Chapter 701: A Million Times for You (63)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“It can be induced during light sleep, but it all depends on the subject’s susceptibility to prompts and hypnosis. There’s a self-defense mechanism in every human brain. Those who possess a very strong willpower won’t be hypnotized.”
The hypnotherapist’s words alone were enough to lift her spirits.
“Doctor, may I hire you privately?”
“I’m sorry, but we’re not allowed to be hired for private practice. If there’s a need for hypnosis, it can only be done so within the clinic.”
Slightly taken aback, Xu Baizhi continued, “I can pay you more.”
“Sorry, Miss, but from what you said earlier, I have a hunch that you’re trying to use hypnosis to extract a secret from someone else. I won’t accept such an unethical task.”
“How about if I offer you three hundred thousand dollars? Or five hundred thousand?”
The hypnotherapist ignored her completely, as if he did not hear her at all.
Xu Baizhi did not expect the hypnotherapist to be so ethical and thus had no choice but to leave dejectedly.
But not all hypnotherapists would be that ethical, right?
There’s bound to be greedy ones who would compromise moral ethics for money.
She believed that she would be able to find an unethical hypnotherapist who was willing to help her.
——
An Xiaoning took a nap once she arrived back at the Gu family mansion, after which she chatted with Lin Mingxi for a while.
Just as she finished drinking a cup of coffee, she received a call from Pan Zhenghui.
“I just received an update. The archeological team headed to the remote mountain again with a medium. The medium said that there were no spirits or other supernatural beings in sight. Moreover, there was also a brave soul who entered the cave. There turned out to be nothing inside the coffin,” said Pan Zhenghui.
“That goes without saying. The spirits must’ve left after the disturbance we caused them yesterday.”
“I thought so too. Xiaoning, Yuan Mingzhu’s position is still vacant. Since you don’t wish to resume your duties, could you recommend someone who possesses the same abilities as you?” Pan Zhenghui asked.
“Bureau Chief, I don’t actually know anyone who’s like me. I think you’d better look for someone to fill the slot yourself. I believe you’ll find an appropriate candidate.”
Pan Zhenghui sighed and said, “Alright, then. Xiaoning, the doors will always be open for you if you’re willing to come back anytime.”
“Alright.”
After ending the call, An Xiaoning decided to stay in bed and watch a movie instead of going out that day.
She stared at her mobile phone screen as a million thoughts filled her distracted mind.
In fact, she had not yet completely processed everything that had happened today.
After recalling the events carefully, An Xiaoning had a sudden realization that fate and destiny were such an incredible and unfathomable concept.
Mrs. Gu opened the door and called gently, “Xiaoning, there’s a female celebrity who came to see you.”
“A female celebrity?” An Xiaoning put on her slippers and headed downstairs together with Mrs. Gu.
It was not to her surprise that the female celebrity was none other than Song Yan.
It had been a long while since she saw her.
“Please take a seat. Ms. Song, what would you like to see me for?” An Xiaoning asked while sitting down on the couch,
Song Yan sat down facing her and thanked the servant who served her a cup of tea. Holding up the teacup with a wide smile on her face, Song Yan said, “I’m here to ask for your help in reading my career prospects, Ms. An.”
“I’m afraid you’ve made a wasted trip today. I can’t read your fortune,” An Xiaoning rejected straight away.
“I can offer you a higher price if you find a million dollars to be too little.”
“It’s not about money. I don’t rely on fortune-telling to make a living. I only read fortunes selectively, based on my mood. No amount of money can compel me to do it if I don’t wish to,” An Xiaoning answered calmly.
The smile on Song Yan’s face faded slightly, and she continued, “Ms. An, we’ve known each other for quite some time now. Can’t you just do me the honor and read my fortune?”
“Ms. Song, you and I barely have any ties with each other. Please leave if there’s nothing else you’d like to say,” said An Xiaoning, maintaining her composure.
A sullen expression formed on Song Yan’s face the moment she heard her answer. She rose from her seat and left straight away without uttering another word.
Once she got inside the nanny van, her manager, Huahua, asked, “You’re done so soon?”
“No, she didn’t want to read my fortune at all,” said Song Yan, leaning against the seat with her eyes closed.
“Why not? Did she think the price you offered was too low?”
“No, she said that she only reads fortunes based on her mood and that no amount of money can make her do it if she doesn’t want to.”
“I reckon she must’ve found the money to be too little. I’m sure she’ll concede if you offer her ten million dollars.”
“Forget it, she’s not the only fortune-teller around anyway. I’ll just look for someone else. Who would reject free money? She’s so haughty and arrogant,” Song Yan dissed in a high-pitched voice, feeling extremely peeved and disgruntled.
“Exactly. Who does she think she is? She’s just a shrew whose marriages are bound to fail. What’s there to be arrogant about?” Huahua chimed in.
The chauffeur turned around and said, “Sis, cut it out.”
“Why? Are you trying to control my freedom of speech? Are you tired of living?” Song Yan rebuked, glowering at him.
“No, look outside the window,” said the chauffeur.
Song Yan and her manager looked out of the window, only to see that An Xiaoning had appeared out of nowhere and was standing right in front of the car window. Needless to say, she had heard their conversation.
It was more awkward than ever.
Song Yan kicked her feet against the chauffeur’s seat rest, motioning for him to drive away.
However, the door was swung open before he could even begin driving.
An Xiaoning stared at them while smiling and said, “Who do I think I am? I’m just a shrew whose marriages have failed. What’s there to be arrogant about?” An Xiaoning repeated their words sarcastically.
Feeling flustered and regretful for not minding her words, Huahua frantically clarified, “Ms. An, I wasn’t talking about you.”
“Who were you talking about then?”
“I was talking about myself, myself…”
“But that’s not what I heard?” An Xiaoning said with a smirk. The wider she smiled, the more terrorized Huahua was.
On the other hand, Song Yan was much more composed, thinking to herself that it didn’t matter since she and An Xiaoning were just acquaintances. Noticing how frightened her manager was, Song Yan chided, “Huahua, what’s wrong with you? Since we’ve said it, we ought to admit to it. An Xiaoning, you’re just like Jin Qingyue…”
“Song Yan…” Huahua tugged her arm, motioning for her to stop talking.
“No wonder Ling Ciye would rather be with Qingyue than with you,” An Xiaoning said with a sarcastic smile, striking a sour note within Song Yan.
Song Yan turned pale immediately and stared at An Xiaoning’s receding figure, boiling with anger.
“Huahua, did you hear what she said about me!?!” she hollered.
“Song Yan, we were wrong to badmouth her behind her back in the first place. We even made the mistake of letting her overhear us. She’s powerful and authoritative. Let’s simmer down and not stoop to her level.”
Unable to contain her anger, Song Yan pushed the door open and stormed off toward An Xiaoning. Seeing that the situation was about to go out of hand, Huahua frantically jumped out of the car to stop her.
“An Xiaoning, what right have you got to say that about me!?! If you’re so high and mighty, why did all your husbands end up divorcing you? You’re a thrice-divorced wretch, and yet you still have the cheek to criticize. You only got to where you are by riding on your husband’s coattails. Who do you think you are…”
Huahua hurriedly covered Song Yan’s mouth and dragged her into the car.
“Oh goodness gracious, stop it!” Huahua exclaimed.
An Xiaoning stopped in her tracks and turned around with a menacing glare in her eyes.
Riding on my husband’s coattails?
An Xiaoning initially did not bother arguing with her any longer. However, Song Yan’s words had triggered her greatly.
An Xiaoning walked back toward them. Noticing that An Xiaoning was approaching, Huahua frantically shoved Song Yan inside the car.