Medical Sage

Dr. Liu Changshan was an authoritative expert in the cardiovascular department of Northern Mountain City Central Hospital. He was not only renowned in Northern Mountain City but also held a substantial reputation and prestige throughout Jiangnan Province.

If such a prominent figure had approached Chen Fei in the past, he would have been incredibly excited. Now, however, he just wanted to get away from him quickly. Judging by Dr. Liu’s imposing manner and enthusiasm, this could get troublesome. After all, he was just a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine; when it came to Western medical theories and routines, he was completely in the dark.

”Xiaofei, I, Liu Changshan, seldom admire anyone,” Dr. Liu said straightforwardly, giving Chen Fei a thumbs-up. ”You should know how terrible that Italian man Tucci’s condition was. Even if I had intervened under optimal conditions, there would have been less than a thirty percent chance of saving him! Xiaofei, you are truly amazing!”

This left Chen Fei a bit embarrassed. He scratched his head and smiled. ”Dr. Liu, you’re too kind. I just happened to know how to treat his specific ailment. I’m not as amazing as you say!”

Though Chen Fei was being modest, Liu Changshan paid it no mind. A thought suddenly occurred to him, and his eyes lit up. ”I wonder, Xiaofei, which hospital are you with now? The Affiliated Institute of Traditional Medicine?”

”Uh, well, Dr. Liu, I just graduated from the Traditional Medicine Department of Northern Mountain Medical College. I haven’t found a job yet,” Chen Fei said with an awkward smile.

”Really? That’s great! HAHA!”

To Chen Fei’s surprise, Liu Changshan burst into laughter and extended an invitation. ”How about this, Xiaofei? If you don’t mind, how would you like to work at our Northern Mountain City Central Hospital? I guarantee that if you’re willing to come, I can speak to the dean and have you hired directly as an official doctor! And you don’t need to worry about the compensation; I’m sure you’ll be satisfied!”

Work at Northern Mountain City Central Hospital?

Chen Fei’s breathing quickened at the offer. He never expected that one good deed would pay off so handsomely. He had saved a life and now received a massive lucky break in return.

The Traditional Medicine Affiliated Hospital of Northern Mountain University and Northern Mountain City Central Hospital were the two top-tier tertiary hospitals in the city. A job at either was a dream for any medical practitioner—a true meteoric rise.

However, once the initial thrill subsided, he voiced his hesitation. ”But I’m a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine. Wouldn’t it be inconvenient for me at the Central Hospital?”

His concern was valid. As the largest and best-equipped comprehensive tertiary hospital in Northern Mountain City, the Central Hospital was primarily focused on Western medicine. In contrast, the Traditional Medicine Affiliated Hospital of Northern Mountain University, as its name suggested, was the domain of traditional Chinese medicine. The two institutions kept to themselves, each governing its own sphere.

”You don’t need to worry about that. I, Liu Changshan, have some clout at the Central Hospital, so no one will dare to bully you. Besides, while Western medicine is more prevalent, we still have many formidable traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and seniors on staff. The hospital is a place that values skill. As long as you don’t rashly treat patients you aren’t confident you can help, you’ll be fine.”

Dr. Liu was speaking with enthusiasm when he suddenly seemed to remember how they had underestimated Chen Fei earlier. He gave an embarrassed laugh, quickly changing the subject. ”So, Xiaofei, what do you think? If you’re willing to come work with us, you can report for duty tomorrow. I’ll help you sort out the rest.”

Chen Fei thought for a moment and replied gratefully, ”Then, thank you very much, Dr. Liu.”

Although he had recently come into a windfall, he was still unemployed, and surviving in the bustling Northern Mountain City was tough. Now, just when he needed it most, a golden opportunity had fallen into his lap—and what a lucky break it was. This was the Northern Mountain City Central Hospital, a place countless people fought tooth and nail to get into, and he had just stumbled into a position. He couldn’t help but chuckle to himself.

”Alright, since you’ve agreed, I won’t bother you any longer. Oh, right, give me your phone number. If you run into any trouble when you come to report in, just call me. I’ll be on duty at the hospital for the next few days,” Liu Changshan said, though he was being a bit cunning.

Given his high-ranking position, how could he possibly be on duty for several consecutive days? Attending his specialist clinic twice a week was already quite demanding. In reality, he just wanted Chen Fei’s number to make future contact easier.

”Thank you for your trouble, Dr. Liu,” Chen Fei said gratefully as he watched the doctor leave.

”It’s getting dark. Time to head back.”

Once Dr. Liu had hopped into a taxi and disappeared, Chen Fei looked up at the darkening sky and prepared to return home.

The area of Northern Mountain City was vast. The central area alone covered three districts, not to mention the five or six other large and small districts beyond the second and third ring roads. Chen Fei lived in Stone Man Village, located in the Minghua District, west of the city center.

As one of Jiangnan Province’s top economic powerhouses, the existence of such ”urban villages” was unavoidable. With low rent and cheap food, they were the first choice for many newcomers or those facing financial hardship, despite the poor living conditions. Chen Fei himself had just graduated and spent a month hustling at job fairs from dawn to dusk without finding suitable work. With no money, he had to settle for life in an urban village where it was easier to get by.

Chen Fei lived on the western side of Stone Man Village. The area was defined by a single main road for traffic, with the rest being small alleys crowded with barbecue stalls and late-night snack vendors. In some filthy corners, wastewater flowed freely across the ground, and creatures like rats occasionally scurried by, a testament to the poor environment.

Moreover, it was chaotic.

”What are you doing? Let go of me!” Just as Chen Fei was humming a tune and walking down an alley toward the shared courtyard where he rented a room, an urgent and familiar cry came from up ahead.

Whose voice is that?

Chen Fei’s brow furrowed, and he quickened his pace toward the next corner.

There, in a rundown, dim section of the alley under a single, flickering yellow streetlight, two or three punks with dyed-blond hair and tattooed arms were cornering a busty woman in a cheap gray sweater. With lewd smiles on their faces, their hands were roaming freely.

Sister Yan?

His expression changed instantly when he realized the woman being harassed by the punks was his neighbor, Sister Yan.

His face darkened as he strode toward the thugs, shouting, ”Yellow Hair, stop right there!”

Evidently, Chen Fei recognized the smirking men who were getting handsy with Sister Yan. They were notorious local thugs. The one he called Yellow Hair, in particular, was rumored to have once killed a man. He had only served a few years in prison due to insufficient evidence and was now the de facto bully of Stone Man Village. He was a typical coward who preyed on the weak and feared the strong, and many honest people were terrified of him.

This guy idled his days away stealing, stirring up trouble, and collecting protection money. But his worst trait was his lechery. Countless young women in Stone Man Village had fallen victim to him after catching his eye, but they all suffered in silence, too afraid to speak out, which only fueled his arrogance.

Now, it seemed this bastard was targeting Sister Yan, which infuriated Chen Fei, who, as her neighbor, had often been on the receiving end of her kindness.

”Well, well, isn’t it the top student from some university? What, found a job, have you? How dare you meddle in my, Yellow Hair’s, business?” Startled by Chen Fei’s shout, Yellow Hair turned around and sneered. To him, anyone in Stone Man Village who dared to challenge him was courting death.

”Xiaofei!” Just then, while Yellow Hair and his cronies were distracted, Sister Yan seized the opportunity. She broke free from their encirclement and ran behind Chen Fei, her face etched with fear, as if she had found her savior. In such a moment, a helpless woman would naturally cling to any man who dared to stand up for her as her last straw, her final hope.

Earlier, plenty of people had passed through the alley. When they saw her predicament, some had wanted to intervene. But as soon as they saw it was Yellow Hair and his gang, their expressions changed, and they quickly hurried on, not daring to get involved. After all, who would dare provoke a man who had supposedly killed someone before?

”Get lost, now! Or you’ll regret it today!” Chen Fei, however, was not as timid as the others. While comforting the trembling Sister Yan behind him, he shot a cold glare at Yellow Hair and his men.

This wasn’t his first run-in with this scum. Once, they had tried to rob him just after he’d been paid for a part-time job, but he’d broken their hands for their trouble. In truth, if anyone else had dared to interfere with Yellow Hair’s ”fun,” he would have attacked them already. The only reason they were hesitating now was because they were afraid of Chen Fei.

”You—”

As expected, Yellow Hair and his crew’s expressions shifted. There was anger, but it was overshadowed by fear. As low-level street punks, they were experts at bullying the weak and cowering before the strong. Faced with Chen Fei, a tough guy who could easily take on ten of them, it was a lie to say they weren’t afraid. Deep down, they were terrified.

”Chen Fei, I’m telling you, stay out of this! Wang Dachun already sold Hee Yan to us. Here’s the contract! It’s written in black and white and has nothing to do with you!” Yellow Hair suddenly blurted out, producing a crumpled piece of paper with a few scribbled lines and a red thumbprint.

What!? Sold!?