Zhong Nianyao looked at Huang Mao, her eyes devoid of any ripples, "If I were you, instead of wasting time here, I'd go back and sort out my own affairs for what comes after. After all, you don't have much time left."
Facing those emotionless eyes, a sense of weakness overcame Huang Mao, followed by a chill creeping up from his feet. He felt that even breathing was becoming difficult.
"I'll be waiting for you."
After dropping that vicious line, Huang Mao left as if he was fleeing. His hurried footsteps made it clear that his heart was filled with fear.
Zhong Nianyao glanced coldly at Huang Mao, who might as well have been running away in complete defeat, her expression unchanging. As if the threats that had just been made weren't even worth her attention.
There were still a lot of people coming and going, but no one stopped at Zhong Nianyao's booth anymore. There might have been some curious onlookers, but none seemed to truly believe that such a young girl could tell fortunes.
Until eight o'clock in the evening, no one else came to seek a fortune from Zhong Nianyao.
Zhong Nianyao wasn't in a hurry. She simply packed up her stall and then went home. The carefree way she did this made it seem as though she wasn't really here to run a stall, but just to play around.
However, her actions didn't attract any attention at Tongtian Bridge.
When Zhong Nianyao arrived home, she found the living room filled with people. Old Sir Zhong, Old Madam Zhong, and the entire family of Zhong Minghao from the first branch were all there. None from the second branch could be seen.
Seeing so many people in the living room, Zhong Nianyao raised an eyebrow, then casually walked over and sat down on a sofa, "So many people gathered, could it be that you're all waiting for me? This is like a full-blown family tribunal!"
Before anyone else could speak, Zhong Mengfan, who had always looked at Zhong Nianyao with disfavor, was the first to speak, "Zhong Nianyao, you still have the nerve to talk. All of us are here waiting for you, and you don't feel the slightest bit of guilt?"
"Oh!" Zhong Nianyao arched her eyebrows, "Why should I feel guilty? It wasn't me who asked you all to wait. Besides, I have just returned. At least, you could enlighten me as to what exactly has happened!"
Old Sir Zhong opened his mouth, apparently wanting to say something, but Zhong Mengfan cut him off, "You still have the audacity to ask what happened? Zhong Nianyao, have you reverted to your old ways? Where have you been skulking about this time? Do you realize that Grandpa and Grandma have been worried sick about you?"
"Nianyao, don't get angry, Mengfan is just concerned about you," Zheng Silin interjected with a smile, trying to smooth things over, "Although what she says may sound unpleasant, it's only because she saw Mom and Dad worrying about you all evening, to the point where they could barely eat their dinner."
Zhong Nianyao came to understand what was going on, but she ignored the rest and turned to Old Sir Zhong and Old Madam Zhong, her face showing a hint of guilt, "Grandpa, Grandma, I forgot to tell you. I had something to take care of tonight, so I returned a bit late. I'll make sure to inform you if I'm going to be late in the future."
She was quite fond of the two elders who truly cared for her. On this matter, she indeed hadn't considered things thoroughly. In the past, she had always been on her own, so she had never thought about these concerns.
"Yaoyao, we don't want to restrict you," Old Madam Zhong said, holding Zhong Nianyao's hand, "We're just worried about you. You've only recently been discharged from the hospital. What if something happened, or if you suddenly felt unwell? What would we do then?"
"You little rascal," Old Sir Zhong's tone wasn't so pleasant, but there was still a thick layer of concern in his voice, "Can't you say a word about what's going on? Are you mute?"
Zhong Nianyao stood up and then squeezed in between Old Sir Zhong and Old Madam Zhong, taking each of their arms in hers, and spoke with a grin, "Grandpa, Grandma, I really admit my mistake. I promise, from now on, no matter where I go, I'll definitely tell you."
It seemed that in the future, she couldn't set up her stall after school hours as this would make it hard to explain every time she returned late.
Fortunately, she was now in university, where she didn't have classes every day. She could choose days when she had no classes or perhaps the weekends to do her fortune-telling.
Although Old Master Zhong had been frowning, Zhong Nianyao's gesture seemed to have dissipated much of his anger. Still, he let out a cold huff.
Old Madam Zhong, on the other hand, asked with concern, "Yaoyao, have you eaten?"
"Not yet," Zhong Nianyao replied, sticking out her tongue a bit sheepishly.
"You child," Old Madam Zhong hastily instructed, "Housekeeper Li, quickly have the meals reheated. The third young miss hasn't eaten yet!"