Wu Youdao stammered somewhat, not fully explaining the situation, but Zhang Yang had already guessed the rough outline of what was happening. Zhang Yang was quite familiar with this kind of matter; he had encountered it frequently in his previous life, only less so once his reputation was fully established.

The biggest reason for this was his age.

In the perception of most people, a true master of Traditional Chinese Medicine should be someone older—if not white-bearded and white-haired, then certainly an elder seasoned by life’s trials.

When Zhang Yang became famous in his past life, he was only in his early thirties, an absolute anomaly in this field, which was why so many people doubted him.

“Elder Wu, when are you free? We can go directly then. Just tell your friend not to be bothered by the wait!”

Zhang Yang smiled faintly and spoke softly; he had experience with these situations and knew how to handle them.

It didn’t matter if others doubted him; Zhang Yang wasn't new to suspicion. Usually, the outcome was that Zhang Yang would silence the doubters with concrete results or earn the respect of those who initially mistrusted him.

“No, Zhang Yang, rest assured, absolutely not. I’m just glad you agreed. I thank you on his behalf!”

Wu Youdao repeatedly waved his hands, a look of relief and gratitude crossing his face. Zhang Yang’s agreement was a weight off his mind; he feared his friend’s arrogance might offend the young man and make him unwilling to come.

Wu Youdao’s worry was not unfounded. Zhang Yang’s youth was a given, and youthful arrogance was precisely how many people his age behaved. Although Wu Youdao had phrased his concern delicately, he knew Zhang Yang had understood the true meaning behind his words.

Otherwise, Zhang Yang wouldn't have mentioned that his friend found the trouble annoying.

Zhang Yang smiled again. “Elder Wu, you are too kind. Just let me know when we should go, or send me a text message. I’ll be at the hospital these next few days!”

“A text message?”

Wu Youdao looked up, appearing somewhat startled. The term ‘text message’ existed then, but its use was limited and rare. Wu Youdao didn't use a mobile phone usually and was naturally unfamiliar with the word.

“It’s an information message. A friend gave me a pager; you can just send the message to my beeper!”

Zhang Yang quickly explained, secretly shaking his head. He had grown accustomed to saying ‘text message’ and had mistakenly used it for the pager’s function. Still, pagers were truly less convenient than cell phones.

But the mobile phones of this era were enough to make one sigh in resignation.

“That’s no problem. You have a pager and didn’t mention it! It will be easier to find you from now on!”

Wu Youdao immediately nodded, not dwelling on the term Zhang Yang had used earlier. He was preoccupied with figuring out the best way to bring Zhang Yang to his old friend.

Having received Zhang Yang’s confirmation, Wu Youdao didn't linger. After noting down Zhang Yang’s pager number, he soon departed the garden.

When Zhang Yang returned, Xiao Bin, Gu Cheng, and Mi Xue were laughing together. Zhang Yang disliked student union matters, but these three were enthusiastic about them. Xiao Bin was currently in a phase of smooth sailing, while Gu Cheng and Mi Xue had just joined the union and found everything novel.

“Zhang Yang!”

Seeing Zhang Yang approaching from a short distance, Mi Xue’s eyes lit up, and she immediately looked up, waving with a smile.

“Zhang Yang, it’s good you’re back. We should head back too; we’ll see Mi Xue again tomorrow!”

Xiao Bin turned and said with a smile; Zhang Yang happened to reach their side just as he finished speaking.

“Zhang Yang, these are the applications submitted by the various departments of the Student Union over the past few days. Please take a look when you have time. Most are requests for funding approval. I feel a few are suitable and have already made notes. You review them, and I'll pick them up tomorrow!”

Gu Cheng followed up, pulling out a file folder from his bag and handing it to Zhang Yang.

The External Relations Department held the authority to approve sponsorship funds. While the Student Union’s Finance Department managed more than just these sponsorships, the existing funds were negligible compared to the sponsorships.

This semester was nearing its end, and the Student Union funds were already insufficient; this scarcity would be even more pronounced by the term’s conclusion. Without the influx of sponsorship money Zhang Yang secured, the union might run dry. Otherwise, the Sports Department wouldn't have received a mere few hundred yuan for a major event, an amount insufficient to do anything substantial.

Thus, it seemed all the Finance Department’s funds were the sponsorships Zhang Yang had brought in. Many departments, realizing the union now had money, became more ambitious, competing to host activities that benefited them most. Consequently, a torrent of requests demanding money flooded the External Relations Department, keeping Gu Cheng busy these past few days.

Some even sought out Gu Cheng through connections, hoping to secure larger allocations for themselves.

“Alright, leave them here. I will approve them tomorrow,”

Zhang Yang took the folder and readily agreed.

“Zhang Yang, our Club Department’s application is in there too. You must look carefully and approve it fairly. I’m waiting for your good news! We are leaving today; I still have a lot of work to organize and must prepare for exams!”

Xiao Bin chuckled, saying this without any hidden agenda. Given his relationship with Zhang Yang, he knew Zhang Yang wouldn’t neglect him even if he didn't mention it.

When Xiao Bin and Gu Cheng left, Zhang Yang looked up at the sky; it was already dimming, signaling it was time to return to the ward.

The current Mi Xue, aside from wearing a patient gown, looked no different from a healthy person and could walk back to the ward without needing Zhang Yang’s support.

“Zhang Yang, I can feel that they all admire you!”

On the way back, Mi Xue suddenly stopped and said this, looking up at Zhang Yang, her eyes fixed on him as if gazing at something precious.

“Admire me? Are you sure? What is there to admire about me?” Zhang Yang paused slightly, then smiled.

“No, I mean it. Xiao Bin mentioned more than once just now that you changed his status in the Student Union. He is now extremely satisfied and motivated by his work, unlike before when he just wanted to maintain his position!”

Mi Xue nodded firmly, still watching Zhang Yang.

There was one thing she didn't say: it wasn't just Xiao Bin and Gu Cheng who admired Zhang Yang; she, too, seemed to hold a degree of reverence for him.

“That is the result of his own effort and persistence!”

Zhang Yang smiled lightly. He understood what Mi Xue was saying. Since he had crossed over and suppressed Zhou Yichen in the Student Union, Xiao Bin’s life had been drastically different from before.

Previously, Xiao Bin was just an ordinary staff member in the Secretariat, handling trivial errands. Because of his association with Zhang Yang, he was constantly bullied, and Zhou Yichen frequently nitpicked his work. Under those circumstances, he had to proceed with caution.

This situation changed completely after Zhang Yang deliberately backed down last time. Unbeknownst to him, Zhang Yang had inadvertently transformed Xiao Bin from an ordinary staff member into the Minister of the Club Department.

That wasn't all. As soon as he became the Minister of the Club Department, the department’s situation transformed. From being a mere administrative body serving the clubs, it suddenly became highly sought after.

The Club Department now possessed a substantial discretionary budget, a fact well-known to all club presidents. The Student Union was short of funds, but the clubs were even more so, often funding their activities through self-payment or fundraising. Now that they knew the Club Department was flush with cash, all the club presidents started shifting their focus, scrambling to approach Xiao Bin to secure funding. In just a few days, the Club Department’s influence and power grew significantly. The presidents of clubs that previously paid little attention to the department now greeted Xiao Bin with wide smiles, acting like close brothers.

Several major clubs, such as Basketball, Football, Music, and Fine Arts, now trailed Xiao Bin daily. Not only were they trying to secure a portion of the Club Department’s budget, but they were also attempting to petition the Student Union directly for funds to expand their activities. These individuals knew the union had money, and they knew Zhang Yang was the one truly in control of those funds; since Xiao Bin was closest to Zhang Yang, who else would they approach?

The application Xiao Bin submitted this time was on behalf of a few major clubs. He was now clever enough to align himself with these key clubs, planning to suppress any uncooperative clubs later, thereby gradually reclaiming the authority that originally belonged to the Club Department. The severe interference of the Secretariat in the Club Department’s affairs would cease during his tenure.

Xiao Bin was now beginning to enjoy the pleasure brought by this small measure of power.

Of course, he was also acutely aware of who bestowed this power upon him, which was why he spoke those words to Mi Xue. However, Mi Xue wasn't wrong; the current Xiao Bin truly admired Zhang Yang.

Xiao Bin witnessed for the first time what it meant to wield absolute power—to turn clouds into rain and rain into clouds. The previously formidable Zhou Yichen was quickly driven into retreat by Zhang Yang’s moves. Not only had they salvaged their former disadvantage, but they had completely reversed the situation.

“He is indeed hardworking, but this opportunity was given by you!”

Mi Xue smiled sweetly. She suddenly reached out and linked her arm through Zhang Yang’s. Zhang Yang stiffened slightly, his body feeling a bit awkward, but after a few steps, the two moved with perfect synchronicity. Walking together like that, they genuinely resembled a loving couple.

Back in the ward, Zhang Yang handed the materials Gu Cheng had brought to Mi Xue. Not just this time, but in the future, he would delegate all similar review tasks to Mi Xue and Gu Cheng. This would serve to train both their abilities while allowing him to secretly take it easy and save time.

As for himself, he only needed to oversee the general direction. In truth, there wasn't much general direction left to manage; he was essentially a symbolic presence—his mere appearance was enough to firmly suppress Zhou Yichen. Over time, he could naturally phase out Zhou Yichen and install his own people in power, thereby completely fulfilling the wishes of the original ‘Zhang Yang.’

The next morning, Zhang Yang visited Old Master Zhao again to provide care. This time, Director Zhao’s family treated Zhang Yang with even greater warmth, truly treating him like family, just as the system had predicted.

As soon as the nursing session concluded, Wu Youdao personally came to find Zhang Yang. He had already made arrangements to take Zhang Yang to see his friend today, eagerly hoping Zhang Yang could find a remedy for his old friend’s illness and alleviate the torment of his suffering.

………… Chapter One, more to follow. It might be getting late; Xiao Yu will try hard to catch up! C