“This is far too valuable, I…”

Gu Xicao’s lips parted slightly as she felt a mix of amusement and helplessness, like someone hit with a golden brick and left not knowing what to say.

Gu Yue’e replied, “Miss Gu, this is just a token of my appreciation. Please accept it. After all, the trouble you faced with Li Yali and the others was because of me. If you don’t take this, I’ll feel guilty.”

“Well, alright then…”

Seeing Gu Yue’e insist, Gu Xicao thought for a moment before motioning for Wang Laoshi to accept the gift.

Wang Laoshi quickly stepped forward and mustered all his strength to lift the golden ship and place it on the table.

He shook out his arms afterward, thinking to himself, This ship must weigh at least 10 or 20 pounds.

“B-Brother Deng, a-are we still going to do this?”

Old Xu and the others couldn’t take their eyes off the distinguished guests inside. At the same time, they were starting to back out.

They had originally assumed that Gu Xicao had no connections. Even if she was making good money, she was just an outsider. But now, seeing her surrounded by high-ranking and wealthy individuals, she didn’t seem like someone they could easily bully.

“Do it! What’s wrong? You scared now? So what if she knows a few rich people?”

Brother Deng swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing, as he pulled out a pair of nylon stockings. “Besides, if we cover our faces, who’s going to know it was us?”

That seemed to strike a chord with the others.

Their eyes lit up. Of course—if they wore stockings over their faces and worked quickly, no one could trace it back to them.

“W-wait!” Suddenly, someone grabbed Brother Deng’s arm and, with a trembling hand, pointed ahead. “L-look! Isn’t that a police car?”

Everyone turned in the direction he was pointing.

Sure enough, two police cars slowly pulled up in front of the shop. The doors opened, and several officers stepped out. Leading them was a female officer with two stars and a silver bar on her epaulet—a Chief Inspector!

Inspector Liu’s arrival, along with her team, caught the attention of everyone inside the shop.

While the guests exchanged puzzled glances, they saw Gu Xicao step forward and greet Lin Jianyi and Sun Zhaoqian. “Brother Lin, Little Sun.”

“Miss Gu, this is Inspector Liu,” Lin Jianyi said, giving her a meaningful look.

Gu Xicao turned to the inspector with a smile. “Inspector Liu, hello. Are you here to show your support today?”

A faint smile appeared on Inspector Liu’s face. “Both that and something else. We’re here to present you with a commendation for being a helpful citizen, as well as the bonus for assisting us in solving those cases.”

She took the items from Sun Zhaoqian and handed them to Gu Xicao. “Thank you, Miss Gu, for your assistance to our police department. We didn’t expect to stumble upon your opening ceremony today.”

Sun Zhaoqian winked at Gu Xicao, who immediately caught on. “What a coincidence! Since you’re here, why don’t you stay for some coffee? Don’t feel the need to be formal with me.”

“P-police…”

Brother Deng and his gang were utterly dumbfounded.

They exchanged uneasy glances, each face filled with disbelief.

Old Xu said shakily, “Who is this girl, anyway? How does she know everyone—even the police are here to support her! Brother Deng, I can’t do this. If we offend the police, we’re finished!”

“I-I’m out too.”

“Same here. I’ve got a wife and kids to think about.”

The rest immediately chickened out. They dropped whatever they were holding and bolted, disappearing in an instant.

Brother Deng, still stunned, looked around and realized the group he had been counting on had already fled.

“Damn it, leaving me to take the fall?!” Cursing, he hastily stuffed the nylon stocking into his pocket and ran off on his thick legs.

“Alright, everyone move in closer. 3, 2, 1!”

Wang Mingqiang held up his camera, capturing a photo of the ribbon-cutting ceremony. He then gave everyone an OK gesture.

As the crowd dispersed, Secretary Lin and the others prepared to leave. Gu Xicao walked them out a few steps. The commotion had attracted the attention of neighboring shop owners and passersby.

“What kind of shop is this? Such a grand opening!”

“You don’t know? It’s a fortune-telling shop. Look over there—all those people are rich!”

Passersby pointed at the luxury cars driving away, their envy evident as they murmured among themselves.

“Alright, I understand. Don’t worry, Ah Qi is in good hands with me.”

At the Haha Foods Company, Wang Rongyan was on the phone with her best friend. It was thanks to this friend lending her money that she had been able to revive her business.

Her friend, Ma Chunya, sighed over the phone. “Hearing that makes me feel much better. But you must find a way to have the master convince Ah Qi not to marry that man. No matter how much it costs, I’m willing to pay.”

Ma Chunya owned several restaurants and had always done well for herself. While her businesses were small, they were lucrative, and she was considered quite wealthy.

Wang Rongyan sighed. “There’s not much I can do. That master isn’t like the frauds we’ve dealt with before, the ones who’ll do anything for money. She only charges 188 yuan, and she tells you exactly what she sees. There’s no way to bribe her.”

“Ah Yan, there’s no such person in this world. Please, I’m begging you. Ah Qi absolutely cannot marry that man. If they do get married, I’d rather die.”

Ma Chunya’s tone was resolute.

After assuring her friend that she understood, Wang Rongyan ended the call.

Yuan Tai, who had been standing nearby, asked curiously, “Mom why is Aunt Ma so adamant that Ah Qi can’t marry her boyfriend?”

Organizing some documents, Wang Rongyan handed the signed papers to Yuan Tai. “I heard that guy is very good at pleasing women. Ah Qi has already bought him plenty of things and is even talking about buying him a house. With a man like that, it’s no wonder Ma Chunya is worried.”

Yuan Tai suddenly understood. Seeing that his mother was about to leave, he went to open the office door for her.

The girl standing outside hadn’t expected the door to open so suddenly. She wobbled slightly, a look of embarrassment flashing across her face before she regained her haughty demeanor. “Aunt Wang!”

“Ah Qi? When did you get here?”

Startled, Wang Rongyan wondered if Ah Qi had overheard her conversation with Ma Chunya.

Carrying a Hermès bag and twirling her hair, Ma Qi replied, “I just got here. Auntie, what does my mom want me to see you about? I’m really busy today. It’s Ah Yong’s birthday, and I have to celebrate with him!”

She didn’t hear anything?

Good.

Relieved, Wang Rongyan smiled. “Alright, I won’t take up much of your time. This won’t take long. I’ve already made an appointment. Let’s go now. Yuan Tai, take care of things at the office.”

“Got it, Mom. Drive carefully.”

Yuan Tai’s gaze swept over Ma Qi.

Ma Qi rolled her eyes at him and followed Wang Rongyan out without another word.

When they arrived at the Fortune Pavilion, Ma Qi got out of the car and glanced at the signboard. Hugging her arms, she let out a mocking laugh. “Seriously, Auntie? You made time out of your busy schedule to bring me here just to get my fortune told? Isn’t this a bit too old-fashioned?”

“What’s old-fashioned about it? The master here is the real deal,” Wang Rongyan warned her. “When you meet the master, mind your words. Don’t offend her.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not that bored.”

Ma Qi chewed her gum, looking completely indifferent, while inwardly laughing to herself.

Her mother really had gone to great lengths to break her and Ah Yong up, even sending her aunt to bring her here for a fortune-telling session. Fine, let them try. No matter what, she wasn’t breaking up with Ah Yong!

Her relationship with Ah Yong was no joke!

“Miss Wang, we meet again! You’re looking even more beautiful,” Gu Xicao greeted them warmly, standing up as Wang Rongyan and Ma Qi entered.

Wang Rongyan smiled. “Master Gu, you’re looking even more beautiful yourself. I’m so sorry about this morning—I couldn’t make it, so I had some flower baskets and food delivered. Did they arrive?”

Hearing mention of the food, Gu Xicao’s stomach felt a little tight.

The dishes Wang Rongyan had sent were overly lavish—an eighteen-course feast. They had eaten until they were stuffed, and even then, many dishes had to be packed up and distributed to others like Mrs. Lin to avoid waste.

“You were so thoughtful. My younger brother and his friends said the food was delicious. And this young lady is?”

“Oh, this is my friend’s daughter, Ma Qi,” Wang Rongyan said, getting straight to the point. She patted Ma Qi’s shoulder, signaling her to sit up properly, and then turned to Gu Xicao. “I’m here today because her mother asked me to bring her for a reading.”

“Hey, Auntie, it’s not a reading—it’s about my relationship with Ah Yong,” Ma Qi said, blowing a bubble with her gum that popped with a loud snap, leaving her grinning.

She leaned forward, resting her hands on the table, and curiously studied Gu Xicao from head to toe. “So, you’re the master? You don’t look the part. You’re too young—you could be my little sister!”

“Ma Qi!”

Wang Rongyan frowned and scolded her, “Don’t be rude to the master. Spit out your gum.”

Ma Qi pouted, took a tissue, wrapped the gum in it, and tossed it into the trash. “Happy now? I was just joking with her. She really is young, isn’t she? Being young isn’t a bad thing, right, Master?”

Her tone was flippant, and she wore a casual outfit of a short-sleeved shirt and ripped jeans, accessorized with overly dramatic earrings. Her entire appearance had a distinctly Japanese street style.

Gu Xicao smiled and replied, “That’s right, being young is a good thing. And you’re young too, Miss Ma. You’re only 20 years old—why are you already thinking about getting married?”

Ma Qi’s expression shifted slightly as she stared at Gu Xicao in confusion. “Who told you I’m getting married?”

“Isn’t it true that you and your boyfriend have already planned to secretly get married in the U.S. after obtaining your passports, without informing your family?”

Gu Xicao poured two cups of tea and handed them over, her tone light and relaxed.

Ma Qi’s face froze for a moment before darkening. She glared angrily at Wang Rongyan. “Auntie, has my mom been spying on me? I knew it! You brought me here to get my fortune told just to break me and Ah Yong up! This is all a setup!”

“I didn’t know…” Wang Rongyan was completely caught off guard and couldn’t find the words to defend herself.

Gu Xicao kindly stepped in to clarify. “She didn’t know, and neither did your mom. I deduced it. There’s no need to overreact, Miss Ma.”

“Of course you’re not upset—it doesn’t concern you!” Ma Qi snapped, her face red with anger. She glared at Gu Xicao. “I don’t understand why I can’t make my own decisions about who I’m with at my age!”

“Who you’re with is, of course, your own decision,” Gu Xicao said calmly, sipping her tea. The warm liquid soothed her throat, leaving her feeling much more at ease. “But that person needs to be the right one. Your boyfriend, whom you’ve been supporting financially, do you really think he’s the right one for you?”

“He is! Why wouldn’t he be?”