Chapter 17: Taking an Apprentice

Over four hundred thousand?

The resale value of luxury goods could fluctuate wildly, but even at a fifty percent discount, that was still over two hundred thousand.

She had just earned three hundred thousand from Alaric Vane today, and now another two hundred thousand plus had fallen into her lap. Suddenly, her goal of five million didn't seem so far away.

Seren Thorne cleared her throat, suppressing the urge to let her smile widen. Putting on the serious air of an elder sister-in-law, she said, "Since you’ve put so much heart into this, I suppose I shall accept. In the future, remember to watch your words and actions. Do not pick conflicts with others so recklessly."

Alaric came downstairs just in time to see Seren pretentiously lecturing Jasper Vane, and his lip twitched.

He didn't know who it was that had just thrown a tantrum over a bit of petty cash with him, yet here she was, lecturing an underage younger brother with such righteous confidence.

Jasper, who usually hated being preached to, was exceptionally well-behaved today. "I’ll remember that."

Seren felt the young master was being a bit too obedient today, so she asked, "Do you have something you want to ask of me?"

Jasper’s eyes lit up. "Sister-in-law, you truly are a master diviner. You even knew that!"

Seren raised a hand and stroked her non-existent beard, looking like a grand master. "Mediocre, really. Only third best in the world. Speak, what do you want me to do?"

Since she had just accepted gifts worth hundreds of thousands, it was only right to help out a little.

Jasper said, "I feel like I’m not cut out for academics. I want to learn fortune-telling and divination with you. Please, take me as your apprentice!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Jasper performed a grand gesture of respect, kneeling before Seren and kowtowing three times.

It was a standard grave-kneeling bow.

Seren: "..."

I'm not dead yet, thanks.

"Your natural aptitude is average; you aren't built for the metaphysical arts. Just go back to class and be a good student."

Jasper had already anticipated she wouldn't agree easily and had prepared his counter-strategy: "Sister-in-law, I am sincerely wishing to learn from you. As long as you agree to take me as your apprentice, I will buy you a bag worth over five hundred thousand every month."

"For real?" Seren’s voice cracked with excitement.

Jasper said seriously, "For real."

Seren coughed. "I’ve taken a closer look and discovered that your skeletal structure is actually quite unique. You are a natural for cultivation; it’s just that your thick skin was covering it up earlier. I couldn't see it clearly until now."

Alaric: "..."

Even a fool wouldn't believe such obvious nonsense, right?

But Jasper believed it.

He was even overjoyed: "Does that mean I can be as powerful as you in the future, Master?"

Alaric’s temples throbbed twice.

Like father, like son—his "cheaper" younger brother truly inherited all of his Second Uncle’s 'excellent genes.' With this IQ, he really wasn't cut out for studying.

Seren continued to lie through her teeth: "Of course. As long as you are diligent in your cultivation, you will eventually surpass your Master’s realm."

Excited, Jasper continued to ask, "Then will I be able to fly? Once I reach full cultivation, will I be able to manifest my energy into a horse or split mountains and flatten seas like in the TV dramas?"

Seren: "?"

Little brother, this novel is categorized as a modern-day urban romance; for what you’re talking about, you need to go to the male-lead fantasy section next door.

"I’m just a humble fortune teller. I can only predict fortune and misfortune or drive away evil spirits. I can’t fly, and I can’t split mountains. Think about whether you still want to learn."

Hearing this, Jasper was slightly disappointed.

But when he remembered that his father used to pay millions just to hire a Feng Shui master, he perked up again. Even if it couldn't flatten seas, the metaphysical arts could at least guarantee his future livelihood. He wasn't good at studying and was a bit of a loser, just like his father who was always failing at start-ups. If he could master these arts, he could at least support himself.

"I want to learn! Please take me as your apprentice, Sister-in-law."

He bowed to Seren once more.

Seren, worried that if he kept kneeling she would lose years off her life, hurriedly pulled him up.

"Fine, fine. I accept you as my apprentice. But there’s no need to buy a bag every month. Just convert the value of the bag into cash and give it to me directly as tuition."

Jasper nodded. "Okay."

Vivienne Vane had been hoarding money for years planning to flee abroad with her lover; she hadn't spent much of the money she squeezed out of Dominic Vane. Now that Dominic had taken her and Rick to court, all their assets were frozen. It wouldn't be long before the family's lost property was recovered. Tuition of a few million a year—his father would surely support him.

Seren said, "Alright. I’ll prepare some lessons today. You come back tomorrow."

Successful in his apprenticeship, Jasper left happily.

Seren also began happily doing the math. Five hundred thousand a month meant six million a year. Even if she divorced Alaric later, she would have a steady, high income. This was fantastic.

As Seren was celebrating, she caught sight of Alaric, who had appeared in the living room at some point. The smile on her face vanished instantly. She stiffened her expression and gave him a huff.

She turned and went upstairs—out of sight, out of mind.

That night, Seren didn't return to the master bedroom but moved directly into a guest room. Since she couldn't get a divorce yet, avoiding him was easy enough. Alaric didn't stop her either, maintaining an air of indifference.

The two lived separately for over a week, and both were doing quite well. However, it was Arthur Vane who couldn't sit still anymore.

Old Master Arthur was still hoping for a great-grandchild. If the couple lived apart, who was going to make one for him? Furthermore, he believed that a harmonious family brought prosperity; seeing the couple cold to each other made him, an old man caught in the middle, feel awkward. He hoped they would reconcile soon.

One day after breakfast, Arthur pulled Alaric aside as he was preparing to go to work.

"This conflict between you and Seren has gone on for over a week. That’s enough."

Alaric spoke lukewarmly, "She is the one having a conflict with me, not the other way around."

"Is that the point?" Arthur said, frustrated. "You’re a grown man. If your wife throws a tantrum, what’s wrong with coaxing her a bit? Besides, Seren just wanted to buy a few bags. It’s not like you don't have the money. What would be the harm in buying her a whole mall to play with?"

Alaric sneered. "Give her money so she can divorce me and go out to pick up wild men?"

Arthur had actually forgotten about that part.

He couldn't help but defend Seren a little: "Seren is just thinking out loud; it’s just talk. If you actually asked her to do it, she wouldn't dare. You really don't need to restrict her so much."

Alaric asked coolly, "Are you sure she wouldn't dare?"

Arthur really wanted to nod against his conscience.

But remembering his grandson's wife's habitually improper inner thoughts, he silently swallowed his words. If it weren't for the limitations of poverty, his grandson's wife might, probably, perhaps, indeed not be a "good" woman.

He coughed and said, "Forget it. Let’s not mention the money for now. Just find a way to make up with her. Seren already has grievances against you; if you two keep going like this, she might really run away."

"Let her." Alaric’s tone was calm and indifferent. "As long as she doesn't take my money to support other men, she can leave whenever she wants."