Chapter 9: Playing with Words

In the director's office of Tianyuan Hospital, two pots of lush greenery stood by the door. The desk was placed near the window, across from a set of sofas for receiving guests, and the wall behind was adorned with a myriad of banners and honorary flags.

The old director feigned seriousness, raising his hand to his lips and coughing lightly. “Mr. Zheng, I regret to inform you that your daughter’s condition hasn’t responded ideally to treatment. As I recall, Dr. Li had discussed this with you early on—she’s no longer suited for chemotherapy. But you insisted, and out of humanitarian concern, considering the family’s wishes, we approved this morning’s session. Given these results… you must have prepared yourself mentally.”

Zheng Tiande’s expression twisted. “Dr. Zhang said he can save her!”

“Yes, yes, I understand. We can empathize with how a parent feels—even the faintest hope compels us to fight. But we must acknowledge science. This illness isn’t something that can be cured simply because someone says so. If words alone could heal, there wouldn’t be so many incurable diseases in the world.”

“So Dr. Zhang is a fraud?”

“I didn’t say that, but as someone with neither medical qualifications nor credentials, how trustworthy can he really be? Mr. Zheng, we’ve tried to advise you…”

The director was still speaking earnestly when the office door was suddenly flung open with a bang. Li Tanghuang burst in, looking as if he’d seen a ghost.

“Dr. Li, what are you doing? Can’t you see I’m speaking with Mr. Zheng?” The director frowned, glancing up to see Zhang Shen and Jiang Muyun following behind, his face darkening further.

He was about to scold them when Li Tanghuang, nearly shouting, declared, “Director, the data—the numbers are up!”

“What?” The director almost leapt from his chair, staring at Zhang Shen as if he were a specter. He could hardly believe it and asked again, “What numbers?”

“All the indicators…” Li Tanghuang was nearly in tears. After so many years as a doctor, this was the first time his worldview felt overturned.

For a moment, the office was as silent as a mausoleum.

“Mr. Zheng, it seems the treatment is quite effective.” Zhang Shen, as if oblivious to the director, took the medicine bundle from Jiang Muyun’s hands and calmly approached Zheng Tiande. “Here are three doses. Soak them in warm water for fifteen minutes, simmer gently for two hours, reducing three bowls to one. Take one dose at noon each day. After three days… well, if these gentlemen still permit me to enter, I’ll come by for another check.”

The implication was clear: if they wouldn’t let him in, there was nothing he could do.

Sure enough, the director and Li Tanghuang’s expressions changed instantly. Zheng Tiande, after his initial joy, regained some of his composure. The business magnate glanced at the director and Li Tanghuang. “That won’t be necessary.”

“I trust you, sir. I’ll bring Xiao Ke home soon. I’ll assign someone to fetch you to my house directly.”

“But I recommend continued chemotherapy.”

“No matter, just buy a set.” Zheng Tiande gave a cold laugh. “Today, we were simply pressed for time and borrowed their facilities. Shortly, I’ll send someone to settle the venue fee, and after that, we’re cleanly separated from this hospital.”

“Hey!” Li Tanghuang and the director jumped up in unison. “Mr. Zheng, isn’t this burning bridges after crossing?”

“How am I burning bridges? Wasn’t the agreement crystal clear? Xiao Ke’s attending physician is Mr. Zhang, and Tianyuan Hospital bears no responsibility. Or am I mistaken?”

“Also, if my daughter recovers, I plan to make a documentary about this event. Mr. Zhang, you don’t mind, do you?” Zheng Tiande shifted his gaze to the director. “Rest assured, it’ll be entirely factual—no embellishments.”

A snort of laughter escaped Jiang Muyun, who had been watching from the doorway. Truly, one of Yuehu City’s top tycoons—he wielded the power of paperwork brilliantly.

If that documentary were actually produced, Tianyuan Hospital would lose more than it bargained for—not only would it fail to earn a good reputation, its current standing might be jeopardized.

Zhang Shen smiled, neither affirming nor denying.

He already had a plan in mind. Someday, he would be a figure admired by every doctor in Yuehu City.

The director sensed the looming crisis. Muttering, he inquired about the situation from Li Tanghuang. Upon hearing that after Zhang Shen’s treatment, the cancer cells’ proliferation rate had halved instantly, while normal cells’ growth was accelerating geometrically, he forgot all about saving face. He lunged forward, grabbing Zhang Shen’s arm, and with a forced smile said, “Young man, a hero indeed…”

“No, I’m just a wandering physician,” Zhang Shen replied calmly, sidestepping and shaking his head slightly. “I have no credentials whatsoever.”

“Well, credentials aren’t everything. Just a piece of paper, really. Those truly skilled don’t need them.”

“Sorry, I’m not particularly talented. My master is quite unknown.” Zhang Shen was already at the door.

The director, still smiling, followed after him. “Ah, that’s what makes you a natural prodigy. I’m sure your master must be a reclusive sage.”

“Ha—”

The cold laugh did not come from Zhang Shen; he had already exited, reaching the stairwell.

Jiang Muyun crossed his arms and stared icily at the director. “Now you want to win him over? Where were you before? Don’t think I don’t know your intentions—you want to recruit Zhang Shen, make this case a Tianyuan Hospital achievement. Dream on! Not a chance!”

The director, seeing that diplomatic efforts had failed, switched tactics once more. “Don’t think a bit of skill entitles you to arrogance. You think medicine is so easy? The medical community in Yuehu City is small. Believe me, I could see to it that he never gets another patient!”

Jiang Muyun’s eyes flashed angrily, about to retort.

But Zheng Tiande suddenly rose from the sofa, a sly smile on his lips. “I wouldn’t be so sure.” He strode over to Jiang Muyun, pulled out a business card. “I’m the CEO of the Zheng Corporation. I’ve been thinking about investing in a hospital—wonder if Mr. Zhang would be interested in becoming our chief physician?”

“After all, if this industry is run by people who only talk big, that’s not good for anyone.”

Meanwhile, Zhang Shen wasn’t paying attention to the commotion in the office. Returning to the ward, he checked the data again, surprised to find that the formula from the Qibo Herbal Classic worked even better on humans than on animals.

If the first half of the book’s prescriptions could all be validated, would the latter half be equally true?

If so, it would be terrifying—it could overturn the very foundations of human society.

Master, oh master, where are you?

He stood at the hospital entrance, gazing at the azure sky for a while. When Jiang Muyun came out, the two headed to Shunyi House for a meal. On the way, Jiang Muyun relayed Zheng Tiande’s offer and asked if he was interested.

Had it been a few days earlier, Zhang Shen would have declined outright.

But after this experience, his desire to engage with the world grew stronger. He hesitated, then agreed to meet with Zheng Tiande before deciding.

Jiang Muyun called Zheng Tiande, who acted with remarkable efficiency. Before the afternoon was over, Zheng Ke was already home, and all sorts of medical equipment were being flown in from abroad. By evening, Zheng Tiande drove to the entrance of Shunyi House.

Yet, to everyone’s surprise, at the same time another business Buick arrived, bumping its way to Shunyi House.

A beautiful young woman hopped out, pulling an elderly lady along as she asked, “Auntie, do you know where a young man named Zhang Shen lives around here? Hmm… if not, have you heard of this internet café?”