The Almighty Martial Arts System - Chapter 174

Bai Ruoxi had spent the past couple of days getting a rough idea of Jiang Fei’s recent situation. She knew he had shut down his small clinic and partnered with Lin Moli to open a private hospital. Thanks to Jiang Fei’s medical skills and reputation, business was booming, bringing in a fortune every day.

She also found out that Jiang Fei had blown nearly all the money he’d earned since graduation—not on the hospital, but on building a villa in the countryside!

“Have you lost your mind?! What possessed you to suddenly build a villa in the middle of nowhere? Fine, you didn’t discuss it with me, but did you even talk to your parents about it? You’re a grown man—can’t you think things through before acting?!”

Bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun, Bai Ruoxi sat in the passenger seat of Jiang Fei’s Jeep Compass, venting her frustration nonstop. Her complaints only grew louder once they left the highway and hit the bumpy dirt road leading to Rice Village, the final half-hour stretch of their journey.

From Bai Ruoxi’s career and dreams, it was clear she wasn’t a woman obsessed with money or fame. She was ambitious, driven by purpose, and eager to achieve something meaningful—just not for the sake of wealth. In terms of principles, she was definitely on a higher plane than Jiang Fei.

But the hundreds of thousands Jiang Fei had saved over three years was no small sum. Most college graduates couldn’t save that much even after a decade of hard work. That money could’ve easily bought a decent apartment in Jincheng’s outer districts, if not the city center.

Yet Jiang Fei had spent it all on a countryside villa—a move Bai Ruoxi found utterly absurd.

“I’ve thought it through,” Jiang Fei replied calmly, his hands steady on the wheel. He even wore a faint smile.

He had deliberately waited until after leaving the hospital to break the news to Bai Ruoxi. If he’d told her while still hospitalized, he knew she would’ve argued with him relentlessly. But now, even if she complained, he was confident he could silence her once they reached Rice Village.

“Thought it through?!” Bai Ruoxi was incensed by his nonchalance. “Do you want me to tell your parents about this?”

Jiang Fei waved a hand dismissively. “Don’t. Let’s keep it from the ‘higher-ups’ for now. But even if this villa turns out to be a waste, so what? I’ll earn it all back in no time—it’s nothing.”

Bai Ruoxi shot him an exasperated look, too tired to argue further. Though she disapproved of his reckless spending, she still had to see this villa for herself.

After all, this was Jiang Fei’s home, and as his official girlfriend, how could she not visit?

If nothing else, she needed to stake her claim.

The Jiang Clinic had already been snatched up by another woman who’d become a shareholder. Bai Ruoxi wasn’t happy about it, but she had no choice but to accept it—for now.

Who could blame them? She’d been away for half a year, leaving the door wide open. Besides, Bai Ruoxi wasn’t a doctor. She had no interest in managing a clinic.

…

Half an hour later.

The Jeep came to a stop in front of Jiang Fei’s villa.

As they neared Rice Village, Bai Ruoxi had already shifted her attention to the scenery outside the window, completely forgetting her earlier complaints.

In the heart of summer, Rice Village was a lush paradise—rolling grasslands, serene lakes, and dense forests blending seamlessly into a landscape straight out of a fairy tale. Everywhere she looked was a postcard-worthy view, almost overwhelming in its beauty.

When she stepped out of the car and saw the orchard, fishpond, and vegetable garden meticulously arranged around Jiang Fei’s villa, everything clicked.

So this was why he’d spent a fortune building here.

Jiang Fei had always been impulsive, prone to doing the unexpected—but never outright foolish.

Now, standing before this breathtaking sight, Bai Ruoxi finally understood.

“Well? Does my humble villa meet the standards of the great journalist Bai Ruoxi? I hear villas abroad are stunning. After your time overseas, I’m sure you’ve seen plenty. Be honest—how does mine compare?” Jiang Fei grinned, draping an arm over her shoulders like a king showing off his kingdom to his queen.

Bai Ruoxi took her time absorbing the view before murmuring in awe, “This place isn’t even far from Jincheng—how is it still so untouched? It’s more beautiful than most scenic spots!”

Her indirect praise pleased Jiang Fei far more than a direct compliment ever could.

“Because not everyone has my impeccable taste,” he boasted.

“Woof—grr!”

From a distance, Simba, the Tibetan mastiff, came charging toward them at full speed. Now nearly the size of a full-grown mastiff, with a striking golden mane around his neck, he was practically a local legend in Rice Village.

Jiang Fei, who hadn’t seen Simba in days, crouched down to playfully wrestle with him. Whenever he and Lin Moli were away, the village head Li Guiying took care of feeding him, so he’d never gone hungry.

“Don’t be scared. This is Simba, my Tibetan mastiff. He’s smarter than most—aggressive, but he won’t bite. You’re safe,” Jiang Fei reassured Bai Ruoxi, who had backed away cautiously.

“Really?” Unlike cats, Bai Ruoxi had always liked dogs. Though intimidated by Simba’s size, she couldn’t resist inching closer.

Encouraged by Jiang Fei’s hold on Simba, she tentatively reached out to stroke the mastiff’s luxurious mane.

“Grr…” Simba, the undisputed alpha of Rice Village, wasn’t thrilled about being petted and let out a low growl.

“Quiet! This is your new mistress,” Jiang Fei scolded sternly, locking eyes with the dog.

Simba immediately clamped his jaws shut, shooting Jiang Fei a look that seemed to say, “How many mistresses do you have?”

“Wow, is your mastiff just really docile… or actually that smart?” Bai Ruoxi marveled as Jiang Fei gradually released Simba, who made no further protest.

“Of course he’s smart!” Jiang Fei grabbed the groceries from the car and unlocked the villa door. “Come on, let’s tour the inside. Tell me what you want for dinner—I’ll see if I can make it.”

Bai Ruoxi was skeptical of Jiang Fei’s claim that he’d mastered cooking after a “year at New Oriental Culinary School.” Tonight, he planned to blow her away with his skills.

“Just make a couple of your best dishes. As long as they’re edible, it’s fine…” she said offhandedly, patting Simba’s head as they stepped inside.

Knowing Jiang Fei wasn’t one to exaggerate too much, she figured his cooking had probably improved—but she wasn’t expecting miracles.

“Where’s the bathroom? I want to shower first,” she added.

Jiang Fei froze.

All thoughts of cooking vanished from his mind.

After six months apart and two days in the hospital with injuries preventing any intimacy, he’d been practically climbing the walls.

Now, with Bai Ruoxi’s “subtle hint,” he was done waiting.

“I’ll show you,” he said, abandoning the groceries and leading her upstairs to the master bedroom with exaggerated enthusiasm.

Bai Ruoxi blushed at his eagerness. “Hey, I really just want to shower!”

“I know,” Jiang Fei nodded solemnly. “But I also need a shower. So… let’s save water.”

No water ran in the bathroom that evening—only the sound of Bai Ruoxi’s protests echoed through the villa.

“Hey—get out! Stop it… Fine, I’ll do it myself, don’t rip my clothes!”