TDDDMFM Chapter 28: Old Man, Are You Sick?

Late at night, Zhou Xiaobei, immersed in cultivation, was awakened by the ringing of his phone.

It was a call from Yan Bingxue.

"In the middle of the night, calling me. Could it be that you miss me?" Zhou Xiaobei answered the phone with a casual joke.

On the other end of the line, Yan Bingxue rolled her eyes in exasperation.

In all her years, she had never encountered anyone as shameless as Zhou Xiaobei.

"I have something to discuss with you."

"Speak, but I might not agree."

Yan Bingxue was almost driven to madness. She wished she could reach through the phone and strangle Zhou Xiaobei for his shamelessness. She said, "I have an elder relative whose health has always been poor. Since your medical skills are so good, I want to ask for your help in treating him."

So, it was about treating someone's illness.

"Sure, no problem," Zhou Xiaobei readily agreed.

No mention of payment.

On the other end of the line, Yan Bingxue breathed a sigh of relief and nodded. "Let's do it tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock. I'll come to pick you up."

"No problem!"

And so, the matter was settled, and the night quietly passed.

The next day, at 8 o'clock.

Yan Bingxue came to pick up Zhou Xiaobei, and the two headed straight to the hotel.

The hotel was located on the banks of the Fragrant River, a five-courtyard quadrangle-style building.

Wealthy people, or those with status, no longer chose large hotels for dining outings. Instead, they preferred these private restaurants, which offered more privacy, security, and better food.

After arriving at the restaurant, Yan Bingxue said, "The reason I brought you here this time is twofold. First, I want you to help treat Grandpa Zhang's illness. Second, my grandfather wants to introduce Grandpa Zhang to you. He is not only the head of the Zhang family in Fragrant City, but also held an important position in a military in Jiangnan when he was young. He ranks among the top in Fragrant City's four major families in terms of family influence and personal strength. If you can establish a good relationship with Grandpa Zhang, with his support, even the Qin family will have to think twice before targeting you."

"I'll follow your arrangements," Zhou Xiaobei shrugged.

...

At the same time, in the innermost courtyard of the quadrangle-style building, in the main hall, a luxurious private room had been set up. An elderly man, dressed in Tang-style clothing, with silver hair, sat in a wheelchair.

His face was stern, and he spoke sparingly, exuding an aura of iron and blood.

This person was the current head of the Zhang family in Fragrant City, Zhang Jihui, also known as Old Zhang. Additionally, he held another identity, but this identity wouldn't be as useful once he retired.

The Zhang family was also a top-tier aristocratic family in Fragrant City, ranking among the four major families alongside the Yan and Shen families in terms of wealth and power.

At this moment, seated beside Zhang Jihui were two people: a middle-aged man in a suit with an elegant demeanor, and a young and beautiful girl who looked to be about eighteen or nineteen years old but already had a charming and attractive appearance.

The middle-aged man was Zhang Jihui's eldest son, Zhang Tao, and the beautiful girl was his granddaughter, Zhang Keke.

Yan Shikai sat opposite the old man and said, "Old Zhang, it's been almost half a year since we last met. Your leg condition seems to be getting worse. Have you consulted a famous doctor?"

Zhang Jihui shook his head. "Don't mention it. As I've grown older, my health deteriorates by the day. Even a minor flu can be life-threatening. This old leg of mine has been suffering from chronic illness for many years, and there's no need to bother with treatment anymore."

He coughed repeatedly as he spoke.

"Especially in your condition, you must take care of yourself. If something happens to you, what will the Zhang family do? Tao Tao, you should also pay more attention to your father's health instead of focusing solely on business."

Seeing his old friend's poor health, Yan Shikai felt anxious.

Zhang Tao said, "Uncle Yan, rest assured, I have been accompanying my father all this time, and I have invited the best doctors in Fragrant City to examine him. One of them will come in a few days."

"Oh, you've invited a doctor?" Yan Shikai said.

Originally, Yan Shikai had invited Zhou Xiaobei to come and treat his old friend, but it seemed that Zhang Tao had already arranged for a doctor. It seemed unnecessary for him to take extra measures. 

"By the way, Old Yan, I heard that you were seriously ill with cancer some time ago, but now you seem fine. Has your condition stabilized?" Zhang Jihui exclaimed in surprise.

Yan Shikai's physical condition was not as good as Zhang Jihui's. Having cancer, yet still maintaining such a robust physique, was truly a marvel.

Not mentioning it would have been fine, but once it was brought up, Yan Shikai's face flushed with excitement as he laughed heartily, "I was just about to tell you about this! To be honest, my illness is completely cured. I just came back from the hospital for a check-up, and the cancer cells have been brought under control with no signs of spreading!"

"What!"

Everyone present was shocked and couldn't believe it.

Cancer was a global challenge, and even with today's scientific advancements, it couldn't be completely cured. Yet Yan Shikai's cancer had miraculously recovered within a short period of time, which was quite astonishing.

Could it be that the United States had developed some advanced targeted cancer drugs?

Yan Shikai laughed, "Don't jump to conclusions. My illness wasn't cured by Western medicine. It was a young Chinese doctor, that young genius..."

Yan Shikai intended to tell his old friend about how Zhou Xiaobei had treated him, to let his friend see the extraordinary abilities of this young man. However, before he could finish his sentence, the door to the private room was pushed open.

Yan Bingxue and Zhou Xiaobei walked in.

Seeing his granddaughter, Yan Shikai smiled and said, "Xue Xue, come, say hello to Grandpa Zhang and Uncle Zhang."

"Hello, Grandpa Zhang, Uncle Zhang, hello Keke."

Yan Bingxue greeted them quickly.

The two families were close friends, and since she was very young, Yan Bingxue had often visited the Zhang family to play with Zhang Keke. Zhang Jihui treated her like his own granddaughter.

At this moment, Yan Bingxue saw Zhang Jihui sitting in a wheelchair, looking well but with yellowish eyes and bloodshot eyes, and his lips were dry. It was clear that he was putting on a brave front, but internally he was struggling.

Yan Bingxue's nose tingled, and her eyes became moist. She trembled as she said, "Grandpa Zhang, your health..."

"Haha, I'm fine, no need to worry," Zhang Jihui didn't want to dwell on his own illness and quickly changed the subject with a smile. "They say women become more beautiful as they age. Seeing you again after six months, Xue Xue, you've become even more beautiful."

"Oh, who is this young man?"

Zhang Jihui's gaze fell on Zhou Xiaobei standing behind them. "Xue Xue, is this your boyfriend?"

Yan Bingxue blushed.

What boyfriend? Did her taste in men seem that bad?

"No, Grandpa Zhang, he is..." Yan Bingxue began, but was interrupted by Zhou Xiaobei, who walked up to Zhang Jihui as if in a daze, staring straight at the old man without blinking.

It was as if there were flowers growing on the old man's face.

His gaze gradually became sharp, and after a while, he suddenly said, "Old man, you're sick!"


NEXTTA