Chapter 88: This Ring Is Not a Fake

Chen Jianguo looked utterly bewildered, as if he hadn’t quite understood what Zhang Pingbang meant by his words, his face full of confusion. “Mr. Zhang, perhaps there’s a mistake—you must be looking for someone else. There’s no one with the surname Ling in our family…”

Zhang Pingbang was momentarily speechless.

It was Chen Muxue, who had remained silent until now, that first grasped the situation. She turned to Zhang Pingbang and asked softly, “Mr. Zhang, are you perhaps looking for my hus… husband, Su Zheng?”

Though she had long since accepted Su Zheng in her heart, this was the first time she had spoken those words aloud in front of so many people. The admission made her voice falter and her tone a little uneasy.

“Yes, yes, that’s right! I’m looking for him—your husband, Su Zheng!” Zhang Pingbang nodded repeatedly, unable to hide his eagerness.

Chen Jianguo was taken aback, blurting out, “Mr. Zhang, why are you in such a hurry to find that good-for-nothing? Are you planning to beat him up to vent your anger?”

“Careful, Old Chen! That’s not something you should say!” Zhang Pingbang quickly waved his hand, lowering his voice and speaking with respect. “Su Zheng isn’t just anybody. He spotted my illness at a glance just now. When I left the complex, I pressed my lower abdomen as he’d suggested, and sure enough, the pain was severe—my legs went numb, and I landed on the ground, unable to get up for a good while!”

All three listeners were left dumbfounded, suspecting Zhang Pingbang might be putting on an act. His words were completely unexpected.

Chen Jianguo’s mouth hung open in disbelief before he finally managed to stammer, “You mean… what he said about your illness was… all true?”

“Would I lie? As soon as I pressed my abdomen, my stomach felt as if it would burst, the pain was unbearable, and I was so thirsty… Damn, if it hadn’t been for Su Zheng, I might’ve died from that quack doctor’s medical report!” Zhang Pingbang nodded vigorously, then continued anxiously, “Where is Su Zheng? I must ask him if there’s any way to cure me!”

“He… he…” Chen Jianguo was left utterly embarrassed by the question, unable to find the words; he certainly couldn’t admit that he’d just kicked Su Zheng out.

“He went out to buy something!” Chen Muxue responded quickly, seeing her father at a loss. She hurried to make up an excuse, pulling out her phone as she spoke. “I’ll call him right now and have him come back, Mr. Zhang. Please wait just a moment!”

“No, I’ll go find him myself. Just tell him to stay where he is and wait for me!” Zhang Pingbang insisted, his anxiety and guilt clear on his face, as if he couldn’t wait another second to see Su Zheng. The old saying was true: the wealthier a man, the more he fears death.

“Mr. Zhang, let me go with you. Don’t worry, as long as that… ahem, as long as Zheng has a way to help you, I’ll make sure he does everything he can!” Chen Jianguo hurried to pat his chest in assurance. In an attempt at warmth, he deliberately replaced the “good-for-nothing” he used to call his son-in-law with “Zheng.” With that, he and his daughter quickly accompanied Zhang Pingbang out the door, leaving their guest, Wu Chenghao, completely forgotten.

Wu Chenghao’s face darkened, an expression of murderous rage on his face. The thought that Su Zheng had stolen the spotlight from him today filled him with fury and only strengthened his previous resolve.

“Look at those two, running off in such a hurry!” Lü Hongmei forced an awkward smile. “Chenghao, never mind them. Just sit down and eat while you wait. I’ve already finished cooking.”

“No need, Auntie. I just remembered something urgent I need to attend to. I’ll be going now!” Wu Chenghao forced a smile uglier than a grimace. Seeing how things had turned out, he decided there was no point in staying and excused himself.

Su Zheng hadn’t actually gone far after leaving the apartment. He simply wandered around the neighborhood, eventually arriving at the front gate, eyeing the small shops along the way as he considered where to have his meal.

“Wait, wait up!” Suddenly, an urgent shout sounded from behind.

Turning, Su Zheng saw Zhang Pingbang, Chen Jianguo, and Chen Muxue hurrying toward him. Muxue had originally intended to call and ask where he was, but to her surprise, they ran into him just as they stepped out of the complex.

Once Su Zheng realized it was the three of them calling him, he stopped and waited calmly as they approached.

“Ah, Doctor Su, I owe you an apology!” Zhang Pingbang, who was in the lead, hurried over and grasped Su Zheng’s hands with both of his, smiling ingratiatingly. “I was out of line earlier, please don’t take it to heart! I beg you—please, save my life!”

Su Zheng immediately understood what had happened. Clearly, Zhang Pingbang had pressed his own abdomen as instructed. Remembering the way Zhang had treated him earlier, Su Zheng felt some lingering annoyance. So, instead of agreeing right away, he feigned confusion and replied, “Mr. Zhang, what do you mean? Didn’t you just say you’d done a full checkup and were perfectly healthy?”

Zhang Pingbang’s face flushed and paled by turns, deeply embarrassed by Su Zheng’s words. He knew Su Zheng was deliberately needling him, but who could blame him? Su Zheng had kindly pointed out his illness, and not only had Zhang failed to appreciate it, he’d even berated the man. Anyone would have taken offense in his place.

Zhang Pingbang could only force a smile and apologize sincerely. “It was my fault just now. I was misled by those quacks. I sincerely apologize. I hope you will be magnanimous and save me.”

As he spoke, a thought suddenly struck him, and he hastened to add, “Don’t worry—you won’t be helping me for nothing. If you cure my illness, I’ll personally see to Old Chen’s rehiring. What’s more, I hear you’re still between jobs, Mr. Su? I can arrange a position for you at my company—at least a team leader, no, a supervisor! Supervisor!”

Chen Jianguo’s spirits lifted at these words; excitement flickered in his eyes. He hadn’t expected his reemployment to be settled so easily. And his son-in-law, whom he’d derided as useless for two years, might even gain a respectable job. He quickly shot Su Zheng a meaningful look. “Su Zheng, aren’t you going to thank Mr. Zhang?”

But Su Zheng’s expression barely changed. He replied coolly, “I’ll think about it.”

“You…!” Chen Jianguo was choked with anger. This good-for-nothing was still holding a grudge, deliberately playing hard to get! Though he longed to scold Su Zheng harshly, he held back at the last moment, forcing himself to say, “Su Zheng, I admit I was too harsh back at home. I apologize to you, too.”

Su Zheng’s brow furrowed slightly, but he remained silent, as if weighing his options.

“Mr. Su, is it money you want? Name your price!” Zhang Pingbang pleaded anxiously. “As long as you can cure me, money is no object!”

“Su Zheng, don’t push your luck!” Chen Jianguo snapped in a low, angry voice, his face dark with rage. The nerve of this useless wretch, acting all high and mighty!

Chen Muxue, too, frowned faintly, clearly hoping Su Zheng would accept without further delay.

“Do you want me to treat him?” Su Zheng suddenly turned to Chen Muxue and asked.