"My dear classmate, don't get worked up. If you're too angry, try soaking some coptis in little boy's urine—it might help!" Jiang Chen said mockingly.
"You still think you're ready to take on the Xu family?" Xu Peng's voice trembled with rage. "You're still too green!"
"No worries, old classmate. I'm not going anywhere. I've set my sights on the Xu family for life. We'll see who wins in the end."
After Xu Peng stormed off, Jiang Chen and Zhao Liang had no interest in attending the auction anymore. They had already struck gold today—what was the point?
Outside the building, Zhao Liang invited Jiang Chen for a meal. The two found a small tavern and took a private room.
After a few drinks, Zhao Liang loosened up and leaned in, asking quietly, "Jiang Chen… are you even human?"
"I am," Jiang Chen replied with a smile.
"Then how come those bronze beads only listened to you?"
"Maybe I've got a little talent," Jiang Chen said casually.
"Talent? You must be a god!"
"Uncle Zhao, don't curse me. Gods are usually dead."
"Don't say such unlucky things. If you really died, my daughter would probably go crazy."
"Zhao Yafeng? Her?"
"She's written dozens of journal entries in her private space—all about you. You'll understand when you read them someday."
Jiang Chen was speechless. Was he on a roll with women or something? First a seductive widow, now a teenage girl?
He quickly waved his hands. "Uncle Zhao, please don't jinx me. I'm not worthy of your daughter."
"You are."
Jiang Chen was about to respond when his father called. "Chen, now that your old clinic's shut down, you can't just sit around. There's a clinic in Jiangjia Village that's transferring ownership. Interested?"
What?
Jiang Chen perked up immediately.
This was a chance! Taohua Village was too remote, with too few people and little room for growth. Jiangjia Village, on the other hand, had over 2,000 residents and was well-connected. The potential was huge.
"Yes! I'll head back right now," Jiang Chen decided at once.
He rushed back to Taohua Village and brought Wen-xian along to Jiangjia Village.
Wen-xian was dazzling, like a flower in bloom, radiant and impossible to ignore.
Jiang Chen's parents were overjoyed to see their son bring home such a beautiful daughter-in-law. His mother dug through old boxes and pulled out a pair of silver bracelets.
"Girl, we don't have much. These are family heirlooms—just a little something from me."
Wen-xian shook her head. "Mom, save them for Jiang Juan's wedding."
His mother was moved to tears. "You're already like a real daughter to me. Take them." She forced them onto Wen-xian's wrists.
The clinic deal was finalized quickly. Jiang Chen and Wen-xian spent the entire night getting things ready and didn't go to bed until past midnight.
They decided to open the very next day.
Early in the morning, Jiang Chen drove to the town health center to buy medicine.
Just as he was loading the supplies into the trunk, a commotion broke out—several people rushed into the emergency department carrying a young woman who was unconscious.
Jiang Chen quickly followed to take a look.
The woman looked to be in her early twenties, with delicate features, but her armpits and inner thighs were soaked in blood. She was in critical condition. Leading the group was a man named Gou Chu, who was also injured but didn't care—he just kept urging the doctors to save her.
The on-duty doctor sipped tea lazily and glanced at her. After a half-hearted "exam," he muttered, "It's serious. Call an ambulance and get her to the county hospital. We can't do surgery here."
Jiang Chen cursed inwardly: They said time was of the essence, but this guy was moving like a snail!
Gou Chu begged, "We already called, but she's bleeding so much, I don't think she'll make it to the county…"
"Well, then we'll see how far she gets," the doctor replied coldly.
Jiang Chen's eyes sharpened. The woman had multiple internal injuries and fractures, her breathing shallow—she could die at any moment. And yet this doctor was letting her die?
Gou Chu dropped to his knees. "Please, doctor, save her!"
The doctor was unmoved. "If you're afraid to die, don't come here."
Just then, Gou Chu's phone rang. He learned the ambulance had gotten into an accident and the backup would take at least 40 more minutes.
His expression went blank. Hopelessness filled his eyes.
The crowd was growing. Jiang Chen could no longer stay silent. He pushed through to the front and crouched beside the injured woman.
Her clothes were torn, revealing fair skin, but Jiang Chen had no time to look. He activated his spiritual vision to assess her injuries.
"Who are you? Get out!" the doctor snapped.
"Trying to take advantage?" Gou Chu also misunderstood.
"Shut up!" Jiang Chen growled, his voice cold and powerful.
Both men were stunned by his presence.
Jiang Chen examined the woman and stood up. "Forty more minutes? She won't make it."
"You're a doctor?" Gou Chu asked urgently.
"More or less."
"Please save her. I'll pay whatever you want."
"Gou Chu, at a time like this, you still care about money and appearances?"
Gou Chu bowed his head. "I'm sorry. I panicked. Please help her!"
Jiang Chen nodded. "Alright, I'll stabilize her first."
He pulled out a set of silver needles.
The doctor jumped up. "You can't just do that! What if something happens?"
"If she dies while you stand by, you think the family will let you off?" Jiang Chen shot back.
The doctor flinched, then backed off. "Fine, but it's not on me."
"Don't worry, I take full responsibility," Jiang Chen said.
He knelt beside the girl and opened her collar, preparing to insert the needles.
Suddenly, a shout came from the door: "The director is here!"
Everyone turned their heads.
A young, confident-looking man strode into the crowd.