Zhou Qiang adjusted the interview schedule and sent a message to the fortune-teller, saying she would update the status after the interview.
Zhou Qiang wanted to give Chu Qianli feedback on the result but realized that her level was no longer necessary. The fortune-teller had handled enough cases to have a basic understanding. Zhou Qiang’s question was relatively simple, so the margin of error would be minimal.
However, Chu Qianli still agreed obediently. After all, Zhou Qiang sent the message to the business account, and practical cases might help Qiu Qingkong learn.
The time in school passed quickly.
After school, Chu Qianli walked to the school gate with Tan Muxing. When getting into the car, she noticed that He Shichen was absent again. He Shichen had been very busy lately, often getting home late, seemingly attending competition training courses.
At the dinner table, Yu Shen told Aunt Li to save some food for He Shichen before sitting down to eat with Chu Qianli and He Zhenghe. Although He Shichen never participated in dinner conversations, his empty seat felt strange.
Usually, Chu Qianli would be glared at angrily during meals, but today, without someone criticizing her manners, she felt that even plain white rice lacked flavor. She found it more enjoyable to eat while irritating someone.
In front of her parents, Chu Qianli behaved much more obediently, lacking the arrogance she displayed around He Shichen.
He Zhenghe laughed, “Now that Shichen isn’t home, Qianli has quieted down.”
Yu Shen added, “You two are always noisy together. I was worried you’d fight, but now that you’re apart, neither of you talks much.”
“There’s no conflict,” Chu Qianli said. “Although if he hears this, he’ll probably be furious. I understand him better than he understands himself.”
He Shichen had limited self-awareness, but Chu Qianli could see more through the star chart. She had even successfully asked him for money before, further confirming her judgments were correct.
With He Shichen absent, the three of them rarely discussed Chu Qianli’s past. Curious, Yu Shen asked, “What did you used to do after school?”
“Actually, it’s not much different from now. I’d stroll around the school before heading home. Occasionally, I’d go out with Grandpa to solve people’s problems,” Chu Qianli thought for a moment and said, “During holidays, when I spent more time at home, Grandpa and I were both pretty lazy. We’d settle everything with fortune-telling competitions—the loser had to clean the house.”
“Solving people’s problems?”
“Small things like finding a lost chicken for someone in the village, or big things like picking a wedding date or evaluating feng shui for a house.”
Yu Shen looked a little sad and said bitterly, “That’s really impressive. I’ve never experienced anything like that.”
It was hard for Yu Shen to imagine her daughter’s past life. She felt deeply that she had missed out on so much.
Noticing her mother’s unusual expression, Chu Qianli softly said, “Mom, I know what you’re thinking, but it’s not like that.”
Yu Shen was stunned.
Chu Qianli continued, “What Grandpa taught me is like playing cards. It’s not about teaching someone how to start with two Jokers and four twos but about teaching them how to make the best use of the cards they’re dealt.”
“You can’t miss what you never had. Don’t always dwell on the good cards you didn’t draw. Focus on the cards you hold.”
People often entertain many “what ifs.” What if that event hadn’t happened? What if everything had gone smoothly? But the world is full of mishaps and imperfections. Some people are born into wealthy families, while others are born without even the guarantee of health. Life is unpredictable.
Chu Qianli never felt her village life was bad. Materially, it couldn’t compare to the He family, but those fixated on wealth and fame generally had no connection to her path.
She couldn’t explain this reasoning to people like He Shichen and Yu Shen, but her grandfather, who understood her, had already passed away.
To lighten the mood, He Zhenghe raised his glass and praised, “Qianli is quite the little philosopher! We must toast to that!”
Chu Qianli happily clinked glasses with her father.
Yu Shen’s expression softened. She raised her glass, smiling. “That’s true. We still have a long road ahead.”
Chu Qianli was startled by this and finally extended her glass to clink it with hers.
“…Yes.”
After dinner, the three got up to head to the living room. He Zhenghe couldn’t resist teasing, “If Shichen were home, he’d be urging you to do your homework by now.”
Chu Qianli’s eyes lit up. “Does that mean I don’t have to do it since he’s not here?”
Yu Shen laughed, “You can rest for a while before doing it. There’s no rush.”
As Yu Shen walked to the sofa, she suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. She grabbed the edge of the sofa to steady herself and massaged her temples.
Noticing her sudden stop, Chu Qianli asked worriedly, “Mom, are you okay?”
“It’s nothing, probably just got up too quickly.” Yu Shen sighed. “Getting older brings all sorts of issues. I’ve even been sweating at night lately.”
Chu Qianli hurriedly suggested, “Should we see a doctor?”
Yu Shen replied, “It’s no big deal. I’ll be fine in a bit.”
He Zhenghe asked, “What did your last health check-up say?”
“Everything was normal.”
The family members regularly underwent health check-ups. It had been a while since Yu Shen’s last one, but she remembered her condition being fine, so she hadn’t paid attention to these minor issues.
Chu Qianli, however, was extremely concerned. She circled around Yu Shen and proposed, “How about I do a reading for you, Mom?”
Yu Shen laughed, “Can astrology cure illnesses?”
Chu Qianli shook her head. “It can’t cure, but it can provide information, like whether there’s an issue.”
The planets and zodiac signs correspond to different parts of the body. While treatment must rely on doctors and medicine, astrology can indicate where potential problems might lie.
He Zhenghe smiled and urged, “Then let her do the divination. Look at her—she’s even more anxious than you, afraid you might be sick.”
Chu Qianli, like an ant on a hot pan, suddenly started pestering Yu Shen.
Hearing this, Chu Qianli lowered her head and said softly, “Yes, I’m super scared of being sick, and I’m even more terrified of dying.”
When doing face-to-face divinations, Chu Qianli was always careful with her words, fearing she might say something wrong and get beaten up by the querent. She was undoubtedly the number one champion of being afraid to die.
Seeing her daughter looking dejected with her head down, Yu Shen couldn’t bear it and quickly said, “Alright, alright, then go ahead and do a divination!”
Although Yu Shen thought astrology had little to do with medicine, she couldn’t refuse Chu Qianli’s enthusiasm. She hoped this would at least ease her daughter’s worries.
Instead of using dice or tarot cards, Chu Qianli directly pulled out her astrology tools and sat on the sofa to cast a chart.
The sixth house ruler and the ascendant ruler formed a malefic aspect, indicating the possibility of worsening health conditions.
Chu Qianli furrowed her brows slightly and suggested, “Dad, why don’t you get a doctor to check on Mom?”
Yu Shen intervened, “It’s not that serious; I’m already fine.”
Moments ago, Chu Qianli had been composed and considerate. Now, she instantly transformed into a clingy child, chanting incessantly, “Call a doctor, call a doctor, call a doctor…”
“…”
In the end, He Zhenghe still called for a doctor.
While Yu Shen underwent an examination, she apologized with a sigh, “I’m really sorry to make you come all the way here. My daughter is just too concerned about my health…”
The doctor, familiar with the He family, responded kindly, “Is this a new way to humblebrag about having a filial child?”
Yu Shen initially thought it was nothing serious, but the doctor suggested further tests the next day.
He Zhenghe was visibly taken aback. “The need for more tests means…?”
The doctor replied cautiously, “It’s not clear yet. I recommend a detailed examination at the hospital.”
Yu Shen protested, “But my last health checkup didn’t show anything wrong.”
“That was some time ago. Besides, you’ve been under a lot of stress recently. It’s better to have another checkup to be safe.”
Yu Shen couldn’t help but feel anxious. She indeed had many worries weighing on her mind, often staying awake late into the night, haunted by dreams that brought her to tears.
The return of Chu Qianli had been a shock to the whole family. Sometimes, Yu Shen wanted to know about her daughter’s past, but she also understood that knowing wouldn’t change anything.
It was a feeling of helplessness—wanting to make amends but not knowing where to start. All that remained was the endless psychological burden. As a mother, her ability was so limited; she could never turn back time.
He Zhenghe said, “Then I’ll accompany you to the examination tomorrow.”
Yu Shen nodded slowly, then suddenly remembered something. “Oh, by the way, don’t tell Shichen about this. He’s busy preparing for a competition and will overthink if he finds out.”
“Qianli, you should go to school as usual tomorrow. Your dad and I will handle the hospital visit.” After reassuring her daughter, Yu Shen smiled and added, “Your divination was pretty accurate.”
Chu Qianli nodded obediently. Aside from doing divinations, she didn’t know much about medical procedures or treatments.
However, Yu Shen’s condition did seem to warrant attention. After the examination, she had to undergo a minor surgery and was soon admitted to the hospital for a short stay.
Through divination, Chu Qianli learned that Yu Shen’s life was not in danger, though she would need some time to recuperate. After school, Chu Qianli often ran to the hospital room, chatting idly with her mother under the pretense of taking care of her, all while avoiding homework.
Yu Shen and He Zhenghe saw through her antics but chose not to expose her. They thought neglecting her studies wasn’t good, but Chu Qianli’s antics were so amusing that they often forgot about serious matters after being coaxed by her.
They discovered that their daughter had a knack for erasing memories. She would shift topics mid-conversation until the original subject was completely forgotten.
Soon, He Shichen noticed something was off at home. First, Chu Qianli had been unusually well-behaved lately. Second, Yu Shen was constantly absent, arousing his suspicion.
At home, He Shichen glanced at the shoe rack and frowned slightly. He asked, “Auntie Li, where’s my mom?”
Auntie Li stammered nervously, “Uh…”
He Shichen pressed, “What’s she been busy with these past few days? Why haven’t I seen her?”
Recently, He Shichen had been coming home late, usually after 10 PM, missing family dinners. He still saw Chu Qianli and He Zhenghe but never seemed to catch sight of Yu Shen. Today, he deliberately came back earlier, yet his mother was still nowhere to be found.
Yu Shen had specifically instructed the family to keep this from He Shichen, but Auntie Li couldn’t keep it under questioning and finally confessed the truth.
Upon learning the situation, He Shichen immediately headed to the hospital without a second thought, feeling utterly incredulous. His mother needed surgery, yet they were still concerned about his competition. He didn’t care about those few extra points—he knew what was truly important.
Arriving in haste, He Shichen quickly located his mother’s private hospital room.
The door to the room was slightly ajar, allowing a warm light to filter through.
He Shichen had rushed over in a panic and was about to knock when he paused, stunned by the scene inside.
Inside, Chu Qianli was leaning on the bedside, talking animatedly to Yu Shen, using exaggerated gestures that made her mother laugh heartily. He Zhenghe stood nearby, clapping along with a smile.
It was a heartwarming family tableau, radiating indescribable beauty and happiness.
He Shichen suddenly felt he shouldn’t intrude and disrupt this moment.
He was lost in thought.
He had always disbelieved in the concept of emotions, relying solely on solid, unbreakable relationships of mutual benefit. Even Chu Qianli’s peculiar abilities hadn’t completely shaken him, but the scene before him became the straw that broke the camel’s back.
He thought Chu Qianli’s innocence was foolish, but weren’t Yu Shen and He Zhenghe the same?
Their insistence on keeping him around was dangerous.
They had once been a harmonious, happy family of three. He was an unwelcome interloper with a shameful background, and they didn’t really need him.
He Shichen had been adjusting his mindset all along, but now, he suddenly made a decision. He didn’t know where he truly belonged, but it seemed this wasn’t the place.
There was a knock at the door. Yu Shen and the others looked up in surprise as He Shichen entered.
Yu Shen sighed with a wry smile, “I knew we couldn’t hide it from you. We just didn’t want to disrupt your competition.”
“Those points don’t matter,” He Shichen replied with his usual calm demeanor but with a trace of worry. “Does she still need surgery?”
“It’s just a minor surgery. She’ll be discharged right after it’s done, actually very quickly,” He Zhenghe added from the side. “She can come home next week.”
Hearing this, He Shichen’s expression softened slightly. He glanced at Chu Qianli, who was hiding in the corner, and said blandly, “Have you finished your homework?”
Chu Qianli raised her hand daintily and quipped, “I observed the celestial signs tonight; I have no time for homework.”
He Shichen exposed her excuse, “It’s not even dark yet. What celestial signs could you be observing?”
Yu Shen and He Zhenghe both burst out laughing.
Yu Shen said, “Exactly. Qianli, go home with your brother. Dad will stay here with me. You shouldn’t always hang around at the hospital.”
Yu Shen felt it wasn’t good for her daughter to spend all her time at the hospital, as it might delay other important things.
Chu Qianli clicked her tongue in dissatisfaction.
In the end, He Zhenghe stayed behind to accompany Yu Shen, while Chu Qianli and He Shichen took the car back home.
“It’s just a minor surgery. She’ll be discharged right after it’s done, actually very quickly,” He Zhenghe added from the side. “She can come home next week.”
Hearing this, He Shichen’s expression softened slightly. He glanced at Chu Qianli, who was hiding in the corner, and said blandly, “Have you finished your homework?”
Chu Qianli raised her hand daintily and quipped, “I observed the celestial signs tonight; I have no time for homework.”
He Shichen exposed her excuse, “It’s not even dark yet. What celestial signs could you be observing?”
Yu Shen and He Zhenghe both burst out laughing.
YuShen said, “Exactly. Qianli, go home with your brother. Dad will stay here with me. You shouldn’t always hang around at the hospital.”
Yu Shen felt it wasn’t good for her daughter to spend all her time at the hospital, as it might delay other important things.
Chu Qianli clicked her tongue in dissatisfaction.
In the end, He Zhenghe stayed behind to accompany Yu Shen, while Chu Qianli and He Shichen took the car back home.
At the villa, He Shichen neatly packed his belongings into a suitcase. Afterward, he opened his bedroom door and listened to the sounds coming from Chu Qianli’s room, ensuring there was nothing unusual before quietly pulling his suitcase out.
Downstairs, Auntie Li’s door was also firmly closed. She never came out at night, as her routine was highly disciplined.
With He Zhenghe and Yu Shen away, and Auntie Li already asleep, no one would notice anything.
The night was deep, the moon bright but sparse with stars. The villa district was eerily silent.
He Shichen quietly carried his suitcase out of the house. He didn’t know where he would go, but he was certain he didn’t belong here. The world was vast, yet it offered no refuge for him.
Just as he started walking, he suddenly heard a familiar voice from the courtyard, mixed with strange cartoon sound effects.
“Brother, you always say I’m not too smart, but I think running away from home in the middle of the night is what’s truly brainless.”
Chu Qianli was crouched on a stone bench in the yard, holding her phone and watching cartoons. She casually pressed pause and muttered, “Are you sneaking out at night to steal manhole covers?”
He Shichen froze in place, gripping the suitcase handle tightly. He stared at Chu Qianli, who had inexplicably appeared in the yard, and asked in astonishment, “What are you doing out here in the middle of the night?”
Chu Qianli replied righteously, “I’m observing celestial signs.”
He Shichen pointed angrily at the phone screen on the stone table and questioned, “That’s clearly a cartoon. What celestial signs are you observing?”
Chu Qianli arrogantly waved her hand dismissively. “Observing celestial signs is about using the heart, not the eyes. I can’t explain it to mundane people like you.”
Great.
He Shichen’s fists began to clench.
“Get back inside the house and stop wandering around in the middle of the night!” He Shichen’s temper flared as he pointed at the front door and scolded, “You have school tomorrow. Are you trying to become an immortal out here!?”
Chu Qianli sneered, “What right do you have to lecture me?”
“What right…” He Shichen seethed, “No, don’t change the subject. Get back inside, now!”
Chu Qianli retorted, “I’m not going back. If you’ve got the guts, you go first.”
He Shichen shot back, “If you’ve got the guts, why don’t you go first!?”
Chu Qianli replied nonchalantly, “I don’t have guts.”
He Shichen: “???”
He Shichen was now caught in a dilemma. He wanted to grab his suitcase and leave, but it didn’t feel right to leave Chu Qianli sitting alone outside in the middle of the night. He thought about calling He Zhenghe to come back and deal with her, but that would ruin his own plan to slip away under the cover of night.
He stood frozen in place, unsure what to do.
He rarely engaged in rebellious acts, yet now he’d run into the queen of rebellion herself and felt utterly defeated.
He even began to suspect that she had foreseen his departure and deliberately stationed herself here to stop him.
Thinking of this, He Shichen pulled his suitcase back toward him and said in a low voice, “I’ll explain everything to Dad tomorrow. Once Mom has recovered, I’ll tell her too. I’ve already found a place to stay, so you don’t need to stand here blocking or persuading me. Just go back inside…”
He Shichen still thought she was trying to stop him, given her peculiar mix of innocence and stubbornness.
He had spent a lot of time reconsidering his identity and wasn’t making this decision impulsively.
“Just go back. This has nothing to do with you,” He Shichen added softly.
Chu Qianli, unsurprisingly, didn’t disappoint. She didn’t try to persuade him. Instead, she cheerfully waved and said decisively, “Alright, bye-bye!”
She neither stopped him nor went back inside. Instead, she continued watching her cartoon.
He Shichen: “…”
Any suspicion he had of her deliberately waiting to catch him was now completely dispelled. Seeing that she hadn’t budged an inch only fueled his irritation further. “Go back inside! Don’t make me yell at you!!”
At this point, he could only hope his parents would hurry home and take over. He couldn’t handle another day of this.
