Chapter 5 Fortune-Telling

• "Lavinia, is that you?"
• Sullivan hurriedly walked towards home.
• "Where have you been? Why aren't you using your cane?"
• Sullivan stopped, then realised Lavinia didn't know his eyesight had gotten better.
• "I went to buy some ointment for you—anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and for blood circulation ... "
• Lavinia looked surprised for a moment, her eyes getting a bit teary. But she didn't let it show and instead took Sullivan's hand.
• "It was just a slap. It's not going to hurt that much. Was it really worth rushing out for ointment? What if you get hurt worse?
• "Come on, let me take you home."
• Her gentle, soft hands grabbed Sullivan's. Even though this happened often, it was the first time Sullivan really felt how soft and irresistible her hands were ...
• Once they were inside, Lavinia didn't immediately use the ointment. Instead, she guided Sullivan to the bed and started cleaning up the mess on the floor.
• Lavinia turned her back to Sullivan as she bent down to pick up the chair from the floor.
• From this angle, Sullivan couldn't help but feel a rush of heat. He had to admit, Lavinia's figure was amazing!
• Her front was curvy, her back was shapely, and her waist was so slim. Sullivan reached out, trying to gauge her waist, and thought he could almost pinch it with one hand, though there was one spot that might be tricky!
• Lavinia didn't notice Sullivan's gaze. Instead, she was staring at the condom on the table, wondering if he still needed it now that his wife was gone.
• Seeing Lavinia's hands not knowing where to go, Sullivan was a bit speechless. Could he even say Lavinia was too considerate?
• His own mother probably never even thought of things like this when she was alive.
• Under Sullivan's gaze, Lavinia put the small box of balloons into a drawer.
• Then she continued cleaning, though Sullivan noticed a faint blush on her cheeks.
• "Lavinia, why don't you take a break?"
• Sullivan looked at Lavinia's blushing face and felt curious about what it might feel like to touch.
• "Okay, it's almost cleaned up. Sulli, why don't you tell me what happened?"
• Lavinia sat next to Sullivan, looking worried.
• "It's just as it sounds. She didn't want to be with a blind guy and ran off with Benedict."
• Sullivan didn't go into the whole truth or mention that his blindness was caused by those two. At this point, he didn't see the point in making things worse or airing his grievances. It was a personal matter he felt embarrassed about.
• Sullivan opened the ointment and gently applied it to Lavinia's slightly swollen face.
• "Lavinia, does it still hurt?"
• Her face felt smooth and soft.
• "It's not hurting anymore. I can handle it myself."
• Lavinia took the ointment from him. Sullivan felt a bit disappointed since he wasn't done enjoying the feel of her skin.
• "Well, if she left, then let her go. It might actually be for the best. At least the house isn't being demolished. When you have some money, you'll be able to find a great partner."
• Lavinia was taking it well.
• Sullivan gave a sad smile. He wasn't thinking about getting a wife anymore.
• "Just wait here. I'll go make us something to eat," Lavinia said, then headed to the kitchen.
• Sullivan sat on the edge of the bed, deep in thought.
• The house was safe, but he was broke. Without any income, he'd be starving soon, and he still needed money for medicine and training.
• Should he start looking for a job?
• Sullivan wasn't ready to reveal that his eyesight had improved, or rather, the timing wasn't right yet.
• Besides, even if he looked for a job, he hadn't finished college, so he wouldn't be able to find anything good. Any job he could get would only cover his daily expenses and wouldn't be enough for his training.
• Although he had inherited medical skills, without any medicine or supplies, he couldn't practise his craft.
• At this point, he found himself envying people from the countryside. At least they might have opportunities because of their connections to nature. Living in this urban village, the nearest mountain was over 18 miles away.
• And it wasn't just about having medicine; he also needed a special furnace to make the medicine.
• So, he needed money and could only think of low-risk ways to make some.
• He actually came up with an idea for a no-investment gig: fortune-telling!
• He knew of a spot just three streets away, under a bridge, where there were lots of fortune-tellers.
• Plus, there was an antique market nearby. If he made some money, he might even be able to score an antique and make a profit.
• It was true what they said, without money, even a hero couldn't get by. Until the house was redeveloped, he had to support himself.
• After dinner, Sullivan saw off Lavinia, who was still worried about him. He changed into a different outfit—the black robe that Benedict had left behind yesterday. He added a pair of sunglasses, and he was ready to go.
• Under the bridge, even though it was already dusk, it was bustling with even more people than during the day.
• Sullivan set up his table and put up his makeshift sign written on a piece of old cloth.