We Weren’t Fated, I Just Played My Cards Right - Chapter 12
Mr. Ning’s words left everyone exchanging uneasy glances. A celestial sha lone star—no one could underestimate the weight of those words.
It might be something to laugh off when seen on TV, but having such a person in one’s own family was another matter entirely.
Zhan Hongye coughed lightly, breaking the tense atmosphere in the private room: “Ahem, Mr. Ning is quite straightforward. Brother-in-law, please don’t take offense.”
How could Dong Zhenghao not take offense?
Liu Mumu was his biological daughter, currently living under his roof.
Who knew when misfortune might strike his entire family because of her?
He cast a complicated glance at Liu Mumu, who seemed dazed, then urgently asked Master Ning, “Master, is there any way to prevent her from affecting my family?”
“That’s simple. Just avoid meeting her, don’t get too close, and keep your distance.”
“But she’s already been staying at our house for several days.”
Seeing Dong Zhenghao’s anxious expression, Master Ning reassured him, “No need to worry, Mr. Dong. Brief contact won’t have major consequences—at most, you might lose some money or suffer minor injuries. Nothing life-threatening.”
Everything suddenly made sense!
Ever since meeting Liu Mumu, Dong Zhenghao felt his luck had turned for the worse—his business partner died, costing him a fortune, and then his son broke his leg and was hospitalized.
It was all because of Liu Mumu!
His sister-in-law had warned him that she had an unlucky fate and would bring misfortune to the family. He hadn’t believed it then, but now he had no choice.
Dong Zhenghao had already made up his mind. No matter what, he would send her away as soon as he got home. She absolutely couldn’t stay.
Jiang Jia felt a flicker of doubt. Why was Master Ning’s explanation different from what they had agreed on earlier?
Regardless, their goal for today had been achieved. She subtly raised her glass toward Jiang Li, avoiding the others’ notice.
Jiang Li smiled faintly, thinking her sister wasn’t so detestable after all.
“Master Ning, you so casually sever familial bonds—aren’t you afraid of making a mistake and ruining lives?” Liu Mumu finally spoke after listening to their conversation as if she weren’t there.
Master Ning seemed amused. “Heh, I’ve never been wrong about anyone. I know you resent me, but this is your fate. I only speak what I’ve divined.”
“Enough. Master Ning is just telling the truth. Don’t make trouble,” Dong Zhenghao snapped.
In just a short time, he had become Master Ning’s staunch supporter and didn’t want Liu Mumu saying anything offensive that might upset the master.
Ignoring Dong Zhenghao, Liu Mumu locked eyes with Master Ning. “If this is all you can deduce, then you were right earlier—you truly don’t deserve the title of ‘Master.'”
“Young lady, don’t bother trying to provoke me.”
“You spent all this time analyzing my father’s fate but only came up with useless details. Did you even determine what kind of destiny he has?”
Master Ning frowned. “You understand fortune-telling?”
“Better than you. Knowing I have the ‘Celestial Sha Clashing with Four Pillars’ fate isn’t impressive—anyone who’s read a divination book would recognize it. But for someone called ‘Master,’ you couldn’t even see the ‘Four Pillars Concealing Fate.’ How dare you judge others’ destinies?”
Master Ning froze, then abruptly turned to Dong Zhenghao, rapidly calculating with his fingers.
The more he calculated, the more horrified his expression became.
“Four Pillars Concealing Fate” was an extremely obscure destiny that could precisely counteract all the negative effects of the “Celestial Sha Lone Star.” Who would have thought that a father and daughter could share such complementary fates?
Seeing the tension, Zhan Hongye interjected with a chuckle, “It seems even masters can make mistakes. Brother-in-law, don’t take it to heart. Let’s continue our meal and conversation.”
He tried to steer the topic elsewhere, but Liu Mumu wouldn’t let him. She was already half-full—whether others ate or not wasn’t her concern.
“Hold on, I’m not done yet.”
She tapped her chopsticks against the cup before her, waiting until all eyes were on her. Then she leaned slightly forward and addressed the visibly uncomfortable Master Ning: “There’s one question I’ve wanted to ask since meeting this fortune-telling master—do you have a divination license?”
Master Ning was momentarily stunned by her question before recovering. Instead of answering, he countered, “How do you know about divination licenses?”
“I’m the one asking questions here,” she pressed. “Please answer directly—do you have one or not?”
Master Ning replied stiffly, “That’s none of your concern.”
Liu Mumu leaned back. “I’m afraid it concerns me quite a bit.” She scanned the room. “Without a license, yet spouting nonsense to harm me—I’d be perfectly justified in reporting you for fraud under the guise of divination.”
“Perhaps Master Ning has reasons for not having the license,” Zhan Hongye interjected, attempting to mediate since he’d invited the man. “No need to escalate this.”
Everyone present was sharp enough to recognize that Liu Mumu now held the upper hand, all hinging on this mysterious divination license. No one understood how she’d suddenly become so knowledgeable about fortune-telling regulations—except for Dong Zhenghao, who seemed to be piecing something together.
Liu Mumu smiled at Zhan Hongye. “If you like what he’s selling and want to support him, that’s fine. But when he tries to force his goods on me, reporting his unlicensed operation simply proves I’m an upright citizen.” She turned to Master Ning. “Wouldn’t you agree, Master Ning?”
With a loud clatter, Master Ning abruptly stood up.
Liu Mumu snapped his photo with her phone. “Planning to run? No need—these days you can report fraudsters with just a photo. Once we’ve got your picture, there’s nowhere you can hide.”
“What do you want?” Master Ning ground out through clenched teeth, his face contorted with humiliation as he halted his attempted escape.
“When you say wrong things that hurt people, shouldn’t you apologize to your victim?”
Master Ning bit out through gritted teeth, “I’m sorry. I miscalculated.” The words were clearly forced.
Liu Mumu pursed her lips disapprovingly. “Not the most sincere apology, but I suppose I’m magnanimous enough not to hold grudges against petty people.” Just as he began to relax, she added, “Though I did suffer significant distress. Shouldn’t there be some compensation?”
“Fine!”
After providing her bank details, she soon received a sum substantial enough to delight her for a month. Studying the bank notification on her phone, she remarked without looking up, “You’re not foolish enough to later accuse me of extortion, are you?”
“I know the rules.” Master Ning sat back down with a dark expression.
What he gave wasn’t compensation—it was hush money.
After walking by the river for so long, he’d finally gotten his shoes wet. Now he was just an unlicensed vendor caught red-handed.
No one expected this seemingly unremarkable girl to be part of their circle, even managing to grasp his fatal weakness.
Too bad this was Qingcheng…
He seethed inwardly—today he’d lost all face and dignity.
During the latter half of the meal, only Liu Mumu continued enjoying the food while the others barely tasted anything.
When the meal finally ended, Zhan Hongye excused himself, leaving with Jiang Jia and Master Ning, while the three family members remained seated.
Dong Zhenghao hesitated before speaking: “How about… I buy you a new villa to move into?”
The earlier conversation had ended too abruptly, and he hadn’t understood the hidden meanings in their exchange. Regardless, his own life was more important.
But since his daughter had shown some capability, he thought it best not to offend her too severely.
“Scared of dying?”
Dong Zhenghao stiffly nodded.
“Don’t be. Grandpa personally divined for me—while my fate is somewhat unfortunate, yours is good enough to counteract the disasters in my destiny.”
Dong Zhenghao remained uneasy: “Really?”
Liu Mumu stood up: “Dad didn’t really think I chose to live with you because of some heartwarming father-daughter bond, did you?”
No, Dong Zhenghao had always assumed it was for his money.
“I remember Dad already promised me. Trying to back out now isn’t wise. If I get angry, I might resort to unconventional methods—want to try?”
Dong Zhenghao quickly leaned away from his approaching daughter: “No need!”
Then he asked again anxiously: “There’s really no effect?”
“It won’t affect you—trust yourself.” She glanced at the unusually silent Jiang Li beside them, “If it affects someone else… well, you could always get a new wife.”
Without waiting to see Jiang Li’s reaction, she skipped out of the private room.
Dong Zhenghao: …
He felt just a tiny bit tempted.