On a rainy night, the school beauty knocked on my door and asked for shelter
Chapter Summary
But they had only been back for two days when Chen Xi came knocking on their door on the third day. Since you two have just finished your college entrance exams, I'll take you there to have your fortunes told, ask about your future, and maybe even your marriage prospects! Chen Xi seemed to have figured this out, and she said with a smile, "The key is that I heard this old Taoist priest has the ability to change one's fate.
There are still a few days until the college entrance examination results are released.
Chen Mo and Su Yuqing originally planned to rest at home for the next few days.
But they had only been back for two days when Chen Xi came knocking on their door on the third day.
The doorbell rang urgently, carrying an undeniable energy.
"Coming!
" Su Yuqing responded, and went to open the door with a bit of curiosity.
Standing outside the door was Chen Xi.
Today, she wasn't wearing a business suit, but rather a neatly tailored casual outfit.
Her face held an excited and slightly mysterious smile, and she looked radiant.
"Good morning, Qingqing!
" Chen Xi greeted with a smile, her gaze passing over Su Yuqing and landing on Chen Mo, who had just finished washing the dishes and came out of the kitchen.
"Mo Mo, hurry up and get ready.
I've arranged a place for you to relax today!
"Chen Mo looked at his mother's rare expression of girlish excitement and was somewhat surprised: "We were just saying that we should rest well at home for the next few days and wait for the results.
""What's the point of staying cooped up at home?
Young people should go out and explore more!
" Chen Xi walked in without waiting for a reply, her eyes darting between Chen Mo and Su Yuqing, a knowing smile on her face.
"Especially in the time between the college entrance exam results and the release of the results, you need to relax.
Qingqing, don't you agree?
"Su Yuqing was still worried about the possibility of different college entrance examination scores and the possibility of not being able to attend the same school.
A faint sadness flashed across her eyes, but she immediately nodded and smiled: "Yes, Auntie is right.
It's good to go out for a walk.
"Chen Mo wiped his hands, walked over, and looked towards the door: "Mom?
It's so sunny outside, where are you taking us?
""Let's go to a nice place!
" Chen Xi changed her shoes, walked to the sofa, and glanced between her son and future daughter-in-law, pausing particularly on the subtle intimacy between them.
A satisfied smile flashed in her eyes.
"I heard there's an old Taoist priest at the Taoist temple near Yunyin Mountain who's incredibly accurate at fortune telling!
Since you two have just finished your college entrance exams, I'll take you there to have your fortunes told, ask about your future, and maybe even your marriage prospects!
""Asking about marriage?
" Chen Mo almost choked on his own saliva, looking at his mother, a prominent figure in the cutting-edge technology field, with disbelief.
"Mom, you work in cutting-edge technology!
How can you believe in this?
"He had no recollection of his mother ever being interested in metaphysics or fortune telling.
The main reason is that in Chen Mo's previous timeline, he didn't have much contact with his mother.
Su Yuqing was unaware of these things, but she was sensitive to the words "marriage divination.
" She widened her eyes slightly, and a blush quietly rose on her cheeks.
Fate...
her fate with Chen Mo?
The way Aunt Chen Xi said this word carried a peculiar, heart-pounding formality.
Chen Xi, hands on her hips, declared confidently, "Science is one way to understand the world, and metaphysics is also a way to explore the unknown!
That's called inclusiveness, understand?
Our ancestors have passed down some profound truths over thousands of years, which science can't explain for now!
Besides...
" She softened her tone, glancing at Su Yuqing with a hint of mischief, "Just consider it a trip to clear your head.
Yunyin Mountain has beautiful scenery and fresh air; it's better than being cooped up at home.
Qingqing, don't you agree?
"Su Yuqing felt both expectant and flustered upon hearing Chen Xi's words.
If the calculations show that the two are a perfect match, then that's fine.
But if the calculations show that the two are not compatible, then it's all over.
Therefore, Su Yuqing was very flustered.
Chen Xi seemed to have figured this out, and she said with a smile, "The key is that I heard this old Taoist priest has the ability to change one's fate.
Even if the divination shows that it's not good, he has a way to improve it.
""Isn't this just a scam to swindle money?
" Chen Mo was both amused and exasperated.
But seeing his mother's enthusiastic expression, and looking at Su Yuqing, whose face was flushed with shyness and anticipation, he had a more subtle feeling about the words "future" and "destiny" after experiencing the qualitative change in their relationship on Bikong Island and the deep emotional exchanges they had before.
He was willing to give it a try.
These charlatans usually didn't charge for the first part of the fortune telling; they only charged for resolving the problems discovered during the reading.
So Chen Mo felt he had a way to prevent his mother from being scammed.
Let's just treat it as going to see the scenery.
"Alright, Mom.
I'll do whatever you say.
" Chen Mo shrugged helplessly, but a indulgent smile played on his lips.
Seeing this, Su Yuqing could only obediently nod.
Although she was still a little flustered, she also wanted to hear about her and Chen Mo's fate.
"Great!
" Chen Xi beamed, her goal achieved.
"Then what are we waiting for?
Let's change our clothes and go!
"Qingxu Temple, located on Yunyin Mountain in the suburbs, is built against the mountain and far away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Ancient trees reach for the sky, and the environment is quiet and secluded.
There weren't many tourists on the bluestone path, and the air was filled with a faint scent of incense.
Chen Xi had clearly done his homework, and he led the two around to a more secluded side courtyard behind the Taoist temple with ease.
Sure enough, there was an old Taoist priest with white hair and beard, who was sitting at a small table under an ancient pine tree.
Contrary to the image of an otherworldly, ethereal figure, this old Taoist priest wore a worn-out gray robe with mud specks on his trousers, yet his eyes were unusually bright and sharp.
He was slowly puffing out smoke from an old pipe, with a few bunches of fresh vegetables and a basket of herbs on the table.
The atmosphere was a mix of everyday life and human warmth, giving him the air of a refined gentleman from the streets.
"Mom, didn't you say he's a very accurate fortune teller?
If word got to you, wouldn't this Taoist temple be overwhelmed with visitors?
Why would we be so free?
"Chen Mo looked around and was surprised to find that there was no one else there.
"Fool, Master Liu only sees one group of people a day, and he will never see more than that.
You have to make an appointment in advance.
Do you think he will see just anyone who comes?
If you don't make an appointment, you've come for nothing.
So you may not see many people, but there are plenty of people who want to make an appointment.
Your old mother made an appointment through her own abilities.
"Chen Xi looked at Chen Mo triumphantly and said.
The so-called "based on ability" actually just means that after registering, the Taoist priest randomly selects you.
This Taoist priest was quite a character; he believed in the principle of first come, first served.
But each time, he would randomly select one person from those who had registered the day before, calling it fate.
Those who weren't selected can only be considered unlucky.
Then the person who is selected can bring their relatives and friends to have their fortune told by the old Taoist priest.
But no more than five people are allowed.
When Chen Xi first heard about this old Taoist priest from his friend, he also thought that the old Taoist priest was a fraud.
But his friend insisted on speaking well of him, and Chen Xi treated it as something like metaphysics—if you believe it, it exists; if you don't, it doesn't.
As long as the other person didn't say anything particularly unpleasant, it wouldn't hurt to listen.
(End of Chapter)