When the old man came out to greet Zhang Yang, the man in the Zhongshan suit remained seated, quietly sipping his tea, not sparing Zhang Yang a single glance.

The elder first exchanged a few pleasantries with Zhang Yang, then took his arm and walked over, saying with a chuckle, "Mr. Zhang, come, let me introduce you to a friend!"

The elder extended his hand toward the man in the Zhongshan suit. "Mr. Zhang, this is Mr. Ji Hongguang. Mr. Ji is highly skilled in the art of Qihuang (traditional Chinese medicine), renowned at home and abroad. This humble one sought him out specifically to examine this old frame of mine!"

It was indeed him. Zhang Yang nodded silently. As the elder introduced them, Ji Hongguang only gave Zhang Yang a cursory glance, appearing utterly arrogant.

This man truly was as arrogant as the rumors suggested, yet he undeniably possessed some skill, otherwise, Zhang Yang wouldn't have bothered remembering him.

"Hello, Mr. Ji!"

Zhang Yang offered a smiling greeting. Ji Hongguang was a wilderness doctor, but Zhang Yang held no prejudice against such practitioners; his own grandfather had been one, treating the sick at a Daoist temple.

In a way, Zhang Yang himself was now a wilderness doctor, as his tenure at the Third Hospital was temporary. He had no intention of staying long; once his contract expired, he wouldn't renew it.

Ji Hongguang slowly nodded in acknowledgement, but his expression seemed utterly reluctant to engage. Before Zhang Yang could react, Su Zhantao, standing nearby, flared up.

"What attitude is that!"

Su Zhantao snorted coldly. The teacup Ji Hongguang held froze midway to his lips. He turned his head, glaring furiously at Su Zhantao, and boomed, "What did you say?"

"I say what I want to say. What business is it of yours?"

Su Zhantao usually possessed a gentle temper, but that depended entirely on whom he was addressing. Against someone whose disposition rubbed him the wrong way, his temper was far from small.

Having grown up in an official's family, with an uncle like Su Shaohua, how could he possibly lack backbone?

"Mr. Ji, I apologize; I forgot to introduce you. This Mr. Zhang is the one who saved me earlier. He was the one who recognized I had been poisoned by the Iron Begonia, applied needles to control the toxin, and ultimately saved this old life of mine!"

Sensing the situation souring, the elder immediately stood up. He was well aware of Ji Hongguang’s temper, but this time, needing a favor, he had to swallow his irritation.

Only then did Ji Hongguang truly lift his gaze to look at Zhang Yang.

"To immediately discern the poison of the Iron Begonia is rare enough, and to utilize needling techniques to directly control the toxin... you must be from a prominent family. Your surname is Zhang—are you from the Zhang family of Yunnan, or the Zhang family of the Capital?"

Ji Hongguang spoke again, but the manner in which he spoke always conveyed a sense of superiority, now adopting the air of an elder, which was profoundly irritating.

"I apologize, I am not from any Zhang family. I am simply myself. Old Sir, please extend your arm; let me check your pulse."

Zhang Yang shook his head slightly, then turned his gaze away from Ji Hongguang.

Zhang Yang accorded respect to those who respected him; for those who offered none, he returned the same attitude. The fact that he had bothered to exchange words with Ji Hongguang at all was already a stretch.

The elder paused, slightly surprised, but still extended his arm. He harbored no doubt about Zhang Yang's status as a healer.

The elder’s name was Qin Zheng, a Singaporean citizen. The Qin Group was immensely famous in Singapore, boasting assets in the billions.

He had only learned the full details of that day afterward. After being treated for detoxification at the hospital, the doctors informed them that had they not known about the poisoning in advance and had someone not controlled the toxin, the outcome would have been disastrous.

That was why Qin Yong had sent twenty thousand to Zhang Yang as thanks for saving a life.

On that day, they had originally planned to stay in a hotel, but after the incident, Qin Yong changed his mind and purchased this villa as a temporary residence. Even if they never stayed here again, it was necessary for their safety during those few days.

Feeling Qin Zheng's pulse, Zhang Yang also observed his eyes, tongue, and other areas. Finally, he nodded. "Good. Recovery is very good. You've taken quite a bit of medicine recently, and perhaps used needles as well? The effect is decent. Your rheumatic heart disease has shown marked improvement!"

Releasing his hand, Zhang Yang chuckled and stood up.

His purpose for coming had been achieved. The elder was in satisfactory condition, and Zhang Yang could tell someone was actively treating him—and he could easily guess that person could be none other than Ji Hongguang.

The facts confirmed it. Qin Zheng had come to the mainland specifically to seek treatment from Ji Hongguang.

He had learned of Ji Hongguang through a friend's recommendation, having previously extended an invitation for Ji to treat him in Singapore. Unfortunately, the man was eccentric; he refused all invitations for out-of-town consultations, regardless of the fee.

So, Qin Zheng brought his grandson to Jiaoyi, only to be poisoned by a treacherous member of his own extended family. Had he not encountered Zhang Yang, he wouldn't just have missed his treatment; he would have lost his life.

They had investigated and settled the internal family matters, which was why they invited Zhang Yang over specifically to express their gratitude. They simply hadn't anticipated Ji Hongguang showing up concurrently, leading to this collision.

"Really? Mr. Zhang is truly young and accomplished! To discern so much from just feeling the pulse!"

Qin Zheng laughed heartily. His body had genuinely felt much better these past few days. Although Ji Hongguang was arrogant, he possessed real talent; this trip hadn't been in vain.

"Hmph, mere trickery. Knowing I was here, he was certain my patient’s condition would improve. Medication and needling have always been my forte!"

Before Zhang Yang could reply, a discordant voice cut in. Ji Hongguang set down his teacup and stated coldly, "That's my specialty!"

Zhang Yang's eyebrow twitched slightly. He was already preparing to leave and hadn't provoked the man, yet here was this cold sarcasm, truly infuriating.

This Ji Hongguang—the previous rumors had actually understated him. If one came to dislike him, one would feel like kicking him twice. No wonder he never left his dwelling; a person like this was utterly incompatible with society.

"Mr. Ji, Mr. Zhang is very capable too!"

Qin Zheng quickly interjected. Regardless, Zhang Yang was his savior and his invited guest; he had to speak up for him.

"If he is so capable, why did you invite me? Let him treat you then. I take my leave!"

Ji Hongguang suddenly stood up, uttering those words before striding toward the exit. Qin Zheng's expression shifted drastically. He knew the man had a difficult temperament, but he hadn't expected him to be so volatile.

He was only mediating; how could the man react by threatening to abandon treatment? Had he not needed Ji Hongguang’s help, Qin Zheng would have slapped him himself.

"Mr. Ji, please calm your anger. That was not our intention!"

Qin Yong rushed to intercept him, all the while feeling a pang of distress internally.

When they invited Zhang Yang, they hadn't considered Ji Hongguang would be here, nor that their meeting would spark such friction. Now, Ji Hongguang was threatening to abandon the treatment of his grandfather.

They had sensed this man’s strange temper before, but his treatment was undeniably effective, so they had tolerated it, and they were still tolerating it now. For them, the priority was the healing process.

"Mr. Qin, let him go if he wishes. I will treat this illness!"

Zhang Yang suddenly spoke, his voice quite loud. Even the meekest person has a breaking point. This man's repeated provocation meant Zhang Yang had no more patience, nor any reason to endure it.

Furthermore, the elder's illness was merely rheumatic heart disease. While troublesome, it was not incurable. Zhang Yang had treated similar ailments in his previous life and possessed extensive experience. He was confident that in his hands, this disease would be managed no worse than by Ji Hongguang.

Upon hearing this, Ji Hongguang actually stopped leaving. He turned back, sneering, "You treat it? What qualifications do you have to claim you can treat it?"

"Whether I have the qualifications is not for you to decide!"

Zhang Yang’s expression also darkened. Qin Yong grew even more anxious. One was his grandfather's savior; the other was his current primary physician. If the two quarreled, they were in an impossible position regarding whom to support.

"Haha, such arrogance in a young man! Fine. If I don't decide, then you must provide proof. What ability do you possess to treat this gentleman?"

Ji Hongguang laughed loudly, turning back fully and resuming his seat in the original spot.

Seeing that he wasn't leaving immediately, Qin Yong’s heart settled slightly, though his headache intensified. How could one person possess such an erratic temperament?

Zhang Yang sighed softly, raising his head to look directly at Ji Hongguang. "A frog in a well, utterly blind to the world. You merely inserted needles into Neiguan, Xinyu, Jueyinyu, Tanzhong, and Zusanli, supplemented by a heart-warming decoction for treatment. In this country, you are certainly not the only one capable of that!"

Ji Hongguang, who was raising his teacup, froze mid-motion, staring at Zhang Yang with sudden surprise.

Even Qin Zheng, standing nearby, showed an expression of shock. Qin Yong and the others were even more dumbfounded.

Everything Zhang Yang said was precisely correct. Ji Hongguang had indeed been needling Qin Zheng these past few days, targeting exactly the acupuncture points Zhang Yang listed. As for the prescription, Zhang Yang was also right; it was indeed a "heart-warming" formula.

Anyone who spent frequent time with Qin Zheng might know these details, but Zhang Yang had only just arrived and derived this information from a brief pulse diagnosis. To state it with such accuracy suggested an ability beyond the ordinary.

"I concede what you said is true. Young man, considering your age, you have indeed grasped some genuine heritage. Do you dare compete with me?"

Ji Hongguang put down his teacup, looking straight at Zhang Yang. This time, his tone was not as haughty as before, though a hint of pride remained.

"There's no need. I only want you to know that I have the means and the ability to treat the patients you are unwilling to treat!"

Zhang Yang shook his head slightly. They were clearly mismatched in conversation. He had no desire to compete with this man. If he encountered someone compatible or agreeable, competing in medical skills might be interesting and conducive to mutual progress.

Besides, Zhang Yang had come here to earn money. Treating Qin Zheng was an unexpected bonus, and he had zero interest in competing with this arrogant man—it would be a pure waste of time.

"You young pup, you're afraid to compete, aren't you? Old Qin, I admit this boy has some ability, but he is far too young. Treating your illness requires extensive experience, which he lacks. Moreover, the fact that he dares not compete with me shows he fears me, that he knows he cannot surpass me. Would you entrust your treatment to someone inferior to me?"

Ji Hongguang suddenly turned, smiling affably at Qin Zheng. His tone now was completely different from moments before, yet the underlying intent to belittle Zhang Yang was perfectly clear...