Ye Qiu thought for a moment and said, “Uncle Xu, Li Zhengxi lost to me in the China-Korea medical competition. He probably hates me to death.”
“To avoid unnecessary conflict, I won’t stay here.”
“I’ll head out first.”
As Ye Qiu spoke, he started to leave.
“Wait,” Xu Zhiming called out, stopping him. “You’re Changjin’s friend and my honoured guest. There’s no need to leave.”
“Don’t worry, this may be Korea, but Li Zhengxi wouldn’t dare target you.”
“If he tries anything excessive, I’ll be the first to deal with him.”
Ye Qiu was surprised. He hadn’t expected Xu Zhiming to be so protective of him.
“Uncle Xu, you’ve misunderstood. I’m not afraid of Li Zhengxi. I just don’t like trouble, so I’d rather step out.”
“If Li Zhengxi has truly found the cause and can cure Old Mr. Xu, that would be ideal.”
“But if he can’t, I won’t stand by and do nothing.”
Ye Qiu was well aware that Li Zhengxi, having lost the competition and his reputation, harboured deep resentment towards him.
If he stayed, a clash with Li Zhengxi was inevitable.
This was the Xu family’s home, with many prominent Korean doctors downstairs. If things escalated, it would put Xu Zhiming in an awkward position.
So, it was better to step aside for now.
Besides, Ye Qiu had no desire to see Li Zhengxi or his son.
“But…” Xu Zhiming started to say something, but as he spoke, Ye Qiu had already turned and left.
Xu Zhiming watched Ye Qiu’s retreating figure, thinking to himself, “This young man is upright and considerate, thinking of my position. He’s remarkable.”
…
After leaving the room, Ye Qiu saw Xu Changjin and Song Huixian standing outside.
“Auntie!” Ye Qiu greeted politely.
Song Huixian asked, “Xiao Ye, how’s Changjin’s grandfather doing?”
“Old Mr. Xu’s condition is a bit complicated, but don’t worry, Auntie, he’s stable for now.” Ye Qiu then turned to Xu Changjin, “Changjin, why don’t you show me around?”
“Sure!” Xu Changjin agreed eagerly.
Song Huixian found it odd. Why would Ye Qiu want to wander around at a time like this?
Just then, Xu Changjin said, “Ye Qiu oppa, let’s go to the back courtyard. Li Zhengxi and Li Minghan are here, and I don’t want to see them.”
Song Huixian suddenly understood. Ye Qiu was avoiding a run-in with Li Zhengxi and his son. She quickly said, “Changjin, take Xiao Ye to your grandfather’s study instead.”
“The study is right next to the bedroom,” Song Huixian pointed to the room beside it. “If anything urgent happens with your father, Xiao Ye can help.”
Ye Qiu nodded, “I’ll follow Auntie’s arrangement.”
“Ye Qiu oppa, follow me,” Xu Changjin said, pushing open the door next to the bedroom and leading Ye Qiu into the study.
Upon entering, Ye Qiu felt a sense of calm and clarity.
The study was not only spacious but elegantly furnished. The desk, chairs, floor, and bookshelves were all crafted from precious rosewood, exuding a natural woody fragrance.
One entire wall was a bookshelf, neatly lined with countless books.
“Ye Qiu oppa, if you want to read, help yourself,” Xu Changjin said.
“Alright,” Ye Qiu replied, pulling a book from the shelf. He flipped it open, glanced at it, and put it back.
He took another book, looked at it briefly, and returned it as well.
In one go, Ye Qiu picked up over a dozen books, each time opening them for a quick look before placing them back.
Xu Changjin, observing this, asked, “Ye Qiu oppa, are none of these books interesting to you?”
“Mm, not really,” Ye Qiu said lightly.
It wasn’t that he wasn’t interested; he simply couldn’t understand them.
They were all in English.
“I’m not interested either,” Xu Changjin said. “These are all books on global economics. Grandpa loves them, but I find them dull.”
Just then, Ye Qiu’s ears twitched. He faintly heard voices from the bedroom next door.
He activated his Heavenly Eye, his gaze piercing through the wall.
The scene in the bedroom was clear as day.
Li Zhengxi and Li Minghan had entered, bowing to Xu Zhiming.
“Greetings, Mr. Xu!” Li Zhengxi said respectfully, showing none of the arrogance of Korea’s medical saint.
“Mr. Li, what’s the cause of my father’s illness?” Xu Zhiming asked directly.
Li Zhengxi smiled faintly, “Mr. Xu, have you heard of witchcraft?”
Xu Zhiming’s expression shifted slightly, “Are you saying my father’s been afflicted by witchcraft?”
“Yes,” Li Zhengxi nodded.
“What’s your evidence?” Xu Zhiming asked.
Li Zhengxi said, “Mr. Xu, you’ve hired so many renowned doctors to examine Old Mr. Xu. Have they found anything? No!”
“They’ve used all sorts of medical equipment, yet found nothing.”
“This struck me as odd. What illness could Old Mr. Xu have?”
“Why can’t we find the cause?”
“I’ve been poring over medical texts these past few days and concluded that Old Mr. Xu has been cursed by witchcraft.”
Nonsense!
Ye Qiu, hearing Li Zhengxi’s words, sneered.
He knew witchcraft was widespread, existing in both China and Korea since ancient times.
If Old Mr. Xu had truly been cursed, Ye Qiu would have noticed it the moment he saw him.
Under the Heavenly Eye, witchcraft would leave traces.
“Since you’ve identified it as witchcraft, you must have a way to treat it, right?” Xu Zhiming asked Li Zhengxi.
Li Zhengxi said, “There is indeed a treatment, but…”
“But what?”
“But the treatment is extremely taxing and could even cost me my life.”
Xu Zhiming said, “So you’re saying you won’t treat my father?”
“No, I’m willing to treat Old Mr. Xu,” Li Zhengxi said. “Over the years, Old Mr. Xu has shown me great kindness, especially recently during the China-Korea medical competition when I lost to China’s Ye Qiu. Old Mr. Xu went to great lengths to save my life.”
“I’ve never forgotten his kindness.”
“Now that I have a chance to treat Old Mr. Xu, I’m duty-bound, but…”
Xu Zhiming glanced at Li Zhengxi, “What are your conditions?”
Li Zhengxi’s intentions were seen through. He gave an awkward laugh and said, “Witchcraft is very strange. If I treat Old Mr. Xu, I’ll pay a heavy price. At best, I’ll never practice medicine again; at worst, I could die.”
“Mr. Xu, you know my greatest concern in life is my son. I want to leave something for Minghan.”
“So, this time, my fee will be a bit higher.”
Xu Zhiming said, “The Xu family doesn’t lack money. As long as you can cure my father, everything’s negotiable. By the way, how much is your fee?”
Li Zhengxi held up one finger, “This amount.”
“A hundred million?” Xu Zhiming asked.
Li Zhengxi shook his head with a smile.
“A billion?” Xu Zhiming said readily, “Fine, if you cure my father, I’ll give you a billion…”
“Mr. Xu, you’ve misunderstood,” Li Zhengxi interrupted, smiling, “I didn’t mean a billion, but ten billion.”
“In US dollars!”
