Chapter 290: Pockmark Li (1/2)

After completing the formalities, we left the station with Pockmark who was filled with gratitude. The man was named Li, although he claimed people in the Jianghu knew him as Pockmark Li.

In truth, those who mentioned the Jianghu in every exchange annoyed me for I suspected such people were all talk and no action.

”Where’s your friend? Are you out alone on business?” I asked.

”He’s here as well,” answered Pockmark Li. “What an uproar! The police charged in as soon as I removed my clothes. Even Dou E can’t compare to the injustice I’ve suffered. My cell phone is still at the massage parlor so I can't contact my partner. Can I borrow yours?”

”Bullshit!” I chided. “Isn’t it all because you don’t pay attention to your actions?!”

I passed him my cell phone. After a brief call, the man skillfully removed all traces by deleting the call record.

”Tell me then, what misfortune and death do you foresee?”

Pockmark Li eyed Xiaotao up and down several times, his lips murmuring incoherently. I had to admit his act looked almost professional. A while later, he said, ”Excuse me, miss, are you currently single?”

Xiaotao grabbed my arm, answering with an arch of her eyebrow. ”Why do you ask?”

”There are certain questions that must be asked to read your fortune,” Pockmark Li coughed dryly. “Don't overthink it.”

Xiaotao curled her lips impatiently as Pockmark Li continued with a series of seemingly random questions. ”What are your bust, waist and hip measurements?” he asked.

Seething with anger, Xiaotao’s eyes smoldered under a stony expression as she clenched her fist, ready to give the man a well deserved beating.

”Any more excuses and I'll invite you back to the station,” I warned through gritted teeth.

”Okay, I'll get straight to it,” Pockmark Li urgently cut to the chase. “Your destined calamity corresponds to the Taiyin Star and will happen within the month. You can't hide from it because of your fate. From what I see, the calamity could be related to matters of the boudoir. There might be a way for you to avoid it, though I can’t say for sure. You should visit a temple to obtain a white amulet. Make sure to keep it on you at all times. It may protect you.”

Stunned by his remarks, I stood there brain stuttering for a moment but before I could respond, Pockmark Li clenched both his hands into fists and lamented, ”I've revealed too much. I’m afraid I’ll be punished with another pockmark on my face! We'll meet again.”

And with that, he quickly hailed a cab from the side of the road and ran off, all within seconds. ”Another cheat!” Xiaotao burst into rage. “How dare he play a trick on us! What does a stupid calamity have to do with the boudoir?! He’s talking about...”

The teasing we received from this charlatan evoked both anger and laughter so I didn't think much of it at the time. Xiaotao and I left for our destination where we had a simple lunch. After our last intimate contact, we seemed more attuned with each other. Even when the conversation lapsed, her eyes shone with a warm tenderness as she fixed her gaze on me.

After lunch, Xiaotao went back to the station while I returned to my dormitory for several games of League of Legends with my roommates. At the time, I doubted the veracity of Pockmark Li’s prophecy, never imagining that the bloody calamity he foresaw was real, and the death of Officer Niu was only the beginning!

The next evening, I received a call from Xiaotao who asked, ”Are you busy tonight?”

”I’m busy thinking about you!” I teased.

I could hear the muffled sound of chewing coming from the other end of the line. Xiaotao chuckled, ”You’re becoming more of a sweet talker, aren’t you? Guess what I'm doing now?”

”Are you eating?” I ventured.

”I just came out of the shower and I’m lying in bed eating strawberries,” she replied.

“What a coincidence,” I said. “I happen to have a sudden craving for strawberries.”

I was suddenly interrupted by a knock on my bed as Dali grumbled, ”Fight against the show of affection! It starts with me!” My other two roommates started to join in the “resistance.”

”Do you need me for something?” I asked, cheeks coloring with embarrassment.

Xiaotao explained that she had a little matter to discuss with me. Officer Ouyang's sixtietth birthday was tomorrow and she wanted to prepare a gift but she didn’t know what to get a man.