Chapter 28: Old Wan's Call

"What the hell are you looking at?" I cursed. "That kid is clearly a college student who’s already out of school. They’re at least ten years apart, if not more."

"How, how, how is that possible? Isn't that his son?" Li Si asked, still pointing at the pair in shock.

Just then, the two of them hugged in the middle of the crowd, holding each other for a good ten seconds before letting go. Both of them wore expressions of pure satisfaction.

"Holy shit," Li Si smacked his thigh. "It's a May-December romance! Everything’s turned upside down!"

Li Si’s voice was loud. The woman seemed to snap out of it, blushing as she pulled the young man away. The young man heard him too, glaring at Li Si as if he would have come over to start a fight if the woman hadn't been holding him back. Eventually, she managed to pull him away.

"Damn, I’ve heard of people keeping mistresses or boy toys, but seeing a real-life gigolo? That’s a surprise, a real surprise." He turned to me, giving me a thumbs-up. "You’re good, seriously good. I’m impressed."

I gave a faint smile, instantly slipping back into the persona of an expert.

"Ahem, ahem. Little brother, you really are a master. To be able to see a person's future just by looking at their face—I’m truly impressed."

I froze. A voice came from behind me without any warning. Li Si and I both jumped to our feet.

"Easy, little brother, don't be so tense. I mean no harm." The middle-aged man raised both hands to stop us.

I looked him over and asked, "Mister, can I help you?"

The man sighed. "To be honest, I’m the husband of the woman you were just talking about."

Li Si stepped in front of me. "What do you want?" I could see his fists were clenched, ready to strike. I pushed him aside; the man clearly had something to say, and if he had wanted to fight, he would have attacked from behind.

"Brother Si, stay calm. The man just wants to talk about life, it’s fine."

The man paused, offering a bitter smile. "Exactly, just to talk about life. How about I treat you two to a drink?"

I curled my lip. "I saw that woman’s face, and you’re no saint yourself. You’ve done your share of wrong, and she’s done hers. You’re both two sides of the same coin."

The man was stunned again, nodding slowly. "Your insights are extraordinary, little brother. You’re absolutely right."

"Holy crap, you can tell all that from a face? Oh my heavens, I’m going to have to start wearing a mask," Li Si said, slapping his forehead.

"Enough, it’s not that mystical. Let's go." I turned to leave. I had read the man’s face; he was a government official, someone in the system. I couldn't afford to offend him.

"Little brother, I’m sincere. I just want to make your acquaintance over a meal."

I turned back and cupped my hands in a salute. "Mister, I don't dare offend you civil servants. If you decided to pin a 'spreading feudal superstition' charge on me later, I wouldn't even know how I died. Please, let us be."

I bowed slightly, my tone sincere. I wanted him to see that I knew my stuff and that it was better for us to go our separate ways if we hadn't crossed paths yet.

The man’s expression shifted to even greater shock. He paused for a moment before saying, "Don't worry, little brother. I’ve seen enough of the world to know that as long as people with your true abilities don't break the law, I wouldn't dare provoke you."

I gathered he was a man of integrity—meaning if I did break the law, he’d definitely arrest me. I looked at his face again. "Mister, you’re lying. That woman was never on your path to begin with."

He froze again, eventually letting out a helpless, bitter laugh. "Little brother, you’ve truly opened my eyes. I was entrusted by someone else to get involved in this mess."

I shook my head. "Entrusted by power, you mean." The man looked stunned again. I knew I was right. I continued, "Your ambition is too heavy, causing a depletion of your household's energy. Your wife must be suffering from chronic illness."

The man straightened up, involuntarily stepping back, his face full of horror. "You…?"

I cupped my hands once more. "Mister, we’ll stay out of each other’s way. Our paths may cross again, but for now, I ask that you let us be."

The man hesitated for a second, then sighed. "You’re right. Our paths will cross again. I was too abrupt today. I hope we can be friends in the future."

He stepped aside and gestured for us to pass. I nodded and walked away.

Li Si followed close behind, and after we had put ten meters between us, he leaned in and whispered, "Brother, you’re too damn good! I’ve seen it with my own eyes today. I’m floored—I’m convinced!"

I felt great. Using my grandmother's little book to perfectly assess someone felt better than finding ten thousand yuan.

I looked at my clothes and said, "Brother Si, take me to buy some new clothes. I don't even have a change of outfit here."

"Damn, let’s go! This is my turf, I’ll cover everything." As soon as shopping was mentioned, Li Si’s posture straightened, and he dragged me toward the mall.

Just then, I noticed someone trailing us not far behind. I looked back, and Li Si saw it too.

"Don't worry about him, let him follow. He’s one of the Old Man’s people."

I understood. It was security from the Li family.

We entered the mall. Li Si picked out several outfits, held them up against me, and had the clerk pack them up without even checking the prices. After leaving the mall, we grabbed dinner, and then he drove me to his villa. I put on a casual outfit, and in the mirror, I looked quite a bit sharper.

"Damn, clothes really do make the man. Brother, it’d be a waste of your natural assets if you didn't become a gigolo."

I curled my lip. "Brother, I’m afraid that’s a job I wouldn't live long enough to enjoy the money from. If I can earn money with my skills, why would I rely on my looks?"

"Right, you’re right. With your skills, I don't think we should accept any appearance fee under three hundred thousand."

I was taken aback. Three hundred thousand! Li Si was overestimating me. In my heart, I was thinking that even thirty thousand would be enough for me to live like a king if I could land one gig a month.

"Are you satisfied, brother? If it’s not enough, we’ll go pick more. You have to be satisfied." Li Si looked at me, his expression so serious I thought he was just showing off his wealth.

"Brother, this is enough for now. A change of clothes is fine; I’m not a luxury-loving person." I put on a show of modesty myself.

*Ring, ring, ring.* Li Si’s phone rang. It was Old Wan, and his tone was urgent.