BPDSB Chapter 12: Who can resist money?

Not long after, Qin Li received the file from his subordinate.

Xu Xiliu’s background information was clearly listed, densely packed.

Qin Li’s eyes darkened, and after receiving it, he began to read carefully.

Xu Xiliu, male, 25 years old, biological parents unknown, orphan, grew up in a welfare home, outstanding academic performance, graduated from a certain medical university in year xx, later founded a private clinic…

The information was quite comprehensive on a single sheet. It looked like a lot, but after reading through it one by one, it became apparent that the overall amount of information was actually quite limited. Simply put, his background was particularly simple—no complicated family background, no complex relatives, and even after reaching adulthood, very few interpersonal connections. At a glance, it was like a single, straight line without any branches, completely clear and easy to see.

Yet Qin Li frowned slightly.

So simple?

It was completely contrary to what he had expected.

Xu Xiliu had only begun following him after he was sent to the mountain villa.

Ever since he came to the mountain villa, his connections with the old residence were almost entirely severed. The only one who came with him was Uncle Zhong, who had remained loyal from beginning to end. After arriving at the villa, Uncle Zhong took on the role of housekeeper. Every day he had to worry about the dazed and muddled Qin Li, as well as manage the vast villa. It was truly beyond his capacity, and it was inevitable that spies ran rampant within the villa.

During that period, aside from Uncle Zhong, most of the people around him were spies from various sides. Not a single one could Qin Li trust.

Even if the youth’s file appeared completely clear and transparent, Qin Li still could not let down his guard.

This private doctor of his had always presented himself as a gentle and good-tempered person, polite in speech, refined and proper. In just a few short days, he had even managed to get Uncle Zhong, who had followed Qin Li through years of hardship and mire, to let down his guard.

How could someone with such a personality have so few friends?

Qin Li sneered and tossed the youth’s file aside.

In the blink of an eye, another week passed.

It was once again time for Xu Xiliu to visit the villa for the man’s routine check-up.

After several visits, Xu Xiliu had already adapted well to the new atmosphere of the villa. Compared to the oppressive, tomb-like mood on the night he first transmigrated into the book, the villa now, though still quiet, had a sense of orderly vitality that could almost be described as flourishing.

Working in such an environment naturally made one feel more at ease and happy.

With a gentle, refined smile on his face, Xu Xiliu carried his medicine box and stepped through the door.

After entering the villa, he did not immediately head over to Qin Li. He paused first, listened to Uncle Zhong’s report on the man’s medication status for the week, then nodded in satisfaction and headed into the study where the man usually stayed.

At last, his painstaking efforts were paying off. Over the past two weeks, the man had already managed to take his medicine on time.

Speaking of which, Xu Xiliu had truly worn himself out worrying over the protagonist gong’s rebellious personality.

When he was at the villa, he could keep an eye on the man. The other party, though reluctant, would at least take his medicine, and Xu Xiliu could take the chance to supervise and correct his wild, incomprehensible habit of taking medicine in bizarre ways. But once he left and was out of sight, the man’s rebelliousness came through completely. Even Uncle Zhong, who was more like an elder than a housekeeper, could not control him.

After repeatedly failing to check in and having to face the man’s mockery, Xu Xiliu smacked his forehead and came up with a vicious trick.

He furiously browsed Pinduoduo, scouring various influencer livestream sales, and actually found an alarm clock. Its main features were top-tier durability and deafening sound. No matter how you smashed it, it wouldn’t break. He personally set every medication time into it, then cheerfully gifted it to the man.

At first, of course, Qin Li refused to accept it. But Xu Xiliu was extremely firm in his stance. When he came again and saw the sad, shattered husky dog-head in pieces, along with the mocking yet smug smile on the man’s lips, he calmly pulled out an identical one from his bag.

Then it was his turn to smile cheerfully at the man.

Haha, didn’t expect that, did you? I bought them in bulk!

After a few times of smashing it, yet still seeing that foolish husky dog-head reappear on his desk, Qin Li’s face turned thunderous. But in the end, he grudgingly tolerated the ugly alarm clock and reluctantly began cooperating with taking his medicine.

Even Xu Xiliu himself could not stand how loud that alarm clock was when it went off.

Thinking of this, Xu Xiliu’s eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses narrowed slightly, and in a good mood, he knocked on Qin Li’s study door and entered.

In the study, Qin Li, who heard the commotion of Xu Xiliu entering, leaned back in his chair, long legs propped up, gaze cold. The moment he spoke, it was in that tone guaranteed to make someone furious: “I didn’t say you could come in.”

Xu Xiliu knew the man had been increasingly annoyed with him because of the alarm clock. He remained good-tempered and didn’t argue, still smiling politely at full capacity: “Is that so? Then I truly apologize.”

However, the way he calmly sat down did not suggest he felt the least bit sorry.

Qin Li choked with irritation, letting out a displeased snort from his nose.

Although he found him increasingly annoying, it was undeniable that over the past month, his condition had indeed improved quite a bit.

From the early days of muddled confusion, barely having a few clear-headed days in a week, to that time his uncle deliberately came to the villa to provoke him and he had a serious episode—after that, his condition rebounded like it hit rock bottom and slowly began to recover day by day. Especially after exposing the steward and cook who had been drugging him and replacing all the villa staff, his condition could be said to have temporarily stabilized.

Part of this was due to cutting off the microdoses of medication the steward had been giving him, but even more so, the credit belonged to the youth in front of him.

Though Qin Li was reluctant to admit it.

The other party had been involved throughout. On the surface, nothing seemed out of place, but with Qin Li’s naturally suspicious nature, he was not willing to overlook it so easily.

Could he be another like Steward Xue?

Qin Li couldn’t help but narrow his eyes slightly.

At the same time, Xu Xiliu was also observing the man.

After a period of recuperation, the man’s complexion had improved significantly—drastically different from when Xu Xiliu had first transmigrated into the book.

Back then, the man had a pale face and a weak body. After an episode, not only was his mind foggy, he couldn’t even walk and had to rely on a wheelchair. Despite his tall frame, he was so thin his bones stuck out.

But now, Qin Li’s eyes were clear. With Xu Xiliu’s persistent reminders to take medicine and nourish his stomach, his complexion had improved, his face had gained a bit of color, and the frightening pallor was no longer there. He even seemed to have put on a bit of weight. Sitting there tall and straight, his presence was imposing.

It felt like he was vaguely starting to resemble the image of the deranged and powerful boss from the later parts of the novel.

Xu Xiliu was very pleased: “It seems that if Mr. Qin’s current good condition continues for a while longer, the dosage of the medication can be reduced. Whether to take it or not would be up to you.”

“After all, all medicine has its side effects.”

Xu Xiliu said with a smiling face.

Yes, by that time, even the weekly routine check-ups could probably be skipped. He would only be called over occasionally if something came up, which was practically the salted fish life of his dreams.

As he thought about it, Xu Xiliu looked at the man in front of him with a much more kindly gaze.

Like watching a chick he had raised for a long time finally learning how to walk.

Qin Li, upon hearing this, was quite surprised.

Not forcing him to take medicine anymore?

…No, something wasn’t right. He wouldn’t let his guard down that easily.

What was this little fox trying to pull now?

His thoughts shifted, and a trace of ruthlessness appeared in Qin Li’s eyes.

Xu Xiliu didn’t notice that the man was trying to read his intentions. In fact, he didn’t care at all. After exchanging pleasantries, he immediately began the routine check-up, looking forward to finishing and going home to lie down again.

The man sat there like a lord, showing no intention of moving. Xu Xiliu was already used to it, so he got up and walked over on his own. As he gently asked a few daily questions, he began to take the man’s blood pressure.

Qin Li watched Xu Xiliu’s movements coldly. Suddenly, an extremely faint scent drifted past his nose.

Sweet, something he seemed to have smelled before. It seemed like… rose lychee?

Although the scent was extremely faint—so faint that it would be impossible to notice without being very close—Qin Li still caught it.

Not only did he catch it, he smelled it very clearly.

So clearly that he immediately frowned.

Unable to bear it, he said, “You’re wearing perfume??”

And such a feminine scent at that.

Sickly sweet.

“…Hmm?”

Xu Xiliu was holding onto the man’s arm, just about to fasten the cuff for the blood pressure check, and hadn’t expected such a question. His hands paused mid-action.

He looked at Qin Li, a little surprised: “No. Why would Mr. Qin ask that?”

“Hmph, if you want to know why, ask yourself.”

Because of the examination, the two of them were sitting very close. Since Qin Li didn’t move, Xu Xiliu had to lean in instead. The posture was slightly awkward, to the point their legs were nearly touching. At this distance, Qin Li could clearly see every subtle expression on his private doctor’s face. The other party probably found the sudden question quite unexpected—those peach blossom eyes behind the gentle gold-rimmed glasses widened a bit, and that trace of liveliness almost seemed to burst out from behind the lenses.

Qin Li paused slightly and looked away.

He clicked his tongue inwardly.

Xu Xiliu had no idea what kind of neurotic question the protagonist gong was suddenly asking. He casually replied, “I don’t like wearing perfume. Mr. Qin probably smelled it wrong.”

Qin Li’s dark eyes stared at him deeply, clearly not believing him.

Xu Xiliu could not be bothered to explain.

He just continued doing what he needed to do. At this moment, the man actually became quite well-behaved, quietly letting him do as he pleased. He only kept his gaze lowered slightly, as if deep in thought, the shadows in his eyes growing heavier and darker. Just one sudden glance, and it would seem like he was plotting something terrifying.

Suddenly, as Xu Xiliu was packing up his things, Qin Li lifted his head, tapped the table with his knuckles, and said concisely, “In a couple of days, I will be appearing at a banquet. You will accompany me.”

“…Huh?”

Xu Xiliu showed a rare expression of confusion.

He suspected he had misheard.

However, Qin Li’s expression was calm, staring at him coldly: “Is there a problem?”

“…Not exactly,” Xu Xiliu responded after a moment, his expression subtle. “May I ask why Mr. Qin chose me?”

Attend a banquet.

No matter how one looked at it, this kind of thing should involve the protagonist gong’s assistant or someone similar.

It definitely shouldn’t be someone like his personal doctor.

Qin Li tugged the corner of his lips, not quite smiling, “Naturally because my health is not yet well. I cannot be without Doctor Xu.”

Xu Xiliu was speechless upon hearing that.

He almost could not stop himself from rolling his eyes.

If the other party could say that line without the mocking tone at the corners of his mouth, he might have actually believed it.

But Qin Li was not the kind of person who would suddenly make a decision on a whim. What was his purpose in wanting to bring him along?

Xu Xiliu could not help but start thinking.

Qin Li was thinking as well.

While thinking, his gaze swept over Xu Xiliu, as if appraising a commodity waiting to be sold at a good price.

The youth before him was dressed in light-colored clothing, which made his gentle and refined temperament stand out even more.

Even when showing a surprised expression, the atmosphere around him remained calm and soft, like a piece of jade that had been polished until smooth and rounded, making it hard for others to feel any sharp emotions toward him.

Just now, Qin Li had a sudden idea—it might actually be a very good choice to bring this person along.

He had used Xu Xiliu earlier to remove the spies from the villa. Aside from Uncle Zhong, he had no one else to use, so relying on what was available was one reason. More importantly, he wanted to numb the perception of those back at the old residence. If he had expressed his intention to clean house openly from the start instead of going through his personal doctor, the news would definitely have reached his uncle. With his uncle’s nature—unable to stand seeing him do well—he would certainly have taken action to suppress him. Though the goal could still have been achieved in the end, it would have been troublesome. It was much more efficient to lull them into a false sense of security and then take them down in one sweep.

His reason for bringing Xu Xiliu to the banquet was similar.

He had been lying low long enough. The edge of the blade was now faintly visible. It was time to make an appearance and let them know to whom the Qin family truly belonged.

The stir caused at the villa would sooner or later attract attention from the other side. Instead of hiding, he might as well appear openly. That alone would be enough to throw his uncle into panic.

Bringing Xu Xiliu along would serve two purposes. On one hand, his uncle, being overly suspicious, petty, and narrow-minded, would likely assume that he was no longer able to hold back, that even with his poor health he was trying to put on a show. That would cause a brief panic, but would ultimately lead to lowered guard—buying him more time to cast his net. On the other hand, this doctor’s background was unclear. Qin Li still could not see through him, so it was better to keep him close and watch him at all times. Perhaps, at some moment, he might slip up and reveal his fox tail.

A cold light flashed in Qin Li’s eyes.

“Why aren’t you saying anything? Unwilling?” Qin Li spoke again, sneering, “Weren’t you just saying the other day how much you care about me? Now you want to go back on your word?”

Xu Xiliu was speechless.

How could someone just say whatever came to mind like this?

Before he could respond, the man in front of him impatiently tapped the table. “I’ll pay more.”

“It will be settled according to your usual consultation fee per visit.”

“Doctor Xu wouldn’t refuse a chance to earn a little extra, would he?”

As he spoke, the man narrowed his eyes slightly.

The words of protest that had been on Xu Xiliu’s lips instantly disappeared.

What? More money?

Was there even anything to consider?

He responded immediately, “If Mr. Qin needs me, I will naturally accompany you.”

Who would ever say no to money?