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

Qiao Yang settled the distraught and completely broken Li You in his home, and instructed Su Yue to make pancakes, fry eggs, and cook millet porridge.

After dinner, they invited him to stay and rest.

The next morning, after Li You had breakfast with Qiao Yang's family, Qiao Yang said to him:

"Just stay here and wait patiently. Su Yue will take care of you. I'll take care of this immediately and give you an explanation."

After saying that, he wrapped his blue coarse cotton robe tighter around himself, hung the old sign that read "Predicting good and bad fortune, harmonizing marriages" steadily on his shoulder, and walked steadily toward the village where Hong Fei was.

Once outside the Southwest Village, the north wind suddenly became much stronger, whipping up withered grass and dust that stung one's cheeks. The barren, yellow fields stretched as far as the eye could see, exuding a sense of desolation and oppression.

After sneaking into Hongfei's village, Qiao Yang found a conspicuous old locust tree at the village entrance and stood there, taking out a copper flute and bringing it to his lips.

The clear and melodious flute music immediately pierced the cold wind and echoed through the quiet village. In no time, it attracted many villagers to stop and watch, whispering among themselves.

Qiao Yang stopped playing the flute, his expression calm. Relying on his hearing, he located the crowd and deliberately raised his voice, his voice deep and powerful:

"Fortune telling, character analysis, marriage compatibility analysis, face reading, annual fortune telling, and divination of marital fate—no charge whatsoever if it's not done!"

The shout was perfectly timed, and before long, the sound, carried by the wind, went straight into the Hong family's courtyard.

Hong's mother was sitting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), her brows furrowed with worry over Hong Fei's marriage.

The man's family was well-off, and in other people's eyes it was a good match, but she always felt uneasy, yet she couldn't resist the matchmaker's sweet talk.

Suddenly, I heard the shouts of a fortune teller outside, who was also skilled in marriage compatibility analysis and face reading. My eyes lit up and I quickly stepped out of the courtyard.

Qiao Yang stood beneath the old locust tree, his posture upright and serene, possessing the aloof indifference of a Xuanmen cultivator, completely different from those charlatan charlatans. Madam Hong immediately recognized his charisma and quickly put on a smiling face, stepping forward politely:

"Sir, my family happens to have a marriage proposal that requires a fortune telling based on birth dates. Would you please come home with me so we can do a thorough calculation?"

Qiao Yang was secretly delighted; this was exactly what he was waiting for! However, he showed no outward sign, only nodding slightly with a composed and indifferent tone:

"No problem, let's first look at the compatibility of the marriage, then determine good or bad fortune."

Hong's mother excitedly led Qiao Yang into the main room, serving tea and moving chairs with extreme attentiveness. Then, she spoke impatiently:

"Sir, my daughter is of marriageable age, and our family has just found her a very good match. Could you please tell us if the two of them are compatible according to their birth charts, and whether the marriage should go ahead?"

At this moment, Hong Fei's father quietly strolled out from the inner room and sat on a small stool in the corner of the house.

Qiao Yang gently placed his fingers on his knee and slowly began to speak:

"Please provide the birthdates and times of both the man and woman; their names and ages are also acceptable."

Hong's mother quickly gave her daughter Hong Fei's birth date and time, and then went on and on about the man's birth date and time.

Upon hearing the man's birth chart, Qiao Yang realized that it had absolutely no relation to Li You, and immediately understood—it was indeed the Hong family who had forcibly betrothed their daughter to another family.

He remained outwardly calm, his fingers feigning calculations, but his brows furrowed deeper, and his aura deepened. After a long pause, he spoke solemnly, each word as cold as ice:

"This marriage is an ominous sign; it must absolutely not happen!"

Hong's mother's expression suddenly changed, and she hurriedly stood up:

"Why do you say that, sir? This is a perfectly good marriage!"

"The woman's birth chart indicates a Yin nature, with a gentle and graceful destiny, while the man's birth chart shows an excessively strong and rigid nature. This clash is a natural incompatibility!"

Qiao Yang's voice was deep and resolute, each word striking a chord in Hong's mother's heart: "After marriage, at best, there will be unrest and constant gossip; at worst, disaster will befall the family, the marriage will be short-lived, and it may even harm the elders in the family!"

After saying that, he changed the subject: "Is your daughter in the hall? If I could hear her voice and breathing, the divination would be more accurate."

Hong's mother looked troubled and waved her hands repeatedly:

"I'm sorry, sir, she went out for a walk early this morning and isn't home."

"It's fine if you don't listen."

Qiao Yang's voice was even colder, his words firm and resolute, conveying an undeniable forcefulness:

"Looking at the compatibility of these birth charts alone, coupled with the unfavorable annual fortune in the twelfth lunar month of this year, with the clash of the monthly evil stars, marriage at this time will not only fail to bring prosperity to the family, but will also drag down both families, causing endless troubles! Forcing a marriage will surely incur divine retribution, and the household will be in turmoil!"

His words were eloquent and enigmatic, and coupled with Mr. No Eyes' unique aura, they frightened Mrs. Hong so much that her face turned pale and Mr. Hong's legs went weak. They were half-believing and half-doubting, but dared not gamble with the fate of their entire family.

Mr. Hong muttered under his breath, "What are we going to do? We've already accepted all the bride price."

Having achieved his goal, Qiao Yang no longer wished to engage with Hong's father. He immediately stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and spoke indifferently:

"Now that I have said this, whether you believe me or not is entirely up to your esteemed family. I have other important matters to attend to, so I must take my leave."

Before Hong Fei's father could react and try to stop him, he relied on his keen hearing to carefully walk out of the Hong family home and head straight out of the village.

After walking for several miles, we came to a narrow path in the wilderness, where the cold wind was even stronger and the withered grass rustled.

Just then, Qiao Yang suddenly caught a faint, familiar sound of footsteps, mixed with suppressed sobs, so delicate it was heartbreaking.

Qiao Yang's heart skipped a beat, and his tone unconsciously softened:

"Is that Junior Sister Hong Fei up ahead?"

The figure not far ahead froze on the spot. Then, a trembling voice, choked with sobs, rang out, filled with unbelievable joy and grievance:

"Is it...is it Senior Brother Qiao Yang?"

Sure enough it was her!

Hong Fei emerged from the edge of the field, dressed in plain cotton clothes. His eyes were red and swollen like peaches, and his cheeks were still wet with tears. He had obviously been hiding here alone and crying for a long time. He looked as thin as a reed about to break in the wind.

"Junior sister, I just came from your house and I have something important to ask you." Qiao Yang softened his tone and tried to keep his voice down.

Hong Fei lowered his head, raised his hand to wipe away his tears, his voice choked and broken, filled with despair:

"Senior brother, you...you should go back and tell Li You to...forget about me and stop thinking about me."

Qiao Yang's heart sank suddenly, and he asked gravely, "Why?"

"My family has already found me a husband, and the wedding date is set. I... I can't be a burden to him anymore."

Before he could finish speaking, Hong Fei could no longer suppress his grievances and reluctance, and burst into tears, his tears streaming down his face and soaking his shirt.

The heartbreaking cries were filled with the pain of being unable to control oneself and the deep affection for Li You; there was not a trace of willingness in them.

Qiao Yang could clearly hear the reluctance, struggle, and heart-wrenching pain deep in her words; she was definitely not truly trying to sever her ties with Li You.

He immediately became serious and asked, word by word:

"Hong Fei, tell your senior brother the truth from the bottom of your heart, don't hold back—are you willing to marry Li You or not?"

Hong Fei's body trembled violently. He stood frozen in the cold wind for a moment, then nodded vigorously and said softly:

"willing."

This statement carried immense weight, revealing all her thoughts and convictions.

Qiao Yang's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, instantly settled, and a confident smile flashed in his eyes:

"Good! That's enough! I've already used the divination to plant a time bomb for the marriage your family arranged. Before long, your family will be terrified and won't dare force you to marry that boy anymore!"

Hong Fei's eyes were brimming with tears, a glimmer of hope shining within them, his voice filled with unexpected joy:

"Really? Then... then is there still hope for me and Senior Brother Li?"

Thinking of her tearful appearance, Qiao Yang felt pity for her and immediately reassured her, his tone full of responsibility:

"Don't worry, leave this entirely to me! I'll get justice for you two, and you'll be happily married. I won't let you be torn apart like this!"

The cold wind still howled, but in the wilderness, a glimmer of hope for breaking the deadlock had already been ignited. The affection hidden between the two unfortunate people was also firmly protected in Qiao Yang's promise at this moment.