Chapter 38: Chapter 38 Sharp and Sarcastic
Huang Mao's heart was filled with endless fear, and he scurried away from Tongtian Bridge. He had a feeling that if he stayed any longer, he might indeed end up worse than dead.
His flight did not surprise the onlookers. After all, with such an incident, anyone normal would be scared and dare not stay any longer.
What happened today truly overturned everyone's beliefs. The skill Zhong Niangyao displayed had dispelled all doubts about her, for someone capable of such feats surely had real ability!
Suddenly, as if a thought struck them, many people dashed towards Zhong Niangyao's stall. Even those who were sitting at other fortune-tellers' stalls stopped their consultations to head over.
Although Zhong Niangyao didn't frequent Tongtian Bridge often, she was very famous. Of course, what truly stuck in people's minds was that she only entertained three clients per day. Such a limited number meant it was first come, first served.
Before, due to her young age, people didn't trust her and didn't care for those three spots. But now, after witnessing Zhong Niangyao's extraordinary abilities, those spots had become highly sought after—with numerous people vying for them!
Despite the bustling crowd today, Zhong Niangyao did not break her own rule, still divining for only three people each day.
Of course, this wasn't because fortune-telling drained her energy; the primary reason was simply her laziness. Despite needing to accumulate merit to stabilize her soul, she had no intention of overexerting herself.
Certainly, fortune-telling was her signature skill, but she still found it tiresome.
Because there were so many people today, Zhong Niangyao quickly completed the three readings. Then, with a flick of her sleeve, she left gracefully without a trace.
Those who hadn't managed to get a reading could only shake their heads in regret, hoping to come earlier tomorrow for a chance.
After leaving Tongtian Bridge, Zhong Niangyao had planned to browse the streets for bargains. However, checking her phone, she realized it was getting late, and after a quick bite to eat on the street, she headed home.
Unexpectedly, upon returning to the Zhong Family home, she found everyone gathered in the living room.
Seeing such an assembly, Zhong Niangyao raised an eyebrow, then, recalling recent events, confirmed she hadn't done anything scandalous. Nodding to herself, she walked calmly into the living room.
"Yaoyao, you're back!" Old Madam Zhong's face brightened with a smile as she waved Zhong Niangyao over, pointing to a spot beside her, "Come and sit down!"
After greeting Old Sir Zhong and Old Madam Zhong, Zhong Niangyao sat down beside Old Madam Zhong.
Yet, she didn't ask anything. If there were something important, someone would tell her.
Sure enough, after she sat down, the Zhong Family's leading matriarch, Zheng Silin, spoke up, "Nianyao, you've returned at just the right moment to hear this good news."
"Mom, why the rush?" Zhong Mengfan cast a disdainful glance at Zhong Niangyao, "Besides, sending her would be a blatant embarrassment to our Zhong Family."
"If you're afraid of embarrassment, you don't have to go." Old Sir Zhong spoke sternly, "That way, you can't lose face no matter what."
At these words, Zhong Mengfan's face turned stiff, and she looked at Old Sir Zhong in disbelief, "Grandfather, what are you talking about? Why can't I go to the banquet? Even if you favor Zhong Niangyao, you can't treat me like this! I'm also your granddaughter!"
"Meng Fan, you shut your mouth," Zhong Minghao cast a warning glance at Zhong Mengfan, "With your grandfather here, it's not your place to talk so much."
Then, turning his head to address Old Sir Zhong, "Dad, Meng Fan speaks without thinking, please don't take it to heart. Silin and I will certainly teach her properly."
"It's better if you do," Old Master Zhong huffed coldly, "A girl's family shouldn't be so sharp-tongued. In the future, her marriage might cause people to question our Zhong Family's upbringing."
"It's all my fault," Zheng Silin interjected quickly, "Minghao is always busy with work, and I haven't properly educated the child."
Old Master Zhong snorted coldly but said nothing more.
The second branch of the family had remained silent all along, quietly watching the drama unfold within the main branch.
At that moment, Old Madam Zhong spoke up, "Alright, enough with that."
Everyone immediately fell silent.
Old Madam Zhong turned again to look at Zhong Niangyao, her face bearing a kind smile, "Yaoyao might not know yet! Today, we received an invitation from the Lu Family. Old Madam Lu is about to celebrate her seventieth birthday, and she has invited our entire family to the banquet!"