The anxiety in the room was palpable, keeping Anqi wide awake, far from the optimistic outlook her adoptive father held.

Anqi and Liu Hui’s relationship had been unexpectedly laid bare before everyone today, an event she had secretly anticipated. Despite having regained full control over her own actions, she had deliberately played along, embracing the kiss with Liu Hui. Her over-eagerness during the fervent embrace, however, immediately alerted Liu Hui to her true intentions.

To Anqi’s dismay, while Liu Hui understood her feelings and recognized her active participation in the kiss, he fled immediately after realizing it, offering her no clear explanation. The only solace for Anqi was the overwhelming, unanimous support she received from the researchers at the Starry Sky Science Research Institute following the exposure of her relationship with Liu Hui.

As the crowd began chanting slogans, Anqi specifically noticed the first person to shout—it was Yang Hua. This filled Anqi with profound gratitude towards Yang Hua, resolving to give him preferential treatment in their future work. What Anqi failed to grasp was that Yang Hua’s outburst was the result of delirious excitement following his interpretation of the "life philosophy" Liu Hui had imparted to him.

Pondering the day’s events, Anqi tossed and turned, unable to sleep. She now clearly understood that while Liu Hui excelled in many areas, he lacked decisive power in matters of the heart, requiring external impetus to move forward. If happiness was to be achieved, she would have to be the proactive force.

What troubled Anqi most was her complete lack of insight into Liu Hui’s true feelings for her. If his affection was genuine, everything else could be managed; but if he did not love her, all her efforts would be meaningless.

This uncertainty about Liu Hui’s sincerity left Anqi paralyzed, unsure of her next move. The feeling of being suspended in limbo was deeply frustrating. Suddenly, she sat bolt upright, took a moment for deep consideration, made a firm resolution, dressed quickly, and left the room.

Anqi drove to a grand hotel within the “City of Stars” Service Area. She proceeded to the eighteenth floor, raising her hand to knock on a specific room door. To her surprise, the door wasn't even locked; her light tap caused it to swing open. Anqi hesitated briefly at the threshold before pushing the door wider and stepping inside.

The room was dark, save for the multitude of candles scattered across the floor, illuminating the center of a circle they formed. In the heart of this candlelight sat a frail, withered old man, clutching a crystal ball. The moment he saw Anqi enter, he smiled. “Anqi, you are finally here. You must know, I have awaited this day for far too long.”

Anqi looked at the elderly man. “Mr. Weijia, I…”

The old man waved a hand, chuckling. “Anqi, you don’t need to explain. Have you forgotten? I am a marvelous Gypsy Mind-Reading Master; I can see what is in your heart. I am delighted that you have come. I know you seek me out to secure your own happiness, and thus have decided to learn the Art of Mind Reading from me.”

Anqi spoke with deep respect. “Mr. Weijia, it is true that I wish to learn your Art of Mind Reading, for I desperately need to know what is in another person’s mind. Can you teach me?”

Weijia laughed. “Anqi, I know exactly what you are thinking. You wish to ascertain the degree of that person’s love for you so you can map out your subsequent course of action. You should know that the first time we met two years ago, I intended to teach you this art, but you repeatedly refused me then. I have come specifically to the ‘City of Stars’ now because I foresaw that you would inevitably seek me out to learn Mind Reading. So, why would I refuse to teach you now?”

Anqi blinked, saying, “Mr. Weijia…”

Weijia waved his hand again. “Anqi, I know the question lingering in your mind. You want to ask how I could foresee you seeking me out to learn Mind Reading, and why I would open the door and wait for you at this very moment.”

Anqi nodded. “Please, Mr. Weijia, enlighten me.”

Weijia stated, “The world knows me only as a Gypsy Mind-Reading Master, but very few realize that I am, in fact, also a Prophet.”

“Mr. Weijia is also a Prophet?” Anqi was greatly shocked.

“Indeed. My second identity is that of a Prophet. My power of prophecy is just as formidable as my ability to read minds. That is why, when I first saw you two years ago, I knew I was destined to pass on the Art of Mind Reading to you, and that you would become my successor. However, the moment you became willing to learn from me is tonight, two years later. Thus, I opened the door at this time, awaiting your arrival,” Weijia smiled.

Upon hearing Weijia’s words, Anqi’s face immediately displayed hesitation.

Weijia laughed again. “Anqi, there is no need for hesitation. Even if you were to ask me about the ultimate outcome between you and Liu Hui, I would not tell you. The meaning of life resides in the uncertainty of the future; that is what makes living enjoyable. If I revealed the result of your life to you in advance, then your life would become utterly meaningless.”

Hearing this, Anqi visibly relaxed. “Then, please, Teacher, instruct me in the Art of Mind Reading!”

Weijia smiled, gesturing forward. “Anqi, sit down first.”

So, Anqi stepped into the circle of candlelight and sat opposite Weijia, watching him with deference.

Weijia began, “Anqi, your spiritual power is the strongest I have ever witnessed, and it continues to ascend—who knows what heights you might reach in the future. That is why, the moment I saw you, I knew you were perfectly suited to learn my Art of Mind Reading. For the stronger a person’s spiritual power, the better the results of mind-reading training. However, when I first proposed teaching you, you refused, believing the human mind to be a person’s greatest secret, not to be invaded by others.”

Anqi affirmed, “What Teacher says is precisely true. I have always opposed reading minds, precisely to avoid violating another's privacy. Even if I learn the Art of Mind Reading from you today, I will only use it once. As soon as I clearly understand what that person thinks of me, I will cease using the skill forever.”

Weijia chuckled. “Anqi, how you use the Art of Mind Reading after learning it is your own affair. I will not interfere in any way, because by that time, I will no longer be in this world.”

Anqi started, quickly asking, “Teacher, what do you mean by that?”

Weijia smiled faintly. “Anqi, because I am a Prophet, I have foreseen that I will die when the sun reaches its zenith tomorrow. Once I die, naturally, I will no longer concern myself with your affairs. By then, the miraculous art of Mind Reading will have found its inheritor; how you choose to use it will then be irrelevant to me.”

Anqi was greatly shocked and stood up. “Teacher, please be assured! Our ‘City of Stars’ possesses the Art of Rejuvenation. I will immediately ask Liu Hui to treat you; you can become young again and live for many more years.”

Weijia looked at Anqi with paternal kindness. “Anqi, none of that will help. You don’t understand; the problem I face now is not one of physical rejuvenation, but one related to my Art of Prophecy. Because I can glimpse parts of the future, I understand how majestic and inviolable destiny truly is. I have repeatedly exposed heavenly secrets, and this world can no longer tolerate my existence. Even if my body were to be rejuvenated, my soul is fated to dissipate shortly—rejuvenation cannot fix that.”

Anqi inquired, “Teacher, is there no way to change all this?”

Weijia smiled. “Anqi, these are the arrangements of fate, unchangeable. Unless one can find a divine artifact capable of altering destiny, no one can change their own fate.”

Anqi pressed him. “Then please, Teacher, prophesy immediately to see where such an artifact exists. I will go and retrieve it for you and alter your destiny.”

Weijia replied, “Such a divine artifact is not something I can casually sense.” He paused, a smile touching his lips, and continued, “Speaking of artifacts that can alter destiny, there is indeed one in this world, but its emergence is still several decades away—a time when I will be completely removed from the picture.”

Anqi anxiously asked, “Then what should be done?”

Weijia laughed softly. “Anqi, to pass on the legacy of my Art of Mind Reading before my death is satisfaction enough for me. As for other matters, one must submit to the arrangements of fate!”

Anqi then asked, “Teacher, can you pass on your Art of Prophecy to me?”

Weijia shook his head. “The Art of Prophecy harms the harmony of heaven, thus anyone who learns it is destined for a lonely life, and due to exposing heavenly secrets, their souls risk dissolution. Therefore, I will not teach you the Art of Prophecy.”

Anqi started to protest, “But…”

Weijia cut her off. “My good disciple, my time is running short. We must seize the moment and not get entangled in these trivial matters. I will now begin explaining the mysteries of the Art of Mind Reading to you!”

Anqi set aside her unease, sat up straight, and listened intently as Weijia explained the secrets of Mind Reading and shared some of his own insights gained during his cultivation.

...

An entire night passed. Under Weijia’s patient instruction, Anqi had completely memorized the Art of Mind Reading. With diligent practice in the future, she would be able to delve into the thoughts of others.

Weijia stood up, drew open the curtains, and gazed at the rising red sun in the distance, saying with emotion, “Good disciple, your teacher is eighty-three years old this year; I have lived long enough. Now, my time is up, while your life stretches long ahead. Remember to be happy in the future. If it were not for my approaching end, I truly would have loved to see what miracles my seven-year-old good disciple would create.”

After speaking, Weijia stood with his hands behind his back, watching the red sun outside, and fell silent.

From Weijia’s words, Anqi discerned the sorrow of a life ebbing away, yet also felt the deep affection he held for her. However, one thing he said baffled her: while she understood everything else, why did her Teacher call her seven years old? She was, in fact, in her early twenties. Was her master simply growing senile and speaking nonsense?

“Teacher, you just said I was seven years old—what is going on?” Anqi walked forward, intending to ask Weijia for a clear explanation.

But as Anqi turned to face Weijia directly, she found that the withered old man had permanently closed his eyes, completely without breath, a look of serene contentment still fixed upon his face.

～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～ The second update is served; I will continue writing. However, my writing momentum isn't great; if I haven't posted the third update by 10 PM, then there will only be two updates today. Thanks to the reader: Dianshen for your support! RO