Chapter 5: I’ll Work, but I Won’t Sell Myself!

Two hours later, Qin Dong finally lifted his fingers from Ye Junyao’s wrist and let out a long breath.

He had spent the time using his Sacred Dragon True Qi to clear her meridians, gradually pushing the unruly Mystic Yin Qi back into the depths of her bloodline. The delicate work had taken intense concentration; one mistake could have damaged her foundation.

Ye Junyao pulled on her coat and rested against the headboard. After a while, the color returned to her face.

“What exactly did you do to me?” Her voice was still cool, though there was less wariness in her eyes.

Qin Dong wiped the sweat from his forehead. “I suppressed the Mystic Yin Qi. If I’d waited any longer, the two forces inside you might have clashed with serious consequences.”

She closed her eyes and examined her condition. The cold that had tormented her for more than twenty years had indeed weakened, and several blocked meridians were clear.

“Why can your qi counteract the Mystic Yin Qi?”

“The Sacred Dragon Physique is intensely yang. It balances your Mystic Yin Physique.” Qin Dong sat down beside her. “But today’s treatment only suppressed it temporarily. A lasting solution will take time.”

Ye Junyao studied him. Perhaps this young man, who seemed so unreliable, really was the key to her survival.

“You mustn’t tell anyone what happened today.”

“Don’t worry. I’m a doctor. I understand the basics.”

He sounded casual, but inwardly he was groaning. Clearing her meridians once had nearly exhausted his qi. He had no idea how much effort the next treatment would take.

Ye Junyao sat on the sofa, took a prepared contract from her bag, and tossed it in front of him. “Read it. If you have no objections, sign.”

Qin Dong picked it up and scanned the first lines.

Fake Marriage Agreement!

The term was one month. During that time, Qin Dong was to be available whenever Ye Junyao called and cooperate with all her arrangements. He was not to reveal the true nature of their relationship to outsiders.

In return, she would pay him five million yuan up front and another five million at the end of the month.

He stared at her in astonishment, then looked at the agreement again. “Ms. Ye, you want me to treat you over the next month and pretend to be your boyfriend?”

“Ten million for one month,” she said without expression. “All you have to do is provide the agreed treatment and help me deal with my family.”

“All right. I don’t mind doing honest work.”

He signed his name, then added, “But forget the money. Treating you is one thing. I won’t sell myself or make a fortune that way.”

Ye Junyao frowned. “You’ve signed the agreement. You’ll be paid.”

“We can talk about that when I’ve actually cured you.” He put down the pen. “Let’s deal with what matters first.”

His firm refusal seemed to soften her expression. She had already checked carefully: the Mystic Yin Qi that had tormented her for over twenty years had weakened a little more. His Sacred Dragon True Qi could indeed counteract the danger inside her.

Still, she suppressed her anger and said, “Now that you’ve signed, come somewhere with me.”

“Where?”

“To see my grandfather.” Sadness flickered in her eyes. “He doesn’t have long.”

Her grandfather was gravely ill, nearing the end of his life. His last wish was to see his granddaughter settled with someone.

The Ye family had arranged an engagement for her with Qin Dong’s roommate, Zhao Kuo, the young heir of a wealthy Nanjiang City family. But Ye Junyao had investigated him thoroughly. He was a playboy who spent his time drinking and chasing women; she had no idea how many he had toyed with. Even looking at him made her sick, much less marrying him.

Qin Dong was poor, but at least he was less objectionable.

“Pretend to be your boyfriend?” Seeing the sadness in her eyes, he agreed.

They went downstairs, got into a Ferrari, and headed for a sanatorium in Nanjiang City. As Ye Junyao drove, she instructed him, “When we meet my family, tell anyone who asks that you’re a rich heir and your family has assets worth more than a hundred million yuan. Understand?”

Qin Dong smiled but said nothing.

Half an hour later, they reached Nanjiang City No. 1 Sanatorium.

A special-care room was crowded with people, the atmosphere heavy. Everyone watched the old man in the bed with sorrow.

His name was Ye Huai’an. He had joined the army at fourteen, spent his life in uniform, fought in more than a dozen major battles, and earned distinguished honors for his country. At the height of his success, he had given up those honors and returned to Nanjiang to live as an ordinary man.

Now he lay unconscious. Hospitals had been unable to help, so he had been transferred to the sanatorium.

At his bedside, an elderly man in a traditional Chinese jacket examined his pulse. After a moment, he withdrew his hand and sighed.

“Everyone, Mr. Ye’s old injuries have flared up, causing his organs to fail. I’ve done all I can. There is no saving him.”

The family’s grief deepened. The old man had been unconscious for three days and nights, growing worse each day. Though they knew what was coming, they couldn’t bear to let him go.

Then Ye Junyao entered with Qin Dong.

A middle-aged man in the crowd frowned. “Junyao, weren’t you told to go on a blind date with the Zhao family’s son? Why have you brought another man?”

It was her father, Ye Jianguo. Everyone in the room turned to Qin Dong, but he remained calm.

Ye Junyao took a deep breath. “Dad, I don’t like Zhao Kuo, and I don’t accept him as my fiancé.”

“This is Qin Dong, my boyfriend. I brought him here especially to see Grandpa one last time.”

The room erupted. Ye Jianguo flew into a rage.

“Nonsense! Your grandfather arranged your engagement to the Zhao boy himself. Do you want him to die unable to rest in peace?”

The Ye family elders joined in, reproaching her. Her face changed, and she bit her lip.

“Dad, if I married a scumbag like Zhao Kuo and lived an unhappy life, that’s what would keep Grandpa from resting in peace.”

“You!” Ye Jianguo’s face darkened with fury.

A violent fit of coughing came from the bed. The old man, unconscious until now, slowly opened his eyes.

“Is… is Junyao back?” His voice was barely audible.

Her eyes reddened. She hurried to his side and took his hand. “Grandpa, it’s me. I’m back.”

At the sight of her, he seemed to rally. A glimmer appeared in his clouded eyes.

“I thought I heard… you say you’d brought your boyfriend?”

“Quick… bring him over. Let Grandpa have a look.”