Chapter 26: When the Flood Swept Through the Dragon King's Temple

Ye Jianfei turned around and looked at Ye Qiong.

"Daughter, what does he mean by that?"

Though Ye Qiong was usually rather unruly and prone to fits of temper, she was honest under her father's gaze.

"It was me who hit him!"

"You hit him?"

Ye Qiong nodded.

"Absurd!"

Ye Jianfei shouted at Ye Qiong, then turned to a black-clad bodyguard beside him. "Go drive Miss's car back. From now on, unless I give the order, do not hand her the keys."

"Yes, sir," said the bodyguard, reaching out to Ye Qiong for the car keys.

Knowing she had no strength to resist, Ye Qiong feigned a pout. "Dad! Don’t be like this. Surely I can't be blamed entirely—he ran a red light!"

"You dare talk back? Go home and reflect on your behavior!"

Ye Jianfei paid no mind to Ye Qiong’s sniffles. Seeing her father was truly angry, Ye Qiong gave up, handing the keys to the bodyguard.

"You’re to go back with him."

"Dad, please, I want to go with you."

It wasn’t that Ye Qiong was unwilling to leave; in her heart, escaping her father’s control was the priority. But right now, she was more curious about what he and this "gynecologist" would say to each other.

Though Ye Jianfei’s face remained expressionless, he suddenly coughed three times. At that instant, Ye Qiong promptly abandoned her previous attitude and obediently followed the bodyguard away from the internet café’s entrance.

This detail did not escape Zhang Shen’s notice. Clearly, Ye Jianfei had said nothing, yet the mischievous Ye Qiong instantly became docile and compliant.

Once Ye Qiong had gone, Ye Jianfei spoke. "My daughter was the one driving who hit you just now. I will compensate you. Give me your account information later, and I’ll send you a sum as compensation."

"Sir, I think you’ve misunderstood me. I’m not here to extort anyone. I feel fine, so I came back. If I’d lost an arm or a leg, no amount of compensation would suffice."

Ye Jianfei was surprised by Zhang Shen’s words. The young man before him, plain in appearance, was not greedy for money—a rare thing. Judging by his tone, perhaps he possessed some skill?

"And what exactly happened between you and my daughter?"

What Ye Jianfei wanted to know most now was why his daughter had called him so late to come to Shunyi Square.

"Here’s what happened: after your daughter hit me, she insisted on driving me home. Just as we were nearly there, she suddenly felt unwell. I used what I’ve learned to treat her. Afterwards, she accused me of taking advantage of her. Tell me, is there any justice left in the world?"

Zhang Shen recounted the events to Ye Jianfei, leaving out the crucial detail that he practiced medicine without a license.

"You’re a doctor?"

"Sort of."

"And may I ask your full name?"

Ye Jianfei realized this young man had saved his daughter and grew a bit respectful.

"Zhang Shen."

Ye Jianfei had no particularly strong impression of the young man.

"Which hospital are you employed at?"

This was the troublesome question Zhang Shen dreaded. Why must one work in a hospital to heal others? Could an internet café manager not be qualified?

"The threshold for hospitals is too high. I lack formal education, so I just manage the café here."

"Oh? Is that so?"

Ye Jianfei was skeptical, even suspecting the man before him might be a charlatan.

"I heard you say you used true energy to treat my daughter. Is that right?"

"Yes," Zhang Shen nodded.

Seeing Zhang Shen’s confident reply, Ye Jianfei was suddenly reminded of something from more than thirty years ago.

"Who was your master? Surely not some immortal sage?"

Zhang Shen had no idea what Ye Jianfei was thinking, but since the man was determined to get to the bottom of things, he might as well lay it all out. In his eyes, whether his master was an immortal was uncertain, but his integrity and medical skills were certainly Zhang Shen’s model.

"My master is Luo Baiyang."

Ye Jianfei was startled upon hearing this name.

"Young man, repeat that—what is your master’s name?"

Thinking Ye Jianfei hadn’t heard clearly, Zhang Shen repeated, "Luo Baiyang."

Ye Jianfei stepped up to Zhang Shen, studying him closely.

"So you’re the disciple of my benefactor. Truly, the river floods the Dragon King's temple—kin fail to recognize kin!"

Zhang Shen was momentarily confused. How had saving someone now led to claims of family?

"Don’t misunderstand, young man. Your master, Luo Baiyang, once saved my life."

"My master saved you? Then you know where he is?"

"Whereabouts? What do you mean?"

"I came down from the mountain this time to seek my master."

"Has something happened to Master Luo?" Ye Jianfei was anxious.

"No, only once, when I returned from gathering herbs, I found only a letter on the table..."

Before Zhang Shen could finish, Ye Jianfei hurriedly asked, "What did the letter say?"

'Disciple, you have now mastered all your teacher’s skills. I am off to wander.'

"How could this be?" Ye Jianfei murmured.

After finishing, Zhang Shen realized Ye Jianfei had called his master a benefactor. Perhaps he could find some clues here.

"Sir, after all this, may I ask your name?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Jianfei suddenly remembered himself. Initially, he’d come because of his daughter, but unexpectedly found his benefactor’s disciple. In the commotion, he had forgotten to introduce himself.

"I am Ye Jianfei, owner of Fanlin Herbal Medicines."

"Fanlin Herbal Medicines?"

The name stirred something in Zhang Shen’s mind.

The next moment, Zhang Shen slapped his forehead and exclaimed, "You’re the Ye Jianfei reputed as the leader of Yuelake’s herbal trade?"

It turned out Zhang Shen had heard Ye Jianfei’s name before from Jiang Muyun, but at the time, he hadn’t paid it much mind. Today, on Xinbu Island, he finally saw the man in person.

"There’s really no such thing as a trade leader. I simply started from scratch early and happened to catch the tide of the times, so I earned my position. But in the end, if I hadn’t met your master thirty years ago, I wouldn’t be standing here now."

"What? Did my master treat you?"

"Yes," Ye Jianfei nodded. But that was a story for another time.