Chapter 29: Wedding Substitute
Zhao Dong sucked in a cold breath. It's very likely Ji Xueyao's father, Ji Xiong, isn't sick but has been poisoned!
Wu Qiuyue sat by the bed, tears dripping down her face as she implored, "Famous Doctor Li, please, I'm begging you to save my husband! As long as you can cure him, you can name your price and conditions."
Li Tianlai stroked his beard and exchanged a secretive glance with Gao Wei before turning to Wu Qiuyue.
"Madam Wu, you and Miss Ji, please step aside and let me take his pulse."
Wu Qiuyue and Ji Xueyao moved to the side. Li Tianlai's fingers touched Ji Xiong's wrist, then he pried open the man's mouth to examine his tongue. Only then did he speak.
"Madam Wu, I have to tell you something. Please, brace yourself."
The color drained from Wu Qiuyue's face. "Please, speak freely."
"Mr. Ji's pulse is already extremely faint. I must conclude that if this continues, your husband will pass away within two days!"
THUMP!
Wu Qiuyue collapsed onto the floor as if struck by lightning.
Ji Xueyao also staggered, her vision going dark as she nearly fainted. The sound of Wu Qiuyue's wailing filled the room.
"Famous Doctor Li, you have to save my husband!"
A nearly imperceptible smile flickered across Li Tianlai's face, though he maintained a somber expression. "This old man knows of one method we can try. It should be the only option left."
With that, Li Tianlai took a black pill from his medicine pouch, placed it in Ji Xiong's mouth, and helped him swallow it with some water.
"This is the first step. If it's effective, Mr. Ji will awaken shortly. If he doesn't, then he's a lost cause."
Upon hearing this, Wu Qiuyue and Ji Xueyao's hearts leaped into their throats as they anxiously watched Ji Xiong on the bed.
A moment later, Ji Xiong actually coughed a few times and his eyes fluttered open.
Seeing this, Wu Qiuyue immediately grabbed her husband's hand and sobbed, "Xiong, you're finally awake!"
Ji Xiong looked as though he wanted to speak, but the moment he opened his mouth, his eyes slowly closed again, and he fell still once more.
A chill shot through Wu Qiuyue. "Famous Doctor Li, what's wrong with my husband? Why isn't he moving again?"
Li Tianlai smiled to himself. This step was meant to gain the complete trust of Wu Qiuyue and Ji Xueyao.
He offered a slight smile and said, "Madam, do not worry. It seems this method is indeed working. That was only the first step. There is a second one. Once the second step is complete, Mr. Ji will awaken fully."
Wu Qiuyue was now utterly convinced and asked eagerly, "What is the second step?"
Just as Li Tianlai was about to speak, he noticed Zhao Dong standing to the side and frowned.
"Madam Wu, why is there an outsider here? Have this young man leave first!"
Wu Qiuyue immediately whirled on Zhao Dong and shouted, "Get out! Who let you in here? If you don't leave this instant, I'm calling the police!"
Zhao Dong glanced at Ji Xueyao, who wore a look of utter helplessness.
Seeing this, Zhao Dong no longer wanted to stay. He looked at Ji Xueyao and said, "Class Rep, I'll be going now. Call me if you need help with anything. Oh, and one more thing: be careful who you trust."
His words stunned everyone in the room. The expressions on Li Tianlai and Gao Wei's faces changed, and their gazes turned cold as they stared at Zhao Dong.
Without another word, Zhao Dong turned and left the villa.
After Zhao Dong was gone, Ji Xueyao mulled over his words, suddenly feeling that something was strange. It felt like his last sentence held a hidden meaning. Could it be that Zhao Dong knows something?
At that moment, Li Tianlai finally let out a chuckle. "Madam, allow me to speak plainly. Your husband's condition may appear to be an illness, but in fact, he has been afflicted by something malevolent!"
"What?!" Wu Qiuyue exclaimed in shock. "How could my husband suddenly be afflicted by something like that? Is there a solution?"
Li Tianlai shook his head, affecting an air of deep knowledge. "Yes, but there is only one way."
"Then please, Famous Doctor Li, tell us!"
After a moment of feigned contemplation, Li Tianlai finally spoke. "Your husband has been afflicted by a yin evil. To counteract it, you need the energy of yang joy. The only way to obtain that is for Miss Ji to couple with a suitable man. Once it is done, your husband will awaken immediately."
Hearing this, both Wu Qiuyue's and Ji Xueyao's expressions changed drastically. Ji Xueyao, in particular, looked at him with utter disbelief.
Under normal circumstances, she would have cursed Li Tianlai to high heaven, but with her father's life hanging by a thread, she was completely at a loss.
Wu Qiuyue spoke with a bitter voice, "Famous Doctor Li, is there no other way? My daughter is still…"
She trailed off, but everyone understood her meaning. The fervent gleam in Gao Wei's eyes intensified.
The Ji family would never imagine this was all an act put on by him and Li Tianlai! Ji Xiong wasn't sick at all; he was poisoned. He had hired someone to concoct the poison and had secretly snuck into the Ji villa to administer it. It was a chronic toxin—colorless, odorless, and absolutely undetectable by ordinary means. He had also bribed Li Tianlai with eight million. Li Tianlai's reputation as a famous doctor was believable enough. At the right moment, he'd have Li Tianlai propose this ritual to counteract the misfortune, and he, Gao Wei, would be the 'suitable man'! That way, he could have Ji Xueyao and bind their two families together for good!
"Madam Wu, this is the only way," Li Tianlai said gravely. "Mr. Ji's life hangs by a thread. He won't last more than two days if this continues. The decision is yours."
Wu Qiuyue looked at Ji Xueyao, her face full of apology. "Xueyao, what do you think?"
Tears were now streaming down Ji Xueyao's face. She still had her innocence, and she certainly didn't want to lose it in such a ridiculous manner. But with her father so gravely ill, how could she just stand by and watch him die?
Ji Xueyao nodded, wiping away her tears. Her eyes were red as she said, "Mom… I'm willing. As long as Dad can get better."
"Good!" Wu Qiuyue's face was also wracked with guilt. "Famous Doctor Li, how do we choose the man for this ritual?"
Li Tianlai closed his eyes and began making calculations with his fingers while muttering incantations. A moment later, his eyes flashed open.
"Madam Wu! This old master has made a divination. Young Master Gao is the most suitable candidate!"
Hearing this, Wu Qiuyue frowned. Could it be such a coincidence? It just happens to be Gao Wei?
Ji Xueyao turned pale. How could it be Gao Wei? How could things be so coincidental? Something about today feels very strange. Recalling Zhao Dong's earlier warning, a seed of doubt began to sprout in her heart. Could this all be a setup?
Just then, Gao Wei spoke with a sincere expression. "Aunt Wu, Xueyao, I'm willing to do anything to save Uncle Ji."
The others looked toward Ji Xueyao, who hesitated.
But looking at her father on the bed and her mother's swollen, red eyes, Ji Xueyao finally nodded through her tears.
Li Tianlai smiled. "Since Young Master Gao and Miss Ji are willing, we mustn't delay. Let's begin immediately. It's best to find a room nearby. As soon as the two of them are finished, Mr. Ji will naturally recover."
Wu Qiuyue, her own eyes filled with tears, sighed. "Xueyao, there's a room right next door. You… you can take Young Master Gao there."
Ji Xueyao bit her lip and glanced at Gao Wei, who offered her a gentle smile.
"Xueyao, don't be afraid. I'll be gentle."
With a storm of complex emotions and a deep sense of injustice in her heart, Ji Xueyao led Gao Wei to the adjacent room.
The door clicked shut and was locked. Ji Xueyao stood by the bed, her eyes brimming with tears. She truly didn't want to do this.
Gao Wei walked over and gently wrapped his arms around her waist.
Goosebumps erupted on Ji Xueyao's skin, and she shoved him away forcefully.
Gao Wei's expression changed. "Xueyao, what's this about?"
Ji Xueyao averted her gaze. "Young Master Gao, just give me a moment to prepare… You… you should go take a shower first."
Gao Wei chuckled. "You're right. After all, it's our first time. I'll go take a shower. Wait for me."
As Gao Wei entered the bathroom, Ji Xueyao sat on the bed, her heart in turmoil. What should I do? I really don't want to give myself to Gao Wei. I know all about his promiscuous reputation.
Just then, she suddenly thought of Zhao Dong. That's right! Could Zhao Dong know something? I don't really believe he can cure illnesses, but right now, it's my last glimmer of hope. I have to try! But after how my mother treated him… his heart must have turned cold. Would he even be willing to help me now?
Resolving to try anyway, Ji Xueyao hesitated for a moment before dialing Zhao Dong's number.