Chapter 81: Guided by the Heart

The woman before them must have taken excellent care of herself; the passage of years seemed to have left no trace upon her face.

“This is my wife, Wang Xiaoli,” he introduced.

“Get out. I don’t want to see you right now,” she replied.

Compared to Lu Guofu’s humility, Wang Xiaoli’s temper seemed somewhat irritable and restless.

“Xiaoli, please don’t get angry. It’s bad for your health,” Lu Guofu tried to soothe her.

“If I ruin my health, so be it. If I die, at least it will all be over,” she retorted.

Zhang Shen, standing by, did not interject, but watched the conversation between husband and wife in silence.

“Xiaoli, don’t talk like that. I once promised your father that I would cherish you and Ming dearly. Look, to cure your illness, I’ve specially found a miracle doctor for you,” Lu Guofu said earnestly.

“A miracle doctor? How many so-called healers have I seen over the years?” Wang Xiaoli said with skepticism.

Hearing his medical skills in question, Zhang Shen felt compelled to speak up for himself.

“Madam Lu, my reputation is not built on words, but on the trust of my patients. If you don’t believe me, I can try to treat you, and you’ll see for yourself.”

Lu Guofu looked anxiously at Wang Xiaoli, hoping she would quickly agree.

“Your words sound convincing, but I can’t tell whether you’re just smooth-talking or truly skilled,” she replied.

Sensing his wife’s wavering, Lu Guofu urged, “Wife, why don’t we give it a try?”

“Very well,” Wang Xiaoli answered, her expression unchanged.

Lu Guofu hurriedly pressed Zhang Shen to begin.

Zhang Shen approached the bedside. “Madam Lu, please extend your hand. I need to feel your pulse.”

Though her words protested, Wang Xiaoli’s actions were honest; she obediently extended her arm.

Placing his index and middle fingers on her wrist, Zhang Shen felt for the signals within her body. After a moment, he withdrew his hand and said to the couple, “I have a general understanding of your condition, Madam. Acupuncture will be needed first, followed by herbal remedies. But the most crucial aspect is the cure for the illness within your heart, which will not be so easily found.”

“An illness of the heart?” Lu Guofu was surprised. What heart trouble could his wife possibly have? For her part, Wang Xiaoli was equally puzzled. Could this miracle doctor truly be as capable as claimed?

“Tell me, what heart illness do I have?” Wang Xiaoli pressed, uncertain if Zhang Shen was bluffing or had truly diagnosed something through her pulse.

“Your heart’s illness is tied to Lu Ming, if I am not mistaken?” Zhang Shen said methodically.

Wang Xiaoli was momentarily stunned; she had not expected this doctor to be so perceptive.

Having seen through her concerns, Wang Xiaoli set aside her confrontational manner and asked, “Then, Doctor, may I ask what solution you propose?”

Zhang Shen thought for a while before replying slowly, “Follow your heart.”

“Follow our heart?” the couple echoed in unison.

“Yes. Madam is indeed unwell, and as Lu Ming grows older without finding a suitable partner, the two of you quarrel more and more. Thus, your current condition results in a burning sensation within your heart.”

“That’s right!” Wang Xiaoli immediately responded.

“You may not know, Doctor, but now that Ming is grown, his marriage has become our greatest worry. His father’s choices don’t please him, nor do mine. So, his marriage has become the central concern of our family.”

“Have you ever asked for Lu Ming’s own opinion?” Zhang Shen inquired.

The couple shook their heads—they had never considered their son’s wishes. As for why Lu Ming, heir to such a vast fortune, had chosen to become a teacher, it was all an attempt to escape this family. Their excessive interference had driven him away.

“If you haven’t, how do you know he has no one in mind?”

“From what you’re saying, Doctor, does Ming already have someone he cares for?” Lu Guofu asked, suddenly hopeful.

Zhang Shen chuckled inwardly but maintained a calm demeanor. “Why not call him in and ask him yourselves?”

“Quick, call our son!” Wang Xiaoli exclaimed, now visibly agitated.

Lu Guofu hurriedly dialed his son’s number. “Ming, come upstairs quickly. We have something important to discuss.”

Two minutes later, Lu Ming arrived. Zhang Shen gave him a hint of a smile, but Lu Ming, unaware, did not realize the bridge had been laid for him.

“Dad, Mom, what is it?” he asked.

“Ming, sit down. We want to ask you something,” his mother said.

Lu Ming, unused to such genuine concern, felt a bit awkward.

“What is it?”

“Ming, you know parents only want the best for their children. You’re not young anymore, and with our family’s wealth, you don’t need to be a teacher. What’s most important now is that you marry a suitable lady from a good family.”

“Mom, I’m not getting married,” Lu Ming replied, caught off guard by his mother’s sudden words.

“Son, if you won’t marry, at least tell us if you have someone in mind, so we can be at ease,” Lu Guofu said, seeing his wife’s emotions getting out of control and stepping in to mediate.

“Well, there is someone, but it seems she doesn’t care for me,” Lu Ming admitted.

As soon as he said this, Lu Guofu nearly jumped out of his seat. “There’s someone who would turn down our family? Tell us, who is it?”

He was anxious to know what kind of woman would have such high standards.

“It’s a teacher at our school. Oh, and the doctor here knows her too.”

Zhang Shen was surprised. How had he become involved in this? He’d agreed to help as a matchmaker, yet now the matter implicated him.

“Doctor, you know her?” Lu Guofu grabbed Zhang Shen’s sleeve, questioning him.

“Yes, you saw her just now.”

“I did? Who is she?” Lu Guofu was incredulous.

“She was one of the three young ladies you saw earlier—the one with the graceful figure.”

The mention of a graceful figure would surely lead any man to think of Hao Lei.

At that, Lu Guofu racked his brains to recall.

“So, it’s her. I know who you mean.”

“Who is it? Tell me! You’ll drive me mad with suspense!” Wang Xiaoli, lying in bed, was equally eager to learn what the girl who had bewitched her son looked like—and what sort of woman would be indifferent to the Lu family’s wealth.

“Let me meet her!” she insisted.

Seeing his parents so anxious, Lu Ming replied with a quick “Alright,” then hurried downstairs to find Hao Lei.