Chapter 39: So It Was You

The elderly lady walked ahead, giving instructions to the maid by her side to have someone take the injured bodyguard, Da Kui, to the hospital for treatment.

Once everything was arranged, she turned to Jiang Hao and said, “Mr. Jiang, I am the matriarch of the Zhao family, and this is Miss Liu Hong of the Liu family, my son Ziyun’s fiancée. There seems to have been some misunderstanding just now. I hope you won’t take offense and won’t hold it against her.”

“I would never trouble myself over a woman,” Jiang Hao replied calmly.

No sooner had he finished speaking than the woman in red bristled with indignation, glaring at Jiang Hao as she demanded, “What do you mean by that? Is that sexism? Do you look down on women?”

Was this woman on edge for some reason? With a temper like that, how could Zhao Ziyun possibly agree to be engaged to her?

The old matriarch immediately reprimanded her, “Hong’er, how can you speak that way? You really must change that temper of yours!”

“Aunt, I just don’t think he looks like a doctor. If you ask me, he’s probably a swindler who came to our Zhao family to freeload,” Liu Hong muttered in a low voice.

Although she spoke softly, Jiang Hao heard every word. Ever since inheriting the legacy of the Flame Emperor, he had repeatedly activated the power of the Red Jade Ring, greatly enhancing every aspect of his physical abilities. His senses had become far keener than any ordinary person’s; if he so wished, he could hear the faint buzzing of a mosquito ten meters away, let alone the words Liu Hong muttered right next to him.

But he couldn’t be bothered to argue with this woman.

The truth or falsehood of the matter would soon be clear; it was pointless to quarrel now. Besides, Jiang Hao had no desire to waste words with a woman who, to his mind, seemed deranged.

When they reached the sitting room, Jiang Hao took a seat, while the old matriarch instructed Liu Hong to make tea for him.

Liu Hong, clearly unwilling, brought over a cup of tea and slammed it down on the table with a thud, then said brusquely, “Here’s your tea!”

The matriarch seated herself at the head of the table, then looked at Jiang Hao and asked, “Mr. Jiang, may I ask when my son Ziyun invited you here to treat my husband? Why didn’t he mention this to me?”

Without hesitation, Jiang Hao replied, “Yesterday, at your real estate group’s sales center, I purchased the villa in the eastern suburbs. Together with Zhao Ziyun, I went to inspect the villa and identified the cause of your family head’s illness. That’s why he invited me here to treat him. As for why he didn’t mention it to you, I’m afraid I don’t know.”

“You found the cause? Really? Wasn’t it supposed to be haunted?”

Liu Hong, it seemed, was well aware of the rumors about the haunted villa, and so blurted out her question.

“Of course it wasn’t a haunting. As for the specific cause, I’d rather not say for now. If you wish to know, you can ask Zhao Ziyun when he returns,” Jiang Hao replied coolly.

The matriarch nodded slightly, a faint smile appearing on her face.

“In that case, Mr. Jiang, it seems you truly aren’t a fraud but have come to treat my husband in earnest.”

“Indeed,” Jiang Hao nodded.

Liu Hong looked as though she wanted to say more, but hesitated.

Perhaps sensing her thoughts, the matriarch called her over and quietly asked, “Hong’er, I haven’t asked you yet—why did you suddenly come by today? Do you need something from me?”

Liu Hong glanced at Jiang Hao, sitting quietly in his chair, then turned her back and answered softly, “Aunt, the thing is, I’ve found a renowned doctor for Uncle. He’s just returned from studying abroad and is a professor, too. He used to be the private physician for the Pan family, but after falling out with them, he’s now independent. So I met with him and invited him to treat Uncle.”

“I never realized you were so thoughtful. When Ziyun marries you, I’ll have nothing to worry about!” The matriarch beamed with delight.

But her expression quickly grew complicated, and she lowered her voice. “You should have told me sooner, at least given me a call in advance. Now the doctor Ziyun invited is already here, and if your doctor arrives as well, it’s going to be awfully awkward.”

“I’ve already asked him to come, and he should be here soon… I didn’t expect Ziyun to invite a doctor, either. Besides, Aunt, that man really doesn’t look like a doctor. I’m convinced he’s a fraud, and Ziyun must have been duped by him.”

Jiang Hao heard every word of Liu Hong’s whispered conversation with the matriarch.

A professor who had studied abroad and once served the Pan family—could it be Chen Guang?

If the doctor Liu Hong invited was indeed Chen Guang, things would become rather complicated when he arrived. Most importantly, Jiang Hao had no wish to see Chen Guang. What if Chen Guang recognized him and tried to kneel and acknowledge him as his master?

While Jiang Hao’s thoughts were running wild, a maid hurried in to report, “Madam, there’s a doctor outside requesting to see you. He says he was invited by Miss to treat the master of the house.”

“Bring him in at once!” Liu Hong interjected before the matriarch could respond.

The maid left immediately.

The matriarch looked at Jiang Hao with some embarrassment and said, “I’m so sorry, Mr. Jiang. Liu Hong also invited a doctor to treat my husband, so…”

“No matter,” Jiang Hao replied coolly.

Before long, a middle-aged man entered, wearing silver-rimmed glasses and carrying an exquisitely crafted medical case.

Who else could it be but the famed Professor Jerry Chen—more properly, Chen Guang—who had returned from overseas?

The moment Chen Guang entered, he froze, for he saw Jiang Hao.

Staring at Jiang Hao, seated in his chair, Chen Guang’s face displayed a rapid succession of shock, excitement, and delight. He strode swiftly forward, and no sooner had he reached Jiang Hao than he seemed about to kneel.

As for the matriarch and Liu Hong, he paid them no heed whatsoever.

“Who are you, sir? There’s no need for such ceremony,” Jiang Hao said, quickly rising to help Chen Guang up, preventing him from kneeling.

Chen Guang looked at Jiang Hao in confusion, about to speak, but Jiang Hao interrupted, “You look rather familiar—have we met before?”

As he spoke, Jiang Hao gave Chen Guang a meaningful wink.

Chen Guang instantly understood the hint, quickly adopted an embarrassed expression, and said, “Sorry, I must have walked too far just now—my legs went numb and I lost my balance for a moment…”

“I see. Professor Chen, please have a seat,” Liu Hong said warmly as she walked over, inviting Chen Guang to sit in the chair opposite Jiang Hao. She said enthusiastically, “Professor Chen, I’ve been waiting for you for ages! You’re awfully late… but luckily not too late, or someone else would have taken your place.”

With that, she shot Jiang Hao a provocative glance.