Ten billion.
In US dollars!
Why don’t you just rob a bank?
Ye Qiu was stunned.
It was the first time he’d seen a doctor demand such an exorbitant fee from a patient’s family. This wasn’t just a lion’s share—it was a gross violation of a doctor’s duty and ethics.
An absolute disgrace to the medical world!
“This bastard’s heart is black. Good thing he’s not a Chinese doctor, or I’d make sure he was done for,” Ye Qiu cursed inwardly.
In the bedroom, Xu Zhiming’s face was filled with anger.
He never imagined Li Zhengxi would demand ten billion US dollars. It was far beyond his expectations.
“Mr. Xu, as long as you give me ten billion US dollars, I’ll cure Old Mr. Xu,” Li Zhengxi said.
Xu Zhiming’s expression turned cold, “Li Zhengxi, do you even understand what ten billion US dollars means? Could you even spend that much?”
Li Zhengxi said calmly, “I told you, I want to leave something for Minghan.”
Xu Zhiming replied, “I don’t care who you want to leave money to. Let me be clear: I won’t agree to your demand.”
Li Zhengxi’s face remained composed, as if he’d anticipated Xu Zhiming’s reaction. “Mr. Xu, from what you’re saying, it sounds like you don’t want to save Old Mr. Xu?”
Xu Zhiming said, “Of course I want to save my father, but I won’t agree to such an outrageous and unreasonable demand.”
“Mr. Li, please leave.”
Li Zhengxi was taken aback.
He’d expected Xu Zhiming to resist, but not to dismiss him outright.
“If that’s the case, I’ll go,” Li Zhengxi said. “But let me solemnly remind you, Mr. Xu, Old Mr. Xu’s condition is critical. He has, at most, two days left.”
“And witchcraft isn’t something just any doctor can treat.”
Xu Zhiming’s brows shot up, “Li Zhengxi, what are you implying?”
“Are you saying no one but you can cure my father?”
Li Zhengxi smiled, “Isn’t that obvious?”
“Mr. Xu, you’ve hired so many renowned Korean doctors. Has any of them identified Old Mr. Xu’s condition?”
“Do you really think a bunch of incompetents who can’t even find the cause can cure him?”
Xu Zhiming said, “If they can’t cure him, I’ll find someone who can.”
“Li Zhengxi, you may be Korea’s medical saint, but your skills aren’t unmatched.”
“Otherwise, how could you have lost so badly in China?”
“Dozens of rounds, and you didn’t win a single one. Pathetic!”
At this, Li Zhengxi snorted, “Minghan, let’s go.”
With that, he led Li Minghan towards the bedroom door.
As he reached the doorway, Li Zhengxi suddenly stopped and said, “Tianxing Group is Korea’s largest company, with a market value of over three hundred billion US dollars. I never imagined Mr. Xu would be too stingy to spend ten billion to save Old Mr. Xu.”
“As the saying goes, there are no filial sons at a sickbed.”
“I see it now—your so-called father-son bond is just a performance.”
“If Old Mr. Xu dies, I’ll make sure to tell the Korean public that he didn’t have to die, but because you, Mr. Xu, were unwilling to pay, he passed away.”
Xu Zhiming’s face darkened.
If Li Zhengxi followed through, Xu Zhiming would become a pariah in Korea, branded as an unfilial son.
In Korea, where filial piety is deeply valued, being seen as unfilial would be disastrous for both Xu Zhiming personally and for Tianxing Group.
“Mr. Xu, if I tell the Korean public about this, do you think it would become a scandal for Tianxing Group?”
“Would the public boycott Tianxing Group’s products because of you?”
“Would Tianxing Group’s stock plummet? By ten billion? Or a hundred billion?”
“Hahaha…”
Li Zhengxi burst into laughter.
Xu Zhiming’s face turned livid with rage, “Li Zhengxi, you dare threaten me?”
“No, no, Mr. Xu, you misunderstand. You’re the future head of Tianxing Group—how could I dare threaten you? I’m merely stating facts,” Li Zhengxi said with a smile.
Xu Zhiming was about to explode when Ye Qiu’s voice suddenly rang in his ear, “Uncle Xu, agree to Li Zhengxi’s terms. Let him treat Old Mr. Xu.”
Xu Zhiming looked around but saw no sign of Ye Qiu, wondering if he’d misheard.
Then Ye Qiu’s voice came again, “Uncle Xu, agree to him.”
It was definitely Ye Qiu!
Where was he?
Xu Zhiming found it strange but followed Ye Qiu’s advice, asking, “Li Zhengxi, you say you can cure my father. How confident are you?”
Li Zhengxi smiled faintly, “One hundred percent.”
“You’re certain?”
“Absolutely.”
“Fine, I’ll agree to your terms. If you cure my father, I’ll give you ten billion US dollars,” Xu Zhiming said. “But let me be clear: if you fail, don’t blame me for being unkind.”
Li Zhengxi didn’t hesitate, smiling, “No problem, but before I start treatment, I need the money first.”
“Impossible,” Xu Zhiming said. “Ten billion US dollars isn’t a small sum. What if you take it and run?”
“Mr. Xu, rest assured, I won’t go anywhere until Old Mr. Xu wakes up.”
“I just said, ten billion US dollars is no small amount. Even if I call the bank now to arrange it, the transfer won’t happen until tomorrow.”
Li Zhengxi said, “In that case, I’ll come back tomorrow to treat Old Mr. Xu. He won’t die just yet.”
“How about this? I’ll give you a deposit today,” Xu Zhiming said. “As long as you cure my father, I’ll pay the rest tomorrow, not a cent less.”
Li Zhengxi exchanged a glance with Li Minghan, then nodded, “Fine, I want five billion US dollars.”
Xu Zhiming said, “Five billion is too much. I’ll give you one billion. If you don’t agree, come back tomorrow.”
Seeing Xu Zhiming suddenly toughen up, Li Zhengxi relented, “One billion is fine. Transfer it now.”
Xu Zhiming was straightforward, “Give me the account details.”
“Minghan, give Mr. Xu the account.”
Xu Zhiming made a call, instructing the finance team to transfer the money to Li Minghan.
Five minutes later, Li Minghan, checking his phone, said excitedly, “Dad, the money’s arrived.”
Li Zhengxi smiled, “Mr. Xu, you’re a man of action.”
“Enough talk. Start treating my father,” Xu Zhiming said, displeased.
Li Zhengxi approached the bed, making a show of checking Xu Yuanzheng’s pulse, pupils, and tongue. Then his gaze flicked to the wall, and he froze.
Where were the paintings?
Since entering, he’d been so focused on negotiating money with Xu Zhiming that he hadn’t noticed the walls were now bare.
Li Zhengxi couldn’t help but ask, “Mr. Xu, I remember there were several paintings on the wall when I came a few days ago. Where are they?”
