Volume One, Chapter 31: My father depends on you.

While at work, Jiang Chen idly chewed on a lollipop—something Tong Yan had bought for him, worried he'd be bored. Jiang Chen originally planned to share them with everyone, but since Old Zhao couldn't have any due to his diabetes, he distributed the rest among the others. He took the opportunity to check Old Zhao's health and, aside from the troublesome diabetes, found him in good shape.

He wrote a few prescriptions for Old Zhao, who eyed them skeptically. “Can this really cure diabetes?” he asked. Of course not. The prescriptions were meant to strengthen Old Zhao’s body, restoring his energy and aiding recovery. Traditional Chinese medicine values the concept of “preservation”—allowing the body to heal itself, with medicine providing support. Yet, few modern practitioners truly embody this principle. Jiang Chen had learned from the Ghost Doctor and the Medicine Sage, Zhong Chun. From early childhood, Master Zhong Chun had instilled in him the heart of benevolence: help when you can, but fate must also play its part.

He and Old Zhao had become fast friends. Recently, Old Zhao had looked after him thoughtfully—covering shifts, sharing meals, never asking for anything in return. The only thing he wanted was for Jiang Chen to go easy on him during their chess matches. Jiang Chen obliged, letting Old Zhao win a few games.

At noon, Jiang Chen changed his clothes, waiting for Su Yike to arrive.

Meanwhile, Ning Rou had prepared lunch and was about to call Jiang Chen to eat. She glanced out the window to see what he was up to, only to catch him warmly greeting Su Yike. Instantly, her anger flared. She was beginning to suspect Jiang Chen had a death wish.

“All right, Jiang Chen, let’s see what tricks you’re up to now.”

Oblivious to the brewing storm, Jiang Chen sat in the passenger seat of Su Yike’s car, stretching languidly, adopting the air of someone entirely at her disposal.

“You look exhausted. Didn’t sleep well last night? Is the security office bed that bad? If you beg, maybe I’ll find you somewhere better to stay.” As she spoke, Su Yike realized her words sounded flirtatious. After all, anyone who could produce fifty million at a moment’s notice surely had somewhere comfortable to live.

Jiang Chen teased, “It really isn’t comfortable. Even with a bed, I can’t sleep.”

Last night, Ning Rou had refused to let him sleep in the bed, making him sleep on the floor. He’d managed, but the real torment began after she fell asleep—lying there with a beautiful woman nearby and unable to hold her was agony the entire night.

With no other option, he did over a thousand push-ups before falling asleep. But he couldn’t keep suppressing things like this forever.

“Come shopping with me first,” Su Yike said. “I haven’t bought new clothes in ages.” Jiang Chen nodded—today, he was Su Yike’s shadow. If she told him to go east, he’d go east; if she wanted him to chase a dog, he’d chase a chicken—he’d do whatever she asked.

At first, their shopping trip went smoothly, but after Su Yike answered a phone call, her mood soured. She grew distracted, more than once forgetting to keep walking and standing motionless, lost in thought.

Jiang Chen gently caught her arm and waved his hand in front of her face. “What’s wrong? You’ve been so absent-minded.”

“It’s nothing,” Su Yike forced a smile, but no one could believe her.

“Why don’t you tell me? Maybe I can help,” Jiang Chen offered, trying to comfort her.

She shook her head. “It’s not a money problem.”

Jiang Chen paused—did she think he’d just throw money at the issue? But after nearly two billion spent yesterday and with the Grim Palace’s “sister” ready to kill him, he truly had nothing left to give.

“I can help with more than just money,” Jiang Chen said. After a moment’s hesitation, Su Yike spoke: “My grandfather has uremia. His health is failing, and the doctors say he doesn’t have much time left.”

Su Yike was very close to her grandfather. When her father was working away from home, she’d lived with her grandfather; most of her childhood memories were with him. He was her most important person.

But misfortune seemed to target those who suffered most. Five years ago, her grandfather was diagnosed with uremia. Though medicine and surgery had kept him going, the end was coming ever closer, and Su Yike could no longer find joy.

Jiang Chen leaned on the railing, supporting his arm. “If someone could save your grandfather, how would you thank them?”

Su Yike shook her head with a bitter smile. “How could I possibly repay that? Uremia is as deadly as cancer. If someone could cure it, even offering myself in gratitude would hardly be enough. But there’s not a doctor in the world who can.”

His master had explained uremia to him: it was nearly impossible to cure with modern medicine alone, but with the right techniques and complementary therapies, recovery was possible. Master Zhong Chun had treated several world leaders for this very illness, and every one of them had recovered. Jiang Chen had inherited this skill.

“Then prepare to fulfill your promise,” Jiang Chen said with a cough.

Su Yike snapped, “Don’t joke about my grandfather. I’ll get angry.”

“Who’s joking? Do I look like I’m joking? I really can cure him,” Jiang Chen assured her.

Su Yike didn’t believe him—she thought he just liked to tease girls. “I’m going home. You liar, nothing but empty words.”

Jiang Chen took her hand—not to take advantage, but to place two fingers on her pulse. “You’re on your period today.”

Su Yike’s face flushed crimson. “How do you know? Are you spying on me?” She raised her hand as if to hit him, and Jiang Chen quickly backed away.

“How could I? I told you I’m a doctor and you didn’t believe me. I can also tell your cycle’s been irregular lately—it’s probably due to heat in your system,” Jiang Chen said earnestly.

Su Yike thought back—he was right. For a moment, she was at a loss for words. She no longer doubted his medical skills, but curing something as severe as uremia? That she couldn’t believe.

“Come back with me and see my grandfather. But if you dare lie to me, I’ll never speak to you again,” she declared solemnly.

Jiang Chen didn’t understand her reasoning, but as her friend, he felt obliged to help. Since coming down the mountain, his only friends were Old Zhao, Jiang Ning, and Tong Yan. His relationship with Ning Rou didn’t count as friendship yet. So for Su Yike, he had to do his best.

They arrived at the Su estate, only to see a fleet of cars neatly parked along the road. From the lead Bentley stepped a young man in gold-rimmed glasses.

“Dr. Eric, my father’s life depends on you!”