Chapter 15: Why Should "Everyday Life" Require Donations?

The fortune-teller continued, “This ‘three’ signifies the three powers of Heaven, Earth, and Man. Auspicious and smooth—your family has enjoyed good fortune recently, hasn’t it?”

At these words, the old woman’s lips curled. “It’s been alright, but…”

The fortune-teller’s tone shifted. “However, ‘three’ can also mean ‘disperse’. You must be careful not to lose the greater for the sake of the lesser.”

“Yes, yes,” the old woman replied repeatedly, her eyes fixed intently on the fortune-teller.

Even Su Tang could see that the old woman was growing anxious. After all this talk, where was the thing she was searching for?

The fortune-teller shook his head. “Why ask me, madam? Ask yourself.”

“What do you mean?” The old woman hurried to inquire. If she knew, would she have come to the fortune-teller?

He pointed at the character for “three” on the paper. “Three divides into upper, middle, and lower. Have you searched your house from the beam, to the wardrobe, to under the bed—from top to bottom, one by one?”

The old woman stood dumbfounded. “I’ve checked the wardrobe and under the bed, but... but...” She hadn’t checked the beam.

The fortune-teller smiled and nodded.

The old woman leapt up and hurried home.

With a calm expression, the fortune-teller gathered a string of silver coins—the fee for his reading.

Su Tang watched from the side, uncertain but impressed.

It seemed like trickery, yet somehow it made sense.

After the old woman left, a young man came forward, seeking a wife.

The fortune-teller, as usual, began with character divination.

Su Tang watched no longer, saluted, and took her leave.

The fortune-teller said nothing, merely glanced at her.

As she departed, Su Tang couldn’t help but wonder if the fortune-teller had looked at her for a reason, though she could not guess why.

Ah, she had forgotten to ask what wish the fortune-teller might have!

Never mind, next time—

Wait?

Su Tang’s eyes brightened.

Wasn’t that her father-in-law, standing at the corner ahead, chatting and laughing with someone?

Her lips curved in a smile, and she walked forward to greet him.

...

Lu Dashan, carrying a box, was speaking with neighbors across the street when he glanced up and saw his young daughter-in-law approaching.

Why was she here?

Had she packed up her stall?

Was business bad?

A flurry of thoughts ran through his mind as Su Tang reached him. Her graceful figure, though clad in plain cloth, could not hide her natural elegance.

“Father-in-law,” Su Tang greeted him with a gentle curtsey.

Her decorum was so flawless that Lu Dashan nearly stepped aside out of embarrassment. The neighbors nearby cast him looks of envy.

This daughter-in-law was like a gift from heaven.

Lu Dashan, flustered, managed an “Ah.”

“I bought a few books for my husband,” Su Tang said, then, “Father-in-law, where are you headed?”

“I’m taking a gift to the fortune-teller,” Lu Dashan replied, lifting the box wrapped in red paper.

Red paper for joy or longevity.

Her marriage to his son had come together thanks to the mediation of the village head and the fortune-teller. Since she had not seen the fortune-teller after waking, now that he had returned, it was only right for her father-in-law to express his gratitude.

“I’ll come with you,” Su Tang offered.

“Oh, alright,” Lu Dashan agreed.

Su Tang turned and walked with him back toward the fortune-teller’s stall.

The fortune-teller’s spot was now empty—his previous clients had gone, and he was tidying his sleeves. Though his sleeves seemed empty, Su Tang suspected another string of coins had already been tucked away.

“Master Xuanziji,” Lu Dashan called.

The fortune-teller, Xuanziji, smiled at him, his gaze shifting to Su Tang.

“It’s you again, young lady,” he said warmly.

Lu Dashan was surprised. “Eh? You two have met?”

Xuanziji nodded slightly.

Su Tang bowed, and suddenly recalled the way the master had looked at her as she left earlier.

Could he have known she would return?

Just as she pondered, her father-in-law’s voice broke through like timely rain: “Did you come for a character reading?”

Su Tang’s eyes lit up instantly.

Xuanziji regarded her, stroking his beard with a smile. “Not yet. But I was just wishing for it.”

Su Tang was delighted. “If Master would divine for me, I would be overjoyed.”

Xuanziji nodded with a smile. “It would be my pleasure.”

As he finished speaking, a clear chime sounded in Su Tang’s mind.

“Fulfill three wishes for those nearest you, 3/3.”

Her wish was granted—completed!

...

With her father-in-law and Xuanziji beside her, Su Tang rolled up her sleeves, dipped her brush in ink, and wrote the character “Su” on a sheet of paper.

The strokes were smooth, the ink deep and undisturbed.

Xuanziji took the paper, studying both the character and Su Tang herself.

Lu Dashan glanced between Su Tang and Xuanziji. “Well? What did you see?”

Xuanziji glanced at Lu Dashan with a smile, took up a fresh sheet, and wrote:

“Su is one who dies and lives again.
Wealth springs like grass in spring,
Do not scorn the tender green unshaded yet,
After three years of deep tilling, gold will appear.”

The moment she saw the opening line, Su Tang’s heart leapt violently.

It was as though all her secrets stood exposed before Xuanziji—the truth of her arrival, even the system itself...

Lu Dashan scratched his head beside her.

“What’s all this? You don’t even know what she wished for.”

Xuanziji smiled. “The answer fits the wish.”

He then read it aloud.

Lu Dashan could not help but give a thumbs up.

He even knew that his daughter-in-law loved “wealth” most.

Su Tang: “...”

That was a bit too blunt!

**

Lu Dashan and Master Xuanziji had more to discuss. Su Tang thanked them, tucking the paper away as she took her leave.

The setting sun painted the sky a fiery orange, the clouds ablaze, too bright to gaze at for long.

Beneath the parasol tree, most of the elderly sunbathers had departed. The little girl Su Tang had noticed earlier was helping her father pack up their stall, ready to return home.

In her mind, the great tree remained as before, its branches shimmering with faint light, and “Fulfill three wishes for those nearest you, 3/3” awaiting her touch.

Su Tang exhaled quietly and pressed it.

The great tree burst into dazzling light. She felt a sharp prick in her head—before she could cry out, the pain vanished, leaving a strange new awareness. At the same time, the tree transformed.

Its size was unchanged, but each of the five main branches—“Skills”, “Seasoning”, “Cooking”—now sprouted a new shoot.

Beside “Basic Ingredient Handling” was “Advanced Ingredient Handling.”

Next to “Basic Seasoning” appeared “Advanced Seasoning.”

After “Cooking,” where “Spicy Hot Pot Preparation” was, “Noodle Making” now joined it.

Though “Innovation” and “Daily Tasks” were still empty, they glowed just as brightly as “Noodle Making.”

Clearly, more awaited her.

Su Tang pressed them at once.

“Innovation”—“Special Seasoning.”

“Daily Tasks”—“1. Prepare a meal. 2. Earn a sum of silver. 3. Donate a sum of silver.”

Su Tang’s lips twitched.

Never mind “Special Seasoning,” but why did “Daily Tasks” include “Donate a sum of silver”? First you earn, then you donate right after?

She had never seen a philanthropist as dedicated as this in her previous life!

Why did “Daily Tasks” require giving money away?!

Hah, truly—

She was just about to voice her protest when that clear chime sounded again in her ears.