Chapter 19: A Thousand for a Kidney—Worth It!

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Xi Xi pondered for a moment and nodded. “I don’t mind. Just make sure to take a good picture of me.”

Bo Tao watched her sitting cross-legged, nibbling on a radish, and remained silent for a while. “Miss, maybe we should start with the fortune-telling first.”

Pretending to be serious!

Xi Xi brushed her fringe aside and carefully put away the white radish. She took a wet wipe and wiped her hands with a certain ceremony.

Only then did she speak slowly: “I can’t tell you about your financial luck—that’s karma. But I can give you some guidance about your career.”

Usually, ordinary people want to know about wealth or romance.

Bo Tao wasn’t surprised. “Okay, then career it is.”

Most would ask for their birth details and calculate for a while, but Xi Xi just looked at his face and felt the time was right.

“Two days ago, someone from a media company approached you, hoping to sign a contract. You were happy, feeling like you finally had a chance to rise. But that person said they needed to go out of town, so you hesitated. They gave you three days to decide, and today is the last day.”

Every time Xi Xi spoke, Bo Tao’s expression darkened.

He began to suspect she might be sent by the company.

But he couldn’t understand what value he had beyond being somewhat handsome.

The onlookers couldn’t help but ask, “So, was she accurate?”

Setting aside doubts, Bo Tao nodded. “Yes, tomorrow is when I have to give my answer.”

“Oh wow, that’s amazing!”

“Do you think they might be in cahoots?”

Some were skeptical but were quickly shot down.

“Are you stupid? You pay after the reading. If she’s wrong, you don’t pay. No matter how good the act is, it doesn't matter.”

True enough, if she was wrong, it wouldn’t matter.

More spectators gathered, but Bo Tao lost his initial enthusiasm. “Master, should I go?”

He actually wanted to sign because having a team made it easier to become famous and provided backing. Yet, he couldn’t leave his family behind.

This indecision left him troubled, and Xi Xi’s answer left him unsure whether to be relieved.

“You shouldn’t go.”

He was reluctant. “Why? It’s a big company.”

Xi Xi said, “The company is good, but the person contacting you is a fraud.”

Bo Tao was taken aback but quickly understood. “Damn, so I almost got scammed…”

“That’s right. Originally, your path would have had your family’s support, then you’d go out of town, but you’d end up abroad.”

She paused with a cruel smile.

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Bo Tao’s face turned pale, recalling the online stories about scams.

The crowd pressed on eagerly, “What happens next? Anything else?”

Xi Xi smiled gently, “It’s simple... like... losing a kidney.”

Everyone froze.

“That’s terrifying.”

Bo Tao, who had already suspected something, showed no reaction. His hopes were dashed, irreparably so.

Seeing his gloom, Xi Xi was puzzled. “You just avoided a crisis and are about to reach your career peak. Why so down?”

“I was supposed to be down...” Bo Tao suddenly paused, “Career peak?”

“Yes.”

Hope rekindled.

Bo Tao went from gloom to hopelessness, then foolishly pulled out his phone. “Master, how much do I owe you?”

Mention money, and Xi Xi perked up, replying without hesitation, “One thousand.”

One thousand for a kidney? Worth it!

Bo Tao immediately transferred the money and thought about the scammer.

“That fraud doesn’t know how many he’s hurt. He must be brought to justice.”

The crowd chimed in, “Yeah, yeah, can you find out where he is?”

Xi Xi showed her phone. “Don’t worry, I’ve reported it to the police.”

She had just messaged Xiao Li, who had already responded.

Bo Tao and the crowd breathed a sigh of relief.

“This is really impressive. Who would’ve thought such a young girl could be a master?”

“Little girl, you’re amazing!” One onlooker gave a thumbs up.

“Truly remarkable. I say this is ancestral wisdom passed down. It’s always been here, just that we never encountered it.”

Xi Xi accepted the praise calmly and checked her phone.

Xiao Li said the meal would arrive in two hours and asked if she was available.

She replied instantly: [Yes.]

Having Xiao Li bring her food was a bit overqualified.

Across from the park slide, a man sat quietly, turning his head to watch the gathering crowd, lost in thought.

Until sunset, a few older women holding hands walked over.

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The man suddenly stood up but hesitated, as if unsure.

The women arrived at their usual dance spot, noticed the crowd but paid no mind; their dance time hadn’t started yet.

“That’s all for today’s fortune-telling.”

“Huh? I still want to see my face reading. Don’t rush off.”

“Yeah, master, don’t leave. We all want a reading.”

Xi Xi explained, “If you have no urgent matters, I don’t recommend getting a reading. It might affect you negatively. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

Not everyone wanted a fortune-telling. Most came out of curiosity, but when they heard it could have an impact, they quieted down.

Some genuinely troubled asked, “Master, when exactly will you come again?”

Xi Xi replied, “Fate will bring us together.”

She hugged her cardboard box and left.

The world is vast, and everywhere there are people in difficulty. Meeting them is fate.

Though the crowd was reluctant to leave, they dispersed.

The older women looked puzzled but, learning the story from acquaintances, joined in the discussion and found it truly fascinating.

The man by the slide lingered a moment but didn’t approach. Silently, he turned and left the residential complex. His steps faltered; his lips moved.

At the gate, Xi Xi leaned against the wall, chatting happily with the security guard while holding her box.

For some reason, the man felt she was deliberately waiting for him.

“Goodbye, grandpa.”

“Hey, come back next time.” The guard carried his thermos back inside.

Xi Xi didn’t glance at the man, her eyes drawn to the scenery along the path.

Behind her, the man hesitated, then unconsciously followed her for a short distance.

They walked further from the city, heading toward the hills.

He watched as Xi Xi took two sweet potatoes from her bag, picked up some firewood, and stood beside a crude shelter—not even worthy of being called a house.

Made from a few sticks and fertilizer bags, barely enough for one person.

There was a quilt, a bottle of water, and a wood-cutting knife.

It looked vaguely familiar...

After a long moment, the man seemed to awaken and approached. This was the place where he was temporarily staying.

“Do you want some?”