Chapter 22: Crouch Down

"Let's go outside and talk," she said. No one else heard them. They were busy consulting with Fatty Wang and paid no attention. The residential compound's scenery was nothing special; there was nothing worth looking at.

Zhang Min pulled Liu Jing along, walking slowly, her expression somewhat dazed. "Woody, do you believe in fortune-telling?"

Liu Jing hesitated. Given his own experiences, he was half-skeptical.

Without waiting for his reply, Zhang Min continued, "Woody, thirty million for five years—that’s an astronomical figure. I’ve starred in so many films over the years, taken on plenty of commercial endorsements, and with the company’s support, I’ve only managed to accumulate a net worth of several tens of millions. Do you know why Win's is being so generous? Why they’d pay that much to sign you for five years?"

"Because of fortune-telling?" Liu Jing began to understand.

"Remember when you came to visit me on set and asked for a photo of Hai Mei?" Zhang Min nodded.

"The Year of the Rooster following the Dragon." Of course, Liu Jing remembered; he remembered every film crew that had beautiful women in it quite clearly.

"Master Li was on that set too. He read your physiognomy and asked me for your birth date and time. He said your future potential was limitless. That reached the boss’s ears. The boss is a firm believer in these things, so..."

Liu Jing was very eager after hearing this. "Can he tell who will become a star in the future? Introduce me to him."

Bonds—of course, he was looking for people destined for future fame. As for his own future, Liu Jing had no doubts; the fortune-teller clearly had some level of skill. If he could identify which actresses would become big stars, he would definitely find a way to forge a bond with them. He felt Fatty Wang was right: minor success relies on promotion, but major success relies on fate.

Zhang Min was stunned by his enthusiasm. "I regret telling you this now. It’s all superstition; you should believe in science."

"Oh." Liu Jing was noncommittal, feeling he had been a bit careless. No matter how good a fortune-teller was, they weren't as powerful as his "Daily Appraisal," even if that ability was somewhat unreliable.

"Master Li told the boss that your destiny is unique. If he can secure your help, Win's will reach new heights in the future," Zhang Min explained.

"No wonder they’re so willing to spend the money." Liu Jing realized it was all thanks to the master. A thought suddenly crossed his mind: if he pretended to be a fortune-telling master, could he use his "Daily Appraisal" ability to become famous quickly and make a lot of money? He dismissed the thought immediately—don't go looking for trouble. He had already attracted the fortune-teller’s attention just by standing out a little. If he showed off more, next time it might not be a contract, but something else entirely.

"The boss has sworn everyone to secrecy about this, so Wong Jing doesn't know. I followed Wong Jing here specifically to sign you, no matter the cost. The master also said that Win's will face a crisis in the future. If we have you... uh, I can't say that. Just pretend you never heard it." Zhang Min covered her small mouth, her guard down in front of a child, having let the secret slip.

"The wind is so strong, what did you say?" Liu Jing blinked as if he hadn't heard a thing. He wasn't bothered by what Zhang Min said. Even if she hadn't finished, he had a rough idea. He wasn't afraid of such metaphysical tactics. Borrowing luck didn't matter to him; he didn't rely on luck, he relied on his system. Getting thirty million out of this was still very worth it.

Zhang Min leaned down and kissed his cheek. "What a sweet little brother. If only you were my real brother."

"I will be from now on," Liu Jing said, his expression distant.

Magnificent mountains and valleys for the eyes, twin peaks of beauty to captivate the heart. Such a stunning beauty—he had decided she would be his sister. He suddenly started to like this era; women here dared to dress well and knew how to style themselves. The only downside was that he was too young.

Zhang Min laughed, then sighed, gritting her teeth. "That’s one thing, but he actually said in front of the boss that I don't bring good fortune to my husband. I was right there! It was too much."

"That’s so rude. Want me to beat him up for you?" Liu Jing waved his fist.

"Some 'Master Li,' I think he's just a lunatic," Zhang Min said, looking annoyed.

"Squat down." Liu Jing looked up at Zhang Min. You're so tall and you're wearing high heels, that's also quite excessive.

Zhang Min crossed her arms and took two steps back, looking wary. She instinctively asked, "What are you doing?"

"I'm not doing anything." Liu Jing curled his lip. Still too young.

Zhang Min soon realized she had overreacted. Then she realized—wait, was this little brat flirting?

"I can read faces and interpret bone structure," Liu Jing explained. This knowledge came from the "second-generation heir" memories he had inherited.

Zhang Min crouched in front of Liu Jing in a graceful way that avoided any wardrobe malfunctions while allowing him to touch her face. Her face turned red. "Woody, how do you know these things? You aren't lying to your sister, are you?"

"These so-called metaphysics do have a certain basis, but you can't believe them entirely. If you believe everything, it truly becomes superstition." Liu Jing’s small hand touched Zhang Min’s face. It was very detailed, smooth, and soft.

"That tickles!" Zhang Min’s face turned even redder.

"Sister Min, Master Li still gave you some face; he didn't say you would bring misfortune to your husband right to your face." Liu Jing let go and helped her stand up.

"He did say it." Zhang Min bit her lip, looking both angry and embarrassed.

"..."

"He also said I don't attract wealth and that I'm a spendthrift who ruins fortunes." Zhang Min looked like she wanted to tear Master Li apart.

"Since he said all that, what do you want me to do? I'm not a master; I can't do anything about it." Liu Jing was puzzled. Since it was already said, what more could he do?

"Master Li thinks highly of you. He likes children, so you'll definitely have chances to interact with him in the future. If you get the chance, put in a good word for me," Zhang Min said.

"You can talk to him yourself, can't you?" Liu Jing asked, confused.

"He's very cold and won't pay any attention to me," Zhang Min said, her expression sour.

"I'm only five."

"I heard he wants to take on a closed-door disciple. Maybe you could be the one."

"I only know how to open doors, not close them."

"Children are easier for him to deal with, and he's more likely to believe what they say."

"Sister Min, you're asking me to deceive people."

"Heh, haven't you ever deceived me?"

"I never lie."

"There will be many beauties in this film, you know. There's Michelle Reis, Chingmy Yau, Fennie Yuen..."

"Deal!" Liu Jing agreed readily. If there was a chance, he would definitely speak up; if not, well, don't blame him.

Zhang Min beamed with joy and pulled Liu Jing to look at the scenery in the compound for a while longer. Half an hour later, they returned home, and no one asked any questions.

Fatty Wang glanced at his watch. "Professor An, let's leave it at this for today. In a few days, I'll bring the formal contract to your door. I'll be taking Woody to Yandu then, so don't be too reluctant to let him go."

"Why not stay a while longer? Stay for lunch," Professor An urged.

"No, I have too many things to do. I can't be in two places at once," Fatty Wang explained.

The old lady from the kitchen walked out and also urged them to stay. "Director Wang, I've finished cooking. It's already time for lunch."

This old lady was interesting. The kitchen had been so quiet; she’d been eavesdropping inside the whole time, so when would she have had time to cook?

Fatty Wang laughed loudly. "Haha, I'll definitely taste your cooking next time, ma'am. I'm just too busy. Please, don't see us out. We'll meet again another day."

The family saw the guests off. The room felt much emptier, and Liu Jing sighed. "Uncle An, you need to seriously consider what I told you earlier."

"What?" Teacher An was stunned. What had he told him? He had been listening the whole time and hadn't really said anything, had he?

"Changing jobs," Liu Jing replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"I..." Teacher An stared, feeling like that conversation had happened two years ago.

"What job?" Auntie Liu asked curiously.

"He suggested I become a diplomat," Teacher An said, feeling depressed.

"You?" Auntie Liu raised her voice an octave, her tone full of skepticism.

Teacher An took a deep breath, not wanting to deal with his wife, and asked Liu Jing, "Why are you so insistent that I become an official?"

"Once you become a high-ranking official, I can finally live a peaceful life as a second-generation heir."

"Your ambitions are quite grand."

"Just average. I also wanted you to become Prime Minister, but unfortunately, you're not up to it."

"Hey, the two of you are looking down on me together? I don't believe this!"