Ch 128: Is There Really Such a Good Thing? [QT]

Liang Meilan froze when she met Shen Yunxuan’s gaze, her confidence shaken. Despite her hesitation, as a psychologist, she didn’t believe in fortune-telling or divination, dismissing them as psychological techniques at best. Convinced she could achieve similar effects if she tried, she forced herself to reply, “I’m not sure what secret I might have, but I’m willing to listen.”

Shen Yunxuan smiled. “Before I joined this show, I was assured I could speak freely since everyone, both observers and contestants, signed a waiver protecting the show from liability even if personal matters were revealed. I don’t make a habit of prying or exposing secrets unprompted—it’s not my style. But since you’ve asked, I’ll oblige.”

Liang Meilan maintained her composed demeanor, brushing her hair back lightly. “I can’t speak for your fortune-telling skills, but your sense of drama as a former celebrity is certainly on display.”

Zhou Yunxuan, fully aware of Shen Yunxuan’s capabilities, offered a reminder. “If Master Shen does say something, Meilan, you can’t take it personally. Remember, this is a live broadcast.”

Liang Meilan shot her a glance and responded with a polite smile. “I had heard rumors about some discord between you and Master Shen, but I see now those were just baseless speculations.”

Zhou Yunxuan didn’t want to acknowledge her past actions or exploit Shen Yunxuan for clout. She quickly replied, “We were colleagues at the same company once. There’s no such thing as discord between us.”

Turning her attention to Liang Meilan, Zhou Yunxuan added, feigning curiosity, “Master Shen, what kind of secret are we talking about here? Meilan has such a renowned and harmonious family life—it can’t possibly be about her relationships, right?”

“Oh, but it is,” Shen Yunxuan replied plainly. “Liang Meilan has been unfaithful for years, and her husband remains blissfully unaware, still convinced theirs is a perfect marriage.”

Liang Meilan’s face instantly turned pale, her expression hardening. “Master Shen, I understand you’re famous and talented, and the production team likely expects you to boost the show’s ratings. But making unfounded accusations and dragging my character through the mud is a serious matter. This harms my reputation and integrity. I demand an immediate apology!”

She turned toward the production crew, anger visible. “Director! Are you going to let this happen?”

The director and crew exchanged uneasy glances. They had worked with Liang Meilan for six years and saw her as warm and approachable. While they struggled to believe the accusation, they also knew Shen Yunxuan’s reputation for accuracy and honesty. Uncertain, they hesitated to intervene.

Shen Yunxuan, studying Liang Meilan’s face, calmly said, “Your relationship line is dark and intertwined with negative energy. This indicates a past termination of pregnancy, where the man involved refused responsibility. The child’s spirit now lingers on your left shoulder, carrying a deep resentment. Haven’t you felt persistent coldness or soreness in that shoulder for years? That’s caused by lingering yin energy.”

Reflexively, Liang Meilan glanced at her shoulder, her face draining of color. She stood abruptly. “Can someone stop this? I’m terrified of ghosts! Why would you bring this up? Is this even allowed on air?”

The director awkwardly explained, “We anticipated some sensitive content this season, so we hired technicians to handle censorship and audio masking. Any inappropriate terms are muted during the broadcast.”

Liang Meilan’s frustration boiled over. “So you’re just going to let her do this? She’s spouting nonsense to defame me! This is absurd!”

Glaring at Shen Yunxuan, she declared, “I’ve always suspected you were a fraud, and I only wanted to test your so-called abilities. Instead, you’ve resorted to fabricating lies and destroying my reputation. Do you have any evidence? You can’t just ruin someone’s life based on baseless claims. Expect to hear from my lawyer!”

Just then, the director interjected, “Excuse me, everyone. There’s a situation. Liang Meilan’s husband, Mr. Zheng, has requested a video call with Master Shen. He wants to address these claims. Should we proceed?”

“Yes,” Shen Yunxuan replied.

“No!” Liang Meilan exclaimed at the same time. The two turned to each other, Shen Yunxuan smiling faintly. “What’s the matter? Afraid I might uncover more? I’m not the type to spill secrets without cause, but since you pushed me to reveal one and denied it, I have no choice but to elaborate. After all, I can’t let people think I’m a fraud.”

As Shen Yunxuan consented, the production team immediately connected Mr. Zheng to the live feed. Since both sides had agreed to the call and Liang Meilan had signed a waiver, the show couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

The moment Mr. Zheng appeared on screen, Liang Meilan frowned. “Why are you getting involved? Hang up. This is a live broadcast!”

Mr. Zheng reassured her, “Don’t worry. It’s because this is live that I need to expose her lies. How dare she accuse you of such things in front of so many people?”

Liang Meilan regretted everything. It was too late to stop him now.

Shen Yunxuan, having already studied Mr. Zheng’s face, got straight to the point. “Mr. Zheng, you and Liang Meilan were high school classmates, right? Your relationship grew over time, and you both attended university in Beijing. You married after graduation and have one daughter. Is that correct?”

“This is public information anyone could look up,” Mr. Zheng retorted with hostility. “You’re not seriously claiming you divined this, are you? If you know about our thirty years of love and marriage, why would you fabricate something as ridiculous as infidelity and abortion? It’s completely inconsistent. If such a thing had happened, I would know.”

Shen Yunxuan smiled and said, “You don’t know because it happened when she was in her second year of high school. Back then, you weren’t together yet. As for the relationship, she has known this man since childhood—fifty years in total.”

Mr. Zheng was momentarily stunned. Liang Meilan was 56 years old, meaning she had known this man since she was six. A pregnancy termination at 17? That was underage.

The other observers and viewers were equally shocked.

“This is explosive! Underage abortion? And she’s a relationship psychologist? She’s misleading people for sure!”

“So, Liang was in love with her childhood sweetheart, he didn’t want her, she had an abortion, then married her husband as a backup plan, and kept in touch with her first love for decades? That’s some dedication.”

“No wonder she looks so well-preserved and radiant! A loving husband and her true love as a secret affair—what a life!”

“Are there any of Liang’s former classmates here? Who’s the childhood sweetheart?”

Mr. Zheng asked the same question, “Who is this childhood sweetheart?”

Liang Meilan’s voice rose sharply, “You believe her? Why are you even asking? None of this is true! She has no proof and is slandering me! You’re just giving her more attention and helping her humiliate me!”

Mr. Zheng hesitated, but Shen Yunxuan calmly interjected, “Her childhood sweetheart… is Fang Dehai. I’m guessing the reason Liang Meilan has been hostile toward me today is because of him, right?”

“What? Fang Dehai?”

“That makes sense! Fang Dehai kidnapped six children to boost his fortune, Shen Yunxuan helped those children reunite with their families, and Fang Dehai was arrested and lost his company. No wonder Liang hates her—she’s avenging her lover.”

“She came to settle the score but got herself exposed instead. Serves her right.”

“Spill it all, Shen Yunxuan. We’re all ears.”

Liang Meilan screamed and lunged to grab Shen Yunxuan’s microphone, but the production team stepped in and escorted her out of the observation room. Meanwhile, the video call between Shen Yunxuan and Mr. Zheng continued.

Mr. Zheng was visibly shaken. “This can’t be true. Do you have any evidence for what you’re saying?”

Shen Yunxuan sighed. “Deep down, you already know. Your father, grandfather, and uncles were all high-ranking officials. Your father married your mother while working as a sent-down youth in the countryside. When your mother passed away during your second year of high school, you moved to a small town to live with your grandmother, where you met Liang Meilan.

You thought you hid your family background well and that your relationship with Liang Meilan was pure. But it wasn’t. The day Liang Meilan went to the hospital for her abortion, she overheard a conversation between you and your grandmother. That’s how she learned about your family background. She decided to terminate her pregnancy and orchestrated ‘coincidental’ encounters to win your favor.

It’s painful to hear, but your relationship was built on calculated manipulation.”

Mr. Zheng’s face turned pale, and his lips trembled. His family background had never been disclosed publicly, and the details Shen Yunxuan mentioned matched events he thought no one else knew. He messaged his secretary to investigate, and the response confirmed it—hospital records showed Liang Meilan had an abortion during her high school years. It all aligned perfectly.

Unable to deny it any longer, Mr. Zheng asked, “Why would she do this? Fang Dehai later became successful. If she loved him so much, why didn’t she leave me to be with him?”

“Because Fang Dehai is inherently cold and unfeeling. He knows Liang Meilan married you for your status, and he wouldn’t let her become his wife, fearing he might be manipulated. For him, having a politically connected mistress pining for him likely felt like an achievement—a much safer dynamic than marriage.”

Mr. Zheng clenched his fists and solemnly thanked Shen Yunxuan, clearly resolved to divorce. Shen Yunxuan added, “If you need more evidence, look into the records at Regal Hotel.”

Mr. Zheng thanked her again and ended the call.

Curious, observer Hao Jing asked, “By Regal Hotel, do you mean they used it for their meetups?”

Shen Yunxuan nodded. “That hotel had a partnership with Fang Dehai, but it’s no longer covering for him.”

Comedian Shi Peng gulped down some water to steady himself. “Before the show, I thought it might be the contestants who’d cause scandals, but who would’ve guessed an observer would get exposed first? Incredible. By the way, Master Shen, can I get a fortune reading later? I’ll pay whatever you charge—I just want to make sure everything’s okay on my end.”

“Of course,” Shen Yunxuan replied with a smile.

Shi Peng visibly relaxed, relieved that her demeanor didn’t suggest any major issues for him.

Bai Ze straightened up noticeably, and Zhou Yunxuan reminded herself not to provoke Shen Yunxuan. Meanwhile, Hao Jing gazed at Shen Yunxuan with admiration, practically starry-eyed. “This is amazing! I’ve never seen fortune-telling like this. Does your Idle Cloud Temple teach this? Can I sign up? I’m genuinely interested!”

Shen Yunxuan nodded graciously. “You’re welcome to try. I’ll teach you some basics later. It depends on innate talent, so you’ll need to experience it firsthand to see if it’s something you can learn.”

“Did you notice that Shen Jie is kind and polite to everyone except Bai Ze?”
“Yeah, she’s even more courteous to Zhou Yunxuan than to Bai Ze.”

This observation came up after Shen Yunxuan’s fans and Bai Ze’s fans wore themselves out arguing online and returned to watch the live stream. They immediately drew a conclusion:

“This means Bai Ze’s issue must be the biggest one in the entire room!”

Bai Ze’s fans erupted.

“Where do you even get this nonsense? Eat dirt!”

“Shen Yunxuan’s fans are the real troublemakers, always acting like a cult and leading the charge to cyberbully our Ze Ge!”

(T/N: Ge = Brother).

“Did Shen Yunxuan even say a word about this? Not one! You people are delusional!”

“If we started it, you guys are the ones fanning the flames. Aren’t you the cult? Brain-dead hypocrites!”

“Look closely—your Ze Ge hasn’t said a single word since. Shi Peng and Hao Jing are already talking about getting readings from Shen Jie after the show. Why hasn’t Bai Ze said anything? Is it that he doesn’t want to? Or that he doesn’t dare to?”

“And Zhou Yunxuan hasn’t said anything either. Does that mean she doesn’t dare? She’s a rich wife, remember?”

“Zhou Yunxuan’s scandals don’t even need Shen Yunxuan to dig up. You can find them with a quick online search. Stop barking around here. Be careful what you wish for—you might get your Ze Ge turned into the next Liang Meilan!”

The fans of Bai Ze and Shen Yunxuan were at each other’s throats. The initial bad blood made it impossible for either side to see eye to eye. Shen Yunxuan’s fans, usually peaceful, had seen her rise from hardship and even face life-or-death situations. They couldn’t stand any mistreatment of her, and when they retaliated, their fierce energy left Bai Ze’s fans fuming with anger.

The hashtag #BaiZeShenYunxuanLoveRealityShow shot up the trending charts. Bai Ze’s fans were livid. “Where did this hashtag even come from? People who see this will think they’re dating on the show!”

While Bai Ze’s fans scrambled to suppress the heat, the combined star power of Bai Ze and Shen Yunxuan attracted even more attention. The hashtag rocketed to the number one spot.

“Get lost, Shen Yunxuan! Stop using our Ge for clout!” Bai Ze’s fans raged.

Even Shen Yunxuan’s fans were annoyed. “What’s up with this trending topic? Such bad vibes!”

But the production team was overjoyed. This was a windfall of attention. They hadn’t expected the show to generate this much buzz so quickly. Coupled with Liang Meilan’s scandal, the reality show opening with an exposed affair gave it a solid footing in the realm of juicy gossip.

Both trending topics were thanks to Shen Yunxuan, proving her value. The production team now treated her like a deity, their gazes full of reverence.

Shen Yunxuan glanced at them, finding it a bit strange, but she felt the subtle growth in her faith energy. That was a good sign, so she ignored the rest and focused on the live stream of the participants. She reminded herself that this was a dating show, and the discussion should shift back to the contestants.

The university pair grew increasingly in sync. When the girl accidentally got juice on her sleeve, the boy wiped it off for her with a tissue, their heads nearly touching as they shared a moment filled with sweet pink vibes.

Meanwhile, the other four contestants paired off in the kitchen. The chic and confident woman prepared a pot of spicy hot pot, with the gentlemanly businessman assisting her by tying her apron and handing her ingredients.

The calm fitness enthusiast began stir-frying dishes, and the cheerful girl helped him by chopping and prepping ingredients.

All seemed harmonious until the cheerful girl accidentally cut her hand. Both men immediately turned to her, one turning off the stove and escorting her to the living room, the other fetching a first-aid kit.

The cheerful girl, overwhelmed by their concern, said, “I’m fine, really. It’s just a small cut—it’ll heal in a few minutes. No need to fuss.”

“No way! Even small cuts can heal slowly if you’re not careful.”

“Yeah, at least put on a Band-Aid. I’ll handle the rest; you can help set the table.”

With both men insisting, the cheerful girl nodded reluctantly.

Back in the kitchen, the confident woman glanced briefly toward the commotion before calmly continuing to cook, her movements swift and efficient. The camera pulled back to show the lively interaction in the other groups, emphasizing her solitude.

When dinner was ready, her spicy hot pot was unanimously praised and devoured. But when it came time to send “heart-flutter” messages, no one sent one to her.

She had sent hers to the businessman, but both the businessman and the fitness enthusiast sent theirs to the cheerful girl. The university pair naturally sent messages to each other, and the cheerful girl sent hers to the male university student.

As the first episode wrapped up, Hao Jing turned to the other observers, surprised. “I didn’t expect this outcome. Lin Qian is so beautiful and cooks so well—why didn’t anyone send her a message?”

Zhou Yunxuan chimed in, “Maybe it’s because she’s too beautiful. She’s so confident and sociable, like someone with lots of friends. That might make her seem unapproachable to some men.”

Shi Peng nodded, “Yeah, that’s the feeling. It seems like Lin Qian probably isn’t interested in these guys either. Her standards must be sky-high.”

Bai Ze added, “I don’t get it. With Lin Qian’s looks, why would she need to join a dating show? How could she not have a boyfriend? I imagine she must have plenty of admirers.”

Hao Jing noticed Shen Yunxuan remaining silent and quickly asked, “Does she have a secret, too?”

Shen Yunxuan quickly waved her hand and sighed, “Don’t overthink it. I’m just new to dating shows and find them fascinating, so I was watching closely. But if you insist, maybe it’s because she gives off the impression of being a player, so the guys are subconsciously avoiding her?”

“What? Shen Yunxuan, you’re really direct!”

“I gasped! Could you be a bit more subtle, please?”

Then everyone heard Shen Yunxuan continue, “Actually, she’s the most innocent one here. When it comes to relationships, her slate is completely clean. She’s spent the last two decades focused on her studies and career. So, everyone watching, please don’t judge her based on her looks. I’ll teach you some basic ‘people-reading’ skills in the Little Classroom segment later.”

Bai Ze blurted out, “That can’t be true, can it?”

Zhou Yunxuan said, “It seems like we were all victims of stereotypes. It’s true we shouldn’t link someone’s appearance to their personality or character. It’s a little heartbreaking to see Lin Qian look slightly disappointed.”

Indeed, the live stream zoomed in on Lin Qian. It wasn’t that she’d fallen for anyone on the first day, but having three men in the group and not receiving even one message would make anyone feel a little down.

The close-up also allowed Shen Yunxuan to clearly examine Lin Qian’s face. She commented, “The outcome is due to her lack of romantic luck.”

“Wait, that’s a thing?” Hao Jing asked curiously. “So, you’re saying people in previous seasons or in real life who don’t get pursued might be lacking romantic luck? Why would that happen? Can it be fixed?”

Shen Yunxuan replied, “For Lin Qian, her family ties, academics, career, and financial fortune are all abundant. But when everything else is strong, it naturally leads to a shortfall in other areas, like romantic luck. To fix it is simple—redistribute her luck from other aspects.”

Shi Peng immediately interjected, “Take it from financial fortune? No way! No one would agree to that!”

Hao Jing teased, “Careful, your wife might misunderstand you and make you kneel on a washboard when you get home.”

Shi Peng waved his hands, “She knows I’m talking about luck, not real assets. Besides, I’ve been married for so long, and my family is solid. It’s definitely different from Lin Qian’s situation.”

Shen Yunxuan nodded. “Exactly. It’s all about balance. For instance, when you’re striving for exams or career goals, you wouldn’t want to divert luck into romance. But if you’re in a stable phase and ready to pursue love, you can shift some luck into finding your match and enjoying romance. Once you’ve found your true partner and settled down, there’s no longer a need for romantic luck, and you can reallocate it to family or career.”

The group nodded in understanding. Hao Jing said, “So, it’s not fixed and can be adjusted for different life stages. In that case, I’d like to shift more luck toward health and career.”

Shi Peng raised his hand, “I’d focus on family and financial fortune. I want all my family members to stay healthy.”

Zhou Yunxuan chimed in, “In that case, you should get peace talismans for your family. Shen Yunxuan’s talismans seem pretty effective. I’d like to ask her to adjust my luck, too. I think I’d focus on career luck and peace for longevity.”

Everyone was surprised. “Are you planning a full-scale comeback?”

Zhou Yunxuan smiled faintly, hiding her emotions. “Yes, as women, we need to have our own careers to rely on. Happiness is something we must create for ourselves.”

Everyone immediately thought of the scandal about her husband’s affair and illegitimate child. Sensitive to the topic, they chose not to continue the discussion. Instead, someone asked, “But you’re so young and healthy. Why the focus on peace and longevity?”

Zhou Yunxuan touched her belly. “Maybe it’s because I’m about to become a mother. It’s my first time, and I’m a little nervous. I just feel that being healthy and living a long life will give my child more security.”

The implications were clear. She was subtly painting the image of being unsupported by her in-laws, needing to work to protect herself and her child. What kind of dangerous place was the family she married into?

Knowing not to overdo it, Zhou Yunxuan shifted the focus and asked Bai Ze, “What about you? You’re the youngest here—what would you choose?”

Bai Ze hesitated and said, “Career luck is the most important for me. But I also hope my fans can be healthy and happy and have good fortune. Is it possible for me to share my luck with them?”

“Oh my god, Ze Ge is always thinking about us. I’m crying!”

“The best Ze Ge in the world! Love you!”

Shen Yunxuan replied, “Yes, it’s possible. If you want, you could even give them all your luck.”

Bai Ze froze for a moment, panicking that she might take him seriously. He quickly changed the subject. “You’re amazing, Master Shen! By the way, I was really intrigued when you talked about romantic luck earlier. I’m already 25, you know? I’d love to strengthen my romantic luck and meet my true partner.”

Shen Yunxuan said meaningfully, “Your romantic luck would break your fans’ hearts.” Bai Ze paused, forcing a laugh. He took a deep breath. “Then there’s no choice. I’ll just have to give up on romance. My fans are my greatest treasure, and I could never let them down.”

Shen Yunxuan smiled. “Should I help you cut off your romantic luck?”

🌸˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚⋆