Chapter 151 Past Life
Astrologer Aurora Mystique took a look at the whiskey and food on the ground, pursed her lips, swallowed, and then nodded gently at me. She set down the crystal ball in her hand, took the bottle of whiskey I handed her, lightly tapped the bottle with me, and then drank it heartily, looking like she hadn't eaten in a long time, wolfing it down.
"Thank you for treating me to a drink. Since it's our first meeting and I have nothing to give you, I can offer you a free fortune telling. Ask me any questions you have." We didn't say a word to each other at first, just drinking. After we had drunk most of the whiskey in the bottle, with a hint of drunkenness, Aurora was the first to speak, breaking the silence.
"I don't have any questions, I just wanted someone to drink with me tonight, that's all." I glanced at Aurora, then turned my eyes away. I really didn't want to look at his face at night, it was too terrifying.
"You have something on your mind. I'm an astrologer and I can help you. Ask away, it's on the house. Consider it a thank you for the food and drink you offered. I don't do readings for just anyone." Aurora took a big gulp of whiskey, seeming like she hadn't had a drink in a long time. Despite her confident words, there was a hint of pride on her face.
"I never believed in fortune telling. I believe in taking action." Fueled by alcohol, I still expressed my beliefs, not believing in these things.
"Friend, some things exist whether you believe in them or not. Whether my readings are accurate or not, you can give it a try. You have nothing to lose." Aurora glanced at me, grinned with a mouth full of alcohol breath, and yellow teeth that hadn't been brushed in who knows how long.
"If you're really so accurate, you should be making a lot of money. If your readings are that precise, why not use it to make money and not end up in this situation?" Because I was in a very bad mood, or maybe because I had drunk too much, I didn't hold back in my words.
"Would you like to hear my story?" Aurora, upon hearing my words, didn't get angry but instead picked up a smoked ham, eating and talking. Perhaps he hadn't had the chance to confide in someone for a long time, and this chance encounter today was rare for him. Perhaps I was a good listener for him as well.
"Sure, it's clear that you also have a story." It was too quiet now, so I just listened to his story. Looking into his eyes, this person must have been extraordinary in the past, and my curiosity was piqued.
"My great-grandfather started learning astrology, and it has been over a hundred years since the First World War to my generation. The methods of astrology have been passed down. In the past, people believed more in astrology. Even now, there are still many people willing to believe in it. Our family is different from other astrologers. Our family has always passed down a book of astrology, with its own methods. Most astrologers are frauds, and those who are truly skilled are few and far between." He paused here, took a sip of whiskey. "I don't know why, maybe leaking fate brings a curse. Since my great-grandfather started practicing astrology, our family has not prospered. Instead, each generation has fared worse than the last, with almost no good endings. My father told me before he passed away not to practice astrology anymore and to find a normal job. So, he didn't pass down the methods of astrology to me."
"Because my father didn't pass down the methods of astrology to me, I grew up in the slums and had to find other jobs. Later, I became a sailor on a ship and wandered around. It wasn't until I accidentally discovered the family's astrology book among my father's belongings that I started to study it carefully. At first, it was just to pass the time, but gradually I really began to understand it." As he said this, he looked up at the night sky, his eyes slowly revealing memories and confusion.
"After learning astrology, I discovered a way to make money. I gained some fame little by little, and after starting to practice astrology, I only did readings for the wealthy at first, not like now, doing readings on the street. There were many wealthy clients who sought my services, and each reading cost at least $300, sometimes more. I made a lot of money, got married, had children, and lived a good life. However, one time I couldn't resist the temptation of money, and with a sense of luck, I predicted a fatal disaster for someone and revealed it to them." At this point, he may have thought of something painful, as his eyes were filled with pain. "As a result, I was cursed. I was accidentally disabled, spent all my savings, and my wife took away the last of our family's property and left me. Later, I developed vitiligo and have been in this sorry state ever since. I regret not listening to my father."
Listening to Aurora's story, I carefully looked at his legs. I realized that his legs were not crossed together; each leg was only half there. In the darkness, it looked like his legs were crossed, and under Aurora's buttocks was a rubber cushion. There were two small wooden stools with handles on both sides of his body, and it seemed like he was walking by grabbing the two small stools and shuffling along the ground.
Seeing Aurora's appearance and experiences made me think of the stories in the Final Destination movie series. No matter how you try to avoid it, you can't escape the death that has been arranged by fate.
"If you can predict so accurately, why are you now struggling to even have a meal? Even though you've faced setbacks, at least you shouldn't have a problem with food and shelter, right?" Although I didn't believe it, hearing about this person's tragic life made me unable to help but ask.
"Right now, I have no other choice. After my wife and children left, and with no relatives, I no longer rely on astrology to make money. Is there any other way? Besides, now I only do readings in exchange for a meal, never accepting money. It's a way for me to atone for my sins and pray for my wife and son. Even though they left me, I never resent them. I live day by day, never worrying about what tomorrow will bring."
After hearing Aurora's final words, I couldn't help but admire his resilience. If I could be as open-minded as him, I wouldn't have so many worries and troubles.
"Friend, to thank you for the food, I sincerely offer you a reading. Tell me your date of birth and name." Aurora set down the whiskey, then took out a yellowed and tattered notebook and a pencil she must have found somewhere. Since he was a stranger, I told him my date of birth and name, not afraid of any trouble, and who knows, maybe he could help me resolve my inner conflicts? Although I didn't have high expectations. After hearing my date of birth and name, he started drawing something in the notebook, like a mysterious form of divination, or just random scribbles, looking somewhat like modern equations. In any case, I couldn't understand it.
"Friend, you've been troubled by emotions recently." After a while, Aurora looked at me with a serious expression. When she said the first sentence, I was stunned. Could this really be accurate? Did this person know everything about my life? At that moment, I couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat, unsure whether to admit it or not, unsure how to respond. It must be a guess, just a random guess...
"Give me your hand." Aurora reached out her dirty hand, and as if controlled, I reluctantly set down my drink and handed her my hand. She grabbed my hand, pinching my middle finger with her thumb and forefinger, closing her eyes and doing something I couldn't understand. I could only wait, as time passed by second by second.
"Friend, just now I held your finger, closed my eyes, and felt your current state of mind and future destiny." After about five minutes, when I was starting to get impatient, Aurora released my finger, opened her eyes. I held my breath, waiting for her words. Perhaps she really could help me unravel my inner conflicts. When I relaxed my mood and smiled again, ready to thank her, I found her using her hands to support her body, shuffling away on the ground, taking the whiskey and smoked meat with her. She was moving so slowly, and by now she was so far away from me, I didn't know how long she had already left, and I was lost in thought. Today's chance encounter, this parting, may be the last time we meet in this life. I stood up, bowed to the fortune teller who was struggling to leave.
The past is like smoke, impossible to recover. What's important is the present and the future. Everything will pass, everything will be fine. After tonight, the road ahead will be smooth...
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