Chapter 113: The Nine-Dragon Cauldron of My Family

At that moment, Meng Ran was clutching his head, trying to figure out a solution. Faced with Principal Chen Rong's pressing questions, Hao Lei spoke up for Meng Ran: "He said he’s feeling unwell and wants to take a leave."

“Oh, Meng Ran, is that so?”

Hearing Hao Lei come to his defense, Meng Ran nodded repeatedly. “Yes, Principal.”

“But look at Zhang Shen—full of energy and vigor. How does that look like someone who’s unwell? Just now on the stairs, he nearly knocked this old man’s bones to pieces.”

Hearing this, Hao Lei immediately realized why the principal had called her over: Zhang Shen’s troubles were no longer just academic but had become a matter of morality.

Hao Lei hadn’t expected Zhang Shen and Meng Ran to team up to deceive her.

“I’m sorry, Principal. I will make sure to discipline them properly.”

With that, Hao Lei approached Zhang Shen and said, “It seems doing test papers is no longer enough for you. I’ve decided to increase your workload from now on…”

Before she could finish, Zhang Shen quickly interrupted, “Teacher Hao, I admit I was wrong, but I really have an urgent matter. Can you please forgive me this once? If not, you can punish me when I return!”

Listening to the slight quiver in Zhang Shen’s voice, Hao Lei said, “From what you’re saying, you’re planning to leave the school?”

“Yes, I need to seek treatment.”

“For whom?”

Chen Rong and Hao Lei almost spoke in unison.

After all, in their minds, although Zhang Shen’s academic performance was lacking, he had shown remarkable skill in treating illnesses.

“For Wang Ying’s father.”

Upon hearing this, Meng Ran, who had been silent for some time, reacted even more strongly than Chen Rong and Hao Lei.

“What’s wrong with your uncle?”

“He seems to have been poisoned. I can’t detoxify him immediately, but the poison has already entered his bloodstream. That’s why I came to school to retrieve this.”

Holding the black plastic bag in Zhang Shen’s hand, Chen Rong couldn’t help but ask, “What’s inside this?”

“It’s a pill gifted by Teacher Lu’s father when we last visited their home. For now, it’s the only thing we can use to buy time.”

At this moment, Hao Lei fully grasped the gravity of the situation. Just then, Zhang Shen’s phone rang again.

“Hello…”

Before Zhang Shen could finish his sentence, Wang Ying’s impatient voice shouted through the receiver, “Zhang Shen, why aren’t you back yet?”

“I’m almost there. I’m already on my way.”

After speaking, Zhang Shen hastily ended the call and told everyone, “It really is her father who’s in trouble. I only intended to get Meng Ran to cover for me, but things have become more complicated than I expected.”

“Enough with the explanations. Let’s head to Wang Ying’s house now!”

Chen Rong, hearing Zhang Shen’s account, understood this was a misunderstanding. Yet, the fact that his student’s father had been poisoned was a grave and unusual matter, hinting at hidden complexities.

Hao Lei quickly dialed Lu Ming’s number.

“Hey, Xiao Lei, you’re not trying to switch back the class schedule, are you?”

Lu Ming knew it was class time, and Hao Lei calling at this hour could only mean one thing.

“Where are you? Drive us to Wang Ying’s house immediately.”

“What’s going on?”

Hearing the urgency in Hao Lei’s voice, Lu Ming guessed something was wrong at Wang Ying’s home.

“No time to explain. We’ll talk when we meet.”

Lu Ming hurried downstairs to get his car, while Zhang Shen and the others headed toward the school gate.

Soon, Lu Ming drove Zhang Shen and the others to Wang Ying’s dumpling shop.

“Xiao Ying, how’s your uncle?”

As soon as they entered, Meng Ran’s concern for Wang Ying was evident. Wang Ying, however, hadn’t expected Zhang Shen to bring so many people.

“Principal Chen, Teacher Hao, Teacher Lu, why are you all here?”

“Xiao Ying, how is your father?”

Chen Rong looked at Mr. Wang lying on the bed and asked Wang Ying.

“Zhang Shen said it’s poisoning,” she replied, showing Chen Rong the three blackened silver needles from earlier.

“Zhang Shen, what about the detox method?”

At this moment, nothing was more important to Wang Ying than detoxifying her father.

“It’s all in here!”

Zhang Shen said as he placed the black plastic bag on the table.

Seeing the tattered bag, Wang Ying couldn’t help but scold, “Zhang Shen, what are you doing? Look at this ragged bag—what good could be inside?”

To Zhang Shen, using such an inconspicuous bag was precisely to better conceal its contents. Otherwise, Meng Ran might have taken it away again.

“Don’t worry. Do you think I’d lie to you? Even if you don’t believe me, you should trust Teacher Lu. This treasure was taken from his home.”

Lu Ming, overhearing Zhang Shen’s words, was a bit stunned. Though uncertain about the contents, he was sure he’d never seen such packaging at home.

Still, since Zhang Shen had mentioned him, he couldn’t just say no and reluctantly nodded.

Zhang Shen opened the black plastic bag, revealing a dazzling Nine-Dragon Cauldron.

“This is the Nine-Dragon Cauldron from my study.”

Lu Ming was surprised to see his family heirloom in Zhang Shen’s hands. Zhang Shen, hearing this, raised his voice toward Wang Ying, “Now do you believe me?”

He then lifted the cauldron’s lid, revealing a crimson-golden pill.

“This pill is called the Fire Spirit Pill, crafted by Teacher Lu’s grandfather. It’s said to suppress toxins in the body. Given your father’s condition, I thought to use it to counteract the poison.”

Lu Ming wasn’t perturbed that Zhang Shen had his precious heirloom. The study’s contents were the culmination of his father’s lifetime, and since it was entrusted to Zhang Shen, it must hold significance.

But faced with such a valuable treasure, Wang Ying said something that stunned everyone present.

“Teacher Lu, this pill is too precious. Our family can’t afford it…”

Before Wang Ying could finish, Lu Ming quickly replied, “Xiao Ying, what nonsense are you saying? No matter how valuable the pill, if it can save a life, that’s what matters. If it can’t, then it’s worthless. Stop hesitating and let Zhang Shen give your uncle the medicine!”

“But…”

Before Wang Ying could continue, Hao Lei stepped forward, gently touching Wang Ying’s forehead. “Xiao Ying, stop worrying. This is Teacher Lu’s heartfelt gesture. Don’t hesitate any longer.”

Hearing this, Zhang Shen felt something was amiss.