Chapter 105: What Shall I Give as a Gift?
“Divine Doctor, don’t worry. Failing a single exam isn’t the end of the world. At worst, as I just said, I’ll provide the funds, you bring the skills, and we can start a hospital together…”
“Dad, what are you talking about?”
Before Zheng Tiande could finish, Zheng Ke interrupted him.
At that moment, Jiang Muyun, standing nearby, joined in with a teasing tone.
“Looks like this so-called Divine Doctor is just a show-off. If you can’t even pass the test, how do you expect to graduate?”
Faced with Jiang Muyun’s skeptical mockery, Zhang Shen felt deeply displeased, but there was nothing he could do—his results were right there for everyone to see.
“I don’t know either. The questions were completely different from what I learned under my master. For a moment, I felt totally lost, so…”
Zhang Shen trailed off, unsure how to continue.
“Divine Doctor, don’t be discouraged. Although the graduation exam is only a few days away, I believe you can do it.”
“Yeah! Divine Doctor, I have faith in you too.”
“Although I’m not interested in your grades, your medical skills are still widely recognized. So I believe in you as well.”
...
Although Jiang Muyun often bantered with Zhang Shen, at critical moments she could be surprisingly supportive.
Seeing everyone’s attitudes, Zhang Shen quickly made a promise.
“Don’t worry, everyone. I won’t let you down. When the time comes, the meal is on me!”
Before anyone could respond, Jiang Muyun cheekily chimed in again.
“I wouldn’t dare ask you to treat us, as long as we don’t end up starving on thin air, I’m fine!”
Everyone knew Jiang Muyun’s playful nature and didn’t take her words too seriously.
After dinner at Zheng Tiande’s house, everyone went back to their respective homes.
...
Wei Xiaorong drove home alone, while Zhang Shen continued riding with Jiang Muyun’s personal assistant, Mu Qiao, back to school.
“We’re here, Divine Doctor, time to get off!”
As they reached the school gate, Jiang Muyun eagerly urged Zhang Shen to get out.
Once off the car, Zhang Shen didn’t linger for conversation but headed straight back to his dormitory.
---
Returning to an empty room, Zhang Shen immediately knew that Meng Ran—the chubby fellow—was still out enjoying himself, so he decided not to bother with him. After all, Zhang Shen had far too many pressing matters to deal with and no energy to concern himself with trivialities.
He took advantage of the quiet moment to take a shower, then resumed scrolling through his phone. But when he lay down, he realized that the black backpack originally hanging on the balcony was missing.
He hurriedly got out of bed and searched carefully but found no trace of the bag.
“Surely the wind didn’t blow it away...”
That was the first thought that crossed his mind.
Just then, the dormitory door slammed open again.
“Zhang, why are you back so early?”
Zhang Shen had no time to answer this question from the chubby Meng Ran. Instead, he dragged him to the balcony.
“Fatty, have you seen the black backpack?”
“Uh…”
Meng Ran’s hesitant demeanor made Zhang Shen suspect something was off.
“Spit it out! I need to return that bag to someone.”
“Zhang, can I tell you something without you getting mad?”
Meng Ran’s words sent a cold sweat down Zhang Shen’s spine.
“Don’t tell me you’ve been treating the black bag like your personal storage again?”
Zhang Shen could hardly imagine where Meng Ran would have put the bag.
“Zhang, what are you thinking? The bag was supposed to be cleaned, wasn’t it?”
Zhang Shen just wanted to get to the point quickly—no time for any more nonsense.
“Well then, say it!”
“I… gave the black bag to Wang Ying.”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Shen felt like splitting Meng Ran in two. How could he have such a bizarre roommate? Not to mention it was someone else’s bag—whether it was or not, you can’t just give it away!
Seeing Zhang Shen’s anger, Meng Ran hurriedly explained, “Zhang, listen to me. Graduation is coming up, and I wanted to give Xiaoying a gift. But I couldn’t find anything suitable, so I thought of this black bag.”
“Damn it! Fatty, can’t you put some thought into gifts for girls?”
“Zhang, I don’t think it’s like that! Xiaoying really likes it.”
Zhang Shen no longer wanted to argue; since the bag was already given away, the only option now was to buy an identical one for Huang Wanting out of his own pocket.
These days, Zhang Shen had been tormented enough by all these troubles. He had no desire to say another word to Meng Ran. Since he couldn’t turn things around, he might as well go to sleep and stop worrying about all these headaches.
Seeing Zhang Shen turn back to bed, Meng Ran kept quiet and started washing up. The two spent the night in silence.
---
The next morning, Zhang Shen woke up to find Meng Ran still sound asleep. He left him be and went downstairs alone, where he ran into a cheerful Lu Ming.
“What’s wrong, Zhang Shen? You look exhausted. Overworked, huh?”
Lu Ming’s teasing earned only a dry chuckle from Zhang Shen. Hearing such words from a teacher felt a bit inappropriate.
Still, Zhang Shen suddenly thought of a practical solution.
“Teacher Lu, can I ask you for a favor?”
Lu Ming was surprised that Zhang Shen would ask for help and looked curious.
“What is it?”
“Could you... lend me some money?”
Zhang Shen felt a bit embarrassed even asking for money, and he already worried about how to explain it if pressed for details.
Lu Ming looked puzzled.
“What made you think of borrowing money?”
“Well, graduation is coming soon, and I want to buy some commemorative gifts for classmates. But I don’t have the funds right now.”
It was a poor excuse, but it was all Zhang Shen could come up with on the spot.
“Didn’t expect you to be so thoughtful. Now I guess I should get something for Hao Lei too!”
Zhang Shen couldn’t help but feel awkward.
“Well, Teacher Lu, about that...”
Seeing Zhang Shen’s embarrassed look, Lu Ming didn’t press further and quickly pulled out five hundred silver coins, handing them over.
“If it’s not enough, just ask me again!”