Chapter 4: The Bribe

After dinner, Xia’s father habitually went upstairs to check on Xia Rusheng’s condition, holding the plastic surgeon’s information in his hand. Xia Rusheng had long been aware of her adoptive mother Tan Li’s scheme, so she paid special attention to this doctor. A doctor who could be bribed by Tan Li was certainly not a good one. If he could be bought by Tan Li, he could be bought by others as well.

“Dad, can I meet my doctor before the surgery?”

Xia’s father paused for a moment, then nodded in agreement. “Tomorrow, I’ll arrange for the doctor to come to the house to meet you. Afterwards, I’ll discuss the details with him again. Don’t worry, Xia Xia, the surgery will be flawless.”

Xia Rusheng knew no one could guarantee such things. Xia Rui was not trustworthy either—a man blinded by a woman was simply unworthy of trust.

“Aunt Chen, tomorrow, quietly help me buy something. Make sure no one in the house finds out.” After Xia Rui left, Xia Rusheng called Aunt Chen over and whispered her request. Aunt Chen was taken aback but assured her it would be done.

Near noon the next day, Xia Rui invited the doctor who would perform Xia Rusheng’s treatment and cosmetic surgery to their home. The doctor explained the surgical plan in front of Xia Rui and Grandma Xia, presenting himself as a competent and sincere physician. Later, Xia Rusheng invited the doctor into the study for a pre-surgery consultation.

“Aunt Chen, wait outside the study. I have a few things to discuss with Dr. Liu.” Xia Rusheng gave Aunt Chen a knowing look. Aunt Chen immediately understood and opened the study door, just in time to see Xia Yu sneaking around, eavesdropping.

“Second Miss, communication between doctor and patient before surgery is very important. It’s not appropriate for you to disturb now.”

Xia Yu lifted her chin disdainfully and snorted, “Who’s disturbing her? I’m just passing by. Hmph!”

Aunt Chen smiled without replying. After Xia Yu left, she dutifully stood guard outside the study for Xia Rusheng.

Inside the study, Dr. Liu spoke at length, but Xia Rusheng remained silent. The doctor had never encountered such a taciturn patient and couldn’t help but ask, “Miss Xia, you seem completely indifferent about the surgery on your face.”

“It’s just a disfiguring surgery. Should I care?” Xia Rusheng suddenly looked up and smiled.

Dr. Liu was startled by her words, straightening his back in alarm. Trying to maintain composure, he smiled and said, “Miss Xia, you must be joking. I understand your worries. Such a major skin graft and cosmetic surgery can be psychologically stressful. But I am the most authoritative plastic surgeon in City A, with over a thousand successful operations. You can trust me completely.”

Xia Rusheng wasn’t buying his nonsense. She directly placed a bank card on the table before Dr. Liu. “How much did Tan Li pay you to ruin my face? I’ll pay more. There are two million on this card—exchange it for my face.”

Dr. Liu looked at Xia Rusheng’s determined eyes; his palms began to sweat.

“I’m fully capable of asking for double or more, but I’m telling you, no way. I’m not the kind of person who can be easily exploited. Listen to me: this money is yours if you accept. If not, you’ll get entangled in medical disputes. I already know the truth—do you think I’ll let you go easily?”

Hearing this, Dr. Liu froze again. After hesitating for a long moment, he slowly reached for the card, but before it could touch his hand, Xia Rusheng pressed down on it.

“I know Tan Li wants to use the surgery to ruin my face, but I’m not clear on how exactly. Can you enlighten me, Dr. Liu?”

Dr. Liu glanced nervously at the study door. Xia Rusheng signaled that someone was guarding outside, so he could speak freely.

“Miss Xia’s skin treatment was delayed too long due to brain surgery, missing the golden treatment period. So Mrs. Xia asked me to lie about the surgical outcome—claiming the scars couldn’t be completely removed—and then cause some accident during the deformity correction.”

A faint smile flickered in Xia Rusheng’s eyes. She asked, “How much did she pay you to take such a risk to ruin my face?”

“One million, and that doesn’t even include the surgery fees.”

Xia Rusheng nodded. Tan Li had indeed paid a hefty sum to destroy her.

“You’re quite the easy mark, Dr. Liu. I wonder if you’ll secretly report to her to squeeze out more money?”

A blue vein throbbed on Dr. Liu’s forehead, but he smiled, “Of course not. Between clean money and dirty money, a doctor always chooses clean money.”

Xia Rusheng said nothing, lightly pressing her hand on her lap. Suddenly, a voice echoed from the study’s recording device.

“Miss Xia’s skin treatment was delayed too long due to brain surgery, missing the golden treatment period. So Mrs. Xia asked me to lie about the surgical outcome—claiming the scars couldn’t be completely removed—and then cause some accident during the deformity correction… One million, and that doesn’t even include the surgery fees…”

“You secretly recorded this!” Dr. Liu heard his own words and immediately stood up, terrified.

“Aunt Chen!”

“Ah!” Aunt Chen responded quickly upon hearing Xia Rusheng’s call.

Dr. Liu knew this was a warning—this was the Xia family residence, and there was no chance of seizing the recording device by force.

“No matter how much Tan Li bribes you later to deny this, I’ll pay double if you provide evidence in my favor. If you back out, this recording will be made public—you know the consequences.” After saying this, Xia Rusheng handed the bank card to Dr. Liu.

Dr. Liu dared neither to accept it nor refuse. He couldn’t believe he was about to be outwitted by a teenage girl.

“Dr. Liu, by the way, for the cosmetic surgery, I will secretly find another doctor. As my chief surgeon, I’ll need you to cover for me. I don’t want today’s conversation or the upcoming events to reach anyone’s ears. I’m sure you want that too. Aunt Chen, see them out!”

Dr. Liu wasted no time lingering and hurriedly left the Xia residence. Xia Rusheng looked out the window just in time to see Tan Li personally escorting Dr. Liu out. The two seemed to be getting along well, still laughing when they reached the car.

“Xia Xia, why did Dr. Liu look so grim just now? What did you two say?” Aunt Chen could only hear voices from outside and couldn’t catch the details.

“Nothing, Aunt Chen. I’m tired and want to rest. Don’t let anyone disturb me.”

Aunt Chen sighed and left. Xia Rusheng picked up the doctor’s file, opened her computer, uploaded the recording to her private email, addressed it to Dr. Liu, and sent it before clearing her email and browsing history.

She thought to herself that when Dr. Liu opened his computer, he’d surely appreciate this rather unoriginal gift from her.