Chapter 166: Fully Conscious

"What's wrong, Teacher Lu? Is there a problem?"

Seeing Lu Ming's expression of utter despair, Chen Rong naturally understood what he wanted to convey. However, there seemed to be no mitigating solution at the moment. He had no idea how Tao Yang would treat Zhang Shen next, and as the principal, he certainly couldn't let Meng Ran go knocking on other people's dormitories at this hour.

As the teacher in charge of Meng Ran, Lu Ming knew a thing or two about the chubby student's situation, as well as his living habits. Had the principal been chatting with him privately, Lu Ming might have agreed. But unfortunately, Hao Lei was present as well. To say the least, it was quite an embarrassing predicament.

Of course, Chen Rong was completely oblivious to all of this. However, this "century-old dilemma" that had left Lu Ming caught between a rock and a hard place was soon resolved by a single remark from Hao Lei.

"Principal, I think this method is a good one!" No sooner had Hao Lei finished speaking than Lu Ming's eyes locked onto her. Instantly, Hao Lei became aware of Lu Ming's piercing gaze.

"Teacher Lu, you surely can't let Meng Ran go to the girls' dormitory! I think he might as well just make do at your place for the night."

"That's right! Teacher Lu, though it's called staying the night, look at the time—it's actually only two or three hours away from morning anyway."

Under this mutual "persuasion" from Hao Lei and Chen Rong, Lu Ming pondered for a moment and simply gave in. He turned to Meng Ran and said, "Stop standing there like a fool. Follow behind me."

Realizing he would still get a few hours of sound sleep, Meng Ran's spirits naturally lifted with excitement. After all, after being tossed about all night, he could finally get a few hours of peace.

However, the moment Meng Ran turned around, the chubby fellow seemed to have a sudden thought. He opened his mouth and asked, "Teacher Lu, is your bed big?"

The moment Meng Ran uttered those words, the previously solemn atmosphere instantly turned comical.

"What are you trying to do?"

Hearing Meng Ran's question, Lu Ming asked instinctively, driven by a reflex arc.

Hao Lei and the other women looked at Meng Ran with equally astonished expressions.

Only then did Meng Ran seem to notice the strange looks coming from the four people around him, prompting him to quickly explain, "I like to toss and turn when I sleep."

Hearing Meng Ran's explanation, the stone in Lu Ming's heart finally settled back into place. Taking one look at the fat man's sturdy, bear-like frame, he immediately retorted, "You sleep on the bed, and I'll sleep on the sofa. Will that work?"

With that, Lu Ming quickly led Meng Ran away from the floor. Seeing this, Hao Lei didn't say another word, and together with Ye Qiong, she supported Wang Ying back to the girls' dormitory.

Seeing that all five of them had left, Chen Rong closed the dormitory door. He wanted a moment of quiet reflection, because everything that had happened—from Zhang Shen's symptoms to summoning Tao Yang, and finally extracting the yin-soft blood from Wang Ying's body—seemed far too bizarre. For a school principal like him, it was truly difficult to fathom.

"Hey, come over here quickly!"

Chen Rong's thoughts were still deeply engrossed in pondering the matter when he was snapped back to reality by a sharp roar from Tao Yang.

"What..."

Before Chen Rong could finish his sentence, he heard Zhang Shen on the bed letting out a soft cough.

"Ahem! Ahem!"

For Chen Rong, nothing was more important right now than anything concerning Zhang Shen. Upon hearing that first cough, he immediately stood up, walked over to the bedside, and asked Tao Yang, "Is Zhang Shen about to wake up?"

Tao Yang merely gave a faint smile and replied, "Of course. Didn't you hear just now that the kid's breathing has gradually grown steady?"

Listening to Tao Yang's words, Chen Rong realized that while Zhang Shen's breathing had previously been as faint as a gossamer thread, it could now be considered somewhat normal.

"Then when will he fully recover?"

Gazing at Zhang Shen lying on the bed, Chen Rong's second question followed hot on the heels of the first as he turned to Tao Yang.

"Old friend, right now I can only guarantee that Zhang Shen will wake up, which is already quite an achievement. How am I supposed to know when he'll make a full recovery? You should know that detoxification isn't something you can rush; you can't expect me to give you a definitive answer right away."

Hearing Tao Yang's reply, a faint sense of disappointment welled up in Chen Rong's heart, yet he knew that reason dictated this was not something open to the slightest dispute.

"What about right now, then?"

Chen Rong knew how awkward his upcoming position would be regarding Zhang Shen's current predicament. It wasn't just because Zhang Shen was his student. Personally speaking, Zhang Shen had been recommended in person by Wei Xiaorong, the director of the Health Bureau, and was now acquainted with the mayor of Yuehu City. More importantly, the graduation exams were tomorrow. If Zhang Shen didn't wake up in time, he would have to wait a full year to retake the exams.

After all, Chen Rong was well aware that the very purpose of Zhang Shen's trip was to obtain that piece of certification. If that were delayed, he would feel a deep sense of regret for Zhang Shen, both reasonably and emotionally.

Tao Yang was equally unsure in his heart, but seeing Zhang Shen's current condition, he answered truthfully: "Zhang Shen's coughing is because the toxic blood inside his body has just been expelled, and he has only just received fresh blood. Therefore, the two need time to integrate and adapt to one another. However, the stabilization of his breath naturally indicates a degree of blood adaptation. Look at him now—isn't he doing a bit better than before?"

Although Chen Rong had not studied traditional Chinese medicine, he still understood the basic principle that all things in nature generate and restrain one another. However, theoretical knowledge could wait; the most urgent matter right now was ensuring Zhang Shen could participate in the graduation exams.

"Do you think Zhang Shen might have..."

"Don't talk nonsense!"

Just as Chen Rong was about to ask more concerning Zhang Shen's condition, Tao Yang cut him off flatly.

"Impossible. I have confidence in this kid."

"Why?"

Chen Rong genuinely found Tao Yang's inexplicable confidence rather odd. After all, the harsh reality was right before their eyes; regardless of whether he could be treated successfully, there should at least be a sound treatment plan. In Chen Rong's eyes, this was the first time he had ever witnessed such "blind" confidence.

"Because I want to take him as my disciple, and our Ankang Hospital lacks talent like him."

Hearing Tao Yang's words, Chen Rong felt a sudden urge to smash a block of tofu against Tao Yang's head. Zhang Shen hadn't even fully recovered yet, and Tao Yang was already harboring such "ulterior motives."