Chapter 44: From Internet Café Attendant to Student

However, what made Zhang Shen feel that the middle-aged man had been good to him was that, when he first arrived in Yuehu City, he had planned to rely on his medical skills to make a living by treating people. But who could have guessed that, despite his abilities, he found no opportunities to put them to use? The reason was simple: he didn't have a license, so no hospital dared to hire him.

As a result, the silver coins Zhang Shen brought with him dwindled the longer he stayed in Yuehu City. Just when he was about to run out of options, he happened to notice a notice at the entrance of an internet café, advertising for a night shift network administrator. Taking a chance, Zhang Shen went in, and the one who greeted him was a middle-aged man named Li.

For Zhang Shen, who had just arrived in the city, he had no idea what an internet café was, nor did he know how to operate a computer. He couldn't answer any of the questions Boss Li asked him. Zhang Shen never understood what Boss Li was thinking at that moment—facing someone so clueless, Boss Li actually arranged for someone to teach him everything. When the interview ended, Boss Li simply remarked, “Young man, there aren’t many like you in society today.”

Back then, Zhang Shen was naively adorable and didn't think too much about it. It wasn’t until later that he learned the reason: Boss Li had once had a son who became addicted to computers and, in the end, died suddenly while online. Since then, Boss Li had even banned young people from coming to his café for a while—until he met Zhang Shen, who changed his perspective.

A dial tone sounded as Boss Li picked up the call.

Zhang Shen had always held a certain respect for Boss Li.

“Hello, Boss Li, this is Zhang Shen. There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”

“What is it?” Boss Li’s voice on the other end was calm.

In fact, the more honest and kind-hearted a person was, like Boss Li, the more awkward Zhang Shen felt.

“Why are you silent?” Boss Li pressed.

“Boss Li, I’d like to resign,” Zhang Shen finally mustered the courage to say.

What Zhang Shen hadn’t expected was that Boss Li took a long moment before replying, “That’s great! Honestly, I always thought a young man like you taking a night shift as a network administrator probably had bigger ambitions. I’m glad to see you make this choice; it reassures me that my first impression was right.”

“Boss Li, actually I…”

Hearing Zhang Shen’s hesitation, Boss Li became a little impatient.

“If you’ve found your direction, I support you. Even though you haven’t completed the full month, I’ll still pay you as if you have.”

Zhang Shen never expected Boss Li to be so kindhearted. He couldn’t help but feel it was a real pity for a man like Boss Li to be just a café owner.

“Thank you, Boss Li.”

“Young man, do your best!” Boss Li said before hanging up.

After a while, Zhang Shen’s phone rang—it was a bank transfer notification from Boss Li for his month’s wages. The message read, “Come back to visit if you get the chance.” Zhang Shen’s eyes grew moist; apart from his master, Boss Li was the second person in the world who had truly treated him well.

After bidding farewell to Boss Li, Zhang Shen turned back to continue his conversation with Wei Xiaorong. “Director Wei, when can I start school?”

“As soon as possible, of course,” Wei Xiaorong replied. “But tomorrow you’ll have to go by yourself. I’ll send you the address, contact person, and phone number later.”

Zhang Shen understood why Wei Xiaorong wanted him to go alone—if a bureau director personally accompanied him, it would only make them both the subject of ridicule.

“All right, Director Wei.”

“Divine Doctor, when will you be back?” asked Zheng Ke. Zhang Shen was surprised that Zheng Ke seemed so reluctant to see him go.

“Didn’t your Aunt Wei just say? It’ll be less than a month until you see me again.”

“Divine Doctor, I want…” Zheng Ke began, and Zhang Shen scratched his head, having no idea what Zheng Ke would say next. After interacting with Jiang Muyun, Mu Qiao, and Ye Qiong, Zhang Shen had come to realize that these ladies always spoke their minds, without reservation.

“What do you want?” he asked.

“I want to learn medicine from you, Divine Doctor.”

“You want to study medicine?” Zhang Shen’s jaw dropped; he couldn’t believe that saving Zheng Ke’s life had made her want to become a doctor herself. Yet, healing and helping others was indeed a worthy pursuit.

Without hesitation, Zhang Shen replied, “Sure! I agree. As soon as you get better, I’ll take you as my apprentice.”

“Master, please accept your disciple’s bow!” Zheng Ke said, and prepared to perform the formal ceremony.

Zhang Shen hurriedly helped her up. “You’re still weak. When you’re fully recovered, it won’t be too late to perform the ceremony.”

“Then you must keep your word, Master.”

Zheng Ke seemed exceptionally delighted by this, as if fate itself had arranged it.

“Since today is such a good day, why don’t we all gather for dinner tonight?” suggested Wei Xiaorong.

But Zhang Shen still had someone else on his mind. On hearing Wei Xiaorong’s suggestion, he quickly declined.

“I’m starting school tomorrow, so it’s better to wait a few days. Once I finish my studies, I’ll treat everyone to a meal to express my gratitude.”

Wei Xiaorong understood immediately—Zhang Shen must have other plans for the evening. She responded, “Since the Divine Doctor has matters to attend to, let’s postpone until later. Tonight, let him rest well.”

After leaving Zheng Tiande’s home, Zhang Shen went straight to the nursing home to find Jiang Muyun.

He pushed open the door and called out, “Xiao Yun!”

Inside, Jiang Muyun was chatting with Mu Qiao. Neither of them expected Zhang Shen to burst in.

“What brings you here? Shouldn’t you be at home sleeping at this hour?”

“I quit my job!” Zhang Shen announced.

Jiang Muyun didn’t catch what he said at first.

“What? You quit? Where are you planning to go?”

“I’m hoping you’ll take care of me!” Zhang Shen teased.

Jiang Muyun knew Zhang Shen wasn’t the type to idle his life away, but she couldn’t guess what he was planning next.

“Come on, just tell me!”

“I’m going to school!”

Hearing this, Jiang Muyun burst out laughing. “If you can go back to school, I can fly to the moon.”

Seeing her disbelief, Zhang Shen recounted everything that had happened that morning at Zheng Tiande’s house, with Mu Qiao listening intently as well.

“So it’s true, then?” Jiang Muyun asked.

“Would I lie to you? I just wanted to let you know…”