Chapter 48 The Method of Detoxification

“No, it’s just that our eldest senior sister was bullied. That formula you gave me—the cream you use on your face every day—I gave it to her so she could earn money and pay off her debts. But when the sample was made and she put it on, her face started itching terribly.”

Gu Xiangnan’s tone carried a hint of childish pleading; before his master, he was always the little boy who never grew up.

On the other end of the line, the Benevolent Medicine Immortal laughed gently, her voice full of indulgence.

“Silly disciple! That formula was originally toxic. For us martial artists, that bit of toxicity is nothing, but for ordinary people, it causes severe reactions.”

“So what should we do? Eldest senior sister already agreed to officially launch this rejuvenating cream in five days. If she can’t present a safe and effective product, she’ll end up on the streets.”

Gu Xiangnan deliberately made his voice sound pitiful, hoping to win his master’s sympathy.

He certainly knew her soft spot. The Benevolent Medicine Immortal sighed, “Both of my disciples are truly pitiful. All right, I’ll tell you how to neutralize the toxicity.”

“To eliminate the poison in the formula, you’ll need to use a medicinal pill as an auxiliary.”

“A medicinal pill?” Gu Xiangnan exclaimed.

“Yes, but you still can’t refine one on your own…”

Gu Xiangnan grew anxious and pleaded, “Master, this is urgent! Even if you teach me now, I might not succeed. Isn’t there any shortcut?”

“There are no shortcuts! Being anxious won’t help.”

Unwilling to give up, Gu Xiangnan pressed on, “Master, then where can I refine a medicinal pill? And how do I do it?”

“All of that depends on fate. When the time comes, you’ll naturally understand.”

“Master, that’s too vague. Most importantly, there are only five days left. What should I do?”

“I’ve told you all I can. The rest is up to fate.”

“Second Master…” Gu Xiangnan tried to wheedle further.

“Ah—an eagle is carrying me around the mountains right now, and I’m just about to fly into a cave. I’ll lose signal soon. Hello? Hello, can you hear me? Hello…”

On the other end, the Benevolent Medicine Immortal was actually sitting at a mahjong table, her phone still echoing with Gu Xiangnan’s anxious “Hello, hello.”

The women around her held their breaths, not daring to make a sound.

She hung up, and everyone relaxed.

The Ninth Master teased, “Second Sister, that excuse was terrible. Next time, just say you’re about to board a rocket and head to space.”

Gu Xiangnan hung up, feeling lost.

Wait for fate?

That was even less likely than winning the lottery!

Was this truly inescapable?

As he pondered, he gradually drifted off to sleep.

He didn’t know how much time had passed, but in a haze, a soft touch brushed his lips.

Startled, he kept still, not giving himself away.

“Xiaonan, wake up.” Su Hanyan called softly.

Gu Xiangnan continued to feign sleep.

Su Hanyan leaned down again, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips.

This time, just as she was about to pull away, Gu Xiangnan grabbed her and kissed her deeply.

Only when they were both nearly out of breath did they part.

Su Hanyan, panting, said, “Xiaonan, it’s time to get up. The Song family just called and invited us to a charity gala!”

Gu Xiangnan raised his brows in surprise. “Oh? Last time, I told Song Boyuan he should do more good deeds. I didn’t expect he’d actually take my words to heart.”

Nestled in his arms, Su Hanyan beamed. “He’s the Prince of Jiangning, after all, with great influence. The invited guests are all prominent figures from various circles. It might be a good opportunity to expand your network.”

Gu Xiangnan, however, was focused on something else. “At a charity gala, how is charity usually done?”

Patiently, Su Hanyan explained, “Usually, wealthy guests donate their collectibles for auction, and the proceeds are given to charity.”

An auction?

Gu Xiangnan was intrigued and got up at once.

By the bed hung a black suit, which Su Hanyan had thoughtfully selected and matched for him.

He was used to dressing casually, but after donning the suit and tidying up, he looked every bit the young aristocrat.

Su Hanyan couldn’t take her eyes off him, praising, “Xiaonan, you’re so handsome!”

She herself chose a white, modernized qipao, her dark hair elegantly coiled with a silver hairpin. Standing together—one in black, one in white—they looked like a perfect pair.

She drove Gu Xiangnan and Wang Mei to the Grand Hotel.

At the entrance, luxury cars were lined up—each worth at least a million, with several Rolls-Royces among them.

Inside, they entered a resplendent banquet hall.

The quiet space was filled with the sound of piano music.

In one corner stood a grand piano, at which sat a beautiful young woman.

Gu Xiangnan found her face familiar and couldn’t help but look twice.

The pianist glanced up, her eyes meeting his.

Both were startled to recognize each other.

As the piece ended, the girl rose and walked over.

“Gu, what a coincidence! What brings you here?” Zi Xiaoyin asked with a smile.

“I heard there was a charity auction, so I came with some friends to join in the fun,” Gu Xiangnan replied casually.

Su Hanyan eyed the pretty girl with a sense of crisis and asked, “Xiaonan, this is…?”

“Oh, this is Zi Xiaoyin, a student at the College of Traditional Medicine.”

“Zi Xiaoyin, this is my senior sister, Su Hanyan. And this is Wang Mei.”

Gu Xiangnan introduced everyone.

Curious, he asked, “Why are you playing piano here?”

“They needed a pianist for tonight’s charity auction, so I came to earn some extra money.” Despite being surrounded by the wealthy and powerful, Zi Xiaoyin showed no trace of inferiority, answering cheerfully.

“By the way, where are your seats? I’ll take you there!”

Zi Xiaoyin had arrived early and the manager had briefed her.

“We’re at Table One.”

Zi Xiaoyin was surprised. “Table One?”

“Yes, is there a problem?” Gu Xiangnan asked.

Zi Xiaoyin was deeply shaken.

Table One was the most prestigious seat at the charity auction, reserved only for those worth hundreds of millions or with immense status.

She gave Gu Xiangnan a searching look.

Handsome, a top student, helpful—and now, an invitee to such an elite event. Who was he, really?

Quickly regaining her composure, she led Gu Xiangnan and the others to Table One.

From a distance, they could see Wang Jinquan and his son already seated.

“Mr. Gu, I’ve been waiting for you,” Wang Jinquan greeted warmly.

Wang Ke hurried to his feet as well. “Brother Nan, I haven’t seen you for days. I’ve missed you.”

Seeing Gu Xiangnan had friends here, Zi Xiaoyin excused herself.

In a quiet corner, Cao Guang watched Zi Xiaoyin and Gu Xiangnan with jealousy.

After school, as usual, Cao Guang had followed Zi Xiaoyin.

But today, instead of heading straight home, she’d come here. Cao Guang thought she was after the cakes at the corner shop again.

Unexpectedly, he’d trailed her all the way to this hotel.

Racking his brains, he managed to slip in by pretending to be someone’s lackey.

And there, once again, was Gu Xiangnan.

How did that gigolo, Gu Xiangnan, receive an invitation here?

He noticed Su Hanyan at Gu Xiangnan’s side—a woman with the air of a powerful leader.

Gu Xiangnan must be her kept man.

A gigolo, and he dreams of joining high society?

Cao Guang curled his lips in a cold sneer.