Huo Zhixing happened to have it on his hand, so Jiang Can took it to compare.
They really are exactly the same, even the style of the bells and the weaving pattern are identical.
The two exchanged a glance and nodded in tacit agreement. Then, Huo Zhixing took Jiang Can's hand and quickly left Xiyuan.
They drove to a hot spring inn near the sea, where the air carried a faint salty smell. After getting out of the car, they walked along the winding mountain road and soon heard a familiar voice.
"Young lady, your birth chart is quite good!"
"Hmm...it's just that your fate in marriage is a bit off. Heh, you two will break up sooner or later!"
Jiang Can's heart tightened, and she quickened her pace.
The same old woman was still standing there, reading palms for tourists, her face bearing that knowing, knowing smile.
Jiang Can was taken aback, only to hear the old lady continue, "But one day, you will be happy!"
Isn't this exactly what she told them back then?
"These two bracelets are for you." The old lady took out two red braided cords, each with a bell hanging from it. "If you ever part ways in the future, these bracelets will surely let you know where you are..."
Huo Zhixing was also stunned.
Ha, so this is the same story no matter who you're talking to!
He chuckled self-deprecatingly, intending to leave with Jiang Can in his arms, but the little woman's stubbornness kicked in, and she insisted on getting an explanation.
"How could you do this? Aren't you playing us for fools? This is disrespectful to your elders!"
"Never mind," Huo Zhixing chuckled. "If she weren't forced by life's circumstances, she wouldn't be here telling fortunes at her age."
"But..." the little woman pouted, "because of what she said, I worried for a long time!"
A warm feeling welled up in Huo Zhixing's heart.
He was the same; sometimes he would wake up in the middle of the night and think about those words, about how they would eventually have to separate, and he would find it hard to fall asleep peacefully.
But now they know the truth: the old woman didn't know how to tell fortunes at all; she was just fooling them.
He felt no anger at being deceived, but rather a sense of relief, as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
"Oh, young lady, would you like me to take a look at you?" The old woman, leaning on her cane, walked unsteadily to them. She first pretended to sized up Jiang Can, then said with great seriousness, "Young lady, your destiny is truly one of wealth and nobility. I think you are..."
"I am destined to be an empress!" Jiang Can crossed her arms over her chest.
A hint of surprise flashed in the old lady's eyes.
However, being a seasoned veteran, she still managed to maintain her composure and smiled slightly, "Yes, it is quite good... but young lady, I see your love life isn't going well! You and this man beside you..."
"We'll have to break up sooner or later!" Jiang Can was so angry she laughed.
The old lady rolled her eyes.
Oh no, this is probably something I saw before, but I wasn't sure. Could it be that they've come to settle scores with me?
Just as the old lady was about to make her escape, a voice suddenly came from not far away, "What nonsense are you spouting again!"
Jiang Can and Huo Zhixing looked in the direction of the voice at the same time, and the person who came was actually Cen Bo!
The old lady was like a mouse seeing a cat when she saw Cen Bo. In an instant, her limp disappeared and her hunched back straightened. She threw away her cane and tried to run away, but Cen Bo stopped her first and grabbed her by the collar like he was catching a chick.
"Hey, be gentle!"
"Be gentle with what?" Uncle Cen glared at him. "You're so old and you still can't give people peace of mind. Are you trying to fool people again?"
"No, I..."
"They even managed to fool our young master this time?!"
The old lady was stunned. "Your... young master?"
Cen Bo pulled her in front of Huo Zhixing.
Huo Zhixing narrowed his eyes, a hint of doubt creeping into his usually cool expression. "Uncle Cen, what is this?"
"Third Young Master, I'm so sorry!" Uncle Cen said with a guilty expression, "She's my sister..."
Jiang Can gently walked up to Huo Zhixing, intertwined her fingers with his, and quietly looked at Uncle Cen and Aunt Cen.
It turns out that for decades, besides faithfully serving the Huo family, Uncle Cen's only concern was his younger sister. Aunt Cen also cared deeply for him and found odd jobs near the hot spring inn to be closer to him.
Later, she discovered that there were many fortune tellers at the entrance of the temple who could make money just by talking, so she followed suit and started doing this business.
She had a bad life. In her early years, she was abused by her in-laws because she couldn't have children, and she was often covered in injuries. Later, her husband died unexpectedly, and she had no children, so she has been living alone and miserable ever since.
So when she looks at someone's birth chart, she doesn't understand it at all, but she still tries to interpret it in the best possible light.
Because she hopes that everyone who consults her for fortune-telling will be happy, and that no one will repeat her mistakes.
Jiang Can felt a little sad after hearing this.
From this perspective, Aunt Cen is not a bad person; even in adversity, she is willing to pass on love.
“Third Young Master,” Uncle Cen explained, “I’ve been keeping an eye on my sister all along, afraid she’ll spread rumors around here and tarnish the Huo family’s reputation. So when I heard she was out telling fortunes again, I rushed over here.”
"Young Master, I apologize on her behalf... If she said anything she shouldn't have, please forgive her, Miss Jiang!"
As he spoke, Cen Bo bowed deeply, which made Jiang Can feel embarrassed, and she repeatedly said that there was no need for such a gesture.
Cen Bo was highly respected in the Huo family and was the person Huo Wenyuan trusted most. Huo Zhixing always treated him with the same respect as an elder in his own family.
“Uncle Cen, you’re too kind.” Huo Zhixing looked at him. “I don’t blame Aunt Cen. In fact, what Aunt Cen said was all kind words, and I really like hearing them.”
“Young Master…” Uncle Cen was somewhat surprised.
In the past, Huo Zhixing would have coldly and ruthlessly kicked the person out and forbade them from ever appearing around the guesthouse again.
But now...
After his initial surprise, Cen Bo smiled knowingly and looked at Jiang Can meaningfully.
Now that she's by his side, even his temperament has softened considerably.
“Uncle Cen,” Huo Zhixing asked in a deep voice, “Actually, given your status in the Huo family, it wouldn’t be difficult to arrange a job for your aunt.”
“It’s not difficult, but I can’t do that.” Uncle Cen smiled. “The old man hates it when people show favoritism. I’m always by his side, so I can’t betray his trust!”
"You can't show favoritism in front of Grandpa, so you can come to my side."
"What?"
Huo Zhixing smiled slightly, "Cancan and I live outside, and I'm considering finding someone to take care of her. I'm not comfortable with having someone transferred directly from the Huo family."
"Young Master, you..."
"Let Aunt Cen come to Xi Garden," Huo Zhixing said calmly. "I will definitely not mistreat her."
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