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

That very night, Li You ran away from home and, looking utterly dejected, knocked on Qiao Yang's gate. Upon seeing this, Qiao Yang and Su Yue immediately understood that Li You's return home must have been a disaster.

Li You said dejectedly, "Brother, sister-in-law, I'm afraid it won't work with my parents. As soon as they heard that Hong Fei was also blind, they immediately scolded me and refused to acknowledge her as their daughter-in-law."

"The thing I feared most has happened."

Qiao Yang's face darkened as he said, "We've done most of the work with the woman. Hong Fei's mind is made up. No matter how stubborn your parents are, we have to persuade them."

Su Yue said, "That's right. Marriage is a major life event. Parents can offer advice, but they can't be dictatorial. They certainly can't dislike a girl just because she has poor eyesight."

Li You sighed softly, "They understand the logic, but they just can't see the bigger picture. They always feel that two blind people living together will inevitably suffer poverty sooner or later."

The more he thought about it, the more inferior he felt. It was bad enough that he was blind, but now he had to marry a girl who was also blind. It was understandable that his parents were worried, but he just couldn't let go of Hongfei...

Qiao Yang patted him on the shoulder: "Your parents believe in fate and feng shui, so I'll use language they can understand. Tomorrow morning, I'll go to your house with you, and I'll talk to them."

Li You was still filled with anxiety: Could my senior brother persuade my parents? If even my senior brother couldn't convince them, I really didn't know what to do.

The next morning, Qiao Yang followed Li You to the Li family home.

When Li's parents saw that their son had brought another blind fellow disciple to their door, their faces immediately darkened.

Li's mother spoke first, her tone clearly impatient: "What are you all doing here? We will not agree to You'er finding a blind wife. We have already asked someone to find him a new wife."

Upon hearing this, Li You's heart sank. Her parents were actually finding someone else for her; they really didn't consider her feelings at all...

Mr. Li said in a muffled voice, "That's right! Aunt Wang from the village has already agreed to help. This girl has sharp eyes and is quick-witted; she's ten times better than that Hong Fei!"

Li's mother pointed at Li You and scolded, "You shameless wretch! Healthy girls don't mind that you're blind, but you, of all people, have set your sights on someone who's also blind. Are you trying to drive us old folks crazy?!"

Li's father chimed in quietly, "How will two blind people survive? They won't even know how to handle basic necessities like firewood, rice, oil, and salt. They won't be able to take care of a child if they have one. You'd better give up on that idea as soon as possible!"

Li You's face turned red with anxiety: "Dad, Mom, Hong Fei is a very good person. She knows how to care for others, and she's hardworking. We can manage..."

Before he could finish speaking, Li's mother waved her hand to interrupt him: "What's the use of being good? Does it mean you can see the road and make big money? You'll just be running into walls, cooking, and burning pots—it'll be nothing but trouble! What nonsense are you talking about?!"

Li You felt wronged and upset, muttering to herself, "I know it's not easy for us blind people, but we're willing to endure hardship and work hard. Can't we find someone we like?"

Qiao Yang stepped forward and calmly said, "Uncle, Aunt, I know you're worried about your son and afraid he'll have a hard time in the future. But you only see his eyes, not his destiny."

Marriage is about compatibility of birth charts and matching fortunes, not about how good someone's eyesight is.

Li's mother snorted, "Fate? No matter how fortunate we are, it can't compensate for two people who can't see anything. We can't live our lives based on fate!"

Mr. Li nodded in agreement: "That's right, we are farmers, we only care about a real life, not those empty and superficial things."

"That's not how you say it."

Qiao Yang straightened up, counting on his fingers and slowly calculating, adopting the demeanor of a seasoned fortune teller. "I have specifically analyzed Miss Hong Fei's birth chart. Her destiny belongs to the Earth element, which is solid and stable. She is a typical person who will bring prosperity to her family and husband, and be a virtuous and helpful wife."

Upon hearing this, Mr. and Mrs. Li subconsciously fell silent. They had believed in fate all their lives, and these words struck a chord with them.

Qiao Yang continued in a deep voice, "Junior Brother Li You's birth chart is predominantly fire-based, he is impatient and ambitious, but he is prone to taking detours."

Miss Hong Fei belongs to the Earth element; Fire generates Earth, and Earth can stabilize Fire. The two are a perfect match, their Yin and Yang complementing each other. She is blessed with good fortune; marrying into the Li family is not a burden, but rather an opportunity to bring prosperity, many descendants, and abundant blessings to the family.

Li You, listening from the side, was struck by a sudden thought: So Hong Fei and I are so compatible according to our birth charts? My senior brother is right, we are destined to be together, and my parents will definitely listen to him.

Qiao Yang paused briefly, his tone becoming increasingly certain: "Think about it, blind fortune tellers believe in destiny and fate. Both of them are blind, yet they are kindred spirits and deeply in love. This is not an ordinary fate, but a match made in heaven."

If they are forcibly separated, it will defy fate and bring unrest to the household; if they are done in accordance with nature, the couple will surely live in harmony, the family will prosper, and even the elders will enjoy blessings and longevity.

Li's mother wavered slightly, looking at Li's father: "His father... listen to this, this argument... makes some sense, doesn't it?"

Mr. Li frowned and pondered, "It's good for the husband and the family... but... but I still can't see it."

Li You, mustering his courage, added, "Mom and Dad, my senior brother Qiao is always very accurate at fortune telling. Hong Fei is sensible and filial; she will definitely treat you well in the future."

Qiao Yang pressed his advantage, speaking earnestly: "Uncle and Aunt, the new society advocates freedom of marriage, so you can't arrange it for each other. But even according to old customs, this marriage is an auspicious choice."

You despise her for being blind, but she has a good life, a good heart, and is good to Li You. These three things are more precious than anything else.

"By helping them today, your children and grandchildren will surely live in harmony and your home will be peaceful in the future. This is a great act of virtue!"

Mr. and Mrs. Li exchanged a glance, and the hard lines on their faces visibly softened.

They were already superstitious about fortune telling, and with Qiao Yang constantly saying things like "bringing prosperity to the family," "it's ordained by heaven," and "it brings blessings and longevity," their stubborn defenses gradually began to crumble.

Li You was so nervous that her palms were sweating, and she didn't dare to breathe. She kept thinking to herself, "Mom and Dad, please don't refuse... Please agree this time, I beg you."

Li's mother muttered under her breath, "Will it really bring good fortune to the family? What if things get harder and harder for us in the end..."

Qiao Yang immediately replied, "I guarantee it with my reputation as a fortune teller, it's absolutely infallible!"

Mr. Li sighed, "Alas... We're not heartless, we're just afraid our son will suffer in the future."

Seeing this, Qiao Yang secretly breathed a sigh of relief and continued to soften his tone:

"Don't worry, Li You and Hong Fei will be able to go out and earn money after they get married. With the help of us fellow apprentices, they will definitely not do too badly."

Since ancient times, a marriage between two people who are truly compatible and whose destinies are aligned has been considered a truly good marriage.

Qiao Yang pressed on, continuing to persuade, "Uncle and Aunt, think about it, what era can you stand having money? A few years ago, I did a fortune telling for a big boss in the county town. He had two wives, a house full of children, and a full house of maids and cooks. Why would the elders need to worry about him?"

"Once Li You and Hong Fei get married, with their skills, they'll be able to send you a lot of money every month. If there's work to be done around the house, just hire someone. You can just enjoy your retirement; what else is there to worry about?"

Hearing this, Li's mother felt relieved and finally smiled: "Sigh... since you've put it that way, then... let's think about it some more."

Mr. Li nodded in agreement: "Okay... let's take a look first."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Yang smiled.

He knew that the stubborn barrier of the Li family had finally been breached.

Li You breathed a sigh of relief, her body going limp. She thought, "Finally, there's hope! As long as Mom and Dad are willing to think about it again, there's definitely hope! Hong Fei, we'll be together soon!"