, indicating no signs of financial gain. Her son’s business was almost certainly doomed to fail.

Without sugarcoating the truth, Dai Qing told her exactly what she saw.
“Your son isn’t suited for business. If he settles into a stable job, he might at least live comfortably.”

That was all she could say. Whether they would take her advice was up to them.