My Father Has Been Dead for Eighteen Years

Meng Ban Xian lived in the central area of Fu Cheng, in a self-built house, and a very beautiful one at that. It was a two-story Western-style building with a rock garden, flowing water, and a flower garden in the courtyard, clearly indicating a wealthy family.

This individual was considered a legend in Fu Cheng. Previously, his nickname was Meng Lai Zi, a name that immediately suggested a scoundrel. Meng Ban Xian was over fifty, but before he turned forty-five, he was still known as Meng Lai Zi.

For the first forty-five years of his life, Meng Lai Zi accomplished nothing, living in the old house left by his parents, unable even to afford roof repairs. He idled his days away, disliked wherever he went. While his parents were alive, they found him a wife, but within a few years, she ran off with another man.

His parents, angered by their good-for-nothing son, fell ill and were bedridden, passing away one after another a few years later. After that, the man named Meng suddenly became mysterious, traveling everywhere, claiming that a Bodhisattva had enlightened him, allowing him to see through heavenly secrets, knowing half of heaven and all of earth.

Initially, no one believed him, but he truly possessed some skill. He told fortunes for a few neighbors, and they proved remarkably accurate. Gradually, his reputation spread far and wide, and clients flocked to his door, even from neighboring counties.

Meng Lai Zi transformed into Meng Ban Xian. His old house was demolished and replaced with a two-story Western-style building. The bald, ordinary-looking Meng Ban Xian married a young, beautiful wife twenty years his junior, who even bore him a chubby son. The Meng Lai Zi whom everyone once despised had now become a life winner, admired by all.

A plaque hung outside the Meng family's gate, inscribed with "Meng Manor," looking quite impressive. Jiang Han Yan snorted coldly, thinking it was all just a deliberate show of mystery and pretense.

"Go in, just follow my instructions."

He Dan and Lin Xiang Hong were a bit nervous. Fighting was no problem for them, but this brainy task, they feared they would mess up their sister-in-law's plan.

"What's there to be nervous about? Say less, just maintain a calm expression," Jiang Han Yan said.

"Yes."

The two nodded, took out sunglasses from their pockets, and put them on. Their demeanor immediately changed, exuding a certain aura of gang bosses.

Lin Xiang Hong swaggered in front, with He Dan following behind, looking like a bodyguard. In the courtyard, several guests surrounded a bald, ruddy-faced old man, all looking respectful.

That old man was Meng Ban Xian. He was reading a client's palm, speaking eloquently. Lin Xiang Hong and He Dan caused quite a stir, and Meng Ban Xian and the guests all turned to look at them.

"Boss, sit here."

He Dan solicitously pulled out a chair for Lin Xiang Hong, saying, "Boss, rest assured, this Meng Ban Xian is very accurate. He'll definitely be able to tell you about the old master's situation, and you can report back to Madam when you get home."

"Is he really that capable?" Lin Xiang Hong asked impassively.

"Capable, indeed! I've inquired around, and Meng Ban Xian is the most accurate in the entire city. I even heard people say that if Meng Ban Xian's predictions aren't accurate, he'll compensate you a thousand yuan!" He Dan said naively.

The other waiting guests also chimed in, saying that Meng Ban Xian was indeed very accurate, and that the thousand-yuan compensation had now increased to two thousand yuan.

It turned out that Meng Ban Xian, in the past, to attract clients and show off his abilities, had declared that he would pay a thousand yuan if his predictions were inaccurate. But until now, no one had ever come to Meng Ban Xian to claim the money.

Firstly, Meng Ban Xian was indeed skilled at deception, mixing truth with falsehood, and a single statement could have multiple interpretations, making it impossible to accuse him of being wrong. Secondly, many people did not want to offend a mysterious figure like Meng Ban Xian, fearing they might be secretly harmed without knowing when.

He Dan chuckled and said, "Boss, look, they're compensating two thousand yuan now, so he must be accurate. Later, you can ask Meng Ban Xian how your father is doing."

"Mm."

Lin Xiang Hong sat up straight, responding coldly, exuding an air of authority.

Meng Ban Xian saw this and secretly rejoiced. This was truly a God of Wealth coming knocking at his door.

This type of client, inquiring about a relative's situation, was the easiest to deceive. It was probably a father who had run away, or a couple having marital problems, and they might not have seen each other for many years. Later, he just needed to be vague and coax them, and he would surely swindle a large sum of money.

Finally, it was Lin Xiang Hong's turn. Meng Ban Xian pretended to observe his appearance, and also read his palm, before slowly asking, "Do you wish to inquire about your esteemed father's recent situation?"

"Yes, my mother has been dreaming of my father these past few days and wants to know how he is doing," Lin Xiang Hong said.

"You haven't seen your father in many years, have you?" Meng Ban Xian asked.

"Seventeen or eighteen years. I don't even remember what my father looks like anymore. I heard you're very accurate at fortune-telling. Tell me, how is my father now?" Lin Xiang Hong suppressed a smile, asking as Jiang Han Yan had instructed.

He Dan, standing nearby, shouted, "Calculate carefully, Boss. My boss has a lot of money; if you're accurate, there will definitely be a big red envelope."

Meng Ban Xian smiled faintly, feigning profound mystery: "Let me cast a divination."

Then, he quickly counted on his fingers, muttering something indistinct. The other guests gathered around curiously, wanting to hear what Meng Ban Xian would say.

Finally, Meng Ban Xian stopped muttering, opened his eyes, and shook his head with a sigh: "Your esteemed father's situation is not very good!"

"What's wrong with my father? Is he not living well?" Lin Xiang Hong feigned anxiety.

"Don't rush, let me calculate carefully again. However, I must warn you, calculating such matters is very taxing on my vital essence and will reduce my lifespan. The fee for this reading is not the same as for ordinary people," Meng Ban Xian said, feigning difficulty.

"Money is not an issue. As long as I can find out about my father's situation, any amount of money is fine. Please calculate quickly." Lin Xiang Hong's tone was urgent, just as Meng Ban Xian wished. This type of client's money was the easiest to swindle.

Meng Ban Xian again pretended to calculate for a while. After a long time, he looked exhausted and said wearily, "I've finally figured it out. Your esteemed father is not far from you and your mother; he just has a knot in his heart and refuses to return home. You should go east, search in cities with water, and you will surely find your father."

Lin Xiang Hong's expression changed abruptly, and he clenched his fists. He Dan's expression was also very strange, staring blankly at Meng Ban Xian.

"Go east to find my father in a city with water? Why would he run there?" Lin Xiang Hong's tone was a bit peculiar, but Meng Ban Xian didn't notice, smiling and saying, "Perhaps there's some conflict with your esteemed mother. Let me explain in more detail: coastal cities to the east, with names containing 'water,' don't look in small counties, look in large cities. As long as you are sincere, you will definitely find your esteemed father."

He thought to himself, Hu Cheng and Hang Cheng are both large coastal cities; finding someone there is harder than finding a needle in a haystack. If he doesn't find him, it's because this kid isn't sincere. Anyway, he's already pointed the way, so he can't be accused of being inaccurate.

"My father is in a coastal city? He's still alive, right?" Lin Xiang Hong asked another question, his tone growing even stranger.

Meng Ban Xian sensed something was off, but he didn't think much of it, affirming, "Still alive and well, rest assured."

"Rest assured, my ass! My father has been dead for eighteen years! What the hell is 'alive and well'? You dare to swindle money from me, you didn't even bother to find out who I am!"

Lin Xiang Hong furiously stood up, slammed his fist onto the small table in front of Meng Ban Xian, and glared angrily at him.