Maybe you were born at the wrong time. Maybe you're still lost about your future and want to audition for The Voice. Or maybe you dream of becoming a star admired by millions someday. Perhaps you're talented but lack confidence. Even an ordinary person like you might have a skill that could change your life.
Thousands of miles may separate you from success, but a discerning eye can recognize your talent. The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion will show you the way!
Shen Qiong was promoting his new fortune-telling service for the first time on his Weibo account. He had also added "artistry" to the list of subjects he offered in his bio.
Fortune-telling topics: health, luck, daily life, artistry.
These days, who doesn't have a talent or two? You'd be embarrassed to leave the house without one. Can you play piano? Paint? Surely you can sing!
Can't sing in tune? No problem. Maybe you're suited to dancing.
What? You say you can't sing or dance, and every time you open your mouth people laugh at you? Don't worry, pal. Maybe you're the next big star of the crosstalk world...
By now, Shen Qiong had more than 18,000 followers on Weibo. As soon as he posted this ad for artistry readings, it sparked heated discussion, and his die-hard fans promptly shared it to help spread the word.
Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes: "I never went to Master Shen for a reading because my life was as dull as dishwater. I worked nine to five every day, and whenever I was in a bad mood, I liked to sing at the top of my lungs alone in my room, or spend all night singing at karaoke. Now I'm joining the queue to make an appointment too. What if Master Shen discovers some extraordinary talent of mine?"
"Oh my god! Master Shen is trying to corner us all! With this ad, won't the number of people booking appointments shoot up several times over? Will I ever manage to get one?"
"Hello, Master Shen. I'm a high school sophomore, and I love singing, but my dad won't let me major in music. He's one of your loyal fans, so if you say I'm suited to singing, he'll definitely support me." As a high school student, he naturally opposed superstition, but he couldn't do anything about his parents believing in it!
Shen Qiong soon saw the sophomore's request and immediately replied below: "Sure! But first, you have to successfully book an appointment."
That brief reply from Shen Qiong awakened countless people's long-buried dreams, dreams that had once seemed out of reach.
Some people had loved playing guitar since childhood, but lacked the perseverance to pursue their dreams as wandering musicians. Now they could only toil away as office workers. Shen Qiong's arrival had undoubtedly given them new hope.
If a single spark could start a prairie fire, then Shen Qiong had just lit a blaze that set all his fans' hearts alight.
And what about those who'd never heard of Master Shen? Here's a classic example!
"I only followed Master Shen on Weibo because a classmate recommended him. I heard his readings are really accurate. I'm just wondering, is that actually true? If it is, I'll book an appointment. It's not far from where I live to Shili Street; I can ride my bike there." The Weibo user named Pikachu left a comment.
Reply to Pikachu: "It's fake. Master Shen's readings are totally inaccurate. We're all just messing around."
Reply to Pikachu: "Kid, focus on your studies. Master Shen's world isn't one you can get into."
Reply to Pikachu: "Your classmate lied to you. Master Shen doesn't actually give readings to students."
Reply to Pikachu: "Forget it."
Reply to Pikachu: "How can you be so gullible? You believe everything your classmate tells you? He's lying."
Pikachu was pretty frustrated. Lots of people were warning him not to go to Master Shen, saying it was all fake.
But if it was all fake, why were so many people supporting him?
Pikachu decided to read every single one of Master Shen's Weibo posts. Two hours later, he was absolutely furious!
"You bunch of paid trolls! You're slandering Master Shen just to fool me? I'll spray you all with salty soda!" Pikachu commented.
Reply to Pikachu: "Hahaha, looks like you've figured out the truth. So many people are trying to book Master Shen that they lied to you to get rid of one competitor."
Reply to Pikachu: "We have no choice! Master Shen is getting more and more famous, and there's no limit on how much he charges for a reading. It's practically a blessing for ordinary people like us. We have to keep quiet about him. Don't let some rich guy find out about Master Shen. If they all start booking appointments, we'll have even less chance."
"Agreed with the person above. We can't let rich people book appointments, or our chances of getting one will be even slimmer."
Pikachu replied cleverly: "So that's how it is. Hmm! I'll go back and tell my classmate that Master Shen's readings aren't accurate. No, that would hurt Master Shen's reputation. I'll just tell him Master Shen doesn't give readings to students!"
Reply to Pikachu: "You're a quick learner!"
Reply to Pikachu: "You're a clever one."
Before long, all kinds of ridiculous comments were spreading around. To stop their neighbors from booking appointments with Shen Qiong, people made up all sorts of bizarre rules about his readings.
Some said Shen Qiong didn't give readings to students.
Some said Shen Qiong was very particular and wouldn't see anyone who wasn't good-looking!
Some said Master Shen charged a fortune, so people would be better off staying away.
"You say you want a reading from Master Shen? I'd think twice! Master Shen doesn't give readings to short-haired girls," a male classmate joked.
The short-haired girl looked baffled and asked timidly, "How come that's the exact opposite of what my sister said? She said Master Shen didn't like girls with long hair, so I cut mine short especially to book an appointment with him."
The boy laughed helplessly. "That's the seventh version I've heard about Master Shen's readings."
On the roads around Shili Street, you could always spot people wandering around. They weren't there to buy anything or go shopping. It was as if they simply loved taking walks along Shili Street.
"Hey, you again? You stepped on my shoe last night, didn't you?" A girl glared at a nerdy otaku.
The otaku ignored her and turned to leave.
"Hey, you're not leaving until you apologize!" The girl grabbed him, looking annoyed.
The otaku glanced at her. Hmm, no chest, no legs—not my type. He immediately shot back, "You were walking too slowly. How's that my fault?"
"You..." The girl glared at him.
Someone nearby pointed at her and said, "Hey, look at how scary that girl's glare is."
"Don't act like her. I heard Master Shen doesn't like short-tempered girls."
Shen Qiong was already swamped. He knew rumors about him were spreading everywhere, but the problem was, did people really believe those stupid, naive claims?
You said I didn't like short-haired girls? I never said that!
You said I didn't like flat-chested girls? Uh, I never said that either, but I might reconsider if she's pretty.
Ren Tianxue was extremely busy too. She had managed to cut each client's appointment down to twenty minutes. Before, Shen Qiong could only see two clients an hour. Now he had to see three.
If you didn't show up within those twenty minutes, then too bad. You were welcome to book again and come back next time. After all, Master Shen's time was precious.
By the end of the day, Shen Qiong was so tired he could barely stand! But his earnings were fantastic too. The benefits of being famous included not only a steady stream of clients, but also more generous gifts from them. It wasn't that his clients were all rich; it was just hard to give him too little when the man in front of you was Master Shen, with thousands of people trying to book an appointment!
Shen Qiong gazed at Ren Tianxue, the woman he both loved and resented, with an exceptionally aggrieved look.
She made him feel completely drained, but he had to admit, this felt great!
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