21 - You've truly disappointed me
Jiang Hao checked the attribute panel again.
[Host: Jiang Hao]
[Attributes: Strength 3, Speed 5, Reflex 4, Charisma 5] (The average value for ordinary people is 5)
[Assets: Approximately 100 million yuan]
[Skills: Appraisal LV3, Foreign Language LV4, Driving LV2, Piano LV3, Combat LV5] (The maximum level for ordinary people is LV5)
[Counterattack Points: 120 points]
[Counterattack Completion Rate: 0.5%]
[Opposition Level with Ye Feng: 0%]
[Targeted Characters: Xia Siyu 1%, Yang Qing 60%]
It was only now that Jiang Hao noticed the new section labeled "Targeted Characters," as he had been focused on skills and attributes earlier.
Xia Siyu's progress was a mere 1%, which reaffirmed her extremely high difficulty.
However, Yang Qing's 60% progress excited Jiang Hao. But recalling that in the original novel, although Yang Qing was a main character, her presence barely exceeded that of a supporting role, he calmed down quickly.
"Sixty percent... If I try harder, it shouldn't be difficult to reach one hundred percent!" Jiang Hao made up his mind.
Yet, one issue troubled him. Xia Siyu was incredibly sharp, and some things would not escape her notice!
"Never mind, I'll meet with Yang Qing tomorrow," Jiang Hao finally decided.
...
The next morning, Jiang Hao drove his sports car to Xia's Hospital.
Lacking Yang Qing's contact information, he headed to her mother's hospital room instead.
To his surprise, only Yang Qing's mother was there.
Unable to endure Yang Qing's mother's eerie gaze, Jiang Hao decided to leave.
In the hallway, he dialed Xia Siyu's number. "Siyu, do you know where Yang Qing is?"
"You're at the hospital? Wait there!" After a brief, surprised response, Xia Siyu hung up immediately.
Jiang Hao was puzzled.
He had prepared plenty of reasons and responses in advance, such as if Xia Siyu asked why he was at the hospital or if she mocked him.
But unexpectedly, she didn't ask a single question!
More curiously, her tone during the call had sounded somewhat... excited?
Unable to figure it out, Jiang Hao chose not to dwell on it.
The smell of disinfectant in the hospital made him uncomfortable, so he went downstairs to wait in the courtyard.
The Xia family's hospital not only had top-notch medical equipment but also an inviting environment, making it ideal for recovery.
After waiting for about ten minutes, Jiang Hao's phone rang again.
"We're in the parking lot. Come over!" Xia Siyu's voice came through.
"We?"
Jiang Hao was taken aback.
Xia Siyu was with Yang Qing? When did the two of them get so close?
Today's events had left Jiang Hao completely perplexed, but he decided to head to the parking lot regardless.
Halfway there, he spotted two figures in the distance, and his eyes lit up.
It was Xia Siyu and Yang Qing.
Today, Xia Siyu was dressed rather casually, wearing leather pants paired with an asymmetrical blue shirt, shedding some of her usual imposing demeanor.
Yang Qing, on the other hand, looked like a completely different person.
Usually dressed simply and in muted colors, today she wore an expensive blue dress. Her face, lightly made up, was radiant with a touch of pink. Her elegant brown high heels exuded an air of sophistication, giving her the aura of high society.
Yang Qing still appeared timid. Upon seeing Jiang Hao, she stopped in her tracks, lowered her head, and nervously gripped her handbag.
Jiang Hao's sharp eyes quickly noticed that Yang Qing's outfit included Hermes' latest dress, limited-edition Gucci heels, and a custom-made handbag by a renowned designer.
This ensemble undoubtedly cost at least several hundred thousand yuan!
With Yang Qing's financial situation, there was no way she could afford this.
There could only be one explanation: Xia Siyu had arranged all of it!
"Jiang Hao, I have to admit, you really lucked out with Yang Qing," Xia Siyu said as she approached, her usual cold tone absent.
Jiang Hao said nothing, his expression serious.
Ignoring Xia Siyu, he walked up to Yang Qing and smiled gently. "You look stunning today."
Thump, thump.
A simple sentence made Yang Qing's heart race like a deer running wild.
[Counterattack Points +50]
Ignoring the notification in his mind, Jiang Hao continued, "Do you know how much your outfit costs?"
"Huh?"
Yang Qing was taken aback, completely clueless.
Earlier that day, Xia Siyu had practically dragged her to shop. During the spree, Xia Siyu never asked about prices, simply swiping her card and leaving.
Although the stores looked luxurious, Yang Qing had no concept of how expensive the items were.
"At least 360,000 yuan," Jiang Hao stated.
"360,000?!"
Yang Qing's eyes widened, her face instantly turning pale.
She had just accepted a gift worth 360,000 yuan from Xia Siyu?
It was an astronomical figure for her, someone who had probably never seen so much money in her entire life!
"Don't get me wrong. I'm not blaming you," Jiang Hao quickly reassured her.
"You have a pure heart and lack worldly experience. But in the future, never accept gifts so easily, not even from another woman."
"Jiang Hao!"
Xia Siyu's voice rose angrily from behind him.
She quickly stepped forward, placing herself between Jiang Hao and Yang Qing to shield the latter.
"Yang Qing's life has been hard. What's wrong with me buying her a few gifts? Weren't you the one who asked me to take care of her?"
"Is this what you call taking care of someone?" Jiang Hao countered.
For some reason, Xia Siyu suddenly felt guilty, her gaze shifting away.
"Siyu, if you want to break off our engagement, just say so! Even if your father disagrees, I'll respect your decision. This is between us, so leave others out of it!" Jiang Hao said firmly.
He knew Xia Siyu's personality well—proud and headstrong, but with a soft heart beneath her tough exterior. Her actions today were completely out of character.
After careful thought, the conclusion was clear.
Xia Siyu was trying to match him and Yang Qing!
"Siyu, we've known each other since we were kids. You may be proud and domineering, but deep down, you're also fragile. Today, you've truly disappointed me."
After saying this, Jiang Hao turned and walked away.
Xia Siyu froze in place, unable to recover from her shock.
Her expression turned bitter as guilt overwhelmed her.
He was right.
Although Yang Qing liked Jiang Hao, Xia Siyu's actions had indeed been selfish.
Jiang Hao's recent changes, coupled with her family's elders' newfound guilt, had left Xia Siyu deeply unsettled.
She couldn't deny that she had acted with ulterior motives.