I Became the Darling of the Wealthy Through Gossip - Chapter 15

Qi Beichen was stunned for a moment, his burning gaze meeting those eyes filled with a smile. Bai Muxuan—he was a bit touched, but the plot seemed to be getting weirder and weirder. Why couldn’t it be during his “highlight” moments…

“Sss, ouch! Brother Muxuan, is your head made of iron? Why is it so hard?”

“It’s because you weren’t careful and were too reckless. It’s me this time; if you’d bumped into someone else, they might have blackmailed you for a thousand or eight hundred.”

Qi Beichen blushed, rubbing the bamboo sticks in the tube and muttering to himself, “Then I would have just acted spoiled and cute, or if that failed, run away immediately. Back in the day, I could run the 800-meter in two minutes and forty seconds.”

“You can lose the stall, but you can’t lose face!”

“I actually think your face is as thick as a city wall. How did you train it?”

“Life is all about ‘being wild.’ Once you get wild enough, you’ve trained it!”

Bai Muxuan held his forehead. “I… I really don’t know what to say to you.”

“My life is like walking on thin ice!”

“Your life has only been twenty-some years?”

“Ai, that’s just a metaphor!”

Qi Beichen shook the bamboo tube in front of him, and the sticks inside made a clatter-clatter sound.

“This road where you set up your stall is the only way I take to get home.”

“Are you here to look at B-ultrasound reports and give diagnoses?”

Qi Beichen lowered his head immediately, looking at the bagua diagram in front of him and then the sticks in the bamboo tube. The popsicle in his hand had half-melted, and nothing felt satisfying anymore.

“How did you know?”

“Guessed.”

“Um, didn’t the group chat say you were in surgery? How did it end so quickly?”

“It was just a minor surgery, about half an hour. I worked just a little bit of overtime, and the Qi family monopolized the trending searches. It really is something new every day. Today’s biggest hot topic is: ‘Suspected: Eldest young master of the Qi family kicked out on the third day of recognition.’”

Qi Beichen pouted. “Good news doesn’t leave the gate, but bad news travels a thousand miles. It’s not really being kicked out; I’d call it volunteering. It’s actually pretty refreshing.”

“Oh, so it seems the rumors in the department were true.”

Qi Beichen blinked. “What rumors?”

“The VIP ward of the orthopedics department was noisy, someone slammed the door and left.”

“Sss… Brother Muxuan, you’re the king of gossip.”

“I’m very familiar with this place. This is the orthopedics director’s stall. He’s the genius from the rumors who works at the hospital during the day and is a fortune teller at night—and is 100% accurate if you have a B-ultrasound report.”

Qi Beichen immediately started packing up his stall. “Um, I should get off work today too. Whoever wants to stay here can stay here. I… I still have to go enjoy the weekend!”

“The later part of the day is when this overpass makes the most money. Do you need my help?”

“I definitely don’t need it! I can support myself, stand on my own two feet. Just you wait, my accuracy rate will definitely not be any worse than that orthopedic doctor’s.”

“Hm? Since you said so, I’ll wait and see.”

“Then, see you tomorrow.”

Before leaving, Bai Muxuan glanced at Qi Beichen, took out his phone, and sent a message to someone—he didn’t know who.

Qi Beichen waved at him, and didn’t take his eyes off him until Bai Muxuan had completely disappeared into the crowd.

He used a bamboo stick to idly draw circles on the ground. Unknowingly, he had drawn the outline of Bai Muxuan, and then immediately rubbed it away.

Ever since he took over, the business at the stall had become miraculously good. He didn’t know if it was really like the old days of drawing lots at a temple that once you’d replenished the “water” you lacked, you’d become wealthy.

A few “insiders” had arrived everyone, without exception, holding B-ultrasound reports, CT reports, and diagnostic reports. They consciously lined up in a single file, from the bridge all the way down to the bottom. Below, a cotton candy seller also benefited.

“Sir, please take a look—is my waist serious? It always hurts when it’s cloudy or rainy.”

Qi Beichen took the scanned film, held it against the sunlight, looked at the checkup results on the report, and then looked at the man in front of him.

“It’s fine. Don’t sit for long periods; move around often. These few doses of traditional Chinese medicine are just right. Remember to apply a hot compress and don’t catch a cold.”

“Ai, ai, ai, thank you, sir!”

“Next!”

Seeing the crowd on the overpass growing, two lines began to form in front of his stall.

[Isn’t this a new fortune teller? I heard he’s a disciple of the previous one. The few people he saw earlier all said he was incredibly accurate.] [Exactly! An ‘in-closed-door’ disciple—the treatment is different.] [He looks so young; I didn’t expect the accuracy rate to be so high. Tomorrow I’ll call the son of my great-uncle’s third aunt to come and check it out too.]

Qi Beichen prescribed the right medicine for each case, everyone immersed in the sweetness of his predictions being even more accurate than the original owner of the stall. Watching the small box in front of him fill up with hundred-yuan notes until it was overflowing who knew setting up a stall here was so profitable?

He looked at the QR code, and out of a selfish whim, Qi Beichen directly pressed it down so it lay lonely and dusty on the ground. If he hadn’t, the money would have gone straight into the original owner’s pocket; he was doing a four-six split and wouldn’t be able to earn much.

He hummed a little tune, looking at the traffic coming and going below. He had to say, the evening breeze was a bit cold, so he pulled at his clothes.

The sun gradually tilted downward. With a pop, the streetlights turned on, a dim yellow, forming a rounded circle of gold on his stall. There weren’t many people coming and going anymore.

His phone vibrated twice. It was a message from the original owner of the stall.

Fortune Teller: I have an academic conference for the next two or three months and have to go on a business trip. I’ll leave the stall to you for the time being.

Qi Beichen pursed his lips. This was real luck descending, right? Tsk, it seemed that transmigrating once wasn’t such a bad deal after all!

He rolled up the bagua diagram and gathered all the bamboo sticks scattered on the floor. However, a place to stay was still a problem. Not having found a suitable property, he could only find a hotel or something similar and make do for one night.

Qi Beichen: Got it. I’ve already packed up. When are you leaving? Fortune Teller: Almost at the boarding gate. Remember, watch the stall carefully; don’t mess it up. Qi Beichen: Don’t worry. With their B-ultrasound reports, I’m accurate every time. Fortune Teller: That’s good.

Qi Beichen looked at his phone’s navigation; there were some budget-friendly hotels nearby. Staying there for one night wouldn’t be a problem.

He had to admit, this budget hotel Qi Beichen was staying in was miles apart from Xie Zhixu’s Sailing Hotel.

The moment he opened the door, a strange smell drifted through the room. It was probably because it was currently the rainy season in Jiangcheng, and it was always damp. The bedsheets felt clammy, not much different from the room he’d had at the Qi family. If there was any difference, it was probably that there was a small window where he could see the street view outside.

A female receptionist had been there when he came in earlier.

“It’s currently peak tourism season in Jiangcheng. I’m truly sorry, we really, really, really only have this one room left.”

The young lady at the front desk looked apologetic, holding a small placard indicating the room number.

“This room doesn’t face the elevator, and there are no rumors about it, it’s just a bit small, and no one had booked it.”

The last time someone said that was Xie Zhixu. Of course, he knew that was just an excuse; the Sailing Hotel clearly had plenty of empty rooms.

After much deliberation, Qi Beichen still settled on the hotel. It was better than sleeping in the open.

He put his things away and sat on the bed, reviewing everything that had happened today—it had been breathtaking, and he wouldn’t be able to return to the Qi family for a while.

He tugged at the zipper, pulling off the uncomfortable set of clothes he was wearing until only a pair of navy blue underwear remained. He stood in front of the mirror, turning left and right, checking out this body.

The skin was truly good, slippery to the touch, even better than many girls’. He hadn’t looked closely at this face before: beneath the peach-blossom eyes was a single tear mole, placed just right.

The room felt stuffy, and a thin layer of moisture gathered on his forehead.

Beep-beep-beep…

Qi Beichen looked at the phone on the bed, which was flashing with light. He’d originally thought that the Qi family members would at least say something, but an entire afternoon had passed in eerie silence. Indeed, no one cared no wonder the final outcome hadn’t been good.

The notification was from the “Whisper” group chat. He didn’t want to look.

He walked straight into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Warm water flowed down directly from his tufts of hair; the droplets were crystalline, rolling down his fair skin. This body—he could clearly rely on his face to make a living, yet he had insisted on competing with Qi Beixing. He wondered what he had been thinking.

Beep-beep-beep…

This time it was different it was a video call. He took another look: it was from the “big shot.” The method of “playing hard to get” really worked look, he’d taken the bait.

He wiped his body and picked up the video call while he was at it.

The first thing that entered Bai Muxuan’s eyes was the ceiling, also steaming with a layer of heat.

“Where are you now?”

Qi Beichen picked up the phone. He wasn’t wearing any clothes yet. In the video, the corners of his eyes were flushed red, his lips a faint pink. Having just taken a bath, water droplets still clung to the tips of his hair.

Bai Muxuan was clearly stunned for a second.

Qi Beichen then tugged at the edge of his underwear.

Bai Muxuan leaned his forehead against his hand, clearly showing signs of forbearance. “Can’t you put on your clothes before answering the call?”

Qi Beichen reached for a towel. “I saw Brother Muxuan’s call and thought I shouldn’t delay, so…”

Qi Beichen walked straight out of the bathroom, took a few steps, sat on the bed, and crossed his legs. The mermaid lines on his waist were visible, and even more water droplets were dangling.

Bai Muxuan’s face clearly turned from white to red. “Qi Beichen, put your clothes on, or I’m hanging up.”

Qi Beichen immediately grabbed the clothes he’d changed out of earlier. He hadn’t had a chance to buy any, so he could only make do for now and talk about tomorrow.

“Your location.”

“Right downstairs from the hospital. This hotel here seems… a bit pricey, and the money in my card is about to fly away.”

Qi Beichen pulled a crying face, which made Bai Muxuan’s heart skip a beat.

“Selling fortunes on the overpass isn’t very profitable? How come it’s not working for you?”

Qi Beichen pouted and sighed. “The stall isn’t mine. To tell the truth, I feel like it was a pie falling from the sky. Why, suddenly, the owner lets me watch it? And now, he has to go on a business trip. He left the stall to me temporarily—for several months! But it’s a four-six split, and I get four. The money is a bit tight, and I still have to find another way to make a living, or I might starve to death one day and no one would even know.”

“Actually, you can ask me for help.”

Qi Beichen opened his eyes wide round and round. The hand that had been tugging the quilt loosened slightly, revealing a segment of fair, tender shoulder.

Bai Muxuan lowered his voice. “Qi Beichen, when you’re alone outside, you need to have a sense of vigilance. Dressing like this easily makes people think of things they shouldn’t.”

Qi Beichen heard Bai Muxuan’s words, touched his calf, and looked alluring. “Dear customer, what kind of service do you need?”

“Qi Beichen! Can’t you speak properly?”

Qi Beichen heard the anger in Bai Muxuan’s tone and sat up straight immediately. “Um, Brother Muxuan, that was just an accident earlier do you believe me?”

“Whether I believe you or not, what do you think?”

“I think you believe me. Brother Muxuan, actually, I want to rely on myself first to see how it goes. If there’s truly no other way, then I’ll ask you for help. After all… I’m the one abandoned by the Qi family, and Brother Muxuan is so excellent, I…”

Bai Muxuan pouted. He had originally wanted to give Qi Beichen a helping hand, but this was great he wanted to strike out on his own. That was fine, too. It would be better if he hit a wall.

“Mm, it’s fine. I just wanted to check on you, see if you have a place to stay, and if you’re safe. After all, my uncle entrusted me with this.”

“Brother Muxuan, now, I probably don’t have anything to do with the Qi family anymore. You, you don’t have to follow what my dad said and take care of me…”

Bai Muxuan paused. “Now, this is my own idea. I want to see how you are currently. If there are no problems, then get some good rest. There will be heavy rain in the next few days. If you’re setting up a stall on the overpass, you must bring an umbrella—a raincoat is best.”

“Ding-dong…”

A sound came from Bai Muxuan’s side. “It’s nothing now. Rest, see you tomorrow.”

With that, Bai Muxuan hung up the video.

An inexplicable thought popped into Qi Beichen’s mind: could it be that because of his intervention, everything in this world had started to turn around slowly? Looking at it this way… it wasn’t too bad. Perhaps, by borrowing these natural “gold fingers,” he could achieve the ending he wanted.

He lay on the bed, staring at the light above his head, which still had a few dead small flying insects inside.

There were simply too many messages in the “Whisper” group chat; Qi Beichen had muted it long ago. With nothing going on now, he could take a look.

Xie Zhixu: Tsk, the chain hotel under my name has a consumption record for Qi Beichen. It’s right below Jiangcheng People’s Hospital. Why did he go to a hotel of that grade? Liang Han: Poor little Qi, is he safe right now? Su Haoxuan: Have you guys noticed? Bai Muxuan didn’t say anything. Could it be that he went to be the hero who saves the beauty? Liang Han: That’s not impossible; I feel like they have that kind of intention. Xie Zhixu: Have what kind of intention? Are you guys relying on imagination to gossip? Su Haoxuan: Actually, it’s quite strange. Have you noticed? Qi Beichen’s personality has undergone a complete change from before. Xie Zhixu: There’s a lot of intrigue in high-society families; be cautious with your words and actions—perhaps he just learned how. Qi Beichen: Cough, cough, cough, I’m here; I don’t have any problems. Bai Muxuan: Go to sleep. Xie Zhixu: Tsk tsk tsk tsk, henpecked. Damn it, [Handling.jpg]. Qi Beichen: That’s not a thing! You guys are just gossiping randomly. By the way, I set up a stall on the overpass. The business is currently booming; who knows, maybe one day, I’ll be rich too. Xie Zhixu: Yi, you’d better be careful. Su Haoxuan: Yi, you’d better be careful. Liang Han: Yi, you’d better be careful. Bai Muxuan: Everyone go to sleep, tomorrow is a workday.

The group chat suddenly stopped just like that, which was quite boring.

The bedboard was a bit hard, his bones a bit sore. Qi Beichen stared at the bagua diagram in the corner for a while, terrified that something might actually run out of it.

He silently muttered, “Heavenly Official Bestows Blessings, nothing is forbidden.”