Wang Qiqi had helped Song Ziwen for several days until finally securing the shop rental. "This place is perfect, close to the industrial zone and with multiple old residential areas nearby," she remarked after surveying the space.

Song Ziwen was pleased with the location despite noticing two existing real estate agencies on the same block. The competition motivated him rather than discouraged. "It's a bit cramped though." In his mind, there should be an office for senior staff at minimum - but this room barely accommodated one large workspace and ended abruptly in a tiny bathroom that defied all expectations of cleanliness and cost efficiency.

"Brother, you're just starting out," Wang Qiqi shook her head. "The car you drive is already impressive enough." How many people actually owned vehicles? When Song Ziwen showed properties to clients now, what kind of impression did he make?

"Never mind, I'm new at this. Let's wait for the business license first," he admitted.

"You can't just sit around until that comes?" Wang Qiqi thought her brother was being overly cautious. She doubted those other shops had licenses either, and none waited for official approval before opening. "You need to renovate a bit - install air conditioning, fix up the bathroom properly." The stench from the toilet nearly knocked her over when she stood by its door earlier. How could any previous tenant have endured it?

Song Ziwen pinched his nose while opening the bathroom door. "The landlord didn't even bother with basic cleaning."

"We've already rented it," Wang Qiqi rolled her eyes. "They won't suddenly show up to clean." She recommended adding windows for ventilation.

"Not possible," he replied. The residents had rejected such modifications, claiming they'd damage the building's foundation. He had abandoned those plans completely. Instead, he intended to install powerful exhaust fans and hoped against hope that would solve the issue.

After discussing office layout options for furniture arrangement, they locked up again and headed toward Yang Jing's arranged master feng shui consultant who could recommend auspicious dates for opening.

"My sister-in-law is superstitious," Song Ziwen sighed. "She insisted on consulting this expert to ensure good fortune." He didn't believe in such things - hadn't Wang Qiqi and Song Yao achieved business success without following rituals? Their punctuality made sense; he checked his phone, time was still sufficient.

"Actually, her reasoning makes sense," Wang Qiqi considered. After rebirth experiences, she had learned to respect forces beyond understanding, though she avoided direct consultations fearing a skilled practitioner might uncover secrets best left hidden. Still, she frequently visited Beijing's renowned temples and donated generously - not for spiritual guidance exactly, but simply for psychological comfort.

They arrived at an unassuming residential building. "Brother, are you sure about this place?" Wang Qiqi was skeptical; even if the master were talented, why did his residence resemble any other apartment block without constant visitors?

Song Ziwen recognized her surprised expression mirrored Yang Jing's when they had first visited. "This young master is surprisingly accurate," he explained. "Appointments fill up fast through referrals." He knew Yang Jing had secured this meeting days in advance.

Wang Qiqi observed Song Ziwen's initial grumbling about his sister-in-law's demands contrasting with his current enthusiasm. The appointment system was clever - it limited hassle and ensured high-value clients, which meant generous compensation when successful predictions were made.

As they approached the door, Song Ziwen caught a glimpse of Wang Qiqi's skeptical expression. "Inside you might want to keep your thoughts to yourself," he warned. He'd heard rumors about someone who mocked the master before dying within months - though unverified, it was enough to make visitors behave respectfully.

Wang Qiqi reassured him she would act appropriately once inside. Song Ziwen remained unconvinced; while she seemed obedient on surface, experience had taught him her promises often came with hidden agendas that left him regretting his trust in her judgment.

"Of course," she smiled sweetly. "Would I embarrass you by being disrespectful to outsiders?"

Before entering the master's residence, they met an elderly woman at the door who studied Wang Qiqi intensely enough to unsettle them both. Song Ziwen wondered if her previous doubts had been sensed somehow.

The older woman finally asked, "Is this your sister?" after multiple glances that revealed nothing unusual about Wang Qiqi except perhaps a distinctive aura.

Song Ziwen answered affirmatively and was startled by the comment.

"An auspicious girl," she said cryptically before inviting them in.

Wang Qiqi figured it must be her stylish appearance suggesting privilege. The south-facing room they entered contained Ming dynasty-style furnishings that spoke of considerable wealth, though she secretly worried about potential damage from unhappy clients.

Li Jun looked up from his book as they arrived, instantly recognizing Wang Qiqi despite never having met her before. "Please sit," he invited them.

Song Ziwen sat formally while Wang Qiqi was surprised the master knew her surname. "Master," he greeted respectfully.

"I know you're not familiar with my methods," Li Jun said bluntly after they were seated, which startled Song Ziwen who feared some hidden curse might befall his sister-in-law.

He gestured toward Wang Qiqi for a private discussion. The request unsettled her - what if the master discovered her rebirth secret and demanded payment in information? "I didn't bring much money," she stammered as an excuse.

Song Ziwen was equally surprised by this special treatment and worried about his sister's stiff reaction, which suggested prior recognition that contradicted their supposed first meeting. He nearly shouted when she rejected the offer - after all, countless clients had queued for such privileged access to the master's wisdom.

"Conversation is free," Li Jun offered with a smile. Wang Qiqi agreed reluctantly though her expression hinted at lingering suspicion.

When Song Ziwen asked about auspicious opening dates, Li Jun analyzed the shop location and layout details he had carefully recorded. "The property itself carries good fortune but requires careful handling of interpersonal conflicts." He recommended a simple ceremony on the eighteenth with brief firecracker recordings rather than elaborate celebrations.

Song Ziwen accepted this advice though it conflicted with his instinct to make an impressive debut. Li Jun explained that quiet perseverance rather than showy displays would serve him best, prompting Song Ziwen to decide he needed a reminder of these principles.

After Song Ziwen left, the room fell into tense silence as Wang Qiqi and Li Jun studied each other warily. Finally breaking it, Li Jun said: "Fascinating girl. You've lived thirty years yet still seem... inexperienced."

Wang Qiqi's urge to flee intensified at his next words about her rebirth experience. Though reassured he wouldn't harm her, she remained cautious when discussing her fears of this life being a dream or illusion.

"You worry your choices might disrupt the balance of things," Li Jun said knowingly. "Yet you remain uncertain whether this existence is real."

Wang Qiqi admitted her anxieties about altering destinies through even minor decisions and feared causing unintended consequences that could ripple outward to transform entire timelines.

Li Jun listened silently, amused by her initial wariness now replaced with confiding vulnerability. He asked if she worried he might expose secrets - a question that would soon lead to revelations neither expected.

Wang Qiqi felt an immediate lightness in her chest after unburdening herself. "Ah, it's always better to share one's worries with someone," she mused. "Do you think this is like reading a novel? Would anyone believe such things if I said them out loud? And then there are those people coming to me for divination—they all have secrets they've confided in me. But would I ever betray their trust?" Her mind whirred with calculations. She wasn't that foolish after all. A fortune-teller who couldn't keep secrets was like a doctor who published patient records—professional suicide. If word got out, no one would dare come to her for readings again.

"Especially if this particular secret is... unsettling," she thought grimly. "For the sake of confidentiality, certain authorities wouldn't hesitate to silence you permanently." The idea that someone might have deduced Wang Qiqi's reincarnation was terrifying in itself. If such a seer could predict events centuries ahead as described in her books, they'd be far more valuable—and dangerous—to those monitoring supernatural phenomena than she ever would be.

Just then, the little girl had attacked her without warning. How strange that she suspected betrayal! "Don't worry," Wang Qiqi murmured to herself, "I still remember my professional code of conduct." (To be continued... If you enjoyed this story, please cast your recommendation or monthly vote for me. Your support is what keeps me going. Mobile readers can visit m.readingplatform.com.)