Wang Mingqiang’s knack for gathering information was so impressive that it left Gu Xicao astonished.

The very next morning, as soon as she arrived at Temple Street to set up her fortune-telling stall, Wang Mingqiang came looking for her. He even brought a box of rice noodle rolls.

“Master, have you had breakfast yet? I specifically went to Lin Ji Noodle Rolls to get a portion of pork and double egg rolls to show my respect.”

Gu Xicao glanced at the rice noodle rolls, then at Wang Mingqiang. “Reporter Wang, you wouldn’t come here for no reason. You’re here to ask about the Toy King finding his son, aren’t you?”

“Exactly. Master, you live up to your name. You even predicted this!”

Wang Mingqiang eagerly opened the container for her, carefully wiped the chopsticks, and handed them over.

Gu Xicao shook her head. “I didn’t need to predict it. This morning’s papers are full of the story. Of course, you’d come to find me.”

“Then…” Wang Mingqiang forced a sheepish smile.

“I can’t tell you anything. This is a private matter for the Cai family,” Gu Xicao said firmly.

The previous case had been one thing, but this time it involved the Cai family’s personal affairs. No matter how Wang Mingqiang tried to probe for information, Gu Xicao wouldn’t interfere, let alone reveal anything.

This was part of her professional code of ethics.

“Ah, you’re right. I was being presumptuous,” Wang Mingqiang admitted, scratching his nose in embarrassment.

Gu Xicao eyed the rice noodle rolls, which were translucent and stuffed with pork and egg. They looked delicious. “Can I still eat these?”

Wang Mingqiang was caught between laughter and tears. “Of course! Do you really think I’m so petty that if I can’t get information, I’d take the food back?”

Gu Xicao laughed. “Not at all. I just feel a bit embarrassed.”

She picked up the chopsticks. The portion wasn’t large, but the noodle rolls were perfectly made. The soft texture of the pork paired with the savory soy sauce was a delight.

If there was one redeeming quality about today’s Hong Kong, it was the abundance of delicious food. It was far better than in later years, when the variety diminished, the authenticity was lost, and prices skyrocketed.

“Miss Gu.”

Just as Gu Xicao was finishing her meal and preparing to chat briefly with Wang Mingqiang to send him on his way, a Mercedes pulled up by the curb. Secretary Lin and her boyfriend, Chen Xiaowen, got out and walked toward her.

Upon seeing the license plate, Wang Mingqiang’s eyes lit up—it was unmistakably a Cai family car!

He immediately stood up and stepped aside.

“Secretary Lin, Mr. Chen,” Gu Xicao greeted them as she rose. “How is Mr. Cai today?”

“Mr. Cai slept very well last night and is in excellent spirits today,” Secretary Lin replied with a smile. The previous night, both Sun Fanghong and her son had been arrested. The police had unearthed a female corpse at the landfill and found the witness Gu Xicao had mentioned. With such evidence, the mother and son had no chance to argue their way out. Secretary Lin was naturally delighted. “It’s all thanks to your help.”

“You’re too kind. It was only because you trusted me that I could assist.”

Gu Xicao responded modestly.

Secretary Lin smiled. “More importantly, if it weren’t for you, I would have been injured yesterday. I owe you a debt of gratitude. And it’s thanks to you that Xiaowen has reunited with his family. Here’s an invitation. Mr. Cai plans to host a party at home the day after tomorrow. It’s to announce Xiaowen’s return to the family and celebrate their reunion. Additionally, we’ll be announcing my engagement to Xiaowen as a way to bring joy and dispel any bad luck.”

“You’re getting married?!” Wang Mingqiang exclaimed in excitement.

Gu Xicao shot him a glance, prompting him to cover his mouth hastily. “Pretend I didn’t say anything.”

“Not married, just engaged,” Chen Xiaowen clarified, holding Secretary Lin’s hand. “Father suggested settling the engagement first. That way, it won’t feel rushed or unfair to Ah Lian. We’ll plan a proper wedding later.”

Watching the couple’s happiness, Gu Xicao fell into thought.

Cai Yongcheng’s health wasn’t great. Finding his son was certainly a joyous occasion, but it wouldn’t be easy for the son to take over the company so quickly.

While the veteran staff members might not have been loyal to Sun Fanghong and her son, they certainly weren’t saints.

Still, Secretary Lin and Chen Xiaowen made a strong pair.

Secretary Lin was already part of the company and highly capable. With her assistance, Chen Xiaowen would achieve twice the results with half the effort.

“Congratulations to you both.” Gu Xicao accepted the invitation and noticed it was for a Western-style party. She couldn’t help but ask, “What should I wear to the party?”

“No need to worry about that, Miss Gu,” Secretary Lin reassured her. “I’ve prepared an outfit for you. It will be delivered to your home this afternoon. On the day of the party, we’ll send a car to pick you up. You just need to show up.”

“Thank you for the trouble.”

Gu Xicao quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Formal attire was expensive—often costing thousands or tens of thousands. If it were up to her, she’d rather donate the money to an orphanage.

Unable to contain himself, Wang Mingqiang asked, “Miss, sir, I’m a reporter for Today’s Times. Could I cover the Cai family’s party for publication? It would also serve as good publicity for Mr. Cai and the event.”

Secretary Lin was about to refuse, but seeing how close Wang Mingqiang seemed to be with Gu Xicao, she reconsidered.

“That should be fine. Mr. Cai also intends for the day’s celebrations to be covered. You can come and take a few photos.”

Wang Mingqiang was overjoyed and immediately agreed, pulling out his business card to hand to Secretary Lin.

Having achieved their goal of delivering the invitation to Gu Xicao, Secretary Lin and Chen Xiaowen took their leave.

Wang Mingqiang was grinning from ear to ear and turned to Gu Xicao. “Master Gu, thank you so much! Today, it’s all thanks to you that I got this amazing opportunity.”

The Toy King’s party was bound to be a gathering of the elite. Coupled with the dual announcements of his son’s return to the family and his engagement, this news was guaranteed to be a major hit.

When Wang had reported on Gu Xicao’s fortune-telling that uncovered a murder case, the newspaper had sold over 10,000 copies. This time, it might even sell 20,000!

“No need to thank me, Reporter Wang. Just say a few nice things about the Cai family later, and that’ll be enough,” Gu Xicao said with a smile, gently reminding him.

Since Secretary Lin had shown such courtesy, Gu Xicao was happy to return the favor.

While reporters could be bothersome at times, they could also be helpful. For example, speaking positively about Chen Xiaowen and Secretary Lin could aid them in establishing themselves within the Cai family’s toy company.

“Of course! I, Wang Mingqiang, am not someone who bites the hand that feeds me,” Wang assured, thumping his chest confidently.

The party was scheduled for noon.

Gu Xicao changed into the dress prepared for her early in the day. Her good diet in recent weeks had given her a rosy complexion and even a hint of baby fat. After Secretary Lin’s stylist helped her with her hair and makeup, her softly curled locks cascaded down like seaweed, making her delicate features even more striking.

Lin Yuan, standing nearby, was stunned, his mouth slightly agape. “Sister, you’re so beautiful!”

The stylist couldn’t help but chuckle, looking quite proud. “You’ve got good taste, young man. Your sister is naturally gorgeous. Has she ever considered entering the Miss Hong Kong pageant?”

The onlookers, including Mrs. Leung, burst into laughter. “What’s she doing entering a beauty pageant? She’s a master! Much more impressive than any beauty queen.”

The stylist suddenly remembered that the young lady she had just styled was the renowned Master Gu. She slapped her forehead. “Oh, right! My mistake. With Master Gu being so accomplished, let others fight for the Miss Hong Kong title. By the way, plenty of celebrities will be at Mr. Cai’s party today, but Master Gu is no less dazzling than any of them.”

Gu Xicao was both amused and curious.

Many of the celebrities of today were destined to become famous in the future. Being able to see them in person now was indeed a treat.

“Susan.”

Secretary Lin was about to greet several board members when a wealthy young woman called out to her as she passed by a sofa.

She stopped and looked over with a smile. “Miss Su, it’s you! You look stunning today. Is that Chanel’s latest design?”

Miss Su was flattered, her eyes lighting up with a smile. “You’ve got a great eye, Susan. None of these people around here even noticed.”

Her tone carried a mix of disdain and camaraderie as she gestured toward the group of young men and women seated nearby.

Secretary Lin recognized them as the children of Mr. Cai’s friends—second or even third-generation heirs. No wonder the ever-picky Miss Su was willing to associate with them.

“We’re men; how would we notice what you ladies are wearing? If we paid too much attention, wouldn’t you call us perverts?” said a man in sunglasses and a white suit, stretching lazily. He had fair skin, rosy lips, and the air of a playboy. His comment made Miss Su blush and playfully hit his shoulder.

“Li Lixin, you’re so bad! Is that what I meant?”

Secretary Lin smiled faintly, understanding the situation.

It seemed Miss Su had her sights set on Li Lixin, the youngest son of the wealthy Li family. It wasn’t a bad choice.

Li Lixin was a junior at Hong Kong University. His mother, the third wife in the family, was quite capable, and it was said that Mr. Li doted on his youngest son, already allocating him 8% of the company’s shares along with countless properties.

However, Li Lixin’s expression darkened as Miss Su playfully hit him, and he moved aside. “A gentleman uses words, not fists. Miss Su, we’re not that familiar. Please don’t get handsy.”

Miss Su hadn’t expected him to brush her off so openly. Her face turned red with embarrassment and anger.

The others quickly tried to diffuse the situation. “Susan, we heard that Mr. Cai found his son thanks to a master’s prediction. Is the master here? Could you introduce us?”

Secretary Lin was about to respond when she noticed Chen Xiaowen speaking with Gu Xicao near the entrance. Her eyes lit up, and she said to the group, “Excuse me, the master has arrived. She’s over there. I’ll go greet her first. I’ll arrange introductions for you all later. Please make yourselves comfortable for now.”

She elegantly handled the situation and walked briskly toward Gu Xicao.

In Secretary Lin’s view, attending to these heirs and heiresses was far less important than welcoming Gu Xicao.

After all, this was a truly capable master!

Miss Su was clearly displeased, crossing her arms and sneering. “Look at her, rushing off like that. Now that she’s hit the jackpot and is about to marry into Mr. Cai’s family, she doesn’t even bother pretending anymore. Would she have dared treat us like this before?”

The others exchanged glances but said nothing.

Li Lixin, however, was intrigued. He looked over at Gu Xicao and rubbed his chin. “So that’s the master? So young?!”