Chapter 15: Reaping What One Has Sown

When the unremarkable young man spoke, those who had been itching to cause trouble felt a surge of relief, grateful they hadn’t taken the lead; had the awkward scene fallen upon them instead, it would have been mortifying. At that moment, Chen Ni became the focus of everyone’s whispers and pointed fingers.

“This woman really is a jinx,” someone murmured. “Why provoke the miracle doctor for no reason? Now that she has a new admirer, must she flaunt it so deliberately?”

Zhang Shen, encountering society’s elite for the first time, realized that the saying ‘when the wall falls, everyone pushes’ applies everywhere.

Chen Ni, being the gold-digger she was, couldn’t bear the ridicule. She shot Zhang Shen a fierce glare, stomped her foot, and headed toward the staircase. But, perhaps muddled by anger, she missed her step, twisting her ankle and tumbling down the stairs like a ball.

It took Chen Ni a great effort to climb to her feet, her face mottled with bruises, yet no one in the room viewed her as innocent.

“Li Shao, will you go down on your own, or shall I send someone to help you along?” Shen Feng asked.

“No… please, no…”

Not wanting Li Shao to ruin the atmosphere of the banquet, Shen Feng signaled to two black-clad bodyguards nearby. They immediately understood, seized Li Shao, and flung him from the top of the stairs.

With a rhythmic thud and a wretched howl, Li Shao finally landed.

Shen Feng paid no mind to Li Shao’s fate. Instead, he gestured invitingly for Zhang Shen to enter first.

Now, everyone watched their step, fearful of suffering Li Shao’s fate.

Zhang Shen felt that ‘satisfaction’ was far too weak a word for his emotions.

As he prepared to enter the hall alone, he suddenly realized he’d forgotten something.

“How could I forget this little one?”

He stepped back, took Jiang Muyun’s small hand, and grinned mischievously, “Miss Assistant, let’s go together!”

Under all those watchful eyes, Jiang Muyun’s cheeks flushed.

Once Zhang Shen and Jiang Muyun entered the hall, the wealthy and powerful finally dared follow.

At the heart of the hall, Hu Sihai and his family stood in the center, radiant as stars around the moon.

Seeing Zhang Shen, Hu Sihai’s face lit up and he hurried forward.

“Miracle Doctor, I’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival! I’ve arranged this banquet today to thank you for saving my daughter.”

“Chairman Hu, you’re too kind. It’s the duty of a physician and hardly warrants thanks.”

Those present, witnessing the intimacy between Zhang Shen and Hu Sihai, drew a collective breath.

Once all the guests were seated, Hu Sihai took his daughter Hu Nan to the center of the hall.

“Today, I thank you all for gracing my humble abode. There’s but one matter: I wish to recommend someone to you all, the miracle doctor Zhang Shen who saved my daughter.”

By now, the name Zhang Shen was as familiar as thunder to their ears.

“Miracle Doctor, please join me here.”

When Hu Sihai called, Zhang Shen rose and walked to the center.

“Miracle Doctor Zhang Shen’s skills are extraordinary, and I deeply admire him. Moreover, let me say, if anyone dares disrespect Zhang Shen on my turf in the future, do not blame me for failing to warn you.”

“I couldn’t agree more, Chairman Hu,” someone responded.

“Oh, General Manager Zheng—do you know Zhang Shen as well?”

It was Zheng Tiande who spoke.

Zhang Shen hadn’t expected to encounter an acquaintance here.

“More than know him—he also saved my daughter.”

“Xiao Ke? Wasn’t she diagnosed with lymphoma, and pronounced—”

Hu Sihai cut his sentence short.

“Chairman Hu, it’s all right. Since meeting Miracle Doctor Zhang, Xiao Ke’s condition has greatly improved. She’s still recuperating at home.”

Many knew something about Zheng Ke’s illness. It seemed Zhang Shen truly possessed remarkable skills.

“Since today is a banquet, I’ve prepared a generous gift,” Zheng Tiande announced.

“General Manager Zheng, you’re too gracious!”

“This is a pearl necklace. I hope Chairman Hu will accept it with a smile.”

As a businessman, Hu Sihai recognized the necklace’s value. Others gasped in awe.

“Isn’t this the famed South Sea pearl? Eighteen pearls of this size are rare indeed! General Manager Zheng is truly lavish.”

“In comparison, my gift is hardly worth mentioning,” said Li Hui, president of Porsche’s Yue Lake district.

“President Li, you needn’t say that. It’s my honor you could come.”

“This is the key to our store’s latest sports car. The vehicle has already been driven in.”

Hu Sihai understood the gesture immediately.

His daughter was not yet of age, so Li Hui’s gift of a car was obviously intended for his use, albeit under the guise of gifting it to Hu Nan.

Hu Sihai did not expose the pretense, and Hu Nan herself was clever.

“Thank you, Uncle Li!”

Li Hui nodded in approval, “You’re such a clever niece!”

Watching the stream of extravagant gifts, Zhang Shen remained unconcerned.

Still, some people, though silent, began to wonder—had Zhang Shen come empty-handed?

Jiang Muyun, sensing the shifting mood, quietly moved beside Zhang Shen.

“Where’s your gift? Aren’t you going to present it?”

“What’s the rush? The best comes last.”

Though Zhang Shen spoke softly, Hu Sihai caught his words.

But Hu Sihai, wealthy beyond measure, cared little whether Zhang Shen had prepared a gift. To him, Zhang Shen’s presence was gift enough; as for gifts, what could an internet café manager afford to offer these magnates?

“Miracle Doctor, shall I prepare a gift for you?” Zheng Tiande offered, thinking Zhang Shen had nothing ready and wishing to help him out.

“No need, General Manager Zheng, I’ve brought my own.”

When all the gifts had been presented, everyone turned their attention to Zhang Shen.

Understanding their anticipation, Zhang Shen calmly drew a wrapped item from his chest, covered in a scrap of old cloth.

“What’s this…” Jiang Muyun, seeing it, wished she could sink into the floor—she’d have bought a set of cosmetics instead! Anything was better than gifting a piece of rag.

“Everyone, don’t worry! The best part’s about to begin!”

Zhang Shen slowly unfolded the old cloth, layer by layer, revealing a set of silver needles.

The business elites, engrossed in commercial battles, hardly recognized the significance.

But suddenly, someone in the crowd exclaimed, “Those are ancient gold-threaded silver needles!”