“Ridiculous!” He Min was furious. “Today was the first time I ever met her, and she immediately accused me of having AIDS. How despicable and vicious! She’s just jealous because I’m prettier than her, richer than her, and more loved by you.”
Xie Jingsi stubbed out his cigarette.
“That’s not quite accurate. And there’s one obvious mistake: she’s prettier than you.”
He Min looked at him in disbelief, her heart breaking.
“A’Si, I’m your girlfriend! Why do you believe her instead of me?”
She could accept that she couldn’t compete with the wealthy and stunningly beautiful Chu Yanxue.
But why?
Why could even a lowly poor girl like this step all over her?
Xie Jingsi looked completely matter-of-fact.
“Because she’s my wife. I registered our marriage with her.
“A girlfriend can be replaced three times in a single day, but a wife is supposed to be the only one you have for a lifetime.
“I may not be a good person, but I’m not an idiot either. I know perfectly well who is close to me and who isn’t.
“You don’t need to make such a fuss, either. I don’t care whether you’re sick or not.
“But you made me unhappy today. Don’t show your face in front of me again.”
“No!”
Tears streamed down He Min’s face.
“A’Si, I drank three bottles of liquor for you, and you promised to be my boyfriend for three days. Today is only the second day. You can’t go back on your word!
“I know you believed this wretched girl’s accusation and now think I’m dirty. But I’m truly innocent. I just had a complete physical examination last week. I don’t have any illness at all. A’Si…”
“Miss!”
At that moment, a young girl dressed in coarse cloth with her hair tied into a long braid hurried over to He Min.
“Miss, the hospital called. They said… they said you’ve contracted a very serious illness and need to go back to the hospital for another examination immediately.”
He Min was already too distraught to think clearly.
“What serious illness? Is it life-threatening or something?”
The young girl took two frightened steps backward and shrank her neck.
“It… it’s AIDS…”
“What did you say?”
He Min’s entire body trembled. She slapped the young girl across the face.
“Stop spouting nonsense! I’ll rip your mouth apart! Get out!”
Tears of grievance rolled down the young girl’s cheeks.
“Madam sent me to find you. I’ve delivered the message, so I’ll leave now.”
Naturally, He Min couldn’t stay there any longer.
She turned toward Xie Jingsi and forced a smile onto her face.
“Heh… A’Si, I’ve always been very careful about my personal conduct. There’s no way I could have a sexually transmitted disease. The doctor must have made a mistake. I’ll go back and get to the bottom of it right away. Wait for me. I’ll come find you again in a few days.”
After she left, Xie Jingsi asked Jiang Xingyao, “How did you know she had AIDS? Is the doctor who examined her a relative of yours?”
Jiang Xingyao shook her head.
“I don’t know him.”
“Then how exactly did you know?”
“I saw it.”
“Saw what?”
“I know a little about traditional Chinese medicine and physiognomy.”
Xie Jingsi didn’t quite believe her. Half jokingly, he said, “Then take a look at me. Do I have any illnesses?”
Jiang Xingyao carefully examined him for two full minutes.
“Young Master, medical consultations require a consultation fee.”
“You didn’t charge He Min just now, did you?”
“That’s because my diagnostic method combines medicine and metaphysics. In metaphysics, there are three kinds of people I don’t charge.
“First, those whose allotted lifespan has come to an end.
“Second, those with a great disaster about to befall them.
“Third, those who have completely run out of good fortune.
“He Min falls into two of those categories. If I took her money, I’d suffer karmic retribution.
“Since you don’t want to pay, Young Master, which category are you planning to fall into?”
Xie Jingsi said nothing.
With a cold expression, he took another 10,000 yuan from the car and handed it to her.
“Is this enough?”
“Plenty. Thank you for the generous tip, Young Master Xie.”
Jiang Xingyao smiled sweetly.
“Hehe. Young Master, you’re perfectly healthy. You don’t have any illnesses.”
Xie Jingsi waited for her to continue.
Instead, she stuffed the money into her bag and said, “It’s getting late. Let’s go.”
Xie Jingsi: “?”
“That’s it? You’re finished?”
“Yes. What, are you hoping to have some kind of illness?”
Xie Jingsi was certain that he had suffered a disastrous setback at the hands of this girl.
But he had no proof.
Looking at his darkened expression, Jiang Xingyao suddenly said, “Young Master, you may be able to change girlfriends three times a day, but you’re clearly not interested in women. You’re still completely chaste even now.
“Besides, you’re extremely wealthy, your business is thriving, and you’re decisive and ruthless in your dealings.
“That’s completely opposite to the useless playboy image you put on for everyone.
“Young Master, you’re deliberately hiding your abilities and guarding against someone, aren’t you?”
Xie Jingsi narrowed his eyes slightly, concealing the surprise in his heart.
No one knew how much money he had or how many businesses he operated outside—not even his closest associates.
Yet this little girl had actually seen through him.
Perhaps she really did have some skill.
“Fourth Young Madam, you’re quite talented. I wonder, what are you planning to do in the future? Open a medical clinic or a fortune-telling shop?”
“Neither.”
“Why not?”
“It’s too easy to get dragged into trouble and become entangled in karma. If I were the kind of person who wanted to work hard, I wouldn’t have gotten married.
“To be completely honest, I married you so I could lie flat and enjoy an easy life.
“I’m not greedy. As long as you give me a little, it’ll be more than enough for me to spend. Why would I want to put myself out there, argue with people, rack my brains, and worry myself sick just to earn a little money?
“I’m a good-for-nothing, and I’m very clear about that.”
Xie Jingsi obviously couldn’t agree with her assessment.
“Fourth Young Madam, you’re too modest. Where are you going? I’ll take you.”
“No need. I rode my bike here.”
With that, Jiang Xingyao climbed onto her Phoenix-brand 28-inch bicycle.
Xie Jingsi spoke again.
“Oh, right. Three days from now, the Xie family’s steward will go to your home to deliver the betrothal gifts. The tenth of next month is an auspicious day for marriage. We’ll hold the wedding then.”
“Okay. Goodbye.”