"Alright, sorry to disturb your rest, I'm hanging up now!"
"Looks like even the War God has unseen weaknesses, talk to you later, hanging up!"
In less than five minutes, a message arrived on Zhang Yang's WeChat.
Zhang Yang glanced at it, feeling an unspeakable confusion that seemed to find its direction upon seeing the name Lianshan.
The cigarette butt was flicked out the window, gear shifted, and the van headed homeward.
The next morning, Zhang Yang changed into slightly more formal attire and drove to the address given by old Zhao.
It was an unassuming small street tucked behind the city's commercial street.
Compared to the bustling main road, this place felt entirely different: cramped, old, with a faint smell of urine lingering in the air.
Zhang Yang parked the van against the wall, glanced at the sign overhead to ensure it was the right place, then pushed the door open and strode in.
"Young man, here for a name? Or fortune-telling?" As soon as he entered, a man in his forties stood up from a sofa by the entrance.
This man was of medium build, with a lean face, sharp eyes, wearing a traditional gown, exuding an aura of a sage.
Zhang Yang nodded, "Hello, I'm a friend of Zhao Bingguang! I've come for some fortune-telling, hoping you could help clear my doubts and guide me a bit!"
"A friend of Zhao Bingguang? You're quite young! Come sit inside!" The man sized Zhang Yang up, extended an arm to lead him to the inner hall.
"What do you want to know? Academic prospects? Or maybe love and career?" The man was straightforward, cutting straight to the point without unnecessary pleasantries.
"Love, I guess! Everything else seems to be going well, but I'm quite baffled with love issues. Please, give me a fortune reading!"
The middle-aged fortune-teller nodded, didn't take out any divination sticks, but instead, pulled four copper coins from his sleeve, casually scattered them on the table, examining each one, then started muttering while pinching his fingers.
After about twenty seconds, the fortune-teller looked up.
"Young man, according to the reading, you're in bloom with romantic prospects!"
The phrase 'in bloom with romantic prospects' left Zhang Yang slightly taken aback. Old Zhao said this person was skilled, could it be this accurate?
He didn't mention his birth date, personal details, nothing, and yet this person, with a few copper coins and a quick calculation, knew about his romantic prospects?
"I wonder if these romantic prospects are genuine?" Zhang Yang kept a straight face and continued to ask.
"Judging by your appearance, your career and wealth are flourishing, your demeanor also exudes reliability and stability!
These romantic prospects aren't a misfortune, if taken seriously, they'd be a good match! They'd be quite beneficial for your career and life.
However, it seems as if there's an unresolved past love, wearing down your spirit and will! If you want to live transparently, you need to find a way to untie this emotional knot, only then will your future be smooth sailing!"
Unresolved past love? Hearing these words, Zhang Yang subconsciously furrowed his brows slightly.
Since his rebirth, his focus had been on making money, he hadn't dated anyone, nor formed any intimate relationships, these words seemed out of place.
"Unresolved past love? I haven't dated anyone!" Zhang Yang expressed his confusion.
The fortune-teller's lips curled into a slight smile, "Think harder?"
This mention of 'think harder,' instantly sent Zhang Yang's thoughts trailing along a distant path, forming a blurry image in his mind.
Sunflower seeds, candy, a familiar face, wasn't this last time's blind date, Zhou Xiaolin, from past interactions?
Now, Zhang Yang's expression immediately changed.
The fortune-teller was quite accurate, if he had to find someone among the opposite sex who could affect his emotions, it would indeed be Zhou Xiaolin, whom he had only met once in this life, counting as unresolved past love.
But he hadn't had any further contact after meeting her the first time?
Thinking of this, Zhang Yang scratched his head.
Remembering an old sentiment can be both good and bad! I can't tell you what to choose, any choice you make, you must bear the karma of it yourself!
I can only tell you, sentiments can influence you, but ultimately they cannot be decisively influential, follow your heart and take control!"
With just a few words, Zhang Yang suddenly realized the key to his emotional restless state, and the confusion was instantly cleared.
"Thank you! I understand now!" Zhang Yang expressed his gratitude sincerely.
"Glad you understand! The fortune fee is 50 yuan!"
Zhang Yang readily paid the fee, thanked him once again, then got up to leave.
So this is an emotional knot? Having identified the root of his subconscious troubles, Zhang Yang felt he could breathe much easier once back in the van.
The mind is a peculiar thing, when you can't figure it out, emotions can get extremely irritable, decisions might be made inexplicably, but once figured out, things become crystal clear.
In reality, from a rational standpoint, Zhang Yang's girlfriend from his past life, Zhou Xiaolin, leaving him when his future looked bleak wasn't any unforgivable crime, just an ordinary person's pragmatic choice. It might be somewhat immoral, but not to the point of being entirely wrong.
From a neutral outsider's perspective, did Zhou Xiaolin do anything wrong?
It seems she didn't, back then, Zhang Yang was burdened with heavy debt and a shattered family, clearly not ideal marriage material.
Did Zhang Yang do anything wrong? No, he didn't either, it was just a case of poor timing.
The magic of fate is right here, they both followed their true feelings when making decisions, yet fatefully ended up apart.
Why did Zhang Yang feel instinctively resistant to Lin Nianwei's proactive approach?
Was it because the girl wasn't pretty? Or did she have any ill intentions?
The truth is, it's Zhang Yang's subconscious at play, having been hurt emotionally, he instinctively chose to avoid situations with potential risks.
With his thoughts cleared, Zhang Yang pondered while driving!
Continuing was not a solution either, the old saying goes 'a wise horse doesn't eat its own grass', Zhou Xiaolin was definitely out of the question, but how to untie this so-called emotional knot?
Zhang Yang furrowed his brows and thought for a full five seconds, then gritted his teeth, driving towards Meng Village Fishing Ground.
His career was about fishing, so he thought he'd handle this matter with what he did best!
Zhang Yang arrived at Meng Village Fishing Ground, exchanged greetings with the boss, then found a secluded spot and buried himself in fishing.
Today was a day for second water donkey fishing at Meng Village Fishing Ground, Zhang Yang casually prepared a small amount of bait, and in less than ten minutes, he caught a big carp weighing over three kilograms.
Looking at the lively carp, Zhang Yang went inside for a plastic bag, put it in easily, without even packing up the fishing gear, and drove straight to the nearest Wen River bank.
Once at the riverbank, Zhang Yang cradling the fish squatted by the water, his mind revisiting Zhou Xiaolin's face.
"Go! I have more important things to do in this life, our fate ends here! I'll let you go, and free myself as well!"
Zhang Yang whispered to himself, gently releasing the carp.
The carp flapped its tail and soon vanished into the wide river.
After this little 'release ritual', Zhang Yang stared at the calm river surface in silence for a long time.
Once he calmed down, he took out his phone and called Han Qiang and Wang Yan one by one.
The core message over the call was simple, bros in a good mood, fancy a drink! Company expense, let's set up a meet!
That night, Zhang Yang gathered a table full of close friends at a barbecue joint called Da Qianmen, eating and drinking to their fill, he got rarely drunk.
Early the next morning, Zhang Yang groggily got up with a splitting headache.
The negative emotions weighing on his heart had completely dissipated, but the hangover symptoms would not disappear, Zhang Yang forced himself up feeling terrible, took a warm shower, and finally felt a little better.
Driving back to the shop, Zhang Yang naturally took out his phone and sent a message to Lin Nianwei, who was at work.
"Bro's back in full swing! Want to invite the pretty lady for dinner, wonder if the lady will honor me with her presence!"
In her office, Su Nianwei heard the notification on her phone, and with a bit of OCD, she unlocked to take a peek, her face displaying a myriad of expressions.
Has the blockhead finally got a clue?