Table of Contents<fncba8> ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? find?novel</fncba8><h2><span>


    <strong>CHAPTER</strong><strong>2630</strong></h2>


    <strong>“Good Uncle</strong>


    <strong>    Hank.” Just as Hank was about to leave, something caught his eye: a fortune-telling stall positioned not far away.</strong><h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    <strong>    Aurous Hill, an ancient city, is filled with people who have a penchant for fortune-telling, making these stalls amon sight in the streets and alleys.</strong>


    <strong>    During the spring season, if you wander through the old city, you’ll find a fortune-telling booth every ten steps.</strong>


    <strong>    Many fortune-tellers also wait at home, hoping for customers.</strong>


    <strong>    These seasoned practitioners often use the gimmick of inviting deities to assist in providing insights, and they sometimes help in driving away evil spirits.</strong>


    <strong>    The majority of their clientele includes parents seeking to exorcise negative energies from their children.</strong>


    <strong>    Older generations hold a strong belief that children can be frightened by unclean spirits, leading to incessant crying, which prompts them to seek the help of these fortune-tellers.</strong>


    <strong>    It’s worth noting that younger individuals, along with some older intellectuals, tend to dismiss such practices.</strong>


    <strong>    Hank was one of those skeptics.</strong>


    <strong>    Having spent many years abroad, he had distanced himself from such superstitions. However, today was different; his right eye was twitching, and with his daughter involved in military operations alongside the Syrian government forces, he felt a wave of unease wash over him, prompting a sudden interest in consulting a fortune-teller.</strong>


    <strong>    He turned to Charlie and said: “Charlie, if you have something to do, please go ahead. I’ll check that out.”</strong>


    <strong>    Charlie noticed that Hank was pointing toward the fortune-telling booth and asked, “Uncle Hank, are you looking to get a reading?”</strong>


    <strong>    Hank nodded with a sigh: “I finally understand why people cling to religious beliefs. In times of helplessness, it’s only natural to seekfort in faith or superstitions.”</strong>


    <strong>    Charlie smiled slightly and responded, “I don’t have anything pressing, so I’ll join you.”</strong>


    <strong>    Hank didn’t hesitate further; he nodded and headed towards the fortune-telling booth with Charlie.</strong>


    <strong>    There, he found an elderly man, dark-skinned with gray hair and a beard, sitting alone and wiping his chin thoughtfully, exuding a somewhat mystical presence.</strong>


    <strong>    The old man appeared to be in his 70s or 80s, and as Hank approached, the man asked, “Do you wish to inquire about good or bad fortune?”</strong>


    <strong>    Hank replied, “I want to know if my daughter will be safe.”</strong>


    <strong>    The old man nodded, pushed a bamboo tube filled with sticks toward Hank, and instructed, “Think of your daughter and shake the tube to draw a stick.”</strong>


    <strong>    Hankplied, focusing on his daughter as he shook the tube. A multitude of bamboo sticks danced around until one finally fell out.</strong>


    <strong>    Hank quickly picked it up, examined the inscription, and asked, “I heard tonight is Shangyuan, and the silvermp shines in the sky; yet there’s a sudden gust of wind and rain, extinguishing the lights of countless homes. What does it signify?”</strong>


    <strong>    The old man smiled mysteriously and replied, “You’ve drawn the 32nd lottery. If you wish to cancel it, a fee of five hundred yuan is required, which can be viewed as a blessing.”</strong>


    <strong>    Hearing this, Charlie concluded the old man was a fraud. Asking for a fortune is rooted in Taoist philosophy, while the mention of blessings falls under Buddhist teachings, which seemed contradictory.</strong>


    <strong>    It’s illogical for a follower of Taoism to speak of blessings, much like a monk discussing donations in the presence of a deity. However, Hank was oblivious to these nuances.</strong>


    <strong>    He heard the old man mention the five hundred yuan fee and without hesitation, he asked, “Can I pay via QR code?”</strong>


    <strong>    The old man produced a pre-printed QR code and said with a smile: “Go ahead, you can use WeChat or Alipay.”</strong>


    <strong>    Hank quickly scanned the QR code to make the payment. Charlie wanted to intervene but realized he was powerless to stop Hank, who was now fully engrossed in the fortune-telling.</strong>


    <strong>    Before long, Hankpleted the transaction, and the elder’s pocket chimed with a notification: “WeChat Receipt Five Hundred Yuan.” He smiled contentedly and said, “The meaning of your drawn stick indicates that tonight, during the Shangyuan Festival, the lights of many homes will be extinguished.”</strong>


    <strong>    He sighed, continuing, “This is truly unfortunate. Regardless of your inquiry, it can be summarized in just four words.”</strong>


    <strong>    Hank, anxious, pressed, “What four words?”</strong>


    <strong>    The old man shook his head andmented, “‘Everything is not good!’”</strong>


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