The Taoist temple wasn’t far. Lin Jianyi and Sun Zhaoqian strolled over to take a look and spotted several luxury cars parked out front.

“There’s even a Ferrari. Looks like this temple is no small operation,” Sun Zhaoqian muttered, holding a newspaper.

Lin Jianyi nodded slightly and was about to speak when a man emerged from the temple. He nudged Sun Zhaoqian and murmured through clenched teeth, “Watch what you say.”

“Got it.” Sun Zhaoqian rolled up the newspaper and stuffed it into his back pocket.

The man approached them, his gaze sweeping over their uniforms. “Officers, what brings you here?”

“Nothing much,” Lin Jianyi replied casually. “Noticed these cars have been parked here for a while, but parking isn’t allowed in this area.” He pulled out a ticket book and pen, pretending to write a citation.

The man visibly relaxed and smiled, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and offering one to Lin Jianyi. “Officers, please be lenient. These cars will be gone soon. We won’t make things difficult for you.”

Lin Jianyi took the cigarette, casually squeezing the pack as he did. Feeling something off about the texture, he maintained a calm expression. “Good, then. This street isn’t very wide, and these cars are causing an obstruction. People will complain. Get them moved quickly.”

“Understood.” The man nodded obediently.

After gesturing to Sun Zhaoqian, Lin Jianyi led him away.

The man stood watching them until they left the street before returning to the temple.

Inside, a few guests were laughing as they exited. “Master Bai, no need to see us out. Please help us find a few more good items next time.”

“Of course, of course.” Master Bai nodded slightly and stood still, watching them leave. Turning to his apprentice, he asked, “What’s going on? Why were those officers here?”

“They were issuing tickets,” the apprentice replied quietly. “I gave them a little gift, but they don’t seem to know the rules.”

“Probably new recruits. I’ll call the station later. Tickets are fine, but if they act recklessly, it could cause trouble,” Master Bai said, clasping his hands behind his back and shaking his head.

Standing at a street corner, holding fish balls, Lin Jianyi watched as the luxury cars drove away one by one. His eyes narrowed slightly.

Sipping lemon tea, Sun Zhaoqian asked in a low voice, “What’s your take? See anything odd?”

“Nothing specific,” Lin Jianyi replied, chewing on a fish ball. “But those people didn’t look familiar. They’re not the usual wealthy types from Mong Kok.”

Sun Zhaoqian chuckled. “Does it matter if they’re not from our area?”

“It does,” Lin Jianyi said. “Wealthy people visit temples mainly to pray for blessings and peace. This temple isn’t particularly famous, so why would they go out of their way to come here? Especially since today isn’t a holiday.”

Something about the situation didn’t sit right with him.

Although he wanted to keep observing, he didn’t want to alert the temple. After finishing their patrol, he and Sun Zhaoqian returned to the station to investigate whether any past cases were linked to the temple.

As soon as they arrived back at the precinct, Officer Zhou approached them.

“Lin Jianyi, what were you and Sun Zhaoqian doing near the Taoist temple on Temple Street this afternoon?”

Lin Jianyi exchanged a glance with Sun Zhaoqian before replying with a smile. “Officer Zhou, someone complained about cars blocking the road. We went to check it out. That’s all. Is that a problem?”

“That temple has connections. It’s none of your business,” Zhou snapped. “If you’re so idle, why not volunteer at the orphanage instead?”

“Understood,” Lin Jianyi nodded.

After work, Lin Jianyi went straight to Gu Xicao to share what had happened.

“Officer Zhou has some backing at the station, so this won’t be easy,” he said.

Gu Xicao wasn’t surprised. Before the 1997 handover, Hong Kong’s police force was rife with corruption. That temple had likely continued its shady dealings for so long because it was under someone’s protection.

“Leave it to me,” Gu Xicao said, tapping her chin thoughtfully.

“You?” Lin Jianyi’s eyes widened. “Xiao Gu, don’t do anything reckless. No matter how accurate your predictions are, you’re still just one person. That temple has several apprentices.”

“What are you even saying, Lin?!” Gu Xicao rolled her eyes. “You don’t think I’m stupid enough to charge into the temple alone and start a fight, do you?”

Lin Jianyi scratched his nose awkwardly. “So, what’s your plan?”

“Don’t worry about it. Tomorrow afternoon, when you’re patrolling, hide nearby. When I yell for the police, that’s your cue.”

Gu Xicao already had a plan forming in her mind.

Meanwhile, at the temple, Master Bai summoned his apprentice.

“That fortune-teller girl on Temple Street doesn’t know her place. Tomorrow, take a few people and teach her a lesson.”

The apprentice, Chen Xingwang, nodded. “Master, that girl is pretty. Why not…” He trailed off, grinning lewdly and rubbing his hands together.

Bai Dashi chuckled. “If she refuses to learn, consider her yours. Just don’t cause a scene on the street.”

“Don’t worry. I know what to do.” Chen Xingwang’s grin widened. “By the way, Master, the good luck charms Mr. Chen ordered will arrive in a few days. They’re coming from Macau, and every piece is top-quality…”

…

The sun blazed overhead.

At noon, even tourists sought shelter in cafes, sipping iced drinks to escape the scorching sun.

Wang Laoshi sat shirtless nearby, fanning himself with a bamboo fan, while Gu Xicao read the day’s newspaper. The headline featured Lin Qianshi, the eldest son of the Lin family, returning to Hong Kong. Although the black-and-white photo showed him wearing sunglasses, it was clear he had striking features.

The article introduced the Lin family’s background. As Hong Kong’s wealthiest family, their structure was relatively straightforward, though the two sons were half-brothers, each from a different mother. Both the ex-wife’s and the current wife’s families held significant influence.

The newspaper speculated that Lin Qianshi’s return might trigger a fierce battle for succession within the Lin family.

“Knock, knock!”

Someone banged on the table.

Hearing the sound, Gu Xicao looked up to see a group of men dressed sloppily. The leader’s lecherous gaze swept over her from head to toe.

“Little girl, I want my fortune told,” Chen Xingwang said, taking off his sunglasses and swaggering as he spoke.

Wang Laoshi straightened up quietly and smiled. “Big brother, how could this little girl possibly tell fortunes? Why not let me try? I’m cheaper—just ten yuan.”

Chen Xingwang spat on the ground and sneered, “Pfft, what does this have to do with you? Shut your mouth! We’re here for the little girl’s fortune-telling.”

“Sure, I’ll tell your fortune. Pay first,” Gu Xicao said inwardly, relieved. Finally, these scumbags showed up. If they’d taken any longer, I would’ve lost my patience.

“Fine. 188, right? But if it’s inaccurate, we’ll smash your stall!” Chen Xingwang tossed two 100-dollar bills onto the table, nearly jabbing his finger in her face.

Gu Xicao leaned back slightly to avoid him, glanced at the money on the table, and made change before sitting back. Her eyes flicked toward the street corner, briefly meeting Lin Jianyi’s gaze. She gave him a subtle nod.

“Alright, what’s your name?”

“Sun Fu,” Chen Xingwang replied, sitting down as his lackeys loomed behind him.

Passersby gave the scene a wide berth, wary of the men’s imposing demeanor. Chen Xingwang crossed his legs and chewed gum, smirking. “So? What can you tell me? Do you need my birth date and time too?”

“That won’t be necessary.”

Gu Xicao clasped her fingers theatrically, pretending to calculate. “Sun Fu, your parents died when you were young, leaving you to wander the streets. Am I right?”

Chen Xingwang froze, a flicker of suspicion crossing his eyes. He glanced at his companions, wondering if one of them had betrayed him.

“What nonsense are you spouting? I have parents! How could I be an orphan?” he snapped, suppressing his unease when he saw no reaction from his lackeys.

Wang Laoshi sighed inwardly. This is bad.

He’d suspected this group had come looking for trouble. Stepping forward, he tried to mediate. “Mr. Sun, don’t be upset. This little girl doesn’t know better and is just talking nonsense. Xiao Gu, I told you your fortune-telling isn’t reliable. Give them their money back.”

“Uncle Wang, my fortunes are always accurate,” Gu Xicao replied calmly. “Not only can I tell he’s an orphan, but I also know he has no close relatives. As he grew up, he survived by committing crimes and eventually joined Bai Xiancheng. However, while he appears loyal to Bai Xiancheng, he’s secretly undermining him, planning to go solo. Isn’t that right, Sun Fu?”

Her words hit like a thunderclap.

Chen Xingwang’s mind went blank. First, disbelief washed over him, followed by panic.

No one knew about his betrayal of Master Bai. He had only just started covertly contacting a few key clients, and even that had been done with extreme caution. How could this woman possibly know?

“You’re talking nonsense! I’m nothing like that!” Chen Xingwang shouted, his shame and anger boiling over. In a fit of rage, he flipped over her table, sending it crashing to the ground.

Passersby screamed and scattered at the commotion.

Pointing at Gu Xicao, Chen Xingwang growled, “And you dare call yourself accurate? You didn’t even realize my name was fake!”

Gu Xicao stepped back, her gaze steady. “Of course, I knew. I was just humoring you. Your real name is Chen Xingwang, isn’t it?”

His companions exchanged startled glances, their faces full of disbelief.

Although they worked at a Taoist temple, it was all a front for illicit activities. None of them truly believed in fortune-telling. Even Master Bai’s supposed spiritual techniques were nothing but tricks, and his apprentices were well aware of this.

Fortune-telling? That was just gathering intel on clients beforehand. “Magic talismans”? Those were often just painkillers wrapped in paper, effective enough to fool desperate believers.

Having seen so many scams, none of them believed in the supernatural.

Yet, here was Gu Xicao, accurately naming Chen Xingwang and exposing his secrets.

What was going on?

Could fortune-telling really be this precise?!