Chapter Eight: The Strange Illness

“What?! He went to treat someone’s illness? Did I hear that right?!” Chen Jianguo was the first to leap up.

“Did you hear what he said? He went to treat the old master of the Li family in Qingyang! This... this is going to cause a catastrophe!” Lü Hongmei was panicked as well, shaking Chen Jianguo’s arm over and over, utterly anxious.

“This is a joke, right? He can treat illnesses? Does he think he’s some miracle doctor, ha…” Though Liang Xiaoyu felt uneasy inside, he couldn’t let the chance to belittle Su Zheng pass by. “The Li family of Qingyang is a true aristocratic clan. Old Master Li Jiangcheng has dominated the business world for decades; his power is unimaginable. To try and swindle the Li family? He wouldn’t even know how he died!”

“Besides, if the Li family gets angry, it won’t just be him—your whole Chen family will be implicated. No one will escape!”

“That wretch! He’s going to drag our Chen family down with him. No, I can’t let him go. Xiaoyu, your car is fast—let’s hurry and catch that bastard, quick!”

Chen Jianguo, both furious and anxious, called for Liang Xiaoyu to hurry downstairs with him. Chen Muxue, frowning, followed after them.

The moment the three of them reached the ground floor, they saw a Cayenne drive past. The window was open, and Su Zheng was in the passenger seat. A graceful, elegant woman was driving, chatting and laughing with Su Zheng.

Watching the woman’s attitude toward Su Zheng, a chill crept onto Chen Muxue’s face, while Chen Jianguo was about to shout.

But the moment Liang Xiaoyu saw the woman, he was so startled that he trembled all over and hurriedly stopped Chen Jianguo.

He saw clearly that the driver was none other than Qiao Lan, the owner of Yishou Pavilion!

He’d once seen Qiao Lan from a distance at a high-end banquet he attended with his father, but neither he nor his father had been qualified to approach her.

Now, to encounter her here—if his lie were exposed on the spot, he really wouldn’t know how he might die.

“Hey, Xiaoyu, why are you stopping me!” Chen Jianguo was anxious.

“Ahem, I… I just thought it wouldn’t be safe to get too close to the car. And, uh, I suddenly don’t feel well. I’ll be going now, Muxue. I’ll look for you another time.”

Liang Xiaoyu was utterly panicked now. He truly hadn’t expected that Su Zheng would actually know Qiao Lan, and judging from their interaction, their relationship seemed quite good.

Cold sweat soaked him through. He wished he could slap himself twice—cursing himself for bragging nonsense. Just thinking of Qiao Lan’s methods made his heart go cold; all he could think of now was to hide away for a while.

“Xiaoyu! Xiaoyu, don’t go! Why are you in such a hurry?” Chen Jianguo called out, bewildered.

“Dad, can’t you tell he was lying at home just now? Forget about him!” Chen Muxue stared coldly at Liang Xiaoyu’s panicked retreat, her voice full of disgust.

“What? He lied? Well, whatever—he’s better than that bastard Su Zheng. Daring to try and trick the Li family, damn it, he’s going to bring disaster down on all of us!” Chen Jianguo stamped his foot with rage, then urged, “Why are you standing around? Hurry up and take me to the ancestral home—I need to explain this to the old lady!”

Chen Muxue had still been considering what Su Zheng meant by wanting to have a serious talk with her, but at her father’s urging, she had no choice but to start the car and drive straight to the Chen ancestral home.

Meanwhile, Su Zheng didn’t mention anything about Liang Xiaoyu’s impersonation to Qiao Lan in their car.

Someone already on the verge of ruin was beneath his interest.

“Brother Zheng, it’s so wonderful that you’re willing to help me this time. You know, my father and Old Master Li are friends despite the age gap, and Old Master Li has been recuperating in my sanatorium. Now that his condition has suddenly worsened, if I couldn’t find a true healer, I’d feel I was letting him down.” Qiao Lan’s voice was full of emotion as she drove.

“I’m no miracle doctor. Tell me, what symptoms does the patient have?” Su Zheng smiled faintly, asking calmly.

“It’s like this: the old master’s illness has come and gone for more than two years. He’s seen famous doctors from all over the country, but nothing has helped. Most of the time, he’s no different from anyone else—no symptoms at all. But every so often, he’s suddenly wracked with unbearable pain, his skin turns bright red, and in some places, blood even seeps out. The strange part is, the attacks are coming more and more often. Lately, it’s almost every two or three days. Today, I got a call that he’s already passed out twice. That’s why I wanted to ask you to try, Brother Zheng.” Qiao Lan’s face was full of hope as she spoke truthfully.

Su Zheng frowned slightly. Judging by her description, the illness was indeed bizarre.

For the next while, Su Zheng closed his eyes as if to rest, searching his memory for any mention of such a strange disease.

Seeing his state, Qiao Lan didn’t dare disturb him, focusing on the road.

Soon, the car stopped atop a hillside before a sprawling complex of buildings.

They had arrived at the Li family residence.

On the way in, Qiao Lan explained that since the old master’s condition had deteriorated, he’d already moved out of her sanatorium and returned to his estate.

Upon entering the main gate, Qiao Lan spoke quietly with one of the servants, who then led them to Li Jiangcheng’s room.

After the servant withdrew, Su Zheng cast a calm glance around at the people in the room.

An elderly man with white hair lay on the bed, awake, cooperating with two doctors as they examined him.

Nearby, four or five middle-aged men watched with grave expressions. When Su Zheng and Qiao Lan entered, they nodded politely but said nothing. Clearly, the old master’s illness had left the Li family in low spirits.

“Uncle Li, how are you feeling now?” Qiao Lan asked softly as she approached, seeing the old man awake.

“Heh… This old body can hold out a while longer, no worries,” Li Jiangcheng replied with a ruddy face that betrayed no sign of illness, smiling gently at Qiao Lan.

“Uncle Li, please rest assured. I’ve invited a miracle doctor this time. I’m sure your illness will soon be cured.” Qiao Lan pointed to Su Zheng, offering comfort.

“Heh… Thank you, Xiaolan.” Li Jiangcheng nodded slightly at Su Zheng, his expression unchanged.

But he still turned to the Li family members nearby and instructed, “Prepare a consultation fee for this young gentleman and see that he’s well looked after.”

Su Zheng was taken aback: hospitality? The diagnosis hadn’t even begun—what was there to entertain him for?

But from the looks exchanged by the Li family, he quickly understood.

Clearly, Old Master Li had lost hope for his recovery. Any doctor introduced by acquaintances would simply be given a consultation fee and seen off after some polite hospitality.

“Uncle Li, he really is a miracle doctor—the most skilled I have ever met!” Qiao Lan quickly explained, realizing the situation.

“Heh… Let’s not talk about that. By the way, how is your father?” Li Jiangcheng smiled serenely.

“My father is well. He’s in the capital, always busy—so busy I can’t even get through to him. Uncle Li, please believe me, Su Zheng truly is a miracle doctor, I—”

Before Qiao Lan could finish, a middle-aged man sitting nearby interrupted her. “Xiaolan! I’ve already contacted Doctor Luo. He should arrive soon, so… well, you know.” He shrugged and spread his hands, as if to say she understood his meaning.