“Thank you so much this time!”

After the police took Lawyer Lin and Candy away, Wu Dachang shook Gu Xicao’s hand, his voice trembling slightly.

Gu Xicao smiled faintly. “No need to thank me, Lawyer Wu. It’s just mutual help. Since you’re helping my friend with her case, how could I stand by and watch your family of three get torn apart?”

“Thank you, pretty sister!”

Xiao Die ran over, hugging Gu Xicao’s leg tightly. “Sister, you’re amazing! When I grow up, I want to be a fortune-teller like you.”

Gu Xicao: “…”

Squatting down, she looked at Little Die and said, “Xiao Die, you should aim to be a lawyer like your dad or a dentist like your mom. Being a fortune-teller isn’t easy.”

Shuya froze for a moment, wanting to ask how Gu Xicao knew she was a dentist. But then, remembering that this woman had deduced everything about Lawyer Lin and Candy, she realized such minor details were likely nothing to her.

After patting Xuao Die on the head, Gu Xicao took her leave.

Gu Yueluo drove Gu Xicao back to Temple Street. When they arrived, just as Gu Xicao was about to get out of the car, Gu Yueluo pulled out a document from her bag and handed it to her.

“Master Gu, take a look.”

Gu Xicao took the document, noticing the title on the front page: Shop Transfer Agreement. A question mark popped into her head as she looked at Gu Yueluo in confusion. “Miss Gu, what’s the meaning of this?”

“Oh, nothing,” Gu Yueluo said sincerely. “I happened to hear you were looking for a shop. My family owns several in the Temple Street area, so I thought I’d gift this one to you as a token of my gratitude.”

“Gift it to me?”

To be honest, Gu Xicao was tempted.

Temple Street had a huge flow of people and was prime real estate. Even the smallest shop there would cost millions. Gu Yueluo’s generosity was impressive.

“Sorry, but I can’t accept this.”

Gu Xicao shook her head and pushed the document back.

Gu Yueluo was momentarily stunned. She had investigated Gu Xicao’s income. Even with her growing reputation, she hadn’t been practicing for long, and her earnings wouldn’t be significant. This shop could be considered a windfall.

After a moment of silence, Gu Yueluo smiled. “Can I ask why not?”

“If you must know,” Gu Xicao scratched her ear, “maybe I’m just not shameless enough. Your father already gave me a large payment once. If I accept this, what kind of person would that make me? Besides, you’ve already repaid your favor by introducing Lawyer Wu. There’s no need for such a grand gift.”

So that was it.

Gu Yueluo suddenly felt a pang of self-consciousness.

“I was too presumptuous. But if you won’t accept it as a gift, you could rent it from me instead. After all, it’s a rental either way, and if you rent it, I won’t have to worry about not getting my rent.” She winked playfully.

Gu Xicao couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s acceptable.”

The two reached an agreement without further ado.

Back on Temple Street, Wang Laoshi eagerly watched Gu Xicao get out of the luxury car, practically drooling. “Xiao Gu, how did it go?”

Sitting back on her small stool without any airs, Gu Xicao replied, “The lawyer’s been secured. He personally promised me he’ll do everything he can to win the case for Teacher He.”

“That’s great. Teacher He can finally relax a little.” Wang Laoshi was genuinely relieved for He Yiquan.

Gu Xicao nodded, then remembered something. “Oh, Uncle Wang, you don’t need to keep looking for a shop for me. I’ve found one.”

“Really? Where is it?” Wang Laoshi asked curiously.

“In the west part of Temple Street. Let’s check it out tomorrow.”

“Alright,” Wang Laoshi agreed.

The next day, they opened the shop’s shutter and switched on the lights.

The shop was unexpectedly spacious, about three to four hundred square feet. Wang Laoshi gawked. Judging by the remaining setup, it seemed to have been a gold shop before. While the gold had been cleared out, the air-conditioning, fans, and even a TV had been left behind.

Though empty, the space was clean. In one corner was a small office, complete with desks and chairs.

After surveying the place, Wang Laoshi clicked his tongue in amazement. “This place just needs a little tidying up to open for business.”

Standing at the entrance, Gu Xicao said, “It’s not that simple. I still need to decorate it properly and hire a receptionist.”

Her gaze swept across the passersby when it suddenly paused. She thought she recognized someone.

The other person seemed to sense her gaze, looked over, and walked toward her. “Miss Gu, what a coincidence.”

Gu Xicao glanced at the box of mung bean cakes in Lin Qianshi’s hand and felt a little disillusioned. “Mr. Lin, what are you doing here?”

“Oh,” Lin Qianshi noticed her line of sight and explained with a chuckle, “this is my grandfather’s favorite mung bean cake. The shop’s nearby, so I stopped by to pick some up.”

What a filial grandson.

Gu Xicao smiled inwardly. “Which shop sells those? Are they expensive?”

“Not at all, just three dollars a box,” Lin Qianshi replied, glancing at Wang Laoshi and then back at Gu Xicao. “But Miss Gu, what brings you here?”

“We’re checking out a shop, planning to open a business here,” Gu Xicao said, pointing to the shop behind her. “When we’re up and running, feel free to drop by and support us.”

“Fortune-telling?” Lin Qianshi hesitated.

Gu Xicao chuckled. “What else? Do you think I’ll be selling mung bean cakes?”

Lin Qianshi rubbed his nose, hesitating. “Actually, Miss Gu, at your age, you should be in school. If tuition is a problem, the Lin family has a charitable foundation that could help.”

Gu Xicao couldn’t help but feel both amused and exasperated.

Wang Laoshi teased, “Exactly, Xiao Gu. Don’t just push Xiao Yuan to study. Set an example for him yourself.”

Gu Xicao shot Wang Laoshi a sarcastic smile. “Uncle Wang, how about I enroll you in a senior citizen’s university first?”

Wang Laoshi instantly quieted down. He wasn’t joking—books genuinely gave him headaches.

After scaring Wang Laoshi into silence, Gu Xicao turned back to Lin Qianshi. “Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Lin, but I don’t need the help. You can offer it to someone who truly does.”

“Or turn it into cash,” Wang Laoshi suggested, rubbing his fingers together to emphasize the point.

Gu Xicao immediately shot him a sharp look, and Wang Laoshi wisely mimed zipping his lips before stepping aside.

“Sorry about that,” Gu Xicao said to Lin Qianshi. “Uncle Wang loves to joke. Don’t take him seriously. Anyway, it’s getting late, so we should head off. Mr. Lin, I won’t keep you.”

“Understood.” Lin Qianshi nodded and watched as Gu Xicao and Wang Laoshi walked away.

A small smile tugged at his lips. This young woman was truly something special.

“Xiao Gu, who was that man earlier?” Wang Laoshi asked nosily as they walked back.

“Why do you ask?” Gu Xicao replied.

“Just curious. That young man looks like he comes from wealth. Did you see his watch? That was a Vacheron Constantin!”

Wang Laoshi was envious. “A single watch like that costs millions. He’s no ordinary rich guy.”

Really?

Gu Xicao tried to recall what kind of watch Lin Qianshi was wearing, but she hadn’t paid any attention. Recognizing a Vacheron Constantin was far beyond her.

“Uncle Wang, you’re quite talented to notice something like that.”

“It’s nothing. In this line of work, you’ve got to have sharp eyes. You need to gauge how much a customer’s outfit costs, what industry they might be in, and whether they’re in a good mood or not—happy or sad.”

Wang Laoshi rambled on, saliva flying as he walked and talked.

At first, Gu Xicao didn’t think much of it, but the more she listened, the more she sensed something was off.

She stopped walking and gave Wang Laoshi a puzzled look. “Uncle Wang, you’re talking a lot today.”

“Am I?” Wang Laoshi scratched his nose awkwardly.

Now certain, Gu Xicao nodded. “Are you trying to ask me for something?”

“What? No, you’ve got it all wrong…” Wang Laoshi began, but when he saw Gu Xicao squinting at him with a sly smile, her gaze piercing as if she could see through him, he sighed. “Alright, I’ll come clean. I’d like to apprentice under you. If you’re not willing, that’s fine too.”

It was admittedly embarrassing for a nearly fifty-year-old man to ask a young woman to be his teacher. But Gu Xicao had real skills, so she was worth learning from.

Gu Xicao was taken aback. She looked Wang Laoshi up and down. “That’s it?”

“Yeah, that’s all. Just tell me if you agree or not.” Having laid his cards on the table, Wang Laoshi decided to accept whatever happened.

“Sure.”

Gu Xicao agreed without hesitation.

Wang Laoshi didn’t quite register it at first. When he saw Gu Xicao’s questioning gaze, he stammered, “You—you agreed?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Gu Xicao asked, puzzled. Wang Laoshi might be a bit slick at times, but he was a good person and, more importantly, already experienced in the trade. He could handle customers without much trouble.

Hiring a receptionist from outside the industry was risky—most were likely scammers. And training a newcomer would take at least three or four months, time Gu Xicao didn’t have.

It was much easier to work with someone she already knew.

“However, Uncle Wang,” she added, “I should make it clear: my fortune-telling methods aren’t something you can learn.”

“I figured as much,” Wang Laoshi admitted, glancing around before leaning closer and whispering, “Xiao Gu, be honest with me. Is your skill called ‘mind-reading’?”

What?

Gu Xicao gave him a speechless look before walking off.

Wang Laoshi chuckled to himself. He knew it—Xiao Gu had some extraordinary abilities. Nothing could fool him!