Chapter 11: Becoming a Disciple

As they watched the heated scene unfold, everyone in the hall stared with wide eyes. Yet Liu Yu and Guan Xiaohé paid no mind to their gazes, their actions growing bolder by the moment.

“Ahem, ahem, ahem…”

Unable to bear it any longer, Old Hu, who stood nearby, coughed loudly. Only then did the elated couple come back to their senses; Liu Yu hurriedly withdrew his hand from his lovely wife’s dress.

“Rogue!” Guan Xiaohé’s face was flushed, her eyes dreamy and alluring as she playfully pushed her husband away, then lowered her head in shyness.

Liu Yu took a deep breath and straightened his trousers, finally regaining his composure. He turned to Xu Yang.

“Mr. Xu… Doctor Xu! Thank you!” Liu Yu spoke with heartfelt gratitude, but feeling that words alone could not convey his feelings, he dropped to his knees before Xu Yang.

Xu Yang reacted swiftly, catching Liu Yu and preventing him from kneeling.

“President Liu, there’s no need for that. It was a small effort on my part.”

“For you, perhaps, but for me, this is nothing less than being given a new life.”

“Mr. Xu, you don’t know what it’s been like. Ever since I fell ill, I haven’t dared return home at night. Lying in bed, I was always on edge.”

“Whenever my wife touched me, I was seized with dread…”

“Ahem!”

Hearing this, Guan Xiaohé’s cheeks reddened further and she coughed loudly, cutting Liu Yu off mid-sentence, leaving him with a trace of embarrassment on his face.

“Husband, stop talking about that. Let’s focus on the important things and then go home,” Guan Xiaohé urged, her face still blushing.

“Ah? Why are you in such a hurry to go home?” Liu Yu asked, not quite catching on.

“You fool, to make up for lost time, of course!” Guan Xiaohé stomped her foot, her face crimson, muttering in a voice as soft as a whisper.

At her words, Liu Yu instinctively looked troubled, but then he recalled that he was now healthy again. Nodding vigorously, he said with excitement, “Don’t worry, darling. This time, when we get home, I’ll be sure to make you happy!”

“Ahem, ahem, ahem!”

The bold words sent Old Hu into another fit of coughing, while the onlookers burst into laughter. Guan Xiaohé wished she could sink into the floor with embarrassment. Liu Yu managed a sheepish smile, then pulled out his checkbook, quickly scribbled an amount, and handed the check to Xu Yang with both hands, bowing respectfully.

“Mr. Xu, thank you so much! You’ve truly given me new life. Here is one hundred and fifty million—please, you must accept it.”

“One hundred million is enough. That was the price you mentioned before,” Xu Yang replied, his heart skipping a beat, but he kept his composure.

“No, you cured me so quickly—it’s a miracle. The extra fifty million is my token of gratitude. Please don’t refuse.”

Seeing Liu Yu’s sincerity, and knowing he was not lacking in wealth, Xu Yang did not insist further and accepted the check.

Afterward, Liu Yu and Guan Xiaohé bowed to Xu Yang again in thanks, exchanged contact information, and then, hand in hand, hurried out of the clinic.

“Hey…” Xu Yang called after them, unable to resist upon seeing the couple’s eagerness.

“What is it?” The couple turned back, puzzled.

“Make up for lost time if you must, but don’t overdo it. Be moderate…” Xu Yang advised. Laughter erupted around them, and even the stern-faced Old Hu’s lips twitched.

Both Liu Yu and his wife bowed deeply to Xu Yang once more before quickly leaving.

Looking down at the check for one hundred and fifty million in his hand, Xu Yang couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion. Just an hour ago, he had been utterly penniless. Now, a fortune he’d never dared imagine had fallen into his lap with such ease.

“Indeed, ever since I inherited the Sovereign’s legacy, my fate has utterly changed…”

Lost in reflection, Xu Yang was suddenly startled by a thud. He looked up to see Old Hu, dressed in a long robe, suddenly kneeling before him.

“What are you doing? Please, get up!” Xu Yang quickly stepped aside and asked instinctively.

Old Hu shook his head, hope shining in his eyes as he looked at Xu Yang.

“Mr. Xu Yang, I was rude earlier. I wish to formally apologize for my words.”

“It was just a misunderstanding; I didn’t take it to heart. Please stand up,” Xu Yang urged, somewhat anxious. Although Old Hu had doubted him earlier, it was only out of concern for the patient, and Xu Yang bore him no grudge.

Yet Old Hu remained adamant, shaking his head resolutely.

“Mr. Xu Yang, I have practiced medicine for over sixty years and always believed myself skilled. Only today did I learn that there is always someone greater. Compared to you, my abilities are nothing but a joke.”

“Mr. Xu, I have an unworthy request—I hope you will grant it!”

“What is it?” Xu Yang asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.

“I wish to become your disciple. If you accept me as your student, I am willing to serve by your side and honor the rites of a pupil!”

“No, absolutely not!” The thought of this elderly man calling him ‘Master’ sent shivers down Xu Yang’s spine. He shook his head repeatedly, but seeing Old Hu’s unwavering determination, he hurried over and forcibly helped him to his feet.

“Mr. Xu, I truly wish to learn medicine from you. Please, give me this chance,” the old man pleaded, clutching Xu Yang’s arm.

Xu Yang felt a headache coming on. He shook his head and said, “Old Hu, accepting a disciple is not something to be done on a whim!”

His words seemed to spark an idea in Old Hu, whose eyes lit up.

“If you think this isn’t the right place, I can book an entire floor at Canton Tower in River City and invite all our colleagues in Chinese medicine and the city’s dignitaries to witness the ceremony.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Xu Yang replied helplessly. Seeing the old man’s stubborn face, he improvised, “Old Hu, it’s not that I don’t want to honor you. It’s just that I cannot disobey my master’s command. My teacher expressly forbade me from accepting disciples before the age of thirty.”

“Ah?” At this, Old Hu was momentarily stunned. He stared at Xu Yang’s youthful face and asked, voice trembling, “Then… Mr. Xu, may I ask your age?”