The amount of money involved between Chu Qianli and Boss Zhang was substantial. Naturally, both sides had a rigorous contractual process, even specifying the timeline for the final payment.
Chu Qianli was well-prepared. She took the document folder from Tan Muxing’s hand, pulled out a thick stack of materials, and said, “No problem. You can just follow what I’ve outlined, and there will be results before the final payment.”
Boss Zhang took the documents eagerly and asked, “You’ve gone through all the information I provided?”
“I’ve read it all. Isn’t it just that nothing is going smoothly for you, and your company is on the verge of bankruptcy?” Chu Qianli said casually. “I’ve listed the solutions clearly, one by one, in these documents.”
Boss Zhang had indeed been plagued by misfortune and setbacks over the past year. His old factory suddenly experienced major malfunctions. Attempts to repair it proved futile, and before long, the situation spiraled into chaos, leaving him unable to pay his workers.
In theory, these issues were relatively minor for a seasoned businessman, who typically has ways to manage cash flow. However, other companies under his group were also beset by problems.
A new business venture was entangled in lawsuits, with its cash flow entirely severed and commercial loans nearing their due date.
Even his charity work was caught up in scandals, with numerous people demanding a public disclosure of the accounts. In short, everything seemed to be going wrong at the same time, making the situation extraordinarily ominous.
If this continued, Boss Zhang was likely to face bankruptcy and prison. No wonder he had been frantically seeking out a master lately.
Boss Zhang lowered his head to browse the materials and exclaimed joyfully, “Great, great! So, you’re saying things will improve before the final payment?”
Chu Qianli replied, “As long as you act quickly.”
Boss Zhang held the thick booklet, scanning through it rapidly, and asked with some doubt, “I do have a factory in Province T, but it has no connection to the old plant. Why do I need to dismantle this section of the pipeline? And about renaming the company—can it really work that fast?”
Boss Zhang was aware that renaming a company could sometimes change its fortune, but with the final payment due so soon, how could it possibly take effect immediately?
Chu Qianli impatiently said, “Uncle Zhang, either you believe in this, or you don’t. Honestly, writing out so many solutions for you has been exhausting.”
The problems Boss Zhang faced could fill a book, and Chu Qianli had indeed provided solutions for each one.
“Yes, yes, I can see how seriously you’ve worked on this,” Boss Zhang quickly flattered her. “The people I’ve consulted before were never this detailed!”
“If everything is handled smoothly, within half a month you’ll be able to pay your workers. Then, you’ll have some breathing room to deal with the bank loans, and everything will return to normal.”
Boss Zhang’s face lit up with delight. He was eager to get started and turned to leave but was stopped by He Jianping.
He Jianping reminded him, “Ahem, Boss Zhang, I think there’s still a step you missed…”
Realizing his oversight, Boss Zhang slapped his forehead and laughed awkwardly, “Ah, right, right! I’ll transfer the funds right away. Old He and the lawyer can serve as witnesses, and we’ll handle everything by the book!”
“Apologies, apologies. I got so excited that I almost forgot the main task. Let’s also draft a formal agreement for the collateral, including the jewelry.”
He Jianping and the lawyer stepped in to handle the administrative matters, ensuring Boss Zhang completed the payment and finalized everything.
Chu Qianli and Boss Zhang each retrieved their contracts. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, both parties prepared to leave without lingering.
Standing up, Chu Qianli adjusted her clothing and politely added, “Oh, Uncle Zhang, although everything is written in the documents, let me remind you: resolving the charity issues won’t be easy. For the next two to three years, you’d better avoid making any money. Dedicate yourself entirely to doing good deeds to atone for your mistakes.”
“You’ll come across many lucrative opportunities in the future, but you can’t touch a single one. Otherwise, disaster will strike,” Chu Qianli warned with a smile. “But since you’ve repented, I doubt you’ll make the same mistakes again.”
Boss Zhang patted his chest and vowed, “Absolutely! I’ll follow the master’s advice and reform myself. Once the funds are back, I’ll donate to build a Hope Primary School!”
“That’s the best approach.”
Boss Zhang hurriedly left with his entourage.
Before leaving, the woman with heavy makeup shot Chu Qianli a resentful glare. She also glanced at the jewelry on the table, clearly displeased.
Chu Qianli met her gaze head-on and said nonchalantly, “Don’t keep staring at me like that. I might think you’re in love with me.”
The woman nearly ground her teeth to dust in anger but refrained from further argument.
Inside the room, Tan Muxing took the materials from He Jianping and the lawyer, carefully placing them back into the folder. He paused when he saw the jewelry on the table but eventually stored it, along with the documents, in the bag.
He Jianping curiously asked, “Little Master, why is the account for this payment different? It’s not the same as the one from last time.”
“This one is specially set up—it can’t be mixed with the others.”
He Jianping was puzzled but didn’t think too much of it. He laughed and said, “Alright then, I’ll help you follow up on the final payment. This matter seems settled!”
After thanking He Jianping, Chu Qianli and Tan Muxing left the room.
As they exited the teahouse, they were greeted by a sky filled with thick, dark clouds. In an instant, the weather had turned.
“Those are some heavy clouds,” Chu Qianli remarked in awe. “Is the Dragon King working overtime this weekend?”
“Let’s hurry. It looks like a downpour is coming,” Tan Muxing said, rummaging through his bag. “I feel like an umbrella won’t be enough for this rain.”
Thunder rumbled, dark clouds churned, and rain poured down relentlessly.
On the other side, Boss Zhang held the thick booklet as if it were a treasure. He had visited many masters before, but most either made excuses or gave vague responses. None had provided such detailed solutions.
Following Chu Qianli’s instructions step by step, he stopped encountering bad luck. Even his company showed signs of revival.
When a section of the pipeline at the factory in Province T was dismantled, a large stone rolled out. No one knew where it had come from. The following week, the old factory experienced no further malfunctions. Considering the two factories were in different provinces, the incident baffled everyone.
One company renamed according to Chu Qianli’s suggestion soon received funds that had been tied up for years, finally resolving an urgent crisis. The new business venture entangled in lawsuits also showed signs of reaching a private settlement, which was another major breakthrough.
Similar incidents abounded, all listed in the thick booklet.
Boss Zhang worked with remarkable efficiency, flipping through the booklet daily and assigning tasks accordingly. He couldn’t help but develop a newfound respect for Chu Qianli.
“This little girl has some real skill,” Boss Zhang praised. “It’s a pity she seems so stubborn—always talking about doing good deeds. You can’t consult her about making money, but she’s excellent at handling these matters!”
The woman scoffed coldly. “Stubborn? I think if you pay her enough, she’ll help you calculate anything.”
“You don’t get it,” Boss Zhang replied. “I’ve met plenty of people in business, and she’s different from the others…”
Recalling Chu Qianli’s gaze, Boss Zhang couldn’t help but shiver. Her eyes had been unnervingly cold, as if she were looking at a dead man.
Years ago, Boss Zhang had dabbled in divination. Back then, he often sought out a fortune-teller who was remarkably accurate but also a hopeless gambler. When not reading fortunes, the man spent his days at the gambling tables. Strangely, despite his talent, he never had luck with gambling and lost everything.
At first, Boss Zhang respected the man, believing him to be a truly skilled master. But as they grew familiar, Boss Zhang realized the man wasn’t so extraordinary after all.
The fortune-teller often spoke about accumulating virtue and doing good deeds, but Boss Zhang dismissed it as nonsense, thinking, That’s just a gambler’s excuse.
Once, Boss Zhang even asked him, “You’re so good at predicting things—why do you always lose at gambling?”
“Turns out it was accurate, it really was accurate, but…” The man stammered for a while before awkwardly waving it off. “Ah, forget it. I’m done gambling, never again!”
Though the fortune-teller often claimed he was done with gambling, he continued to hover around the gambling tables.
At first, Zhang couldn’t help but heed the man’s advice on occasion, but over time, he started dismissing him with money and occasionally mocking him.
The fortune-teller also offered his services to other locals, but all the money he earned was poured back into gambling. Zhang was the most generous client, so their relationship didn’t completely break down.
“You can’t go on like this. You’re doing the exact opposite of what I tell you. Over and over again, things will spiral out of control…”
“Mind your own business and just take your money,” Zhang retorted with growing arrogance as his position as a CEO inflated his ego, leaving no room for even basic courtesy. “If you were so skilled, why haven’t you made it big yourself?”
The fortune-teller turned pale with indignation, his lips quivering as if to argue, but all he managed to say was, “You don’t understand. Good fortune, bad fortune, regret, and shame all arise from movement.”
“I don’t understand? No, I think you don’t understand!”
Zhang had long lost respect for the man. In his mind, if he had the ability to read fortunes, he would have been wildly successful and free by now. Why would he still be taking money from others?
Zhang was already a well-known entrepreneur in the South. If he mastered divination, he thought, he’d surely become a nationally renowned business mogul.
That was their last conversation. The fortune-teller said Zhang didn’t understand, but he never got a chance to elaborate.
The fortune-teller, who had been in poor health for years, died of a heart attack at the gambling table.
As a wealthy businessman, Zhang later took an interest in cultural pursuits and eventually came to understand the phrase the fortune-teller had quoted. It was from the Commentary on the Book of Changes (I Ching), a guiding principle for navigating life’s opportunities and dangers. The sentence encapsulated countless truths, but not everyone could grasp its meaning.
Through various visits to metaphysics experts, Zhang learned that Chinese divination emphasized the importance of “movement.” To predict outcomes, one must identify the initial movement or trigger event, as any situation must begin with a change. Once this movement occurs, it sets off a trajectory that is hard to alter.
The Plum Blossom Numerology explains this principle: “Prior indications form the basis of divination, and subsequent interactions with objects establish patterns. Everything relies on the state of one’s mind and spirit. The accuracy and flexibility of prediction rest entirely on this focus.”
—
In class, Tan Muxing glanced at his phone after receiving a message from He Jianping. Nervously, he stole a glance at Chu Qianli and began to think about how to deliver the news.
Chu Qianli was busy sorting through her Tarot cards, admiring their intricate designs. Noticing her classmate’s furtive glances, she asked, “What’s up?”
“Uncle Jianping says the remaining payment has been transferred,” Tan Muxing replied hesitantly. “Zhang even sent photos of a school he donated to and insisted Uncle Jianping show you. He claims he’s turned over a new leaf, just like you advised.”
“That means he’s quite convinced of my methods. Looks like he wants to come back for more advice.” Chu Qianli nodded thoughtfully, then noticed her classmate’s conflicted expression. “Don’t make that face. As long as someone is willing to correct their mistakes, it always counts for something. That’s an inevitable rule.”
“What’s more troubling is when people claim to make amends but deep down refuse to acknowledge their errors.”
With Zhang’s final payment received, their collaboration was officially over.
However, Chu Qianli didn’t touch the money Zhang sent. Instead, she frequently complained about being broke to He Shichen, crashed at Tan Muxing’s house for meals, or watched variety shows with Qiu Qingkong.
Aside from her slow academic improvement, her school life was quite fulfilling. When news of Zhang reached her again, it wasn’t through He Jianping.
Qiu Qingkong, who loved browsing Weibo during breaks, gasped as she came across a trending topic. “This is terrifying! A CEO from the Jiangsu-Zhejiang area got blown up at his factory! The weirdest part is, he was the only one injured, and his wife escaped because they argued, and she stormed out beforehand…”
“Sounds like someone targeted him,” she speculated with her usual enthusiasm for strange cases. “The police are even investigating.”
Qiu eagerly turned her phone screen toward her classmates, always eager to share gossip, forcing Chu Qianli and Tan Muxing to look.
When Tan saw the company name in the article, he froze, glancing at Chu in alarm before double-checking. “Wait, isn’t this…?”
Chu responded calmly, “This wasn’t someone else targeting him. He essentially targeted himself.”
Qiu, clueless about the full story, tilted her head in confusion. “Suicide? No way. The article says his business was doing really well lately. He even went to the factory to oversee operations himself, which he never does.”
“Creepy, huh? Normally, big bosses just sit in their offices. Why bother poking around in the factory?”
—
At a teahouse that weekend, He Jianping called Chu Qianli and Tan Muxing to meet him. Like Qiu, he expressed disbelief at Zhang’s untimely death.
As they discussed the incident, He lamented, “Old Zhang really was reckless. The little master told him not to chase money anymore, but he couldn’t sit still for even a little while.”
“Not long ago, he sent me photos of the school he donated to. I genuinely thought he was doing charity. Who would’ve guessed he’d jump back into business so quickly?” He sighed. “He once told me he drew a life-or-death hexagram and avoided asking anyone to interpret it because of how ominous it was. I really thought he’d learned his lesson.”
Tan Muxing looked startled. “He knew it was a life-or-death reading?”
He Jianping nodded. “Of course he knew. That’s why I can’t make sense of him!”
“Because he thought the danger had passed,” Chu replied unhurriedly. “Uncle He, it’s normal that you don’t understand him. You’re not the same kind of person.”
“I’ve said it before: even if you see the warning signs, it won’t change anything if the person refuses to act accordingly.”
“Exactly. You wrote it all down for him, even reminded him before he left. And yet, this still happened.” He Jianping, concerned Chu might blame herself, tried to reassure her. “It’s not your fault. Your advice worked. At least his factory workers got paid, and only he suffered for his stubbornness…”
Although Zhang Boss was gone, Chu Qianli’s predictions were not wrong.
Zhang Boss’s group returned to normal operations. The company and factory employees were unaffected, and even the wife Zhang Boss married later escaped unscathed.
It was said that the daughter born to Zhang Boss’s ex-wife had already rushed to the company and was now fighting for control of the group’s shares. Zhang Boss had been wary of the wife he married later and had planned to raise the issue after she became pregnant and gave birth. However, his unexpected death turned the situation chaotic.
Zhang Boss had previously emptied his family’s resources to seek Chu Qianli’s help in resolving this matter; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so desperate to make money. Real estate was the foundation. Many debtors, after going bankrupt, found their shares worthless, but they could still flee abroad and live in luxury because they had solid assets to rely on.
He Jianping couldn’t help but think unkindly that Zhang Boss had essentially arranged his affairs in advance. His passing hadn’t impacted too many people.
Other corporate leaders’ deaths might cause panic, but Zhang Boss had already been on the verge of bankruptcy. Now the group was back on track and in a relatively stable phase.
When a group goes bankrupt, countless people lose their jobs and suffer. But when leadership simply changes hands, it doesn’t seem to matter much.
—
“Uncle He, do you have any reliable channels?” After thinking for a moment, Chu Qianli suggested, “Can you help me find a charity organization? I want to donate some money.”
“Donate money? How much?” He Jianping suddenly understood her intention and hurriedly tried to dissuade her. “Little Master, there’s no need for you to donate. You predicted everything correctly; it was his own foolishness. It has nothing to do with you!”
“Whether it’s related or not isn’t a matter of emotional judgment,” Chu Qianli shook her head. “The earlier part is settled, but this is the final payment. Once it’s donated, it’s over.”
Zhang Boss had once used charity as a pretext to deceive people. Now, returning that money would bring closure to the matter.
Unable to persuade her otherwise, He Jianping reluctantly agreed to ask friends to recommend a trustworthy organization.
—
Outside the teahouse, the sun shone brightly. Tan Muxing squinted against the sunlight, feeling a touch of heat. He noticed Chu Qianli skipping along and chuckled, “This is the first time I’ve seen you working for free.”
Chu Qianli hopped down the stairs, tilted her head in thought, and admitted, “Well, it’s not exactly working for free. I didn’t earn money, but I gained something else.”
Tan Muxing asked, “I heard from Uncle He that others won’t take on life-and-death divinations. Why is that?”
“Because life-and-death matters involve very complicated karmic relationships,” Chu Qianli explained. “Sometimes, we emotionally believe someone deserves to die, but we don’t actually know what will happen if they do. Such things are very troublesome. Practitioners of divination typically avoid them, fearing it might bring trouble upon themselves.”
She mimicked an online meme, speaking in a lighthearted tone, “You might claim it has nothing to do with you, but can you make others believe that? Do you think the police would buy your excuse?”
Tan Muxing, however, didn’t share her levity and asked worriedly, “But you still took on such a case…”
Chu Qianli waved her hand calmly, “Oh, it’s fine for me. It won’t affect me at all.”
“Why not?”
Chu Qianli proudly placed her hands on her hips. “Because I’m the best in the world!”
Tan Muxing was speechless and stared at her silently.
Seeing his doubtful expression, Chu Qianli hurriedly added, “It’s true! I’m not bragging. There’s a reason I’ve crowned myself as number one!”
Tan Muxing countered, “Do you think the police would believe your nonsense?”
Chu Qianli sighed, “Ah, you people just can’t handle the truth.”
After pondering for a while, Tan Muxing still couldn’t fully believe her. He asked again to confirm, “Are you sure nothing will happen?”
Noticing his anxious expression, Chu Qianli felt he was overly concerned. She reassured him, “It’s really fine. His karma won’t affect me. Even if it did, it’d be like a drop of water in the ocean—not even enough to make a splash!”
“I could handle a thousand or ten thousand life-and-death divinations without any problem. Otherwise, why would I claim to be the best?”
Her circumstances were akin to “too many debts to worry about.” Her entire body was burdened by the karmic effects of her exceptional astrological talent. No one could solve her early demise issue; inversely, this proved her astrological skills were unparalleled.
It was like playing a game: if a hero is too powerful, they inevitably get banned.
Tan Muxing reluctantly set his worries aside, feeling her words might actually be true. His classmate always mixed truth with exaggeration, making it hard to distinguish the details.
—
The news of Zhang Boss’s death spread widely among those in the divination community, as he had previously sought out a master in the northern regions. Even though many didn’t know Chu Qianli by name, they had all heard that a newcomer in the imperial capital had risen to prominence.
On Qianshan, a group of practitioners gathered for tea, inevitably discussing the matter.
“Someone actually set off a thunder formation and didn’t get blasted? That takes some guts!” one person remarked, turning to an elder. “Daoist, could it be your hidden disciple who did it?”
The elder smiled cheerfully. “You must be joking. Zaiyuan had nothing to do with this, nor am I hiding him.”
“Oh? Not hiding him? I thought you were deliberately keeping him off the mountain, worried that the young sapling might get cut down before it matures.”
“Why don’t you call him out now, Daoist? The weather’s great today; we can have a discussion and compare techniques!”
Practitioners of metaphysics often challenged each other in what they called “comparing the Dao.” Though it sounded elegant, it was essentially a contest of skills.
When villagers fight, it’s called a brawl. When businesspeople clash, it’s called a commercial war. When diviners compete, it’s called comparing the Dao.
The old Daoist politely declined, “That won’t do.”
“Are you afraid, Daoist?”
The old Daoist, thick-skinned, replied, “It’s not that I’m afraid. It’s just that Zaiyuan is still young and inevitably has some bad habits common among the younger generation from the world below. He’s both a homebody and socially anxious. I can’t force him to come out, can I?”
“You’re getting old and out of touch with young people. Kids these days are rebellious and hate being called out to perform. Haven’t any of you gone home for Lunar New Year dinners? Do you think they’d just come out and start performing if someone called for them?”
“…”
![How to Escape from the Hands of Yandere [QT]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/images-94.jpeg "How to Escape from the Hands of Yandere [QT]")
