Zhang Qiming, a man who wouldn't even give the six major families the time of day, now wore a cold, unapproachable expression. One look and it was obvious he wasn't someone Xu Ke had arranged!

Lin Chu's heart was filled with immense panic.

Meanwhile, the cameraman nearby curled his lip into a cold sneer. "Looks like someone has a guilty conscience."

Seeing the panic on Lin Chu's face, he was almost certain the person on the ground was just faking it.

Lin Chu and Li Li ignored the cameraman. Their faces were fraught with anxiety as they watched Zhang Qiming begin to examine Qiang Zi.

When Qiang Zi saw Zhang Qiming approaching, My heart! It's practically stopping and starting, beating in erratic bursts... It's about to leap out of my throat!

The scene suddenly fell silent.

Less than half a minute later, Zhang Qiming stood up.

At the sight of this, everyone's expression changed. The results are in!

Zhang Qiming's face was dark as he glared at the crowd, gritting his teeth. "Look at what you've all done!"

His words left everyone stunned.

"You unscrupulous journalists! Chasing a big story every day without any regard for people's lives and safety."

"If I hadn't arrived when I did, it would have been too late!"

"I'm telling you, every single media outlet present today, every last one of you, is an accomplice in nearly causing a man's death."

Zhang Qiming was livid. At his words, everyone's face turned pale.

Qiang Zi... he's really sick!

"Dr. Zhang..." someone stammered. "Could you have made a mistake?!"

Some reporters wanted to step forward and explain. If Dr. Zhang confirmed that Qiang Zi was genuinely ill and that their aggressive questioning had caused the medical episode, they would have no way to defend themselves.

But Zhang Qiming roared, "Are you all not going to get out of my way? Do you want to delay this patient's trip to the hospital?!"

At his words, everyone's expression changed drastically, and they scrambled to make way.

If their attempts to argue with Dr. Zhang resulted in Qiang Zi dying right there on the ground... not a single one of them would get away with it.

"A family member of the patient, one of you come with me!" Zhang Qiming said with a grave expression.

The paramedics got out of the ambulance and hastily lifted the still-convulsing Qiang Zi onto a stretcher.

Lin Chu just stared blankly. What in the world is going on? Could Qiang Zi really have some hidden illness that even he doesn't know about?

"Ah Chu, you should go with Dr. Zhang by yourself," Li Li whispered to Lin Chu. She was afraid that if she got into the ambulance with Qiang Zi, Dr. Zhang would see that she was acting.

"Okay." Lin Chu nodded.

After Lin Chu and Qiang Zi were in the ambulance, Zhang Qiming left the reporters with a parting threat. "You bastards. I will absolutely report what happened here today."

With that, Zhang Qiming turned and got into the ambulance.

BANG!

The door slammed shut.

The ambulance drove away from the urban village.

Watching the ambulance disappear, the reporters' faces turned ashen. They were scared out of their wits.

We've really gotten into deep trouble this time!

They hurriedly fled the urban village. They needed to rush back to their headquarters and figure out a solution!

「Inside the ambulance.」

Zhang Qiming, Qiang Zi, and Lin Chu were alone in the back. Lin Chu was filled with trepidation. "Doctor..."

He didn't know why Dr. Zhang was cooperating with them, but at least he knew they were safe now. Still, his heart pounded with anxiety.

Just then, Zhang Qiming suddenly looked at Lin Chu with a grin. "So, you're Xu Ke's classmate?"

Lin Chu was stunned. Is this really Zhang Qiming? His attitude is completely different from the icy demeanor he had just now!

"Y-yes, I am," Lin Chu stammered.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both. I'm Zhang Qiming." He held out his hand warmly.

Lin Chu's eyes widened slightly. Zhang Qiming is the most renowned doctor in all of Tianhai! To be approached so friendly by the man himself left Lin Chu feeling utterly flattered.

"Dr. Zhang, hello. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Lin Chu." Lin Chu hurriedly shook his hand.

Zhang Qiming then looked over at Qiang Zi, who was still on the stretcher, completely immersed in his role and giving an occasional twitch. He chuckled. "Your classmate is quite the actor. To stay so committed even after getting in the ambulance is truly remarkable."

Lin Chu flushed with embarrassment.

So, Dr. Zhang knew everything after all.

Qiang Zi, who had still been twitching, suddenly went rigid. He drew back his neck, pulled in his flailing limbs, slowly closed his mouth, and sat up, looking rather abashed.

He scratched his head. "Sorry, Dr. Zhang. Thanks for playing along with us."

He and Lin Chu exchanged a silent glance, a flash of understanding passing between them. If they still hadn't figured out by now that Dr. Zhang was sent by Xu Ke, they were probably beyond help.

"Don't worry about it," Zhang Qiming said with a faint smile. "Though it must have been tough for you, having to fake an illness all night."

"I'm fine," Qiang Zi said, rubbing his nose.

Lin Chu then hesitated for a moment before speaking up. "Dr. Zhang, there's something I was hoping to ask, if it's not inconvenient..."

"Go ahead."

"Well... Dr. Zhang, why did you agree to cooperate with our plan?"

He figured it was probably a secret between Xu Ke and Dr. Zhang, but he was just too curious. Why would Zhang Qiming—a man of unwavering integrity who ignores even the six major families—agree to help Xu Ke put on a fake show?

Hearing this, Zhang Qiming burst into laughter, visibly thrilled. "Because I am my Master's apprentice!" he said, practically buzzing with excitement.

His words fell on deaf ears. Lin Chu was completely baffled. Being your Master's apprentice... isn't that perfectly normal? What does that have to do with you helping Xu Ke?

Qiang Zi looked just as confused.

Seeing their bewildered faces, Zhang Qiming realized that in his excitement, he had spoken in riddles. He chuckled. "My apologies, my apologies. I didn't explain myself clearly."

"What I mean is, I am Xu Ke's apprentice," he clarified. "And as his apprentice, when my Master is in need, it's only natural for me to help!"

At his words, the eyes of both Lin Chu and Qiang Zi flew wide open.

The most famous doctor in Tianhai is Xu Ke's apprentice? What in the world is going on?!

While Lin Chu and Qiang Zi were reeling from this shock in the ambulance, the reporters were just starting to flee the urban village.

Once the reporters had dispersed, Li Li led the others downstairs and out of the urban village. When they reached a spot where no one was watching, Li Li called Xu Ke. "Xu Ke, what now? Lin Chu and Qiang Zi are still in the ambulance."

From his balcony, Xu Ke smiled. "Don't worry, they're both fine."

"Really?"

"Of course," Xu Ke replied with certainty.

Hearing his assured tone, Li Li finally felt her anxious heart settle. "Okay, that's good then," she said, relieved.

Xu Ke then said, "Li Li, you all should get going. I'll treat everyone to a meal another day to thank you properly."

"There you go with the formalities again," Li Li replied.

Xu Ke chuckled. After exchanging a few more words, he hung up and sent them some money to get a late-night snack.

After sending the money, Xu Ke looked down as the area below returned to its usual calm. He then stood up and walked back into his room from the balcony.

Then, he made another call.

This time, to Wong Qifu.

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