"Miss Song was originally destined for a life of great fortune. It was only because she was switched as a child, losing a part of her intelligence, that her fate changed," Guan Xuxu patiently explained once again to the Song family father and son. She added, "Actually, when I first visited, it was to help Miss Song retrieve that lost intelligence..."
Madam Song, however, could no longer hear the rest of her explanation. She nodded repeatedly, her voice trembling as she spoke.
"Yes, yes, Master Jiang did say that. I... I had forgotten at the time."
As she spoke, she suddenly grasped Guan Xuxu's hand tightly, her eyes red and her face full of emotion.
"Master Jiang, does that mean... as long as we restore that lost intelligence, my little Lier will... will be like a normal person again?"
"That's right."
The moment those words fell, Madam Song's tears streamed down once more. Even Song Yongming and Song Yuli beside her looked visibly moved.
Along with their excitement, they also felt a deep sense of guilt.
Master Jiang was such a kind-hearted person—he had specially come to help, yet they had driven him out of their house.
Not only did they drive him away, but when Lier suddenly fell unconscious, they even called Jiang Zong to question him.
And yet, despite all that, the master did not hold a grudge. The moment he heard Lier was in trouble, he rushed over to help.
The Song family felt utterly ashamed.
The kind of shame that made them want to set a nightly alarm just to wake up and slap themselves.
"Thank you, thank you... Master Jiang, truly, thank you..." Madam Song was so overwhelmed with gratitude that she was sobbing uncontrollably.
For so many years, she had already given up hope.
She had long made up her mind that even if Lier remained like this for the rest of her life, she would care for her forever.
But the words of the Pei family today had deeply hurt her.
Just because her child was not normal, those people assumed she would have no objections and dared to target her.
Madam Song had been on the verge of breaking down.
But now, Master Jiang was telling her that her little Lier could be cured.
That she could grow up like a normal person...
Guan Xuxu had seen Madam Song lose all decorum, raging and fighting fiercely to protect her child. Now, seeing her break down in tears of joy, Guan Xuxu felt a faint stir in her heart.
The love of a mother for her child—she had never experienced it before, and perhaps never would.
But watching Madam Song, she could vaguely understand what that kind of love felt like.
Her lips twitched slightly, and she waited quietly for the Song family to compose themselves before finally proposing to leave.
After all the commotion tonight, it was already quite late.
Song Yongming, now calmer, regained his usual steady composure and inquired about the payment for today's services.
Business was business. Master Jiang had saved their child today, and they needed to express their gratitude properly.
It was also a good way to make a good impression so that she would return in a few days to restore Lier's intelligence.
Speaking of payment, Guan Xuxu straightened her posture slightly.
Finally, it was time to get paid.
Normally, she charged thirty thousand per job, but considering the effort required to break the life-borrowing spell, plus the jade token she had sacrificed to block the backlash, Guan Xuxu thought for a moment and seriously held up three fingers toward Song Yongming.
Three hundred thousand.
"Three million. No problem."
Song Yongming didn't hesitate at all. He nodded and took out his phone to transfer the money to her right away.
Guan Xuxu was momentarily stunned. By the time she processed what had happened, her phone had already received the three-million transfer.
Staring at the long string of zeros in her bank account, Guan Xuxu's almond-shaped eyes widened slightly. She swallowed her saliva before raising her head again, now looking completely composed.
"In three days, I'll come back to restore Miss Song's intelligence."
On the surface, she appeared calm and collected, but inwardly, her heart was dancing with joy.
Three million—she was rich!
Indeed, taking the initiative had been the right choice.
If only she could get more jobs like this, she could quickly gather enough money to sever all ties with the Guan family.
Thinking about how she would soon be able to cut off all financial dependencies on the Guan family, her steps felt much lighter as she walked out the door.
Jiang Huai had noticed her excited little expression when she saw the money arrive in her account. His lips curled into a deep smile, but he chose not to expose this little money-lover.
Watching her now, it was clear she had already forgotten the unpleasantness from earlier at the Jiang house.
His peach blossom eyes darkened slightly, and he suddenly spoke.
"Xuxu, I'm sorry."
Guan Xuxu tilted her head and looked at Jiang Huai, waiting for him to continue.
"Even though I saw how you exposed Wu Nanny's tricks before, I still didn't fully believe you could solve the Song family's situation. So when Dad didn't let you get involved, I didn't speak up. For that, I owe you an apology."
As he spoke, he looked at Guan Xuxu, his peach blossom eyes glistening with a gentle smile.
"But now I'm sure—my little sister is truly incredible."
Hearing Jiang Huai's apology and his compliment, Guan Xuxu's eyes curved into a happy smile.
Seeing her pleased expression, Jiang Huai's heart softened.
However, realizing the extent of her abilities, he knew he needed to rethink his plans for her future.
Before, he had thought she needed money.
But now, seeing her effortlessly earn three million in a single job, he realized he had been too narrow-minded.
Still, just because his little sister could make money didn't mean she shouldn't have a generous allowance from her older brother.
Thinking about the thirty thousand he gave her yesterday, it suddenly felt embarrassing.
So, after dropping her off at her apartment, Jiang Huai immediately transferred another three million to her.
Guan Xuxu had just sent out 1.5 million and was about to put her phone down when another notification popped up—another three million had arrived.
She was dumbfounded.
How had the money she just sent out doubled and come back to her?
Had her master secretly sent five ghost spirits to bring her fortune?
Looking closer—oh, it was from her brother.
With a brother this rich, it seemed she wasn't earning enough after all.
At the Song Residence
After seeing off Guan Xuxu and Jiang Huai, and putting Song Yuli to bed, Song Yongming and his wife finally relaxed.
Now that they had some quiet time, they recalled what had happened at the Jiang residence earlier.
There was something odd about the Jiang family's attitude.
"It seems like Master Jiang doesn't actually live in the Jiang household. Didn't they just bring her back home?"
"The Jiang family is complicated. I don't think Master Jiang is having as easy a time there as outsiders might think."
"But she's their biological child! They finally found her—how could they bear to mistreat her?" Madam Song sounded displeased. She had immense admiration for Guan Xuxu now, especially after learning that she could restore her daughter's intelligence.
Song Yongming shook his head. "The Jiang family's affairs aren't ours to interfere with."
After a pause, his eyes narrowed slightly. "But if they truly understood Master Jiang's abilities, they might regret their actions."
Not just the Jiang family—also the Guan family that had raised her.
He hadn't inquired too deeply, but he had heard that the Jiang family had withdrawn from their collaboration with the Guan family.
If the Guan family had raised the Jiang family's daughter, they should have been thriving. And yet, the two families had completely cut ties. That was very telling.
"No matter what happens with the Jiang family, our family must never be disrespectful to Master Jiang."
Master Jiang was their benefactor.
Anyone who dared to oppose her would also be an enemy of the Song family.
Madam Song wholeheartedly agreed. "I heard the Jiang family is hosting a welcome banquet for Master Jiang. I must bring a generous gift."