Chapter 205 2/3

Li Qingzhi noticed a bustling noodle shop and decided to take his whole family there for a meal.

Before entering, he glanced to the side and saw the ten-year-old boy he had noticed earlier at the dock, squatting under a tree and observing everyone carefully.

The boy had been darting around the dock and had even talked to the Shen family fleet crew. Li Qingzhi was surprised to see him again.

People in Chongcheng County liked to eat fine noodles, but this shop sold very thick noodles.

The wide noodles were cooked and then topped with a generous scoop of soy sauce or sauce to finish.

The cheapest noodles were just topped with soy sauce, but for an extra cost, they came with minced meat sauce. Additionally, the shop sold braised meat, braised tofu, and braised eggs to accompany the noodles.

Li Qingzhi ordered seven bowls of minced meat noodles and also bought some braised meat, tofu, and eggs.

The portions here were large, so Li Qingzhi took some noodles from the children’s bowls before starting to eat.

While he was eating, Wu Baichuan and two other merchants came in.

“Mr. Li, you’re here for noodles too?” Wu Baichuan laughed. “These noodles are good, but their braised dishes are not as good as Jueweizhai.”

Li Qingzhi exchanged pleasantries with Wu Baichuan when an old Taoist priest with graying hair and wearing an old robe entered.

Most ordinary people in these times had poor postures, but this Taoist stood tall and straight, looking quite distinguished.

Despite his gray hair, his face appeared very young, at most in his thirties, and his handsome features instinctively made people feel favorable toward him.

His overall appearance gave him an otherworldly, ethereal presence.

However, Li Qingzhi had a different thought: he suspected the man just had premature graying.

The Taoist approached the couple running the noodle shop and ordered the cheapest soy sauce noodles.

The man was rolling out and cutting noodles, while the woman was cooking them. She grabbed a handful of noodles, placed them in boiling water, and then smiled at the Taoist. “Taoist, that’ll be two coins.”

The Taoist handed over two coins. The woman took the money, fished out the cooked noodles, and added a scoop of soy sauce to the bowl.

After finishing, she glanced at the Taoist, added a braised egg to the bowl, and handed it to him.

The Taoist, seeing this, said, “Blessings upon you, good lady. The person you await should return soon.”

The woman was surprised and asked, “Really?”

As if on cue, a young man entered the shop, saying to the shop owner, “Mom, I’m back.”

Li Qingzhi was astonished, and the woman exclaimed, “Taoist, you’re amazing!”

Not only merchants but also many dockworkers who knew the shop owner’s family were present. They were aware that her son had been away on a boat.

To see the Taoist’s prediction come true so quickly left everyone in awe.

The noodle shop had two rooms with about a dozen tables. Li Qingzhi sat with Li Laogen, Jin Xiaoye, Madam Qian, and the three children at one table, while Wu Baichuan and his companions sat at the next.

The Taoist took his noodles and joined Wu Baichuan’s table.

Eight-immortal tables were common in the shop, and it was normal to share during busy times.

Seeing the Taoist sit down, Wu Baichuan couldn’t help but ask, “Taoist, how did you know the shop owner’s son was about to return?”

The Taoist smiled, “I know a bit of face reading.”

Wu Baichuan, intrigued, asked, “Taoist, could you read my fortune? Will this journey go smoothly?”

The Taoist looked closely at Wu Baichuan’s face before replying, “You have noble companions, so your journey will be smooth.”

Thinking of Li Qingzhi, Wu Baichuan trusted the Taoist even more.

“Taoist, can you tell me about my financial future?”

The Taoist said, “You will face hardships at first, but afterward, the path will be smooth. With the help of a benefactor, your wealth will increase.”

Wu Baichuan, having had a difficult start, felt the Taoist was truly skilled and asked about his child next.

Li Qingzhi found it amusing. Wu Baichuan was away most of the year, no wonder his son wasn’t close to him!

The Taoist continued smiling and, after some finger calculations, suddenly said, “Your child has a good fate but may encounter trouble with romantic entanglements, affecting his studies.”

“Taoist, is there a way to resolve this?” Wu Baichuan asked urgently.

The Taoist hesitated slightly before producing a coin tied with an old red string. “This blessed coin can ward off romantic misfortune.”

Wu Baichuan gratefully accepted and gave the Taoist a silver ingot worth about two taels.

The Taoist calmly accepted the money and continued eating his noodles.

Meanwhile, Li Laogen couldn’t resist asking, “Taoist, what does my future hold?”

The Taoist replied, “You had a hard youth, but with the help of a benefactor, you will enjoy a peaceful old age.”

By now, many people had gathered around the Taoist, seeking his insights.

The Taoist patiently responded to each person, sometimes helping to resolve troubles for which he occasionally received more silver.

However, he refused to take money from those who looked poor or worn, only accepting from those like Wu Baichuan who appeared wealthy.

This made him seem like a true celestial being to many. Li Laogen stayed close, asking various questions, including about Li Qingzhi’s future.

The Taoist promised to get to everyone and, after some questions, came to Li Qingzhi, saying, “With such a noble face, you are destined to rise to great heights, known by all.”

“What does that mean?” Li Laogen asked.

The Taoist explained, “Your son has a bright official career ahead, his future is limitless.”

Li Laogen understood this time.

The Taoist then praised Jin Xiaoye, saying she would bring good fortune to her husband.

But when he looked at Li Damao and Li Ermao, he frowned slightly.