Chapter Forty-Two: Take Care of Yourself

Hua Li’s gaze toward Su Zheng had grown cold, no longer friendly but edged with an icy sharpness.

“Hmph! What a trickster you are! I almost fell for it, too. I knew it—what nonsense about evil spirits causing trouble in broad daylight. Do you take me for a three-year-old?”

With Nie Feng’s explanation, Hua Li had completely lost faith in Su Zheng’s claims. Having grown up living on the edge, risking his life every day, he never put any stock in such superstitious talk—he simply didn’t believe in it at all.

“Brother Hua, Doctor Su isn’t like that—he’s a real doctor! He cured my illness!” Wei Lao’er hurried to defend Su Zheng, anxious at the way things were unfolding.

“Lao’er, have you lost your mind? Tell me, do you actually believe in evil spirits?” Hua Li shot Wei Lao’er a frosty glare, his voice laced with anger.

“Well... I... Ah! Doctor Su, did you forget to check my brother’s pulse? Maybe that’s why your diagnosis was off?” Wei Lao’er stammered and finally turned to Su Zheng helplessly.

He didn’t believe in evil spirits either; it all seemed impossible.

“There’s no need to check the pulse—his symptoms are already obvious,” Su Zheng replied calmly.

“Damn, still putting on a show. I’m starting to wonder if you even know how to check a pulse!” A Biao shouted menacingly.

“Boss Hua, you see? Now you must believe me. This fraud doesn’t even know how to take a pulse, that’s why he’s saying such things. Lucky you ran into me today, or you’d have been fooled for sure!” Nie Feng looked smug, inwardly relieved and vindicated.

He’d worried about running into a real master physician, but Su Zheng had turned out to be a joke. And since Su Zheng’s diagnosis was so ridiculous, all Nie Feng had to do was fan the flames, and Hua Li’s anger would be redirected toward Su Zheng instead.

Serves you right! Back then you made me guard your door—now I’ll use someone else’s hand to beat you like a dog!

Nie Feng’s eyes glinted with malice and vengeance, gleeful as everyone turned against Su Zheng.

“The people I despise most in life are liars,” Hua Li declared coldly. “This can’t be left unsettled. Lao’er, I’m leaving this matter to you. I expect an answer by tomorrow at the latest!”

Wei Lao’er’s face fell—at this moment, he truly didn’t know what to do.

“Second Brother, isn’t it simple? Since Doctor Su is so devoted to suppressing evil spirits, why not help him along by sending him to the underworld? There are plenty of evil spirits there—he’ll be so busy he won’t want to come back. He might even thank you in a dream!” A Biao finished, bursting into mocking laughter.

“Heh heh, not a bad idea, A Biao. Lao’er, get it done quickly!” Hua Li was amused by A Biao’s words—his earlier anger vanished, and he joined in the laughter.

Laughter echoed all around, thick with derision.

Meanwhile, Su Zheng remained calm, his eyes untroubled. In fact, when he looked at Hua Li, there was even a trace of regret. He said coolly, “I’ve said all I had to say. If you don’t believe me, there’s nothing more I can do. Suit yourself.”

With that, he stood to leave.

Wei Lao’er glanced at Hua Li and then at Su Zheng’s retreating figure, torn and helpless, but he didn’t try to stop Su Zheng. Instead, he was lost in thought about how to resolve the situation.

“Stop! You can’t go!” Nie Feng couldn’t contain himself when he saw Su Zheng about to leave. He was frustrated that Hua Li hadn’t lashed out on the spot.

Su Zheng shot him a sideways look, eyes filled with contempt. “Luo Huichun doesn’t know your true nature, so I don’t blame him. But you’d better not provoke me again, or you’ll regret it.”

Nie Feng wanted to retort, but when he met Su Zheng’s cold gaze, he froze, his mouth open, unable to speak.

He was shaken by Su Zheng’s aura, his heart pounding with guilt. He knew that if Su Zheng ever spoke to his master Luo Huichun, everything would be exposed.

Still, given that he’d already made a fortune these past days by capitalizing on Luo Huichun’s reputation, he steeled himself—if things went south, he’d just take the money and disappear. With enough wealth, he needn’t fear anything.

“Lao’er!” Hua Li snapped when he saw Wei Lao’er letting Su Zheng leave without protest.

Wei Lao’er had no choice but to follow Su Zheng out of the café.

“Doctor Su, is my big brother’s illness really caused by evil spirits?” Wei Lao’er asked earnestly.

“What would I gain by lying to him?” Su Zheng replied, glancing at him.

“But... what if he won’t believe it? Doctor Su, I think you’d better leave Qingyang soon. My brother despises frauds. If he sees I haven’t dealt with you by tomorrow, he’ll send others to make trouble for you!” Wei Lao’er whispered anxiously.

“It’s fine. You needn’t worry about me—worry more about whether your brother’s death will end up affecting you,” Su Zheng said with a faint smile. Seeing the helpless conflict on Wei Lao’er’s face, he added with certainty, “But really, you don’t need to worry. I believe your brother will soon come asking for my help.”

With that, he turned and left.

Wei Lao’er wanted to ask more, but seeing Su Zheng already far off, he hurriedly took out his phone to have his men escort Su Zheng home, then braced himself and returned to the café.

Su Zheng returned home by car, put thoughts of Hua Li aside, and took out the Red Mist Herb to prepare a medicinal decoction.

By dusk, he had finished brewing. He drank half a bowl of the clear, cool liquid in one gulp.

A surge of heat swept through his body, his strength slowly but noticeably increasing…

Meanwhile, in a luxurious private room, Hua Li was drinking and eating with his men.

“Boss Hua, I’ve prepared another prescription to strengthen your body. Used together with the previous one, it’ll cure your back pain completely and prevent any recurrence!” Nie Feng was there too, back to his proud self. He set down his wine glass with a smile.

“Haha, excellent! Thank you, Doctor Nie. A Biao!” Hua Li signaled to A Biao, who immediately understood and produced the bank card from his bag.

“Thank you, Boss Hua. I’ll gladly accept it then,” Nie Feng said, barely concealing his delight as he took the card.

He’d already decided to transfer the money to his own account in batches later, just in case anything unexpected happened.

People with money and status preferred card transactions—not only did it look impressive, but there was another key reason: if trouble arose before the money was transferred out, the card’s funds could be frozen and returned to the original account, meaning no loss.

The banquet was lively, and after a few more drinks, Hua Li glanced at Wei Lao’er, who sat there looking dejected.