Chapter 73: My Ability is to Predict the Future
Putting away the target and walking into the village, Chen Fan sensed the unusual liveliness around him. Faint sounds of children playing and mothers scolding drifted from nearby.
For a fleeting moment, it created an illusion - as if this weren't the apocalypse at all.
Chen Fan smiled and shook his head, heading home. After dinner, he'd visit Uncle Zhang to practice spear techniques.
"Um... Chen Fan?"
A voice as clear as a nightingale's song rang out behind him.
Turning around, Chen Fan saw a long-haired woman standing timidly in the twilight.
"It's her?"
His pupils contracted. This was Meng Yu, the woman Uncle Qin had mentioned. She'd given him an odd feeling before, causing misunderstandings among others. Lately absorbed in martial arts, he'd nearly forgotten about her.
"You wanted me?"
"Yes." Meng Yu nibbled her lip nervously. "Are you free? There's something important I need to tell you."
"Important?"
Chen Fan blinked. "Wait here. I should inform my parents first, or they'll worry."
"Okay."
As Chen Fan hurried away, Meng Yu unconsciously pressed her hands against her chest.
"Does this betray Sister's wishes?" she whispered, lips trembling. "She warned never to reveal this... or I'd end up like her. But if I stay silent, someone kind will die."
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Chen Fan reappeared, smiling. "You're Meng Yu, right?"
"?"
Her eyes widened.
"Uncle Qin mentioned you." Chen Fan gestured at the surroundings. "What's this important matter?"
Meng Yu glanced around like a startled rabbit. "Could we... talk inside? It won't take long."
The sparse room glowed with firelight. As Chen Fan settled on a stool-
Click.
The door closed.
Chen Fan gulped. Why shut the door? At this hour, no one would be wandering about.
"Not what you think!" Meng Yu waved frantically. "This concerns my safety. Others mustn't hear."
"Your safety?"
"Yes." She sat across the table, fingers twisting. "Actually... I'm an Awakened."
Chen Fan's teacup froze mid-air.
"You... an Awakened?"
"Yes."
Their eyes met steadily.
Chen Fan exhaled sharply. "Then why hide it? Most Awakened proudly declare-"
"Others can. I can't." Meng Yu stared at the wooden grain. "My ability... is future sight."
Chen Fan turned to stone.
Future sight?
While theoretically possible among Awakened abilities, this was... unprecedented.
"I know it's hard to believe." Meng Yu's voice tightened. "My sister shared this power."
"Your sister?" Chen Fan glanced around instinctively. Uncle Qin had said Meng Yu arrived alone.
"She's in Anshan City."
Meng Yu's eyes pooled with grief. Chen Fan's congratulatory words died unspoken.
"They control her." Tears spilled over. "Though we share the same power, our mastery differs. My premonitions come randomly through dreams. Hers... she can activate at will."
Understanding dawned. "So-called 'protection' is imprisonment. They force her to predict endlessly."
Meng Yu nodded, fear flickering beneath her lashes.
"And your sister now...?"
Fresh tears answered before words. "She's burning her lifespan. Won't... last much longer."
"What?" Chen Fan leaned forward. "Using abilities consumes life?"
"Normally no." Meng Yu wiped her cheeks. "Our power... is different. Ordinary people and Awakened have limits. We... don't."
"You mean..." Cold crept up Chen Fan's spine. "When predictions exceed mental limits, life force compensates?"
Meng Yu started, then nodded. "The more people involved, the stronger those involved... the greater the cost. Sister said we sense warnings before predictions - whether it's possible, what price we'll pay."
Her fists clenched. "They ignore the warnings. Force her anyway. In few years... she aged decades." A sob broke through. "We're twins."
Special thanks to [爱看书的沙悟净] and [温布衣] for the 100 Qidian coin donations!
Additional gratitude to [成是非啊], [JessonMa], [书友20181208161703349], [紫夜寒霜], [gfdgsyrtyr], [垃圾桶中的我], and [就睡觉吧] for chapter gifts. (Guessing some tried commenting but needed fan value first - apologies! This filter helps reduce drive-by criticism from those judging by just titles or first chapters. Peace restored today!)
(End of Chapter)
