After touring the sights and enjoying the scenery, the cruise ship carrying Zhang Yang and his companions finally reached Yu City two days later. Having been on the boat for several days, even though everyone was in high spirits and not tired, they couldn't possibly continue sailing all the way to Lezhou. Thus, upon arriving in Yu City, they decided to linger for an extra day.

Zhang Yang took everyone out for walks and shopping, showing them around the beautiful city.

Yu City has another name: Mountain City, signifying that it is a metropolis built upon mountains. Its scenery is uniquely layered; stepping out onto the streets, one looks up to see numerous buildings constructed on the slopes, creating a very distinct sense of verticality. Because of this topography, the city boasts many famous and intriguing landmarks.

It was in Yu City that Zhang Yang last parted ways with Li Changfeng, a young disciple from the Shu Mountain Li family whom they had encountered en route. During their previous stay, Zhang Yang, Long Feng, and Li Changfeng had mostly spent their time drinking and discussing cultivation, with little time for sightseeing. This time, Zhang Yang seized the opportunity to thoroughly explore Yu City with Mi Xue and the others.

Mi Xue and the others had never been here before, finding everything novel and eye-opening. The local culture, scenery, and customs differed significantly from those in Changjing.

This trip, besides the two little ones, Wuying and Shandian, they were joined by Zhuifeng. Compared to the other two, Zhuifeng was far more attention-grabbing. Along the way, many people kept casting sidelong glances at them, their eyes filled with envy when looking at Zhuifeng.

However, the only regret was that during their time exploring Yu City, they failed to discover any treasures.

But on second thought, Zhang Yang felt a sense of relief. If such unparalleled wonders were so easily found, they would already be commonplace and no longer prized. To have twice stumbled upon major finds—the thousand-year Jade Fuling and the Jade Spotted Spirit Fungus—was already immense luck; to expect to find more treasures felt greedy.

One day was simply not enough to see all the famous and interesting spots in Yu City. Therefore, Zhang Yang and the group explored for another morning before having lunch at a well-known hotel. Only then did Zhang Yang decide they would take the Yu City Expressway in the afternoon and drive directly to Leshan.

This day and a half had been thoroughly enjoyable. When the food arrived, their appetites were fully awakened, and the table of people devoured the mountain of dishes with the speed of a whirlwind, clearing the entire spread.

Having eaten their fill, they didn't leave immediately but rested for a while, chatting to aid digestion.

It was then that Zhang Yang suddenly recalled the Monkey Wine for which the Shu Mountain Li family was most famous, and his appetite for spirits was immediately piqued.

Monkey Wine was a top-tier vintage, possessing a mellow aroma; its exquisite taste was unforgettable after just one sip. It was a pity he hadn't brought a jar with him this time.

"Huh? What's going on outside?"

Just as Zhang Yang and the others were preparing to leave the hotel to get into the car, a considerable crowd had gathered outside, all rushing towards a nearby intersection where something appeared to be happening.

Qiao Yihong casually stopped a passerby and asked about the situation. He returned and reported to Zhang Yang: "That's one of Yu City's famous hospitals over there. Apparently, a patient is being refused treatment because they can't afford the medical fees, and the patient's family is causing a scene at the entrance."

Zhang Yang frowned. Whether in this era or years later, incidents of hospitals refusing treatment due to inability to pay were numerous. Every time the media exposed such cases, they ignited massive public debate, tarnishing the reputation of hospitals—places meant for healing—and causing immense embarrassment to doctors, who were often called angels.

"Let's go and see."

Zhang Yang spoke, leading the way toward the hospital. If he hadn't encountered such a situation, he might have ignored it, but since he had, he certainly couldn't stand by and do nothing.

A large crowd had already gathered ahead, and it wasn't easy for Zhang Yang and his group to squeeze through to the front.

Amidst the noise of the crowd, the entrance of the Yu City hospital was completely blocked, creating a chaotic and noisy scene.

Having no other choice, Zhang Yang secretly channeled his internal energy, allowing him to easily push past the onlookers and reach the innermost area.

Upon arrival, he saw a middle-aged woman kneeling before the hospital gates, weeping loudly. Lying before her was a little girl, trembling slightly, perhaps only thirteen or fourteen—still in the bloom of youth.

The hospital doctors and security guards were standing by the door. Several guards were constantly trying to persuade the middle-aged woman to move, but she refused to leave.

The doctors, looking deeply pained, hovered near the back, reluctant to show their faces.

"Please, I beg you, please save my daughter! She's only fourteen! Can you just stand by and do nothing?"

The middle-aged woman, seeing the crowd swell, wailed louder and louder. Her voice had become hoarse and distorted, but she would not stop or allow the security guards to take her away.

"Aunty, please, you can't do this. When you act like this, you make things very difficult for us!"

One security guard spoke persuasively to the middle-aged woman, but his words had no effect.

"What a pitiful sight..."

"What illness does that child have?"

"It looks like polio, doesn't it? I heard the hospital won't treat the child because they can't pay the expensive treatment costs."

"Oh, I know her! Isn't she the woman who sweeps the streets on Chengbei Street?"

"So it's her. No wonder she can't afford the hospital bills..."

The surrounding crowd buzzed with discussion. Surprisingly, some recognized the middle-aged woman crying at the hospital entrance. Those who knew the circumstances couldn't help but lower their heads, sighing softly. They, too, felt helpless; after all, the hospital refusing treatment because the woman couldn't cover the hospitalization fees was not technically wrong.

Hearing the murmurs around him, Zhang Yang understood the situation. He turned his gaze to the little girl on the ground, narrowing his eyes as he scanned her, already beginning the observational stage of Wang Wen Wen Qie (the Four Diagnostic Methods).

"Hubby, that child looks so pitiful. And that lady, she must be suffering terribly too."

Mi Xue clutched Zhang Yang’s arm. Although she didn't know the mother and daughter’s background, she had heard it was because they couldn't pay the inpatient fees that the girl couldn't receive treatment. Sympathy immediately surged within her. She knew Zhang Yang possessed superb medical skills and surely had a way to save the girl, so she looked at him with eyes that made her intention perfectly clear.

"Don't worry. I can cure this girl’s illness."

Zhang Yang smiled faintly. After a brief observational diagnosis, he had a preliminary understanding of the girl's condition; curing her would not be difficult.

"Make way, everyone, step aside!"

Just as Zhang Yang was about to approach, the crowd at the hospital entrance suddenly parted. A middle-aged doctor with meticulously combed-back hair, dressed in a white coat and looking stern, strode forward.

The other doctors who had been lingering in the background with expressions of reluctance quickly scurried further back into the crowd, much like cats spotting mice. Several younger doctors quietly slipped away from the throng and returned inside the hospital.

"Are you not working? What is there to watch out here for!"

The middle-aged doctor looked around first, his gaze focusing pointedly on the few doctors who had not yet returned inside, and spoke coldly.

These remaining doctors fell silent, immediately turning and heading back into the hospital, though they kept glancing back at the still-wailing middle-aged woman with expressions of guilt.

After the other doctors had left, only the security guards remained. The middle-aged doctor then snorted and began flexing his authority, reprimanding the guards: "What is going on here? This mother and daughter pair—you haven't managed them after all this time? Do you know the damage to our hospital’s reputation now that so many people have gathered? Don't you know that Director Chang will be arriving shortly with several city leaders?"

The security guards sighed, exchanging glances but remaining silent. They also felt reluctant to forcibly remove the middle-aged woman.

The middle-aged doctor now recognized the severity of the situation with so many onlookers. However, the Mayor of Yu City and several other leaders were due to inspect the Yu City Hospital shortly, and this matter had to be resolved immediately, lest the hospital lose face in front of the municipal leadership.

Thus, after scolding the guards, he stepped forward immediately, standing beside the middle-aged woman. Putting on a show, he spoke softly with a façade of regret: "Aunty, it’s not that our hospital refuses to treat your daughter. It’s just that medical treatment costs money—that is our hospital's rule. By acting like this, aren't you making us all look bad?"

"Director Yuan, I beg you, save my daughter! I swear I will find a way to gather the medical fees, but those doctors just said that my daughter’s illness cannot be delayed! If it’s delayed too long, it will be incurable!"

Seeing the middle-aged doctor, the middle-aged woman rushed over, grabbed hold of one of his legs, knelt on the ground, and while crying out, was about to kowtow.

This woman had been treated at this hospital before and had heard of this department head surnamed Yuan, knowing he held considerable power. If he gave the word, her daughter could be treated first, and the fees paid later.

Director Yuan remained unmoved, merely wearing a troubled expression. He gently supported the middle-aged woman and quickly said, "Please, don't do this. It's not that our hospital is heartless. You know your daughter has outstanding medical bills from before. How about this: you go back first and try to gather the fees. As soon as you've gathered enough and settled the previous balance, we will resume your daughter's treatment. How about that?"

This Dr. Yuan’s words were impeccable on the surface, protecting the hospital’s image in front of everyone. However, at the core, he was still unwilling to treat the girl.

The middle-aged woman instantly fell into despair upon hearing this, and then she erupted into loud sobs. If she could have gathered the medical fees, she would have paid them long ago; she wouldn't need to resort to such extreme measures to beg the hospital to treat her daughter. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.) to cast recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.) No pop-up novel website