Xiaohua had worked hard to secure this chance for me to meet her parents, so naturally, I prepared meticulously.
First, I got a haircut, then went home to change into a brand-name sportswear T-shirt and knee-length shorts. After that, I spent some time browsing the county mall, picking out some tonics for Xiaohua's parents.
The cost of these tonics almost matched a month's living expenses for Grandpa and me.
As noon approached, I hopped onto our family bicycle, loaded up the gifts, and headed to Xiaohua's place.
This Phoenix-brand bicycle was a relic from my father's time. Grandpa couldn't bear to throw it away and had even bought new parts to repair it multiple times, so it was still barely functional.
I'd wanted to buy a new one, but Grandpa flatly refused. He said I could either ride the old one or not ride at all.
When I arrived at Xiaohua's building, I saw her waiting downstairs. I parked the bike, but before I could even greet her cheerfully, she snapped, "Why did you ride that piece of junk here again?"
Before I could reply, she added, "Why didn't you answer my calls?"
I pulled my Nokia brick phone from my pocket. "I didn't hear it while riding. What's up? You called over a dozen times. But I'm here now—it's only 11:30, not late."
As I reached for the two boxes of tonics hanging from the handlebars, Xiaohua grabbed my hand. "Li Chuyi, we're breaking up."
"What?" I thought she was joking.
"We're done," she repeated firmly. "We agreed to meet at 11:30, but you only just got here. You couldn't even cherish this last chance. Honestly, today was just Mom's way of having one final meal with you before ending things. I came down to stop you here so you wouldn't be humiliated at the table. That's it. Take your things and go. Don't come looking for me again."
She gave me a shove. I stumbled backward, knocking over my bicycle. It was my fault—my bike was too old, too slow.
Crash!
The sound echoed. Xiaohua opened her mouth as if to say something but then snapped it shut. She turned, entered the building, and slammed the door behind her, leaving me standing alone beside the fallen bike.
I thought about calling her again, but when I dialed, her mother answered. Before I could speak, she yelled, "It's over! Xiaohua made it clear. Get lost! Take a good look at yourself—no money, no education, no real job. What makes you think you deserve my daughter? Scram!"
"Screw you!" I shouted back, hanging up. I picked up the bike, grabbed the "valuable" tonics, and left.
The receipt for the tonics was still in my pocket—they could be returned within three days. I needed that money back; it could buy several wreaths.
Breaking up with Xiaohua didn't make me sad. It just made my wallet ache, remembering all the money I'd spent on her.
After returning the tonics, I headed straight back to the shop. Inside, two middle-aged men were standing around while Grandpa sat in his rocking chair, watching TV, ignoring them.
So I stepped in with a smile. "Who in the family passed? My condolences." Without waiting for an answer, I asked, "What can I help you with?"
One of the men studied me closely, then turned to Grandpa. "Master Divine Physiognomist, is this your grandson? He's grown so much."
Huh? Who were these people? How did they know Grandpa's old title?
Grandpa didn't respond, keeping his eyes glued to the TV. The man who spoke wasn't offended. He continued, "I came only to ask for your guidance, Master. Name your price."
Finally, Grandpa glanced at him. "I've told you. I've retired. I don't read faces or cast divinations anymore. Find someone else."
The man persisted. "Master, there are many fortune tellers in this world, but few possess your skill. Asking me to find another is impossible."
Before Grandpa could reply, I stepped forward. "Look, we only sell funeral wreaths and burial clothes here. If you're not buying, please leave. For fortune-telling, turn right outside—there are plenty of street fortune tellers under the willow trees by Minxin River."
I moved to usher them out.
The silent man tensed as if to block me, but the speaker stopped him sharply. "Lao Qiu! Don't touch him! This is the Master's home. Show respect!"
The man called Lao Qiu retreated immediately.
The speaker turned back to Grandpa and me. "Master, we'll take our leave for now. But I'll return. Until you agree to help me. Only you can resolve this matter."
As he spoke, I studied his face. His eyebrows were noticeably asymmetrical—a sign, according to physiognomy, of having half-siblings.
Both eyebrows were thick and short, indicating discord among brothers.
He looked about forty. For someone his age, yearly fortune is read near the shaoyin and shaoyang points—the areas just above the eyes, close to the inner corners. Both spots on his face looked shadowed, suggesting rough luck over the past two years.
If he was thirty-nine, it was a water-fire year—a period of low fortune where mishandled situations could lead to disaster. If forty, it was a fire-earth year. Fire nourishes earth; earth governs beginnings. It would be the year his troubles came to a head.
Whether the outcome would be good or bad was unclear. The rest of his face showed no obvious signs. Barring surprises, it might be mixed—some good, some bad. To know more, I'd need to see his palm lines or cast a divination.
Since the only notable sign was conflict in the brotherhood aspect, his troubles likely stemmed from siblings. Whatever he sought Grandpa's help for probably related to that.
My lingering gaze caught his attention. "Young man, do you read faces?"
Startled, I admitted, "A little."
"What do you see?"
I glanced at Grandpa. He was still watching TV, seemingly indifferent. After a moment, I recounted everything I'd observed. When I finished, the man stared in astonishment. "Remarkable! Truly remarkable! Master, your grandson is gifted! Everything he said is true! I am in conflict with my half-brother, and…"
Grandpa cut him off, rising from his chair. "Enough. I don't want to hear it. If you must speak, come back tomorrow. For now, leave."
The man immediately fell silent. He nodded respectfully, offered a faint smile, and left the funeral shop with his companion.
Once they were gone, I asked Grandpa who they were.
Instead of answering, he told me to close the shop. Puzzled, I asked, "No more business today?"
"There won't be any today," he said. "Come inside. There's something I need to tell you."
It was the first time since my parents' deaths that Grandpa had spoken to me with such gravity.
I followed his instructions, locked the shop, and trailed him into the house.
Inside, Grandpa led me directly to my parents' memorial tablets and told me to kneel. I obeyed, though a sense of foreboding washed over me.
After lighting incense as instructed, Grandpa spoke solemnly. "Chuyi, today, before your parents, I must tell you some things."
"What is it, Grandpa?" I asked nervously. "Why so formal?"
He sighed heavily. "There's much I can't say. But know this: certain parts of your fate… I cannot control or suppress them. What is meant to come will come. I just… I can't stand by you through it anymore. Because I'm leaving."
My heart lurched. "Grandpa! Are you dying? Did you foresee it? You can't die! You're all I have left!"
Grandpa glared. "Idiot! Who said I'm dying? I said I'm leaving. Leaving this town. Staying with you is no longer safe—for you. If I remain, I'll only bring you harm. I can't explain more. Just remember: I leave for your sake."
I opened my mouth to protest, but he continued firmly. "Don't worry. Everything here is yours. I'll take only two-thirds of our savings. The remaining third should cover your living expenses. Future rent and shop earnings are yours. You can also use the skills I taught you to earn money. But remember this: Never try to find me. If you do… disaster will strike. Just like it did with your parents."
Grandpa leaving shattered me. Him taking two-thirds of my wife-fund savings shattered me even more…
So when he finished, I cried.
Grandpa wasted no words. After delivering his message, he packed a few essentials and left. No lengthy explanations. No goodbyes. He didn't even let me see him off.
As for tomorrow's visitor? Grandpa simply said, "Handle it yourself. If you're right, charge him. If you're wrong, deal with the consequences."
Grandpa was gone. Xiaohua had dumped me. In this small county town, I was utterly alone.
Where would my fate lead me now?
And deep down, a nagging thought surfaced: Grandpa took two-thirds of my wife-fund savings to escape the burden of marrying me off. In other words… I drove him away.
The guilt gnawed at me.