Chapter 25
Because Mo Fan had started things off well, He Erwang, who found fortune-telling novel and was certain that his result definitely would not be worse than Mo Fan’s, immediately jumped out.
“Me, me!”
Qi Xiu nodded and asked fairly, “Whether it’s accurate or not depends on whether you believe it. What do you want to calculate? What method do you want to use?”
He Erwang was full of enthusiasm. With one hand, he swept the few strands of purple hair hanging over his forehead back, revealing his delicate features and brows.
The top-tier star who had debuted as the clear center from a talent show naturally had outstanding looks.
His rather unique temperament lay in the flamboyance at the corners of his eyes and brows, as well as a fearless—simpleminded—air that seemed untouched by the polluted world despite his time in the entertainment industry. He looked like the kind of person whose life had always gone smoothly.
Especially because, after joining What Kind of Person Are You?, he had no memories related to the entertainment industry and only thought of himself as a wealthy young master. In his current memories, he really had no worries at all.
So when asked what he most wanted to calculate, he truly could not think of anything for a moment.
He Erwang racked his brain, then his eyes lit up. “The health, career, wealth, love, and all those things you mentioned earlier—calculate all of them for me. Use the eight characters.”
“Don’t people in ancient dramas always use birth characters when fortune-telling?”
“Eh, wait, that’s not right. Aren’t experts in dramas supposed to take one look at the protagonist and say something like, ‘You are the true son of heaven’? Can’t you calculate directly by looking at my face?”
Qi Xiu’s hand paused as he fiddled with the stones. He explained, “That is the art of face reading.”
He slowly raised his head and stared fixedly at He Erwang as he asked, “What? The Qing Dynasty has been gone for hundreds of years. Do you think you’re the true son of heaven lost among the common folk?”
He Erwang choked. “I was just joking.”
The bullet comments went crazy laughing at his defeated expression.
[Hahahahaha, what the hell do you mean, the true son of heaven lost among the common folk? I’m dying.]
[Qi Xiu really knows how to talk. Please talk more! This is the first time I’ve seen He Erwang lose in a verbal fight. Damn, let me say this on behalf of my former idol who got roasted by him: that felt amazing!]
[Those historical dramas where someone takes one look at a person and says they’re the true son of heaven, or says they have an empress fate, are the truly ridiculous ones, right? You can tell just by looking at someone’s face? I’ve never heard of any pair of twins in real life having exactly the same fate.]
[Exactly. And the proportion of modern people getting plastic surgery is so high. If face reading is accurate, I’m really curious—when looking at the same person before and after plastic surgery, would the things you read be different?]
[It’s not impossible. Successfully getting plastic surgery and becoming prettier really can change fate. I have to say, in this society, good looks do give an advantage.]
[Then before the surgery, couldn’t face reading tell that this person was going to take action and change their fate? Wouldn’t that mean everyone could just get plastic surgery?]
Qi Xiu also knew a little face reading, but he was not proficient in it.
At one glance, He Erwang’s facial features showed that he came from a wealthy, affluent family!
How annoying!
“You want a full reading? Do you know your eight characters?” he asked.
He Erwang carefully recalled for a moment. “I remember a little, but not very accurately. For example, my mom said I was born in the morning…”
Qi Xiu hurriedly interrupted him. “Wait, don’t say it yet.”
“I understand what you mean. Answer me first: can you narrow it down to a two-hour time period?”
He Erwang nodded.
Qi Xiu said, “Oh, then that’s fine. I can calculate the rest myself.”
“Do you want to come closer and tell me quietly? The eight characters are too sensitive. They can’t be casually leaked.”
He smiled embarrassedly at Shen Jinfeng and the others. “Boss, it’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s just that the eight characters are relatively private and genuinely important. Of course, if He Erwang doesn’t mind, then it doesn’t matter.”
Shen Jinfeng smiled and shook his head, also persuading him, “Eight characters generally shouldn’t be known by outsiders. You two say it quietly.”
He Erwang said dismissively, “What’s the big deal? Haven’t modern people’s ID information already been leaked like crazy?”
But because he felt Qi Xiu looked like someone with real skill, and Boss had also said this was private information that should not be leaked, his body still very honestly leaned closer.
As early as when Qi Xiu gave the reminder, Sun Xinping and the others watching the livestream had already become alert.
“Director, when He Erwang says his birth characters later, can that be aired?” the equipment team leader asked nervously. “I heard that if eight characters are leaked, it’s easy for people to make trouble with them. Those ancient witchcraft disasters all came from things like this.”
This time, Sun Xinping was very decisive. He did not even hesitate.
“Nonsense, of course it can’t be aired! Mute them later!”
He thought about it and still felt it was not safe enough, so he continued instructing, “Process the mouth shapes too. Don’t let the sound be cut but then get deciphered by someone who knows lip-reading.”
They all worked in the entertainment industry. How could they not have heard of some strange and shady things?
In earlier years, there had been a PDF gossip collection that stirred up the entire internet. He had heard that some things inside were true.
It might not be that mystical, but it was better to believe there could be something than to dismiss it entirely.
Moreover, he held a little secret thought in his heart.
Qi Xiu looked so refined and handsome. Unexpectedly, this kid really had some skills.
After he left the show, could he give Sun Xinping a reading too?
Sun Xinping would observe him a little more. If Qi Xiu was really that magical, he would have to consider scamming this kid a little less.
Thus, when He Erwang quietly told Qi Xiu his eight characters, the viewers watching the livestream only saw two mosaic-covered figures and heard absolutely nothing.
[Good grief. I was just about to warn the production team to be sensible and mute the audio or something. I didn’t expect the production team to be sensible to an excessive degree.]
[Why did it suddenly become mysterious?]
[It’s over. Why am I more nervous than He Erwang, the person involved?]
Very soon, they saw He Erwang move away, and the mosaic disappeared.
Qi Xiu took out a pen and directly began drafting on his own bag, starting the calculations.
“He Erwang, after we get out, compensate me for this bag, got it?” As a soon-to-be university student who could not even afford tuition, he had it too hard.
He just happened to want a new bag. Now he could pretend to draft on it and directly ruin it, and there would be a sucker to pay the bill.
He had saved money for the old man.
Hehe, wonderful.
He Erwang nodded without suspicion. “Okay.”
Qi Xiu began drawing on the bag in a very professional-looking, or rather pretending-to-look-professional, manner for several minutes.
As he drew, the tip of his pen suddenly paused. Then he looked up at He Erwang in disbelief.
He Erwang felt uneasy under his direct stare. “Wh-What is it?”
Qi Xiu lowered his head and continued drawing two more strokes with the pen.
Then he lifted his head with a serious face. “He Erwang, your fate chart is a little special. If you want to hear my interpretation, I need payment.”
He Erwang looked at him in confusion. “Didn’t we just say it? Washing dishes, washing clothes, boiling hot water—if there’s anything else, just say it, and I’ll do it.”
“How is my fate special? Hurry and tell me!” he asked nervously.
Qi Xiu still looked solemn. “Your fate requires yellow and white objects to suppress it.”
He Erwang froze. “Huh?”
Shen Jinfeng, off to the side, held back his laughter and turned his head away.
Even Gu Shengsheng understood and reminded him from the side, “He means money.”
“Anyway, Qi Xiu is pretty poor. You have money, so just give it to him after we get out.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Qi Xiu looked at him gloomily.
Gu Shengsheng swore that he had only subconsciously spoken the truth.
Fortunately, He Erwang really did not care much about money.
“Easy, easy. Master, how much do you want?”
Qi Xiu’s eyes lit up, and the image of a master almost broke.
He held up a number with his fingers. “Five?”
Five thousand?
Cough cough. Five thousand was enough for almost half a year of living expenses.
Who would have thought that He Erwang would nod generously. “Fifty thousand? That little?”
Qi Xiu’s eyes suddenly widened.
Fifty thousand, that little?
He furiously calculated in his heart.
After they got out, Gu Shengsheng would pay for his four years of university tuition. Then He Erwang’s fifty thousand would be enough for his living expenses for all four years of university!
Damn. He had never seen such a huge sum of money before!
It was simply impossible to hide. When he looked at He Erwang, his eyes seemed full of stars, and on closer inspection, there was even a bit of jealousy.
Mm. That was the same feeling as the tens of millions of viewers who had been innocently kicked while peacefully watching the livestream.
[Damn, fifty thousand, that little? Fifty thousand is half a year of my salary, okay?]
[Fifty thousand being half a year’s salary isn’t false. The question is, how many years would you have to save before you could save fifty thousand?]
[Stop talking. I’m crying.]
[Are you joking? He’s an active top-tier star, okay? Maybe his daily income is more than 2.08 million.]
[Here we go again. There are always people who like criticizing celebrity income. You said it yourself, He Erwang is a top-tier star. In any industry, when someone reaches the top, their income is high. He earns a lot, but he also pays a lot in taxes. And He Erwang donates money every month.]
[No… The problem is, shouldn’t we be condemning the production team? He Erwang is already rich enough in real life! And you actually arranged a persona for him in the show that’s also some wealthy young master? Do you dare let him experience the embarrassment of having no money?]
Watching the bullet comments, Sun Xinping broke out in sweat.
Damn it, he had miscalculated.
Looking at the purple-haired youth on the screen, so carefree and unconcerned, Sun Xinping gritted his teeth. The netizens made sense!
Xiao Li glanced at him from the side and curled his lips, but did not say what was in his heart.
You want to arrange a poor and undesirable persona for him? Then you’d have to dare to do it.
When Season Three of the show was being prepared, God Qin Ye had not yet paid them any attention. In the entire guest lineup, the ones with high popularity were Gu Shengsheng and Shen Jinfeng, but once you added Qi Xiu and Mo Fan, whose popularity was not high,
there was not a single one with a positive image and good reputation.
The first two seasons had really scared people.
Those celebrities with good reputations, positive images, and popularity—who would be willing to participate in Season Three of “being a person”?
It had not been easy to catch He Erwang. At that time, Sun Xinping had smiled at his manager until his face was practically like a blooming chrysanthemum.
On the livestream screen, after receiving a satisfying answer that even exceeded expectations, Qi Xiu’s eyes curved in a smile.
He cheerfully congratulated He Erwang. “You have the fate of being wealthy for your whole life. I won’t explain the professional details to you, but among all the people I’ve ever calculated for, your wealth luck is the best. There will never be a time when you lack money.”
Eh, wait?
Never lack money?
Qi Xiu paused strangely and added, “Except right now.”
[What! I’m drooling with envy, jealousy, and hatred!]
[Does this mean He Erwang can’t possibly have a scandal collapse? A lifetime of wealth and honor. Damn, how did he reincarnate?]
Unexpectedly, after receiving this answer, He Erwang did not feel particularly happy.
“Oh.” He responded very calmly.
After all, he truly had no memory of ever lacking money.
He hesitated for a moment, then continued asking, “Can you say something else? Something more specific?”
Qi Xiu asked, “Such as?”
He Erwang hesitated for a moment and anxiously grabbed at his purple hair. “My family is very rich. Even if I did nothing my entire life and spent money every day, I couldn’t spend it all. Really, I calculated it. Even if I lived every day according to the most extravagant lifestyle I can imagine among the other rich kids in our circle, I still couldn’t spend it all.”
[What niche language is he speaking?]
[Living every day according to the most extravagant lifestyle and still not being able to spend it all?]
[Huh??? Sincere question: the most extravagant lifestyle for one day—isn’t that probably my entire lifetime?]
[To take ten thousand steps back, He Erwang, can’t you just give me one day’s allowance? You’d only lose one day’s allowance, but I’d be happy for a lifetime!]
[If he keeps talking, I’m going to start hating the rich.]
[I’d like to hear what else he has to be troubled about! If I had that much money, I’d grin every day with my big teeth showing, happier than anyone.]
On the screen, He Erwang really did frown as he described his troubles. “But that’s all my parents’ money, not mine.”
“My parents always say I don’t need to do anything and can just eat, drink, and have fun every day, but…”
He paused, then somewhat embarrassedly confessed his true feelings. “Isn’t that raising a useless waste?”
After hearing his heartfelt question, the corner of Qi Xiu’s mouth twitched.
Even Shen Jinfeng could not help looking toward He Erwang.
Such a good life—he had completed missions across nine hundred and ninety-nine quick-transmigration worlds before he finally asked 888 to help him find an identity like this.
And even then, something went wrong. He was still on a deserted island right now.
Life really could not be compared.
But he did understand these wealthy young masters a little.
Because he had encountered people like this in the past too.
Children from rich families always fantasized that they could surpass their parents’ generation’s achievements, and even wanted to prove that they were the most outstanding one.
Sure enough, He Erwang pursed his lips somewhat embarrassedly. “If I go out and support myself, is it possible, like…”
Qi Xiu tried hard to calm his state of mind. “Aren’t you currently supporting yourself?”
He Erwang froze. “Huh?”
He had only just had this thought and had not put it into action yet.
Qi Xiu ignored his confused expression and continued with his analysis. “You can support yourself. You can reach a level ordinary people can’t reach, and you’ll be very rich.”
“But you still won’t be as rich as your parents.”
“Probably not even as rich as a fraction of your family.”
Thinking of the days when he had followed the old man since childhood and lived from one uncertain meal to the next, Qi Xiu suddenly became puzzled.
“He Erwang, why are you starting a business? Even if you start a business for your whole life, you won’t match your family’s money.”
But He Erwang let out a breath of relief, his mood recovering to happiness. He cheerfully compared himself to the rich kids he knew. “That’s already pretty good. In our circle, there aren’t many who can earn even a fraction of their ancestral family business.”
“My family’s foundation came because our ancestors stepped on the right opportunity and gained it through a combination of fate and coincidence. Timing, location, and people were all indispensable. If I can reach a level ordinary people can’t reach, that’s already super impressive!”
His eyes were full of smiles as he began imagining the future.
[Damn it, his current net worth still isn’t even a fraction of his own family’s wealth???]
[This is a real wealthy young master bravely charging into the entertainment industry!]
[Holy crap, how rich must they be? I don’t dare imagine. I’m going to search which rich family has the surname He!]
[This fan is dazed. What virtue or ability do I have to see a real wealthy young master sing and dance for me?]
[Good grief, no wonder they say he won’t collapse. As long as he controls his lower half, the tiny scraps he earns in the entertainment industry really wouldn’t be worth his attention. How could there be any tax problems?]
[I was wondering why he could argue with everyone in the entertainment industry every day and still be fine. So it turns out his family owns mines? Having someone protect and escort you really is different.]
[Upstairs, why are you so sour! Okay, I’m a fan, and I’m sour too.]
Soon, #WhoseYoungMasterIsHeErwang# rushed onto the trending searches.
However, the conversation at the scene continued.
Only after He Erwang had grinned happily enough did Qi Xiu speak. “However, your life isn’t entirely smooth sailing either. Want to hear about it?”
He Erwang’s smile paused, and he understood instantly. “Yellow and white objects, right?”
“Cough cough.” Qi Xiu nodded shyly.
“No problem. Add another hundred thousand.” He Erwang felt that just because Qi Xiu thought so highly of him and said he could rely on himself to achieve something ordinary people could not, he was happy.
Whether it was accurate or not did not matter. The emotional value had been fully delivered.
Qi Xiu barely held back his smile and said solemnly, “Have you had trouble making friends since childhood?”
“This birth chart of yours doesn’t really have much luck with friends. Even if you have friends, they’re all fair-weather friends, or the type who stab you in the back. It might have something to do with your poor judgment of people. Do you like people who coax you and make you happy?”
He Erwang, who had just been coaxed into happiness: “…”
Qi Xiu continued stabbing him. “In other words, when you make friends, you easily become the sucker, right?”
He Erwang expressionlessly covered Qi Xiu’s mouth. “Stop talking!”
Damn it, why was he so accurate?
He had not had many friends since childhood. Even now, the few he still kept in contact with would always let him pay whenever they went out.
Regarding this, his mother’s evaluation was: “Forget it. If you like them, just keep spending time with them. Those kids don’t have any major bad intentions. They’re just greedy for money. Son, just treat it as spending money to buy happiness.”
Although he argued logically every time and said his friends were all genuine friends,
He Erwang himself also understood that the truth was—that he was like the foolish son of a landlord.
Previously, he had felt that what his mother said was fine. He could just treat it as spending money to buy a group of underlings. There was nothing wrong with that.
But once Qi Xiu said it, he felt so ashamed he could die.
Especially now, around him, Shen Jinfeng, Qin Ye, Mo Fan, and Gu Shengsheng were all looking at him with some surprise.
Qi Xiu sighed. “If they’re only friends greedy for your money, then forget it. But when you meet people you believe are sincere friends, being betrayed and stabbed in the back hurts the most, right?”
He Erwang frowned in confusion.
He had not yet encountered such a terrible “friend,” right? But why did it feel so painful?
There was even a sincere feeling of loneliness rising in him.
His mouth moved, and he said somewhat dejectedly, “Then at worst, I just won’t make friends anymore.”
“Anyway, life is originally lonely as snow.”
[Pfft, why is he so miserable, yet so funny?]
[Life truly is lonely as snow~ Hahahahahahaha. Director, bring in a gust of wind and blow He Erwang’s bangs into a center part for me!]
[Sorry, I’m a professional. I generally don’t laugh unless I really can’t hold it in. Hahahahahaha.]
[Is He Erwang this miserable? Not a single sincere friend? So all those things with his former teammates were true?]
[He’s miserable? If possible, please let me exchange lives with him. I’m willing to experience the feeling of having no friends and only money!]
Qi Xiu, who heard He Erwang’s words, also fell strangely silent for a moment.
“That’s not necessary. Before making friends, you can let your parents help take a look.”
“Or you can ask me to check too.” He smiled faintly and said his true purpose. “With just a little yellow and white object, you can identify sincere friends.”
To be honest, He Erwang was actually strangely tempted.
But, “Aren’t we friends now?”
The purple-haired youth pitifully raised his head. “I already consider all of you my sincere friends. Are you all after my money?”
Qi Xiu: “…”
Damn it. How was he supposed to continue his lines?
Gu Shengsheng, on the side, thought He Erwang was a little pitiful and also a little funny.
He could only hold back his laughter and comfort him. “Don’t worry. I have money too.”
He Erwang looked up at him.
Gu Shengsheng said, “But we’ve only known each other for two days. That probably doesn’t count as sincere friends, right?”
He Erwang: “…”
[Hahahahaha, stab right to the heart.]
[Gu Shengsheng is killing me with laughter. How did I never discover before that he was good at finishing people off?]
Gu Shengsheng continued, “But work hard and turn all of us into your sincere friends. Then it’ll be fine.”
Qi Xiu nodded. “There probably isn’t anyone here after your money.”
“Except me when I’m doing divination.”
He explained, “A hexagram can’t be given for nothing.”
He Erwang hesitantly nodded.
That seemed to make some sense.
Shen Jinfeng and Qin Ye sat to the side and watched the fun. Originally, they were just treating it as entertainment.
But, sorry, it really was a little funny. Hahaha.
“Why do I feel like Qi Xiu hasn’t finished talking?” Shen Jinfeng observed Qi Xiu’s expression and could not resist whispering this little bit of gossip.
Qin Ye nodded. “Poor judgment of people, bad friendship luck. Logically, his love life shouldn’t be good either.”
The next second, Qi Xiu spoke. “All right, all right. It’s not a big deal.”
“You also wanted to calculate love, right?”
He Erwang abruptly sat up straight and suddenly became a little shy. “Mm.”
Qi Xiu’s eyes moved, and he suddenly could not quite bear to say it.
“Your romantic luck in the next few years won’t be very smooth. You’ll easily meet the wrong person, so beware of being deceived.”
“Huh?”
He Erwang became angry. “So what you’re saying is, no matter who I meet, I’m going to get tricked?”
Qi Xiu fell silent for a moment. “Maybe you just like interacting with this kind of person?”
Pfft.
Now even Shen Jinfeng looked at He Erwang with some curiosity.
No way. Were there really people this bad at judging others, who could fall into the same pit again and again?
He Erwang asked, “Then how can I meet someone good?”
Qi Xiu hesitated before answering, “Anyway, you’re so rich. Even if you get cheated a few times, you’ll still be very rich. It’s not that big of a deal, right?”
He Erwang: “???”
[??? What kind of words are those? Hahaha. Anyway, you’re so rich.]
[Exactly. Man, if you don’t suffer the bitterness of love, what bitterness are you supposed to suffer?]
Qi Xiu sighed. “Your eight characters show that you can meet someone good, someone who likes you, but you won’t like them.”
“You’ll most likely miss them.”
He Erwang jumped up. “No, I won’t!”
“How could I not like someone good? I definitely can like them.”
Qi Xiu said, “Oh.”
“I’ll give you one last piece of news for free.”
He Erwang frowned warily. “It won’t be more bad news, right?”
Qi Xiu stood up, patted him on the shoulder, and comforted him. “All right. The last bit is a reminder for you.”
“After we leave the deserted island, pay more attention to your family’s health.”
He Erwang’s expression froze. “Is there something wrong with my family’s health?”
Qi Xiu gave a vague sound. “There’s still time.”
“I’m reminding you because you usually donate a lot and accumulate virtue through good deeds.”
He swore that his words carried absolutely no hint of suggestion.
He Erwang let out a breath of relief, but suddenly understood in a flash.
“Is this the kind of thing about birth, aging, illness, and death where the secrets of heaven cannot be leaked? Thank you for the reminder. After we get out, I’ll give you another five hundred thousand!”
“If it’s true and my family is fine, I’ll give you another five million.”
!!!
Qi Xiu’s mouth opened into an O shape.
[Holy crap!!!!!]
