Chapter 73: [Inevitability, Coincidence] (Unsealed)

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Chapter Seventy-Three [Inevitability, Chance]

Inside the room, the conversation continued.

“You really know everything?” Chen Xiao had managed to calm himself down as much as possible, though he was still a bit excited. “You can foresee everything in the future? Then doesn’t that mean you could…”

Fireworks shook her head. She picked up a sunflower seed with two fingers, brought it to her lips, and gently cracked it open. Most women look rather ungraceful when eating sunflower seeds, but somehow, even this minute gesture imbued Fireworks with an indescribable elegance, making her appear even more vivid and charming.

“I understand what you mean, but I regret to tell you… I can see, yes, but the future is not all the same. Some futures are ‘coincidences’—they can be altered or influenced by human action. But some are ‘inevitable’—even if I can see them, I cannot change them.” At this, Fireworks shook her head, her expression tinged with a faint sorrow.

To change… or not to change…

“For example, this chair and that teacup,” Fireworks said softly. “I saw they would be broken, but that is inevitable. I cannot change it, so I didn’t warn you. Even if I had, perhaps you would have been curious or nervous, and still broken them accidentally. Whether I say something or not, the result is the same—they are destroyed.”

Chen Xiao frowned. “Then… some things can be changed?”

“Yes,” Fireworks nodded. “Like when I asked you for that favor just now… Oh, young man, don’t forget—the first alley you pass after you leave.”

“…I still don’t quite understand.” Chen Xiao frowned.

Fireworks pointed at her eyes. Her gaze was indeed stunning—so deep it felt as though one might fall into them.

“What I see of the future isn’t a picture, but a series of paths,” Fireworks said, her voice laced with sadness. “Some futures are a single straight road—there is only one path, so I know that future is inevitable, unchangeable. Yet for some, I see not just one straight road, but forks, crossroads… These represent futures that are not inevitable, and can be changed.”

Chen Xiao grew a little anxious, looking at Fireworks. “Then… could you look at my future… I…”

Fireworks gazed at him for a long time, then finally sighed softly.

“Young man, actually, ever since you stepped in, I’ve been pondering…” She smiled apologetically. “It’s strange. Over the years I’ve met countless people with special abilities. But you are a unique individual, unlike any I’ve ever encountered.”

She paused, then sat up straight, reaching out to gently clasp Chen Xiao’s hand. Her eyes were bright, her tone solemn. “I see many—so many—forks in your path. You are someone whose future is filled with ‘changeable’ moments. This is extremely rare.”

Chen Xiao listened quietly, his expression unchanged, though what he thought inside was unknown.

“Generally, when people come to me for help, I answer every question I can. A person’s life is like navigating a maze, and I am happy to offer guidance. Though many things cannot be changed, if I can help people make better choices at crossroads, it brings me joy.” Here, Fireworks’ tone turned stern. “However, I never meet with any visitor for more than ten minutes! Ten minutes is enough for a few questions—because, though you may not understand, though most who seek me out may not understand, foreseeing the future isn’t always a blessing.”

Fireworks sighed. “I have seen so many people. They don’t realize that knowing too much about their own future—especially the parts that are inevitable and unchangeable—can be a very sorrowful thing.”

She spoke mournfully. “When I was nine, I saw that my best friend would die in a car accident two days later, but I could not change it. When I was thirteen, I knew my mother would break her leg on the stairs—again, I couldn’t change it. At sixteen, I foresaw my father would fall in love with another woman. I saw it was inevitable, but tried to stop it anyway—tried to use my ability so he’d never meet her. I failed. In the end, he loved another, left my mother, and my family broke apart.”

Fireworks looked intently at Chen Xiao. “Do you understand now? Sometimes, knowing the future is not a fun thing. Especially when you know tragedies will happen, but you’re powerless to stop them.”

She added, “And… when you can predict every day of your future in detail, life loses most of its joy. Each day loses its freshness, its novelty… That’s why I limit visits to ten minutes, only enough to answer a question or two, but not enough for someone to learn too much.”

Chen Xiao grew agitated. “Then, may I ask—will the issue I’m facing now cause me harm in the future…”

“You mean the genetic problem?” Fireworks smiled, but didn’t answer. “I’m sorry—others I can answer for, but as for you, I must refuse.”

“…” Chen Xiao was stunned.

What did that even mean?

Fireworks raised three fingers.

“First, I see many forks in your life ahead… Your uncertainty is far greater than most! So I can’t give you a definite answer. If I told you what might happen, it would be as if I were telling you what to choose—wouldn’t that mean I’m manipulating your life in another way?

Second, young man, I envy you greatly, for your life is full of uncertainty! Your many crossroads mean that every day ahead will be new and fresh. I truly envy you! Your life is brimming with possibilities! Unlike mine… which is nearly a straight, unbending road.

As for the third reason…”

Fireworks finally smiled again. “The third reason is rather amusing… Before you came, someone asked me—begged me—not to offer my services to you.”

“What?” This time Chen Xiao was truly stunned!

Someone had asked Fireworks not to help him??

Who would do such a thing?

“I’m sorry.” Fireworks smiled gently. “But I can give you a small gift… The issue you’re worried about—your body, your genes—is also a fork in the road! In other words, things could go badly, or they could go well; it all depends on the chances and choices in your life from now on.”

Chen Xiao could only give a wry smile. “That’s as good as saying nothing at all.”

Fireworks even winked at him. “But I’m happy! As a ‘prophet,’ my favorite thing is to tell guests that their life is full of forks. So often, those who come to me are fated for tragedy, and though I see their grim future, I must still tell them—so I become the judge delivering their final sentence. I hate being the bearer of bad news! But you make me happy… because there is no inevitable misfortune or sadness in your future. Yes… anything is possible!”

Chen Xiao nearly rolled his eyes.

…This Fireworks must be a die-hard fan of Li Ning.

…

With a face full of confusion, Chen Xiao walked out of the room, still dazed as he stepped into the courtyard.

“You’ve finished?” Gonggong glanced at him. “No, you don’t have to tell me what was said! That’s the rule!”

Chen Xiao thought for a moment—it seemed he’d gained something, yet at the same time nothing at all.

Anything is possible…

Damn it! Isn’t this just messing with me?

…

The second to enter was Cabbage Girl.

She hurried into the room, and at first sight of the elegant Fireworks, Cabbage Girl couldn’t help but marvel for a moment. Then, nervously, she stared at Fireworks for a long time, her cheeks flushed, twisting her clothes anxiously. In a bashful voice, she asked:

“Please… may I ask… who will my future husband be? Is… is he outside right now? Is he that young man outside?”

A few minutes later, Cabbage Girl ran out of the room, beaming with excitement. But the moment she returned to the courtyard and saw the people there, her expression immediately collapsed!

Standing next to Gonggong in the courtyard was not Chen Xiao—but Young Master Xu!

That rascal stood under the elm tree, arms crossed and grinning.

Cabbage Girl’s face was ashen with shock and despair, as though she’d seen a ghost in broad daylight. Suddenly, she screamed, pointing at Xu Ershao: “You!! What are you doing here?! Where’s Chen Xiao?!”

“Chen Xiao?” Xu Ershao looked confused. “He seemed preoccupied and went back to the car first… As for me… You all were taking so long, I got a bit worried and came over to check.”

Cabbage Girl glared at Xu Ershao with absolute despair, as if she’d like to tear him to pieces on the spot!

…

Inside the room, a door at the back opened, and a delicate voice laughed, “Fireworks, thank you for your help.”

Fireworks didn’t turn around, only took a sip of tea and smiled serenely. “You, saying thank you… That’s rare indeed.”

The girl who stepped out was none other than Phoenix!

She approached Fireworks, gently tugged at her sleeve, and smiled softly. “Alright… In all the world, you only meet everyone once—so I’m your only friend you see often! And this whole situation… you started it, didn’t you…”

Fireworks smiled, placing her hand over Phoenix’s, her voice filled with affection and indulgence. She shook her head with a wry smile. “Little Phoenix, I regret it… I shouldn’t have told you who your future partner would be… If I hadn’t, you wouldn’t have gone looking for this young man… If you hadn’t, I wouldn’t have had the chance to meet him… and I wouldn’t have seen so many strange possibilities in his future…”

But then her expression grew grave.

“Phoenix, I don’t know how to tell you this.”

“Hm? What is it?” Phoenix’s cheeks actually turned a charming pink.

“I feel uneasy… I’ve seen so many people, but when I looked at this young man today, for the first time I felt a deep unease!” Fireworks said seriously. “His future is so strange, filled with anomalies… In fact, finding even a single straight path, a single inevitability, is nearly impossible! I’ve never seen anyone like this! In other words, his entire future is made up almost entirely of chance and changeable factors!”

Phoenix seemed puzzled. “What does that have to do with your unease?”

“Because I’m worried about you!”

A hint of conflict appeared in Fireworks’ eyes as she frowned. “I can’t figure it out either… Perhaps I should put it this way.”

She sighed, fixing Phoenix with a resolute gaze. “In your fate, he is destined for you—he is inevitable. But in his fate, you are not inevitable, only a matter of chance!”

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