Chapter 0002: Don't Touch My Wife

Never before had they seen such a shameless person!

At this very moment, this was the unspoken thought shared by everyone in Cloudwater Manor—everyone except Zhang Xiao.

The young man didn’t look very old, but he certainly knew how to play his cards. Was he really after the Goddess’s Tear worth fifty million? It was clear he had his eyes on the entire Jiang family consortium!

Everyone knew that Jiang Kongqing was the only legal heir to the Jiang family. Marrying her meant inheriting the whole consortium. There was even an old joke in Tianhe City: “Marry a Jiang daughter, ascend to the heavens with ease.” The meaning was obvious.

Jiang Kongqing never imagined that Zhang Xiao would be so brazen. He spoke openly about marrying her, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Zhang Xiao, seemingly oblivious to the stares around him, walked toward Jiang Kongqing and said, “The Goddess’s Tear is your dowry. If I marry you, I’ll have it. Although you’re not exactly my ideal type, your looks and figure are passable, so I suppose I can make do.”

The crowd was speechless. Brother, where’s your sense of shame? Did you leave it at home?

Her appearance and figure only ‘passable’? If that were so, there would be no beauties left in the world!

Jiang Kongqing’s face shifted between anger and disbelief. She glared at Zhang Xiao and snapped, “Who would ever marry a shameless scoundrel like you!”

Zhang Xiao frowned. “You won’t lend me the Goddess’s Tear, and you say it’s your dowry. If I don’t marry you, how am I supposed to get it?”

Even Butler Zhao was at a loss. He couldn’t make sense of Zhang Xiao’s true intentions for coming to the Jiang family.

Just then, a servant rushed into the hall, panic-stricken. Spotting Jiang Kongqing, she blurted out, “Miss, something’s happened! Master collapsed at the company and has been taken to the hospital!”

Both Jiang Kongqing and Butler Zhao were startled, immediately setting aside all thoughts of Zhang Xiao as they hurried to ask for details. Moments later, Jiang Kongqing strode quickly outside, instructing Butler Zhao to ready the car.

Zhang Xiao, previously the center of attention, was now left standing alone in the vast hall.

As Jiang Kongqing got into the car, the door suddenly opened and Zhang Xiao slipped inside without waiting for an invitation.

Jiang Kongqing glared at him. “Why are you following me?”

Zhang Xiao leaned back, hands behind his head, and replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world, “My father-in-law’s in the hospital. As his son-in-law, of course I should go visit him.”

“Who’s your father-in-law!” Jiang Kongqing retorted, trying to shove Zhang Xiao out, but no matter how she pushed, he wouldn’t budge.

Worry for her father soon overcame her irritation with Zhang Xiao. She ordered the driver to hurry to the hospital and shifted away from Zhang Xiao, putting as much distance between them as possible.

Zhang Xiao just smiled faintly, unconcerned, and closed his eyes to rest.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Jiang Kongqing rushed straight to the VIP suite. The doctor had just finished examining her father. She immediately stepped forward to ask, “Doctor, how is my father?”

The doctor gestured for her to be patient, then spoke gravely, “Miss Jiang, rest assured, Chairman Jiang is not in any mortal danger. I’ve just conducted a full examination; all his vital signs are normal.”

At these words, Jiang Kongqing finally breathed a sigh of relief and made to enter the room, but the doctor stopped her. “However, Chairman Jiang’s condition is peculiar. Although his vital signs are normal, he remains unconscious. I also examined his brain—there’s no sign of external trauma. It doesn’t add up.”

Jiang Kongqing froze, then gripped the doctor’s arm. “What do you mean?”

The doctor replied helplessly, “Just as I said. Your father’s vital signs are fine, but he won’t wake up. We can’t determine the cause. For now, all we can do is keep him under observation for further study.”

While they spoke, Zhang Xiao—whom no one had noticed—had already entered the ward and was bending over, pressing his ear to the old man’s chest.

Only after the doctor finished explaining did Jiang Kongqing notice Zhang Xiao. She rushed in, pulled him away, and snapped, “What are you doing?”

Zhang Xiao looked innocent. “I’m examining my father-in-law. What else would I be doing?”

“You know medicine?” Jiang Kongqing scoffed.

Zhang Xiao scratched his head, looking a bit sheepish. “I know a little. Honestly, it’s not my strong suit compared to other things.”

Jiang Kongqing couldn’t be bothered to argue further. She sat at her father’s bedside, holding his hand, worry etched across her face.

Just then, two people appeared at the doorway. One was a tall, handsome young man in an exquisitely tailored suit. Behind him came an elderly man in a black traditional robe, his silver hair and inscrutable gaze giving him an air of mystery.

“Kongqing,” the young man said, hurrying to her side and taking her hand in deep concern. “As soon as I heard about your father, I came right away. Are you all right?”

Jiang Kongqing’s expression was icy as she tried to pull her hand free.

Suddenly, there was a crisp slap as the young man’s hand was struck. He winced and quickly let go.

“Sir, please show some respect. My wife’s hand isn’t something just anyone can touch,” Zhang Xiao said flatly, cleaning his ear.

“Wife? Who are you? Do you know I am Kongqing’s fiancé—Zheng Shaowen?” the young man exploded, pointing at Zhang Xiao.

He turned to Jiang Kongqing. “Kongqing, who is this man spouting nonsense?”

Jiang Kongqing glanced at Zheng Shaowen—her so-called fiancé, a status arranged by their families for business reasons. She replied coldly, “I don’t know him. Don’t listen to his nonsense. And what are you doing here?”

Zheng Shaowen glared furiously at Zhang Xiao, then forced a smile for Jiang Kongqing. “As soon as I heard about Uncle Jiang, I rushed over. Oh, and let me introduce someone. This is Master Zhang Tianshu, a renowned expert in medicine, Taoism, and geomancy—a master of rare skill. He may be able to help with Uncle Jiang’s illness.”

Zheng Shaowen finished the introduction, and Master Zhang greeted her with a smile and a cupped fist. “I am Zhang Tianshu. Pleased to meet you, Miss Jiang.”

Despite her dislike for Zheng Shaowen, Jiang Kongqing’s hope was rekindled. “Master Zhang, are you really so skilled? Could you please take a look at my father?”

Master Zhang smiled. “That’s precisely why I’m here. Young Master Zheng pleaded earnestly with me. Normally, I wouldn’t involve myself in such matters.”

He cast a meaningful look at Zheng Shaowen, who smiled in satisfaction.

Jiang Kongqing was no fool. She heard clearly that Master Zhang’s words favored Zheng Shaowen. She had little affection for the fiancé imposed on her by her father’s business arrangements, but in this moment, she could only play along. “Thank you,” she said to Zheng Shaowen.

He beamed with pride. “No need for thanks. Soon enough, we’ll be family. But let’s have Master Zhang see to Uncle Jiang first.”

At his signal, Master Zhang stepped forward, took Jiang’s pulse, and after a long moment released his hand with a furrowed brow, sighing but saying nothing.

Jiang Kongqing asked anxiously, “Master Zhang, what’s wrong with my father?”

After a moment’s thought, Master Zhang replied, “To be honest, this is not a typical illness. Your father’s health is actually quite sound. As for why he remains unconscious, the reason is—”

“It’s because someone has used a special method to seal away his three souls and seven spirits, leaving him comatose,” Zhang Xiao interjected before Master Zhang could finish.

All eyes turned to Zhang Xiao, while Master Zhang’s expression betrayed his surprise. He exchanged a brief, inscrutable glance with Zheng Shaowen.

“What nonsense are you spouting about souls and spirits?” Jiang Kongqing was too concerned for her father to notice anything else.

“With Master Zhang here, who needs your wild guesses!” Zheng Shaowen snapped, pointing at Zhang Xiao.

Zhang Xiao smirked at Master Zhang. “I’m not talking nonsense. I’ve simply said what Master Zhang meant to say. Isn’t that right?”

Master Zhang’s gaze turned cold before he spoke. “This young man is correct. I didn’t expect you to be a fellow practitioner. Might I ask whose disciple you are?”

Jiang Kongqing looked at Zhang Xiao in disbelief. Was he really right? Who was this man?

Zhang Xiao laughed lightly. “I’m nobody worth mentioning.”

He turned to Jiang Kongqing. “No need to trouble outsiders, wife. I can handle this myself.”

The implication was clear: Zheng Shaowen, the supposed fiancé, was the outsider.

Zheng Shaowen understood immediately, pointing at Zhang Xiao. “Watch your mouth, boy! If you keep talking nonsense, you’ll regret it. Kongqing is my fiancée, and you’re the outsider here!”