“I’m so sorry, so sorry! Just look at how I… Oh dear, I’m really sorry, sorry to you, wuwu!! I really didn’t notice just now…”

Ten minutes later, Zhao Tiansheng’s wife, Xiao Guihua, was also sitting across from Xiao Nanzhu. Compared to her previous aggressive demeanor, she now looked noticeably more simple and kind. She was a woman who didn’t put much effort into her appearance, and now looked even more haggard. Women like her exist in most Chinese families—they sacrifice everything for their loved ones and work diligently, but in reality, the midlife crisis often appears alongside. After the once-intense love dissipates, they compromise time and again for their children and family. Yet irresponsible men will ultimately find excuses for their selfishness. At this point, the women who are kept in the dark appear particularly deserving of sympathy.

Thinking this way, Xiao Nanzhu took a drag of his cigarette, not bothering to say anything about what had just happened. Meanwhile, Zhao Tiansheng, who had clearly done something unconscionable, kept criticizing his wife, making Xiao Nanzhu frown continuously.

“Just look at how embarrassing you are! I was discussing business with Old Brother Xiao, and you come barging in for what?! How many times have I told you! I really can’t stand you anymore. If you keep this up, we might as well get divorced…”

Rambling on like this, Zhao Tiansheng’s shameless behavior caused the evil spirits that had previously dispersed around him to gather again. The woman lowered her head, crying in shame, while those misfortunes floated bit by bit around Zhao Tiansheng’s ears and mouth, so clearly that even Xiao Nanzhu could see them plainly. Perhaps due to his marital infidelity, those previously inanimate misfortunes could now emit cold laughs resembling humans, which made Xiao Nanzhu frown. After a moment of silence, he interrupted Zhao Tiansheng:

“Alright, alright, Sister-in-law didn’t mean it. I’m just at the wrong place at the wrong time, interrupting you two celebrating the holiday. Why don’t I leave first? I’ll treat this meal, okay?”

Xiao Nanzhu’s words made the couple stop arguing and start apologizing to him profusely. Seeing this, Xiao Nanzhu sighed helplessly, beckoned the waiter who was too frightened to approach, and proceeded to order a few dishes.

“Alright then, let’s have lunch together. I didn’t have anything planned for today anyway. Sister-in-law, what do you like to eat? Brother Zhao, why don’t you order a few dishes?”

To Xiao Nanzhu’s question, Zhao Tiansheng was clearly clueless. After all, for this kind of man, he didn’t care whether his wife preferred fish or meat. Seemingly sensing his momentary awkwardness, Xiao Nanzhu shifted his gaze and smiled at his bewildered wife:

“I originally came to help Brother Zhao check his fortune for the coming year. He often drives long distances, so there are always some safety concerns. I hadn’t finished telling him when you arrived, Sister-in-law. Actually, when it comes to fortune, it’s often in one’s own hands. People without guilty consciences aren’t afraid to travel the world, while those who’ve done many unconscionable things might fear even walking at night. I once saw a man who, after abandoning his wife, had his business collapse. Losing his vast fortune wasn’t enough; he married his mistress who gave birth to a son, and after raising him, they discovered…”

“Discovered what?” Zhao Tiansheng’s wife asked curiously.

“The child looked more and more like Old Wang next door.”

Xiao Nanzhu’s words made the woman show a thoughtful expression and nearly choked Zhao Tiansheng to death. He coughed violently and glanced at Xiao Nanzhu, who returned a normal-faced smile. Zhao Tiansheng’s face changed, as besides himself, no one knew that the hair salon girl he was involved with was already pregnant. Recalling Xiao Nanzhu’s subtle hint, Zhao Tiansheng, who had thought he’d have a son in his middle age, felt his hands begin to tremble.

After that, the meal couldn’t be finished properly. Zhao Tiansheng hurriedly left with his wife, as if his pants were on fire. Before leaving, he paid Xiao Nanzhu for today’s consultation. Since Xiao Nanzhu had set clear prices, anyone wanting to get a word from him had to pay several thousand yuan upfront. Coincidentally, Zhao Tiansheng had to make a transportation run on New Year’s Eve, with poor road conditions and a frequently problematic intersection. So, with some guilt in his heart, he sought out Xiao Nanzhu, whose advice made his throat tighten.

At the restaurant entrance, watching the couple leave, Xiao Nanzhu breathed a sigh of relief and put the consultation fee Zhao Tiansheng had given him into his wallet. These few thousand yuan had come at a high cost—not only being scolded by someone’s wife but also having to mediate their family conflict. Fortunately, Valentine’s Day, who had been hiding, could finally come out. The previous smooth-talking with Zhao Tiansheng wouldn’t have been possible without his help. As for the evil spirits that had appeared around Zhao Tiansheng, Valentine’s Day didn’t seem to care.

“Don’t worry about that, just a few small things. He won’t die from them, probably just enough to teach him a lesson. If he continues playing around like this, he won’t last three years before going to heaven. By then, his wife will remarry someone two hundred times better than him… But now that he’s in trouble, he’ll surely treat you like a god in the future. Why not do something that can make money?”

Valentine’s Day’s words had a dejected tone. Knowing he definitely didn’t like people like Zhao Tiansheng, Xiao Nanzhu remained silent. Valentine’s Day was supposed to be a romantic and warm occasion, but having witnessed such uncomfortable events, he was certainly unhappy. Within sight, the couples on the street showing off their love no longer made Valentine’s Day happy. Seeing his dejected appearance, Xiao Nanzhu felt somewhat guilty. Just as they were about to head home, they passed by the center of the town square and suddenly heard a commotion.

“What’s going on here? Oh dear, old man, what are you doing?” “Is it Alzheimer’s? I’ve seen him standing here for a long time.” “Grandpa, do you know the way home? Should we contact the police?”

The surrounding onlookers gathered around, discussing animatedly. Xiao Nanzhu and Valentine’s Day followed the crowd and happened to see an elderly man with white hair and a confused expression, clutching a rose, standing in the middle of the road. Perhaps frightened by being watched by so many people, the old man uncomfortably stepped back, opened his mouth but couldn’t speak for a long time, his gaze becoming evasive.

“What’s going on here?”

Standing outside the crowd, Valentine’s Day casually asked. He could see that the old man seemed mentally unclear, so he couldn’t help being curious. Since passersby were already contacting the police, everyone was now trying to soothe the old man’s emotions. A young couple watching the commotion nearby heard someone asking them and accordingly replied:

“Ah, don’t know. Seems like a lost elderly person. He’s been standing here for a long time and doesn’t seem to know the way, so people noticed. The police have been called, and I guess he’ll be sent home soon…”

“Oh, I see…”

After hearing the explanation, Xiao Nanzhu nodded. Seeing how enthusiastic the people around were, he and Valentine’s Day clearly couldn’t help. But Valentine’s Day was just a spectator, so Xiao Nanzhu had to accompany him until he was ready to leave. Just as they were talking, a small elderly woman suddenly ran into the crowd from outside. As soon as she saw the old man surrounded in the center, she immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

“You old fool! I told you not to go out! Told you not to go out! You’re going to scare me to death!!”

Taking small quick steps to the old man’s side, the elderly woman must have run all the way here, her face pale with fright. The surrounding crowd, seeing that the family had arrived, also breathed a sigh of relief. After making sure the old man was alright, the elderly woman quickly thanked the helpful onlookers.

“I’m sorry for troubling everyone. My husband has had Alzheimer’s for several years. He usually doesn’t like to go out, and I don’t know what got into him today. I’m sorry for the inconvenience…”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Quickly take the old man home, take him home…”

Hearing the elderly woman’s words, the surrounding people nodded in understanding. At this point, the matter was essentially resolved. People started to disperse, ready to let the elderly couple leave. But just as the elderly woman was holding the hand of the old man, who had been clutching a rose without speaking, preparing to go home, the previously dazed old man suddenly put the flower into the elderly woman’s hand, and then foolishly, in a confused voice, softly said:

“Yuexian, I came out to buy you flowers… Aren’t you… most fond of… flowers? Don’t be… be angry with me… I really like you…”

—”I like you the most.”