C17 The Barcode Was on His Anus

After she finished speaking, she swung open the car door with a bright smile, flashing a row of pearly white teeth, and said, "Master Chiang, please."

Chiang Hao understood that Han Xun'er must have known he was on vacation and had come to seek his help. Without hesitation, he climbed into the car.

With a roar, the Pagani zoomed off, leaving Zhao Tianqiang red-faced and the rest of the students green with envy, buzzing with speculation.

"Is that a Pagani? How does he know someone with a car like that?"

"Chiang Hao has really changed; he's not the same person he used to be!"

"Zhao Tianqiang just got served. He tried to corner him, and then Han Xun'er's secretary swoops in to whisk him away."

"Zhao Tianqiang, it seems you're the one who needs to learn to read the room."

...

Half an hour later, the Pagani pulled up in front of a secluded villa, a peaceful haven away from the hustle and bustle. The villa, embraced by trees, with the gentle sound of flowing water and birdsong, offered a picturesque and soothing retreat.

"Master Chiang, Director Han and Old Master Han are both inside waiting for you. Please, go ahead," encouraged Xiao Chun, the secretary, with a welcoming smile as she opened the car door for Chiang Hao.

"Director Han is Han Xun'er's grandfather?" Chiang Hao inquired, realizing that it wasn't just Han Xun'er who wanted to discuss the engagement party details but Old Master Han himself who had requested his presence.

Chiang Hao followed Xiao Chun through the grand hall, took a left turn, and strolled down a lengthy corridor, eventually reaching a vine-covered estate at the side of the villa.

There, Han Yuequn and Han Xun'er were seated in the quaint manor, deep in conversation.

"Chiang Hao, you've arrived," Han Xun'er greeted him with joy, blinking playfully before latching onto his arm in a familiar manner.

Today, Han Xun'er was the picture of poise and femininity, dressed in a flowing white sweater paired with a navy blue skirt.

Catching her suggestive glance, Chiang Hao quickly played along, teasingly hooking her nose with his finger before wrapping his arm around her slender waist. With a tender tone, he asked, "What's the occasion for summoning me today?"

"Chiang Hao, come on over, have a seat," Han Yuequn beckoned with a warm smile.

Chiang Hao approached with courtesy and greeted him, "I see it's Chairman Han who has summoned me. Whatever you require, I'll spare no effort to accomplish it."

"I've been told by Xun'er that her boyfriend is a master of divination, well-versed in the I Ching and the Eight Trigrams. That's why I wanted to have a chat with you."

Han Yuequn's smile was inviting, his demeanor friendly, yet the sharp glint in his eyes betrayed an air of commanding authority.

"You're too kind, Director Han. My knowledge of the I Ching and the Eight Trigrams is quite modest," Chiang Hao replied with humility.

"Haha, ever the modest one," Han Yuequn chuckled heartily.

Once Chiang Hao was seated, Han Yuequn took a thoughtful sip of tea before continuing, "I was tied up with various matters yesterday and didn't get the chance to have a proper conversation with you. Something has piqued my curiosity, though. How did you figure out that Jianye's wife was having an affair with his secretary?"

"It's quite straightforward, actually. Upon entering the room, I noticed Wang Runfa's face was slick with oil, his gaze shifty—hardly the marks of an upstanding man. I couldn't stand by and let Xun'er be harmed, so I applied the Eight Trigrams to get a read on him."

Chiang Hao offered a slight smile, his tone nonchalant.

While he doubted Wang Runfa's dishonest appearance, he was certain about the reading he had given him.

"Really? You were able to deduce with such precision?"

Even having witnessed Chiang Hao's skills before, Han Yuequn was still mildly astonished.

"Indeed, I, Chiang Hao, am not known for my divinations without reason."

Chiang Hao looked up, his smile brimming with confidence.

From the moment he walked in and caught Han Xun'er's gaze, he knew Old Master Han was here to put him to the test.

Winning over Old Master Han's trust was crucial to helping Han Xun'er escape her engagement to the Bai family. He needed to present himself as both intelligent and insightful.

"Why don't you do a reading for me then?" Han Yuequn extended his left hand.

He had learned that Chiang Hao's sole interaction with Wang Runfa had been a handshake, leading him to believe that Chiang Hao's predictions were made through physiognomy and palmistry.

"Let me do the calculations for you. What exactly do you need to know?" Chiang Hao stood up, his voice tinged with curiosity.

His puzzlement wasn't about why Han Yuequn sought his fortune-telling services, but rather the absence of a barcode on the man.

So, he decided to stand and check if perhaps Chiang Hao's barcode was on his back.

"Could you calculate whether the Han family will be able to weather this current crisis?"

Han Yuequn was somewhat perplexed by Chiang Hao's circling, yet he responded with earnest.

"Predicting the future... that's quite a challenging task. Please, stand up."

Unable to locate Han Yuequn's barcode, Chiang Hao had no choice but to request that he stand for a better look.

"Do you need to see my whole body for this reading?" Han Yuequn asked, a hint of confusion in his voice.

"For most, a glance at the face suffices, but you, Old Master Han, are a different story. Your depth is immeasurable; I must examine you entirely before drawing any conclusions." Chiang Hao offered a mysterious smile, his tone enigmatic.

As Chiang Hao continued his fruitless search for Han Yuequn's barcode, beads of sweat formed on his brow.

To coax him to stand, Chiang Hao resorted to his special tactic: the Flattery Bluff!

"I see your point."

Buoyed by Chiang Hao's flattery, Han Yuequn felt it would be improper not to rise. He slowly got to his feet, curious about Chiang Hao's intentions.

Damn!

He never would have guessed Han Yuequn's barcode was located on his buttocks.

This was embarrassingly awkward!

With anyone else, or an adversary, he could have reached out without a second thought, washing his hands later if needed.

But this was Han Xun'er's grandfather, Han Yuequn, he was dealing with.

He was at a loss for how to proceed.

While Chiang Hao mulled over his dilemma, Han Yuequn's disdain for him grew.

Decades in the business world had introduced him to many a distinguished figure, yet he'd never encountered a university student like Chiang Hao, versed in the I Ching and the mysteries of the cosmos.

It seemed likely that Chiang Hao had stumbled upon yesterday's events by chance and was now masquerading as a master, ready to deceive and defraud.

Mulling over the situation, Han Yuequn turned to face him and inquired with a poker face, "Chiang Hao, you've been observing for quite some time now. Have you discerned anything?"

"Yes, I've completed my observation," Chiang Hao replied, aware of Han Yuequn's growing impatience and steeling himself to proceed. "Old Master Han, your brow is shadowed and your vital essence seems fragmented. Misfortune looms. But fear not, for today I shall rid you of this malevolence and avert the impending peril."

With that, Chiang Hao stepped forward, hand raised high, and with a swift motion, he slapped his hand onto Han Yuequn's lower back. A flood of information instantly streamed into his consciousness.

A wave of relief washed over Chiang Hao as he dabbed the sweat from his brow, inwardly exclaiming in relief at his success.