What Zhou Yichen had released, Zhang Yang had long been aware of. From the start, he understood that completely crushing Zhou Yichen over this matter was impossible, given that the transgression occurred within the Student Union, a purely academic organization.
Such an incident could be blown up or suppressed easily by the school administration. Zhang Yang’s original goal was simply to leave a stain on Zhou Yichen's record; that blemish was enough.
He hadn't expected Zhou Yichen to learn his lesson so poorly that he would immediately resort to seeking revenge through others. This warning from Fan Sizhe was indeed beneficial to Zhang Yang.
An open attack is easy to defend against, but hidden darts are hard to guard against. Knowing someone was secretly plotting revenge was infinitely better than being completely unaware, allowing Zhang Yang time to prepare.
He wasn't afraid of ordinary people, but he wasn't alone anymore. If Mi Xue were to suffer any harm because of him, he would carry the guilt for a lifetime and fly into a rage.
Leaving the police station, Zhang Yang took Mi Xue straight home. The atmosphere today was supposed to be good, unfortunately ruined by the fight.
Thankfully, they weren't the main players in this scuffle; if every outing ended in a brawl, Zhang Yang would definitely give that location a wide berth. The very next morning, Zhang Yang drove out early.
Today was the day for his acupuncture treatment for Su Shaohua, and he planned to stop by Director Zhao’s place as well. Both patients were recovering quite well; Su Shaohua hadn't suffered an episode for a long time, and every time they met, he praised Zhang Yang as a divine physician.
Mi Xue, bored at home alone, insisted on accompanying Zhang Yang. However, when Zhang Yang left Su Shaohua’s residence, he was alone.
Su Wei, that girl, had forcibly kept Mi Xue at her place. She wanted Mi Xue to stay for the day to keep her company, promising to personally drive Mi Xue home afterward.
When Su Wei got insistent, many found her impossible to resist. Mi Xue finally had no choice but to agree.
Most outrageous was that as Mi Xue conceded, Su Wei actually shot a provocative look at Zhang Yang. This outcome left him feeling utterly helpless and amused.
He had planned to continue their date in the afternoon, but this little girl's interference guaranteed that appointment was now canceled. Finally, with Mi Xue’s gentle persuasion, Zhang Yang left the Su residence first to head to Director Zhao’s house.
Old Master Zhao was also doing very well. Although his mobility was somewhat limited, he could feed himself and even walk a little.
His recovery was astonishing to many doctors. For someone with a cerebral infarction as severe as his, even a successful recovery usually meant paralysis, not the ability to manage so many things independently.
At Old Master Zhao’s place, Zhang Yang was once again treated with lavish hospitality, eventually staying for lunch. Zhang Yang's arrival brought joy to many there, except for Zhao Xue, who was slightly depressed.
She had hoped to see her older sister Mi Xue but found someone had beaten her to the punch. Zhao Xue even told Zhang Yang that next time he visited, he must come here first and leave Mi Xue with her.
This made Zhang Yang want to laugh and cry; he was there to treat patients, not to deliver people to them. Leaving Director Zhao's house, Zhang Yang drove straight home.
Having been busy all morning had tired him out, so he planned to rest in the afternoon and check on Hu Xin and Gu Cheng in the evening. Those two were currently at the peak of their excitement.
Before his car even reached home, his phone rang. It must be said that cell phone ringtones back then were quite monotonous—lacking the direct music files of later eras, and even missing the simplest chord tones.
“Hello, who is this?” The call came from an unknown mobile number. After answering, Zhang Yang asked directly.
“Mr. Zhang, this is Liang Yan, I apologize for the intrusion!” A woman's voice came from the receiver.
Zhang Yang gripped the steering wheel, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. Liang Yan, the Liang Yan from Triumph Tower.
He hadn't expected her to call him. “Manager Liang, hello.
May I ask why you are looking for me?” Zhang Yang’s tone was polite. Liang Yan had been a great help in procuring evidence against Zhou Yichen last time; he owed her a favor, regardless.
“I was wondering if you have time to meet face-to-face?” “Face-to-face? Alright.
Where are you? I’ll come to you!” Zhang Yang hesitated for a moment before finally nodding.
Liang Yan provided an address—a teahouse. Zhang Yang immediately adjusted the steering wheel and headed in that direction.
Zhang Yang and Liang Yan didn't have any deep personal connection, beyond dining there a few times and, of course, the time he asked her to help acquire those few receipts. This sudden request from Liang Yan left Zhang Yang slightly bewildered.
The teahouse Liang Yan mentioned wasn't far; Zhang Yang arrived about ten minutes later. There was a parking area outside the teahouse.
After parking, Zhang Yang walked inside. It was a high-end establishment, luxuriously decorated, likely ranking among the best in Changjing City, though Zhang Yang had never been here before.
Whether in his past life or his current one, Zhang Yang had no real appreciation for tea. He could detect the fragrance in a good cup, but couldn't articulate what made it superior.
Someone like him naturally rarely frequented teahouses; for a doctor, there was little reason to go unless it was for business discussions with merchants. “Mr.
Zhang!” As soon as he entered the main hall, he saw Liang Yan, dressed in a pink dress, standing a short distance away, waving at him. Standing beside Liang Yan was a man in his early thirties, wearing a black shirt, his hair slicked back, looking alert and energetic—clearly someone else waiting for him.
“Manager Liang, why not meet at Triumph Tower? Why summon me to this place!” Zhang Yang walked over with a smile.
He didn't mind the extra person; he was there to fulfill the appointment. He had long sensed that Liang Yan, a woman with considerable ambition and designs on many people, was best dealt with in company.
He truly preferred not to be alone with her if he could help it. “Mr.
Zhang, actually, I didn't invite you; Mr. Xie did!” Liang Yan smiled faintly.
It must be said, she was quite beautiful when she smiled. The dress she wore today accentuated a certain area, fully displaying her magnificent bust.
“Mr. Xie?” Zhang Yang’s eyebrows twitched as he sized up the man beside Liang Yan.
“My apologies, let me introduce myself. My name is Xie Hui, a pleasure to meet you, Mr.
Zhang!” The man next to Liang Yan extended his hand toward Zhang Yang, flashing a bright smile. His demeanor and speech were elegant; it was clear he was no ordinary person.
Zhang Yang extended his hand and gave a brief shake. However, this only deepened his surprise.
Xie Hui, in both his attire and conversation, suggested high standing. Zhang Yang couldn't fathom why this man would seek him out, and specifically through the channel of Liang Yan.
Furthermore, when they shook hands, Zhang Yang had subtly checked him—this man had no ailment; his body was very healthy. It was unlikely he was here seeking medical treatment.
Besides, Liang Yan couldn't possibly know the extent of Zhang Yang's medical skills. “Mr.
Zhang, we’ve already reserved a private room. Please, come inside?” Xie Hui made a gentlemanly gesture to lead the way.
This was the main hall, certainly not a place for serious discussion. Driven by curiosity, Zhang Yang had no choice but to follow them in.
The private room was not far and exquisitely decorated. The walls featured excellent calligraphy.
As someone who appreciated antiques, Zhang Yang had studied calligraphy and painting, recognizing immediately that the pieces were of high quality, some even being works by famous masters. “Mr.
Zhang, Miss Liang invited you here because I heard that you possess a stalk of thousand-year-old ginseng. I have come specifically for the thousand-year-old ginseng!” The hot water was already prepared.
Xie Hui poured a cup of tea for Zhang Yang, offering it slowly, then stated his purpose directly, without a wasted word. Zhang Yang’s eyes narrowed sharply.
He turned his head to look at Liang Yan, a hint of sharpness in his gaze. Xie Hui was here because of the thousand-year-old ginseng.
Without needing to guess, Zhang Yang knew Liang Yan had told him and had deliberately lured him here. Back at Triumph Tower, Zhang Yang had explicitly asked Liang Yan to keep the matter confidential.
Liang Yan had promised, but this was how she chose to keep her word. Seeing Zhang Yang’s look, Liang Yan grew slightly flustered and quickly explained, “Mr.
Zhang, please don't misunderstand. CEO Xie is a very, very good friend of mine.
His family happens to have a patient who needs thousand-year-old ginseng, so I told him. Rest assured, CEO Xie and his associates will offer you a satisfactory price!” “Miss Liang is correct.
As long as it is genuine thousand-year-old ginseng, Mr. Zhang, rest assured, we will certainly offer you a satisfactory price!” Xie Hui chimed in.
Zhang Yang sat quietly, saying nothing, merely observing the two of them. In fact, from their statements, Zhang Yang had already discerned several issues.
Liang Yan claimed Xie Hui was a "very, very good friend." Zhang Yang did not believe this for a second. He knew exactly what kind of woman Liang Yan was: a woman intensely focused on marrying into wealth and becoming a boss’s wife herself.
This Xie Hui, with his refined speech, likely came from a good background, making him a target for Liang Yan. Another point: Xie Hui’s trust in Liang Yan was probably not absolute.
That’s why he said, “As long as it is genuine thousand-year-old ginseng.” If he fully trusted Liang Yan, he wouldn't have phrased it that way; he would have made a direct offer. From a few simple sentences, Zhang Yang had analyzed a great deal, a habit carried over from his previous life.
Having understood the situation, dealing with them became much easier. After looking at Xie Hui for a moment, Zhang Yang slowly shook his head and said softly, “CEO Xie, I’m very sorry, but I’m afraid I must disappoint you this time.
I do have the thousand-year-old ginseng, but I will not sell it!” The thousand-year-old ginseng, especially one over two thousand years old—Zhang Yang hadn't possessed such a divine treasure even in his past life. Now that he had it, he naturally intended to preserve it well; selling it was out of the question.
“Mr. Zhang, I know your piece of thousand-year-old ginseng isn't large.
If you are willing, I will offer you ten million yuan—ten million to buy your piece of thousand-year-old ginseng!” Xie Hui quickly added, looking at Zhang Yang with eager expectation. Zhang Yang’s earlier speculation was correct.
He had known Liang Yan for two years. Liang Yan had tried to latch onto him but hadn't succeeded.
However, even back then, Liang Yan had learned some things about him, including the fact that his family needed ginseng, especially ginseng of great age, and that Xie Hui often purchased fine ginsengs at high prices. When Liang Yan learned that Zhang Yang had unexpectedly acquired thousand-year-old ginseng, her mind began to turn.
She re-established contact with Xie Hui, slowly probing and asking indirect questions until she finally told Xie Hui she had news of thousand-year-old ginseng. Thousand-year-old ginseng was extremely important to Xie Hui.
Upon receiving the news, he rushed over immediately. Regardless of whether Liang Yan’s information was true, he had to try.
Of course, fake ginseng wouldn't fool him; having collected ginseng for so many years, he was quite knowledgeable about it. Seventh update.
My arm is going numb, but Xiao Yu is still holding on and will continue to do so. It’s just that the monthly votes are a bit disheartening.
Xiao Yu knows I haven't fulfilled yesterday’s promise, but I’ve been working hard without stopping. Since 7 PM, the votes haven't moved, and I’ve even been overtaken.
It makes me feel a bit suffocated right now. The only rest I take while writing is opening the book page to check; every time I see the monthly votes increase, I feel genuinely happy, and even if I’m exhausted, it gives me motivation.
If you still have monthly votes, I hope you can support Xiao Yu again, and I will keep writing. There’s more coming!