TGA Chapter 49

The two of them sat side by side under the starry sky, quietly admiring the stars for a long time.

Above the heavens, countless points of light crossed light-years to reach Earth, rippling softly in the night.

Tan Muxing had read in a book before that when people on the ground use their naked eyes to capture the starlight, perhaps the star illuminating everything had already disappeared in the universe, and only its light had just reached Earth. Unless people actively investigate, no one would know the star’s current state.

Fortunately, he already knew, so it was still in time.

The night deepened, and the forest grew cool.

Chu Qianli subconsciously sneezed. She almost jumped out of her seat, then rubbed her nose.

Tan Muxing said warmly, “Let’s head back. It’s getting late.”

“Aren’t we going to keep watching?” Chu Qianli hesitated. “Once we’re back in the city, we won’t see this.”

“I’ve taken photos, and my eyes have remembered it too, so I won’t forget,” Tan Muxing said with a smile. “Today was really enjoyable. Coming to the village was very nice too.”

Hearing the sincerity in his tone, Chu Qianli was silent for a few seconds before admitting, “I was happy too.”

Tan Muxing was taken aback. “Really?”

“Yeah, probably the happiest day since my grandfather passed away.” Chu Qianli stretched lazily, stood up, and brushed off her clothes. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had such a calm conversation with someone about this.”

She had only ever been able to discuss such matters with her grandfather because others couldn’t accept it and would only be unnecessarily saddened.

But since they both studied fate and destiny, they could understand such things.

She often reflected on herself—not merely about life and death, but also about the meaning of experiencing it all.

Chu Qianli smiled smugly. “I was right. You really are amazing, even though you refuse to admit it.”

Tan Muxing said awkwardly, “What’s so amazing about it? I just know a bit, that’s all.”

Chu Qianli shook her head. “Even insisting on not believing is impressive, at least to me.”

The two walked back along the small path, and after a brief rest, they went to sleep.

The aftermath of their stargazing was that they couldn’t get up the next morning, staying groggy until they finally woke up around noon.

At home, Wang Ping set a table full of dishes, leaving the two at a loss as to where to start.

Chu Qianli hesitantly suggested, “Pingping, isn’t it a bit much to eat like this every day?”

Chu Qianli’s meals in the city were decent but not overly extravagant. Her parents valued a balanced diet, so Aunt Li’s cooking was on the lighter side.

Tan Muxing wasn’t one to overindulge either. His physique had no connection to his appetite, but Wang Ping always felt he wasn’t eating enough.

“These dishes can’t be stored. Once you two leave, how will I finish them all?” Wang Ping said with a stern look. “The day you arrived, you fussed about wanting chicken, and now you’re complaining there’s too much food. Have you run out of things to say?”

Chu Qianli protested, “…We’re not animals you’re raising. You can’t feed us like this!”

“Your friend looks like he’s starving. Don’t let him go home and have people say he was mistreated in the village.”

Tan Muxing quickly shook his head. “No, no, I’ve never been starved before.”

Chu Qianli gave him a once-over and rubbed her chin, hesitating. “Maybe a little?”

Tan Muxing was startled. “Huh?”

Wang Ping nodded in agreement. “I think so too. He looks like he’s lost weight after staying here for a week.”

Chu Qianli grew concerned. “He won’t end up like those emaciated polar bears clinging pitifully to melting ice floes because of global warming, will he?”

Tan Muxing said, “…That’s impossible.”

Chu Qianli even went online to search for pictures of thinner polar bears and showed Wang Ping. The bears in the images were gaunt and lifeless due to starvation.

Wang Ping clicked her tongue. “So tragic.”

“It’s all the result of environmental destruction,” Chu Qianli lamented. She began piling food onto Tan Muxing’s plate and urged him, “Eat more, eat more, and stock up on energy before hibernation.”

Tan Muxing’s expression was subtle as he reminded her, “I don’t hibernate, nor do I live in the warming Arctic.”

Wang Ping saw through Chu Qianli’s little scheme and said flatly, “Don’t think you can skip eating just because he’s eating. Everyone gets one piece of meat; that’s my rule.”

Chu Qianli groaned. “…I can’t eat anymore.”

“Eat slowly,” Wang Ping replied, using the classic caretaker’s mantra. “How do you know you can’t eat if you haven’t started?”

Listening to this, Tan Muxing thought to himself that some people truly had the knack for caregiving, no matter what they were raising.

Chu Qianli and Tan Muxing didn’t stay long in the village. They happily collected their prize from the village head, Old Li, and took a brief stroll around Yinlong Mountain before deciding to buy tickets back to the capital.

Chu Qianli initially wanted to leave some money for Wang Ping, but the latter politely declined, saying there weren’t many expenses in the village.

“Alright, I think this is good enough. There’s a place to live, no worries about food or drink, and I can even earn a little money. There’s no need for more,” Wang Ping sighed. “Anyway, life always has its troubles, so it’s better to be content.”

Chu Qianli remarked, “Pingping, you’ve really changed.”

“After dealing with a swindler like you, I’ve realized it’s all just the same,” Wang Ping replied.

Living next door to Chu Qianli and Chu Yilie, Wang Ping had heard countless stories of others’ lives, witnessing the joys and sorrows of the world. Somehow, she came to understand things more clearly. Even someone as skilled in divination as Chu Qianli was still helping others in human ways. In the end, they were all just people.

And as people, they had to rely on themselves. No one else could be relied upon.

Chu Qianli and Wang Ping agreed to stay in touch after returning to the city. She and Tan Muxing then went back to pack their luggage.

Inside the house, Chu Qianli stared at the old belongings in a large box, feeling troubled. She scratched her head and hesitated. “What should I take with me?”

Tan Muxing organized his thoughts. “The compass is a must. Take whatever else you need. If it’s too much, you can mail it back.”

“Honestly, I’ve read most of these books. Many of the Daoist items were bought by Grandpa when he worked as a Feng Shui master here in the village. He couldn’t hold on to wealth, so I doubt there’s anything valuable…” Chu Qianli rummaged through the box, spreading old books across the floor.

Tan Muxing glanced at the Zi Wei astrology book near his feet. He casually picked up a copy, opened it, and noticed the character “昊” on one of the pages. He asked, “Aren’t you taking these Zi Wei Dou Shu books?”

“No need to bring them. They’re outdated,” Chu Qianli said casually. “Grandpa mentioned they couldn’t keep up with the times. The two of us reorganized the useful parts back then, and the rest was just piled up here.”

Zi Wei Dou Shu sets the stars as fixed coordinates, but even stars in the universe move. Some materials from a century ago are no longer applicable today, as astrology evolves just like everything else.

After packing their belongings, Chu Qianli and Tan Muxing said their goodbyes to Wang Ping at the village entrance and began their journey back to the capital.

A week might not be long, but it wasn’t short either. By the time Chu Qianli returned home, He Shichen was still away for training and had yet to come back.

At the dinner table, facing her parents, Chu Qianli shook her head regretfully. “Poor brother. I deliberately went on a trip to give him some peace and quiet, and he still isn’t home.”

Yu Xin asked with concern, “How was the village?”

“Same as always. Oh, I even won an award!” Chu Qianli said proudly. “I’ll show you both later.”

He Zhenghe asked, “Weren’t you just going to have fun with your classmate? How did you end up winning an award?”

“I had a great time and won awards—best of both worlds,” Chu Qianli said cheerfully. “It might even earn me more extra credit than Brother’s training camp. If he finds out, he’ll probably be furious.”

He Shichen’s summer training camp earned him additional credit, which would be recorded in his school file. Similarly, Chu Qianli and Tan Muxing’s assistance in reporting overexploitation was deemed a major contribution. The village chief helped them apply for commendation.

Tan Muxing specifically looked into it and found that the high school they attended recognized this award for extra credit, and it might even be referenced during university applications.

Chu Qianli had already planned how to show off to He Shichen, but unfortunately, the “money printer” training camp had yet to end.

Meanwhile, over in the suburbs of Beijing, He Shichen encountered a minor situation during his training. He was staying in a dormitory with other students and instructors when a certain “Master Liu” inexplicably sought him out.

Initially, He Shichen had no intention of engaging with the man, but when Liu brought up Chu Qianli, his curiosity was piqued.

In a private dining room at a restaurant, He Shichen listened as Liu explained the situation. Raising an eyebrow, he responded, “Chu Yirui? Never heard of him.”

Liu Kaijia hastily tried to jog his memory. “By all accounts, he should be your granduncle. Do you have no recollection of him at all?”

He Shichen replied indifferently, “If you managed to find me, you should know a thing or two. I don’t care about these superstitious gimmicks.”

“Zi Wei astrology isn’t some gimmick…” Liu Kaijia began to protest indignantly, but, remembering that He Shichen might be useful, he suppressed his temper and patiently asked, “Have you ever seen her associate with any suspicious individuals?”

“Does that include you?” He Shichen quipped, smirking with a trace of sarcasm. “I’m not her nanny. I don’t have the time to monitor her every move, let alone know she’s met you.”

“…” Liu Kaijia found himself astonished by how arrogant today’s high school students could be. He was struggling to keep his fists in check.

Excusing himself under the pretext of using the restroom, Liu Kaijia planned to consult his master and determine the next steps.

As Liu Kaijia left, He Shichen casually tapped his phone screen to ensure the recording was still ongoing. Once confirmed, he turned off the screen.

Liu Kaijia had introduced himself as a direct disciple of the 37th-generation head of the Hao Sect, claiming their sect specialized in Zi Wei astrology. Years ago, a precious heirloom compass had gone missing. A disciple named Chu Yirui had betrayed the sect, absconding with the sect master’s token, and his whereabouts remained unknown to this day.

Most of Chu Yirui’s relatives were no longer alive, and He Shichen was identified as the sole remaining descendant.

Liu Kaijia had recounted the tale with much flourish, but He Shichen’s expression remained cold throughout.

He Shichen had no interest in fantastical stories full of martial arts drama and had no emotional connection to his so-called granduncle, Chu Yirui.

After listening to the entire narrative, He Shichen posed two questions: first, what exactly was Zi Wei astrology? Second, if the sect master’s token could be stolen, what kind of sect master was this to begin with? The logic seemed flawed.

Flustered, Liu Kaijia retorted, “The compass is just a token! It doesn’t determine who the sect master is!”

He Shichen shot back, “Then why are you looking for it? Just make a new one.”

“It’s not that simple! Something passed down through generations can’t just be replaced like that.”

“Whatever. You fortune-tellers are always making things up as you go. None of it ever sounds reliable,” He Shichen sneered coldly. “Dragging in things like armillary spheres. Even if you get one, it’s not like it’s useful.”

Liu Kaijia: “…” Why does it feel like you have some inexplicable hostility toward metaphysics?

The conversation between Liu Kaijia and He Shichen was far from pleasant. Liu Kaijia felt as though He Shichen regarded him with the same disdain one might have for an idiot. There was an undercurrent of resentment and contempt, as if the entire topic brought bad luck.

In a corner, Liu Kaijia called his master, Wan Ketian, to complain about He Shichen’s dismissive attitude.

“Master, that brat was unbelievably rude. You wouldn’t believe how he insulted Zi Wei astrology!” Liu Kaijia, known for his fiery temper, was fuming. He was used to being called “Master” outside and had never met someone as disrespectful as He Shichen.

An elderly voice came through the phone. “It’s to be expected. He’s probably never met Chu Yirui before. He’s lived his whole life as a pampered young master. Then, to be suddenly called a fraud by that little girl—anyone would feel resentful. It’s no wonder he’s also developed a grudge against all this.”

“If he didn’t have this temperament, he wouldn’t be of any use to us. His bad attitude toward that girl actually works in our favor,” Wan Ketian mused. “Ask him if he knows that girl’s birth date and time. Better yet, try to bring him to our side and find a way to get the compass.”

Liu Kaijia agreed and returned to the private room. After organizing his words, he conveyed the message to He Shichen.

“Why should I do any of this?” He Shichen frowned. “There’s nothing in it for me. Even if I’m not truly part of the He family, my surname is still He. Why would I go looking for trouble?”

“Of course, it wouldn’t be for free. We’re willing to pay,” Liu Kaijia said, making a chopping motion with his hand and smiling slyly. “If you know that girl’s birth date and time, we might even be able to help you with some of your problems.”

A dark glimmer flashed in He Shichen’s eyes as he asked, “Really?”

“Of course. You’ve probably suffered at her hands too. Surely, you don’t think she’s the only one capable of divination?”

He Shichen let out a dry laugh. “That’s quite amusing. Unfortunately, I don’t know her birth date and time. She’s always been very guarded around me.”

“That makes sense…” Liu Kaijia replied regretfully, then tentatively asked, “What about the compass?”

“I’ll need to think about it,” He Shichen said, glancing casually at a calendar. “It depends on whether your offer is worthwhile. Let’s meet again in a couple of days, and bring your price. I don’t do business at a loss.”

“…Alright,” Liu Kaijia replied, taken aback by how meticulous He Shichen was. With mixed feelings, he remarked, “You don’t seem like a high schooler.”

He Shichen didn’t resemble a typical student at all. He was calm, shrewd, and focused entirely on practical benefits.

Scoffing, He Shichen said, “If everyone were as foolish as her, life would be unbearable.”

Hearing this, Liu Kaijia felt somewhat reassured. He Shichen still had to live with the He family and thus had plenty to consider. It would have been suspicious if he had agreed too readily.

The two set a time for their next meeting and parted ways at the restaurant, each preparing for the next steps.

After leaving, He Shichen turned off the recording on his phone and called home to check in on his family.

“She’s already back?” He Shichen asked. “Mom, then keep an eye on her and make sure she does her homework. Don’t let her keep running around outside.”

“How am I doing? I’m fine over here. There’s nothing going on. I’ll be back in a couple of days.”

Before long, He Shichen and Liu Kaijia met again. This time, Liu Kaijia brought a formal offer, including a detailed contract. Since the compass deal couldn’t be openly discussed, the wording in the contract had been adjusted, though the price remained unchanged.

He Shichen skimmed through the terms and conditions at a glance and commented, “The price is decent.”

“Then…”

“Alright.” He Shichen put away the contract and calmly nodded. “I understand.”

Liu Kaijia saw that He Shichen was swayed by the money and finally breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that this person only cared about his own benefit.

The two reached an agreement, discussed the shape of the compass, and essentially wrapped things up. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they left the restaurant.

The meeting place was chosen by He Shichen, inconveniently located in an area where it was hard to hail a cab. At the street corner, a car had already arrived to pick up He Shichen, but Liu Kaijia was still unable to find a ride.

“Master, you need a ride too?” He Shichen said with a mocking smile. “How about I give you a lift?”

Liu Kaijia couldn’t shake the feeling that He Shichen’s words were sarcastic and filled with disdain, perhaps due to his general dislike of anything related to mysticism. However, given their current collaboration and He Shichen’s seemingly good intentions, Liu Kaijia decided not to burn bridges.

Unable to get a cab, Liu Kaijia reluctantly said, “Alright, I’ll trouble you then. Just drop me off at a spot where I can catch a ride.”

The car’s front seat was occupied by a professional driver, while He Shichen and Liu Kaijia sat in the back. With their business concluded, the atmosphere fell silent as the two had little in common to discuss.

After the car started moving, He Shichen sat quietly for a while before suddenly asking, “Master, do you mystics always have so many rituals? Do you have to check the weather before going out, and if you foresee bad luck, do you just stay home? Seems like you’re full of quirks.”

“Do you have a grudge against her or something?” Liu Kaijia said awkwardly. “It’s not like we’re always calculating everything. We can only predict certain periods, and even then, it’s not guaranteed to happen. Perfection in divination isn’t humanly possible.”

He Shichen gave him a sidelong glance and replied coldly, “Then why haven’t I ever seen her get it wrong?”

“…” Liu Kaijia, a defeated rival of Chu Qianli, was immediately at a loss for words. Chu Qianli wasn’t infallible, but her ability to deduce someone’s fate just by knowing their name and her unparalleled divination skills were extraordinary. It was like comparing students; not all university students were from elite schools, but the gap between those from Tsinghua or Peking University and others was significant.

Talking to He Shichen was inexplicably irritating for Liu Kaijia, as he always seemed to touch on the sorest subjects.

The car slowed to a stop. Observing Liu Kaijia’s expression, He Shichen got out of the car and asked as he opened the door, “So, Master, did you calculate today’s events before heading out?”

“Calculate what?” Liu Kaijia asked, puzzled as he noticed He Shichen stepping out. “Are we here already?”

He Shichen slammed the car door shut and turned to the driver, instructing him to lock the doors. Then he said icily, “To calculate getting caught.”

Liu Kaijia suddenly realized he was the only one left in the car. Even the driver had stepped out at some point. Panicking, he pounded on the car window and shouted in shock, “What are you doing!?”

“To be honest, I hate fortune-tellers the most. I owe the one in my house and can’t get rid of her, but I have no reason to tolerate you,” He Shichen said, his gaze icy. “Violating others’ privacy and encouraging theft? I’ll be calling a lawyer. You can sort it out in jail.”

“This is illegal detention!” Liu Kaijia shouted angrily from inside the car.

“No, the car lock is just broken. We’re working on fixing it,” He Shichen replied coolly, glancing at the driver.

The driver nodded in agreement. “Yes, we’re fixing it, but it’ll take some time.”

After saying that, the two stood quietly by the roadside, showing no intention of repairing the lock.

Liu Kaijia: “…”

As a master of interpersonal maneuvering at home, He Shichen rarely had the chance to showcase his cunning, but today, he made sure Liu Kaijia understood the harsh realities of life. These mysticism-hating radicals were truly a force to be reckoned with.