Chapter Four: Frightened Out of One's Wits

Zhao Cuihua wore a white blouse, its tight fit pressed outwards by her ample chest, the buttons straining to contain the fullness. Paired with flesh-toned stockings that hugged her long, jade-like legs, the ensemble accentuated every alluring curve. She truly was a vision of beauty.

Lu Hao took a deep breath, suppressing the heat rising within him, and asked, “Sister-in-law, what are you planning to do in town?”

“I’m going to buy some clothes. Summer’s here, and I hardly have anything to wear,” Zhao Cuihua replied, then, remembering Lu Hao’s recent injury, she asked, “Is your head alright?”

“I’m tough. It’s nothing,” Lu Hao answered with a smile.

“That’s good. You really gave me a scare just now,” Zhao Cuihua said as she climbed into the vehicle, her arms instinctively wrapping around Lu Hao’s waist. The subtle scent of spring that clung to her made Lu Hao swallow hard.

“And you? What are you going to town for?” Zhao Cuihua inquired from the back.

“To bring my father his meal.”

Zhao Cuihua sighed when she heard this. “Uncle Lu’s had a tough life. After so many years of working away from home, he gets into an accident and the construction foreman won’t take any responsibility!”

“There’s justice in the world. Evil will be repaid with evil. Those people will get what’s coming to them,” Lu Hao replied gravely. By rights, the foreman should have borne all responsibility for his father’s accident at the worksite. Instead, the man hadn’t paid a single cent, blamed his father for delaying the project, and even threatened legal action. His father was an honest countryman, unaccustomed to such intimidation, left helpless at the hands of those in charge. But Lu Hao remembered it all. When the time was right, he would seek justice for his father.

The journey from Peach Blossom Village to the town was not short, and the road was uneven. Whether intentionally or not, every time they hit a bump, Zhao Cuihua let out a soft, almost imperceptible moan, her body leaning forward against Lu Hao’s back. The tingling sensation left Lu Hao’s mind wandering.

Half an hour later, they arrived at the hospital where his father was admitted. Zhao Cuihua wanted to visit as well, so the two entered together.

The town’s medical facilities were basic; the hospital was little more than a city clinic. They had barely stepped inside when a mocking, sarcastic voice reached their ears.

“Well, if it isn’t Lu Hao! What’s this, here to pay your father’s hospital fees today?”

Lu Hao turned toward the sound. A man in a white coat and gold-rimmed glasses was walking toward him.

“Xu Fan,” Lu Hao muttered, frowning in displeasure. Xu Fan had been his classmate in high school. Both had been admitted to medical universities, but Xu Fan had gone to the prestigious Capital Medical University, while Lu Hao attended a more ordinary institution. Back when Lu Hao was a doctor at the county hospital, Xu Fan had constantly flattered him, hoping to secure a job there as well. But fate had intervened—Lu Hao had suffered an accident and lost his position. From that point on, Xu Fan’s attitude had changed completely, treating Lu Hao with nothing but scorn and derision.

“I’ll pay my dad’s hospital fees in a couple of days,” Lu Hao said.

“Still a couple of days?” Xu Fan replied impatiently. “Let me tell you, your dad’s fees are nearly a week overdue. If you don’t pay up soon, we’ll have to discharge him! This isn’t a charity! If everyone did what you’re doing, how would we keep the hospital open?”

At that, Zhao Cuihua, standing beside Lu Hao, spoke up indignantly. “Why are you like this? It’s just a couple of days late! Hospitals are supposed to save lives—why be so mercenary?”

Her words caught Xu Fan’s attention. He eyed Zhao Cuihua greedily, especially lingering on her stockinged legs, unable to look away. Stroking his chin with a mocking grin, he turned to Lu Hao. “Is this beauty your friend? Tell you what, introduce her to me and I’ll give you a few more days to pay the fees.”

“Xu Fan, don’t disgust me,” Lu Hao answered, his voice trembling with anger. “I’ll pay every cent of my father’s fees.”

Xu Fan snorted at Lu Hao’s lack of tact. “Fine! Then today it is. If you don’t pay by midnight, you can take your father home.”

Suddenly, a nurse ran over in a panic. “Doctor Xu, something’s wrong! The patient in room 302’s condition has suddenly worsened—no vital signs!”

Lu Hao’s face changed dramatically. Room 302—his father’s room.

“Tsk, tsk,” Xu Fan remarked with a sneer, not moving to help. “Looks like you won’t have to wait until midnight. You can take him home right now.”

“Get lost!” Lu Hao, frantic, shoved Xu Fan aside and rushed toward room 302.

“Dad!” Lu Hao burst into the room. His elderly father lay there, thin as a skeleton, his body pierced by tubes and needles, face ashen. Lu Hao’s eyes instantly reddened. His father had suffered so much for him.

“Are you the patient’s family? He’s stopped breathing. You should prepare for the worst,” the doctor said, shaking his head helplessly.

“Why aren’t you trying to save him? How can you give up so easily?” Zhao Cuihua protested.

“What’s the point?” Xu Fan retorted. “You can’t even pay the fees—why should we bother? You think this is a charity? Equipment and doctors cost money.”

If they weren’t in the hospital, Xu Fan would have humiliated Lu Hao even more. In his eyes, Lu Hao—a dismissed doctor—was nothing but a failure.

“So, if someone can’t pay, you let them die? Some doctor you are!” Zhao Cuihua raged.

“Enough!” Lu Hao cut her off, his gaze cold as he stared at his unconscious father. “If your hospital won’t treat him, I will.”

With that, Lu Hao strode into the room and ordered the doctors and nurses out.

“What’s going on, Doctor Xu?” someone asked in confusion.

Xu Fan shrugged indifferently. “He wants to play hero, let him. If something happens, it’s not our responsibility.”

“You beast!” Zhao Cuihua spat, her loathing for Xu Fan deepening.

Xu Fan simply snorted and walked away. In his mind, Lu Hao’s father was as good as dead. No matter how skilled Lu Hao was, he couldn’t bring someone back from death.

Inside the room, Lu Hao knelt by his father’s side, voice trembling. “Dad, your unfilial son has made you suffer…” A thousand words crowded his heart, but in the end, only one sentence emerged. After wiping his tears, he began his rescue efforts.

He laid his father’s body flat, his eyes sharp and clear. His fingers flew over his father’s body, tapping rapidly—so fast it was dizzying. Soon, eighty-one red marks appeared on Lu Weiguo’s body—the mark of the supreme medical art passed down through generations: the Eighteen Needles of Nine Turns. Perfected, this technique was said to bring the dead back to life.

At that moment, the hospital director, Zhao Qiang, hurried over, accompanied by a well-dressed woman.

“What’s happening?” Zhao Qiang demanded, glaring at Xu Fan.

Xu Fan shrugged, unconcerned. “The rescue failed. The patient’s family has some medical training and insisted on trying. We tried to stop him, but it was useless. We’re not responsible.”

“Nonsense!” Zhao Qiang snapped. “The patient is still in our hospital. How can you let someone do as they please?”

He quickly pushed open the door to the ward—only to freeze at the scene before him.