Testing

“Not a chance! Now that this necklace is hanging around my neck, it belongs to me.” Xiao Banxia had no intention of asking her brother for such an expensive piece of jewelry, but since her brother—the wealthy tycoon—had given it to her of his own accord, she saw no reason to refuse.

“Enough showing off, it’s time to go,” Xiao Yao said.

They rode in a Rolls-Royce Phantom, a car that had already been cleared in advance; otherwise, it would not have been allowed onto the grounds of the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

The Guesthouse consists of eighteen buildings in total. Apart from Building 18, the Presidential Suite, the other seventeen buildings range from Western-style villas to ***-style residences, and those inspired by Eastern national aesthetics, all constructed with modern architecture. Tang Zhengshan had chosen Building 10 for the banquet.

After the Guesthouse was built, the original imperial palace and the new eighteen buildings formed a seamless whole, where ancient and modern blended in perfect harmony. The entire compound was shaded by ancient trees, with limpid waters winding through emerald lawns, willow-lined embankments curving gently, stone bridges and quiet paths leading to secluded spots—a veritable earthly paradise.

The car came to a halt before the building. As Xiao Yao and Xiao Banxia stepped out, a young man of about thirty approached them at a brisk pace. “Mr. Xiao, hello, I’m Tang Tianhao.”

Although Tang Tianhao hailed from a noble family, he was in excellent shape, with a well-built physique suggesting a highly disciplined lifestyle. He was also quite handsome, his face bright with a friendly smile and an approachable manner that left a very good first impression on Xiao Yao and Xiao Banxia.

After greeting Xiao Banxia as well, Tang Tianhao continued, “Mr. Zhao and our family have been close for generations. We really should have attended his funeral, but somehow we failed to do so. It was truly remiss of us.”

“Grandpa Zhao preferred peace and quiet, disliked crowds. As he lay dying, he specifically asked for no funeral, no notifications to any relatives or friends. He wanted to leave this world quietly; even his ashes were scattered in the Hanzhou River. I had intended to give him a grand farewell, but he was adamant about his last wishes. I could do nothing but respect them and informed no one. If this caused any slight, I ask for your forgiveness, Mr. Tang,” Xiao Yao explained simply.

Tang Tianhao sighed, “Mr. Zhao was like an immortal among us—living in obscurity in life, departing in silence in death. Such is the way of the true sage.”

After a few more pleasantries, Tang Tianhao led the two inside while offering a brief introduction as they walked.

The ground floor of this building served as the reception area, equipped with a dining room and conference facilities. After the brief introduction, the three walked straight into the dining hall.

A gentleman in his sixties, seeing them arrive, strode over before Tang Tianhao could introduce him, extending his hand enthusiastically to Xiao Yao. His voice was hearty. “As expected, the heir of Mr. Zhao is truly exceptional. Mr. Xiao, you are a dragon among men.”

“You flatter me, General Tang. Before I met Grandpa Zhao, I was an ordinary person,” Xiao Yao replied.

Tang Zhengshan’s handshake was firm and his manner warm. After greeting Xiao Banxia as well, the group entered the reserved private room.

Once seated, Tang Zhengshan brought up Mr. Zhao, his tone heavy with regret at not having been able to see him off one last time. But of course, as tonight’s host, he could not dwell on such sorrowful topics and soon shifted the conversation.

After a few casual remarks, Tang Zhengshan sighed, “Mr. Zhao was like an immortal who has now truly ascended. To think of his kindly face and gentle smile is to feel a pang of loss. As his heir, Mr. Xiao, have you perhaps inherited some of his remarkable abilities?”

Xiao Yao glanced at Tang Zhengshan, a little surprised by his directness.

He had assumed Tang Zhengshan would try to probe discreetly, but instead, the question had been asked straight out. Yet Xiao Yao found himself appreciating Tang Zhengshan’s candor. After all, whether he had inherited Mr. Zhao’s legacy was of great importance to the Tang family, and it was only natural for them to inquire. Such forthrightness felt more like a gesture of friendship, and Tang Zhengshan had handled it perfectly—there was nothing off-putting about it.

Since Xiao Yao hoped to rely on the Tang family’s connections, he could not afford to hide the truth. Connections, to put it bluntly, are a matter of mutual benefit—a relationship that only lasts when both sides have something to offer and something to gain from each other.

For the Tang family, what they sought from Xiao Yao were those miraculous skills of Mr. Zhao. If he had not inherited those abilities, he would not be qualified to maintain ties with the Tang family.

Xiao Yao replied in all seriousness, “General Tang, you’re not an outsider, so there’s no need for me to keep this from you. My master chose me as his heir apparently because I saved his life, but that was just a story for others. The truth is, he recognized my talent. The inheritance he left me is nothing compared to what really matters—it was his skills and knowledge that he truly wished to pass on to me.”

Hearing this, both Tang Zhengshan and his son could not hide their delight.

Even Tang Tianhao, who had entertained other intentions, found himself more pleased than disappointed by the answer. If Xiao Yao had not inherited Mr. Zhao’s abilities, even if Tang Tianhao resorted to intrigue, there would have been little to gain. But with Xiao Yao possessing those skills, and given the relationship between the two families, the Tang family could rely on him in times of need—this was a far more valuable, long-term prospect.

“To my knowledge, Mr. Zhao was only in contact with you for a brief period. If only it had been longer, I’m sure you could have learned even more from him,” Tang Tianhao lamented.

Xiao Yao smiled faintly and explained, “That’s something you might not know, Mr. Tang. The way our lineage passes on knowledge is quite different from ordinary master-apprentice teaching. There are no written records, no six ears to hear, and no need for a long apprenticeship—a single night is enough.”

“That sounds like the Buddhist practice of direct transmission—like a sudden enlightenment?” Tang Zhengshan asked, astonished.

Xiao Yao nodded. “More or less. Our tradition is different from the Buddhist method in some respects, but the outcome is the same in the end.”

“How extraordinary!” Tang Tianhao was almost convinced by Xiao Yao’s account, but he still wished to test the extent of his abilities. “Mr. Zhao was renowned for his mastery of physiognomy and fortune-telling, but he lived in seclusion and I never had the chance to consult him. Now that I have the honor of meeting you, Mr. Xiao, perhaps fate has brought us together at last. Would you be willing to read my fortune?”