Chapter 40: I Have an Immature Idea

"Hey! Don't make a scene," Jiang Muyun thought Zhang Shen was fooling around and tried to stop him.

"Little girl, who's making a scene with you? I'm capturing a happy moment for their family. Who knows, maybe one day they'll thank me for it," Zhang Shen replied, flipping through the candid photos for Jiang Muyun to see.

"I never would have guessed that our renowned doctor is thinking so far ahead!"

Hearing Jiang Muyun's praise, Zhang Shen felt a little pleased with himself. "Of course, that's a given!"

"You get all puffed up as soon as you're praised, honestly, have you no shame?" Jiang Muyun retorted.

Zhang Shen didn't continue bickering with her, but on the other side, Mu Qiao, after today's events and her earlier conversation with Jiang Muyun in the backyard, had already pieced most of it together. What surprised Mu Qiao was that, despite Zhang Shen's seemingly carefree attitude, when it came to saving lives, he was completely dedicated. Through her observations today, Mu Qiao came to realize that Zhang Shen was perhaps nothing like the irresponsible man she once thought he was.

...

"All right, all right, let's not cry anymore. Whatever you need to say, save it for tonight when the whole family is together. And we still need to thank the good doctor, don't we?" Zheng Tiande tried to console Wei Xiaorong and Zheng Ke.

"Uncle Zheng, you can't do this! After all, I was the one who brought the doctor here. You can't just thank him and not me!" Jiang Muyun teased Zheng Tiande from the side.

Hearing this, Zheng Tiande immediately clasped his hands together in apology toward Jiang Muyun. "Miss Jiang is right—it was my oversight. Please don't take offense."

"Muyun, stop making trouble," came a voice from the bed—it was Zheng Ke.

"Hmph! And you have the nerve to tell me not to make trouble, heartless thing. Who was it running around for your illness, doing everything possible? Since you woke up, you haven't even said thank you once, and now you accuse me of making trouble. I won't talk to you ever again!"

With that, Jiang Muyun turned and strode angrily out of the room.

Of course, Zheng Ke understood her childish temper, but on reflection, she did have a point.

"All right, all right, my dear Miss Jiang, it's all my fault, isn't it? Once I'm better, I'll accept whatever punishment you deem fit."

Jiang Muyun, however, was easy to placate. The moment Zheng Ke yielded, she immediately broke into a toothy, triumphant grin. "How could I dare punish you now? Little Ke, you're everyone's treasure these days!"

"Don't say that. I believe the doctor is firmly on your side."

Zhang Shen was genuinely surprised to be pulled into the conversation between the two women, having not taken part until now. Why was Zheng Ke dragging him into this?

"Him? I'm not so sure. If anyone's on my side, it's probably Sister Mu over there," Jiang Muyun countered.

At this, Zhang Shen couldn't help but intervene. This little minx, not only did she not claim him as one of her own, but even tried to steal credit for recruiting Mu Qiao, which had been his idea to begin with!

"You—" Zhang Shen was about to retort when Zheng Tiande's words caught him off guard, filling him with delight.

"Xiaorong, do you remember what we were just talking about outside?"

"Of course I do. You said that if the doctor could help us bring about a marriage, we must repay him."

"Exactly!"

With that, Zheng Tiande walked over to Zhang Shen and said, "Doctor, you have solved a problem that has plagued me for years. Whatever you ask for, I will grant it. Even if you want my entire estate, I won't hesitate."

"Wow, that must be a fortune! Doctor, you're about to strike it rich," Jiang Muyun exclaimed.

Zhang Shen shot her a sharp look before turning to Zheng Tiande. "Healing the sick is our duty. If it were all measured by money, it would tarnish the reputation of our forebears."

"Then what is it that you want, Doctor?"

Zhang Shen hesitated for a moment, then said, "It's not that I want anything, but I do have an idea, though it's not fully formed."

"Don't hold back, Doctor. Tell us—perhaps it's doable," Zheng Tiande encouraged.

"I'd like to open my own clinic and do my utmost to help those in need. The trouble is, I lack the necessary qualifications."

Given Zheng Tiande's wealth, there was little he couldn't acquire. But practicing medicine without a license was a crime. No matter how influential he was, he couldn't go against the law.

"In fact, it's not impossible to resolve this," Wei Xiaorong interjected, having realized Zhang Shen's predicament. As the director of the health bureau, she was well-versed in these matters.

Sensing a solution, Zhang Shen quickly asked, "Director Wei, what should I do?"

Grateful for Zhang Shen's help, Wei Xiaorong was eager to assist. "Our health bureau has an agreement with Yuehu City Medical Vocational College for targeted training. With your skills, obtaining certification shouldn't be a problem. Once you have the paperwork, whether you want to work in a hospital or open your own practice, that's entirely up to you."

"That's perfect! Let me cover the tuition for our good doctor," Zheng Tiande immediately offered.

"It's a good idea, though it will take time," Zhang Shen said, sounding a bit dejected.

"Doctor, beginnings are always the hardest. Without proper credentials, you'll eventually get arrested, and that would be a real shame. Your remarkable talent shouldn't be wasted like that," Wei Xiaorong advised.

Even Zheng Ke chimed in, "Doctor, Auntie is right. I feel the same way. If I ever fall ill again, I can't exactly visit you in prison, can I?"

At this, Zhang Shen felt a chill run down his spine. He hadn't said anything about practicing without a license—he just didn't want to waste time. How did the conversation suddenly turn to imprisonment? This train of thought had really gone off track!

Still, he saw that Zheng Tiande's family was truly looking out for him.

"Director Wei, when can I start at the college?"

Seeing that Zhang Shen agreed, Wei Xiaorong replied, "In a couple of days, I'll inquire for you. Then you can enroll as a transfer student."

"But…" Zhang Shen still worried that, having always lived a carefree life, he might not adapt to school life.

Wei Xiaorong understood his concerns and reassured him, "Don't worry, Doctor. The principal is an old friend of mine. No one will make things difficult for you."

With her promise, Zhang Shen finally felt at ease.