Deng Xiaojun crouched down to offer a cigarette, greeting familiarly: "Brother Feng, it's Junzi. I brought a classmate to browse for some items."
Brother Feng stared for a moment before smiling and accepting the cigarette. "You rascal, with this getup I almost didn't recognize you. Good, good, it's wise to be cautious. Head inside quickly, your uncle's here today too. If you need anything, you can look for him."
Guo Youning extended a ten-cent coin for the entrance fee, but it was pushed back. "No entry fee for family. Remember not to make loud noises."
The two nodded and walked inside for two minutes until a deserted factory building came into view.
Surrounded by crumbling walls and accessible from all directions, the flat central area had many masked individuals setting up stalls. The variety of goods for sale was extensive—grains, game meat, eggs, snacks, ration coupons… everything was available.
There were plenty of buyers too. Guo Youning felt like a mouse that had fallen into a rice jar, wanting everything she saw.
Deng Xiaojun watched as she bought two jin of Jiangmi Tiao and then became rooted in front of a stall selling pheasants and rabbits. He pulled her toward a corner.
Frustrated by her lack of focus, he said, "Have you forgotten why you're here? Buy the essentials first, then look at other things. Why are you so troublesome?"
Guo Youning took the advice to heart, understanding the need to prioritize.
The two finally found a stall selling incense and paper money tucked away in a hidden corner.
Not wanting to waste the trip, Guo Youning spent three dollars to buy all five bundles of incense and two large stacks of paper money on the stall.
The stall owner beamed. These items rarely attracted buyers, and he was delighted to encounter such a generous customer. He couldn't help but take a closer look at her.
The mustached stall owner's expression shifted, his eyes gleaming as he stared at Guo Youning. He nodded and praised, "Young lady, you have excellent fortune! A Four Generations of Benevolent People reincarnated, destined for a life of prosperity and blessings!"
Deng Xiaojun disliked superstitious talk. Seeing they had what they needed, he urged Guo Youning to leave quickly, muttering that feudal superstition was deadly.
This was the second time Guo Youning had heard "Four Generations of Benevolent People," and she couldn't help but feel intrigued by the middle-aged man with the mustache.
Anyone who echoed the Judge's words must be extraordinary. It was a pity he was born in the wrong era, but no matter—a few more years of patience, and he might have a chance to reemerge.
She couldn't resist asking, "What does 'Four Generations of Benevolent People' mean? Could I ask for your insight?"
The old man glanced left and right, ensuring no one was around, then stroked his beard and spoke in a low voice: "Four Generations of Benevolent People refers to someone who, across four past lives, consistently performed good deeds and accumulated Merit. Human actions generate 'Karma,' and good deeds bring favorable outcomes. A Four Generations of Benevolent People, through long-term benevolence, has amassed profound positive Karma. In the future, they will receive rewards such as health, longevity, good fortune, and may even transcend the cycle of reincarnation…"
Deng Xiaojun grew worried seeing Guo Youning engaged in lively conversation with the old charlatan. He regretted bringing her here, fearing she would be poisoned by feudal superstition.
With a displeased expression, he said, "Youning, don't listen to this fraud. It's not credible. We must believe in science."
Just then, a burly man approached, grabbed Deng Xiaojun by the ear, and scolded, "You little brat, how dare you speak of Master Zhang that way? Apologize!"
Guo Youning was bewildered. Seeing the charlatan sitting calmly, squinting with amusement as he watched the scene unfold, she decided to enjoy the spectacle too.
Deng Xiaojun recognized the man and covered his ear, pleading, "Uncle, dear uncle, let go! I was wrong, I'll apologize right away. Don't you feel bad treating your adorable nephew like this?"
Then, very sensibly, he apologized to the charlatan: "Master Zhang, Celestial Master Zhang, please forgive my thoughtless words and careless mistakes. I won't dare do it again."
Master Zhang nodded, and only then did the burly man release his grip on Deng Xiaojun's ear, saying with admiration, "Master Zhang is the prophet of our Nancheng Black Market. The safety and fortune of the market all rely on his guidance. We must treat him with respect whenever we see him."
Deng Xiaojun rubbed his reddened ear and cast a resentful glance at Guo Youning, who was covering her mouth to stifle laughter. Who was it that had gotten him into such a miserable state? This lousy friend who only knew how to laugh at his misfortune—better to just ditch her.
That accusatory look stirred a twinge of guilt in Guo Youning's conscience. She stepped in to smooth things over, saying, "Master Zhang clearly is a man of great insight. Just hearing your words earlier was more enlightening than ten years of study. Good deeds bring good rewards, and ignorance is no sin. Our kind Master Zhang surely won't hold it against him."
Master Zhang smiled warmly at her. "Young lady, your words are most wise. Continue to do good deeds, and you will surely achieve great things."
Everyone loves to hear flattering words, especially when they come from a master. In a world where even the Netherworld exists, it's no surprise that there are masters capable of discerning one's future.
Guo Youning cupped her hands in a respectful salute. "I'll take your auspicious words to heart!"
She thought to herself that since this was a man with genuine ability, the other items on his stall probably weren't bad either.
Ignoring the uncle and nephew who were now "amicably" communicating, she examined the goods on the stall. Picking up a small incense burner, she turned it over in her hands, unsure what to make of it, though her intuition told her it was something valuable.
Nearby were some bottles, jars, inkstones, paperweights, and other small items. Knowing nothing about antiques, she could only appreciate them superficially.
Noticing her interest, Master Zhang spoke up directly, "These are all genuine, though not very old—mostly from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Only that incense burner is of higher value. Benefactor… young lady, are you interested?"
Interested? Very much so. In a few decades, these items would transform into priceless treasures.
She tentatively asked, "How much are they? I'm just a young girl—if they're too expensive, I can't afford them."
Master Zhang looked her up and down. "I observe that your brow is shining, a sign of incoming wealth. Buying these should be no trouble for you. Since we are fated to meet, I'll give you a discount—one hundred yuan for everything."
Guo Youning was inwardly delighted. Doing business with a charlatan was truly amusing. Without another word, she had him pack up the items and handed over one hundred yuan.
She added with a smile, "Master Zhang, you're amazing! I hope the wealth really comes. Don't forget about me if you have more good stuff in the future."
Master Zhang took the ten ten-yuan bills like a miser, counting them repeatedly, his grin stretching from ear to ear. "Easy, easy!"
Finally having reconciled amicably, the uncle and nephew turned around just in time to see the exchange of money and goods.
Deng Xiaojun felt like crying but had no tears. He thought, "I only took my eyes off her for a few minutes, and Guo Youning spent one hundred yuan on a pile of junk!"
Furious but unable to speak ill of the charlatan, he could only vent in a hushed tone to Guo Youning, "Was your money blown in by the wind? Do you have any idea how far one hundred yuan can go? You're just burning cash! Your parents would scold you to death if they found out."
Guo Youning looked innocent and comforted him, "Brother Xiaojun, don't be angry, don't be angry. Anger hurts the body. These are really good things. The master said I'll come into money soon. Your big sister isn't short on cash."
While the two were whispering to each other, the charlatan was also murmuring with the burly uncle, likely discussing matters related to Guo Youning.
Because her uncle kept glancing at her from time to time.