The waterside pavilion held a qin stand with a guzheng placed atop it, while a crane-and-cloud incense burner emitted fragrant smoke in the corner.
"Quite the setup—both qin and sword. You really know how to make an impression," Chao Musheng mused.
"Please take a seat, young master," Mr. Xuan gestured for Chao Musheng to sit by the octagonal table, where an unfinished chess game lay scattered.
"I don’t have fine tea to offer, but these honeysuckle flowers I picked from the mountains suit the season well enough." A string of sandalwood prayer beads dangled from his wrist as he poured tea for Chao Musheng. "Do you seek guidance in matters of the heart, young master, or perhaps your future ambitions?"
"Can you divine both?" Chao Musheng picked up a chess piece and repositioned it casually.
"I have some modest skill in divination and physiognomy," Mr. Xuan replied, unbothered by the move—the game was merely a replica of a manual’s endgame. "After glimpsing you at the banquet hall the other night, I knew at once you carried an aura of nobility."
Chao Musheng raised an eyebrow. That evening, he hadn’t sensed any particular interest from Mr. Xuan regarding his features.
A sudden shift in attitude? He must want something.
"Your fortune rises like incense smoke—destined for greatness," Mr. Xuan continued, unfazed by Chao Musheng’s indifference.
Youths fresh to the world always believe they can reshape fate itself.
But as his gaze lingered on Chao Musheng’s face, his words faltered.
He’d invited Chao Musheng here at Old Master Chen’s behest, yet now he found the young man’s visage utterly inscrutable.
He’d seen Chao Musheng’s birth chart—an ordinary fate, fleeting as a night-blooming cereus’s bloom.
If it can’t be read, so be it. He sipped his tea. "Yet I foresee a calamity looming over you."
"Oh?" Chao Musheng perked up. "What kind?"
"The details remain unclear," Mr. Xuan answered slowly, savoring the mystique wealthy patrons adored—even his tea-drinking exuded an immortal’s grace. "Share your birth hour with me, and I may help you avert it."
He set the cup down, its saucer’s strange sigils fading.
Once the patterns vanished completely, he scoffed. "Child’s play."
With a flick of his fingers, the saucer shattered. He tossed the fragments into the water, sending ripples across the surface.
"My apologies. Outside forces meddle," Mr. Xuan said flatly, watching the waves. "Do not be alarmed."
Chao Musheng: "..."
Even a kid’s erasable pen could do this trick.
Breaking the saucer—afraid it’ll expose you later?
He recited his birthdate. "My parents never specified the hour, but surely a master like you can deduce it?"
The date matched exactly what the Song family had provided.
"If my calculations hold, you were born in the lower half of the Shen hour—between two and three in the afternoon," Mr. Xuan ventured, echoing the Song family’s script.
"My mother did mention I was an afternoon child," Chao Musheng breathed, eyes alight with awe. "Master Xuan, you’re truly miraculous."
He was born at dawn. His grandmother had said the morning clouds burned scarlet as sunset that day.
Such certainty meant someone had fed him the lie.
The Songs?
Given his parents’ distrust of Old Man Song, they’d never have disclosed his true birth time.
Normally skeptical of fortune-tellers, they’d never cut corners where he was concerned.
Why would the Chens seek my birth chart from the Songs?
"Your element is wood, currently thriving under favorable influences. But when autumn withers the grass, your fate will falter against your adversary’s dominance," Mr. Xuan sighed. "A bright star like you deserves better than a dimmed end."
"How can I counter this?" Chao Musheng fretted. "I’ve worked hard to become Kunlun Group’s executive assistant. I won’t lose what I’ve earned."
Mr. Xuan’s smile deepened. This is human nature—once tasted, heights are impossible to relinquish.
"Distance yourself from the one who opposes you, and misfortune will vanish."
"My adversary?" Chao Musheng pressed. "Name them."
"Allow me to divine further." Mr. Xuan shut his eyes, fingers tracing invisible lines. Moments later, he reopened them. "Metal overcomes wood. Avoid those whose names or charts bear metallic resonance."
"Yet I sense you’ve been near this person often lately. Without separation, your luck will only decay." Abruptly, Mr. Xuan coughed violently, shooting a wary glance skyward. "I dare not reveal more. The rest is yours to discern."
"My gratitude, Master Xuan." Chao Musheng seethed. "I’ll root out this blight upon me."
Mr. Xuan sipped his tea in silence.
"One last thing—can you tell me if I’ll find a wealthy, gorgeous partner who spoils me rotten?" Chao Musheng sighed. "If I fail to identify my nemesis, at least a sugar lover could save me decades of struggle."
Mr. Xuan’s cup froze mid-air. Youth today want shortcuts paved in gold.
His disdain faltered at Chao Musheng’s striking looks.
Had I been this pretty in my prime, I’d have sought soft landings too.
Still, the rich were shrewd—even willing spenders might withhold.
"Certainly," Mr. Xuan conceded. "But your romance and career are intertwined. Unless that adversary is removed, no bond, however fated, will last."
"Master Xuan, I understand now." Chao Musheng rose, enlightened. "Your words reassure me."
Mr. Xuan: "..."
Something feels... off.
After Chao Musheng left, Mr. Xuan coughed again, dousing the incense with tea. Who bought this cheap, acrid stuff?
Soon, Old Master Chen arrived with attendants to find Mr. Xuan plucking the guzheng, eyes closed.
"Master Xuan," Old Master Chen began, recognizing the diviner’s reluctance. "Earlier, I saw Chao—"
"Your task is done," Mr. Xuan halted the strings. "I’ve defied heaven’s will for you. Remember your pledge—donations to offset my karmic debt."
"Naturally." Old Master Chen handed him an antique scroll. "The matter two nights hence still requires your expertise."
Unfurling it, Mr. Xuan revealed a masterpiece recently auctioned for eight figures.
"It's good that the old master has come to understand." Mr. Xuan rolled up the scroll. "I can sympathize with your concern for your descendants, but the family's interests must come first."
"You're absolutely right, sir." Old Master Chen sighed sorrowfully, lightly tapping the table twice. "For the sake of the family, I believe he will understand."
It seemed the old man favored his eldest grandson a bit more.
Old Master Chen took a seat where Chao Musheng had been sitting earlier. The honeysuckle tea on the table was still steaming.
If the Chen family's fortunes took a turn for the better, and Chao Musheng clashed with internal staff at Kunlun, they could use his hand to stir up trouble for Su Chenzhu. The Chen family might even seize the opportunity to climb higher.
In the business world, battles could be waged anywhere.
"Mr. Chao." Little He trailed behind Chao Musheng, cautiously studying his expression. "That was all nonsense, right? You don’t actually believe it?"
"I’d sooner believe I’m an immortal descended to save the world than trust a word of that." Chao Musheng noticed Little He’s hesitant look and reassured him, "Don’t worry."
"Good." Little He exhaled in relief. Seeing how intently Chao Musheng had listened earlier, he’d feared his boss might have fallen for the middle-aged fraudster’s words.
The fortune-teller the Chen family had hired had gone on and on about fate, compatibility, and incompatibility—there was definitely something fishy about it.
"Achoo!" Secretary Liu sneezed loudly after finishing some paperwork. He glanced toward the door. Was Chao Musheng still not back?
Su Chenzhu stood and walked into the courtyard. The lounge chair was still there, swaying gently in the cool breeze.
The tea and snacks on the wooden side table had already been cleared away. Su Chenzhu settled into the chair, closing his eyes to listen to the rustle of leaves in the wind.
Chao Musheng stepped through the courtyard gate and paused at the sight of the man in the lounge chair.
The Su Chenzhu before him was always poised and restrained—rarely did he seem so at ease.
A leaf drifted down onto Su Chenzhu’s chest. He opened his eyes and picked it up.
The leaf bore a few tiny holes from insect bites. He held it up, and flecks of sunlight filtered through the holes, casting dappled light into his tea-golden eyes.
For a fleeting moment, Chao Musheng thought he saw Su Chenzhu’s irises turn a pure, radiant gold.
"Chao’s back?" Secretary Liu noticed him lingering at the gate. "What are you spacing out for?"
"Chao?" Su Chenzhu lowered the leaf and sat up, his silver spectacle chain sliding down his throat to rest against his chest.
"I took Little He out for a walk." Chao Musheng approached, leaning in slightly to study Su Chenzhu’s eyes.
"What is it?"
"I was just looking at your eyes." Chao Musheng straightened. "Mr. Su, your eyes are beautiful."
That flash of gold must have been a trick of the light.
Su Chenzhu fell silent for a moment. He adjusted his glasses lightly, masking the faint tremor in his pupils. "Oh?"
"Mhm!" Chao Musheng nodded emphatically. "Absolutely."
"Secretary Liu." Chao Musheng waved at the man standing in the doorway. "Come join us."
Su Chenzhu turned to look at Secretary Liu.
Secretary Liu: "..."
Did he really have to be called over right now?
Under the weight of his boss’s cool gaze and Chao Musheng’s enthusiastic beckoning, Secretary Liu reluctantly dragged over another rocking chair and sat beside them.
Being the third wheel had never felt more uncomfortable.
"Earlier, by the pavilion, I ran into the fortune-teller staying with the Chen family." Once Secretary Liu was seated, Chao Musheng got down to business. "He said my destiny is auspicious—that I’ll find a wealthy, handsome, and generous partner someday."
Secretary Liu shot a furtive glance at his boss and nodded vigorously. "Sounds accurate to me. Your future partner will undoubtedly be the best in the world."
Wealthy, handsome, and generous—wasn’t that basically describing his boss?
Chao Musheng suppressed a laugh. "But he also said there’s someone around me who’s incompatible with my fate."
"Who?" Secretary Liu asked, curious.
Chao Musheng gave him a meaningful look. "The master said my element is wood, and metal suppresses wood. I should avoid people whose names contain 'metal'—they’re bad luck."
Secretary Liu, whose full name was Liu Mingjin: "..."
Oh no. The trap was meant for him all along!
"Absolute nonsense! That so-called master is clearly a fraud!" Secretary Liu didn’t dare check his boss’s expression, afraid he’d be told to scram on the spot. "Chao, we’re modern young people—we can’t fall for a swindler’s tricks."
Chao Musheng hadn’t expected such a strong reaction. "Relax, Secretary Liu. It’s obvious the Chen family is trying to pit us against each other."
"Not just us." Secretary Liu hurried to clarify. "They’re trying to drive a wedge between you and the boss. That old man Chen wants to ruin your relationship."
Don’t lump me in with you. I know my place.
Secretary Liu was sweating bullets.
"True." Chao Musheng nodded. "If I actually believed the fraudster and started targeting you at work, Mr. Su would be the one to suffer the losses."
"Exactly!" Secretary Liu agreed. "It’s all a scheme."
Boss, say something!
Chao already sees through the plot—you’re not buying this con artist’s drivel, right?
Under the intense scrutiny of both Chao Musheng and Secretary Liu, Su Chenzhu finally spoke. "I don’t believe in superstitions."
Secretary Liu relaxed.
Boss, you’ll win Chao over for sure. I’ll support you all the way!
