Talent Chapter 1

Synopsis | Table of Content | Chapter 2

Chapter 1:    Grounded

Translator: Aafkee

Proofreader: ChaiTea

It was half-past six in the morning, the sky was just starting to brighten up but the entrance of the Northern Film Studio was already crowded with background actors who were waiting for their turn. It looked like they were all men who appeared very similar to one another. Not only that, each and every one of them dressed out of fashion. Some of them were looking around anxiously, while others were staring blankly at nothing. There were even people who came together and played card games to kill time… Except for one person. He was sitting on a small camp stool, calm and indifferent. His hair was combed back and tied into a trendy bun, just like a bunny’s tail. He was only wearing a white shirt with a small floral pattern on his shirt collar, paired with a pair of ripped jeans in the cold winter. He had a strong aura of youthfulness surrounding him, quite indifferent towards his own fashion and yet, he was doing something completely different from his image -- face reading*. (T/N*: Face reading is a practice of studying a person’s facial features for insight into a person’s past, present, and future. It is, apparently, popularised as Physiognomy.) “Great Master, I really revere you. I have heard that you are very accurate, especially at foretelling marriage fortunes! I have taken the train all the way from Tieling to come here to meet you. I never would have thought that you’d be this young!” Han Dong, with a profound expression, said, “The level of skills in this practice is not determined by our age, but by our perception and enlightenment.” “Yes, of course, you must be right; an amateur like me doesn’t understand a single thing. But I’m puzzled, why did you choose such a noisy spot to do face reading?” Han Dong spat out his words faintly, “To feel grounded.” “Hahaha… Then, Master, can you quickly help me have a look and see whether my marriage will be blessed and blissful for a lifetime?”
Han Dong squinted his eyes and took a closer look. This man had horizontal lines on the root of his nose in between his eyes. There were even dark spots on the left side which meant that he was destined to have a failed marriage! Although that was what he thought, he could not actually say it. That was because this man had thin eyelids, a short philtrum, and tight and small lips. This man looked to be carefree but was actually narrow-minded, sensitive and mentally weak. What if the man refuses to pay if he told the truth? “You and your lover will definitely spend your lifetime together, hand in hand.” Han Dong’s tone was very sincere. To his surprise, the moment the middle-aged man, who was being reverent and respectful, heard his reply, his expression changed in an instant, “So you’re saying that I can’t divorce that good-for-nothing old hag?” Dong Han was quiet. The sensitive and weak-minded middle-aged man had indeed started to roll up his sleeves, as if ready to fight, “I have tolerated her for half my life. I’ve even threatened her with a knife on my neck, but she just refused to divorce! I was only here to have my fortune told for the peace of my mind, but who would have guessed that your single sentence could put a stop to my happiness for the rest of my lifetime!” Dong Han could only scream in his heart: You should have said it sooner!! “Let’s discuss this civilly.” Dong Han tried to be courteous. The middle-aged man became angrier, “What is there to discuss regarding a face reading?” Just as Han Dong was about to explain, he suddenly saw the casting manager walking out of Northern Film Studio’s entrance. It was time for casting! He grabbed his stool and dashed towards the entrance, his firm image of a Master vanished in an instant. The middle-aged man grabbed him, “What are you doing? Are you thinking of running away?” “Let go! I need to accept my role,” Han Dong replied. “Accept your role? Turns out you’re an actor! How dare you! So, you were using me as a practice target, huh?” “Who used you as a practice target? This is my part-time job! Part-time, get it?” Han Dong added. “I’ve never heard of a fortune teller moonlighting as an actor!” the man ground out. “What’s wrong with being a fortune-teller? Can’t a fortune-teller pursue his dreams?” Han Dong retorted. The middle-aged man gritted his teeth, “Just look at your dumb look, and you’re still talking about pursuing your dreams? I say you’re just a swindler! I’ll make this train ticket worth its money by giving you a good beating!”

Synopsis | Table of Content | Chapter 2

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