Chapter Thirty-Five: We’re Not Close—Why Should I Help You?

The man wearing the gold chain was now a completely different person from before; his chubby face had turned pale. The others also looked at Su Zheng with changed expressions, now tinged with respect. On one hand, Su Zheng had accurately pointed out the hidden ailments in their bodies, and judging by Wei the Second’s current demeanor, he was clearly right!

Such incredible medical skill was almost unimaginable, far surpassing the diagnostic capabilities of hospital equipment. With just a brief meeting and contact, he could pinpoint another’s hidden illness—wasn’t this bordering on the divine?

“I don’t even know you well. Why should I help? Besides, aren’t you worried it’d lower your status to ask me for treatment? Forget it!” Su Zheng’s tone was laced with cold sarcasm as he sat there, at ease and unmoved.

Wei the Second was visibly embarrassed. Just now, he’d been the most vicious with his words, and now he wished he could slap himself. After a moment’s hesitation, he gritted his teeth and—thud—dropped to his knees before Su Zheng!

“Divine Doctor Su, I’m a scoundrel. Please, I beg you, save me!”

Everyone present stared in disbelief. None of them had ever imagined the always arrogant and domineering Wei the Second would kneel before someone. Everyone knew he relied on a powerful backer in Qingyang City and was always aggressive in their circle. When had he ever knelt to anyone in public?

“Oh? I happen to have a project about to start construction, and I need to cooperate with Haoyuan Trading. I can sign the contract right now, immediately!” Suddenly, as if recalling something, Wei the Second scrambled to his feet and rushed toward the coffee table.

There, Shen Qingqiang was respectfully explaining the contract terms to Chen Muxue, hoping she would sign. For Chen Muxue, today felt like a dream. Shen Qingqiang’s offer this time was to pay in advance, with no requirement for Haoyuan Trading to deliver immediately, yet the payment was to be made in full!

To Chen Muxue, it almost seemed like a fake contract. In this industry, it was always the seller who had to advance the costs, and only after the first batch of waterproof materials was installed could they start chasing payment. Now, Shen Qingqiang was acting as if refusing to pay in advance would be an insult, prompting Chen Muxue to double-check the contract carefully.

After verifying everything was correct, she was just about to sign when Wei the Second ran over.

He shoved Shen Qingqiang aside and forced a smile, uglier than crying, at Chen Muxue. “President Chen, I’ve made up my mind. From now on, all my projects will purchase materials from your company. Let’s sign the contract right now—please, I beg you!”

Chen Muxue’s expression changed slightly, her brow furrowing. “What are you trying to do?”

“President Chen, I’m Wei the Second—just call me Old Wei. Please, don’t misunderstand. I’m the head of Thousand Cities Real Estate, and I want to place a large order for your waterproof materials. You can set the contract terms, I have no objections at all!” Wei the Second’s face was full of anxious respect, afraid she might refuse.

He quickly glanced at the contract on the coffee table, and upon seeing its contents, snatched it up. Taking out his phone, he said as he made the payment, “President Chen, to show my sincerity, Thousand Cities Real Estate will pay upfront—and in full! I’ll start with five million, and add more later!”

As he spoke, he really did transfer the payment to Haoyuan Trading, even showing Chen Muxue his phone with a look of nervous anticipation.

Chen Muxue was utterly stunned. For years, she’d had to chase after every small order to boost the company’s performance, often making several trips for each one. This situation was beyond anything she’d ever dared to imagine.

“Old Wei, what’s your rush? Don’t you know first come, first served? Step aside, my contract with President Chen isn’t finished yet!” Seeing what was happening, Shen Qingqiang refused to be outdone. He squeezed past Wei the Second and, noticing Chen Muxue’s hesitation, followed suit—immediately transferring the agreed contract amount.

Chen Muxue was both surprised and delighted, momentarily unable to keep up with the turn of events.

Having made his transfer, Wei the Second felt reassured. He agreed with Chen Muxue to send someone over with the contract later, then hurried back to the banquet table.

“Divine Doctor Su, I swear, as long as Thousand Cities Real Estate still operates, Haoyuan Trading will always be our most trusted supplier. Please, I beg you, save my worthless life!”

He was now utterly in awe of Su Zheng. To have identified his symptoms so precisely in such a short time was already deeply shocking. Moreover, he could sense that Su Zheng truly had the ability to cure him.

“Ah, what a bother. Fine. But let me be clear: your illness won’t be cured overnight. It will require multiple treatments. Sit still, and I’ll control the spread of the toxins for now.”

Su Zheng had, of course, noticed Wei the Second’s proactive approach with Chen Muxue. After a moment’s thought, he decided it wouldn’t hurt to cure him as a matter of convenience.

Wei the Second was overjoyed, sitting up straight as a rod, barely daring to breathe, waiting for Su Zheng’s treatment.

The others looked on with curiosity, eager to see how Su Zheng would treat him. After all, this was a banquet, and surely Su Zheng hadn’t brought any medical instruments—otherwise, it would have seemed premeditated.

Ignoring the curious glances, Su Zheng stepped over to Wei the Second, formed his fingers into a strange gesture, and struck a spot on his neck with considerable force.

A crisp “smack” echoed through the room, lingering in the air. Everyone was startled, unable to fathom why such a clear sound would come from Su Zheng’s fingers striking Wei the Second, echoing like a mountain stream crashing onto rocks—crisp, pleasant, resonant.

Without pause, Su Zheng continued tapping down along Wei the Second’s spine, stopping only at his lower back, where he then massaged two points at the waist.

Wei the Second’s expression began to change. It was as if a fire was burning within him, his face flushing red and sweat beading on his forehead.

The others looked on in astonishment, their gazes toward Su Zheng filling with admiration and respect.

“Divine Doctor, my whole body feels so hot!” Wei the Second’s face was flushed, and unable to bear it any longer, he cried out.

“Endure it. Hold your breath. If you cry out and lose your breath, I won’t be able to save you!” Su Zheng admonished him sternly, then nonchalantly returned to his seat after finishing the sequence of techniques.

Wei the Second dared not speak again, his cheeks puffed out, eyes bulging wide, gritting through the searing heat inside him without making a sound.

After about five minutes, Su Zheng nodded at him. “Alright, now exhale that breath from your chest. Let’s see what’s changed.”

Wei the Second, who had been breathing only through his nose, immediately opened his mouth and forcefully expelled a cloud of black vapor.