“Xiao Gu, how was the party? At rich people’s parties, aren’t there loads of food, beautiful women, and handsome men?”

When Gu Xicao returned home, she was still a little dazed. Mrs. Lin, her neighbor, came over to gossip. This brought her back to her senses. “Yes, there was plenty of food. They even packed some dishes for me. If you don’t mind, we can share them together.”

Secretary Lin had been thoughtful enough to arrange for the leftovers to be packed, knowing Gu Xicao had a younger brother at home.

Two large bags were filled with leftovers—far more than she and her brother could finish. Since there was no refrigerator at home, Gu Xicao decided to share them with her neighbors. She called her brother Lin Yuan to join in.

The landlord brought out a table and a fan, while Mrs. Lin and others gathered bowls and chopsticks.

When the containers were opened, the sight and aroma of the exquisite dishes made everyone salivate.

Lin Yuan pointed at one dish, curiosity evident. “Sister, what’s this? It looks so strange!”

“Xiao Yuan, haven’t you seen this before? It’s lobster with noodles,” said Mrs. Leung, a more experienced foodie. “Wow, such a large lobster must cost at least 800 to 1,000 yuan.”

She couldn’t help praising Gu Xicao. “You’ve got skills, Xiao Gu. Thanks to you, we get to enjoy such expensive delicacies.”

“Landlord, you’re too kind. If you hadn’t taken us in back then, I wouldn’t be where I am today. We’re all neighbors—please, enjoy without hesitation.”

While chatting politely with the landlord, Gu Xicao quickly served Lin Yuan a piece of lobster meat.

As everyone enjoyed the meal, they forgot to ask about the details of the party, which suited Gu Xicao just fine. She didn’t bring up the incident either. The photos taken by Wang Mingqiang had been bought off by the Li family, and no newspaper would dare report Li Lixin’s scandal.

Gu Xicao wasn’t one to dwell on others’ missteps. The matter was over, and Li Lixin surely wouldn’t let his uncle off the hook.

The next day, when Gu Xicao arrived at work, she handed a red envelope to Wang Laoshi.

Wang Laoshi stared at the envelope on the table, looking puzzled. He removed his sunglasses and glanced at Gu Xicao as though she were a ghost. “What’s this supposed to mean?”

“Just a little token of appreciation for accompanying me to the Cai family’s place before. Please, don’t be polite.”

Gu Xicao smiled sweetly.

Upon hearing her reason, Wang Laoshi accepted the envelope. “Alright, I’ll take it. But I heard you caused a stir at the Cai family’s party yesterday while fortune-telling?”

Gu Xicao raised an eyebrow. “How did you hear about that?”

“Is there anything I don’t know? You’re in today’s Daily Times again.”

Wang Laoshi’s tone carried a tinge of jealousy. He flipped open the newspaper, clearly eager for gossip. “So, who did you read for, and what did you predict? The article didn’t say much.”

Gu Xicao smirked. It had to be Wang Mingqiang who wrote the article. He likely didn’t want to offend the Li family but also couldn’t resist the juicy story, so he kept the details vague.

“Want to know?”

“Of course! Who wouldn’t? That article was written to tease people like me!” Wang Laoshi slapped the newspaper in frustration. “If reporter Wang wasn’t going to spill the tea, why write at all?”

Gu Xicao chuckled. “Well, I’m more straightforward than him.”

“Exactly!” Wang Laoshi looked at her expectantly.

“I won’t tell,” she said with a sly grin.

Wang Laoshi: “…”

Realizing he had been played, he snorted. “What kind of person does that? Like I care.”

After teasing Wang Laoshi, Gu Xicao was about to open for business when she spotted Zhou Minwen arriving with a female companion. Though Zhou Minwen wore sunglasses, her elegant demeanor and outfit made her stand out. Heads turned as she walked.

“Miss Gu,” Zhou Minwen greeted as she approached the booth. She glanced at the setup and looked slightly surprised. “This is your booth?”

“Yes,” Gu Xicao replied, feeling slightly self-conscious for the first time in front of such a stunning woman. “But it’s not very private here. Would you prefer to go to a nearby café?”

The agent visibly relaxed. She had been worried that Gu Xicao might insist on fortune-telling in the open, potentially attracting paparazzi and causing a scene.

Leaving Wang Laoshi in charge of the booth, Gu Xicao accompanied Zhou Minwen to a café.

At 9 a.m., the café was quiet. With prices of 50–60 yuan per cup, it catered to a more affluent clientele, ensuring privacy.

Once the coffee was served, Zhou Minwen removed her sunglasses, revealing her striking features. “I’m sorry for the sunglasses. Lately, paparazzi have been tailing me. I didn’t want to risk being photographed.”

“I understand. You’re quite popular right now, Miss Zhou.” Gu Xicao added two sugar cubes to her coffee and stirred it gently. “My rate is 188 yuan per session. Payment upfront. You can ask about anything.”

The modest price tag left both Zhou Minwen and her agent surprised.

“Isn’t that too cheap?” the agent whispered. “I heard that over in Taiwan, people like Shao Min charge tens of thousands per session.”

“This isn’t about the money,” Zhou Minwen replied softly. “Miss Gu is clearly the real deal. She doesn’t need to overcharge.”

Gu Xicao felt an urge to explain that, in fact, she very much needed the money.

But she didn’t want to only tell fortunes for the wealthy. Setting the price at 188 made it affordable for ordinary people too.

“What’s wrong? Have the two of you decided yet?”

Gu Xicao turned this thought over in her mind and didn’t say much, directly asking.

Zhou Minwen promptly pulled out four hundred dollars and handed it to Gu Xicao. “Master Gu, no need to give back the extra. I’d like you to first help me with my career and my younger sister’s future.”

“You want to read your sister’s fortune?”

Gu Xicao was a bit surprised.

Zhou Minwen nodded. “Yes. My sister is graduating from prep school this year, but she doesn’t want to go to college. I don’t know what’s the best path for her.”

“Master, why don’t you first read Minwen’s career and marriage? You can talk about her sister later.” The agent interjected, her eyebrows furrowing slightly, lips twitching, clearly not fond of this sister.

Zhou Minwen looked helpless. “What’s so urgent about me? My sister’s situation is far more worrying.”

“Whatever her situation is, it’s not more urgent than yours.” The agent disagreed, saying, “Sometimes, I don’t mean to be blunt, but you shouldn’t spoil her so much.”

The two looked as though they were about to start arguing.

Gu Xicao cleared her throat. “Have you decided yet? Who’s fortune will I read first?”

“Minwen’s, of course! Master, read her marriage!” The agent quickly seized the opportunity to answer.

Gu Xicao looked at Zhou Minwen.

Clearly unable to argue with her agent, Zhou Minwen shrugged and said, “Let’s go with what she wants. After all, she’s my agent and also my close friend.”

Only then did the agent smile in satisfaction and turned to Zhou Minwen. “Minwen, I’m not being biased. I just hope you care a little more about yourself. Your sister is already grown—probably even older than Master Gu here. Master Gu can support herself, yet your sister still depends on you and…”

“Alright, alright.” Zhou Minwen quickly covered the agent’s mouth and gave Gu Xicao an embarrassed smile. “Go ahead and read my marriage fortune.”

Zhou Minwen also intended to use this to test Gu Xicao’s ability.

Gu Xicao smiled faintly. “Ms. Zhou, you’re currently dating Mr. Qian Lin, correct?”

Zhou Minwen and her agent were both startled.

The agent widened her eyes and exchanged a glance with Zhou Minwen: Did you tell her?

Zhou Minwen shook her head, looking at Gu Xicao with admiration. “Ms. Gu, you even know that! I’m thoroughly impressed. That’s right, I’ve been seeing Qian Lin for half a year now, but I feel uneasy. He’s mentioned marriage, and I’m hesitant. My sister doesn’t like him either.”

“If you’re considering marriage, he’s not suitable.”

Gu Xicao continued, “Mr. Qian has no prospects and is unfaithful. He will cheat in the future.”

“What?!” Zhou Minwen froze, startled but also as though she had expected it.

The agent immediately flared up. “How dare he cheat and betray Minwen? What a scumbag!”

“Oh, you misunderstood. He won’t betray Ms. Zhou but someone else.”

Gu Xicao interrupted the agent.

Zhou Minwen was puzzled. “You mean Qian Lin and I will break up soon?”

“No,” Gu Xicao shook her head. “Qian Lin won’t betray you. If nothing changes, you’ll pass away in mid-next month.”

???

Gu Xicao’s light remark instantly changed the expressions on Zhou Minwen and her agent’s faces.

The agent was so shocked that she accidentally knocked over her coffee. Scalded, she ignored it and exclaimed in disbelief, “Ms. Gu, you can’t just say things like that. Minwen is perfectly fine. Her health is excellent. How could she die?”

“That’s right. I had a health check-up at the start of the year, and the doctor said I’m healthier than most people!” Zhou Minwen found Gu Xicao’s words absurd.

A healthy, vibrant person being told they’d die next month—who could believe that?

“Your health is indeed fine, but I didn’t say you’d die because of illness.”

Gu Xicao said meaningfully, “Many things can happen in this world. Some are genuine accidents, while others are man-made.”

“No way! Qian Lin would kill Minwen?!”

The agent was furious. “He’s just a pretty boy who relies on Minwen for roles. What motive would he have to harm her?”

Gu Xicao: “…”

She coughed lightly. “It could be someone else?”

“Someone else? Minwen’s rival, He Fang? I heard she has a mob boss backing her, but fighting over roles doesn’t justify murder, does it?”

The agent was both worried and uneasy, racking her brain over who Minwen could have offended.

But no matter how hard she thought, she couldn’t come up with anyone. Zhou Minwen was cautious and sociable. Unless absolutely necessary, she avoided offending people. Her reputation in the industry was excellent. It didn’t make sense for someone to want her dead.

At this moment, Zhou Minwen had gone quiet. Her expression grew increasingly pale, beads of sweat forming on her forehead.

Her lips trembled. “No, it can’t be, it can’t be…”