But before the bodyguards could even open fire, Chen Qingdi had already unleashed his Flying Dragon Fist. He landed a single punch on the young man’s head, who saw stars before passing out instantly.
The bodyguards instinctively opened fire, but their bullets were useless, striking a bulletproof vest and leaving their target completely unharmed.
Instead, Chen Qingdi snatched the young man and took control of him.
The bodyguards were so scared they didn’t dare make a reckless move.
"Let go of Young Master Reed!"
So this young man was none other than Ruth’s younger brother, Reid Belart.
Before the words had even faded, Chen Qingdi became a blur. A series of miserable screams erupted. He had already shattered ten guns, leaving the thugs not only empty-handed but also severely injured.
With either broken arms or broken legs, they lay on the ground in a pathetic state.
Chen Qingdi ordered one of the bodyguards to call Ruth and tell her to bring a pickup truck to shovel all the "trash" back.
Being repeatedly called "trash" by Chen Qingdi, the bodyguards were resentful, but they knew he was speaking the truth and couldn’t find a reason to refute him.
A short while later, Ruth arrived before him.
By now, Ruth’s face was completely disfigured, and she had lost her former sharp confidence. In a low voice, she asked Chen Qingdi,
"What exactly will it take for you to give me the antidote?"
Chen Qingdi sneered. "I have no other conditions, only two: The Nine Treasures Medical King Scripture is a national treasure of our Dragon Country and must be returned to us. And that traitor who stole Dragon Country’s secrets must also be handed over to us!"
Ruth finally understood Chen Qingdi’s true purpose. "It seems you’re in league with the owner of that golden vehicle. It’s just that they were obvious about it, while you are far more subtle."
Chen Qingdi nodded. "Stealing from others is wrong. If you return these things and ensure we can leave the country safely, I can guarantee not only to cure your poison but also heal the knife wound on your face. I’ll make sure not a single scar remains—in fact, I’ll make you even more beautiful than before."
The truth was, Ruth had sought treatment, but everyone told her that Chen Qingdi’s scalpel had clearly been coated in some kind of toxin. Although the wound could be healed, it would forever leave an ugly scar on her face.
To be completely cured, she would need the antidote from Chen Qingdi himself.
It had gotten to the point where Ruth didn’t even dare to go out in public, forced to cover her face with a black veil.
"You’ll keep your word?"
Her voice trembled.
Chen Qingdi said in a low voice, "This was my only goal from the start. If you can agree to my conditions, this horse ranch is yours too."
Ruth hesitated for a moment. "I can agree. I’ll return your book and hand over the traitors to you. But you must agree to one condition of mine."
"What is it?"
"I want you to attend a fighting competition as my fiancé. A son of a high-ranking official from Hanhai City will be there, and you must fend him off."
Chen Qingdi was stunned for a moment. "A marriage alliance with the son of a high-ranking official... wouldn’t that be a powerful union for you?"
Ruth snorted. "As the heir to the Belart Clan, I cannot enter into a marriage alliance with a high-ranking official. All they care about is plundering our family’s wealth! But you’re different. I’ve investigated you. You’re the Island Master of Medical God Island, and your personal assets are no less than mine. Your roots aren’t here, so even with a horse ranch, you pose no threat to us. Furthermore, your medical skills would be an extraordinary asset to my family. The power you bring to the table is far greater than that of a mere medical scripture. We also know you have a connection with Princess Alice of a certain small country, and we import half of our raw materials from them."
If Ruth hadn’t brought it up, Chen Qingdi would have already forgotten about the princess of that small country.
’We haven’t been in contact since I left. I suppose she’s probably the queen by now.’
Chen Qingdi looked her up and down.
"You aren’t digging another trap for me, are you?"
"Before I confirmed your identity, I did indeed want to harm you. But not anymore. Making an enemy of the terrifying Medical God Island is something our clan cannot even imagine. Right now, we only want to cooperate!"
Chen Qingdi knew she wasn’t lying, so he agreed.
After they struck their deal, Ruth requested that Chen Qingdi move into her family’s estate.
Since he was her "boyfriend," it was implied he would be marrying into the family, so naturally, he had to live with Ruth.
Chen Qingdi knew Ruth was just putting on an act. He could tell she felt nothing for him but hatred and fear, and he felt nothing for her in return. It was impossible for them to ever be together for real.
This was merely a partnership born from mutual interest.
What was even more ironic was that the vehicle that came to pick him up for the manor was the very same RV that Long Wu and his companions had been driving.
When Chen Qingdi arrived at his new residence, he found the furnishings to be quite luxurious.
Even his own room was exquisitely decorated. ’The Belart Clan really spared no expense,’ he thought.
’But I’m just a doctor, at best. Am I really worth all this effort?’
The bathtub in the bathroom was also quite large, and he soaked comfortably inside.
Just then, the door suddenly opened, and a woman wearing a veil walked in.
"Ruth, what are you doing in here?"
"What’s so strange? You’re my boyfriend. Can’t I come in and keep you company?"
"You know full well this is just an act."
Ruth shook her head. "But I never wanted it to be an act. I really want to be with you."
As she spoke, she unfastened her clothes, leaving only her underwear on, and stepped into the bathtub.
She had a great figure. If one didn’t consider her disfigured face, she was actually a very charming woman.
But Chen Qingdi felt no stirring of desire. Even as she wrapped her arms around his neck, he remained unmoved.
"’To be overly attentive for no reason means you’re up to no good.’ Just say it, what do you want from me?"
"I want to live with you, and more than that, I want you to heal my face."
Chen Qingdi hesitated. ’She’s unpredictable. Once I lose this leverage I have over her, there’s no telling if she’ll go back on her word and take cruel revenge on me.’
Ruth smiled. "Right now, your value to me is greater than the satisfaction I’d get from revenge. Don’t worry, I won’t act on emotion. We have to be together until that fighting competition. You don’t want to spend all day looking at an ugly monster, do you?"
She did indeed put her other motives aside. After she helped Chen Qingdi finish his bath, the two of them emerged from the bathroom wrapped in bathrobes.
He had just proposed going to a hospital, as the complete medical facilities there would be more suitable for the procedure.
Who would have known that Ruth had her own private hospital here, with facilities that were also quite comprehensive.
Once inside, Chen Qingdi took out some medicinal solutions he had prepared. He removed the scab from her scar, applied the solution, then spread an ointment over her wound before bandaging it with cotton and gauze.