So Xie Yufeng could only swallow his anger, dig a hundred-yuan bill out of his pocket, and hand it over to the old man.

"It's two hundred now!" The old man kept his head down and went on writing the ticket.

"How is it two hundred?" However much Xie Yufeng choked down his temper, he was ready to burst. Since when did they jack up the price on the spot?

"You were cursing just now. Using uncivilized language in a public place — one hundred, fine!" said the old man.

"Take it!" Furious enough to see stars, Xie Yufeng fished out another hundred and shoved it at the old man, then turned and strode off toward the parking lot not far away.

...

"How are you doing, Xiaohan? Is your head still hurting? If you're feeling unwell, I'll call off tonight's celebration for you, all right?" Sister Wang, her manager, stroked Xu Shilan's forehead with concern.

"No need. I took some painkillers and it's eased a little." A faint smile surfaced on Xu Shilan's pale face. "Everyone at the company is waiting. How can I not go? They're putting it on to celebrate me."

"So what if you don't go? That single of yours just came out, and it's already sitting at the top of every ringtone download chart, made the company a fortune. Even if you skip it, what can anyone say?" Sister Wang said, unimpressed. "Besides, your headaches are hardly a secret at the company. The boss knows about them too."

"I'd better go. I'll get up and get ready now." With that, Xu Shilan climbed out of bed, meaning to wash her face and change her clothes.

"Ah, Xiaohan, you're a big star now. Sometimes you need to put on a few airs. You don't have to work yourself this hard!" Sister Wang said, a little helplessly.

"It's all right. This is what I love doing, so of course I have to work hard at it!" Xu Shilan said with a smile.

"Oh, right, Xiaohan — I saw something online about a famous doctor. They say he's a miracle worker who can cure all sorts of stubborn illnesses. He's treated plenty of prominent people and cured them all, and everyone holds him in the highest esteem!" Sister Wang suddenly slapped her forehead as the important news came back to her.

"Hmm? Really? News on the internet isn't always reliable! There are plenty of people online smearing me, saying my private life is a mess..." Xu Shilan laughed, not taking it too seriously.

"Xiaohan, this one's different!" Sister Wang said. "This man is called Zhao Yaowang — the Medicine King. I had someone look into him. He really is famous in Songshan City; he really has treated a great many prominent people, and cured them all! I hear... he's an expert who came out of one of the big clans..."

"Oh? He can really cure my illness?" Hearing Sister Wang say this, Xu Shilan was moved. Sister Wang had rich experience in the world and was reliable in handling affairs; if she had no judgment at all, she would have been cheated to death years ago, and could never have guarded Xu Shilan's finances so well.

So since Sister Wang had spoken, the matter must have some credibility to it — that was why she had brought it up with her at all.

"Either way, there's no harm in giving it a try!" Sister Wang said. "I'll ask around a bit more over the next couple of days, and if it works out, we'll go. As long as there's hope, we have to try — otherwise that trouble of yours will only get worse at this rate!"

"All right, then. Sorry to trouble you, Sister Wang!" Xu Shilan nodded and left the matter in her hands.

...

That evening, as usual, Feng Xiaoxiao rode home in Wei Zhao's car after school.

Neither Wei Zhao nor Tang Yun went up. After all, Wei Zhao had stayed here the night before; tonight he ought to go back to the Gu family villa. And as for Tang Yun, she had only just moved into her new home yesterday and had not even spent a single night there yet, so naturally she had to go back and take a look today.

Feng Xiaoxiao unlocked the door with her key and stepped into the living room — only to have a hand thrust out and clamp a handkerchief over her mouth!

Feng Xiaoxiao's heart lurched. She tried to struggle and cry out, but before she could call for help she slipped into a daze and lost consciousness! The handkerchief was soaked with ether, which could rob a person of their senses in an instant.

The dose of ether was small, so Feng Xiaoxiao went under quickly and came to just as quickly.

When Feng Xiaoxiao woke, she found herself bound with rope, sitting on the sofa unable to move, and beside her sat an unfamiliar man!

"You... who are you?" Feng Xiaoxiao asked instinctively.

"You're awake?" The man glanced at Feng Xiaoxiao, checked the time on his watch, and said mildly, "A little earlier than I expected."

"Help!" Feng Xiaoxiao suddenly cried out at the top of her lungs. This stranger neither knew her nor had any reason to tie her up — clearly he meant no good!

The man heard Feng Xiaoxiao's cries, yet did not stop her. He only gave her a strange look and said indifferently: "This is your own apartment — surely you know it? I took a look just now. The soundproofing here is excellent! And your room has a dropped ceiling and wallpaper, which only raises the insulation further. So, to borrow a classic line: go ahead and shout, shout your heart out — no one will hear you even if you shout your throat raw!"

Feng Xiaoxiao was no fool. Hearing the man's words, she shut her mouth. She had only cried out in the heat of the moment; now that she understood calling for help was useless, she naturally would not waste her effort.

"Why have you taken me?" Feng Xiaoxiao asked. "Have you got the wrong person? I've never done anything to you, I don't even know you. I only rented this place a couple of days ago — are you looking for the previous tenant?"

"Enough, drop the act. Your name is Feng Xiaoxiao — don't think I don't know." The man waved his hand impatiently, cutting her off. "Save your clever little tricks. You're exactly who I'm looking for!"

Feng Xiaoxiao was instantly a little disheartened. She had meant to fool this creature in front of her into letting her go! But to her surprise, he knew her, and could even say her name! Every plan she had cooked up before was useless now. This man had clearly come with a purpose; this was no random kidnapping!

That left Feng Xiaoxiao somewhat depressed. Who had she offended, to have someone sent to play at snatching her? At that thought she lost the mood to play games with the man. Since he already knew who she was and had come for her by name, there was no point in more scheming. "Since you know who I am and came for me by name, then just tell me what you want!"

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