The next day.
Lin Qiu got out of bed, tidied himself up, and then went out to beg for food.
Oh, no, he went out to earn money.
He had no money left, and if he didn't go begging… if he didn't go make money, he would starve to death in Fontaine.
He could go to Charlotte's place for a free meal, but he couldn't go every day; he still needed to earn his own money.
And Lin Qiu's method of making money was very simple: two words—'fortune-telling'.
Near the market, Lin Qiu set up a small stall. He didn't display anything, just placed a flag next to it.
The flag had the two characters 'fortune-telling' written on it.
Actually, in the bottom left corner of the flag, there were also three small words: 'not guaranteed to be true'. These words were pitifully small.
He himself sat on a small stool, wearing sunglasses.
He stroked his non-existent beard, looking like a half-immortal.
"fortune-telling, extremely accurate fortune-telling!"
Lin Qiu didn't know how to tell fortunes, but it didn't matter whether he knew or not.
Many people sought fortune-telling for their studies, love, or career.
In reality, they were just feeling confused and needed someone to give them motivation to persevere.
If he encountered someone who genuinely needed help, Lin Qiu could simply decline their business.
He would say, 'Heaven's secrets must not be revealed,' and tell them to seek out truly capable individuals.
Rather than being a fortune teller, Lin Qiu was more of a motivational speaker.
His small stall unexpectedly became quite popular.
People walked and stopped in front of his stall, and more and more onlookers gathered, but no one came forward for a fortune-telling.
Most of these people were simply curious.
They also had fortune tellers in Fontaine, though here they were called diviners, who would use a crystal ball for divination.
They had truly never seen a Liyue fortune teller like Lin Qiu, who didn't use any tools, which was why they were all gathered here to watch.
The onlookers hadn't yet believed in Lin Qiu's abilities, which was why no one had come forward to patronize his business.
"Please do not all gather here."
"Please maintain order."
Two voices sounded, and two figures in Gardes uniforms were dispersing the crowd.
Because Lin Qiu chose a street near the market, not inside the market, the traffic here was very heavy.
The onlookers had already caused some traffic congestion, which was why the Gardes appeared here to disperse the crowd.
"Is that Mister Lin Qiu?" Xie Ni recognized the 'culprit' causing the congestion.
"Hello, Miss Xie Ni." Lin Qiu nodded.
"This is Mister Lin Qiu, a novelist who just arrived in Fontaine, and an acquaintance of Miss Charlotte."
Xie Ni introduced him to her senior, Frederica.
"This is my senior, Frederica; he's a genius, you know."
Hmm? Such a familiar introduction, is it my imagination?
Lin Qiu felt as if this scene had happened yesterday.
Is this some kind of endless August?
The two greeted each other, establishing an acquaintance, after which Frederica continued to disperse the crowd.
Xie Ni, on the other hand, was responsible for communicating with Lin Qiu.
"Although we are acquaintances, please apply for a permit before setting up a stall."
"You need to set up a stall in a permitted location." Xie Ni rubbed her forehead.
Seeing that the 'offender' was an acquaintance, Xie Ni was also a bit helpless.
"Sorry, I wasn't aware." Lin Qiu said apologetically.
"I know, I don't mean to blame you."
"However, business is business, Mister Lin Qiu, this action of yours is subject to a fine."
Xie Ni maintained a professional demeanor; after all, as a Gardes member, how could she openly show favoritism?
Lin Qiu instantly wilted like a frosted eggplant.
He hadn't expected to not only fail to earn money but also be fined; now he couldn't afford to eat even more.
'Grrr ~' Lin Qiu's stomach rumbled at an opportune moment.
"Mister Lin Qiu didn't have breakfast?" Xie Ni asked.
"That's right, I just rented a house, and I have no money left for food." Lin Qiu told the truth.
Xie Ni thought for a moment, then her eyes suddenly lit up.
She was worried Frederica would hear, so she whispered:
"Even if it's to support him, can your senior invent a machine that makes breakfast?"
This question left Lin Qiu a bit confused; what kind of fortune-telling was this?
However, if there was business, he still had to do it.
Lin Qiu recalled Frederica's character setting.
This person didn't seem to be a true genius; he just pretended to be one.
Everyone else had seen through this, and the reason he still pretended to be a genius was because Xie Ni still believed he was one.
In fact, Xie Ni had known for a long time that he wasn't a genius; she just deliberately didn't expose him.
She would even intentionally ask some difficult questions.
Then she would watch Frederica's reaction and give timely hints, finding amusement in it.
The more he recalled, the more Lin Qiu wanted to jump off a building, so he stopped reminiscing and answered:
"He can't invent it."
"Is that so, hehe." Xie Ni smiled slyly; this was just as Xie Ni had guessed.
The reason she specifically asked Lin Qiu was partly to confirm, and partly to help Lin Qiu out.
"Senior Frederica, how about we make a bet?"
"Let's bet on whether you, a genius, can invent a machine that makes breakfast."
"If you can't do it, then my breakfast will be made by Senior Frederica himself from now on."
Frederica agreed. As a 'genius,' how could he say he couldn't invent it?
?
Dude, I'm starving to death, and you're feeding me dog food here?
What good is feeding me dog food? Can that fill me up? I…
"Mister Lin Qiu, I will use the fortune-telling money to pay your fine, so you don't have to pay it."
I… I thank you.
Well fed! I love this stuff.
You're making me ship you two a little.
"Mister Lin Qiu, although you don't have to pay the fine, you still need to pack up your stall as soon as possible. I'll help you apply for a stall permit, and then you can set up your stall again."
"Okay." Lin Qiu nodded; this was certainly fine.
Not only was he not fined, but the issue of applying for a stall was also resolved for him.
What a good person! I wish you two many children soon.
Just as Xie Ni and Frederica left, Lin Qiu also packed up his belongings, preparing to leave.
Actually, he didn't have much; besides the flag and the folding stool under his bottom, there was only the folding stool prepared for guests.
Just then, a blonde Damselette stood in front of Lin Qiu.
Her long golden hair, coupled with the intricately designed, luxurious dress she wore, and a delicate top hat, truly befitted the word 'lady'.
Lin Qiu saw the newcomer and called out her name: "Navia?"
"Oh? As expected of a great fortune teller, you even know my name."
Navia was wearing sunglasses, so her eyes couldn't be seen, but her lips were upturned, so she must have been happy.
She was likely happy that her reputation had grown so much that even outsiders knew her.
"Huh? What name? I was asking 'who' (Na Wei Ya)?"
Lin Qiu deliberately said, feigning ignorance.
'#'!
Navia was very angry.
She could tell Lin Qiu was calling her name, but he was now playing dumb.
And even making a pun with her name! A homophone pun!
"Pfft…" Silver, who was following behind Navia, couldn't hold back his laughter.