Chapter 52

Chapter 52 Su Fuling had never seen so much money in her life.

Although the System would give her a sum after she completed tasks, she had never actually laid eyes on it.

Now that she saw it, it naturally made an impact.

But her first reaction was wariness and caution.

Her grandfather had said that unsolicited favors were either deceit or theft, and sugar-coated bullets were the most dangerous.

How many people had fallen because of them?

Su Fuling didn’t think she was any more disciplined than those people.

So when faced with these sugar-coated bullets, she naturally worried that the other party was trying to scheme against her.

She looked at Huang Bao.

‘Mr.

Huang, what is this?’ Huang Bao looked at Su Fuling and noticed that there was not a trace of greed in her eyes.

At that moment, he began to believe that Su Fuling was a ‘master’—why else would she be so indifferent to money?

Could she really be one of those reclusive masters from the novels he read?

Huang Bao couldn’t figure her out, but he adjusted his attitude.

He was well-versed in playing to the audience.

‘Doctor Su, this is a token of thanks.

Last night you saved the lives of Huang Bao and a few of my brothers.

I came specially to thank you for the life-saving grace.’ Facing a ‘master,’ Huang Bao’s choice of words involuntarily became more refined.

Su Fuling was surprised but showed disbelief.

‘This is a thank-you gift?’ Huang Bao said, ‘Yes, I know it’s not enough, but… things have been tight lately.

If you could give me some guidance, once Huang Bao makes it big, I will surely send a heavier gift!’ Zhao Facai thought to himself, this guy is really greedy—just saved his life and now he’s asking for wealth.

He’s treating my master like a god in a temple.

Didn’t he see that my master couldn’t be bothered to even say a word?

He didn’t know that Su Fuling was simply stunned.

Could someone really give this much money as a gift?

After all, she and her grandfather had treated people for years without expecting anything in return.

Her grandfather always said not to accept gifts from patients’ families.

Let alone this much money.

When Su Fuling saved people yesterday, she hadn’t thought of it as a life-saving favor.

She just couldn’t stand by without warning them, so she warned them of the danger.

The ones who actually saved them were Chen Shan and the police who came later.

‘Doctor Su, I know it’s not much,’ Huang Bao said when she didn’t respond, thinking she was dissatisfied.

‘Rest assured, I will never forget this life-saving grace.

If you ever need anything, just say the word, and Huang Bao will not hesitate!’ Zhao Facai said happily, ‘Master, just accept it.’ See?

With your skills, wealth will come rolling in.

Su Fuling covered the money.

‘I only gave a casual warning.

In the end, it was Chen Shan and the police who saved you.’ So it really was Doctor Su who warned him!

Huang Bao immediately said, ‘Doctor Su, you can’t say that.

Without your warning, Chen Shan could only watch me die.

As for the cops… ahem, the police, they came a bit late.

So this life-saving grace must be repaid.

We people of the jianghu value loyalty above all.

If I didn’t repay a life-saving favor, how could I continue in the underworld?

Doctor Su, please accept it.’ Even though his heart was bleeding from the loss, he had to give it.

Otherwise, who would save him the next time his life was in danger?

Zhao Facai said, ‘Master, if you don’t accept it, you’ll actually harm him.’ Su Fuling said, ‘…Is that so?’ Zhao Facai said, ‘Zi Gong ransoming people.’ Chen Shasha was curious.

‘What does “Zi Gong ransoming people” mean?’ Zhao Facai said, ‘Haven’t you studied Chinese classics?

The story of Zi Gong ransoming people: doing good deeds without expecting reward actually discourages others from doing good.’ Chen Shasha was amazed.

‘Old Man, you’re quite learned.’ Zhao Facai stroked his beard.

‘Of course.

I’m well-versed in Chinese classics.’ To make a living at this, you had to have the skills; otherwise, he couldn’t have lasted decades in that line of work.

Although Su Fuling felt that taking so much money conflicted with her past values, she thought Zhao Facai’s point was valid.

This time seemed different from her usual medical practice.

‘I understand your sincerity.

But one should only accept gifts commensurate with what they’ve done.

Yesterday I warned you, Chen Shan stopped you from walking into death, and the police helped defuse the bomb.

So divide this thank-you gift into three parts.

Everyone did good and deserves a reward.’ Zhao Facai: ‘…Master!’ His heart ached.

But Su Fuling didn’t waver.

She had her principles: she would take what she deserved and refuse what she shouldn’t.

One must not indulge greed.

Her grandfather had said never to let money blind you to the patients who need treatment.

A true master indeed.

Huang Bao now fully believed that this young lady… ahem, master was a true master.

In all his life, he had never seen anyone so indifferent to money.

Only a master could have such a mindset.

Chen Shan was incredibly lucky to have a master living incognito in Yau Ma Tei.

Huang Bao, who loved reading wuxia novels, began to imagine all sorts of scenarios.

He no longer doubted her age.

In wuxia novels, there were many young female prodigies.

The younger and more skilled, the greater the talent, right?

Still, he insisted a bit more, worried the master might be saying one thing and meaning another.

‘Doctor Su, this is all for you.

I’ll repay the others later.’ Those cops were supposed to defuse bombs, and Chen Shan was one of his own—not saving him would have brought criticism.

Su Fuling waved her hand.

‘Let it be this way.

Don’t make things difficult for me.

I have my own thoughts.’ This way everyone was happy, and she felt less burdened.

Seeing that Su Fuling was firm and not at all reluctant, Huang Bao dared not say more.

There would be plenty of chances to give money later.

Why upset the master now?

‘Doctor Su, there’s a hundred thousand here.

I’ll give you forty thousand, and thirty thousand each to Chen Shan and the police station.

How about that?

Chen Shan is one of us, too much would put him in an awkward position, and the police are salaried employees—it’s not good to give too much.’ Su Fuling nodded, thinking to herself, forty thousand… so much money!

‘System, can I take this money?

With so much, you won’t deduct my Merit Points, will you?’ So much money—she hoped it wouldn’t wipe out her Merit Points.

The Merit System said, ‘The rules set by the owner for deducting Merit Points do not include this item.’ Su Fuling: ‘…’ So besides failing tasks, there were other conditions for deducting Merit Points.

She would have to be more careful in the future.

She couldn’t lose Merit Points for money—that would be a real loss.

Su Fuling looked at Huang Bao and nodded calmly.

‘Let it be so.’ Huang Bao quickly put away the extra money and wrapped up the rest.

‘Doctor Su, I, Huang Bao, swear here that from now on, you are my lifesaver.

If you ever give the word, I will go through fire and water for you.’ Su Fuling didn’t believe that.

So she made no other requests.

‘I don’t need you to go through fire and water.

I only hope that in the future, you won’t bully the weak or oppress ordinary, honest people with your fists.’ Huang Bao was genuinely embarrassed this time.

‘I didn’t know before that it was Doctor Su’s uncle…’ ‘Even if it weren’t my uncle, it would be the same.

Mr.

Huang, yesterday’s incident should have taught you that in life and work, you should leave some leeway—it also leaves you more options.

I don’t want saving you to become aiding the wicked.’ Yesterday’s warning came from respect for life.

But if these people endangered others’ lives, she wouldn’t warn them in the future, and would even regret saving them.

Huang Bao thought about how Doctor Su had come to him yesterday to demand the release of her uncle.

If he had refused, maybe Doctor Su would have watched him die without warning.

These masters must be very particular about cause and effect.

So Doctor Su’s words weren’t a threat but a statement of future consequences.

A chill ran down his spine—not fear of Doctor Su herself, but fear of that outcome.

At that moment, Huang Bao truly understood why the powerful and wealthy treated such masters with such deference.

It wasn’t fear that the master might harm them, but fear that the master would remain silent when they were in danger.

He quickly promised, ‘Doctor Su, I understand.

I won’t bully honest folks anymore.

People of the jianghu have their own rules.

I won’t drag ordinary people into the underworld.

All these years, my fights have been within the underworld.

I’ve never taken an ordinary person’s life.

I do have a bad temper…

I’ll work on it.

From now on, when I eat out, shop, or see a doctor, I won’t lose my temper easily…’ Su Fuling finally gave him a kind look.

‘I hope you keep your word.’ Huang Bao immediately said, ‘Of course I will keep my promise to Doctor Su.

I have great respect for you…

Doctor Su, would you like to open a practice in Tsim Sha Tsui?

The environment there is better…’ Chen Shasha placed food on the table and reminded him, ‘Doctor Su, time to eat.’ Then to Huang Bao, ‘Sorry, Brother Bao, I didn’t make any for you.’ Hmph, no chance for you to suck up.

Don’t try to replace my brother in Doctor Su’s favor.

Zhao Facai chimed in, ‘Yes, Master, it’s time to eat.’ Su Fuling looked at Huang Bao.

‘Mr.

Huang, if there’s nothing else, I won’t entertain you.’ Huang Bao: ‘…I still want to see a doctor and get a checkup.’ Chen Shan had warned him: if he came to Doctor Su, he should get a checkup, or he might die without knowing how.

At least Doctor Su could warn him when he would die.

Su Fuling finally looked at him properly.

She nodded.

‘Extend your hand.

I’ll take your pulse first.’ Huang Bao quickly extended his hand.

While she took his pulse, Huang Bao noticed that Doctor Su seemed happier treating him than she had been accepting tens of thousands of Hong Kong dollars.

And she finally looked at him directly.

For a moment, Huang Bao’s mind was in a whirl.

What was this master thinking?

But Chen Shan hadn’t lied—Doctor Su really did enjoy treating people.

Su Fuling took Huang Bao’s pulse and found that besides the weakness from his injuries, his overall health was poor.

He was in a similar state to Chen Shan—many old injuries, though not as severe.

As for the leg wound, the bullet had already been removed, and he was now recovering.

Su Fuling said, ‘The leg injury isn’t a big problem, but your body is actually quite weak.

You’ll be prone to illness when you’re old.

You need to recuperate.

Do you want to?’ Hearing this, Huang Bao immediately said, ‘Of course.

Doctor Su, I’m entrusting my treatment to you.’ Su Fuling said, ‘You need to take your medicine on time.’ Huang Bao said, ‘Yes, yes, yes.’ As long as he had a chance to stay in touch with Doctor Su.

Su Fuling wrote two prescriptions and handed them to him.

But she didn’t receive any Merit Points.

Her face immediately turned cold, and she took the prescriptions back.

‘Mr.

Huang, it’s not good to lie.

You’re wasting not only my effort but also your own.’ Huang Bao didn’t know why she suddenly changed her expression.

‘Doctor Su, I’m not lying.’ Su Fuling said, ‘You have no intention of taking the medicine.

You can fool others, but you can’t fool your own body.’ Huang Bao looked at her firm, calm eyes and felt a chill.

She knew what he was thinking?

He really hadn’t planned to take the medicine on time.

Not because he didn’t trust her medical skills, but who wants to take medicine every day, especially Chinese medicine?

People would laugh at him for being weak.

Chen Shasha exclaimed, ‘Brother Bao, you lied to Doctor Su.’ Huang Bao coughed.

‘Doctor Su, it’s not that I don’t trust your skills.

I’ve never been used to taking medicine.

But rest assured, I will this time.

I’ll take it on time!’ ‘Merit Points +1’ ‘Merit Points +8’ The Merit Points for treating his leg injury and recuperating his body were secured.

Su Fuling’s expression softened, and she handed over the prescriptions.

‘Here.’ Chen Shasha deliberately fanned the flames.

‘Doctor Su, maybe he’s lying again.’ Huang Bao was angry but dared not speak.

He found Chen Shan’s sister as annoying as her brother.

‘Doctor Su…’ He was about to promise when Su Fuling said, ‘I know he’s not lying this time.’ Huang Bao: ‘…’ She really can read my mind!

Cold sweat broke out on his back.

‘Doctor Su, I…

I’ll be going now.’ Su Fuling said, ‘Go ahead.

Your checkup is fine.

But remember, if you don’t take care of yourself, no one can guarantee your safety.’ Huang Bao quickly said, ‘Of course, of course.’ Then he told his Henchman to push him out.

‘Hurry up, I’m starving.

I need to eat.’ After Huang Bao left, Zhao Facai pointed at the money on the table.

‘Master, we should put this away.

It’s not safe.’ Chen Shasha said, ‘What’s unsafe?

Who would dare rob Doctor Su here?’ True.

Zhao Facai had forgotten that.

Su Fuling looked at the money with a headache.

‘Let’s find a bank to deposit it first.’ Although she now had money, Su Fuling didn’t feel fulfilled.

It was like a windfall, but the pie felt hollow—it wasn’t earned by her own ability.

It came from the System giving her information, and after she warned them, she saved people and got a thank-you gift.

It didn’t feel solid in her hands.

Zhao Facai saw that Su Fuling wasn’t happy and remembered the tens of thousands of Hong Kong dollars that had been divided.

He muttered, ‘Master is really something… so much money…

Ah, Master, you’ve never suffered hardship or known poverty.

You don’t know that some people can’t get by without money, can’t even survive.

For example, Zhang Lei, whom you met last time.

He couldn’t afford treatment because he was poor, and he was just waiting to die every day.

Money is really important to a person.’ He wanted to add, if you don’t want it, give it to me.

Su Fuling was taken aback.

‘Zhang Lei?’ She remembered him.

When she first set up her stall, he kept calling her a fraud and insisted on watching her, but when Li Liang came to cause trouble, he still spoke up for her.

His illness had been difficult for her at that time.

As for now…

Su Fuling decided how to use the money.

Besides helping her uncle’s family improve their life, she wanted to use it to help patients who couldn’t afford medicine.

Thinking this, she suddenly felt that the unexpected income was quite good.

She could help people and earn a lot of Merit Points.

‘Uncle Afa, next time you run into Mr.

Zhang Lei, tell him to come see me.

I can try to treat him.’ Zhao Facai: ‘…Huh?’ In the afternoon, Su Fuling didn’t work overtime and planned to go home early.

She wanted to discuss the Sweet Soup Shop with her aunt.

Besides, there were few patients in the afternoon.

She found that mornings were busier; afternoons had patients but not as many.

The test slot hadn’t been used, but Su Fuling planned to go home and pick the most difficult case from today’s consultations, then have the System show the test results for that patient, collecting a more detailed case history without wasting the slot.

She intended to do this from now on.

After packing up, Su Fuling tucked her new bankbook into her pocket and prepared to go home.

Before she left, Chen Shan arrived.

‘Doctor Su, let me treat you to dinner today.

You got Huang Bao to give me thirty thousand Hong Kong dollars.

I have to thank you.’ Su Fuling smiled.

‘He kept his word.

But not today.

I have things to do at home.’ Chen Shan didn’t insist.

‘Another time, then.’ After Su Fuling left, Chen Shan picked up Chen Shasha from work.

In the car, Chen Shasha complained, ‘That Huang Bao is such a suck-up.

He even tried to lure Doctor Su to Tsim Sha Tsui.’ Chen Shan said, ‘Doctor Su is talented.

It’s normal for people to respect her.

And the fact that he treats her well is good for us.

Otherwise, Doctor Su would have a bad impression of the Sifang Association.’ That was why he had reminded Huang Bao.

He didn’t care about Huang Bao’s life or death, but he couldn’t let Huang Bao ruin the Sifang Association’s image in Doctor Su’s eyes.

In her view, Huang Bao’s behavior to some extent represented the Sifang Association.

Once Doctor Su thought these gangsters were hopeless and disliked them like everyone else, the loss would be incalculable.

He looked at Chen Shasha.

‘You should work hard by Doctor Su’s side.’ ‘I know.

I find it so interesting being with Doctor Su.

Watching her treat so many people every day, everything she says is so amazing.’ Chen Shasha thought the pharmacology she talked about was super cool.

Chen Shan didn’t remind his sister that Doctor Su’s checkup function was the most impressive.

He didn’t want anything else to interfere with the relationship between Shasha and Doctor Su.

Maybe Shasha’s current state was the best way to get along with Doctor Su. …

Su Fuling returned home and found her uncle there too.

It seemed his previous overtime was just for the gang.

Now that he wasn’t doing that, he naturally didn’t work overtime.

The neighbors knew where he lived, so if there was an emergency, they could come to the house.

Zhou Huijuan brought her a bowl of sweet soup.

‘Your uncle was craving sweet soup today.

Since he’s not working overtime, I don’t have to deliver meals, so I made some again.’ Su Jueming thought to himself, he wasn’t craving it—he was still shaken from yesterday and needed something sweet to calm his nerves.

Su Fuling was in a great mood.

‘This purple sweet potato sago is delicious, better than what they sell outside.

Auntie, have you ever thought about opening a Sweet Soup Shop?’ Zhou Huijuan said, ‘Me, open a shop?

How is that possible?’ Su Fuling immediately said, ‘I think it’s a great idea.

Auntie, I’m serious.

Let’s open a Sweet Soup Shop.’ Seeing that she wasn’t joking, Su Jueming and Zhou Huijuan looked at her in surprise.