They even suspected they had misheard.

This was late-stage brain cancer, malignant and advanced—a problem the most cutting-edge technology couldn't solve—yet Zhang Yang offered treatment, boldly claiming he could extend her life by at least a year.

Even Su Zhantao, who knew Zhang Yang quite well, found it hard to credit his words just then.

It wasn't a lack of trust in Zhang Yang, but rather that what Zhang Yang proposed flew so completely in the face of his established understanding of the world, making belief a steep climb.

The little girl looked up, staring at Zhang Yang in utter astonishment.

She knew her illness intimately.

Since falling ill, they had visited the world’s greatest hospitals; numerous authoritative foreign experts had been helpless against her condition, ultimately concluding she had, at most, three months left to live.

Three months.

That was why her grandfather had brought her back home, to fulfill every single one of her remaining wishes.

The little girl’s desires were simple: in her final days, she wanted to truly see her homeland, to visit places she knew of but hadn’t yet seen, like the Bund in Shanghai.

They had only recently returned to China, and her grandfather had only brought her here today.

Here, she encountered an animal she had never seen before, one she instantly adored.

When her grandfather stepped forward to purchase it for her, she held onto a desperate hope—that she might have such a companion during her remaining time.

Unfortunately, that wish didn't materialize as hoped.

Just as deep disappointment was setting in, the little animal’s owner spoke words the girl could scarcely have imagined.

This person claimed he could cure her illness, even confidently stating he could grant her at least another year of life.

In the past, she had never understood the value of time.

Only after realizing her life was measured in mere months did she grasp how profoundly precious time truly was.

A year—that was enough time to accomplish so much more, to realize countless more wishes.

“You—are you telling the truth?” The old man asked Zhang Yang, his voice laced with excitement.

At first, he hadn't believed a word, but then he recalled Zhang Yang diagnosing his granddaughter’s condition merely by reading her pulse, and a sliver of hope ignited within him.

Zhang Yang nodded.

“Yes, everything I said is true.

Her illness has been neglected for too long.

If we had caught it earlier, I might have had greater certainty.

Now, I can only try.

But even if there’s no complete cure, I can certainly let her live another year!” He was right; earlier detection would have increased his odds of success.

It was too late now.

The tumor in the girl's brain had already spread.

The three months the doctors gave her was likely the absolute maximum limit.

She could collapse at any moment.

The assurance Zhang Yang gave—the guarantee of an extra year—was genuine.

This confidence was built upon the Immortal Fruit Pill.

The effect of the spirit medicine was extraordinary; it could save a life at a critical juncture.

If her condition hadn't been so severe, and if he had encountered her a few months earlier, Zhang Yang believed he could have cured her completely, allowing her to live for decades without issue.

But then again, even if they had met months ago, Zhang Yang hadn't possessed an Immortal Fruit Pill back then.

With only his acupuncture skills, the outcome remained uncertain.

“Good, good!” The old man exclaimed with emotion.

Gaining another year was already an unexpected gift; a complete cure was something he dared not even dream of.

One more year meant his granddaughter could stay by his side for another year.

Not just a year—even one more day with her was infinitely precious.

“Little—little brother, may I ask your name?” The old man looked at Zhang Yang, then paused slightly, a flicker of awkwardness crossing his face.

He realized he didn't even know the man’s name.

“My name is Zhang Yang.

If you allow me to treat her, it needs to be done quickly—ideally starting today!” Zhang Yang smiled faintly.

The little girl’s condition was already perilous; delaying even a single day added risk.

The brain tumor continued to spread, constantly threatening to compress the cranial nerves and cause catastrophic consequences.

“Yes, absolutely.

Gentlemen, please follow me!” The old man nodded immediately.

He had no time to concern himself with the little marten.

The marten was just his granddaughter’s beloved pet, but this man held the key to saving her life.

Though he hadn't fully accepted Zhang Yang’s claims, he was willing to try anything.

It was the instinct of a desperate man to seize any possibility.

Zhang Yang’s certainty gave him a flicker of hope, enough to make the old man treat him as a miraculous physician, regardless of Zhang Yang’s apparent youth.

The old man had a car—a stretch limousine, a model rarely seen in the country.

He drove such a vehicle purely for his granddaughter’s comfort when they traveled.

Su Zhantao and Yang Ling had their BMWs, but upon seeing the Rolls-Royce, they couldn’t help but murmur their admiration.

Even Yang Ling, who owned a car dealership, had seldom seen such a fine vehicle.

She was already planning to discreetly investigate the old man’s identity later; rare cars like this in China were traceable.

Zhang Yang followed the old man into his car.

His earlier guess proved correct: the two men were the old man’s bodyguards.

They got into the car as well, taking the wheel.

While the car moved, Zhang Yang took the little girl's pulse again, seeking complete confirmation of her ailment.

The car drove straight toward the suburbs.

Shanghai was vast; it took a full hour before they stopped before an enormous villa complex.

The residence was immense and opulent, rivaling Su Shaohua's villa in Changjing.

“This is a property I bought some time ago.

When one gets old, one dislikes staying in hotels while traveling,” the old man explained with a smile.

Zhang Yang understood this sentiment well.

He had treated patients like this before—men who preferred purchasing properties wherever they traveled frequently, turning every destination into a personal home rather than relying on hotels.

If bought early enough, properties like this were excellent investments, guaranteeing future profit.

This particular estate, Zhang Yang estimated, might be worth tens of millions now, but in a few more years, given Shanghai’s premium real estate market, even this suburban land could surge to a hundred million.

“Yanyan, I need to apply needles to you in a moment.

Are you afraid?” As they walked forward, Zhang Yang asked the little girl with a gentle smile.

The little girl’s name was Wu Yan—a beautiful name.

Zhang Yang didn’t know the old man’s full name, simply calling him Elder Wu.

“I’m not afraid, Brother Zhang Yang.

Can you really help me, can you really let me live another year?” Wu Yan stared at Zhang Yang, her eyes holding a trace of doubt.

She had visited countless hospitals and seen innumerable doctors.

She didn't understand the medical jargon, but she understood one thing: whenever her grandfather took her to a new doctor, it meant the previous ones had no solution for her.

Over time, this reality crushed her hope, eventually turning into despair.

“You must believe me.

If I cannot do what I promise, I will stay with you the entire time, and I will let Lightning stay with you too!” Zhang Yang smiled.

He felt a certain affinity with this young girl.

Moreover, he couldn't bear to see such a sweet child leave the world so soon.

“I believe you, Brother Zhang Yang!” Wu Yan beamed, hugging Lightning tightly in her arms.

Lightning let out a soft squeak and settled still in her embrace.

Little Lightning didn't dislike her; it had only moved away earlier because her grandfather’s words had angered it.

Once they were in the car, Lightning didn't object to Wu Yan’s gentle stroking, even allowing her to hold it.

“This is just a casual residence?” Young Master Su and Yang Ling followed them in, looking around in constant amazement.

It was evening, but the villa was beautifully lit, with strings of colorful, festive lights decorating the lawn, creating a magical scene.

These lights were likely put up specifically for Wu Yan—the designs were cartoony and highly appealing to a young girl, catching Yang Ling’s eye as well.

“Dr.

Zhang, let’s eat first.

You must be hungry by now!” Upon entering the living room, the old man instructed someone to brew tea and then turned to Zhang Yang with a smile.

It was nearly eight o'clock since they left the Bund.

They certainly hadn't eaten since meeting, and now everyone felt a bit hungry.

Zhang Yang hesitated for a moment.

“We can eat later.

Let’s treat the illness first!” “A few minutes won't hurt the treatment; it’s not an acute illness.

Dinner is already prepared at home.

Let’s eat first, and treat her afterward!” The old man chuckled loudly.

He had given instructions for a lavish dinner before leaving the estate.

Seeing the old man insist, Zhang Yang offered no further objection.

Wu Yan’s condition wasn't critical enough to forbid a small delay, and with him present, he could manage any sudden changes.

The Wu family’s cooking was truly excellent, surpassing even the five-star hotel meal they had at noon.

Su Zhantao and Yang Ling ate heartily, and the old man even brought out several bottles of fine red wine for them.

Zhang Yang only took a sip of his wine and immediately identified it as genuine 1982 Lafite, certainly not some mass-produced bottle found on the market.

Such authentic '82 Lafite was increasingly rare, even now.

Most of these bottles had already been consumed overseas or acquired by private collectors; few had made it into China.

The group finished two bottles, with the old man having a small measure as well; only Wu Yan abstained.

After the meal, Zhang Yang requested a quiet room to administer the acupuncture to Wu Yan alone.

When Zhang Yang performed acupuncture, no one was allowed nearby, though they could observe through the windows, provided they remained silent so as not to disturb his concentration.

Wu Yan’s illness was severe, requiring his absolute focus.

This acupuncture session lasted over an hour.

Her illness was too advanced.

Relying on acupuncture alone would only prolong her life marginally, perhaps stretching a few extra months, and would necessitate frequent sessions.

Using the Immortal Fruit Pill, however, could temporarily stabilize her condition.

A spirit medicine like the Immortal Fruit Pill possessed immense efficacy.

How long the stability would last depended on Zhang Yang’s preparation and the little girl’s fortune.

If Zhang Yang’s current Immortal Fruit Pill had been derived from his fourth or fifth harvest of the tri-color fruit, the pill alone might have been enough to cure her completely.

………… Seventh update! I didn't expect changing the dressing to be so painful; sweat was pouring down.

I should have asked for anesthetic.

But my mood improved significantly after getting back.

Thanks to all friends for your support; my tooth doesn't even hurt much now.

There are two more chapters coming.

Reaching 50 votes so quickly—friends, keep going! Today has a real chance of breaking a hundred votes again!