Chapter 148
Chapter 148
On the night before the release of the college entrance exam scores, Kong Mingze invited the entire class to a seafood hot pot dinner.
This was the last gathering for Class 1, and after this meal, everyone would be going their separate ways. So, instead of letting the class monitor Zhuge Ying order, Kong Mingze took charge and ordered the deluxe version, ensuring everyone enjoyed the feast to the fullest.
The atmosphere in the private room was lively, with everyone having a few drinks. Even Wei Shixu, who usually didn't partake in such revelry, took a few sips, clearly in a great mood. Beneath the table, he held Quan Zhisui's hand, unconcerned about whether anyone noticed.
Quan Zhisui didn't drink and got up halfway through the meal. Wei Shixu pulled her back immediately. “Where are you going? I’ll come with you.”
Quan Zhisui patted his hand. “I’m going to chat with the monitor. Do you want to join in a girl-to-girl conversation too?”
Wei Shixu let go of her hand.
Zhuge Ying had also downed a bottle of beer. She had performed exceptionally well in the exam, with a high estimated score, and was undoubtedly headed for Tsinghua University.
The two of them went out to the balcony to feel the breeze. Zhuge Ying leaned on the railing, gazing at the night view of Liangxi Town, feeling a mix of emotions. “High school went by so quickly! And it was so much fun!”
Quan Zhisui replied, “Thank you, monitor.”
Zhuge Ying chuckled. “Why are you being so sentimental all of a sudden? It feels like we’re never going to meet again.”
Quan Zhisui looked at her and nodded. “It is a farewell, monitor.”
Zhuge Ying was stunned.
Quan Zhisui repeated, “Thank you so much for the past two years. You've been the best class monitor.”
Zhuge Ying grabbed her hand and asked, “What do you mean by a farewell?”
Quan Zhisui paused before saying, “I’m leaving Liangxi and won’t be coming back.”
Zhuge Ying frowned. “Can you be more specific?”
Quan Zhisui took her hand. “I’ll delete everyone from my contacts and erase all memories of this city from my mind.”
Zhuge Ying was shocked and couldn’t say a word.
Quan Zhisui continued, “When I came down from the mountain, I knew nothing, not even how to use a phone, which my master bought the night before. I struggled to adapt to the city, but I hated it here, hated Liangxi. Now, it’s finally over.”
Zhuge Ying looked at her with a complex expression.
Quan Zhisui’s eyes were also filled with complexity. “Can you understand me?”
Zhuge Ying shook her head. “I sympathize with you, but I really don’t understand! What about Wei Shixu? Are you going to delete him too?”
Quan Zhisui looked into the distance and smiled faintly. “Actually, my master often scolds me for being superstitious and stubborn.”
Zhuge Ying watched her, waiting for her to continue.
Quan Zhisui said, “My birth chart shows a tendency to be distant from relatives, which aligns with my experiences at the Zuo Family. Similarly, my 'true fate' will appear when I turn twenty.”
Zhuge Ying suddenly sobered up, staring at her. “Can you bear it? Can you really let go of Wei Shixu?”
She could tell.
At first, Quan Zhisui might have been resistant, but throughout senior year, the subtle interactions between her and Wei Shixu clearly showed mutual affection. Wei Shixu’s gaze towards her was almost melting.
Quan Zhisui didn’t answer whether she could bear it or not. She just said, “Wei Shixu is a tempting but harmful peony. He’s not suitable for me and suffocates me.”
Zhuge Ying’s eyes reddened. “Your master was right to scold you! You really are superstitious! But what you said is true; he’s too extreme.”
-----------------
The next day, the college entrance exam scores were released.
Wei Shixu’s score wasn’t listed, as he was among the top fifty in the province, and his phone was flooded with calls from prestigious universities.
It was rumored that he was the provincial champion.
Terrifyingly brilliant.
He immediately knocked on Quan Zhisui’s door, eager to ask, “What’s your score?”
Quan Zhisui put down her phone and added fifteen points to her actual score before telling him the fake one.
Wei Shixu’s eyes lit up. “You did so well? Let me help you analyze your choices and choose specialties now.”
Quan Zhisui didn’t refuse. “Okay.”
Soon, the scores were rolling in the class chat group, with everyone congratulating each other.
Many people were asking Zhuge Ying, but she didn’t respond.
Ever since her conversation with Quan Zhisui, she couldn’t shake the unease in her heart.
On the day the scores were released, she left her home and wandered the streets aimlessly.
She glanced at her phone and saw Kong Mingze’s terrifying score in the group, a stark contrast to her own.
What’s more, Kong Mingze seemed indifferent to it, joking around.
As Zhuge Ying walked, she came across a fortune-teller’s stall and casually asked, “How much for a reading?”
The fortune-teller sized her up and replied, “Eight hundred yuan.”
Zhuge Ying walked away, turned a corner, and entered a century-old Daoist temple in the pedestrian street.
She approached the temple’s official and asked, “How much to interpret one’s birth chart?”
The official pointed to the back courtyard. “Oh, I’m just the hall attendant. Ask the sweepers if they’re free. A birth chart reading is simple; it’s about two hundred yuan.”
Zhuge Ying thanked him and went to the back courtyard.
Just then, an old Daoist priest walked out and looked at her with a smile. “Oh, a prestigious guest has arrived.”
Zhuge Ying asked, “Master, do you interpret birth charts?”
The old Daoist priest replied, “I don’t usually do it, but I can for you. Come in and chat, clever girl.”
Zhuge ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????Ying followed curiously and asked, “How did you know I’m clever?”
The old Daoist priest chuckled. “You can tell from various aspects. Do you want to see your birth chart? Actually, with your purple light soaring to the sky, your future for the next ten years is a smooth ascent. The reading is unnecessary.”
Zhuge Ying persisted. “Let’s still take a look. I want to know about my true fate.”
The old Daoist priest raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Then write it down.”
Zhuge Ying wrote down her date and time of birth. “It’s in the Gregorian calendar; I don’t know the lunar one.”
The old Daoist priest waved it off. “It’s fine.”
He quickly converted it and laid out her birth chart.
As soon as he saw it, he was delighted.
“Indeed! Resourceful and intelligent! If someone offends you, you’re quite good at scolding, aren’t you? You’ve been a class leader since you were young? Your wit is sharp; you know where to strike for the most impact.”
Zhuge Ying smiled and lowered her head.
The old Daoist priest continued, “Your day master is seated by the Literary Star, marking you as a champion’s talent! Incredibly intelligent. The exam is over; how did you perform?”
Zhuge Ying continued to smile. “The scores aren’t out yet.”
The old Daoist priest was surprised. “Oh?”
Zhuge Ying explained, “I performed above expectations and made it to the top fifty in the province. I’ve already received calls offering admission to Tsinghua University.”
“Hahaha!” The old Daoist priest laughed heartily. “What did I tell you? Hahaha! Your birth chart indicates a top student’s fate! Your future luck is excellent, and it’s a trajectory that can transcend several social classes!”
Zhuge Ying asked again, “What about my true fate?”
The old Daoist priest waved his hand. “Don’t rush. Your true fate will appear when you’re 25. He’ll be rich and devoted! For now, don’t think of anything else. Work hard and strive to climb higher! The one who deserves you will be at the peak!”
Zhuge Ying nodded and asked, “How much?”
The old Daoist priest said, “Oh? I haven’t finished explaining.”
Zhuge Ying replied, “It’s not important, right? Just keep climbing higher.”
The old Daoist priest burst into laughter, bowing to her. “Clever! Understanding! Pay as you wish! May your blessings be infinite!”
Zhuge Ying thanked him, scanned the code, and paid 188 yuan.
As she exited the temple, she felt a chill run through her body.