Chapter 21: Not of the Same Circle

Seeing that Zhang Shen was growing somewhat testy, Zheng Tiande thought it best not to press him with more questions at this moment. After all, the debt of gratitude he owed was already immense—best to watch events unfold in silence. Originally, Zheng Tiande had intended to invite Zhang Shen and Jiang Muyun to stay for dinner, but Zhang Shen was insistent on leaving. Considering that Zheng Ke had just taken her medicine and was feeling somewhat better, Zheng Tiande too wanted to spend more time with his daughter. Seeing Zhang Shen's resolve, he could only arrange for a car to send Zhang Shen and Jiang Muyun home.

After getting into the car with Jiang Muyun, the two sat in silence as they each headed home. Once he'd dropped Jiang Muyun off, Zhang Shen didn't go home himself, but instead made his way to an internet café.

"Hey, miracle doctor, what are you still doing here as a net café attendant?"

"Yeah, maybe you should just turn this place into a clinic!"

As soon as Zhang Shen entered the café, a few familiar faces began teasing him. But Zhang Shen paid them no mind, and simply returned to silently reciting his medical texts.

The next morning, Zhang Shen returned home and collapsed straight into bed, utterly drained.

He slept as if the world had turned upside-down, losing all sense of time or self. This exhaustion was the price of having used his inner energy too often; the last remnants of his vitality were nearly spent.

And so, while Zhang Shen was still lost in deep sleep, his phone rang once again.

Half-awake, he slid to answer.

"Hello?"

"Is that you, miracle doctor? It's Wei Xiaorong."

"Director Wei? I haven't broken any medical laws, have I?"

Wei Xiaorong, recalling yesterday's events, knew Zhang Shen was only joking.

"Nothing like that, miracle doctor. I just wanted to invite you out, and perhaps introduce you to some friends—if it's convenient for you?"

"Alright. Send me the address later."

"Of course! I'll see you soon."

She wants to meet—what could it mean? Surely she doesn't want me to mediate between her and Zheng Ke? If that's the case, this dinner hardly seems worthwhile.

Soon after, his phone chimed with a message from Wei Xiaorong.

"8 p.m. tonight, at Moonlake Impression."

Moonlake Impression? Wasn’t that the only five-star hotel in all of Yuehu City? Rumor had it that even with money, you couldn't always reserve a private room there—the guests were all people of status and influence. What was Wei Xiaorong planning, putting on such a grand scene? Though Zhang Shen grumbled inwardly, he found himself all the more curious about the evening's meal.

As dusk fell, Zhang Shen realized he had slept the day away. Glancing at the time—already past seven—he hurried to get up and change. For Zhang Shen, "dressing up" meant nothing more than washing his hair with cold water and changing into fresh clothes.

When Zhang Shen arrived at Moonlake Impression, he spotted a familiar figure waiting for him from afar. As soon as Wei Xiaorong saw him approaching, she hurried over.

"Sorry, traffic was terrible. I hope you weren’t kept waiting," Zhang Shen apologized.

"Please, miracle doctor, your presence here is a great honor for me. I wouldn’t dream of complaining. Tonight is simply to thank you for treating Ke’er yesterday."

Zhang Shen hadn't expected Wei Xiaorong to be so sincere in her concern for Zheng Ke—she seemed ready to give her whole heart.

"Shall we go up?" she said.

"Of course."

As soon as Wei Xiaorong entered the private room, several brightly dressed guests rose to greet her, one after another calling out, "Director Wei!"

Zhang Shen was a bit impressed by her—just a health bureau director, yet so many treated her with such deference.

"Xiao Wang! So young and already a deputy section chief—your future is limitless!"

"Li Hong! You just keep getting more beautiful. So, when are we celebrating your wedding to Director Zhang?"

Wei Xiaorong offered each guest just the right compliment, and Zhang Shen couldn’t help but admire her social grace.

The room filled with laughter, and everyone returned her flattery in turn.

"Almost forgot to introduce—this is the talented individual I wanted you all to meet, Zhang Shen."

Seeing that Zhang Shen looked utterly plain—neither an official nor a notable figure—none of the guests even bothered to properly greet him, though out of respect for Wei Xiaorong, they forced a polite smile.

"I asked you all here today because you are the leading lights of the medical field. My young friend here is hoping to work at a hospital. Do you have any recommendations?"

So that was her plan—to help him find a job. Zhang Shen had considered many possibilities before coming, but this hadn’t been among them.

"Sister Wei, I’m afraid I’m not up to the task. You know, I’m just a glorified errand boy at my own office—calling it ‘administration’ is generous. How could I possibly help your young friend get into a hospital?"

"Exactly, Sister Wei. These days, you need at least a university degree to get into a hospital. Your young friend—has he even finished high school?"

Zhang Shen actually felt he ought to thank the man—he hadn’t even attended school, and now someone was claiming he was a high school graduate. That was a blessing from the ancestors, surely!

"Sister Wei, you know how things are with us. But since you asked, I’ll see what I can do."

"How about this—hospital jobs are tough, but my buddy has a site looking for a brick carrier. Maybe your young friend would like to give that a try?"

The room erupted in laughter at that.

Even Wei Xiaorong was starting to lose her composure—after all, she had personally brought Zhang Shen. These people were truly lacking in manners.

Zhang Shen offered no explanation to these shallow people—he only smiled and nodded. Since their paths were divergent, there was no need to force any alliance.

Just as Zhang Shen was about to turn and leave, a waiter rushed in.

"Excuse me, Director Wei!"

"What is it?"

"Well, Chairman Hu has just requested to book out the entire Moonlake Impression, so…"

The waiter knew that while this Chairman Hu was a big shot, the people at this table were also not to be trifled with.

"Who’s this fool? Which Chairman Hu?" one of the men cursed under his breath.

"It’s Hu Sihai, Chairman of Yunfeng Group."

"Hu Sihai? How could it be him?"

The same man who’d just been mouthing off was instantly struck dumb.

But at the mention of Hu Sihai’s name, a faint smile played at the corner of Zhang Shen’s lips.

"Why isn’t this private room ready yet?"

That voice—could it be…