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Chen Siyu could never erase from her memory the image of her father, clad in tattered clothes, waiting for her at the school gate with a bag of snacks, wearing a cautious, pleading smile that sought her approval.

"He secretly came to school to find me and brought me many things. He said that back then, Mother didn't understand him, insisted on divorcing him, and even fought for custody to prevent him from visiting me."

"I confess that in that moment, seeing my father in tattered clothes softened my heart; he has been intermittently seeking me out these past few days, attempting to mend our father-daughter relationship."

Chu Yuening gazed at Chen Siyu's furrowed brow and inquired, "What are your thoughts on this?"

Chen Siyu's brows furrowed gently, her beautiful eyes filled with distress. "He... is so pitiful, having neither children nor having remarried. If I too were to disregard him, he would truly be all alone without any support."

Yet... I can't acknowledge him. If I do, what about the hardships my mother endured for over a decade? After the divorce, she was expelled from our home by my grandmother, and she single-handedly struggled to make a living in Hong Kong while raising me. It was common for us to go without proper meals or shelter. Acknowledging him would betray my mother. But completely ignoring him troubles my conscience and sense of morality.

The reason she found herself at the clock tower seeking a fortune-teller was simply to alleviate her overwhelming distress and clear her mind.

The gathered crowd, having overheard Chen Siyu's words, also began to engage in discussion.

"Would there be any doubt about that? Of course, I'd acknowledge him! After all, he is your father, bound to you by flesh and blood."

"I also advise you to acknowledge him, after all, he is your father."

"Recognize her? On what grounds? You divorced at ten and now your daughter is all grown up, able to run, jump, and earn her own living. Only now you want to acknowledge her as your daughter? Where were you a dozen years ago?"

"Exactly! Absolutely not admitting it!"

Citizens and neighbors, each with their own word to contribute.

The noise exacerbated Chen Siyu's already aching head.

Chen Siyu's spirits dampened as she asked, "Master, what do you suggest I should do?"

Chu Yuening fell silent for a moment, discerning the signs of impending financial ruin in Chen Siyu's countenance. She then spoke bluntly, "I cannot interfere with your choices, but I can reveal to you the consequences that follow them. Do you wish to hear it?"

Chen Siyu straightened up, nodding fervently. "Yes, I do!"

"Have you ever inquired why your parents divorced back then?" Chu Yuening asked.

"I inquired about it before; they said it was due to conflicts and disputes, as well as Grandma's strong preference for boys, which led her to constantly pressure Mom into having a second child." Chen Siyu's understanding of the events from that time was also limited.

Each time she tried to delve deeper, Chen Siyu would catch her mother's hesitant glance, and after this happened several times, Chen Siyu ceased to dwell on these matters.

Chu Yuening made a quick calculation in her mind and shook her head. "In truth, the primary cause of their divorce was your father's infidelity. Your grandmother wanted a grandson to carry on the family name, but your mother, due to her poor health, didn't wish to have more children. Your father, in turn, sought someone outside without her knowledge. When your mother found out, she didn't hesitate and promptly filed for divorce."

"Father is having an affair!"

Chen Siyu stood as if struck by lightning, caught between her father's desperate pleas and accusations and her mother's hesitant, unspoken expressions, her mind a whirl of confusion.

"Why... didn't she tell me the truth?"

Chu Yuening paused for a moment, "Most likely, she didn't want you to know about your father's misdeeds, nor did she want you to grow into an unhealthy child filled with cynicism and resentment towards the world."

She held a great admiration for Chen Siyu's mother.

For the sake of my daughter, I heal my wounds, desiring to nurture her into a well-rounded individual.

Having learned the truth, Chen Siyu had already made up her mind about how to proceed and inquired, "Master, would it be detrimental to Mother if Father and I were to resume our relationship?"

Chu Yuening shook her head. "Your mother doesn't care about him. If you were to associate with him, it would pain her at most. However, more than affecting her, it would impact you greatly."

In the original course of Chen Siyu's destiny.

"He came to you in his hour of need, deliberately employing tactics to win your favor, and took advantage of your kindness to deceive you out of your money."

Chen Siyu's eyes widened at this, "How much?"

Chu Yuening flashed a faint smile. "All of your pocket money!"

Chen Siyu's eyes widened in astonishment.

It was inconceivable that the seemingly pitiful father would deceive her out of her pocket money.

She received an annual allowance in the hundreds of thousands, and with her frugal spending habits, she currently had over a million dollars in her account.

Chen Siyu currently enjoyed wealth at home, but that didn't mean the money fell from the sky. Recalling the near miss with her almost being swindled, she patted her chest in lingering fright. "Fortunately, there was the master. If I hadn’t known how terribly my mother was wronged, I might really have let someone cheat me out of the money."

Initially, she had come for a bit of amusement, hoping to have her fortune told.

Now she feels that the ten thousand spent was truly worth it, as it directly saved her from a loss of over a million.

Chu Yuening studied Chen Siyu's features further and continued her calculation, "In truth, your father hasn't inflicted substantial harm upon you; rather, it's the current situation you're facing that will prove to be immensely challenging for you."

"Make her suffer?"

Instantly, Chen Siyu was intrigued by the marvelously skilled Master Chu Da.

She poured out her troubles, "Master, you're really something. At this stage, aren't I having a tough time? I can't even sleep well with the constant studying for the postgraduate entrance exam."

Having thought it through.

Chen Siyu's mind took another turn – the fact of her parents' divorce was actually known to very few people.

How impressive must Grandmaster Chu Da be to have calculated even such an arcane secret?

Right at the crucial moment of the graduate entrance exam, wouldn't it be a perfect time to inquire about my future prospects?

The more Chen Siyu thought about it, the brighter her eyes gleamed with a mischievous chuckle.

"Master, do you think I have a chance of being admitted to Cambridge for graduate studies?"

After asking, Chen Siyu grew anxious and uneasy.

Simply put, she had truly prepared extensively for the Cambridge entrance exam.

"From a young age, my academic performance was never exceptional; I blamed myself for not being diligent enough. When I reached Form 5 and university entrance was imminent, I still spent each day aimlessly. It wasn't until one day when my classmates told me that it didn't matter if I didn't study hard, as my mother would always have my back, that I finally came to my senses."