Chapter 31: Twelve Words for You

“Mr. Mo, from the looks of it, you really hate me, don’t you?” The man smiled, entirely unruffled by the question.

“Charlatan, shouldn’t I hate you? Because of one sentence from you, I’ve endured three years of disdain in the Su family.” Thinking back on the past three years, Mo Ran clenched his teeth in frustration. He had practically lost all his personal freedom, not only ordered about by the Su family but also repeatedly slapped in public by Su Qingcheng.

So, the man before him was the same so-called feng shui master who had, three years ago at Su Corporation, declared, “This good son-in-law will bring the Su family prosperity for three generations.”

“If not for me, could you have repaid the orphanage’s kindness?” The man seemed to have long anticipated Mo Ran’s resentment, cutting straight to the point. “Three years of freedom and dignity in exchange for a million, to repay a debt of gratitude. This was your own choice. At most, I was just the go-between.”

“You don’t seem like a feng shui master at all—more like a silver-tongued trickster.” Mo Ran was a little surprised at how much the man knew, but then, considering his connection with Su Dashan, he quickly regained his composure and retorted with a sneer.

“Heh. Whatever you think of me is your business. But facts have proven that what I said three years ago wasn’t wrong—just look at the Su family now. Still, I’ll give you another twelve words: ‘Beware the calamity brought by beauty, lest you invite disaster and bloodshed.’” The feng shui master wore the same enigmatic smile, as if he could see straight into Mo Ran’s future.

“If you want me to believe you, that’s fine. Arrange a Five Ghosts Fortune Technique for me—let me get rich overnight, and from then on, you’ll be my own father.” Watching the man put on airs, Mo Ran scoffed. Calamity from a beauty? With his current state, beauties probably saw him as a disaster to be avoided at all costs. Did he really need reminding?

“If I knew how to do that, would I still need to come down from the mountain?” The feng shui master sighed helplessly.

“Enough, I won’t argue with you. I’m not as rich as Su Dashan.” With nothing more to say, Mo Ran climbed back onto his three-wheeler, waved, and prepared to leave. After all, in a way, the man had indeed helped him greatly. A few words were enough; there was no point in pursuing it any further.

“Remember the old Taoist’s words. Farewell.” Unexpectedly, the feng shui master was even more straightforward, turning and leaving with a single sentence.

“Hmph.” Mo Ran snorted coldly, twisted the throttle, and set off toward home.

Back at his rented room, Mo Ran stuck to his usual routine. He plugged in the three-wheeler to charge, unloaded everything, cleaned the still-greasy grill, and finally boiled water for a bath.

Busywork carried him deep into the night.

Having once again crossed paths with that charlatan, Mo Ran felt inexplicably agitated. The man’s words from three years ago seemed as vivid as if uttered just yesterday, and the development of the Su Corporation over those three years was equally clear in his mind. Could that charlatan really predict the future? As soon as the thought formed, he shook his head—surely, for someone like him, that was impossible.

Just as his mind became a jumble, his phone chimed. Only then did he remember that Mo Ya had promised to message him when she returned to her dorm.

(Ran-ge, I’ve been back for a while now. Just took a shower. Are you home yet?) Mo Ya sent a selfie first, then followed up with a voice message.

“Wow, the little snot-nosed kid from back then has grown up.” With just a glance at the photo—her ample curves, delicate collarbones—Mo Ran marveled, feeling as if she could practically keep fish in them. He quickly exited the enlarged view, sighing ruefully to himself. Still, why was his little brother acting up now of all times?

On her end, freshly showered and dressed in pajamas, Mo Ya curled up on her bed, cheeks flushed with a healthy glow that only made her face seem more delicate.

“Ugh, why hasn’t Ran-ge replied yet?” Flushed, she stared at the chat window as the “typing” indicator switched back and forth between “Ran-ge” and “typing” for five minutes, but his reply never came. Anxiously, she wondered if he thought she was being too forward.

After a long wait, just as sleep began to overtake her, Mo Ran finally replied.

(Little Ya, you should be careful from now on. Keep your distance from boys as you grow up.)

(Keep my distance? But I’m not really your little sister.) Instantly wide awake, Mo Ya replied, her words tinged with frustration and helplessness.

(Does it really matter if we’re related by blood?) This time, Mo Ran’s reply came quickly.

(Hmph. I’m ignoring you. I’m going to sleep.) Seeing his blockheaded response, Mo Ya felt utterly exasperated and decided to call it a night.

(Goodnight. I’m going to sleep, too.) Mo Ran replied even more swiftly—he was already exhausted.

“Argh, is he trying to drive me mad? He’s already been married, and he still says things like that—what a hopeless straight man!” Staring at her phone, Mo Ya felt a headache coming on, her blood pressure rising. She started to wonder if Mo Ran had a brother named Iron Man.

Meanwhile, although he’d managed to end the conversation with Mo Ya, Mo Ran still couldn’t sleep, as Xiao Xiao had already begun to question him via text.

(Mo Ran, you promised to send me your location, didn’t you? I waited all night, you know.) Even though it was just a line of text, it woke Mo Ran completely, banishing all traces of sleep.

(I was too busy tonight and forgot.) Mo Ran forced himself to reply.

(Alright, I’ll trust you this once. But tomorrow, you’d better send it, or else.) Unexpectedly, Xiao Xiao let him off with just a warning, and Mo Ran let out a sigh of relief.

(Got it, I’ll send it tomorrow for sure. I’m going to sleep now.) After making this impassioned promise, Mo Ran plugged in his phone and drifted off to sleep.

While he was lost in dreams of sudden wealth, a very important guest arrived at the old Su family residence where Su Dashan lived—the same enigmatic feng shui master.

“Mr. Su, it’s been three years, yet you haven’t changed a bit,” the charlatan greeted the elderly man with a smile.

“Oh, Master, please don’t tease me.” Su Dashan’s face immediately turned awkward, and he forced a bitter smile. “I truly regret my past choices. Blinded by greed, I forgot your warning before you left.”

“All is fated. There’s no need to dwell on it,” the master replied calmly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

“Master, I beg you to guide me through these troubles,” Su Dashan pleaded anxiously.

“Mr. Su, I’m just an old Taoist who reads feng shui,” the charlatan said, shaking his head with a cryptic smile.

Su Dashan glanced at him, inwardly berating himself. If only he hadn’t tried to use the Liu family’s connections to elevate the Su Corporation, giving Su Qingcheng the opportunity, he wouldn’t be in such a mess now.

The thought gave him a headache. Although the company’s stock price had stabilized, after being called out by the government, every aspect of business was affected. Despite all his years of experience in the city, he still couldn’t come up with a solution.

“Mr. Su, only the person who tied the knot can untie it. It’s up to you,” the charlatan said softly, lifting his teacup for a sip, his gaze seeing right through Su Dashan’s worries.

“Only the one who ties the knot can untie it…” At these words, Su Dashan’s eyes suddenly lit up…