“I didn’t expect the Master to really come—it’s truly an honor,” Gu Yueluo said as she drove, smiling at Gu Xicao in the passenger seat.

Gu Xicao smiled back. “It’s my honor, really. My shop is about to open, and you helping introduce clients is a huge favor for me.”

Gu Yueluo chuckled, not taking Gu Xicao’s words seriously.

The news of the dismemberment case had been all over the media in recent days. With her name now widely known, Gu Xicao hardly needed anyone’s help to attract clients.

At the Peninsula Hotel.

On the second floor in a private lounge, a group of socialites and wealthy wives were chatting and laughing.

Soft piano music filled the air, accompanied by exquisite afternoon tea pastries, coffee, and red tea.

One of the wealthy wives sipped her coffee, casting a covert glance at the two sisters across from her, Li Yali and Li Yuxin. Her eyes then shifted to Wang Xueli sitting nearby.

What caught her attention most was the young man sitting beside Li Yali. She couldn’t help but speculate—was this young man Li Si’s boyfriend?

“Yueluo, over here,” a friend called out upon seeing Gu Yueluo arrive with someone in tow.

Gu Yueluo walked over with Gu Xicao and greeted the group. She froze momentarily when she saw Wang Xueli.

“Xueli, didn’t you say you weren’t coming?”

Wang Xueli set down her coffee cup and dabbed her mouth with a napkin. “Sister Yueluo, we changed our minds last minute. Surely you’re not unhappy to see us? Or is it that the engagement with Young master Li is off, and now even Yali and her sister aren’t welcome?”

Young Master Li?

Gu Xicao’s gaze shifted to the two sisters who were eyeing her with thinly veiled hostility.

Li Yali stood up and said with a smile, “Sister Yueluo, even if the engagement didn’t work out, we grew up together. You wouldn’t treat us as outsiders, would you?”

“Of course not. It’s a rare honor for you two to grace us with your presence,” Gu Yueluo responded quickly, regaining her composure. She smiled warmly. “Your attendance today only adds to the beauty of this gathering.”

There’s an old saying: one doesn’t slap a smiling face.

Gu Yueluo’s tactful response left Li Yuxin no choice but to smile shyly. “I knew Sister Yueluo wouldn’t change. Although it’s a pity you couldn’t become our sister-in-law, we’ll always remain friends.”

“That’s exactly right. With Uncle Gu entrusting several companies to Yueluo recently, we’ll have plenty of opportunities to collaborate in the future,” Cai Yuyan, one of the friends, chimed in with a conciliatory smile.

Wang Xueli raised an eyebrow slightly at Cai Yuyan but said nothing.

Instead, her gaze landed on Gu Xicao beside Gu Yueluo. She arched a brow. “And who is this young lady?”

“Oh, I almost forgot to introduce her,” Gu Yueluo said. “This is the famous Master Gu.”

“Master Gu? I didn’t expect her to be so young!”

Hong Kong’s wealthy socialites were famously superstitious, often visiting temples to burn incense or consult with fortune-tellers. Hearing Gu Yueluo’s introduction, they all turned their attention to Gu Xicao.

Gu Xicao greeted them with a polite smile, handing out her business card. “I wouldn’t dare claim to be a Master. I merely have some small skills.”

Li Yali took the card and glanced at it. “‘Fortune Pavilion’? That’s quite a bold name. Are your skills really as accurate as the name suggests?”

“Big sister, let’s not embarrass Sister Yueluo in public,” Li Yuxin tugged at Li Yali’s sleeve, her voice soft but loud enough for everyone to hear.

The man beside Li Yali chuckled. “Yali, you’re always so blunt. In today’s world, being too straightforward can offend people—especially with so many scammers around.”

“Ah Hong, that’s just my nature. My father never scolded me for it,” Li Yali replied sweetly, her gaze soft as she looked at the man.

She glanced again at the business card in her hand, then suddenly smiled. “But since Miss Gu claims to be a Master, why don’t you show us your skills right here and now?”

“Right now?” Cai Yuyan frowned, suppressing an eye-roll. It was clear to her that Li Yali was here to stir trouble for Gu Yueluo and settle some score on behalf of Young master Li.

“There’s no reason to force it. Let’s just drop it,” Cai Yuyan said.

Li Yali raised an eyebrow, ignoring Cai Yuyan, and instead looked directly at Gu Xicao. “What’s the matter? Afraid you can’t do it?”

“It’s not that I’m afraid,” Gu Xicao said, smiling faintly. “I just worry that if I accidentally say the wrong thing, I might offend someone.”

Gu Xicao sat down. Her words sounded cautious, but her expression revealed no trace of nervousness or fear.

Li Yali sneered inwardly and scoffed. “If you really have the ability, just go ahead and prove it. If you’re accurate, I’ll pay you thirty thousand as a consultation fee. How about that?”

“That doesn’t seem appropriate,” Gu Xicao frowned, propping her chin on her hand. “Normally, my readings are only 188. If you’re offering that much, I’ll have to put in extra effort to get it right.”

“Hmph, as long as you have the skills,” Li Yali retorted with a sneer.

“Yali!” Gu Yueluo’s heart clenched when she noticed Gu Xicao’s thoughtful look. Memories of her third brother’s humiliation were still vivid—He had been wearing five green hats, and on top of that was labeled impotent by his wife, he had fled abroad, too ashamed to face anyone.

Li Yali was notoriously arrogant and willful, completely unaware of Gu Xicao’s capabilities.

“You’re just like when we were kids, always joking around. Today’s gathering is for tea and conversation, not fortune-telling. If you really want a reading, you can invite the Master privately another time.”

“Sister Yueluo, I’m just looking to have my fortune told. If the Master herself isn’t objecting, why are you in such a hurry to stop me?” Li Yali’s cold gaze fixed on Gu Yueluo, her tone devoid of respect.

“Exactly, Sister Yueluo,” Wang Xueli chimed in. “What’s the harm? Tea alone is boring, and having a fortune-teller pass the time sounds fun.”

Gu Yueluo’s expression darkened, but she wasn’t one to back down easily. Seeing their defiance, she turned to Gu Xicao and said, “Master Gu, it’s up to you.”

Gu Xicao smiled. “Actually, I agree. Why not pass the time with a little fortune-telling? Miss, what’s your name, and what would you like to know?”

“Li Yali. I’d like to know about my relationship with Ah Hong.”

Li Yali leaned against Chen Hong, twirling a ring on her finger.

She didn’t take Gu Xicao seriously at all, determined to dismiss any predictions, no matter how accurate. Gu Yueluo might be hard to deal with, but surely a fortune-teller could be brushed aside easily.

Chen Hong smiled indulgently. “Why bother with fortune telling? Yali, I’m sure we’ll grow old together.”

“That’s not necessarily true,” Gu Xicao said flatly.

Everyone froze.

Li Yali’s head snapped toward Gu Xicao, her gaze sharp enough to cut. “What did you say? Are you cursing me?”

“Why so agitated, Miss Li?” Gu Xicao waved her hand dismissively. “I’m just being honest. Your relationship with this gentleman won’t last beyond today.”

“Rubbish!” Li Yali’s face darkened. She stood abruptly, raising a hand to strike, but Li Yuxin quickly grabbed her. “Fourth Sister, let’s hear her out first before deciding.”

“Hear her out? This woman has such a filthy mouth!” Li Yali glared at Gu Xicao, then turned to Gu Yueluo. “Sister Yueluo, why would you bring someone like this? Get rid of her now.”

Wang Xueli, for reasons she couldn’t explain, felt a strong aversion to Gu Xicao from the moment they met. Although they’d never crossed paths before, she found the young woman intolerably irritating.

“I believe Master Gu wouldn’t say something without basis,” Gu Yueluo said, recovering quickly from her initial surprise. “Please, continue, Master Gu.”

“I’m not cursing anyone; I’m just speaking the truth,” Gu Xicao replied, her gaze steady on Li Yali. “Miss Li, didn’t you and this gentleman meet on a cruise ship?”

Both Li Yali and Chen Hong stiffened.

Li Yali’s expression shifted, and she stared at Gu Xicao. “How do you know that?”

“How do I know? I also know your first encounter was a ‘hero saves the beauty’ scenario. You were drunk, and when someone tried to harass you, Mr. Chen stepped in, drove the man off, and escorted you back to your room. Isn’t that correct?”

Gu Xicao’s words surprised the onlookers.

“Wow, how romantic! No wonder Yali, who’s always so selective, chose Mr. Chen,” someone exclaimed.

“Mr. Chen does seem like a good man. Yali has good taste,” another agreed.

Li Yali smirked at the compliments. “That’s right. Ah Hong saved me that day. We kept running into each other afterward. In the Maldives, our hotel rooms were even directly across from each other. That’s when I knew this was a match arranged by fate.”

The more Gu Yueluo listened, the stranger it seemed.

As someone with a strong sense of caution, she couldn’t help but suspect foul play if she repeatedly encountered the same man.

“Yali, I feel the same way!” Chen Hong squeezed Li Yali’s hand, their gaze meeting sweetly as if flowers bloomed in the air.

“It wasn’t fate,” Gu Xicao interrupted, shattering the romantic atmosphere. She looked at Chen Hong and said, “It was all orchestrated by Mr. Chen.”

???

Everyone froze.

“O-Orchestrated?” Li Yali’s face darkened as she glared at Gu Xicao. “What are you talking about?”

“Exactly what I said. Mr. Chen is no wealthy heir, nor is he a top university graduate. He’s a con artist from Taiwan who specializes in conning wealthy women.”

Gu Xicao arched a brow at Chen Hong. “Mr. Chen, you’re quite clever, coming to Hong Kong because the pickings were slim at home.”

Chen Hong’s face alternated between pale and flushed. He looked panicked but forced himself to appear composed. “Ridiculous! You’re insane, spouting lies to tarnish my name. Where’s your evidence?”

“Exactly! Without evidence, how dare you accuse Ah Hong of being a con artist? Miss Gu, the Li family isn’t easy to bully. If you persist, I’ll sue you for defamation!” Li Yali glared at Gu Xicao, her voice filled with venom.

Gu Yue’e grew concerned.

If Gu Xicao was right, proving Chen Hong’s guilt would be difficult. He was from Taiwan, and few people in Hong Kong knew him. Most only recognized him as Li Yali’s boyfriend.

How could they expose him as a fraud?