Chu Qianli’s major selection meeting did not go smoothly.
The family discussed it for half a day without reaching a conclusion. Chu Qianli was indifferent, and the others didn’t want to push her too hard.
In the end, Yu Shen announced the family meeting was over. Only then did Chu Qianli happily go upstairs to continue studying her Red Crystal Tarot.
He Shichen didn’t leave immediately. After a moment of silence, he asked, “Dad, is there any follow-up on the matter from a while ago?”
He Zhenghe replied, “I asked around, and there is indeed a Ziwei Hao Sect. It’s quite well-known in the south. Although it doesn’t have as much influence as Qianshan, a lot of CEOs still go to them for readings.”
“But this kind of thing is really hard to investigate. The person we caught last time was just a scapegoat. These people are cunning.”
He Shichen asked, “So what now? Keeping her locked up isn’t a solution.”
Previously, He Shichen had helped Chu Qianli keep her fortune-telling business under wraps while at school. But now that someone had tried to break in to steal something, he realized the situation had escalated and felt it necessary to inform his parents.
This time, they had come for He Shichen. Next time, they might directly target her. His parents needed to be mentally prepared as well.
Yu Shen said, “School will be starting soon. If she has a family car to pick her up and drop her off, it should be fine. I’ve also gotten Qianli a new backpack with a GPS tracker, and her phone’s location services are enabled too. Let’s take precautions.”
He Zhenghe sighed, “Or we could hire a bodyguard. If you forbid her from doing anything or going out, she’ll probably feel miserable. Kids always rebel against what they’re told not to do. Once she gets it out of her system and tires herself out, she’ll naturally lose interest.”
“This is just like when you were younger. Your second uncle told you what to buy, but you refused to listen, insisting on figuring it out yourself, and only learned your lesson after losing money,” Yu Shen said with a laugh. “If you try to reason with her now, it won’t help. She hasn’t been through it yet.”
Hearing about his embarrassing past, He Shichen lowered his head to hide his reaction and pretended to stay calm, saying, “Mom, there’s no need to use my childhood as an example. I get it.”
As the summer break ended, the class officially started their final year of high school. Depending on their individual development plans, they naturally had to take different courses.
As soon as Qiu Qingkong entered the classroom, she excitedly sought out Chu Qianli and Tan Muxing to chat about university applications. Over the break, she often video-called Chu Qianli but hadn’t seen Tan Muxing much. She was surprised, asking, “Did you lose weight?”
Tan Muxing waved his hands bashfully. “No, no…”
Chu Qianli interjected, “I told you he did! He argued with me for ages, saying his weight hadn’t changed!”
Tan Muxing sighed helplessly. “But the numbers really didn’t change.”
Qiu Qingkong exclaimed, “Oh, so your bones must be heavy? You do look slimmer.”
Chu Qianli quipped, “He used to be like a well-fed polar bear. Now he’s like a polar bear struggling with food shortages.”
Tan Muxing muttered quietly, “…Are you two teaming up to mess with me? I really don’t think I’ve changed.”
“Well, when you see yourself every day, it’s not as obvious.”
The three chatted about their summer adventures. When Qiu Qingkong learned that the other two had gone to the countryside, she felt wronged for being left out. She dramatically expressed her hurt, complaining about feeling excluded.
Tan Muxing panicked and said, “Ah, it was a last-minute decision. Otherwise…”
Chu Qianli added, “Next time, you can come with me. But there’s no way to order bubble tea there.”
In an instant, Qiu Qingkong’s attitude shifted, and she said, “Oh, forget it then. Let me know if you’re traveling to a big city next time. I still want to go somewhere with bubble tea.”
Chu Qianli raised an eyebrow. “Is our friendship not worth giving up bubble tea for? It’s just one week without it!”
Qiu Qingkong hesitated. “Uh… don’t ask questions that hurt feelings…”
Chu Qianli: “?”
At the private high school, there weren’t many students, so teachers paid attention to nearly everyone. Since each student had different university goals, their courses varied in the final year, with distinct plans for domestic and international pathways.
“Teacher, have you decided on your target schools yet?” Qiu Qingkong asked enthusiastically. “Join me in studying for the TOEFL. Your English is good; you could apply to study abroad!”
Chu Qianli’s grades fluctuated wildly, especially excelling in subjects related to stars, such as astrophysics in physics or specific historical topics. However, her focus was deep but narrow, which posed challenges.
For example, Chu Qianli knew how to use an armillary sphere, but history class only required students to recognize its existence. She often excelled in areas not tested in exams.
“I’m not sure if I want to study abroad…” Chu Qianli lowered her gaze. “I haven’t even decided on a major.”
“What? But you need to decide soon!” Qiu Qingkong exclaimed. “He Shichen is staying in the country for undergrad and planning to go abroad for graduate school.”
That was a solid plan, allowing for experience in both environments.
Tan Muxing listened quietly. Sensing his deskmate’s concerns, he gently asked, “Don’t think about whether it’s domestic or abroad for now. Do you have any majors you’re interested in?”
“No…” Chu Qianli groaned, resting her head on the desk. She suddenly turned to Tan Muxing and, out of the blue, asked, “What major are you choosing? I might as well just follow you.”
Chu Qianli didn’t think university majors were particularly important. She wasn’t taking the decision seriously and figured she might as well go with the flow.
Tan Muxing was stunned by the question and stammered, “I…”
Qiu Qingkong chimed in, “Yeah, what are you planning to study? You’ve never mentioned it!”
Faced with their persistent questioning, Tan Muxing grew uneasy, his gaze darting around. After a long pause, he stole a glance at his deskmate and finally admitted, “…I haven’t decided yet. I was kind of waiting to see what you’d pick.”
Qiu Qingkong was shocked. “Wow, you two are waiting on each other?”
Chu Qianli decisively said, “Perfect, you choose now, and I won’t have to think about it!”
Tan Muxing quickly responded, “No, no, no, you should pick based on your interests…”
“I don’t have any interests. I’ll just follow you—it’ll be easier to copy your homework in college!”
“…”
Chu Qianli and Tan Muxing started pushing the decision onto each other. Eventually, Qiu Qingkong, unable to bear watching, suggested, “Tan Muxing, why don’t you just apply to Tsinghua or Peking University? Maybe the teacher will be so motivated to copy your homework that she’ll grit her teeth and get in!”
Tan Muxing retorted, “…If she can already get into Tsinghua or Peking, does she still need to copy homework?”
Qiu Qingkong laughed, “You two don’t need to pick the same major. I think being at the same school, or at least the same university district, is good enough. You won’t be deskmates by then anyway.”
After thinking for a moment, Chu Qianli asked Tan Muxing, “If I weren’t here, what would you want to study?”
Qiu Qingkong muttered to herself, “Tsk, tsk, going abroad was the right choice for me. I truly shine…”
Tan Muxing was pricked by her serious question, feeling an inexplicable pang in his heart. He smiled wryly, “I don’t know?”
“Maybe something in literature? Philosophy?” Tan Muxing tried to cover his emotions by quickly changing the topic. “Mainly because art majors require entrance exams. Making clothes is just a hobby for me, so it’s better to stick with fundamental disciplines.”
He suddenly remembered something and smiled gently. “Oh right, don’t you like Marxist philosophy? You could study that! Philosophy departments are often in the same school, so it’d be easy to run into each other.”
Tan Muxing was more interested in Western philosophy, as it could also inspire his fashion designs. In some universities, undergraduate philosophy courses aren’t divided into specific disciplines early on, so all philosophy students attend the same classes.
“That could work.” Chu Qianli thought her deskmate’s suggestion wasn’t bad. Since she now had a direction, she mused, “Still, you’re so casual about picking a major. Is it true that having enough money means you can study things that don’t make money?”
“You think studying Marxist philosophy is profitable?”
“No, but if you truly understand it, you can get others to make money for you.”
“…”
With a major chosen, Chu Qianli could now report back to her family. Many universities in the country offered philosophy programs, so her final choice would depend on her exam performance and the level of schools she could qualify for.
Chu Qianli’s grades were slightly weaker than Tan Muxing’s. After meeting with her homeroom teacher to discuss her plans, she came out to find her deskmate waiting in line.
Tan Muxing was about to go in to speak with the teacher but was inexplicably blocked by her. Puzzled, he asked, “What’s wrong?”
Chu Qianli hesitated for a few seconds before quietly advising, “You really don’t have to coordinate with me. Like Qiu Qingkong said, being in the same university district is enough. There’s no need to be at the same school.”
She didn’t want her deskmate to compromise his plans just to accommodate her, potentially changing the course of his future.
Tan Muxing froze for a moment, then gently shook his head and smiled. “I’m not coordinating with you.”
Chu Qianli said, “But your scores are higher than mine…”
“It’s really not about coordinating with you. Like I said last time, I hadn’t decided on a major before. But now, I’ve thought it through and made my own decision.”
Chu Qianli was skeptical. “Really?”
Tan Muxing nodded and smiled awkwardly. “Do I seem that indecisive? Is that why you don’t believe me?”
“I really didn’t have much ambition before…” Tan Muxing scratched his head awkwardly, then looked at her with calm eyes and said softly, “But now, I know better than anyone what I want to do.”
From the moment he was born, he had lived a worry-free life, feeling that there was no need to strive for anything. But now he realized there were things in life worth striving for.
He had always gone with the flow, but eventually, everyone reaches a moment when they must swim against the current. This was his carefully considered decision, his first time actively choosing his path.
Chu Qianli remained silent.
Tan Muxing encouraged her, “Besides, maybe you’ll perform better than usual on the exam? Look at how well Qiu Qingkong did last time.”
Chu Qianli picked up on his attempt to motivate her and decisively said, “Didn’t she say it was because the Daoist temple at Qianshan was effective? I believe in Marxism, and we don’t have those buffs. Let’s stay objective here!”
Tan Muxing: “?”
—
As summer drew to a close, the skies were clear and the winds gentle.
In a villa on the outskirts of Beijing, a black sedan pulled up slowly. The driver opened the door, and an elderly man stepped out. He was dressed in a Zhongshan suit, leaning on a wooden cane with a hunched posture, yet his sharp eyes glinted like blades.
A group of people had been waiting at the entrance for a long time. As soon as they saw him, they eagerly swarmed forward, greeting him enthusiastically.
“Master Wan, it’s been so long!”
“What brings you here? The last time we saw you was three years ago. It’s been quite a while since your last visit.”
“You look more energetic than before. The southern climate must be good for you!”
The crowd showered him with flattery, trying to usher him inside.
But the next moment, Wan Ketang began coughing violently, as if something had suddenly choked him. It took a long time for him to recover, leaving the group awkwardly stunned. They had just praised his vigor, but now the master seemed gravely ill.
“Are you alright? Come inside and have some tea…”
“It’s nothing,” Wan Ketang said, steadying himself with his cane and straightening his hunched back. His voice was deep and resonant. “The northern air is too dry; I’m not used to it yet.”
Everyone sighed in relief and quickly guided him into the house. Having previously sought Wan Ketang’s assistance, they were exceedingly polite.
“Where’s your apprentice this time? What about Master Liu?”
“Hmph, useless fool. Nothing but an ungrateful wolf,” Wan Ketang sneered. “Couldn’t even wait for me to get here.”
Months earlier, Liu Kaijia had caused a stir in the capital, drawing unwanted attention and getting detained. Wan Ketang, wary of exposing his own network in Beijing, had not immediately intervened. He calculated that his apprentice would only be detained briefly and believed that as long as Liu Kaijia kept quiet, he wouldn’t face serious consequences. But unexpectedly, Liu Kaijia fled.
Wan Ketang was furious and wanted to track him down, but his divinations were limited by distance. Once Liu Kaijia slipped into another province, it became nearly impossible to locate him, especially since the influence of their sect in northern China was weak.
Forced to act, Wan Ketang decided to come to Beijing himself. His reputation in the south was formidable, with connections subtly extending into the capital. Within certain circles, he still commanded respect.
Inside the villa, Wan Ketang sipped hot tea and glanced around the room. He said courteously, “Qianshan is the most renowned in Beijing, yet you still give this old man some face. I’m truly grateful.”
Others quickly replied, “No, no, Master Wan, you’ve helped us a lot in the past. This is nothing!”
“But the thing you’re asking is… a little tricky…”
“No matter how tricky it is, if it’s for Master Wan, we’ll have to help!”
“… The main issue is that the young lady has a pretty influential background. We can’t let things get too messy.”
Wan Ketian replied calmly, “I understand your concerns, but it’s not a big deal. To be honest, I have some history with her. She studied something from our Hao Sect called Ziwei; it’s just a chat between seniors and juniors.”
“You’re sure it’s just a chat?” The group was skeptical, not easily swayed. They weren’t fools, especially since it seemed the He family had even called the police. The whole thing sounded suspicious.
Wan Ketian, aware of their reluctance, hinted, “If you’re worried about getting into trouble, you don’t need to get too involved. Just give me a bit of help from the sidelines.”
“Help me invite her over. I just want to have a conversation. I guarantee nothing untoward will happen.”
“Well, alright,” the group hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances. “… Since you’re asking, we’ll help.”
One of them tentatively asked, “But honestly, Master Wan, you don’t lack for anything. Why are you suddenly so interested in finding her?”
They couldn’t comprehend his motivation. Master Wan already had fame, status, and was even the leader of the Hao Sect. Why the sudden need to contact a junior from the same lineage?
Wan Ketian’s expression darkened slightly. He paused for a moment before forcing a faint smile and countering, “I don’t lack for anything?”
“Don’t you?”
Wan Ketian opened his mouth to reply but was overcome by a violent coughing fit, like an old, wheezing bellows. He couldn’t stop.
The group panicked, rushing to offer tea and water, the previous topic momentarily forgotten.
—
On campus, Chu Qianli was living through a period of relative peace. The heavy workload of senior year kept her busy. In her spare time, she continued studying Red Crystal Tarot and the compass, making sure not to waste a single moment.
Sometimes, she felt as though her life had become elongated. The tightly scheduled days gave the impression that a single day stretched on endlessly.
On Saturday, after finishing their supplementary classes, Chu Qianli and Tan Muxing walked out together, preparing to catch a ride home.
Carrying a heavy backpack, Chu Qianli sighed under the weight of her academic load, almost crushed by the demands of life. “Turns out living is exhausting.”
“But you’ll gain something from it?” Tan Muxing smiled. “Want to get some ice cream?”
Her eyes lit up instantly, all her worries forgotten. “Yes!”
Qiu Qingkong was busy preparing to study abroad, and He Shichen had even loftier goals. Only Chu Qianli and Tan Muxing shared the same supplementary classes on weekends.
The school gate was quiet on a Saturday afternoon. The two turned a corner to buy ice cream cones. As they finished their order and turned around, they realized the shop was now packed with people, and even the staff looked startled.
The once-empty shop was now swarming with large men dressed in uniform attire. They took over the entrance, standing rigidly. Though their demeanor was somewhat polite, it was clear they were here with a purpose.
The leader of the group addressed them with forced courtesy, “Master Chu, we’re sorry to disturb you. Could you please come with us for a moment?”
Though his words were polite, the presence of the group made their intentions seem anything but friendly.
Chu Qianli was startled. Instinctively, she began divining the situation, mumbling to herself, “This doesn’t make sense. I didn’t foresee anything happening today…”
If she had been in danger, she would have prepared beforehand. It didn’t make sense for her calculations to fail.
Tan Muxing frowned at the unfamiliar group and turned to her. “Do you know them?”
Chu Qianli shook her head vehemently, like a rattle drum. “Of course not! I’ve been grounded for ages!”
Tan Muxing, now understanding the situation, stepped forward with her toward the door, calmly saying, “She doesn’t know you, so she won’t be going anywhere.”
As he tried to leave with her, the leader of the group blocked the door, his face impassive. “We hope Master Chu will reconsider. We assure you it won’t take long.”
Tan Muxing turned back again, patiently asking, “Do you want to go?”
Chu Qianli shook her head furiously.
Tan Muxing turned back to the group. “She said she’s not going.”
He then firmly grasped the door handle, pushing it open despite the man’s resistance. The door flew open, letting the outside breeze rush in.
The man hadn’t expected Tan Muxing’s strength. He stumbled backward, nearly losing his balance.
Initially anxious, Chu Qianli was soothed by Tan Muxing’s calm demeanor. She quietly followed him out, nibbling on her ice cream cone.
Outside, more men were stationed, forming a human barricade.
Tan Muxing tried to maneuver left but was blocked, then tried the right with the same result. Finally, he asked, “… Are you planning to use force?”
The leader replied, “Of course not. That would be inappropriate. We only wish for Master Chu to reconsider. If you’re worried, your family’s car can accompany us.”
Hearing this, Chu Qianli performed another quick reading, confirming no imminent danger. She hesitated and murmured, “… If that’s the case… it might be fine?”
Staying stuck in this stalemate wasn’t ideal, and she didn’t want to drag Tan Muxing into trouble.
Tan Muxing, surprised, asked, “You’re going?”
Chu Qianli nodded reluctantly. “If the family car can follow, it should be okay?”
“Alright, I’ll call the car over.” Without opposing her decision, Tan Muxing pulled out his phone to make a call. The men didn’t stop him.
Chu Qianli asked in surprise, “You’re coming too?”
“Of course. I can’t let you go alone, can I?”
The men in black did not stop the two who were making phone calls. They thought to themselves that the two private cars picking up the students were nothing to worry about. However, they did not expect the road to be completely jammed just three minutes later.
The men in black had brought three cars, neatly parked along the roadside, already creating an imposing sight. But after Tan Muxing finished his phone call, five or six cars roared onto the avenue, surrounding those three cars from all sides.
A large group of people poured out of the cars. The driver of the extended limousine was someone Chu Qianli had seen before, but the others were all unfamiliar faces.
The men in black surrounded Chu Qianli and Tan Muxing, but then the Tan family members got out of their cars and encircled the men in black in turn. In an instant, the scene turned into a “three-layer spring roll!”
The driver of the extended limousine noticed that Tan Muxing was being surrounded. His expression turned displeased as he asked, “What is going on here?”
This driver, strong and muscular, looked like someone who had undergone rigorous training in the military. Even his words carried a sharp, commanding aura.
The men in black, who had just been calm and confident, were stunned upon seeing this scene. They were completely at a loss as to when so many cars had appeared on this previously empty avenue. For a moment, they were uneasy and dumbfounded.
Tan Muxing usually let Chu Qianli get into the car first before quietly boarding her family car herself. This routine left her with the impression that the extended limousine was the only car headed to the family compound. Although she and Qiu Qingkong had ridden in other family cars before, she had never imagined there were so many just for school pickups!
Chu Qianli, who had been puzzled by her deskmate’s calm demeanor, now stared at the grand scene in astonishment. Echoing the inner thoughts of the men in black, she exclaimed in shock, “Did you call to have your family’s car come over? This is your family’s fleet, isn’t it?!”
Tan Muxing, embarrassed and ashamed, explained, “Grandma keeps seeing news about children being kidnapped and insists they follow me around. I really have no choice…”
Children in the family usually escaped this situation only when they reached university. Tan Muxing, being soft-natured and unable to refuse her elders’ well-meaning but overwhelming love, typically had the other cars stay hidden. Even after school, she would quietly slip into the car.
Looking at the men in black, whose faces had turned pale, Chu Qianli confidently put her hands on her hips and decisively declared, “I think you all should waste a bit more of my time now!”
The men in black: “…”
He thought to himself, with this large group of people in tow, he wasn’t sure anymore who would be the ones making the trip.
