It didn’t take long for Qin Li to receive the background file from his subordinates.

The document was a meticulously detailed account of Xu Xiliu's personal information, filled with dense paragraphs. Qin Li's expression darkened as he opened it, carefully scanning the contents.

Xu Xiliu, male, 25 years old. Biological parents unknown. Orphaned, raised in welfare institutions. Outstanding academic performance. Graduated from XX Medical University in XX year. Later established a private practice...

At first glance, the file seemed thorough, but on closer inspection, it was surprisingly sparse. His background was strikingly simple—no complex family dynamics, no tangled web of personal relationships. His life trajectory seemed like a single, unbroken line, free from any deviations.

Qin Li frowned.

This simple?

It completely contradicted his expectations.

Xu Xiliu had only entered Qin Li’s life after his banishment to the mountain villa.

Since his exile, nearly all of his connections to the Qin family’s main residence had been severed. The only person who remained loyal by his side was Uncle Zhong, who had dutifully followed him and assumed the role of villa steward. Overseeing the care of Qin Li, whose mental instability was well-known, as well as managing the sprawling estate, Uncle Zhong had been stretched too thin, leaving ample room for spies to infiltrate.

Aside from Uncle Zhong, nearly everyone else around him had been an informant planted by those with ulterior motives. Qin Li trusted none of them.

Even though Xu Xiliu’s records appeared to be transparent, Qin Li couldn’t afford to let his guard down.

The private doctor presented a polished image of gentle amiability—refined, courteous, and effortlessly charming. Within days, he had even managed to win over Uncle Zhong, a man who had weathered decades of treachery.

How could someone with such a personality have so few friends?

Qin Li scoffed, tossing the file aside.

A week passed by quickly.

It was time for Xu Xiliu’s routine checkup at the villa.

After several visits, Xu Xiliu had grown accustomed to the villa's new atmosphere. Compared to the oppressive, tomb-like heaviness of his first night, the estate now hummed with a sense of order and efficiency, almost vibrant in comparison.

Working in such an environment naturally lifted his spirits.

With a faint, elegant smile on his lips, Xu Xiliu carried his medical case inside.

Instead of heading directly to Qin Li, he first paused to consult Uncle Zhong about the man’s medication adherence over the past week. Satisfied with the report, he nodded and made his way to the study where Qin Li usually secluded himself.

At least my efforts haven’t been in vain.

Over the past two weeks, the man had finally begun to take his medication on time.

Honestly, Xu Xiliu had expended considerable effort in dealing with Qin Li’s rebellious streak.

When he was physically present, Xu Xiliu could at least strong-arm the man into reluctantly swallowing his pills, curbing his alarming habit of dry-swallowing them like some kind of daredevil. But the moment Xu Xiliu left? Qin Li’s defiance surged. Even Uncle Zhong, who was more like a stern elder than a butler, couldn’t reign him in.

After several failed check-ins and enduring Qin Li’s mocking smirks, Xu Xiliu had an epiphany.

He scoured online shopping platforms and livestream sales until he found the perfect alarm clock—one advertised for its durability and ear-splitting volume, practically indestructible. He programmed it with every medication alarm and presented it to Qin Li with a smile.

Naturally, Qin Li refused at first.

But Xu Xiliu remained undeterred. The next time he returned to the villa and found the husky-shaped clock in pieces—its stupid dog face shattered beside Qin Li’s smug, triumphant grin—he calmly pulled out an identical replacement from his bag.

Surprise! I bought them in bulk.

After several rounds of this, Qin Li’s expression grew increasingly foul each time the ridiculous husky clock reappeared on his desk, beeping obnoxiously. Eventually, he grudgingly tolerated its existence and half-heartedly complied with the medication schedule.

Because even Xu Xiliu couldn’t stand how loud that damn thing was.

The memory made Xu Xiliu’s eyes crinkle behind his gold-rimmed glasses as he knocked and entered Qin Li’s study.

Inside, Qin Li lounged in his chair, long legs stretched out, his gaze icy. The first words out of his mouth were deliberately provoking: “I didn’t say you could come in.”

Xu Xiliu, fully aware of the man’s lingering grudge over the alarm clock, remained unruffled. His smile didn’t falter as he replied with impeccable courtesy, “Ah, my apologies.”

His tone was polite, but the way he casually took a seat suggested otherwise.

Qin Li’s chest tightened. A derisive snort escaped him.

Though he’d never admit it, his condition had undeniably improved over the past month.

From the initial haze where he could barely string together a few lucid days a week to the catastrophic episode triggered by his uncle’s visit, his mental state had gradually stabilized. After rooting out the treacherous steward and cook poisoning him and purging the villa of spies, he’d reached a temporary equilibrium.

Some of it could be attributed to no longer ingesting the steward’s drugs, but most of the credit went to the man currently sitting across from him.

Xu Xiliu had been involved from the beginning, and while nothing seemed amiss on the surface, Qin Li’s ingrained paranoia refused to dismiss him entirely.

Could he be another Xue Bo in disguise?

Qin Li’s eyes narrowed contemplatively.

Meanwhile, Xu Xiliu was also assessing Qin Li.

After weeks of careful treatment, the man’s condition had improved drastically compared to when Xu Xiliu first arrived.

Back then, Qin Li had been pallid and frail, mentally disoriented after episodes, reliant on a wheelchair despite his tall frame, his bones protruding starkly. Now, his gaze was sharp, his complexion healthier with a hint of color, and he had clearly gained weight. The sheer presence he exuded just by sitting there was intimidating.

Almost like the ruthless tycoon from the novel’s later chapters.

Pleased, Xu Xiliu remarked, “If this progress continues, we might be able to reduce the medication soon—eventually phasing it out entirely.”

“After all, all medicine carries some toxicity.”

He smiled benignly.

By then, these weekly checkups could become optional. Just the occasional summons when needed—the ideal lazy lifestyle.

The thought made him regard Qin Li with almost paternal warmth, like a farmer watching a stubborn chick finally learn to walk.

Qin Li, however, was taken aback.

No more forced medication?

...No, I won’t let my guard down so easily.

What’s this fox plotting now?

His thoughts churned, a glint of suspicion flashing in his eyes.

Xu Xiliu, oblivious to Qin Li’s mental gymnastics—not that he would have cared—proceeded with the checkup, already looking forward to going home and doing absolutely nothing afterward.

Qin Li remained seated like an imperious lord, making no move to cooperate. Xu Xiliu was used to it by now, so he stood and approached, asking routine questions while checking the man’s blood pressure.

Qin Li observed coldly until a faint, unexpected scent drifted past his nose.

Sweet. Familiar.

Rose and lychee?

The fragrance was so subtle that anyone further away would have missed it, but Qin Li caught it instantly—so clearly it made him scowl.

“Are you wearing perfume?” he demanded, unable to restrain his disgust.

And such a girly one at that.

Cloyingly sweet.

“…Huh?”

Xu Xiliu, in the middle of fastening the blood pressure cuff around Qin Li’s arm, paused mid-motion. He glanced up, surprised. “No. Why would you ask that?”

“Tch. Shouldn’t you be asking yourself that?”

The examination necessitated close proximity. Since Qin Li refused to move, Xu Xiliu had to lean in, their legs nearly brushing. At this distance, Qin Li could scrutinize every micro-expression on his doctor’s face—the slight widening of those peach-blossom eyes behind gold-rimmed glasses, the fleeting spark of vitality that seemed to defy the lenses’ restraint.

Qin Li looked away abruptly.

Annoying.

Xu Xiliu had no idea why the man was suddenly fixated on perfume. He shrugged. “I don’t like wearing fragrances. You must be mistaken.”

Qin Li’s obsidian eyes bore into him, skepticism plain.

Xu Xiliu ignored him and continued his work. Surprisingly, Qin Li cooperated, allowing himself to be examined without protest, though his gaze grew increasingly shadowed, as if plotting something sinister.

Suddenly, as Xu Xiliu packed up his equipment, Qin Li rapped his knuckles against the desk.

“In two days, I’ll be attending a banquet. You’re coming with me.”

“…What?”

For once, Xu Xiliu was genuinely dumbfounded.

Had he misheard?

Qin Li’s expression remained impassive. “Problem?”

“…Not exactly,” Xu Xiliu said slowly, his tone dubious. “But may I ask why you’re choosing me?”

A banquet.

Shouldn’t that be an assistant’s job?

What did a private physician have to do with it?

Qin Li’s lips curled mockingly. “Naturally, because my health remains precarious,

and I can’t be without my doctor.”

Xu Xiliu barely suppressed an eye-roll.

If you’re going to lie, at least try to sound convincing.

But Qin Li didn’t make decisions on whims. What was his real motive?

Xu Xiliu pondered this as Qin Li studied him like a commodity up for appraisal.

Dressed in light-toned clothing that accentuated his refined demeanor, even Xu Xiliu’s startled expression carried an innate gentleness, like polished jade—the kind that instinctively disarmed hostility.

Qin Li’s idea had struck him suddenly: bringing this man along might serve multiple purposes.

Previously, he’d used Xu Xiliu to purge the villa of spies—partly out of necessity due to limited trustworthy personnel, but mostly to lull his uncle into complacency. Had he acted overtly from the start, his uncle would have intervened immediately. This way, he’d eliminated threats swiftly and quietly.

This banquet served a similar strategy.

Having lurked in the shadows long enough, it was time to reassert his presence—to remind everyone who truly controlled the Qin empire.

His uncle would inevitably notice the villa’s changes, so Qin Li might as well make a grand appearance, guaranteeing maximum panic.

Bringing Xu Xiliu amplified the effect. His uncle, paranoid and short-sighted, would interpret it as Qin Li desperately posturing despite poor health, lowering his guard afterward. Moreover, keeping this enigmatic doctor close allowed Qin Li to monitor him—perhaps the fox would finally slip up.

A cold glint flashed in Qin Li’s eyes.

“Well? Cat got your tongue?” he goaded. “Weren’t you just preaching about caring for me? Changing your tune now?”

Xu Xiliu resisted the urge to sigh.

Since when did this become a thing?

Before he could respond, Qin Li impatiently tapped the desk again.

“I’ll pay extra.”

“Same rate as your consultation fees.”

“Surely you won’t turn down easy money, Doctor?”

His tone was challenging.

Xu Xiliu’s objections evaporated instantly.

Extra pay?

Was that even a question?

He smiled beatifically. “If Mr. Qin requires my presence, I’d be honored to accompany you.”

Who says no to money?