Tales of Folk Feng Shui Mysteries

I lost my temper too. I had risked my life to save him more than once. Sure, I eventually gave up on helping him, but if it weren't for me, he would've been flattened under a car long ago—yet here he was, still alive and eating lobster?

"Cui Hai! You know exactly what I did, and how I saved you. Better than anyone else here. Let me tell you something—heaven is watching. Karma is real. Retribution doesn't come immediately, but it will come," I said, my face burning red with anger.

But Cui Hai looked totally unconcerned. He even shook the Buddhist prayer beads on his wrist and said smugly, "What are you so proud of? I've got Buddha protecting me. If you don't want me to get angry, then get the hell out of here."

Get out? To be honest, I hadn't planned to stay long anyway. After that insult, I didn't want to argue anymore. Instead, I turned and walked directly toward Liu Ruoyi. She stood up and asked, "Zhang Dabao, what do you want?"

I took a deep breath. No matter what, I felt I had to clear the air. Because after today, I'd be leaving to chase the faintest of clues about the Nine Dragon Gate.

"Ruoyi, I just wanted to say—about that time I stood you up, it wasn't on purpose…"

But she cut me off coldly before I could finish. "Zhang Dabao, save it. I already heard everything from Cui Hai. Don't claim you saved me. If that monk hadn't shown up at Cui Hai's grandpa's place, that weasel might've gotten away because of you. And let's be honest—we're history. Everyone's been immature at some point. But we're not the same people anymore. You're just a fortune-teller now. So do yourself a favor and give up. We're never going to happen."

Her words hit me like a hammer to the chest. My voice cracked as I said, "I was punished with 45 years of my lifespan just to save you. Starting today, I've only got two years left to live. I'm not trying to get anything from you—I just wanted to clear up a misunderstanding."

"Fortune punishment? Ha." Liu Ruoyi laughed coldly. Even Cui Hai snorted with disdain.

As I tried to explain, Cui Hai stepped in again with venom: "Oh, please. You think we'd buy that? You're full of crap. Punished lifespan—what a joke! You just need a good beating, that's what you need."

Liu Ruoyi's reaction crushed me. Without my intervention, she and the others would've been dead on the first night at the hands of the weasel spirit. Yet here they were, eating, drinking, laughing—and I was the villain?

Suddenly, Cui Hai swung a punch at me. But Jiang Shiyu grabbed me in time, pulling me aside so his punch missed. She snapped, "Do any of you have a conscience? If Zhang Dabao hadn't helped at the campsite, you'd all be dead by now!"

Then she looked at me and said softly, "Let's get out of here. These people aren't worth it."

I wanted to leave. The whole gathering felt disgusting—like I couldn't breathe. Liu Ruoyi's words finally crushed what little hope I had left. Forty-five years of my life... wasted. What a joke.

Outside the hotel, Jiang Shiyu waved me into the car. Neither of us said much. The car sped down the road, scenery flashing by like my own fleeting life. Time was running out—and for the first time, I truly understood how precious life was. But now, I was ready to let go. No point staying mad. The ghostly footprints from the seventh-day ritual were already a warning of karma.

Suddenly, Jiang Shiyu sniffled beside me.

I frowned and asked, "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

She wiped her eyes. "I just can't stand how they talked to you."

"That's enough to make you cry?" I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

She playfully slapped my arm. "And you still have the nerve to laugh?"

Being understood by someone… it really did feel good. I smiled and said, "Let them say what they want. It's all in the past."

"You really were punished with 45 years of your lifespan? That means you only have a couple years left now…"

I finally realized—she wasn't crying for herself. She was crying for me. A warmth bloomed in my chest.

I replied, "I was just messing with them."

"No. I know you weren't." Jiang Shiyu looked at me seriously. "Before he left, Master Yicheng said you look like an old man on the brink of death."

I rubbed my nose awkwardly. "Maybe he saw wrong. Just take me home."

Then she hesitated and said, "I'm… flying overseas the day after tomorrow."

People are made of flesh and blood. Jiang Shiyu had stood by me more than once—how could I not know what she was feeling? But right now, after being so deeply hurt by Liu Ruoyi, my emotions were still raw. If I made any decision now, it wouldn't be fair to Jiang Shiyu—and it would be irresponsible of me.

"Safe travels," I said softly. "Drop me off at the corner. Thanks for everything… for standing up for me."

"I understand." She gave a gentle smile. "Thank you for saving us on the mountain. I really hope what Master Yicheng said isn't true."