Chapter 7: A Talisman Worth Fifty Thousand

Shi Yi noticed his expression and turned to look at him.

“What’s wrong? Does this house have some other use? If so, maybe…”

Shi Yi dreaded trouble more than anything. Seeing Zhao Yong’s uneasy face, she instinctively wondered if he had other plans for such a good house. Perhaps he only offered it to her out of gratitude for her help.

But Zhao Yong quickly denied it.

“No, no, not at all, Master. I just…”

He scratched his head, looking awkward.

“It’s just that… you’re so amazing. I was wondering… do you perhaps have any talismans you could sell me?”

Zhao Yong was a businessman who always believed in feng shui and the supernatural. Having witnessed so many strange things with Shi Yi’s help, and with his entire family saved by her, he now saw her as a true master.

He knew that real masters’ talismans were extremely expensive. Still, the price was worth it for their effectiveness. With a real master conveniently by his side—and with more money than he could count—he’d be a fool not to buy some.

Seeing Zhao Yong’s conflicted look, Shi Yi understood his intentions. However…

She reached for her backpack.

“I do have some, but…”

“Really? Could you sell them to me? Price is no object!” Zhao Yong cut in, his excitement obvious.

Shi Yi fetched a few yellowed talismans from a compartment. She had indeed written some safety charms and mosquito-repelling talismans. Yet, none of her talismans actually did anything; they were just for show.

She had trained with her master since childhood, but she’d never really learned much. The idea of selling these things made her uneasy.

Yet, to her surprise, Zhao Yong gasped and covered his mouth in awe when she produced them. He stepped forward carefully and accepted the talismans—little more than scribbles—from her hands.

“Master, these… these are incredible! What are these talismans for?”

Shi Yi held three in her hand. “These three are for safety, and these three are to repel mosquitoes.”

It was the height of summer, and mosquito-repelling charms were especially popular. Whenever she set up her stall under the overpass, there were always elderly folks who came to buy them. They were cheap—just ten yuan each. Any more than that, and Shi Yi would feel guilty, since the charms didn’t actually do anything. People just wanted some peace of mind.

Hearing her explanation, Zhao Yong pulled out a thick wad of cash from his wallet and placed it on the table.

Shi Yi was stunned.

“Master, I know true masters are above such mundane things as money, but I really have nothing else to offer you. Is this enough? If not, I’ll go home and get more!”

He clutched the six talismans like a treasure. These were valuable, crafted by a genuine master—they had to be effective.

Shi Yi glanced at the pile of bills—at least fifty thousand yuan—and quickly waved her hands.

“That’s really too much for these.”

But as she tried to protest, Zhao Yong cut her off, raising his hand.

“Master, please don’t say that. True masters deserve such things. If you don’t think it’s too little, that’s all that matters. This money is just a number to me. Please accept it!”

Afraid she wouldn’t take the cash, Zhao Yong hurriedly tucked the talismans into his pocket and dashed out the door.

“Master, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be off. Call me if you need anything!”

With that, the door slammed shut, leaving Shi Yi standing dazed in the room.

In her eighteen years of life, she had never found money so easy to make. It felt like it had been blown in by the wind.

But then she remembered her essentially useless talismans and felt uneasy. After some thought, she retrieved an old string of Five Emperor Coins from her bag—the very first gift her master had ever given her. According to her master, this item truly had the power to ward off evil and protect a home.

She had always cherished it deeply. But now, having taken both the house and so much money, she felt guilty for giving nothing but a handful of worthless charms.

She resolved to find a time to give this precious item to Zhao Yong.

Shi Yi spent the next day tidying her new home, organizing her things, and finding a suitable spot for her master’s memorial portrait. With four bedrooms and only herself, she took one room, removed the bed, and placed her master’s portrait there.

After settling everything, Shi Yi looked at the fifty thousand yuan on the table, sighed, and stuffed it into her backpack.

That evening, she went as usual to set up her stall beneath the overpass. The place was bustling with people heading home from work. Her bold sign—“Fortune-telling: 100 yuan per session. If it’s not accurate, you don’t pay!”—stood out among the snack stalls.

Shi Yi ordered a coconut drink, sat in her rocking chair, and fanned herself lazily.

“Hey, isn’t that her?”

“That’s right! The photo said it was this spot! That huge sign—‘Fortune-telling: 100 yuan per session, free if wrong.’ I heard she’s incredibly accurate, and even saved a whole family.”

“Oh my god, she’s the real deal! Quick, before she gets busy, let’s go get a reading!”

“I can’t believe we actually found her. This trip was worth it!”

“Wow… Only 100 yuan for a reading from a true master.”

Not far away, several girls stood chattering and gesturing excitedly in her direction. They kept checking their phones as if confirming something.

Before long, they approached Shi Yi, speaking carefully.

“Master, could you give us a reading?”

Shi Yi, half-drowsing in her chair, opened her eyes at the timid voices. She saw four youthful girls in school uniforms standing before her and was a little taken aback.

“Yes, I can.”

She sat up and looked them over. They were from No. 7 High School, the nearby school. She often saw students in those uniforms on her way to and from the overpass.

The girls, thrilled at her response, hurried to sit by her stall.

“Master, I saw online how you saved a family. I had to come find you. I can’t believe your stand is right next to our school—what a coincidence!”

“Yes! And Master, your blue hair is so cool—so stylish!”

The girls chattered excitedly. Shi Yi cleared her throat, placed her copper coins inside a tortoiseshell, and handed it to them.

“Cast the coins. What would you like to ask?”