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"Fates within a family are interdependent, sharing the same destiny. Now that his fate has shifted and you've taken him as your godson, you're shouldering his misfortunes. As he overcomes his trials and becomes more powerful in terms of destiny, he inadvertently takes away your fortune and prosperity," Chu Yuening explained with a calm tone.

She posed a question, "Wouldn't that mean he's essentially taking your money and giving it back to you?"

Tao Haizhou's forehead was dotted with beads of sweat. He hadn't expected that acknowledging a godson could have such a significant impact on one's destiny.

Upon closer reflection, it made sense.

Ah Hao's family had been extremely poor, and his friend Tao had no special skills, relying solely on physical labor for income. After acknowledging the godson, the latter seemed to enjoy increasing luck and accumulating wealth.

So... it was all being siphoned from Tao's destiny?

Before Tao could inquire about a solution, the master continued.

"The son was born when you were 24, right?"

Tao nodded hastily. "Yes, exactly at 24, a day after my birthday."

Chu Yuening remarked, "In my calculations, I found that your son's birth chart shouldn't resemble what you described. His chart suggests he should be diligent, ambitious, and courageous. Yet, you claim he's lazy and has accomplished nothing. Based on current trends, he'll lead an unremarkable life. Do you know why there's such a stark difference?"

Upon hearing this, Tao Haizhou's heart sank drastically. "Is it also because of the godparent relationship?"

"Yes," Chu Yuening affirmed. "You're destined to have only one son. If you forcibly bring in another, not only will your fortune and blessings be divided, but so will those of your son. Your son would also have to bear the brunt of disasters."

"I see a faint dark aura pressing against your facial features related to your offspring. I suppose your son hasn't been in the best of health recently."

Tao Haizhou's eyes shot up in alarm, his lips trembling.

His son had indeed been hospitalized after being hit by a car the day before. He had initially thought it was just an accident due to carelessness.

So...it was actually connected to the godparent relationship?

It didn't matter to him, but he couldn't let his child suffer such calamities.

Tao Haizhou stopped pondering and knelt down with a thud.

"I beg Master to save my son."

"It's serious," Chu Yuening sighed, extending her hand to help him up. "Now, we must rectify the situation."

Tao Haizhou immediately understood that they were talking about severing the godparent relationship. He panicked and said, "Yes, of course! Back then, when my friend came to me, their child was so weak and would cough after just a few steps. They said that acknowledging a godparent could improve their health. I couldn't bear to see it, after all, the child's life is precious too. I had to help if I could."

Faced with this situation, Tao Haizhou was filled with regret. "If I knew it would end up like this, I would never have agreed to become a godparent back then. In the end, I've only harmed myself and my son. Master, I'll go back and sever the relationship right away. Do I need to follow any procedures?"

"No need for any formalities," Chu Yuening shook her head. "Just verbally renounce the relationship in person."

"I'll go now." Tao Haizhou hastily fished out some money from his pocket, thinking of his son who was still in the hospital, suffering.

He took out two crumpled hundred-yuan bills and smoothed them repeatedly as he said respectfully, "Master, your divination is truly invaluable."

Tao Haizhou had been wealthy before, and he knew better than anyone the worth of a skilled fortune-teller.

"Two hundred yuan is too little. Once this matter is resolved, I, Tao, will surely come with a grand offering to express my gratitude."

Chu Yuening accepted the two hundred yuan and waved her hand. "Once a divination is done, the cause and effect are settled. Go on."

"Yes."

It was Tao Haizhou's first time meeting such an uncorrupted master. Grateful, he left the dessert stall.

Arriving at the roadside, he first called his wife who was at the hospital. Initially, he intended to tell her about severing the godparent relationship, but upon hearing his son's cries of pain through the phone, his heart lurched with worry.

"Tao Jr., what's wrong?" Tao Haizhou asked anxiously.

His wife was equally distressed. "Maybe the car accident injuries were too severe. Jr. keeps crying about leg pain."

Tao Haizhou hurriedly reassured her, "Call a doctor to examine Jr. immediately. Be bold in treatment and medication. I'll borrow money to cover the fees. Tell the doctor to heal Jr. completely, don't let there be any long-term issues with his leg."

When his son had the car accident, it was his leg that got hit.

The master had said that being a godparent would shield the other from calamities. Now, Tao Haizhou feared that his son's leg might become permanently disabled due to the curse.

At this point, bankruptcy and debt seemed like minor issues.

Tao Haizhou quickly flew to his friend's house. Gazing at the impressive villa, he couldn't help but feel a surge of melancholy. There was no other reason than the fact that the villa had once been his.

After his bankruptcy, he hastily sold off his assets, and coincidentally, his friend was looking to buy a house, so he sold the villa to him.

By now, he didn't blame his friend too much. After all, his friend had only acted for the sake of his own son.

With a sincere heart, Tao Haizhou, being a father himself, naturally understood the lengths a parent would go for their child. The crucial point was that his friend was unaware of the significant impact of having a godparent.

Having grown up together, they could still maintain their friendship after discussing the matter openly.

Tao Haizhou stepped onto the porch and waved the servants away. He didn't wish for his friend to be seen losing face by outsiders when he severed the godparent relationship.

"Yes, Mr. Tao," the servant acknowledged, nodding before retreating.

Pushing open the door to the villa, Tao Haizhou hadn't even called out when he faintly heard noises coming from the adjacent room. He followed the sound.

In the side room, Sun Shuzhen carried a tray of fruit and saw her son lying on the sofa, juggling an orange with his feet. "You, why are you still at home today? Didn't you go to visit your godfather?"

Wang Hao tossed the orange, casually bouncing his legs. "I went yesterday. Do I have to go again today?"

"Good boy, I've told you this before," Wang Tianlu spoke up from the side. "Years ago, a master fortune-teller predicted that you had a weak and sickly destiny. To counteract it, you needed to find a godparent."

"The master also said that the godparent should be someone wealthy and influential," Wang Tianlu continued. "They could not only protect you from misfortune but also bring prosperity to our family."