Chapter 957: Omen Comes as Soon as It's Said

Cai Xiaotang stared at the fortune slip in her hand for a few seconds, but in the end, she still "returned it to its owner."

"Sorry... I don't seem to understand it very well... Could you take a look at it for me?"

She looked at the old man with some anticipation, not knowing what kind of explanation she would receive.

Immediately, she saw the other party glance at it nonchalantly, then speak unhurriedly: "This slip... is very interesting. The first two characters mean that your relationship seems somewhat unstable, drifting near and far, and the meaning of the latter part..."

The old man stopped halfway through, suddenly frowning slightly.

Seeming to weigh his words, he continued with a smile: "Young lady, I am not cursing you to have a bad life, it's just that this latter sentence means the other party should be your benefactor; if you encounter any major trouble, the other party will step in to help, turning your misfortune into good fortune."

Upon hearing this, Cai Xiaotang was stunned, her heart suddenly feeling as if it had been pricked by something tiny.

A benefactor?

Turning misfortune into good fortune?

Could this old man be talking about... Li Xiao?

But they have already broken up!

Feeling inexplicably that it was a bit uncanny, Cai Xiaotang almost subconsciously wanted to ask a few more questions.

Immediately, she heard the old man speak first: "I am only responsible for interpreting the fortune slips; I'm afraid I don't have time to answer any extra questions."

As he spoke, he pointed to the others in the queue who had already gathered around.

Cai Xiaotang felt a bit disappointed upon hearing this, but it only lasted for a moment before she felt relieved.

Anyway, she was just here to join in the fun.

Fortune telling and such were just for the novelty of it.

So what if he guessed right?

Just a coincidence.

She smiled, didn't ask any more, and stepped aside.

Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw Gu Han sneakily approach and whisper: "Big sister, you say... this destined benefactor you drew, is it possible that..."

He deliberately winked at Cai Xiaotang suggestively, and thinking of the "arrangements" for later, he was already overjoyed inside.

This slip came at such a perfect time!

It was practically tailor-made for him!

He didn't believe he still couldn't win her over like this!

Cai Xiaotang naturally understood what he meant, but she was too lazy to play along and deliberately retorted: "Didn't you say you don't believe in these things?"

Gu Han was choked up by her, his face full of helplessness.

Cai Xiaotang, however, had already started walking forward, so he had no choice but to follow.

In the distance—Li Xiao followed behind the two, and seeing them continue to stroll forward, he could only keep following, his heart already sour and bubbling.

Hmph...

First shopping, then a fortune-telling stall.

Anyone who didn't know better would think the two of them were on a date!

These things were clearly supposed to be done with him by Xiao Tang's side!

Without realizing that he had subconsciously added Gu Han to his list of romantic rivals, Li Xiao continued to follow while secretly grumbling to himself.

After walking for another stretch, he saw the two reach the end of the ancient street, only to suddenly turn into a side alley.

What are they going there for?

Li Xiao's brow tightened, and he hurried to follow.

Up ahead—Cai Xiaotang didn't feel anything was amiss and was holding up her phone, earnestly taking pictures.

Although her personality was a bit boisterous, she was exceptionally fond of places like this that were quiet and carried a hint of historical atmosphere.

Being in it, her whole heart seemed to quiet down, leaving only tranquility.

While Gu Han nonchalantly led Cai Xiaotang further inside, he casually introduced: "This is the only small area that was preserved from before. There aren't many people living here now; most bought a courtyard just to keep as a memento, but they basically don't come to live here usually..."

"Is that so?"

Cai Xiaotang glanced casually at a small courtyard with a locked gate they were just passing, her expression involuntarily filled with longing.

It felt like living here... wouldn't be bad at all.

It was like a paradise hidden within the bustling city.

If she could be here with Li Xiao...

Cai Xiaotang's footsteps faltered, and the image of the two of them living in a place like this suddenly couldn't help but surface in her mind.

Then, the corners of her lips couldn't help but curl into a bitter arc.

"Sister Cai Cai?"

Gu Han's voice came, abruptly interrupting Cai Xiaotang's train of thought.

"Hm? It's nothing, let's go."

Cai Xiaotang instantly came back to her senses, hurriedly pretending nothing was wrong as she smiled and continued walking forward.

But inside, she couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed.

Tsk...

What is wrong with her?

Didn't she always pride herself on being able to let go as easily as she picked things up?

Why did she still keep thinking of that guy?

Just thinking of the two words "Li Xiao" made Cai Xiaotang's heart feel sour and numb, forcing her to admit the fact she didn't want to face.

She seemed to like Li Xiao even more than she had imagined.

The departure she had originally expected was like the tape stuck to one's hand after removing an IV; because it had been attached for so long, it was only natural that it would cause pain to the skin when torn off.

But only after truly leaving did she realize...

Li Xiao was not some "adhesive tape" stuck to her skin.

He was a seed planted in her heart, connected to all her emotions and nerves.

To try and dig it out by force would inevitably leave her covered in wounds.

The only way was to stop thinking about anything related to him, to cut off all the oxygen

that the "seed" needed to grow, letting it lose its vitality until it disappeared.

But...

Cai Xiaotang had no heart to admire the scenery on either side, merely following Gu Han forward subconsciously.

Yet she didn't expect that after turning a corner—her peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of several young men standing against the wall in the middle of the path leading to the next turn, who one could tell at a glance were not up to any good.

Seeing the two walk over, the few young men exchanged glances and surrounded them with smiles.

Only, those smiles hid a fair amount of ill intent.

Cai Xiaotang paused her steps, reacting almost instantly to what was happening, feeling both annoyed and amused for a moment.

Damn it.

What kind of luck did she have?

Were even a few thugs going to give her a hard time now?

She grumbled in her heart, but couldn't help thinking of that fortune slip from just a moment ago.

A noble person could help her turn bad luck into good?

She wondered if these people counted as "bad luck" that had come knocking on her door?

As for that "good luck," they were still far away on the horizon!

As expected, one shouldn't take fortune-telling seriously...

Cai Xiaotang's mind was filled with messy thoughts, but in the span of a few seconds, the two of them had already been surrounded.

Her expression was calm, and she scanned the group with a steady gaze, realizing they were just a few young boys around Gu Han's age, so she didn't take them too seriously.

Gu Han, on the other hand, furrowed his brows and stepped directly in front of Cai Xiaotang, looking at the group with an unfriendly expression.

The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat tense.

The next second— "Are you here to rob us?"

Cai Xiaotang suddenly took the initiative to ask, sounding incredibly nonchalant.

This one sentence actually made the leader of the group pause for a moment, and he then subconsciously looked at Gu Han.

Gu Han was also stunned, not expecting Cai Xiaotang to play her cards so unexpectedly!

Immediately after, the youth at the very front with dyed yellow hair was the first to snap back to his senses, smiling with a full display of ruffian air.

"That's right. Since this beauty is so sensible, just take out your wallets. It'll save us from having to do it ourselves. Anyway, you people who come here to shop aren't short on this little bit of money."