Street Stories: A True Account of a Group of Blind Men in the Underworld

Time passes little by little.

The area in front of Quanyechang was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone held their breath, staring intently at the street corner, not daring to breathe.

Qiao Yang remained calm and composed, showing no sign of panic from beginning to end.

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the crowd!

Everyone turned to look at it in unison—

The arrogant and domineering boss with the buzz cut was now being half-pulled and half-invited by a smiling owner in a long robe, heading towards the restaurant across the street.

"Boss, I... I can't accept this..."

The man with the buzz cut looked completely bewildered, his eyes blank, still not quite recovered from the shock.

This was the first time in his life that someone had invited him to dinner so politely.

The shopkeeper in the long gown smiled extremely ingratiatingly:

"Brother, I spotted you in the crowd just now. I have something I'd like to ask you for help with."

The private room was booked in advance, so let's eat and chat, please don't be shy!

"Buzz—!"

The crowd erupted in chaos!

"Really? Someone actually invited me to dinner? It actually happened!"

"My goodness! This doctor is amazing! He's got it right down to the last word!"

The crew-cut leader was pulled into the restaurant and subconsciously glanced back at the fortune-telling stall.

When his gaze met that figure sitting quietly with eyes closed, the last trace of arrogance on his face vanished, leaving only shock and disbelief.

The first divination came true!

Before the gasps of amazement had even subsided, an even more astonishing scene unfolded!

The short, scarred second brother craned his neck, staring in surprise and disbelief at the restaurant, muttering to himself:

"Really? Someone invited you to dinner, brother? That can't be right..."

Before the words were finished, a man carrying a thick cotton-padded coat came running over and shouted from afar:

"Is it Second Brother? I've finally found you! Our boss asked me to bring you the cotton overcoat you wore at the gambling den a few days ago!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a warm, thick coat was stuffed directly into his arms.

The short, scarred second brother instinctively caught it, then froze on the spot, completely dumbfounded.

His coat was still warm, but he felt cold all over, and a cold sweat broke out on his back.

Sending clothes...

Someone really did bring him clothes!

The second divination also came true!

"A living god! This is a real living god!"

"That was spot on! Those three dollars were totally worth it!"

"This isn't a charlatan, this is a divine master with extraordinary abilities!"

The crowd erupted in cheers!

The gasps of amazement, cheers, and applause were deafening, almost lifting the roof off the Quanyechang shopping mall.

The way they looked at Qiao Yang had long since changed from initial sympathy and doubt to genuine awe and worship.

Qiao Yang remained seated with his eyes lowered, his expression calm and serene, seemingly oblivious to the surrounding noise and cheers, as if everything was within his expectations.

Only the third brother with the parted hair remained, frozen in place, his face alternating between pale and flushed, looking extremely unpleasant.

The eldest brother got invited to dinner, the second brother got a white coat, but when it was his turn, he got beaten up!

"Damn it! I refuse to believe this nonsense!"

The third brother was both ashamed and furious, his anger surging. He spat fiercely, blew his nose sharply, and flicked his hand away—

This time, it landed perfectly!

Sticky snot landed right on the cheongsam of a wealthy lady next to him!

The lady was dressed in a trendy indigo blue cheongsam, with a snow-white wool cardigan over it, adorned with jewels, clearly indicating that she was either rich or noble.

The clean, crisp cheongsam was stained with such filth. She looked down and instantly turned pale, letting out a shrill scream:

"You damned scoundrel! How dare you dirty my cheongsam!"

"What are you yelling about!" The third brother, already seething with anger, immediately cursed, "It's just a little snot! What's the big deal! I'll wipe it for you!"

He still wanted to act tough, but he didn't see that behind his wife stood two stern-faced, tall bodyguards in black suits.

"You've gone too far! How dare you be so disrespectful to my wife in Tianjin!"

Before the third brother could react, two bodyguards strode forward and threw a punch!

"Bang!"

A muffled thud.

The fist slammed hard into the corner of his mouth, with tremendous force.

The third brother screamed and staggered backward. His mouth split open instantly, and blood dripped down his chin onto his clothes, a horrifying sight.

He clutched his rapidly swollen cheek, wincing in pain as half his face bulged up at a visible speed.

At that moment, his mind exploded with a resounding echo of Qiao Yang's exact words:

"If you don't restrain yourself today and act arrogantly in front of everyone, you're in for a good beating!"

Exactly the same word!

Exactly!

The third brother's face burned, half from pain and half from shame.

He was a street urchin who always took the strong and never listened to the weak. He would take a beating without blaming anyone but himself for his own arrogant and outspoken nature. But he was truly impressed by this blind man in front of him.

He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, but instead of running away, he straightened his neck and strode to the fortune-telling stall.

Despite his disheveled appearance, he stood tall, neither kneeling nor begging for mercy, nor showing the slightest fear. He simply spoke in a gruff voice, with the frankness of someone who had roamed the streets:

"Sir! Your prediction was accurate. I admit defeat!"

"We're all called 'pigs,' but the eldest brother has food to eat, the second brother has clothes to wear, so why did I get a beating? Explain yourself, and I'll accept it wholeheartedly!"

He was merely impressed by the skill, not afraid to beg for mercy; his reckless spirit remained unyielding.

Upon hearing this, Qiao Yang slightly turned his face, his expression remaining calm, though a faint smile barely crossed his lips, as if he had already anticipated the question.

His voice was unhurried, clear and resonant, as he slowly began to speak:

"Young brother, listen carefully."

The first squeal of a piglet means it's hungry and needs to be fed, which is why your older brother has a dinner party.

The second cry meant it was cold and needed more straw to keep warm, which is why your second brother has new clothes.

His tone was calm, yet his words were clear, carrying a hint of guidance:

"But what about you? You're not satisfied with being well-fed, warm, and comfortable; you insist on shouting and yelling in the middle of the city, disturbing others..."

Qiao Yang sighed softly, his tone calm yet incisive:

"Such behavior is nothing short of annoying; it deserves a beating."

"boom--!"

The crowd erupted in deafening laughter!

Everyone laughed so hard they were doubled over, clapping and cheering.

"Well said! That's so satisfying!"

"That brat deserved to be taught a lesson!"

"Sir, not only are your calculations accurate, but you're also incredibly eloquent!"

The third brother blushed, but instead of getting angry, he slapped his thigh hard.

"Alright! Sir, you're right! It was my own fault for being arrogant! I admit defeat today, and I'll come back to apologize another day when I have time!"

After saying that, he clasped his hands in a fist salute, turned around and left decisively. Although his face was injured, he walked straight, without the slightest sign of fleeing in a disheveled state.

Three thugs who came to cause trouble got one treated to a meal, one received warm clothes, and one was severely beaten.

The three divinations for the character "pig" all came true, without the slightest error!

Qiao Yang, blind as he was, made a famous judgment in one battle!

The onlookers looked at him with awe, no longer showing any contempt.

Many people are already eager to rush forward and ask for fortune-telling.

Just then, the crowd fell into an eerie silence.

Everyone spontaneously parted to create a path.

A composed and dignified figure walked slowly towards them.

The newcomer was dressed in an old military uniform, his back ramrod straight, a pistol prominently displayed on his belt, followed by two solemn-looking guards.

Anyone with eyes could tell from this attire that he was a leader of the military control commission who had just entered the city!

Tianjin had just been liberated, and the city was under the control of the military control commission. The people both respected and trusted the soldiers.

The leader walked up to the fortune-telling stall, his gaze falling on Qiao Yang, who was sitting quietly with his eyes closed, his expression serious.

He had never believed in fortune telling or divination. He had just passed by the Quanye Market and heard that a blind fortune teller was incredibly skilled at interpreting characters. He didn't believe it, so he came here specifically to try it out.

Qiao Yang seemed to sense that the newcomer had an extraordinary aura. He slightly composed himself, his brows furrowing with a hint of solemnity. He remained seated, quietly waiting for the other party to speak.

The leader stopped and asked in a deep voice:

"Young master, I've heard you're very accurate at fortune telling? I'd like to try it. I'll ask you to tell me the character '人' (person). Tell me, what do I do for a living?"

The character "人" (person).

It is the simplest, and also the most dangerous.

A single miscalculation could offend the powerful military control commission official in front of you.

Qiao Yang's expression turned serious, and he replied in a steady voice:

"Since you have asked for divination, I will do my best. However, the character '人' (person) is extremely simple yet extremely broad. If there is anything offensive in my words, please forgive me."

The entire venue fell into a deathly silence.

Everyone's heart leaped into their throats once again.