Chapter 45 There is Something Wrong with Your Marriage Line

"Grandpa, stop reading fortune sticks! Come play with me instead!"

Chen Zehan had zero interest in fortune-telling, and he blinked mischievously at the old man.

The old man adored Chen Zehan deeply. Without missing a beat, he stood right up from his seat.

He then motioned for the legitimate Daoist priest of White Cloud Temple to resume his place.

"My good grandson, the scenery here isn't bad, is it?"

The old man scooped Chen Zehan up into his arms, carrying him without the slightest effort.

"It's way too noisy out front, but the back is nice!"

Chen Zehan nodded in agreement.

"Then how about you stay here with Grandpa for a few days?"

Chen Zehan glanced over at Chen Siyuan.

"Whatever you want. Stay with your grandpa for as many days as you like!"

Chen Siyuan naturally had no objections.

This little rascal had been interrupting the tender moments between him and Liu Xiaoli for days on end.

Banishing him to White Cloud Temple for a few days came at the most opportune time.

"Alright then, Grandpa, I'll stay here with you for three days!"

"Oh my, my precious grandson is so filial!"

Delighted, the old man planted a kiss on Chen Zehan's cheek.

"Ahem, little swin... Siyuan, you can head back now. Just come pick up my big grandson in three days!"

The old man's expression shifted the instant he turned around.

Yet, for Chen Zehan's sake, he refrained from calling him a little swindler.

"Alright, Zehan, you behave and keep your grandpa company. Daddy is heading back first."

Chen Siyuan stepped forward, ruffled Chen Zehan's hair, and spoke.

"Okay, goodbye Daddy!"

Chen Zehan was well accustomed to this routine.

After seeing this little drama play out so many times, he was entirely used to it.

It was just the classic mutual torment between a father and a grandfather.

Chen Siyuan left White Cloud Temple all by himself.

Touring the scenic mountains alone without a beauty by his side was the height of boredom.

He might as well go explore the culinary delights of the capital!

In this lifetime, only beauties and good food were things one must never let down.

The most authentic capital cuisine was always hidden within the ancient alleys of Beijing.

Chen Siyuan had Stone drive him around for a bit before casually having the car drop him off at the entrance of a lane.

He then began to stroll around aimlessly.

Walking alone through the old Beijing alleys, soaking in the genuine warmth of everyday human life, counted as stealing half a day of leisure from a busy world.

He had been wandering for the better part of the day when, just as he was about to contact Stone to head home, he unexpectedly ran into someone he knew once more.

"Sir, what a coincidence!"

Dong Jie's eyes lit up, and she ran over to Chen Siyuan with a spark of excitement.

Her cheeks were flushed, and her joy was plain for all to see.

This meant something wonderful had happened!

"It certainly is a coincidence. Finished with the audition?"

Chen Siyuan's words confirmed the suspicion lingering in Dong Jie's mind.

It really was him!

"The audition is over. The director looked quite pleased, though I still have to wait for the official notice."

Dong Jie could no longer contain the excitement bubbling inside her!

Even though the formal notification hadn't arrived yet.

She could tell that Director Li Dawei was extremely satisfied with her audition!

There was a high probability she had actually defeated Zhao Yanzi and the others to land the female lead role of Leng Qingqiu in *The Story of a Noble Family*!

And all of this was thanks to the patronage of the distinguished benefactor standing right before her!

Chen Siyuan nodded. "You're actually a great fit for the character of Leng Qingqiu. Barring any accidents, Director Li should cast you."

Dong Jie bit her lip, gathered her courage, and said to Chen Siyuan, "Sir, I still don't know your name..."

"Look at that, my mistake. Let's make a proper introduction—I am Chen Siyuan."

"Dong Jie."

A large hand and a small hand clasped together.

Dong Jie at this age was truly at the peak of her youthful, dewy freshness.

Her small hand was soft as boneless silk, warm and smooth like jade, feeling rather pleasant within his grasp.

Chen Siyuan drifted off in thought for a moment.

Dong Jie's face gradually turned red.

Why hasn't he let go yet?

"Ah, I'm sorry, I was spacing out!"

Coming to his senses, Chen Siyuan released her hand and offered a hasty apology.

Dong Jie lowered her head and murmured a barely audible, "It's fine."

"Mr. Chen, let me treat you to something to eat!"

Dong Jie looked up, breaking character to take the initiative for once, eager to repay her benefactor.

Letting him eat something first was the least she could do!

Watching Dong Jie, whose face still bore a hint of shyness, Chen Siyuan nodded. "Alright, I've always longed to try the food here in the capital. Do you have any recommendations?"

"Mr. Chen, I happen to know a hole-in-the-wall restaurant nearby with amazing food. Follow me!"

Who knows what gave her the courage, but Dong Jie actually reached out and took Chen Siyuan's hand, then darted straight into the alley without looking back.

Chen Siyuan could see that the tips of Dong Jie's ears were already dyed a bright pink.

This was getting interesting.

Was he in the midst of tempting a pure, lotus-like woman into "corruption"?

Chen Siyuan had never been one to remain passive.

Within moments, he had enveloped Dong Jie's delicate, fair hand entirely within his own palm.

In a slightly dazed state, Dong Jie led Chen Siyuan to the humble little eatery.

Subconsciously, she ordered what she considered to be their absolute best dishes.

Only after finishing her order did she remember she hadn't consulted Chen Siyuan's preferences.

Just as she was about to speak up, she realized her hand was still being held securely in Chen Siyuan's grip.

Dong Jie blinked, her face flushing crimson once again.

"Miss Dong, let me read your palm for a moment!"

Chen Siyuan unfolded Dong Jie's hand and began to examine it.

By this point, Dong Jie's heart was fluttering wildly against her ribs.

How domineering!

Yet why did she find herself somewhat liking it?!

"Judging by your career line, it looks quite favorable—smooth sailing all the way, completely unobstructed. You have the destiny of becoming a major star."

Chen Siyuan delivered this completely straight-faced nonsense with absolute gravity.

Yet, somehow, Dong Jie actually believed a little bit of it. "Mr. Chen knows how to read palms too?"

"Why call me Mr. Chen? That sounds much too distant! Meeting is a matter of fate; just call me Brother Chen!"

"Then you shouldn't call me Miss Dong either!"

Dong Jie hadn't even realized why she was acting so spoiled.

"Then what should I call you? Little Dong? Or Little Jie?"

Chen Siyuan narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Call me whatever you like."

Dong Jie lowered her head, not daring to meet Chen Siyuan's gaze.

"Oh?!"

At that exact moment, Chen Siyuan let out a sound of realization that felt slightly off.

Dong Jie looked up in confusion.

"Little Jie, there's a problem with your marriage line!"

"What kind of problem?"

Dong Jie was somewhat dumbfounded; judging by Chen Siyuan's demeanor, he really seemed like an expert fortuneteller.

"According to your palm, you will eventually marry someone within the entertainment industry, but midway through, waves of turmoil will arise, and it might even negatively impact your future career line!"

Chen Siyuan furrowed his brow, perfectly mimicking the mannerisms of an old swindler.

"Ah? What should I do then?"

Dong Jie grew anxious.

Gently stroking Dong Jie's small hand, Chen Siyuan appeared to be deep in thought.

Dong Jie didn't dare to disturb him.

"It's not entirely without a way to break the curse."

"What way?"

"In this world, troubles are purely self-inflicted by those who borrow worry! Don't get married, and the problem simply ceases to exist!"

Chen Siyuan stated smoothly.

"Which girl never gets married..."

Dong Jie muttered under her breath, not daring to speak up loudly.

"If you must marry, you have two paths: either find an honest man outside the industry, or find someone even more powerful than the person destined for you—someone capable of suppressing your ill fortune!"

Chen Siyuan mapped out two distinct paths for Dong Jie with an air of profound seriousness.

"I don't even know who my destined person is, so how am I supposed to compare?"