Zhang Jiali woke up early the next day. The house was silent as always. She was used to making her own breakfast: two slices of bread and a bottle of milk. That was her meal.

As she slowly ate her breakfast, troubled over not being able to deliver Sister Gu’s message, a man approached her and lightly patted her head. “Why are you frowning so early in the morning? You’ll bring yourself bad luck.”

“Dad?” Zhang Jiali looked up in surprise, quickly swallowing the bread in her mouth as she turned to Zhang Jianjie. “Why are you up so early today?”

“I noticed yesterday that it seemed like you had something you wanted to tell me,” Zhang Jianjie pulled out a chair and sat down, concern evident in his voice. “What’s wrong? Did something happen at school? Or did your sister and brother argue with you again?”

“No, Dad.”

Zhang Jiali hurriedly pulled a business card from her pocket and handed it to him. “My deskmate’s sister wants to meet you. She also said…” Pausing to recall, she added, “Oh, she also said she predicted something bad will happen to our family, and she insisted you must meet her.”

Zhang Jianjie glanced at the card, which bore the name Gu Xicao and her shop name.

He couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly. “She’s a fortune-teller?”

“Yes, Lin Yuan often says his sister is amazing. He even said she was the one who helped the toy king, Mr. Cai, find his son,” Zhang Jiali explained excitedly. She hadn’t seen her father in some time, and they had always been close.

“Alright, I understand. I’ll go when I have time,” Zhang Jianjie said, patting her on the head. However, he was only humoring her. In his heart, he dismissed the matter, thinking it was just someone trying to make money.

That day, Zhang Jianjie still had to go to the company to submit reimbursement forms. Drivers like him often had to spend one or two hours filing these after a trip.

While other colleagues took this time to gamble, Zhang Jianjie never indulged in such habits. He couldn’t bear to waste money on gambling. Instead, he saved every bit for his daughter’s education.

“Old Zhang, got a cigarette?”

A colleague approached, patting his pockets, and asked.

Zhang Jianjie casually pulled out a cigarette and handed it over. As he did, the business card in his pocket fell to the ground.

Before he could pick it up, the colleague had already retrieved it and glanced at it, pausing in surprise. “Huh, Fortune Pavilion? Old Zhang, are you looking for Master Gu to read your fortune?”

Zhang Jianjie was taken aback. “You know her?”

The colleague handed back the card with a laugh, lighting his cigarette. “Know her? Not really, but I’ve seen her on TV. You wouldn’t know since you weren’t in Hong Kong at the time, but there was a big case recently. That taxi driver from the other company, Kong Shunxiao, got arrested. Turned out he’d been involved in murder and dismemberment. It gave everyone a huge scare.”

Zhang Jianjie was stunned. “What happened? Old Kong always seemed like an honest guy, got along well with everyone.”

“Yeah, well, it’s like they say—you know someone’s face, but not their heart,” the colleague replied, exhaling a puff of smoke. “Turns out he had also kidnapped a schoolgirl. Lucky for her, Master Gu figured out his location and saved her. That Master Gu really has some skill. If you’re going, have her check my finances for the year while you’re at it, haha.”

The colleague was only joking, not taking it seriously.

However, Zhang Jianjie suddenly realized that things might not be as simple as he had assumed. If this fortune-teller was as capable as the rumors suggested, she likely wasn’t targeting their family for petty reasons.

And if she insisted he go, could it mean something truly serious was about to happen to his family?

By three in the afternoon, Zhang Jianjie had driven to the entrance of Fortune Pavilion.

Gu Xicao had just seen off a client. Noticing his arrival, she greeted him with a smile. “Mr. Zhang, you finally made it.”

Zhang Jianjie was startled. “You know who I am?”

“We’ve never met, but I know you’re Jiali’s father. Please, come into the office,” Gu Xicao said, signaling to Wang Laoshi to bring in some tea.

Zhang Jianjie hesitated but eventually followed her inside.

He felt awkward, not knowing where to place his hands or feet. Suddenly remembering something, he pulled the business card from his pocket. “Um, Jiali said you insisted I come. Why is that?”

“Mr. Zhang,” Wang Laoshi entered with tea, placing it on the table. Gu Xicao nodded her thanks before addressing Zhang Jianjie. “First, let me clarify something. I have no grievances with you, nor are we here to extort you. Our pricing is transparent: no matter the service, it’s only 188 yuan. You don’t have to believe me, but I suggest you listen carefully because this concerns your daughter Jiali’s safety.”

“What does this have to do with Jiali?!”

The mention of his daughter immediately put Zhang Jianjie on edge, his vigilance heightened as he stared at Gu Xicao.

Gu Xicao gestured toward the price list on the wall. Zhang Jianjie glanced at it and, without hesitation, took out the money. However, his tone was firm. “You’d better not be lying to me, or I won’t let this slide!”

“Calm down, Mr. Zhang. Our boss never deceives anyone. Just listen, and you’ll know the truth,” Wang Laoshi reassured him.

Gu Xicao took a sip of tea before speaking. “Mr. Zhang, Jiali is your only daughter. Though you’ve remarried, you’ve already written a will ensuring all your assets will go to her, correct?”

Zhang Jianjie froze, his eyes filled with suspicion. “How do you know that? I haven’t told anyone.”

“Not even your current wife, Liu Meixian?”

Gu Xicao’s lips curled into a knowing smile.

Zhang Jianjie was willing to provide for Liu Meixian and her two kids but had no intention of sharing his life’s earnings with them.

He had kept this decision from Liu Meixian, fearing she might cause trouble.

Zhang Jianjie nodded earnestly. “Yes, I haven’t told her. But I did make it clear before—her children don’t have to take my surname. Isn’t that direct enough?”

“It’s very direct. That’s why Liu Meixian has set her sights on your daughter,” Gu Xicao said. “You think being fair with money and providing for the household will satisfy her. But you’re wrong. Liu Meixian has already been scheming to get her hands on your assets. She snooped in your safe and found your will. Knowing your intentions, she’s decided to eliminate any future problems by arranging for your daughter to be trafficked.”

Zhang Jianjie froze, his expression utterly stunned.

Wang Laoshi quietly inched closer to Gu Xicao. “Xiao Gu, why didn’t you warn me earlier about something this serious? If he gets violent, I can’t handle it with my old bones.”

Though Zhang Jianjie wasn’t particularly tall, his broad shoulders and muscular arms spoke volumes about his strength. One punch from him could easily break a bone.

Freight drivers didn’t have it easy in these days. With highway robbers armed with knives and guns lurking everywhere, it was a profession that demanded both physical strength and the ability to fight.

A monthly salary of forty to fifty thousand wasn’t something easily earned.

As Wang Laoshi anxiously kept an eye on Zhang Jianjie’s tightly clenched fists, his gaze darting toward the nearby bookshelves, thinking that if the man got violent, he’d grab a book and throw it, Zhang Jianjie suddenly calmed down.

Breathing heavily, the veins on his neck bulging like tree roots, he asked, “You’re a fortune-teller. Can you predict when and where Liu Meixian will act?”

Huh?

Wang Laoshi was taken aback. This client seemed unusually composed.

Gu Xicao couldn’t help but feel some admiration. A bad temper wouldn’t solve anything—only those who could control their emotions could succeed.

Liu Meixian rarely returned home with groceries. As she approached the house and heard the cheerful laughter of Zhang Jiali and Zhang Jianjie from inside, her lips curled into a sneer.

She couldn’t understand why Zhang Jianjie liked Zhang Jiali, this burdensome stepdaughter. Clearly, her son was the one who could carry on the family name, yet every time she hinted at her son taking Zhang Jianjie’s surname, the man would change the subject.

But it didn’t matter.

Soon, everything would work out.

Once that useless girl went missing tomorrow, no matter how stubborn Zhang Jianjie was, he would have no choice. Either her son would inherit the family assets, or they’d have another child together. Either way, Liu Meixian would win.

“Honey, you’re back so early today?”

Liu Meixian opened the door, her face lighting up with a bright, solicitous smile.

Zhang Jianjie, who had been making crafts with Zhang Jiali, initially frowned when he heard her voice. But by the time he looked up, his face had already broken into a smile. “Yes, I submitted my reimbursement forms at the company, so I’m free now. But tomorrow, Lao Bai said his daughter-in-law is about to give birth, so he’ll need help at the hospital. He’s asked me to cover for him for the day.”

Liu Meixian was secretly delighted but feigned concern, slapping her thigh. “Oh no! I’d already promised Ah Yin and the others we’d take the whole family to the amusement park tomorrow. Jiali has been looking forward to it for so long, haven’t you, Jiali?”

Zhang Jiali obediently put down the super glue she was using. “It’s okay. Work is more important, Dad. Will you come home after you’re done?”

“I will.” Zhang Jianjie’s expression softened as he patted his daughter’s head. “Tomorrow, be good. Stay with Aunt Liu and the others, and don’t wander off, okay?”

“I understand, Dad,” Zhang Jiali tilted her head and gave a small smile.

Watching their close father-daughter bond, Liu Meixian felt a surge of discomfort.

She offered a few perfunctory words before heading into the kitchen to cook.

The amusement park was always crowded, especially on Sundays.

The massive space was packed with adults and children. After verifying their tickets, Liu Meixian entered with the three children, her eyes scanning the area.

Her youngest son, Huang Quan, jumped up and down, pointing at a nearby balloon vendor. “Mommy, I want a balloon! I want a balloon!”

“Alright, I’ll get you one in a bit.”

Distracted, Liu Meixian responded absentmindedly, not really paying attention to him.

“No, I want it now! The Ultraman balloons will be sold out if we wait!” Huang Quan threw a tantrum. Spoiled by her indulgence, he was used to getting his way and didn’t want to wait.

Irritated, Liu Meixian was about to lose her temper when Huang Yin suddenly tugged on her hand and whispered, “Mom, I’ll take my brother to buy a balloon. You stay here with Jiali.”

She shot her mother a meaningful look, tilting her head slightly toward the northwest corner.

Following her daughter’s gaze, Liu Meixian noticed a skinny man in the crowd gesturing toward her. Realizing his intent, she nodded. “Alright then, hurry and go. The sooner you’re back, the better. Jiali, Auntie will take you to queue for the roller coaster so we won’t have to wait as long later. Okay?”

Without thinking much of it, Zhang Jiali nodded obediently and followed her.

The roller coaster line was long. After waiting for a while, Liu Meixian used the excuse of needing to use the restroom to leave Zhang Jiali in line alone.

Zhang Jiali felt a bit uneasy but didn’t dare say so to Liu Meixian.