Hedonist Prodigy

Chapter 63: The Divine Physician, Pei Yuanshan

Jiang Feng never expected that casually stepping into a bakery for a cake would lead him to run into Pei Ruoxi. Had he known, he would’ve avoided the place altogether.  

Seeing Pei Ruoxi’s childish antics only irritated him further. He snapped, “Pei Ruoxi, I suggest you let go right now. If you get hurt, don’t blame me for being rough.”  

Pei Ruoxi stuck out her tongue. “Hmph! When have you ever been polite to me? Unless you agree to see my grandfather, I won’t let go—even if it kills me!”  

“Do you really think I won’t act?” Jiang Feng’s tone darkened.  

“Oh please, a big strong man like you bullying a delicate girl like me—who needs a reason? Go ahead, do it! There are plenty of witnesses here. Even if you flee to the ends of the earth, you won’t escape justice.” She blinked playfully.  

A bystander laughed. “Hey, buddy, just go with her. If she’s this persistent, why hesitate?”  

“Yeah! How can you reject such a cute girl? I sure couldn’t.”  

“Man, with the bachelor crisis these days, you should seize the opportunity. Wait too long, and the ship will sail.”  

Pei Ruoxi beamed at their comments, shooting Jiang Feng a triumphant look—See? I’ve got looks, I’ve got charm. Men fall over themselves for me. Only you treat me like I’m invisible. Serves you right for being blind!  

Jiang Feng ignored the chatter. “Pei Ruoxi, last warning. My patience is running thin.”  

Before Pei Ruoxi could retort, her plump friend chimed in, “Young Master Jiang, Ruoxi’s never been this fixated on anyone. Her grandfather’s on his way—just wait a little. It won’t kill you.”  

“Not interested,” Jiang Feng said coldly. He despised being forced into anything.  

“What do you mean, ‘not interested’? Just because someone calls you ‘Young Master Jiang,’ you think you’re some big shot? No wonder you’re single—who’d want a temper like yours? If not for Grandpa, why would I bother chasing you?” Pei Ruoxi huffed.  

“Your grandfather is your grandfather, not mine. Let go, or I will act.”  

Pei Ruoxi puffed out her chest. “You wouldn’t dare!”  

“Ruoxi, let go. Stop fooling around.”  

A stern voice cut through the commotion. 

Pei Ruoxi turned and beamed. “Grandpa! You’re here! Quick—I caught him!”  

“I see. Release him.” The old man sighed at his granddaughter’s undignified behavior.  

“If I let go, he’ll run!”  

“He won’t.” Pei Yuanshan studied Jiang Feng, then nodded firmly.  

Reluctantly, Pei Ruoxi released him. “Fine, I’m letting go. But if you run, I’ll just chase you down again!”  

Jiang Feng ignored her, focusing on the elderly man. Dressed in a traditional Tang suit with black-framed glasses, the man had silver-streaked hair but a youthful, ruddy complexion—his age impossible to guess at a glance.  

“You’re Pei Ruoxi’s grandfather? You wanted to see me?”  

Pei Yuanshan smiled. “Forgive my granddaughter’s mischief. If it’s convenient, might we speak elsewhere?”  

Jiang Feng hesitated, then nodded. The last time Pei Ruoxi barged into his home, she’d discovered the Hundred-Fruit Tree, and he’d taken her protective talisman. He’d known this matter wasn’t over.  

“After you.” Pei Yuanshan gestured politely.  

After paying for the cake and his taxi, Jiang Feng entered Pei Yuanshan’s car. The driver took them to a quiet restaurant, where they settled into a private room.  

Unlike her bratty demeanor around Jiang Feng, Pei Ruoxi was the picture of obedience in front of her grandfather, eagerly pouring tea.  

Jiang Feng observed silently. “What did you wish to discuss?”  

Pei Yuanshan sipped his tea. “Nothing urgent. May I ask your name?”  

“Jiang Feng.”  

“Jiang Feng… of the Jiang family?”  

“I am.” Jiang Feng wasn’t surprised the old man knew of him.  

“You’re Jiang Feng? That Jiang Feng? The good-for-nothing playboy? No way!” Pei Ruoxi’s jaw dropped as if she’d seen a ghost.  

Though she’d never met him, Jiang Feng’s reputation preceded him—especially the scandal of him chasing Ye Qingxuan on horseback, only to be thrown off. She and her friends had mocked his delusional pursuit of “swan meat.”  

In her mind, Jiang Feng was a lecherous, drooling idiot. Yet the man before her was nothing like the rumors. This was their third meeting, and she hadn’t even recognized him until now.  

“You’re really Jiang Feng? You’re not lying?” She stared, baffled. The Jiang Feng of legend was supposed to turn to jelly around women—so why was he so indifferent to her? Was she not pretty enough?  

And since when did Jiang Feng know medicine? None of this made sense.  

Jiang Feng said nothing. Pei Yuanshan chided, “Ruoxi, enough. Mind your manners.”  

“But Grandpa, he claims to be Jiang Feng! That can’t be right!”  

“If he says he’s Jiang Feng, then he is.”  

Unlike his granddaughter, Pei Yuanshan wasn’t shocked. The disparity between Jiang Feng’s reputation and his demeanor only intrigued him more.  

Pei Ruoxi pouted. “I still can’t accept it.”  

Jiang Feng couldn’t care less. “And your name, sir?”  

“Nothing grand. Just Pei Yuanshan.”  

Jiang Feng’s expression shifted slightly. So this is Pei Yuanshan—the legendary Divine Physician. Now it made sense why Pei Ruoxi knew about the Hundred-Fruit Tree.  

Pei Yuanshan was a titan of traditional medicine, revered by aristocratic families and commoners alike. His knowledge of rare herbs was unparalleled.  

Jiang Feng inclined his head. “My apologies for not recognizing you earlier.”  

Pei Yuanshan waved it off. “No harm done. It’s Ruoxi who owes you an apology.”  

Pei Ruoxi snorted. “Hypocrite.”  

Yet her eyes lingered on Jiang Feng, curiosity burning.  

Jiang Feng pressed, “Why did you want to meet?”  

“Ruoxi mentioned your extraordinary medical skills—particularly your acupuncture. I was intrigued.” He chuckled. “Had I known you were from the Jiang family, I’d have approached you directly.”  

Pei Ruoxi muttered, “He never told us his name—probably afraid someone would punch him. If I’d known he was that Jiang Feng, I’d never have—”  

Her face flushed as she recalled her shameless behavior at the hospital and bakery.  

“Ruoxi, silence.” Pei Yuanshan glared.  

“What? Everyone knows what he’s like! If he can do those things, why can’t we talk about them?”  

“Ruoxi!”  

Jiang Feng stood. “Since Miss Pei clearly dislikes me, I’ll take my leave. Another time, perhaps.”  

Pei Yuanshan sighed. “Very well.”  

After Jiang Feng left, the old man shook his head. “Ruoxi, how could you be so blind? A man with his presence could never be the wastrel of rumor. You’ve ruined everything.”  

“Grandpa, I—”  

“Enough. Tomorrow, I’ll personally apologize to Jiang Feng.” He gestured to the table. “Eat. The food’s getting cold.”  

Pei Ruoxi had no appetite. Her mind raced with schemes.  

*****  

Jiang Feng hailed a taxi with difficulty. When he returned home, Zhao Wuxia was there. She stared at the cake bag in his hand, stunned.  

He handed it to her. “Passed by a bakery. Thought you might like it.”  

Zhao Wuxia’s eyes widened further when she saw it was matcha—her favorite. Had Jiang Feng been paying attention to her all this time?  

Her cheeks warmed at the thought.  

Jiang Feng had simply noticed her preference—nothing more. As he turned to leave, Zhao Wuxia stopped him. “Thank you, Young Master. Have you eaten? I’ll cook something.”  

He was hungry—having left the restaurant untouched—so he nodded.  

Half an hour later, she served two dishes and a soup. Watching him eat heartily, she felt an odd peace. Living together had been nothing like she’d feared. Jiang Feng was like a ghost—present but unobtrusive.  

She’d wondered often what had changed him so drastically.  

Noticing her gaze, Jiang Feng smiled. “Something on your mind?”  

She shook her head but didn’t look away. He hesitated, then asked, “Was I really that detestable before?”  

“Ah—”  

“Never mind. I already know.” He finished eating and retreated to his room.  

Zhao Wuxia stared after him, bewildered. 

Since when did Jiang Feng care what people thought of him?