Song Ziwen sat in the main hall, utterly consumed by anxiety. It had been over an hour, and Comrade Wang Qiqi still hadn't emerged. While the Master’s demeanor earlier had been impressive, Qiqi, that girl, could be quite stubborn when she set her mind to it. What if she had spoken some insolent words in front of the Master? In short, Song Ziwen could barely sit still. If Aunt Ge hadn't been watching him closely from the side, he truly would have rushed over to knock on the door, determined to rescue his sister one way or another.

Aunt Ge noticed Song Ziwen had no interest in conversation, his eyes constantly darting toward the closed door. "Don't worry, nothing will happen."

Song Ziwen certainly knew that nothing untoward would occur in that setting; otherwise, the scandal would be ruinous, increasing his fear of the Master even more. "I know nothing will happen," Song Ziwen forced a smile.

Seeing Song Ziwen's unease, Aunt Ge understood he wouldn't be truly settled until he saw his sister. Still, she was also curious about what the two of them had been discussing for over an hour with no sound emanating from the room.

Wang Qiqi, unaware of the concern she was causing, was chatting quite happily with Li Jun inside. "I never thought I'd have such a pleasant conversation with a charlatan," Wang Qiqi stated boldly. She had always generally dismissed fortune-tellers as frauds, but meeting Li Jun today had certainly broadened her perspective. "However, your Daohang (spiritual proficiency) is truly remarkable."

"Fortune-telling can indeed be called charlatanry. Many people are just fooling others; it all depends on their level of deception," Li Jun replied, showing no offense at Qiqi's use of the term shengun (charlatan). "Fortune-telling is actually linked to psychology; both rely on manipulating the subject's mind."

"So, you majored in psychology in university?" Wang Qiqi wondered if he had actually studied psychology, as his grasp of the similarities between the two fields was too precise to be casual.

Li Jun nodded. "Yes, I even hold a Master's in Psychology." Li Jun thought this qualification was certainly enough to impress anyone.

Wang Qiqi hadn't expected Li Jun to have actually studied psychology, and from a renowned American university at that. "It's not easy becoming a Master these days." To study that deeply just to swindle people out of money seemed terrifying. "I originally intended to follow the Boss's example and learn how to deceive people for wealth, but now I feel the task is too daunting."

Li Jun watched her earnest performance of someone deeply fond of money and eager for great fortune. He thought that if money were that easy to earn, he wouldn't have needed to study so diligently for so many years and pursue further education abroad. "Actually, I envy your abilities; you must have so many opportunities to make big money. Being cautious is good, but as you change, you also affect the state of those around you, and your world will become somewhat different from the one you currently envision."

Wang Qiqi understood this point deeply and nodded. "That's why I'm trying to restrain myself. I don't want Heaven to reclaim my life prematurely." Having been reborn, she had many things left unfinished; she couldn't afford to depart so soon. "Thank you, Master. I’ve enjoyed our talk today." Wang Qiqi genuinely felt much better after their conversation, and the fact that this session was free made Qiqi even more satisfied.

"Do you feel like you got a great deal?" Li Jun asked casually. Honestly, chatting with this girl wasn't bad; at least he didn't constantly have to worry about her suddenly asking something he might slip up and reveal, which would cause major trouble. "If you have time in the future, you can seek me out for a chat, or we can talk online."

Online chat? Wang Qiqi was surprised that this supposed charlatan even used online communication. "You're quite modern for this setting." Such an ancient and rustic place certainly didn't suggest the presence of a computer, but then again, he needed to cultivate the aura of a secluded, high-level hermit, not appear like some reckless young man who couldn't be trusted. Wang Qiqi wrote down her chat account ID. "Then, Master, I'm leaving now."

Although the Master had told her she could contact him anytime, Wang Qiqi didn't have the nerve to do so. Besides, he was clearly a busy man; she shouldn't interrupt his money-making pursuits. Perhaps in the short time they spent chatting, he could have earned thousands or more from someone else.

Li Jun didn't try to stop her from leaving. He had a major client arriving soon—a very generous one. Was he perhaps a bit mercenary, a bit worldly? Li Jun felt it was normal; he was guiding them through their predicaments, and the small fee they paid was merely a fraction of the wealth they earned.

Song Ziwen finally stood up as the door opened. He was about to ask Qiqi how it went when he noticed her eyes were red. His heart lurched—it looked like Qiqi had been crying. But why would Qiqi cry? Song Ziwen couldn't fathom it. Yet, Qiqi seemed fine otherwise, carrying an air of relaxation and ease, so perhaps his initial thought was wrong. "Aunt Ge, we're leaving now. Thank you so much this time."

Aunt Ge smiled gently as always. "Don't be so polite. It’s just a waste of some excellent tea." That tea had been gifted by a major magnate from Hong Kong; its annual yield was small. If the Master hadn't helped resolve a troublesome matter for him, that boss wouldn't have sent such fine tea. It was a pity this young man couldn't appreciate it.

Although Song Ziwen knew nothing of the tea ceremony, the color and aroma of the brewed leaves told him this was top-grade stuff. "I'm truly sorry about that." Song Ziwen, having regained his composure, also regretted that they had only taken a few sips of such fine tea, but he felt too embarrassed to go back for more—after all, he was considered a minor business owner.

As Song Ziwen walked out of the building entrance, "Qiqi..." He desperately wanted to know why the Master had been so kind to Wang Qiqi, a first-time visitor, spending so much time talking with her alone. But before he could voice his question, he was stunned by the motorcade that suddenly appeared before them. As a man, while not an expert on every car make, he recognized top-tier luxury vehicles. Song Ziwen had expected to see perhaps one or two such cars in this small city, but instead, he saw an entire procession. Even more astonishing were the tall, imposing men dressed in black suits emerging from the vehicles—clearly bodyguards. He was immediately perplexed: just where had this wealthy tycoon come from?

Wang Qiqi was equally stunned by the scene. "Heavens above!" This was the most extravagant convoy she had ever witnessed in either of her lifetimes.

While the two stood frozen in place, several people escorted a man in his sixties upstairs. As they passed by, Wang Qiqi overheard two words: "Hong Konger?"

Wang Qiqi nodded. It was obvious this group, or perhaps the sixty-year-old man leading them, was there to see Li Jun. Seeing the elaborate display, "My goodness, fortune-tellers are rich! Hey, Brother, how much did you pay him just now?" Wang Qiqi suddenly remembered she hadn't asked Song Ziwen how much he had given.

"Five thousand," Song Ziwen replied vaguely. He was preoccupied with thoughts of when in his lifetime he might own even two cars from that convoy—perhaps then his life would feel complete.

Wang Qiqi was shocked by the amount Song Ziwen quoted. "Brother, you gave five thousand?" Although the Master had done a bit of work, Wang Qiqi was intensely envious of how quickly money was made. "Brother, do you think it would be better if I became his apprentice?" This was only with her semi-wealthy brother. If the client had been a bigger tycoon, like the Hong Kong magnate who just entered, Wang Qiqi estimated the payment would be ten or a hundred times what Song Ziwen gave. It was absolutely one of the most lucrative professions in the world, and a perfectly legitimate way to earn money that was highly respected. Wang Qiqi deeply regretted not seizing the opportunity to latch onto his coattails while the Master was in a good mood. Perhaps the Master's life today was what her own life could be tomorrow! Qiqi was consumed by regret; if time could rewind, Wang Qiqi felt certain she would have tearfully begged Li Jun to accept her.

Wang Qiqi’s words startled Song Ziwen. What did she mean? Had the Master kept Qiqi behind to take her as an apprentice? The thought immediately vanished. How old was the Master? How could he possibly take an apprentice so soon? Besides, Qiqi didn't seem like someone who possessed ethereal grace. "Qiqi, you need to wake up from your dream. We need to go." In any case, his objective for the day was achieved. Song Ziwen felt he could report back to his wife and relay everything the Master had said.

Wang Qiqi knew she was dreaming, but her brother was being infuriating by shattering her beautiful fantasy. "Brother, I really think the Master is amazing, capable of fooling such high-paying clients." Her brother and those local bumpkins couldn't compare to the man from Hong Kong. Wang Qiqi knew that many bosses in Hong Kong were deeply superstitious and consulted these masters on both business and personal matters. She recalled a certain actress later marrying into a wealthy family, partly due to her good education and clean record, but largely because her auspicious luck was believed to bring fortune to her husband—that's why she secured such a marriage. Those deeply superstitious bosses were certainly lavish in their payments.

Hearing Wang Qiqi casually use the word "deceive," Song Ziwen glared at her. "You need to be careful! I told you to pay attention. The Master has genuine abilities. If he didn't have any real skill, why would so many people travel from other regions just to see him?" Song Ziwen had previously heard from Yang Jing’s friend that this Master was truly formidable; many big bosses from out of town made special trips to seek his counsel or resolve problems, having visited several times before. But Song Ziwen had never seen it himself and assumed it was just talk. Now, seeing this spectacle, he realized it was true, and the entourage was quite grand.

Wang Qiqi secretly chuckled as she looked at the devout Song Ziwen. She thought it would be hilarious if he could see the 'Master' she had been chatting with earlier, casually discussing his profession. She wondered if Song Ziwen’s idealized image of the Master would crumble after hearing such an assessment. However, to preserve the Master's favorable impression in Song Ziwen's mind, Wang Qiqi decided not to shatter his illusions.

Song Ziwen finally used his privilege as a station employee to usher Qiqi onto the train via the staff passage. "From tomorrow on, I won't have this right anymore." Song Ziwen was scheduled to officially file his resignation the next day. He had started at the train station as an apprentice right after high school, working his way up step by step. He never imagined he would be resigning from the railway. "When I was first assigned here, many classmates envied me, thinking I was incredibly lucky to get into such a unit with good benefits. But who knew..."

Although Song Ziwen knew his world outside would be better, he felt a sharp pang of sadness over his resignation. Over ten years of his youth had been spent on these tracks, and starting tomorrow, he would be leaving. His heart ached, but then he thought of his colleagues in the department. When they heard he was leaving, though they verbally urged him not to go, saying the outside world was tough and he should stay put, Song Ziwen wasn't a fool; he could distinguish genuine concern from insincerity. Most of his colleagues were likely just thinking that Song Ziwen was finally leaving and vacating a desirable position.

Wang Qiqi watched Song Ziwen struggle to hold back tears, his eyes shifting everywhere. She set down her luggage and patted his shoulder. "Brother, in this world, there are partings as well as meetings. If you hadn't left, you would have become the target they aimed for."

Song Ziwen nodded. "Do you know? If I hadn't left, I would have been transferred to a department with more tedious work, less pay, fewer benefits, and the highest chance of making errors. The higher-ups hadn't acted against me yet, because they were still debating where to send me." Perhaps it was because he was leaving, or perhaps everyone knew he was going into business for himself, but many people had privately told Song Ziwen how lucky he was to leave early, otherwise he would have suffered a great loss. As they said this, Song Ziwen felt a chill; all signs pointed to them being well aware of the situation, leaving only him, the fool, ignorant. If it weren't for Qiqi's persuasion and his wife's support, Song Ziwen dared not imagine what state he would be in if he had continued to waste his time there—it certainly wouldn't have been a good life, nor would it have allowed him to assist his wife.

"That's human nature, Brother. You should be happy you can finally escape this place," Wang Qiqi said, feeling Song Ziwen had no reason to regret leaving. "They clearly knew the leadership's intentions, yet how many of them actually warned you? You mentioned you had a few friends there, but weren't they just enjoying your misfortune? While you were treating them to meals and complaining about your frustrations at work, who knows how much they were mocking you inside?"

Wang Qiqi secretly thought her brother was genuinely simple-minded. Although he had done reasonably well over the past couple of years, he was, in reality, quite honest. His career and romantic life had generally been smooth. Song Yao, however, was different. From childhood, her parents and elders paid her little attention. After growing up, when she found a boyfriend, his family strongly objected. Once they finally married and settled into a happy life, his family members started making demands, transforming the simple, guileless Song Yao into a calculating person. Wang Qiqi believed that if Song Ziwen and Song Yao had swapped positions, Song Yao would have recognized these schemes long ago. Of course, perhaps Song Ziwen did see them, but he simply lacked the courage to face that reality.

Song Ziwen wasn't entirely unaware, but he truly didn't want to view people in such a negative light, especially since some were friends from his school days, and others had joined the station at the same time as him. But Qiqi's words brutally stripped away the protective veil he had placed over his perceptions of them. "Qiqi, I understand, but you are too direct! Does a young lady need to be so blunt?" Song Ziwen felt his fate was hard: his elder sister was forceful, his younger sister was forceful, and even the wife he found was forceful. Although some people claimed Song Ziwen was assertive, he knew they hadn't met Song Yao and the others. If they had, they certainly wouldn't call him assertive.

Wang Qiqi stuck out her tongue. "Brother, I can't make it back for your opening. I wish your business great prosperity!" Wang Qiqi had actually considered rushing back for her brother’s career launch, even if it meant a round trip in a single day. Now, she couldn't attend, but she wanted to give him a big surprise later and show Han Tao the new house under his name—which would be their future home.

Song Ziwen nodded. He had hoped his sister and Qiqi would both return for his opening, but he knew that wasn't realistic. "It’s fine, I know you’re busy. No need to rush back and forth."

Wang Qiqi saw through Song Ziwen’s pretense of being unbothered and inwardly laughed, knowing he must be deeply disappointed. When she finally appears before him, she'll give him a huge surprise.

"Let's go," Song Ziwen said as the train slowly pulled into the station, and passengers began lining up to board. "When you get to Beijing, please pass on my regards to my sister and the others. Once they leave, your brother here will be terribly lonely." Although his brother-in-law was a bit dull, Song Ziwen found drinking and talking with him a painful experience. If his brother-in-law were present, he wouldn't have to endure the mockery of those despicable petty people. Thinking about how those people might be speaking about him to their superiors—perhaps if he badmouthed the leadership, they would immediately betray him without hesitation—this possibility chilled Song Ziwen to the core. These were the people he thought would be friends for life.

Song Ziwen loaded Wang Qiqi’s luggage through the train window. "Be careful on your journey. Your brother-in-law will meet you at the station exit when you arrive in Beijing."

Wang Qiqi nodded and waved to Song Ziwen again. "Brother, go back now, and be careful on the way."

Wang Qiqi walked out of the station with her luggage, looking around. Song Ziwen had mentioned Gong Peixing would pick her up. "Auntie, Auntie!" A bright child's voice immediately gave Wang Qiqi a direction.

Taotao, wearing a navy T-shirt, denim shorts, and a navy cap, kept shouting toward Wang Qiqi. If Gong Peixing hadn't been holding him, the boy would have bolted straight toward her. "Brother-in-law, thank you for the trouble today."

Gong Peixing looked at his particularly lively son. "Taotao, be good. Auntie is tired." Bringing the boy to meet Wang Qiqi today had been a mistake. "Do you remember what you promised at home?" Although Gong Peixing loved his son, he and Song Yao had agreed when Taotao was born that they would not spoil him. So, while Taotao enjoyed material comforts beyond his peers, Gong Peixing required him to fulfill set obligations, or the promised rewards would be withheld. Later, when Wang Qiqi learned of this, she worried it would instill a habit in Taotao of only doing things if he received immediate benefits, so she mentioned it to Song Yao. Subsequently, Song Yao did change the rewards to family outings or a big red ribbon sticker, which, while still slightly material, seemed to have kept the child from turning out too badly for now.

"Oh, Auntie, will you take Taotao out to play when we get back?" Taotao glanced at his father’s expression after hearing Gong Peixing’s words. Seeing that his father wasn't truly angry, he looked up and asked Wang Qiqi.

"Yes, Auntie will take Taotao to the zoo tomorrow, okay?" Wang Qiqi thought the little one was rather pitiable. Song Yao was busy consolidating the market and rarely took the child out for a full day; even family outings were usually limited to evenings or half-days.

Gong Peixing hadn't expected Wang Qiqi to suggest the zoo for the next day. "I have something on tomorrow, maybe another day?" The shop he had just leased had issues raised by the tenant, and he had scheduled a meeting to resolve them for the following day. It wasn't that he didn't trust Qiqi to handle the child alone; he worried Qiqi, as a young girl, couldn't manage this little terror.

The zoo? Taotao's eyes widened when he heard Wang Qiqi's suggestion. "Are we going to see the bears? Are we going to see the tigers that eat people?" But then he heard his father suggest another day, and he hated 'another day.' Even if his parents compensated him later, Taotao disliked the delay. "Hmph, adults don't keep their promises."

"It’s alright, Brother-in-law, you go handle your business. I can manage by myself." Wang Qiqi squatted down, trying to meet Taotao at eye level. Didn't recent research suggest this fostered a sense of equality in children? "It’s fine, Dad is busy tomorrow, but Auntie is here. You have to be good, okay?"

Seeing Wang Qiqi squatting, Taotao leaned over and kissed her cheek. "Taotao will be very good and won't make Auntie tired."

Wang Qiqi was no longer strong enough to carry Taotao now. As for tomorrow, she planned to bring a stroller. Children quickly tire out, no matter how much they promise not to ask to be carried before they leave; once they can't walk anymore, they resort to whining. Wang Qiqi certainly didn't have the strength to carry a child.

Hearing Wang Qiqi's assurance, Gong Peixing decided that if he objected further, his son might revolt. "Then you behave tomorrow, understand?"

"Got it, got it," Taotao thought to himself. Dad was truly getting old, just like Mom always said Grandma was aging, constantly nagging about this and that. Taotao had already promised to be good, but Dad still didn't trust him—what a low opinion he had of his own son. Taotao resolved to put on a spectacular performance tomorrow, to show Dad that he, too, was a proper little man.