Chapter 71: Confession

Inside the fortune-telling shop, ever since his uncle left, Fang You's business of paper crafts had plummeted. His clumsy skills with paper simply failed to satisfy the customers. Staring at the shop, Fang You pondered deeply, and finally made a decision: he would travel to Miaojiang to search for his uncle among the Gu Sect.

He remembered what his uncle had said before leaving—that the Gu Sect had seven elders. He Bi'an had rebelled, Old Ghost was ambushed and died unexpectedly, so only five elders remained. His uncle, the only family Fang You had in this world, had disappeared without a word, and the worry gnawed at him.

With this in mind, Fang You saw that Fang Zhong's “Mountain-Shifting Techniques” and his uncle’s “Notes on Paper Crafting” were nearly all copied into the Qimen Dunjia. He left the original texts in the shop, packed the Qimen Dunjia and his belongings, and stepped out of the fortune-telling shop.

Just as he was about to catch a ride to Miaojiang, Zhang Shengnan, at some unknown hour, arrived at the shop in her police car.

“Fang You, little Daoist, you’re finally back!” Zhang Shengnan parked the car in front of the shop, happily jumped out, and walked toward him. “Did you get your birthday cake? Happy birthday!”

“Ah…!” Fang You responded awkwardly, “Yes… I got it. Thank you.”

“Since I bought you cake for your birthday, you should treat me to hotpot and a movie. I took a day off from Zhou Shen—let’s go out and have some fun, breathe a little fresh air. Honestly, dealing with trivial matters all day is so dull!”

She grabbed Fang You’s hands, ready to drag him into the police car for an outing, but Fang You suddenly shook her off. “I have something urgent. I must go to Miaojiang.”

“Miaojiang?” Zhang Shengnan looked puzzled. “Why go so far? You’ll be gone for a month or two at least!”

“Yes, my uncle’s there. I have to go.” Fang You spoke with eyes that avoided her gaze.

“You’re deliberately distancing yourself from me, aren’t you?” Zhang Shengnan sensed this and smiled. “Never mind, then. Someone as aloof as you must be very proud.”

Fang You looked at Zhang Shengnan’s disappointed expression and, for reasons unknown, felt a twinge of sadness. He didn’t want to see her dejected, or rather, he didn’t want to see her weighed down by sorrow. It seemed her sadness made his own heart ache.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” she asked again.

“I’m a Daoist. My goal is to live with a clear mind and few desires, without a family. My whole life will be dedicated to slaying ghosts and subduing demons. Every moment will be so. Surely you understand?” Fang You spoke seriously.

Zhang Shengnan was stunned at first, then burst out laughing. “Ha ha ha! What are you thinking? You don’t actually think I’ve fallen for you, do you? I just want you as a consultant for the seventh group of the Spirit Case Unit. You didn’t think I was trying to win you over because I liked you, did you? Don’t be silly—my suitors could line up from the north city to the east gate, and that’s no exaggeration! Ha ha ha!”

“Ah…yes!” Fang You laughed awkwardly. “If you need anything, just come to me. I’ll do my best.”

“Alright, I’m off. Don’t think big sister would ever fancy a Daoist!” Zhang Shengnan turned away with a proud gesture, keys in hand, chest out.

As Fang You watched her walk away, he felt a mix of relief and sadness. “At least I haven’t planted the seed of a doomed romance,” he thought.

But as Zhang Shengnan strode toward her police car, tears streamed down her face. As the mayor’s daughter, she had her pride—her tears were not to be seen by anyone she cared about.

Fang You turned toward the fortune-telling shop, feeling regretful. He looked back at her departing figure and sighed, then walked inside. Zhang Shengnan wiped away her tears and turned, as if suddenly remembering something, but seeing Fang You’s retreating back, she swallowed her words and continued toward her car.

Fang You pinched his fingers and calculated that Zhang Shengnan’s fate was nearing a major calamity. He’d noticed the dark aura swirling on her forehead—a sign of impending disaster. He turned, about to call after her, but seeing her decisive departure, he sighed again. This calamity was fated, something she must face. He could not reveal it. With a heavy heart, he returned to the shop.

Just then, Zhang Shengnan heard a noise behind her, turned hopefully, but saw only Fang You’s back as he walked away. The hope in her eyes faded to disappointment. She sat in the car, saddened.

Fang You turned to close the shop door, but through the crack, he watched Zhang Shengnan start the police car, and his eyes showed a trace of reluctance. Yet his destiny was cursed—if he were with her, he feared someday he’d witness her death because of him. Better to part now and keep things clear.

Zhang Shengnan drove away from the fortune-telling shop.

Fang You watched her until she vanished down the street. He reopened the shop door, gazed at the road she’d taken, and a bitter smile tugged at his lips. “May you have a better life.”

He locked the shop again, walked out with a Daoist’s stride, and left the alley in the eastern suburbs.

After Fang You left, Zhang Shengnan returned in her police car. As if she’d come to a decision, she jumped out and ran to the shop, gathering her courage.

“Yes, little Daoist, I do like you! Who cares about being a true cultivator, or living with few desires? If you have even a hint of feeling for me, could you… be my boyfriend?”

The fortune-telling shop was silent.

But Zhang Shengnan didn’t give up. She called out again: “This is your one and only chance. If you miss it, I’ll never say this again. Fang You, little Daoist, big sister likes you! Get out here, be my boyfriend—hurry up!”

Still, the shop remained silent.

Zhang Shengnan felt deflated, but her pride made her laugh. “Just kidding! Look at you, so anxious—who told you to say all that earlier? Alright, I won’t tease you anymore. This time, I’m really leaving.”

She said it, but lingered at the door. The shop remained closed.

Disheartened, Zhang Shengnan climbed back into her police car and left the shop for good.

Some people, some things—when missed, may be missed for a lifetime.