Chapter 204

Chapter 204 - In Your next Life I'll Leave It to You

Although Zheng Hong was not a world-class beauty, she originally had a fair and attractive face. Now, however, her face bore several scars that not only stripped away its beauty but also gave it a somewhat frightening appearance.

“What happened to your face? Who did this to you?” Zhang Xiaolong had been wondering why this woman had changed so much. After seeing the wounds on her face, he began to piece things together.

“Who else but that jerk Wang Fugui,” Zheng Hong spat out the name with venomous anger. “He claimed my face would bring him shame, so he ruined it. He thought that would solve everything, but now he's the laughingstock from head to toe. I intend to make him a cuckold. One affair isn't enough; I want every man in the village to sleep with his woman, to shame him to his very bones.”

Hearing her voice seething with hatred, even the normally composed Zhang Xiaolong felt a shiver run through him. “Xiaohong, you're being foolish. Do you think you're hurting Wang Fugui? You're only hurting yourself!”

“I can't worry about that now. I'm already ruined. Who would give me a second glance?” Zheng Hong's voice wavered between laughter and tears. “Since I'm already in this state, I want to make his life miserable, even if it kills me!”

“I've always said, if you have any problems, you should come to the village chief or to me. Why didn't you listen? Why degrade yourself like this?”

Zhang Xiaolong didn't know whether to feel pity for her or anger towards her as he looked at the woman before him.

Clearly, the illnesses affecting the men in the orchard and the village women were all connected to her. Some married women had even been infected by their husbands. This epidemic was spreading like wildfire.

If Zhang Xiaolong hadn't caught on early, the entire village might have suffered.

Despite the damage to her face, Zheng Hong could still wear a veil, and once she undressed, few men could resist the temptation.

Initially, Zheng Hong had little patience for his words, but suddenly, her whole body trembled. “What did you say? My face can be restored?”

“Yes, you've been working at the market, so you must have heard from Ms. Lianzi or others about my reputation. I'm known for keeping my word and not making empty promises,” Zhang Xiaolong stated earnestly. “If I promise to heal you, rest assured, I will.”

His words hit Zheng Hong like a sledgehammer, and after a while, she collapsed onto the worn bed that had been used by countless men, her fists pounding the mattress.

“Why didn't you tell me sooner?” she sobbed uncontrollably. “I'm now a woman scorned, tainted from head to toe. Even if my facial scars heal, how can I show my face to anyone?”

Zhang Xiaolong let out a soft sigh, understanding the depth of her anguish. She hadn't sought his help earlier, and no one, not even Ms. Lianzi, knew she was hiding here, leading to this irreversible situation.

“Don't dwell on it too much. Once I've healed your face, I'll also cleanse your body thoroughly,” he said, trying to console her. “I owe you that much. Afterwards, you can go wherever you wish. I own a company in Qingyang City; you could work there, or if you prefer to start anew somewhere far away, I can provide you with some money. You'll be able to live well anywhere, with no one aware of your past. Does that sound good?”

“Mr. Xiaolong...” Zheng Hong cried even harder, longing to rush into his embrace but fearing she would soil him. She remained huddled on the bed, “I owe you. I realize my mistake... My body is tainted now, but in my next life, I promise to give you a pure and clean self...”

“Stop talking nonsense and let me see what's wrong with you!” Zhang Xiaolong said as he extended his hand, channeling a strand of his energy to diagnose her condition.

Upon examination, he confirmed that the illness indeed originated from a woman's most private area, aligning with his earlier suspicions.

Considering Zheng Hong's extensive list of intimate partners, it was unclear who had transmitted this infection to her, and subsequently, how she continued to spread it to others.

Thankfully, the situation wasn't too dire. Zhang Xiaolong was confident that he could find the right remedy, especially with the aid of his spiritual power, to treat this disease.

The real challenge lay in how to cure Zheng Hong and then how to heal the rest of the villagers. Moreover, the scars on Zheng Hong's face presented another significant issue.