Chapter 111: Defeat

“What is all this noise? Don’t you know the old master is being treated inside?” A deep, authoritative voice rang out as a man in his fifties descended the stairs with measured steps. He wore a white shirt, suit trousers, and silver-rimmed glasses. His features were dignified and imposing; although his expression was not stern, he exuded an aura of commanding presence without anger.

This man was none other than Luo Jianggong, the eldest son of the Luo family.

With Luo Jianggong’s arrival, the criticisms against Luo Jianping and his son immediately quieted down, save for a richly dressed woman still murmuring discontentedly. She was Luo Lirong, the second daughter of the old master and the full sister of Luo Jianggong.

“Uncle, we are just upset. Grandpa’s illness is so severe that he can’t even undergo surgery. Yet Chen Song brought a freshly graduated doctor to treat him, calling him a miracle healer. It’s just a sham to fool us all. I don’t think he truly wants grandpa to get better,” said Luo Fei, Luo Jianben’s son, who was the first to harshly reprimand Chen Song.

“Luo Fei, don’t spew nonsense. The ‘Holy Doctor Hong’ is the champion of the first round of the Qing City Medical Saint preliminary competition, beating the runner-up by three times the speed. Everyone in the Qing City medical community knows him!” Luo Song retorted fiercely, gritting his teeth.

“Are you deaf? Didn’t you hear what Bao said? He cheated—he’s just a fraud,” Luo Fei sneered, convinced of his stance.

“Enough!” Luo Jianggong barked again, his face darkening. Silence fell over the room.

Luo Jianggong’s gaze fixed on Hong Chen with a strong scrutinizing intensity. After a moment of silence, he spoke slowly, “The authority of the Medical Saint competition is unquestionable. Since you managed to secure first place in the initial round in Qing City, your medical skills must be extraordinary. May I ask which renowned doctor you studied under, or which traditional Chinese medicine family you come from?”

Hong Chen met his gaze calmly and replied lightly, “I have no teacher, nor do I come from a family of traditional Chinese medicine. My skills are self-taught.”

Displeasure flickered across Luo Jianggong’s face. If Hong Chen’s words were true, then Luo Jianping and his son had been reckless; if false, they were merely dismissing the heir of the Luo family.

Luo Jianben glanced sideways at Luo Jianping with a hostile look and said, “Third brother, your family is quite something—bringing an unknown quack to treat father, even wearing a mask to hide his face. It’s hard not to question your intentions.”

Luo Jianping was furious and about to retort when an old doctor who had remained silent until then suddenly spoke, “No famous mentor, no family background—then tell us, how did you, at your age, win first place in the Qing City preliminary?”

Hong Chen found it amusing. He had been invited to treat the old master, not to be interrogated or witness family squabbles. He said to Chen Song, “Discuss among your family first. I’m going outside for a smoke. Let me know if you need my help; if not, I won’t force it.” Then he turned and left.

The Luo family’s faces darkened. A young man in his twenties thought he was someone important—coming and going at will, treating the Luo family as if it were a playground.

“Old master, Dr. Ye that Miss Jiang brought is still not working. The old lady said we should invite two senior doctors in together because grandpa’s condition is very serious,” a maid hurried out from the deepest room on the second floor, anxiously calling out at the stairway.

The entire Luo family’s expressions changed at once, no longer paying attention to Hong Chen. Their gazes turned toward the second floor. Luo Jianggong’s face was grave as he bowed slightly to the two senior doctors. “Masters, father’s illness is truly severe. Perhaps the two of you could come together.”

The two old doctors exchanged a glance, both frowning slightly. One had been invited by Luo Jianggong, the other by Luo Jianben. If they treated the old master together, who would take credit or bear blame if the outcome was poor?

“As long as you can cure father, I promise you both will be fully compensated. Please,” Luo Jianggong urged again, effectively doubling the offer.

The doctor invited by Luo Jianggong glanced subtly at Luo Jianben, who silently nodded. Without hesitation, the two old doctors stood and headed upstairs in tandem.

Outside, Hong Chen basked in the sunlight, smelling the fragrance of flowers as he strolled leisurely through the courtyard. Luo Song emerged from the building and nodded with a smile.

“Holy Doctor Hong, I’m sorry you’ve been wronged,” Luo Song said apologetically.

Hong Chen shook his head. “It’s normal to be doubted. I’ve never forced anyone to trust me. You just need to give me the results and tell me if you need me to intervene.”

Luo Song said, “To be honest, the two senior doctors you saw earlier were invited by my uncles. If they fail to cure grandpa, please don’t hesitate to help.”

Seeing Luo Song’s embarrassed and uneasy expression, Hong Chen understood he was worried about being sidelined as a backup and felt reluctant. Hong Chen didn’t hold back and said plainly, “Alright.”

Luo Song exhaled in relief and then chatted with Hong Chen casually. Soon, several people emerged from the house, and Hong Chen’s breath caught involuntarily.

Among them, the only woman was Jiang Ying.

Hong Chen instinctively wanted to avoid her, but it was too late. Jiang Ying noticed Hong Chen and another person, her expression flickering with surprise. Her beautiful eyes widened slightly as she greeted the others and quickly approached them.

Hong Chen looked down at his unchanged clothes and sighed inwardly. How could he have missed it? Who would have thought that some of last night’s people would come to the Luo family as well?

“Miss Jiang, hello. Do you remember me? I’m Doctor Hong,” Hong Chen took the initiative to greet her. At this point, hoping Jiang Ying wouldn’t recognize him was self-deception.

Hearing Hong Chen address her as such, Jiang Ying’s eyes lit up with understanding. She smiled cooperatively, “Hello, Doctor Hong.”

“Jiang Ying, I didn’t expect you to know Holy Doctor Hong,” Luo Song said, looking at the two with some surprise. Hong Chen quickly added, “I treated Miss Jiang before.”

Jiang Ying’s smile stiffened, cursing silently, *You’re the one who’s sick!* Then she resumed her smile and told Luo Song, “I have some matters to discuss with Doctor Hong alone.”

Luo Song tactfully stepped back, giving them space.

“Tsk, so you’re the Holy Doctor Hong—both a martial artist and a miracle healer. Hong Chen, I didn’t realize you were hiding so deeply.” Jiang Ying’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, mockery, and teasing.

Hong Chen took out a pack of cigarettes, leisurely lit one, inhaled, and said, “If those who know my secret can’t keep it, I’ll have to silence them.”

Jiang Ying wasn’t fazed at all. Her smile grew more vivid. “Fine. My brother treats you like a brother. If you’re ruthless enough, just silence his sister.”

Hong Chen immediately lost ground and smiled wryly, “Since I’ve entered the Medical Saint competition, exposure was inevitable. But I don’t want to become the focus of attention so soon. Keep my secret, don’t tell a second person, including your brother. Consider it a favor returned.”

Jiang Ying’s delicate face fell slightly without reason. She pursed her lips, stayed silent for a few seconds, then hummed low, “Keeping your secret isn’t a favor. You owe me one.”

Hong Chen opened his mouth, and Jiang Ying rolled her eyes. She continued, “If you don’t like that, I can spread the word now with just one message to my circle of friends. Of course, you could always silence me.”

She raised her sharp chin, eyes gleaming with provocation, as if daring, “Here’s your neck—come and cut it if you can!”

Hong Chen felt a toothache and clenched his fist until his bones cracked. After a moment, he sighed, “Fine, I owe you one.”

Seeing Hong Chen concede again, Jiang Ying was delighted. Sunlight poured over her upturned face, casting a honeyed glow that made her pride obvious.

“I overheard some of the conversation inside. You were invited by Luo Song to treat the old master, right?” Jiang Ying stopped teasing Hong Chen and turned to the main topic. “The doctor Ye, who represented Murphy and was recommended to my Jiang family, and who fought on behalf of Jiang Pharmacy in the Medical Saint competition, has already diagnosed the old master. His liver is near failure; his heart, lungs, spleen, and kidneys have lost a great deal of vital energy. He’s like a candle burning at both ends—optimistically, he has only a day or two left.”

She hesitated, then lowered her voice. “I suggest you don’t intervene. Since you were brought by Luo Song, and the old master has some standing, the Luo family might accuse your family of some fabricated crime. You could be innocently implicated.”I'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.