Chapter 65

Wang Jinhu finally understood Wen Laokeng's intention. It turned out that because the Longhu Association had offended Doctor Su, and the Sifang Association didn't want to intervene at this time, they had him step in.

This matter wasn't difficult for Wang Jinhu; although his position in the Longhu Association wasn't as high as Zhang Long's, he could still protect one person.

But if he did that, wouldn't he be acting as Wen Laokeng's thug for nothing? Whatever he did, he wouldn't be able to curry favor with Doctor Su—it was truly a thankless task.

Moreover, Zhang Long hadn't done anything too excessive yet; if he made a move now, it wouldn't be worth much.

Most importantly, Wang Jinhu saw an opportunity.

An opportunity to deal with Zhang Long and also test Doctor Su's abilities.

As Zhang Long's sworn brother, Wang Jinhu had long been dissatisfied with him. They were supposed to have built the organization together, but after Zhang Long became the boss, his temper grew, and he often liked to make decisions on his own, disregarding Wang Jinhu's opinions. He also started placing his own trusted people in the Longhu Association, seizing many important positions and businesses. Wang Jinhu was utterly displeased. However, he was truly afraid of this big brother—he had seen with his own eyes how ruthless Zhang Long could be.

'Godfather, what did Wen Laokeng say?' Hu Er asked with concern, seeing Wang Jinhu staring blankly after hanging up the phone.

'Nothing much, just some small matters. You don't need to worry about it.'

Wang Jinhu naturally wouldn't casually reveal his thoughts before making up his mind.

...

Chen Shan came to find Su Fuqing specially at noon. He sent Chen Shasha to Zhou Huijuan's Sweet Soup Shop to buy some desserts, then entered the consultation room.

'Doctor Su, Wen Shu asked me to inform you that he has transferred fifty thousand Hong Kong dollars into your account to subsidize patients' medical expenses.'

Su Fuqing remembered this matter upon hearing it.

She hadn't expected Mr. Wen to act so quickly. 'I haven't been to the bank recently, so I forgot to open a new account. Never mind, I'll open one later myself. Please thank Mr. Wen for his support—every cent will be used for patients in need.'

Chen Shan smiled. 'Wen Shu said he trusts you completely and leaves everything to your arrangement. He will continue to provide support in the future.'

Su Fuqing: '...Mr. Wen is willing to do good deeds for patients in need, and I naturally support that. But Mr. Chen, there are some things I cannot do.'

Chen Shan understood that Su Fuqing knew Wen Shu had ulterior motives. He nodded. 'I'll relay that to Wen Shu.'

He then asked with concern, 'I heard that people from the Longhu Association came by. They sent someone to test your... medical skills. I've already called Wen Shu about it.'

Su Fuqing frowned. 'I know.'

Seeing her displeasure, Chen Shan asked, 'Did they offend you?'

Su Fuqing said, 'Not exactly, but their methods are despicable and truly cruel.'

If before, when the Sifang Association members often got injured, Su Fuqing could still dismiss it as gang conflicts, then today, the Longhu Association's casual stabbing of someone just to run an experiment made her realize the brutality of Harbor City's underworld.

Here, ordinary people were at the mercy of others.

Chen Shan said, 'Doctor Su, is there anything I can do for you?'

Su Fuqing shook her head. 'Nothing. But have you been taking your medicine consistently? Let me check your health and see if you need a new prescription.'

Chen Shan quickly extended his hand.

Chen Shan wanted to live, so he was very careful about taking his medicine. Even Chen Shasha knew he was on medication, though she thought it was just a tonic.

Su Fuqing said, 'The effect isn't good enough. I'll change your prescription. Do you usually drink alcohol?'

'...Necessary for social engagements.' Chen Shan had no choice; in his position, he was often powerless. 'In the underworld, one has no control.'

Su Fuqing said, 'Mr. Chen, is status in the underworld really more important than life? Once you enter this world, can you never leave? Doesn't the Harbor City government do anything about the gangs?'

Chen Shan sighed. 'Doctor Su, it's different here from the Mainland. Key positions are held by foreigners. Assets are controlled by the big families. Everyone is fighting for profit—who would care about ordinary people?'

Su Fuqing fell silent upon hearing this.

Then she nodded. 'I understand. This place is indeed different from what I imagined.'

Seeing her unhappy expression, Chen Shan thought for a moment and then solemnly promised, 'Doctor Su, rest assured, I will do my utmost to protect your peaceful life and keep others from disturbing you.'

Su Fuqing looked at him. 'Mr. Chen, can I ask you a truthful question? What do you want from me?'

At that moment, Su Fuqing felt heavy-hearted. In this place, it was hard for an ordinary person to live well. She was just an ordinary person and was willing to live an ordinary life—as long as she could do the job she loved and fulfill her ideals. But now, in Harbor City's environment, she had already attracted attention and could no longer stay out of trouble. So she needed trustworthy people who could help each other.

Chen Shan looked at Su Fuqing, wanting to say that he sought nothing, wanted nothing, and only wished to help her. But such flattering words might work on others to show loyalty; he didn't think he could fool Doctor Su. After all, Huang Bao and Wen Shu had both said that Doctor Su seemed able to see into people's hearts. He dared not gamble!

'I hope that when I'm no longer around, Doctor Su can help protect Shasha.'

Su Fuqing: '...'

She had thought Chen Shan wanted to use her abilities to advance his own prospects. She hadn't expected this. But considering how protective he was of his sister, it made sense.

'Can't you protect Shasha yourself?'

Chen Shan smiled bitterly. 'Doctor Su, once you enter this underworld, you've already put life and death aside. Any day, I could be stabbed or hit by a stray bullet—it's very possible. Before me, the boss of Yau Ma Tei has changed countless times. You know my physical condition too; I've survived countless fights to get where I am today, and I'm just lucky to have lived.'

He looked to the side, through a wall, toward the counter. 'I did all this originally just to give my sister and me a better life. But once I got in, I realized everything was beyond my control. I've already dragged Shasha into the abyss. If I'm gone one day, those who hate me will take revenge on her. I want to beg for a shelter for Shasha.'

He looked at Su Fuqing. 'I only ask for this. If you agree, Chen Shan's life from now on will be yours.'

Su Fuqing shook her head. 'I can't protect her for her whole life. I can't bear the burden of someone else's entire life.'

It wasn't that she didn't want to help, but Su Fuqing truly didn't have that ability. She herself was a pawn; if she lost the System one day, she would be equally helpless.

Disappointment and loneliness appeared in Chen Shan's eyes.

He said bitterly, 'Even so... as long as I live, I will still help you, Doctor Su...'

Su Fuqing said, 'I plan to return to the Mainland in the future. I can take her there, if she's willing. Instead of trusting my vague promise, you should send her to a safe environment. The same goes for you. As long as you want to leave, there's always a way.'

Hearing this, Chen Shan was stunned.

Abandon everything, leave this place, go somewhere new?

The Mainland...

'I'll think about it. Thank you for the advice, Doctor Su.' Chen Shan smiled. Maybe he really could learn more about the Mainland; maybe it would truly be a peaceful place for Shasha to live.

Su Fuqing said, 'Although I can't protect Shasha, while I'm in Harbor City, I can help you avoid some risks. I don't need you to risk your life for me; I just really don't want anyone to disturb my family.'

Chen Shan understood Su Fuqing's meaning. This was Doctor Su giving him a promise.

He immediately said, 'Doctor Su, actually, even if you hadn't said it, I would protect your family. They are in my Yau Ma Tei territory; I won't let anyone harm them. This was also something Wen Shu instructed.'

Su Fuqing said, 'That's different. I don't like owing favors.' She didn't want to get involved in larger conflicts, so protecting Chen Shan himself was easier.

'At least let you live safely until you and Shasha can leave the conflicts behind. Then we'll be even.'

Hearing this, Chen Shan was silent for a moment, took a deep breath, and said to Su Fuqing, 'Doctor Su, thank you. I am willing to protect your family's peace.' He remembered once when Shasha had muttered in front of him, wishing that the doctor she had met as a child had been Doctor Su.

Maybe everything really would have been different.

Fortunately, it wasn't too late now. The god of luck still favored him.

In the afternoon, Su Fuqing went to her aunt's shop after work.

When she arrived, she saw an unfamiliar Auntie, whose demeanor felt familiar.

Then she heard Zhou Huijuan introduce her as Auntie Guo, the wife of Uncle Afa, who had come specially to help.

Auntie Guo smiled. 'Hongxia has gone to work as a domestic helper. I'm idle at home alone, and it's close by, so I came to take a look. On the first day of business, you're bound to be overwhelmed.'

Su Fuqing thought to herself that Uncle Afa was quite quick; she hadn't even mentioned the apprentice matter to her aunt yet.

But seeing that the two got along well, she didn't say anything.

Auntie Guo, however, kept secretly sizing up Su Fuqing, as if trying to see what was so magical about this young woman that her cunning old husband had started behaving honestly and doing proper work.

Su Fuqing had a bowl of dessert and played with her little cousin for a while.

She had originally worried that Shanshan would be bored with no one to look after her. Unexpectedly, the little girl quite enjoyed the lively environment; every customer who came for dessert would tease her into talking, and she would laugh.

When Shanshan laughed, her expression really resembled her mother's. Did a niece resemble her aunt? Su Fuqing naturally felt especially fond of her.

After playing with her cousin for a while, Su Fuqing realized that she couldn't leave her aunt's shop early. The business was really good; people kept coming in to eat.

Not only were there dine-in customers, but her aunt also had to deliver orders to other shops.

Su Fuqing asked, 'So many orders?'

'It's all thanks to you. A restaurant also came to order desserts from us. They need them for lunch and dinner.'

A restaurant? Su Fuqing remembered that she had been providing free wound care to the kitchen staff of the restaurant opposite her old shop. When her family opened the dessert shop, she naturally helped promote it there. She hadn't expected it to actually help her aunt.

This lifted Su Fuqing's spirits. Although the environment here was different from home, there were still many warm-hearted people. The interactions among ordinary people were still full of tender affection.

Seeing how busy it was, Su Fuqing naturally prepared to help, but Zhou Huijuan stopped her. 'You're a doctor. If your patients see you doing this, they'll say you're unprofessional. Go back first. Your uncle comes home early; I told him to cook. David and Xiaowei just came by, but I sent them back to do their homework.'

Su Fuqing laughed. 'Doing this doesn't affect my ability to treat patients.' Back home, she had even farmed while being a doctor.

Zhou Huijuan said, 'Oh, just listen to me. Go back and study, or if you must, go back to your Medical Clinic and work. A'Ling, I don't want my business to drag you down. I want to do it myself.'

Su Fuqing felt her aunt was overthinking, but that was indeed her personality; she had previously been so anxious she nearly became depressed.

Since that was the case, she didn't insist. 'Alright, I'll take Shanshan back.'

Zhou Huijuan didn't object; after all, A Ming had gone home.

In the evening, Zhou Huijuan didn't return until after nine o'clock.

But she was very excited. She didn't feel tired at all; instead, she felt it was worth it because she had earned a lot of money in one day.

On the first day of business, she had earned 230 Hong Kong dollars. Although rent and costs had to be deducted, it was only the first day. As long as the business held up, it would get better and better. In a month, it would be several thousand dollars.

Su Jueming had never imagined that the dessert business could be so profitable. It was even better than his usual business. 'How did you earn so much? The most expensive item in your shop is only one dollar a bowl. How could you sell that much?'

Even though Zhou Huijuan had only been a boss for one day, she already had the demeanor of a boss and spoke with confidence. 'You don't understand. Not everyone gets sick, but many people can eat desserts. Of course, we also have to thank our A'Ling.'

Her eyes shining, she looked at Su Fuqing. 'Just A'Ling's customers order a lot of desserts from me every day. That's a standing order for every day from now on, plus some dine-in customers. The business is really good.'

Su Fuqing smiled. 'That's also because your skills are good. The number of dine-in customers is the best proof.'

Zhou Huijuan smiled sincerely, a joy and pride that came from the heart.

Su Jueming said sourly, 'Alright, stop praising each other. You're making me feel useless. I'm getting jealous.'

Su Fuqing laughed. 'Uncle, you're great too. When Auntie isn't home, you still take good care of the household. Tonight's dinner was delicious.'

Hearing this, Su Jueming smiled. 'Of course. Before I married your aunt, I took care of myself for a long time.' Then he looked at Zhou Huijuan with concern. 'But if you come home this late every day, it's very tiring.'

Zhou Huijuan said, 'For money, there's no other way. But I've decided to hire someone. Auntie Guo said she wants to learn to make desserts from me and be my apprentice. I think it's a good idea. Her husband works with A'Ling, so she's more trustworthy.' As for the other neighbors, she didn't plan to hire them. Letting people around her know too much about the family was definitely not okay.

'Oh, I won't talk to you anymore. I need to write the accounts.' After saying this, Zhou Huijuan hurried off to work. This really made Su Jueming feel unaccustomed. In the past, A'Juan had always revolved around him, but now, things seemed different.

Su Fuqing, watching her aunt like this, thought of her own mother, Su Yunying. Her mother also used to come home late from work, then sit at her desk writing reports or reading many documents.

'Uncle, has my mother called you?'

Su Jueming was startled and looked at Su Fuqing. 'No. After the last time we contacted her and she knew you were settled here, she hasn't been in touch. Later, when you became successful, I called her, but they said she wasn't in the office; she had gone to visit a fellow villager's home.'

He looked at Su Fuqing. 'Haven't you contacted your mother yourself?'

'I wrote a letter, but I didn't receive a reply,' Su Fuqing said.

Su Jueming guessed, 'Your mother is in the Border Region, after all, it's far away. Maybe the letter got lost along the way. Why don't you write another one, or call more often? Now that you're earning money, you don't need to skimp on phone bills.'

He added comfortingly, 'And your mother is indeed very busy with work, often not in the office. It's normal to not be able to reach her. When we have a chance, we can go visit her.'

Su Fuqing nodded. 'Mm, I'm going to rest.' Then she went into her room to study. There were some things she couldn't dwell on.

Watching Su Fuqing's retreating figure, Su Jueming sighed. He felt that his sister was really something—even if her marriage to her senior brother wasn't based on love, she shouldn't be so cold to A'Ling.

Such a good child—who could not like her?

Su Fuqing wasn't one to wallow in melancholy. She quickly got into a learning state. When studying the medicine she loved, she could think of nothing else. Every bit of progress brought her joy.

Recently, she had become fascinated with Acupuncture and watched many videos on the subject. Not only did she watch, but during free time at the Medical Clinic, she also experimented on herself.

The Acupuncture knowledge in the System was even more comprehensive than what Su Fuqing knew. It included not only healing techniques but also... harmful ones.

As long as one acted quickly enough, it could instantly immobilize a person. Su Fuqing had previously thought there was no need to learn such things—a doctor should just heal. But now she was interested.

After finishing a lesson on Acupuncture, Su Fuqing still felt unsatisfied and continued browsing through various video thumbnails to see what other courses were available.

The System's learning videos could be described as vast. So far, Su Fuqing hadn't fully understood what courses were available.

And some courses were so expensive that Su Fuqing didn't dare look at them too much.

'Shixiang Tendon-Softening Powder learning course? Shixiang Tendon-Softening Powder antidote course?'

Su Fuqing saw a thumbnail with these words. They suddenly seemed familiar. She had never heard of this medicine before, but she could understand it from the name. 'System, are you sure this medicine exists?' She remembered that such nerve-controlling drugs were hard to reverse and could cause nerve damage. And there was an antidote? Wasn't that unscientific?

But thinking about the System, everything seemed reasonable again. Su Fuqing was tempted, because the prescription introduced in this course was a protective artifact. It was even more convenient than Acupuncture.

Apart from saving lives, what she needed most now was a means of self-protection.

But this course was really expensive—learning just one required two hundred Merit Points!

'System, why is this prescription so expensive? And it's so strange—I've never heard of it before.'

The Merit System: 'You are a character in a novel world. There is more than one novel world in the universe; there are also martial arts novel worlds. Learning cross-world knowledge systems is naturally expensive. This system's fees are still very cheap.'

Su Fuqing: '...Are you saying you can also find things from other novel worlds?'

The Merit System: 'Anything related to medicine and not exceeding the technology of this era is possible.'

Su Fuqing: '...Martial arts novels are okay, but what about immortal cultivation novels? Do you have those too?'

The Merit System: 'Host, drop your delusions. You are in a scientific world; everything must adhere to science.'

Su Fuqing thought to herself, 'This is already martial arts, and you're talking about science?' She asked, 'So if I wanted to learn martial arts, could I? The kind that lets you leap around.'

The Merit System: 'Host, you are a doctor. This system only provides medical-related learning.'

Su Fuqing: '...' All that excitement for nothing.

But being able to learn medical systems from other worlds... Su Fuqing excitedly rolled around in the space.

Indeed, the System was a treasure trove—the more you dug, the more you found.

She checked her account: over four hundred Merit Points. Su Fuqing gritted her teeth and bought it!

After all, the resources in her current learning level were enough for her to study. She should focus on learning more things first, without rushing to upgrade her learning level.

But she was still very poor!