Chapter 68:

Coincidentally, people always fail to find something exactly when they want to find it the most. Then, when you’ve given up, you stumble upon it by accident.

Shen Qingzhou’s trip to Putuo Mountain wasn’t entirely focused on work, yet he really did discover a promising feng shui site that could be used by Xu Boqin. The location of this site, being near the scenic area, would likely pose some development challenges and come with a steep price. Shen Qingzhou didn’t hide these difficulties from Xu Boqin, laying all the obstacles bare before letting Xu decide whether or not to use it. If he used it, everyone would be happy. If not, Shen wouldn’t bother finding another one—such rare and valuable sites left no room for fussiness.

During this time Shen Qingzhou was busy coordinating with Xu Boqin, he wasn’t by Lin Qiao’s side. After spending a few days on Putuo Mountain, they returned to the city, partly because shopping wasn’t convenient there, and also because after meeting Zhao Chunjun there, Lin Qiao had no mood to enjoy herself.

Coincidentally, people often fail to find what they’re desperately searching for. It’s only when they’ve given up that they stumble upon it by chance.

Shen Qingzhou’s trip to Putuo Mountain wasn’t entirely focused on work, yet he actually discovered a promising burial site that could be offered to Xu Boqin.

Given its proximity to the scenic area, developing this site would likely be challenging and certainly expensive. Shen Qingzhou didn’t hide these difficulties from Xu Boqin, laying out all the potential issues and leaving the decision to use it or not entirely up to him. If Xu chose to proceed, it would be a win-win situation; if not, Shen wouldn’t search for another site—such rare and favorable locations weren’t something one could afford to be picky about.

During this period of coordinating with Xu Boqin, Shen Qingzhou wasn’t by Lin Qiao’s side. After spending a few days on Putuo Mountain, they returned to the city. The island wasn’t very convenient for shopping, and after running into Zhao Chunjun there, Lin Qiao had lost interest in sightseeing.

Although the RV was comfortable, staying in it for too long made them yearn for a proper house. Lin Qiao checked into a hotel, while Shen Qingzhou went out for business meetings. Du Xinling, aware of their arrival and seizing the opportunity while Shen was in a good mood, quickly arranged for him to meet with a client from Zhejiang who had been waiting. He didn’t want to miss this chance, knowing the next one might be uncertain. After all, no one ever complains about earning too much money.

Left alone in the hotel room, Lin Qiao took a nap, then idly flipped through TV channels upon waking, finding nothing worth watching. She picked up a hotel information card placed on the bedside table and skimmed through it, noticing that the rooftop featured a garden with a lovely view. As evening approached, she thought it might be nice to go up, enjoy the breeze, and take in the night scenery.

The temperature at the hotel was slightly higher than at the coast—at least it wouldn’t be as cold at night—though it still couldn’t compare to inland areas.

Since becoming pregnant, Lin Qiao hadn’t bought many maternity clothes. Most of the time, she simply wore Shen Qingzhou’s clothes. They were large enough, made of comfortable fabric, and carrying his scent, which made her feel secure and at ease. She found this far better than buying new clothes.

After dressing in layers, Lin Qiao threw on Shen Qingzhou’s trench coat and took the elevator to the rooftop. It had been three days since they encountered Zhao Chunjun at the entrance of Guanyin Temple. She assumed that, after failing to reach them for so long, he must have returned to Beijing. After all, he had work commitments, and it wasn’t a long holiday—staying away for too long wasn’t practical.

To her surprise, she ran into him again on the hotel rooftop.

Zhao Chunjun was indeed a frightening figure in Lin Qiao’s mind, and her psychological fear of him was understandable. However, no matter how intimidating someone is, frequent encounters without any real harm eventually lessen the initial terror and helplessness.

Calmly, she found a lounge chair to sit in, summoned a waiter for a glass of juice, and pretended not to see Zhao Chunjun, focusing on her own relaxation. She casually browsed through magazines on a rack and happened to spot one with Shen Qingzhou on the cover. Intrigued, she picked it up and flipped to the page featuring his interview, reading it carefully.

The interview had been conducted earlier in the year, before Lin Qiao knew him. As a renowned feng shui master both domestically and internationally, everyone from wealthy elites to celebrities sought his advice—even actors she admired had consulted him. Shen Qingzhou charged her differently from his wealthy clients; for them, he charged by the square meter, at prices so high it made her sigh in amazement. The amount of money he earned left Lin Qiao both jealous and envious.

“He actually knows so many celebrities,” Lin Qiao murmured unconsciously while reading the interview. “I should’ve asked him to get me an autograph.”

“Mrs. Shen seems to be in good spirits.”

A familiar voice sounded beside her. Lin Qiao glanced over coolly to find Zhao Chunjun seated on a nearby lounge chair, impeccably dressed and smiling at her.

His tone was gentle, but no matter how restrained he tried to be, Lin Qiao could still detect a sinister undertone in his words.

“Would you like some dessert?” he asked, not waiting for her response. “This hotel’s desserts are quite excellent. You should try some.” With that, he raised his hand to order dessert for her.

Lin Qiao immediately stopped him. “No need,” she said coldly. “Don’t order anything. I won’t eat it.”

Zhao Chunjun obligingly lowered his hand and asked casually, “What’s wrong? Unwilling to accept my kindness?”

Lin Qiao snorted sarcastically. “Not at all. I’m just afraid you might poison it.”

Zhao Chunjun narrowed his eyes at her. In a crowded place like this, he couldn’t do anything to her, nor did he intend to use force—such methods rarely achieved his goals. He wasn’t a brute like Fang Zheng and had no intention of meeting a similar fate.

“Fine, no dessert then,” he said, though he still placed an order, leaving Lin Qiao puzzled about his intentions.

Soon, the waiter brought over the desserts he had ordered. The table was filled with beautifully crafted and delicious-looking treats, showcasing the pastry chef’s skills to perfection. Just the sight and aroma made Lin Qiao’s mouth water and her stomach rumble.

Ignoring Lin Qiao’s displeased expression, Zhao Chunjun slowly picked up his utensils and began enjoying his dessert. He ate deliberately, savoring each bite as a sign of respect for the chef’s work. To Lin Qiao, however, it seemed utterly malicious.

Not wanting to waste any more time with him, Lin Qiao picked up the magazine and decided to return to her room. But as she stood up, she heard Zhao Chunjun’s voice behind her. “Mrs. Shen, is that an article about Mr. Shen you’re holding?”

Lin Qiao turned to look at him. “What’s it to you? Dr. Zhao, why do you keep hovering around me and Qingzhou? Logically, you should consider yourself lucky if we don’t seek you out. By constantly appearing before us, are you reminding us that you haven’t been dealt with yet? If you don’t court death, you won’t die. Why can’t you understand that?”

Zhao Chunjun smirked coldly, his smile eerie and mocking. “Do you think if I didn’t seek you out, your husband wouldn’t come looking for me?”

Lin Qiao frowned, defensive. “Even if he does settle accounts with you, it’s only right. The day you committed those wrongdoings, you should’ve expected to be exposed. What goes around comes around. It’s not that it hasn’t happened yet—it’s just that the time hasn’t come.”

Zhao Chunjun stood up. “Then what I’m doing now is ensuring that time never comes.”

Lin Qiao laughed coldly. “What, are you planning to start with me?”

He had texted her instead of contacting Shen Qingzhou directly and always appeared when Shen wasn’t around. His intentions were obvious. Even Lin Qiao could guess the sinister plots brewing in this dishonorable man’s mind.

“I’ve never hidden my intentions,” Zhao Chunjun said, stepping closer to her. Lin Qiao retreated a few steps as he advanced. He raised a slender eyebrow, his dark eyes fixed intently on her, and said in a deep, clear voice, “I will succeed. Don’t you believe me?”

Lin Qiao shook her head without hesitation. “No, I don’t.”

Zhao Chunjun smiled. “That’s alright. You’ll believe it soon enough. Didn’t you want to go back? Why aren’t you leaving? Or do you want to chat with me a bit longer?”

Lin Qiao shot him a disdainful glance, which Zhao Chunjun found rather amusing. People usually looked at him with awe or expectation; even if they secretly despised him, they never showed it. Lin Qiao was the first to openly look down on him.

“I am going back,” Lin Qiao said calmly. “But before I do, there’s something I need to take care of.”

Zhao Chunjun raised an eyebrow curiously. “What is it?”

“Are you curious?” Lin Qiao’s tone carried a hint of danger.

Zhao Chunjun blinked, thought for a moment, and nodded.

Lin Qiao subtly glanced at her left hand. In her right hand, she held the magazine with Shen Qingzhou on the cover; in her left, she held a cup of warm water. While talking to Zhao Chunjun, she had quietly poured the water onto the floor between them. After he nodded, she beckoned him closer.

Zhao Chunjun didn’t refuse and obediently took two steps forward. They were now very close, her nose almost touching his neck.

He’s really tall, she thought to herself.

Looking up, Lin Qiao gave him a bright smile and then, to his surprise, pushed him hard.

Wearing leather shoes on the water-slicked, smooth tiles, he struggled to keep his balance, nearly falling. He stumbled several times, bumping into a few people before barely steadying himself.

Lin Qiao wasn’t worried about him retaliating physically. Firstly, no matter how despicable he was, he was still a man who wouldn’t attack a pregnant woman in public. Secondly, after much observation and reflection, she realized Zhao Chunjun didn’t intend to use violent methods like Fang Zheng. That’s why she felt bold enough to act.

After this act of retaliation, Lin Qiao handed her cup to a passing waiter and casually said to Zhao Chunjun, who had just regained his balance, “I’m just returning the favor. This is nothing compared to you forcibly injecting me with sedatives. You still owe me, and I’ll settle the rest next time. I’m leaving.” With that, she turned and walked away without looking back, quickly disappearing around the corner.

Zhao Chunjun’s expression was peculiar—a mix of disdain and cynicism. The corners of his lips curled into a dangerous smile as he straightened his slightly disheveled clothes. Then, he suddenly laughed, the sound filled with inexplicable amusement.

By the time Shen Qingzhou returned to the hotel, Lin Qiao had already carefully taken a shower and gone to bed.

The hotel they were staying in was naturally expensive, and the interior was comfortably and impeccably decorated. Lin Qiao turned over in the soft bedding and saw the door open. Shen Qingzhou’s tall figure, clad in a black suit, walked in. She was thrilled.

Lin Qiao spread her arms and called out loudly, “Hubby, come here!”

Shen Qingzhou had been out for most of the day, constantly worrying about Lin Qiao, concerned that she might be bored or that something might happen. Seeing her safe and sound in bed when he returned put his mind at ease.

He placed his bag on the table by the door, walked over to the bed, sat down, and asked softly, “What’s wrong?”

Lin Qiao took his cold hands and tucked them under the blankets to warm them, unconsciously adopting a coquettish tone. “I ran into Zhao Chunjun again today. I think you really need to divine for me. I must be attracting petty people lately.”

In the past, whenever she said this, Shen Qingzhou would dismiss it as nonsense and never actually perform a reading for her.

But this time was different. After a moment’s thought, Shen Qingzhou nodded and agreed.

Lin Qiao looked at him in surprise. “You’re actually going to do it?”

Shen Qingzhou said, “To know the causes of your past life, look at your present circumstances. To know the consequences of your future, look at your current actions. It’s not that I’m unwilling to read your fate, but one’s appearance reflects their heart, and one’s fate is shaped by their own actions. Even if you knew, it wouldn’t change anything.”

Lin Qiao asked hesitantly, “But if it’s bad, can’t it be changed?”

Shen Qingzhou smiled at this, his expression refined and restrained, like a gentle teacher. “It depends on what’s wrong. Defying heaven to change one’s fate has happened since ancient times, but the代价 is great. Altering one’s luck, however, isn’t too difficult. Don’t worry—I already divined for you before we married. Your issues aren’t major.”

Lin Qiao stared at him wide-eyed. “You already did it?”

“Yes,” Shen Qingzhou admitted frankly. “When I realized I liked you, I already compared our birth dates and horoscopes.”

Lin Qiao frowned. “Are we compatible?”

“There’s no pair more compatible than us.”

“What if we weren’t?” Lin Qiao persisted. “If we weren’t compatible, would you not have been with me?”

Shen Qingzhou looked somewhat helpless. “That scenario doesn’t exist. Don’t overthink it. Let’s return to the earlier topic.” He got up, walked to the table, and brought something back. When he placed it on the bed, Lin Qiao saw it was paper and a pen.

“What’s this for?” Lin Qiao asked, puzzled.

Shen Qingzhou said, “Write a character. Didn’t you want to know why you’ve been so unlucky lately?”

Lin Qiao laughed. “You look like one of those fortune-tellers from TV dramas.”

Shen Qingzhou pretended to stroke an imaginary beard, adopting a mysterious demeanor. “Madam, are you seeking fortune in love or wealth?”

Lin Qiao burst out laughing and playfully swatted his face. “Fortune in your big head!”

Lin Qiao took a nap alone in the hotel room. After waking up, she flipped through TV channels for a while, bored and finding nothing worth watching. She randomly picked up a hotel brochure from the bedside table and idly skimmed through it. She noticed there was a nice rooftop garden offering a great view, and since it was already evening, going up for some fresh air and a look at the night scenery seemed like a good idea.

The temperature at the hotel was a bit higher than by the coast—at least it wouldn’t be too cold at night—though it still couldn’t compare to inland areas.

Since becoming pregnant, Lin hadn’t bought many maternity clothes. Most of the time, she just wore Shen Qingzhou’s clothes. His clothes were big enough and made from very comfortable fabric. Wearing them always reminded her of his scent, giving her a sense of calm and security that she preferred over buying new things.

After dressing, Lin put on Shen’s coat and took the elevator to the rooftop. Today marked the third day since they had encountered Zhao Chunjun at the entrance of the Guanyin Temple. She guessed that since Zhao had been unable to contact them for so long, he had probably already returned to Beijing. After all, he had work to do and this wasn’t a major holiday season, so staying away for too long wasn’t practical.

To Lin Qiao’s surprise, she met him again on the hotel rooftop.

Zhao Chunjun was indeed a rather frightening figure in Lin Qiao’s mind, and it was understandable that she carried some psychological trauma from him. However, even the most terrifying person becomes less so when you keep seeing them without any real harm being done. Lin no longer felt the same fear and helplessness she had at the beginning when facing him.

She calmly chose a lounge chair to sit on and called a waiter to bring her a glass of juice, pretending not to notice Zhao Chunjun at all as she amused herself. She casually flipped through the magazines on the rack and accidentally found one with Shen Qingzhou on the cover. Naturally, she picked it up and started reading the interview inside, searching for the page with Shen’s feature article.

This was an interview Shen Qingzhou had given at the beginning of the year, back when Lin didn’t even know him. As a world-renowned feng shui master, he was sought after by both the wealthy and celebrities for consultations. Even some of her favorite actors had consulted him. Shen’s fee structure varied depending on his clients. For the wealthy, he charged by the square meter, and the price was staggering, enough to make her sigh in disbelief. The way Shen made money truly made Lin feel both envious and jealous.

“He actually knows so many celebrities. I should’ve asked him for an autograph earlier,” Lin murmured to herself absentmindedly while reading the interview.

“It seems Mrs. Shen is in a good mood today.”

A familiar voice sounded beside her. Lin glanced sideways with indifference. Zhao Chunjun was sitting on the lounge chair next to her, smiling politely, dressed impeccably.

His tone was gentle, but no matter how much he tried to suppress it, Lin could still sense the sinister undertone in his words.

“Would you like some dessert?” Zhao continued when she didn’t respond. “The desserts here are excellent—you should try some.” With that, he raised his hand to call for dessert.

Lin immediately stopped him. “No, thanks.” She looked at him coldly. “Don’t bother—I won’t eat it.”

Zhao complied and stopped his motion, casually asking, “What? Not willing to accept my kindness?”

Lin gave a sarcastic snort. “No, I’m just afraid you might poison it.”

Zhao narrowed his eyes, looking at her. In this crowded place, he couldn’t do anything to her, nor did he intend to use force. That wouldn’t help him achieve his goal. He wasn’t a brute like Fang Zheng, and he certainly wouldn’t end up like him.

“Fine, no dessert then.” Though Zhao said that, he still ordered dessert, leaving Lin puzzled about his intentions.

Soon, the waiter brought the desserts he had ordered. The table was soon filled with beautifully presented and delicious-looking sweets, showcasing the pastry chef’s skill. Just looking at and smelling them made Lin’s stomach churn with hunger.

Zhao Chunjun acted as if he hadn’t noticed Lin’s displeasure, calmly picking up his utensils to enjoy his desserts. He ate slowly, savoring each bite—a gesture of respect for the chef’s craft. But to Lin, it was infuriatingly provocative.

Unwilling to waste more time with him, Lin picked up her magazine and decided to go back to her room to read. But as she stood up, Zhao’s voice reached her from behind.

“Mrs. Shen, you’re holding an article about Mr. Shen?”

Lin turned to look at him. “What’s it to you, Doctor Zhao? Why do you keep showing up in front of me and Qingzhou? By all rights, you should be thanking your lucky stars we don’t come after you. You keep appearing in front of us like this, reminding us that you haven’t been dealt with yet? If you don’t act recklessly, you won’t get punished—why don’t you understand that?”

Zhao’s lips curled into a cold smirk, his tone mocking. “You think if I don’t come to you first, your husband won’t come after me?”

Lin frowned, fiercely protective. “Even if he does come after you, you deserve it. The day you did those terrible things, you should’ve known the day of reckoning would come. What goes around comes around. It’s not that there’s no retribution—it’s just a matter of time.”

Zhao stood up. “Then what I’m doing now is making sure that retribution never comes.”

Lin sneered. “So, you’re planning to start with me?”

He sent her text messages instead of contacting Shen directly, and he always appeared when Shen wasn’t around. His intentions were obvious. This man, who had never been straightforward, was clearly plotting something, and even Lin could guess it.

“I’ve never hidden my intentions,” Zhao Chunjun said, inching closer to her. Lin instinctively stepped back. He arched his long eyebrows, his dark eyes fixed on her, his voice deep and steady. “I will succeed. You don’t believe me?”

Lin shook her head without hesitation. “No, I don’t.”

Zhao laughed. “That’s fine. You’ll believe soon enough. You want to go back, don’t you? Why not leave? Unless you’d like to chat a little longer?”

Lin gave him a disdainful look, which Zhao found amusing. People usually looked at him with a mix of awe and hope, even if they secretly despised him. But Lin was the first to show such open contempt.

“I was going back, but before that, I have something to do,” Lin said calmly.

Zhao raised his eyebrows in curiosity. “What is it?”

“You’re curious?” Lin’s tone carried a hint of danger.

Zhao blinked, thinking for a moment, then nodded.

Lin casually glanced at her left hand. She was holding a glass of warm water in her left hand and the magazine with Shen Qingzhou on the cover in her right. While talking to Zhao, she had quietly poured the water onto the floor between them. After he nodded, she beckoned him to come closer.

Zhao didn’t refuse, obediently stepping forward. They were now very close—her nose nearly touching his neck.

He was really tall.

She thought to herself, then tilted her face up and gave him a bright smile. Then, under his surprised and confused gaze, she suddenly shoved him hard.

He was wearing leather shoes, and the wet floor made it hard for him to keep his balance. He nearly fell, swaying several times and bumping into a few people before barely managing to steady himself.

Lin Qiao had no fear of any physical retaliation from him. First, no matter how despicable he was, he was still a man and wouldn’t dare lay a hand on a pregnant woman in front of so many people. Second, after much observation and reflection, she had realized that Zhao Chunjun didn’t intend to use violent methods like Fang Zheng had. That’s why she acted so boldly.

After performing this act of revenge, Lin handed the empty glass to a passing waiter and casually said to Zhao, who had just regained his balance, “Excuse me. This is nothing compared to you forcibly injecting me with sedatives. You still owe me, and I’ll settle the score next time. I’m leaving now.” With that, she turned and walked away without looking back, quickly disappearing around the corner.

Zhao Chunjun’s expression was strange—part disdain, part cynicism. His lips curled into a dangerous smile as he tidied his slightly disheveled clothes from the commotion. Then, suddenly, he burst into laughter, filled with an inexplicable amusement.

When Shen Qingzhou finally returned to the hotel, Lin had already taken a careful shower and gone to bed.

The hotel they stayed at was naturally expensive, and its interior was comfortably and impeccably designed. Lin turned over in the soft bedding, saw the door open, and watched Shen Qingzhou’s tall figure in a black suit walk in. She was thrilled.

She stretched out her arms and called out, “Honey, come here!”

Shen had been out for most of the day, constantly worrying about Lin while he worked, fearing she might get bored or run into trouble. It was a relief to see her safely lying in bed when he returned.

Putting his bag on the table by the door, Shen sat on the edge of the bed and leaned down to ask her softly, “What’s wrong?”

Lin grabbed his cold hand and pulled it under the covers to warm it, speaking in a slightly coquettish tone. “I ran into Zhao Chunjun again today. I think you really should do a reading for me—I must be having bad luck from a petty person lately.”

In the past, when she spoke like this, Shen would always tease her and refuse to do any readings.

But this time was different. Shen thought for a moment and then nodded. He agreed.

Lin looked at him in surprise. “You agreed?”

Shen said, “To know your past causes, look at what you endure in this life. To know your future results, look at what you do now. I’m not unwilling to help you read your fate—it’s just that appearance reflects the mind, and destiny is shaped by one’s own actions. Your fate is what you’ve created yourself. Even if I told you, it wouldn’t change much.”

Lin hesitated. “If it’s bad, can’t it be changed?”

Shen smiled at that, his expression refined and restrained, like a gentle schoolteacher. “It depends on what’s bad. Changing fate against the heavens isn’t unheard of, but it comes with a heavy price. Adjusting your fortune, though, isn’t difficult. You don’t need to worry—I’ve already done a reading for you long before we got married. You’re fine.”

Lin’s eyes widened. “You already did a reading for me?”

“Yes,” Shen admitted frankly. “As soon as I realized I had feelings for you, I matched our birth dates and times.”

Lin frowned. “Are our birth charts compatible?”

“There couldn’t be a better match.”

“What if they weren’t?” Lin pressed, getting stuck on the thought. “If they weren’t compatible, would you have stopped seeing me?”

Shen looked slightly exasperated. “That question is meaningless. Don’t overthink it. Let’s go back to the original topic.” He got up, walked to the table, and grabbed something, returning with paper and a pen. When he placed them on the bed, Lin saw what they were.

“What’s this for?” she asked, puzzled.

Shen said, “Let’s write a character. You wanted to know why you’ve been so unlucky lately, right?”

Lin burst into laughter. “You look like a fortune teller from a TV drama.”

Shen pretended to have a beard, stroking it in a mysterious way, and said solemnly, “Dear guest, are you here to consult about romance or fortune?”

Lin laughed even harder and smacked his face playfully. “Consult your big ghost!”