Chapter Four: Only I Can Save

“Daughter, what happened?” Xu Fengnian, Luo Qiuyu’s mother, hurried in, barely pausing for breath as she looked at the old Master Luo, collapsed on the hospital bed, tubes everywhere, surrounded by doctors and nurses. Fear gripped her heart—she couldn’t risk anything happening to the old man.

After all, the family fortune rested entirely on his shoulders. If something happened to him and the other powers in Liuzhou tried to strike while they were down, she’d lose her mansion, her luxury cars, her latest LV handbags—everything would be gone!

“I just got home and found that beast Ye Cheng attempting something on my sister. I stopped him in time and kicked him out. When Grandpa heard what happened, he was so furious he fainted!” Luo Qiuyu recounted the events, embellishing them for effect.

“That wretched Ye Cheng!” Xu Fengnian knew full well that Luo Qiuyu and Luo Yu had set him up. She was no stranger to Ye Cheng’s cowardice, but still she placed all the blame on him.

She pressed on, “Forget Ye Cheng for now, what did the doctors say?”

“The doctors said Grandpa’s condition is complicated. They can only perform an operation to keep him alive for now. To really cure him, we’ll need to invite renowned physicians from one of the great medical families, but who knows what price they’ll demand…” Luo Qiuyu repeated the doctor’s words faithfully.

“That’s simple!” Xu Fengnian’s eyes suddenly brightened as an idea came to her.

“Just a few days ago, Young Master Zhu Yaotang of the Zhu family came to see me. He’s now certified by the Yanxia Medical Association as a first-class physician. He asked if you would leave Ye Cheng and marry into the Zhu family.” At the time, the old master was vehemently opposed, so nothing came of it. But if we call him now, surely he’ll agree.

“What do you think, my daughter?”

“Let me think…” Images of Ye Cheng flickered through Luo Qiuyu’s mind. Quickly, her expression soured with distaste and she shook her head, replacing his face with that of another, suave and dignified man.

“Sis, what are you hesitating for?” Luo Yu exclaimed. “The Zhu family is the top medical family in Liuzhou. They have three renowned physicians! Who in Liuzhou would dare disrespect the Zhu family? Mom, call Young Master Zhu right now!”

“All right.” Without hesitation, Xu Fengnian dialed the number.

Soon after, a man with slicked-back hair, a devilish gleam in his eyes, dressed in an expensive black suit and exuding a false air of sophistication strode in—it was Zhu Yaotang.

At the sight of Luo Qiuyu’s enchanting face and alluring figure, Zhu Yaotang couldn’t help swallowing hard, though he feigned composure. “Aunt Xu, with Old Master Luo so gravely ill, I can hardly refuse to help. Please don’t trouble Miss Qiuyu about this. My feelings for her are genuine—I would never resort to using a situation like this. I’m not that kind of person!”

“You’re overthinking it, Young Master Zhu. Qiuyu has always liked you; it was only the old master who objected. Why not seize this opportunity to formalize the engagement? Once you save the old master, he won’t object any longer,” Xu Fengnian replied, fully aware of Zhu Yaotang’s intentions.

“Is that really true?” A sly, victorious smile crept onto Zhu Yaotang’s face as he looked at Luo Qiuyu with anticipation.

“Yes.” Luo Qiuyu nodded shyly, her intentions unmistakable. She had completely cast aside that useless Ye Cheng and chosen Zhu Yaotang instead.

“Qiuyu, I promise I’ll save the old master!” Zhu Yaotang declared with delight.

Suddenly, Ye Cheng—having learned of Old Master Luo’s collapse—burst in from the hallway. “You can’t save him. Only I can.”