If you want to leave work early to go on a date and play cards with your girlfriend, but get caught red-handed by your superior right at the main entrance—your salary is as good as gone.
Standing before him was a pink-haired girl, two heads shorter yet radiating a killing intent so sharp it could pierce the heavens. Yu Xian's heart was filled with nothing but despair.
On the other hand, Fu Xuan's thoughts were far simpler.
Angry! Furious! Absolutely livid!
She was fuming at his sheer lack of ambition!
If she hadn't divined that Yu Xian would try sneaking out of the Divination Commission right at this exact moment—if she hadn't personally abandoned her work just to catch him red-handed at the main gate—this slacker, this disgrace of an aide, would've actually gotten away with it!
The usually composed and dignified Master Diviner grew angrier the more she thought about it. Her large eyes glared daggers, her delicate brows knotted tightly, her youthful face flushed crimson, and her teeth ground faintly with restrained fury.
Hiss—
Watching her, Yu Xian couldn't help but suck in a cold breath.
Now he understood.
Even without the Matrix of Prescience, Fu Xuan's fury was as clear as daylight.
And sure enough, the next moment, Fu Xuan's voice cracked like thunder.
"It's working hours, Yu Xian! You— you scoundrel! How could you of all people start skipping work now!"
"..."
Yu Xian stayed silent. Or rather, silence was his only option.
"How could you start skipping work now"—what was he supposed to say to that?
Normally, he didn't. He was the kind who left exactly on time every day. The only reason he'd tried sneaking out early today was because Qingque—who'd ditched work even earlier—had asked him to join her.
So, technically speaking, Fu Xuan's question was perfectly reasonable. Her tone even sounded like she was expecting a legitimate reason—perhaps thinking something serious had happened.
But…
A bead of sweat trickled down Yu Xian's temple as he forced a strained smile.
He couldn't tell her the truth.
What was he supposed to say? "Master Diviner, you know I never skip work—but Qingque asked me out to hang out, so I decided to tag along"?
That would be social suicide. Forget his salary—Qingque's career would be over.
No, absolutely not.
He had to lie. But what kind of excuse could fool Fu Xuan, who could literally divine falsehoods?
Could anyone even pull that off?
The silence between them stretched, heavy and suffocating.
Fu Xuan's patience was running thin—Yu Xian could almost see her "anger meter" rising by the second. If he didn't say something soon, his odds of surviving the next minute were plummeting fast.
Panic struck. Without thinking, Yu Xian blurted out,
"Master Diviner, I… I want to go out and play."
…
Fu Xuan gave him a look that screamed, Are you actually brain-dead?
And at that instant, Yu Xian realized he was.
Brilliant move, idiot. Why not just hand in your resignation while you're at it?
If this kept up, it wouldn't just be his pay—it'd be his job.
He had to salvage it. Fast.
Gathering what little courage he had left, Yu Xian straightened his back, coughed lightly, and began his performance.
"Ahem… Actually, I phrased it that way to spare you unnecessary concern, Master Diviner. But since that answer doesn't satisfy you, I suppose I must tell you the truth."
Fu Xuan narrowed her eyes.
Yu Xian sighed deeply, lowered his head, and spoke in a low, sorrowful tone.
"Master Diviner… I've been diagnosed with Mara."
Fu Xuan blinked.
"With a certificate signed by Bailu herself," Yu Xian continued, his voice trembling just right. "I… don't have much time left."
He let his shoulders slump, face shadowed in tragic melancholy. "Before the Ten-Lords Commission takes me away, I just wanted to add a little joy to what remains of my short life. Just a little…"
Then, as if swept by a wave of emotion, Yu Xian raised his head, eyes glistening. Two tears rolled dramatically down his cheeks.
"Master Diviner… can you understand that feeling?"
It was a performance so heartfelt, so moving, that even Fu Xuan hesitated. Her eyes softened; tears began to well up.
But just as she started to feel sympathy—
Something clicked in her mind.
Her expression froze. She blinked once, twice, and then, without a word, lifted one leg—smoothly sheathed in elegant white stockings with flowing cloud patterns—and gave Yu Xian a sharp kick to the shin.
"OWW—! M-Master Diviner, what was that for?!"
Fu Xuan glared, rubbing her own foot in mild pain. "I just remembered—you're not even from the Xianzhou! You're listed as an Outworlder in the Commission's records!"
She jabbed a finger at him. "How could an Outworlder even get Mara? You almost fooled me, you shameless liar!"
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A/n: While I am a new translator, I have a Patreon! While it may be a bit empty right now both this and the other book on my page has advanced chapters posted on patreon.
patreon.com/deadlygoober