Chapter 13: The Hermit's Ingenious Plan

Upon seeing the headline, Zhang Shen felt a prickle of discomfort run through him—this was clearly an online manhunt! Thankfully, his own actions had been good deeds; had they been anything illegal, he wouldn’t just lose his job as a network administrator but might have landed in even greater trouble.

As he pondered this, a middle-aged couple rushed in.

“Husband, it’s him, and that young lady too—she was there as well,” the woman panted, slightly out of breath from hurrying.

The man beside her was robust and waited patiently for his wife to finish before addressing them.

“Hello, I’m Hu Nan’s father, Hu Sihai. Thank you for saving my daughter’s life,” he said, bowing deeply to both Zhang Shen and Jiang Muyun.

The pair weren’t familiar with the man, but the woman they recognized—after all, just hours ago, she’d paid for their meal.

“It was the right thing to do,” Zhang Shen replied, a bit awkward at their first meeting.

“We had no idea where to find the miracle doctor, so we resorted to this method. I hope you won’t take offense. Also, you saved my daughter’s life—our whole family is grateful. Please, we hope you’ll visit our home tomorrow,” Hu Sihai said, still addressing Zhang Shen as a “miracle doctor,” a title that made Zhang Shen uncomfortable. Healing others was, to him, merely the instinct of a healer, not a pursuit of fame or fortune.

“That really isn’t necessary. I… saving lives is my duty,” Zhang Shen protested.

“Please, don’t refuse. Just bring the young lady along tomorrow,” Hu Sihai insisted.

Jiang Muyun beamed with delight at being included. She had thought she was just a bystander, and now she was being honored as well.

“Of course! I’ll be there on time!” she replied. Deep down, Jiang Muyun was still a child, lacking much worldly experience, and was easily drawn to anything new and exciting.

“Very good. In that case, tomorrow at the entrance to Shunyi District, I’ll arrange a car to pick you both up. Now, we’ll take our leave,” Hu Sihai said.

After the couple departed, the other internet café patrons began to call out, “Miracle doctor! Miracle doctor!”

“Miracle doctor, I’ve been sleeping poorly—can you help me?”

“Miracle doctor, do you have any of those legendary miracle pills?”

“Miracle doctor, I want to learn medicine from you—please take me as your apprentice!”

Some were clearly just joining in the fun, and Zhang Shen paid them little mind. He pulled Jiang Muyun aside and asked, “Do you even know what sort of people they are? You agreed so easily. Besides, weren’t you just saying you were afraid something might go wrong? Now you aren’t worried at all?”

“Of course I’m afraid, but I’ve got you, haven’t I? You wouldn’t make a girl like me face trouble alone, would you? If you did, I’d say I misjudged you,” she retorted.

Hearing this, Zhang Shen found himself unable to argue further. He certainly couldn’t let Jiang Muyun face any risks alone.

With that in mind, Zhang Shen quickly searched for information about Hu Sihai.

“Hu Sihai, chairman of Yunfeng Group, the largest private enterprise in Yuehu City. Their electronics have become a nationally dominant product, and annual exports are currently rising toward fifty million dollars.”

“Heavens! This man is so wealthy. If I’d known, I’d have eaten a bit more earlier—I’m actually still a bit hungry,” Zhang Shen murmured.

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Jiang Muyun shot him a glare.

“But with someone so important, we can’t show up empty-handed tomorrow, can we? That would be impolite.”

Jiang Muyun nodded in agreement. Not only had the couple posted a “missing persons” notice, but they had also come in person at the first opportunity—clearly, they were sincere. Still, if they were guests in another’s home, they should bring a proper gift—but what would be appropriate?

Zhang Shen seemed unconcerned, more intent on silently reciting the Classic of Herbal Medicine. Jiang Muyun, on the other hand, wracked her brains, eyes wide in concentration.

Early the next morning, Chen Tingting arrived at the café and woke the still-sleeping Zhang Shen and Jiang Muyun, who were slumped over the counter.

“My great miracle doctor, you really are low-key! Even the chairman of Yuehu City has come here in person. If we spread the word, I bet we’d get plenty of business!” Chen Tingting teased.

Still groggy, Zhang Shen rubbed his eyes and replied weakly, “Tingting, I was just fooling around—they’re exaggerating.”

“Alright, no more jokes. Go home and get some sleep, recharge your energy. I heard you’re going to Hu’s house as a guest tonight—make sure you make a good impression!” she said.

“Wait… Tingting, how did you know?” Zhang Shen asked, surprised.

“Kid, are you from another planet? News travels fast these days!”

“Alright, fine! I’m off then,” Zhang Shen said, and together with Jiang Muyun, he left the café. After a quick breakfast, he dropped her at the nursing home and went home himself to catch up on sleep.

...

As Zhang Shen slept soundly, his phone rang.

“Hello, is this Doctor Zhang Shen?” a voice inquired.

“Yes,” he replied.

“I’m the driver sent by Chairman Hu to pick you up for dinner.”

“Alright, I’ll be right down,” Zhang Shen answered, though he lingered a while longer in bed before finally getting up, washing his face, and calling Jiang Muyun. To his surprise, as soon as he dialed, her sweet voice came through.

“I knew our miracle doctor wouldn’t forget me—I’m already downstairs. Oh, and don’t forget to bring a gift,” she reminded him.

Her words nearly made Zhang Shen choke. So she thought he’d go to Hu Sihai’s house alone? It reminded him of the old saying: women and petty men are the hardest to please.

And after a whole night, she still hadn’t decided what gift to bring, leaving it for him to solve.

He reached into his box and grabbed something to take along.

When he went downstairs, he saw Jiang Muyun pacing in circles.

“She hasn’t been waiting here all day, has she?” Zhang Shen wondered.

As soon as she heard footsteps, Jiang Muyun turned and asked, “What took you so long?”

“Was I late?” he replied.

“Did you bring the gift?”

“Yes,” Zhang Shen answered casually.

They say a woman’s curiosity knows no bounds—now Zhang Shen truly understood.

“What is it? Show me!” she demanded.

“Why rush? You’ll see soon enough.”

“But I want to see it now.”

“I have my ways,” Zhang Shen replied with a mysterious smile.