Old Wu hurried over to support Zhang Yang, his face etched with deep concern. Zhang Yang wasn't merely pale now; he was sallow, his complexion the color of beeswax. That final needle burst had utterly depleted his inner energy; he could barely twitch a finger, which was why he couldn't control himself and had collapsed onto the floor.

"I'm fine, I just need a rest," Zhang Yang managed a weak smile, shaking his head slightly as he wiped the sweat from his brow. A critical illness required far more inner energy than common ailments. Wu Yan suffered from terminal brain cancer, the most severe stage, and would not have survived this long without the aid of several world-renowned doctors. Such a disease was far harder to treat than acute conditions, and assisting her with the suction technique this time had demanded an even greater expenditure of his vital force.

"Dr. Zhang, thank you so much," Old Wu nodded slowly, his expression remaining grave. He could see that Zhang Yang had given his utmost effort, poured every ounce of his strength into the task.

"Old Wu, you are too kind. I accepted the consultation fee; this is what I should be doing!" Zhang Yang smiled faintly, slowly pushing himself up, and settled back into a cross-legged position to recuperate his empty reservoir of inner energy.

Old Wu nodded quietly and refrained from speaking further. He had witnessed everything Zhang Yang had done. Although Zhang Yang took payment, it was entirely deserved. He knew well that the medicinal elixir Zhang Yang had produced would fetch an exorbitant price from many eager buyers. A spirit medicine capable of curing a terminal illness was equivalent to a life-saving treasure; many wealthy individuals feared death enough to pay any price. Moreover, Old Wu understood clearly that Zhang Yang’s efforts in treating Wu Yan were certainly not motivated by money.

An hour later, Zhang Yang slowly came to, his complexion much improved. While still somewhat wan, it had at least shed that dreadful, waxy pallor from before. The state Zhang Yang had been in moments ago was terrifying—like a walking corpse. Upon rising, Zhang Yang’s first glance went to Wu Yan. She was still covered in needles, but now all the silver needles appeared darkened, no longer possessing their original sheen. This was evidence of the toxins being expelled from Wu Yan’s body. Her illness was fierce, meaning the internal toxicity was substantial. These toxins, while not the primary cause of death, were certainly accomplices. Removing the accomplices made treating the principal culprit much easier.

"Dr. Zhang, would you like to eat something first, perhaps rest a while?" Old Wu approached again. It was nearly midnight; they hadn't consumed anything since four that afternoon.

Zhang Yang shook his head. "Let's wait a little longer. We'll eat together when Yan Yan wakes up!"

Old Wu paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his features, and quickly inquired, "Dr. Zhang, are you saying Yan Yan will wake up soon?" The current combination of needling and medication had taken far longer than previous treatments. Old Wu had anticipated Wu Yan wouldn't stir until tomorrow morning at the earliest; he hadn't expected such swift results.

"We can remove the needles in half an hour. Once they are out, she will wake up," Zhang Yang said with a gentle smile after checking the time. His ten needle strikes were equivalent to ten separate injections of his inner energy into Wu Yan. Each session lasted half an hour, meaning that for the past five hours, Zhang Yang’s vital force had been continuously present, aiding her body in absorbing the full efficacy of the treatment. Under this sustained influence, Wu Yan remained unconscious, but her condition was optimal, and she would naturally awaken once the needles were withdrawn.

The half hour passed quickly. Zhang Yang stepped forward and began extracting the silver needles one by one. After removal, he tossed each needle into the waste bin; this set of Jìn needles could never be used again, as the toxins had deeply permeated them. It was a shame for the needles; if they had been the unique weapons from Zhang Yang’s previous life, the toxins would have been expelled without ever compromising the metal itself.

After removing all the needles, Zhang Yang finally rested his fingers upon Wu Yan's pulse points. Moments later, a brilliant smile spread across his face.

"Old Wu, I have fulfilled my promise. Yan Yan will be fine for five years. After that, I will devise another solution for her. If fortune favors us, I might be able to ensure her lifelong safety!" Releasing her wrist, Zhang Yang stated with a cheerful tone. The efficacy of this round of medication had surpassed his expectations. Wu Yan’s condition was excellent; her brain tumor had shrunk considerably, and further expansion was now guaranteed to stop. Five years was a conservative estimate on Zhang Yang’s part; with proper self-care, she might last even longer. While the root cause remained, this outcome was the best possible.

Old Wu was utterly stunned, staring at Zhang Yang with disbelief. Initially, Zhang Yang had only promised one year, later suggesting three years if she adhered to the ongoing regimen. He never imagined the post-treatment prognosis would suddenly leap to five years. Five years! So much could be accomplished in five years, an almost dreamlike span for someone given less than three months. Furthermore, five years represented the current status; Zhang Yang might discover further means to continue her treatment later. Hadn't he just mentioned that with good luck, she could live out her life?

"Thank you, thank you," Old Wu choked out, too overwhelmed for coherent speech, murmuring only thanks. At that moment, Wu Yan stirred, blinking her eyes dazedly as she looked between the two men.

"Yan Yan, you’re awake. How do you feel?" Zhang Yang turned and asked softly. After taking the Immortal Fruit Elixir, this young girl’s constitution would also become extraordinary; she would rarely suffer minor illnesses and would remain robustly healthy.

"I feel very comfortable, very light, and my head is incredibly clear. It’s been so long since I felt this way," Wu Yan tilted her head, registering the sensations throughout her body before slowly replying.

"Yan Yan, come here!" Old Wu wiped his face, realizing he had gotten overly emotional. He had no exaggeration in saying that Zhang Yang was Wu Yan's savior, the person who had given her a second life. Without Zhang Yang, perhaps no one in the world could have snatched her back from the clutches of Death. "Quickly, come and thank your Brother Zhang Yang! Your illness is gone, you don't need to worry anymore!" Old Wu instructed her, omitting the fact that it was only a five-year extension. He presented the best possible scenario, confident that Zhang Yang would find a way to keep saving his granddaughter after those five years passed.

"Really!" Wu Yan’s eyes widened, staring at her grandfather, momentarily stunned. She knew Zhang Yang could treat her, but she had never dared to hope for a cure. Before, gaining even one more year would have been a source of immense satisfaction—one year allowed her to do so many things she couldn't before.

"What your grandfather says is true. You can go to school, you can enjoy the life you deserve," Zhang Yang added. Fatigue still clung to him, but his smile was genuine. Healing the sick and saving a life always brought Zhang Yang a profound sense of accomplishment; whether in this life or the last, his mood always brightened after rescuing someone.

"Brother Zhang Yang, thank you, thank you!" Wu Yan suddenly lunged forward and threw herself onto Zhang Yang, bursting into tears. This outcome was completely unexpected. She also felt as if she were dreaming, half-expecting to wake up. She stealthily pinched her arm; the sting of pain confirmed that this was all real. As Wu Yan clung to Zhang Yang, Lightning and Shadow immediately scampered over, clambering onto him as well. Their intellect wasn't high enough to grasp why Wu Yan was so overjoyed, but they recognized that the young girl was encroaching on their territory.

"Alright, are you hungry? I’m starving. Let’s get something to eat," Zhang Yang said, feeling a bit awkward being enveloped by the young girl. Wu Yan was small, but her development was complete, and she wasn't short. Holding her now gave him a slightly different sensation.

"Yes, let's eat! I'll have someone send it up right away!" Old Wu exclaimed eagerly. He was ecstatic himself; he suspected he wouldn't sleep a wink tonight from sheer joy. It was already past midnight, and the hotel restaurant had closed. They had arranged for a twenty-four-hour delivery service, which brought Western cuisine. Simple as it was, everyone ate happily. Wu Yan devoured two full steaks, something she hadn't managed since falling ill.

After the meal, Zhang Yang didn't leave. He sat on the sofa, savoring the tea personally brewed by Old Wu—tea far superior to anything he had tasted before, the absolute finest grade. The delighted Wu Yan was playing nearby with Lightning and Shadow; she no longer seemed afraid of Shadow.

"Dr. Zhang, great kindness requires no elaborate thanks. Here is my contact information. If you ever need anything in the future, please contact me," Old Wu said, handing Zhang Yang a business card across the table. The card was simple: just a name and a phone number, not a gilded affair but made of ordinary alloy. Its only virtue was durability, ensuring it wouldn't degrade if washed.

"Thank you, Old Wu. But perhaps you should give more thought to yourself. Don't you wish to spend more years accompanying Yan Yan?" Zhang Yang accepted the card and asked quietly. Old Wu was raising his teacup, but Zhang Yang’s words caused his hand to tremble violently, spilling some tea. Old Wu also suffered from an ailment, a serious one. Zhang Yang had sensed it the very first time they met, and through their recent interactions, he had pinpointed exactly what it was.

"Dr. Zhang, you know about my condition?" After a moment, Old Wu slowly set down his cup and inquired.

Zhang Yang smiled. "While Parkinson's is difficult to treat, it's not entirely without remedy!" Old Wu's facial muscles twitched unnaturally. He did indeed have a grave illness: Parkinson's Syndrome, already quite advanced. The only reason he currently appeared stable was the continuous treatment from renowned specialists who helped suppress the symptoms. He understood his body wouldn't last much longer. When his granddaughter fell ill with a fatal disease, it had crushed his spirit, making him content merely to spend the remaining time accompanying her. That was why his previous response to Zhang Yang had been so resigned. But things were different now. Wu Yan’s condition had significantly improved, and she might live indefinitely. His own will to survive surged, driven by the desire to see his granddaughter grow up, reach adulthood, and settle down before he could finally rest in peace. Zhang Yang’s words had reignited a desperate hope within him.

Third chapter update, making up for yesterday’s delayed first chapter. If I reach 34 more votes today, I’ll surpass one hundred. The double monthly tickets are still active—I sincerely beg you to cast your valuable vote and continue supporting Little Yu.