Chapter 5: The Divine Doctor Tells Fortunes 2
Qin Qin lifted a smile and let the curses of the people behind her wash over her; a few insults were not going to skin her. As for Lee Shuhua, there would be plenty of opportunities to teach her a lesson in the future, but now was not the time for idle chatter with her. Qin An had spent all the family savings for her sake, even getting berated by Lee Shuhua over a mere loan of five hundred. Now that she had become Qin Qin, even though she didn't yet feel attached to this family, she couldn't bear to see Qin An, a disabled person, struggle to repay the debt. She had to find a way to earn money and pay Lee Shuhua back.
A few kilometers away from Peng County, there was a temple called Puzhao Temple, frequented by many people and thriving in visitor offerings. Many people from other places came specifically to visit, bringing much liveliness to the small town of Peng County.
Taking the bus, Qin Qin arrived at the base of Puzhao Temple. Looking at the crowds, she couldn't help but wonder at the place's popularity; was it truly blessed?
[My lady, it's so lively here!]
Xiao Fong's excited voice rang in Qin Qin's ear, causing her to smile slightly, "Indeed, there are quite a lot of people!"
Qin Qin watched the long line of excited vendors and the numerous elders selling incense and candles.
With a smile, Qin Qin joined the throngs of people heading up the mountain. Upon arriving at the temple and seeing the towering and magnificent structure, she felt a sense of awe from deep within. Stepping inside, she made a point of bowing sincerely, though she wasn't particularly religious. Being reborn warranted at least a gesture of thanks to someone, and she even donated ten yuan, modest as it was—these days, that's all she could afford. In her previous life, she would have donated generously, but alas, after her rebirth, her purse was light; if there truly were any Buddhas or Bodhisattvas, they wouldn't mind.
[My lady, the Divine Realm has long vanished; you don't need to worship these Bodhisattvas!]
"I know, but since I'm here, I might as well pay my respects!"
[Oh, as my lady wishes!]
"Hehe!"
Turning to leave the temple, Qin Qin brushed past a richly dressed young woman. Stopping, Qin Qin turned to look at her, a glint in her eyes. The young woman was accompanied by a plainly dressed servant who, noticing Qin Qin's gaze, glared back at her.
Did a pauper like her think she was worthy of looking at her lady?
Qin Qin noticed the disdain in the servant's eyes, but just curved her lips into a smile and walked out of the temple.
After Qin Qin left, the wealthy lady, who had been kneeling, stood up and noticed her servant staring at something. "What is it?"
"Nothing, just a little girl who kept staring at you, madam."
"Hmm, let's not bother about others. We're here to see the Abbot!"
"Yes, madam!"
Qin Qin headed towards the east side of the temple, where there were also quite a few passersby. All around, she saw numerous stalls, all claiming prophetic services, with signs like "Wu the Half-Immortal," "Fortune-teller"... and some even audaciously advertised "Descended Deities."
Qin Qin nearly laughed at the absurdity; she shook her head and walked towards a relatively quiet area. Surprisingly, she found a young girl kneeling on the ground, head bowed, with some words chalked in front of her about stolen money and needing ten yuan to return home, hoping for the kindness of strangers to help.
Approaching the girl, Qin Qin crouched in front of her and arched an eyebrow, "May I borrow your chalk for a moment?"
The girl looked up at Qin Qin and handed over the chalk she had tossed aside. With a word of thanks and under the girl's curious gaze, Qin Qin went to one side and wrote in large characters — Miracle Healer, Fortune-Telling, No Charge if Inaccurate.
A shade of scorn crossed the girl's eyes as she silently ridiculed to herself; this girl was a swindler just like her.
The girl lost interest and averted her gaze, bowing her head once more.
Turning around, Qin Qin looked at the girl with the bowed head, inwardly aware of the contempt she must be feeling.
After finishing her message, Qin Qin returned the chalk to the girl and took her place by a flower bed where she could sit.
Seated on the flowerbed, Qin Qin leisurely surveyed her surroundings.
Trees surrounded her, paths intertwined, giving off an air of secluded beauty. Occasionally, people would pass by in the distance.
Undisturbed by them, Qin Qin relished the midday sun as it filtered through the sparse tree canopy, inducing a drowsy warmth. Her current body was rather weak, still not fully recovered from being beaten. She decided to close her eyes and rest, feigning sleep for some healing respite.
The girl kneeling beside Qin Qin couldn't help but raise her head with a speechless expression. What... was this situation? It was her first time seeing someone deceive others like this, actually falling asleep while doing it.
Whispers of accusation from the crowd reached her ears. Qin Qin opened her eyes and realized that in just a moment, her surroundings had filled with people, all pointing and whispering about her.
"I never thought that scammers could be just kids?!"
"At such a young age, learning nothing good, only knowing how to scam people!"
"Ha, even when scamming people they can't come up with a better excuse, what kind of 'divine healer fortune-telling' is this? Who would believe that!"
Listening to the crowd's gossip, Qin Qin lifted the corners of her lips and looked at the crowd, "Don't believe it? You can try it! Before calling someone a Swindler, at least have some evidence!"
"Little girl, at your age, you should be in school studying, not here doing fortune-telling. Is fortune-telling that easy? Better go home quickly," an elderly man with white hair gently advised without blaming Qin Qin.
Qin Qin smiled gently at the old man, "Elder, why don't you give it a try? I won't charge you!"
Seeing his persuasion failed, the old man shook his head with some disappointment, "Sigh!"
After sighing, the old man turned and left, ignoring Qin Qin's offer of a free fortune-telling session, since how could he possibly believe such a young girl could tell fortunes.
Seeing the old man leave, Qin Qin didn't stop him, but simply smiled with a hint of pity and lowered her eyes.
Who could know that the person sitting here was once a divine healer whom countless people, bearing a fortune, had sought to meet? Although the healer had now slightly changed professions and aspired to become a Swindler among fortune-tellers.
"Good fortune or misfortune could come overnight, seek the auspicious and avoid the ominous! Five hundred per session!"
"Five hundred? Are you kidding me? Did you, girl, get it wrong?!"
"Wu the Half-Immortal only charges 20 yuan, and you, girl, should at least be reasonable in scamming."
"Forget it, let's disperse, there's nothing to see here, scammers are too common these days!"
The crowd sarcastically spoke, some disinterestedly dispersed, but there were still many who remained around Qin Qin, wanting to see the excitement.
Qin Qin glanced at the people around her, "Divine healer fortune-telling, not only can it help you to seek good fortune and avoid disaster but also heal diseases and save lives. Five hundred is already very cheap."
Those who had once sought her treatment were willing to pay a fortune, yet now, five hundred was practically a giveaway.
"Hahaha, you little lass, dare to tell fortunes on Puzhao Temple Mountain?! And five hundred per session, what a lion's mouth, I'd like to see how you scam people. If it's not accurate, I'll take you straight to the police station."
A middle-aged man adorned with a gold necklace, who looked like a nouveau riche, came up and spoke sarcastically. A young and glamorously dressed woman accompanied him, and their relationship seemed unusual at first glance.
"Take me to the police station? You probably don't have that authority! Are you sure you want to go through with this?" Qin Qin hooked her lips up and gave the man a cold glance.
The middle-aged man eyed Qin Qin up and down and nodded vigorously, "Of course I want to try! Predict my future fortunes!"
"Alright!"
Qin Qin carefully looked at the middle-aged man; her black pupils deepened, revealing a hint of purple. The next moment, a series of images appeared before Qin Qin's eyes, and after a minute, she closed her eyes and then reopened them.
Seeing Qin Qin silent, the middle-aged man sneered, "What's the matter? Don't know how to predict now, huh? Little girl, you better go home and have your milk. Such a young age, and you dare to tell fortunes."
"Don't know how to predict?" Qin Qin tilted her head as if contemplating, "Hehe, I was just considering how to break it to you. I'm just afraid you couldn't handle it, that's all."
Hearing Qin Qin say this, the middle-aged man grew somewhat angry, "What can't I handle? I'd like to see what story you're going to concoct!"