Want to Fall in Love? I’ll Direct You.

“The future fates of these two occasionally diverge and occasionally intertwine—no, it’s more like they might diverge or might intertwine,” Mu Li said, her hand resting on her chin as she pondered. “This kind of situation is truly rare; I’ve never seen it before.”

“Schrödinger’s destiny line,” Lin Shao muttered instinctively. Seeing Mu Li’s confused expression, he didn’t bother to explain. “So, in the end, will they drift apart or become a couple?”

Mu Li was silent for a moment before answering, “It depends on external stimuli. If someone intentionally brings them together, their fates will eventually intertwine. If someone intentionally drives them apart, their fates will go their separate ways.”

“Could I be that so-called ‘external stimulus’?”

Mu Li nodded.

Lin Shao chuckled to himself and secretly observed the duo. The “ice beauty” was still staring intently at the red jade pendant, while the man in coarse cloth wandered among the plants grown in pots and pans. From time to time, he glanced at the girl’s back, his eyes overflowing with a tenderness he couldn’t hide.

“Looking at him is like looking at a mirror of my middle school crushes,” Lin Shao couldn’t help but sigh.

Mu Li followed up, “What is ‘middle school’? What is a ‘crush’?”

“Something from a long, long time ago, don’t worry about it,” Lin Shao brushed it off. He continued to observe this “Schrödinger’s Destiny Duo.” Honestly, he was inclined to play matchmaker. After all, he was a kind soul who loved a happy ending.

Besides, since he already had Mu Li by his side and had effectively escaped the ranks of the “perpetually single,” he was firmly on the side of romance.

After a short while, the icy girl said something to the man and quickly left the shop. The man’s gaze followed her silhouette for a long time before he let out a soft sigh. He hesitated in the shop for a bit longer, looking back at the red jade pendant the girl had been admiring, before finally appearing to make up his mind and walking toward Lin Shao.

“Shopkeeper, how much for this jade pendant?” he asked.

Lin Shao adopted an air of profound mystery. “This pendant is not for sale. It is only gifted to those who are destined.” Since he no longer needed to hoard large amounts of money, he didn’t necessarily have to sell it. Moreover, the man didn’t look like he came from wealth; he almost certainly couldn’t afford it, so there was no point in scaring him off with a high price.

“Destined?” The man was clearly interested. “What kind of destiny?”

Lin Shao looked him over twice before suddenly speaking up. “You like that girl from just now?”

It was as if his deepest secret had been plucked out of his heart. The man stumbled, waving his hands frantically. “Shopkeeper, what are you joking about? Li Zhuwen is so outstanding; how could I ever be worthy of her?”

Kid, where is your head? I asked if you liked her, and you answered whether you’re worthy. That’s basically a confession, Lin Shao thought. Seeing the man’s face turn red and his eyes darting away, Lin Shao couldn’t help but feel emotional. What a pure-hearted youth.

“Sit.” Lin Shao pointed to a random seat, and the pure-hearted man sat down obediently.

The man looked Lin Shao up and down. Seeing his extraordinary aura and immortal-like manner, and then seeing Mu Li sitting beside him—first stunned by her breathtaking beauty, then realizing her eyes were bandaged yet she acted no different from a sighted person—he was instantly filled with respect. He concluded that these two must be people of great ability.

“Greetings, Shopkeeper. Greetings, Lady Shopkeeper,” he said, assuming Lin Shao and Mu Li were a couple. “My name is Hou Xingyue. The lady just now was Li Zhuwen. We are both disciples of the Wan Jian Pavilion. Our Sect Master was invited here, and we followed along.”

At the title “Lady Shopkeeper,” Lin Shao glanced at Mu Li. Her face remained expressionless—no blush, but no anger either.

He remembered something and smiled. “So you’re from the Wan Jian Pavilion. In a few days, I happen to be going to see your Sect Master to take a look at the legendary Ethereal Void Sword.”

Hou Xingyue was struck with shock. He had heard from Li Zhuwen that the Sect Master was invited by the Eternal Empress herself—the current ruler, Di Yao. But according to this shopkeeper, did the Empress invite the Sect Master specifically for him?

The shopkeeper is that powerful? Even the Empress is personally helping him?

He immediately stood up and gave a deep bow. “This junior was blind and did not recognize a master. If I have offended you in any way, I beg for your forgiveness, Senior!”

Why the sudden formality? Lin Shao quickly realized that Hou Xingyue must have mistaken him for someone of the same generation as the Wan Jian Pavilion’s Sect Master, leading to this mixture of respect and fear.

When he had “sold” the poem, he had put on an act to bluff Di Yao, but in normal circumstances, he didn’t like acting like a big shot. If the other person was constantly bowing and scraping, it made conversation uncomfortable.

“You don’t need to be so formal with me. I’m not of the same generation as your Sect Master. I simply asked someone of my own generation to invite him over.”

Hou Xingyue was even more stunned. If the person of the “same generation” the shopkeeper referred to was the Empress, then his seniority was actually higher than the Sect Master’s! What do I do? Should I kowtow like I’m meeting the Emperor?

Wait, Senior said not to be so formal. Does he mean I shouldn’t be so stiff? Hou Xingyue thought for a moment. That must be it. Senior deliberately took the form of a young man just to bridge the gap between generations. He is a kind and easygoing person.

Hou Xingyue had worked as a servant boy when he was young and was quick-witted. If Senior didn’t want to be treated as a senior and he refused to comply, it might actually make him unhappy.

With that thought, he steadied his breathing and gave a respectful smile. “Then this kid won’t stand on ceremony.”

“That’s still standing on ceremony,” Lin Shao remarked. Recalling Mu Li’s mention that Hou Xingyue was an outer disciple, he asked curiously, “You are an outer disciple of the Wan Jian Pavilion; why would the Sect Master bring you along on a trip?”

How does the shopkeeper know I’m an outer disciple? Is it my clothes? No, these are from my hometown and have nothing to do with the Pavilion. If he were guessing from clothes, he’d just guess I was a traveling trainee.

Seeing Hou Xingyue’s confusion, Lin Shao laughed. “You think you can hide anything from me? Not only do I know you’re an outer disciple, but I also know you come from a poor family and have known Li Zhuwen since you were children.”

Hearing Lin Shao recount his life story with perfect accuracy, Hou Xingyue was dazed. He marveled to himself, “As expected of the Empress’s peer, he truly has god-like abilities.”

Because Hou Xingyue’s voice was too low, Lin Shao didn’t hear him clearly. Seeing the kid stunned, Lin Shao chuckled and asked again, “Do you like Li Zhuwen?”

Hou Xingyue wasn’t stupid. Seeing Lin Shao ask this twice, there had to be a deeper meaning. He couldn’t guess exactly what it was, but a glimmer of hope rose in his heart.

He had heard stories since he was a child about meeting a hidden master who changes one’s life. Now that a legendary master was right in front of him, he couldn’t let the opportunity slip away!

Though shy, he finally answered, “Yes.”

The corners of Lin Shao’s mouth curled upward. In his previous life, he had accumulated a wealth of theoretical knowledge about romance but never had the chance to use it. In this life, he had basically “eloped” within two days and still had no chance for “practice.” It was a great regret.

Now, a living test subject—no, a person in need of help—was right before him. It was finally time for the “Saint of Love” to shine.

As Hou Xingyue watched Lin Shao’s smile become increasingly strange, his heart began to throb with a faint, inexplicable sense of panic.