Chapter 19

Lan Xi was stunned speechless by the scolding, while inside the room, some Xingren who couldn't help trying to defend their princess said, "Princess, how dare he..."

But before they could finish speaking, Xie Cheng interrupted: "President Lin, you're also a big shot in the real estate industry. At your age, coming here to solicit the princess - it really makes me lose respect for you. Can you even keep up with the popular songs played at KTVs nowadays?"

President Lin: "..."

The Locklin Club did indeed offer KTV services, but Xie Cheng was shocked to discover that even a high-end club that claimed to operate properly was involved in such sordid affairs privately.

He didn't give Lan Xi a chance to speak, merely glanced around at everyone present with their complex reactions, and spat out two words amidst those gazes―

"Perverts."

The various middle-aged presidents and CEOs present: "..."

...

Xie Cheng cursed them without any psychological barrier.

These influential middle-aged presidents, shareholders and CEOs had gone to the trouble of booking the luxurious Locklin Club and crowding around Lan Xi alone, giving her piles of cash. It was obvious they didn't just want to put their arms around her and sing KTV songs together.

Xie Cheng dragged Lan Xi outside. He couldn't help it anymore and shot her a cold look. "Are you that short of money?"

Lan Xi was still in shock. Princess? KTV princess? What was that? They knew she was a real princess, yet Xie Cheng still dared to show such disrespect?

His irritated expression upon seeing her blank confusion seemed to further anger Xie Cheng.

He rubbed his brow and said heavily, "Lan Xi, don't make excuses. Don't say nothing happened. If nothing really happened, would they have stayed silent when I scolded them just now?"

"Hmph, some of them even kept sneaking looks at you when they left." Xie Cheng loosened his tie slightly, an incredulous expression on his face. "I really didn't expect that these successful figures with fame and standing in the industry would actually be hypocritical lechers like this."

Xie Cheng pressed his lips tightly together and stared at Lan Xi. "So how did they give you money?"

Give her money?

"They took turns."

Other than taking turns lining up to give her money, was there another way?

"Took turns?!" Hearing this, Xie Cheng looked like his worldview had been bombarded. "So many of them, and they really only wanted you? And they took turns...with you..."

Xie Cheng seemed unable to say anything more.

He looked at Lan Xi in shocked disbelief. "And you agreed?"

"Do you know what this means?" Xie Cheng's expression was very grave. "I didn't know the concept of shared economy had already penetrated to this extent. Can't believe these wealthy men would still be so miserly..."

He rubbed his brow, looking extremely vexed. "Are you an idiot? How could you take money like this? And you only took so little - way too cheap!"

She was right, Lan Xi also felt she had taken too little...

"So I should take more next time?"

She looked down lovingly at the cash in her arms, still emitting a nice fragrance.

But just then, following Lan Xi's gaze, Xie Cheng noticed she was still clutching that huge wad of cash.

Amidst Lan Xi's reluctant eyes, Xie Cheng snatched away the thick stack of cash she held. "I'll return this dirty money for you. You can't keep these ill-gotten gains." Xie Cheng's voice was icy cold. "From now on, no next time. No matter the amount, you can't take money like this anymore. You can't do unethical things just for money."

Having said this, Xie Cheng walked back into the private room.

He emerged after a while, now empty-handed.

Lan Xi felt like she couldn't breathe from heartache. Her money...

How did it become dirty? That money was all nice new notes taken by her people! Super clean! How was it dirty money?

"You still can't bear to part with it?" Xie Cheng looked like he would soon explode from anger. "If you're short on money in future, borrow from me."

"But doesn't borrowed money need to be returned...? Can you just give me money like they did?"

Xie Cheng was so angry his features seemed twisted. "Don't even think about it! I absolutely won't do anything like them...do that kind of thing then give you money! I would never consume in that way."

"What's more, you actually want money for nothing?" Xie Cheng pointed at the private room. "Do you think you really got money for nothing from them? You think you don't need to pay any price when taking money from them?"

Indeed, she probably had to confer some honorary titles like Earthling Ambassador of Xingren Peace or something on these people after taking their money...

"Not saying anything now?" Xie Cheng glared at Lan Xi. "How do you know these people?"

Before Lan Xi could reply, it seemed Xie Cheng thought of something. "It's Wang Zhiqiang, isn't it?"

Wasn't the last person who came in Wang Zhiqiang?

As Chen'an Group's HR director, it wasn't surprising Wang Zhiqiang knew many top executives and presidents in the industry through headhunters. But to think he would abuse those connections for shady side business!

Xie Cheng's face darkened as he opened the group's digital contacts list and found Wang Zhiqiang's home number, intending to kindly let his wife know too.

Not only did he pimp himself out, he consumed the services too! And acted as a customer!

How was this something a person should do?

Unfortunately Wang Zhiqiang worked under Xie Jing at Chen'an Group. If he worked under Xie Cheng at Chenxin Group instead, Xie Cheng would have fired him first thing.

As for Lan Xi...

She clearly didn't feel ashamed at all about what she did.

Lacking such social awareness, she at least needed professional treatment and psychological counseling, requiring intervention by specialists.

But Lan Xi was extremely resistant to the idea―

"I won't go! I hate hospitals! And doctors!"

...

Intelligent as Lan Xi was, she quickly realized her identity hadn't been exposed. Xie Cheng still didn't know she was a real princess.

She wasn't an idiot. If she went to hospital for all sorts of full body checks, her abnormal physiology or bloodwork results that differed from normal people might be discovered. Then she'd really end up on the dissection table!

She looked warily at Xie Cheng. "There's nothing wrong with me. Why would I need to go to hospital?"

"Don't you feel like your cognitive abilities are..."

"I'm perfectly fine! I'd rather die than go to hospital!" Lan Xi glared at Xie Cheng, extremely unwilling. "Also, return my money to me! That money originally belonged to me! If you don't pay me back, I'll stick to you like glue and live in your house without leaving!"

...

Xie Cheng felt he shouldn't have gotten involved at all. The rescued fallen girl he saved now seemed quite ungrateful.

But things had already reached this point. He couldn't shake Lan Xi off and had no choice but to bring her back home.

He invited Professor Wu, a specialist in autism, to his villa to see her since he had sent Buddha to the West― "With her condition, it's highly likely she has high-functioning autism spectrum disorder. Intervention works best the earlier autism is detected, so it would have been better if she was younger. But even at her age now, the best approach is still to frequently interact with trusted family members, implicitly picking up those family members' ways of communicating and interacting in daily life through their gestures, actions, speech, expressions and exchanges ― the skills and techniques they use when interacting and communicating with each other."

"As for her inability to pick up on innuendo you mentioned, that also requires frequent training, such as family members demonstrating scenarios from daily life repeatedly as examples, giving her more learning opportunities from life situations."

"And there's no need to treat her as abnormal in daily life. Treat her as you would anyone else, just with some extra tolerance. Incorrect habits and warped values can only be gradually corrected and reformed through education and behavioral therapy..."

Professor Wu gave Lan Xi, who was sitting uncaringly on the living room sofa eating snacks, a meaningful look. "She's very, very pretty, but I have to warn you ― dating someone with autism can be very painful, because they may never be able to understand your feelings, perhaps even unable to accurately sense love..."

Professor Wu sighed. "It's not like having a cold or fever that can be cured. Autism can only be managed through love and tolerance, slowly integrating the patient into normal social life, but it can't be cured."

Xie Cheng pressed his lips tightly together, replying almost reflexively. "I don't intend to date her. She's just an employee of mine."

He cleared his throat. "I just can't stand to see vulnerable groups like her being deceived and taken advantage of right before my eyes."

Xie Cheng pressed his lips together: "It's just a kind act of charity." He glanced at Lan Xi, "She has no family left. Would it be possible to arrange for a professional educational or behavioral therapist? Do you have any recommendations? I can cover the expenses."

"There are some options," Professor Wu said regretfully. "But the experts I know don't have availability. You'll have to look elsewhere."

Xie Cheng nodded.

Professor Wu seemed unable to hold back. She took Xie Cheng's arm: "But this market has always been uneven, with some internet-famous behavioral therapists not as professional as claimed. Also, autism patients themselves have difficulty expressing clearly, and there have been instances of therapists becoming the perpetrators of harm against patients... And this girl's appearance..."

Professor Wu left her implication unsaid, but Xie Cheng understood her meaning.

Someone like Lan Xi, who had no family and such deeply impaired communication abilities, happened to develop a certain appearance. If she encountered a therapist with ill intentions, it would be like a lamb entering a tiger's den.

Not only had she suffered sexual assault in the past, this time she nearly fell victim to the designs of an unscrupulous group of wealthy men.

It was to the point that even Xie Cheng could not bear to see it.

After sending Professor Wu away, Xie Cheng looked towards Lan Xi.

At this time, as Lan Xi sat on the sofa eating happily, she even swung her feet back and forth.

There was no denying Lan Xi had an innocent face, but it was not plain at all - rather, richly and brightly beautiful, nearly bewitching. To describe her as cherry-cheeked and peach-faced would be most apt. Noticing Xie Cheng's gaze, she smiled at him.

After smiling at Xie Cheng, Lan Xi lowered her head again, researching something on her phone with great focus and investment.

In that moment, Xie Cheng's feelings of sympathy and sense of responsibility reached their peak.

He couldn't help his voice softening: "Studying?"

Lan Xi smiled at him again, a very charming smile, with a clever light in her eyes. She nodded vigorously: "Yes!"

On the way back, Xie Cheng had told Lan Xi she could use the internet to learn more common knowledge if she wished. Seeing her now, he felt that although her behavior was eccentric and understanding poor, if she was willing to learn, there was hope for Lan Xi.

And she did seem quite invested in her studying.

Xie Cheng took out his laptop: "Use the laptop to read - the screen is bigger and easier on the eyes compared to a phone, and it's more convenient too. When you're done studying I'd like to discuss with you."

"Thank you!"

Lan Xi took the laptop and quickly became engrossed in study.

Half an hour later, Xie Cheng had to interrupt her: "I need to confirm some data. Could you return the laptop to me for a few minutes?"

Lan Xi nodded. Reluctantly, with an expression of unfinished yearning, she closed the laptop and gave it back to Xie Cheng, staring at him longingly.

No wonder she had earned so many certificates, as recorded in her resume. Clearly she had learning capacity.

Xie Cheng's pity towards Lan Xi grew.

This pity lasted until he opened the laptop himself and saw what Lan Xi had been focused on studying so intensely.

The laptop screen now showed the content Lan Xi had been researching -

"100 Tricks to Borrow Money and Not Pay Back"

"..."