Zhou Yi Yi was furious. Tonight, she had started to see Xu Ke in a slightly different light. He had been polite to her at the mansion gates and had even told Wang Qiya he wouldn't hold her actions against her. She'd even begun to wonder if she had misunderstood him at the bar. But now, Xu Ke's single word—'omen'—had shattered that fledgling impression, and her disdain for him reached its peak.

Zhou Qingzhi placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder, stopping her from saying anything irrational. He then stared at Xu Ke. "Dr. Xu, my father may have wronged you, and you can take it out on me, his son. But aren't some of your words a bit too excessive?"

If not for the fact that Xu Ke had saved Xiao Jie, he would have thrown him out right then and there.

"Doctor Xu, if my father has done something wrong, you can direct your anger at us, his children. But why say something like that?" Zhou Xiuyun said coldly. "Do you really think the Zhou Family can be bullied?"

Ouyang Hao quickly tried to smooth things over. "Qingzhi, Doctor Xu may have misspoken. I apologize on his behalf."

After all, he was the one who had invited Xu Ke. If any trouble arose, he had to take responsibility.

Wang Qiya rushed forward. "Brother-in-law, apologize to Elder Zhou. Should we leave first?" She could see that Xu Ke's words had ignited a powder keg, setting everyone off. With the crowd so incensed, she didn't dare let him stay any longer.

But Xu Ke just smiled. "My apologies, everyone. Those words were indeed unpleasant."

Hearing Xu Ke apologize, the expressions on the Zhou family's faces softened slightly. But his next sentence made them sour again. "However, I was telling the truth."

"What exactly are you trying to say?" Zhou Yi Yi was utterly furious.

At that moment, the old man who had tried to show them out earlier stood before Xu Ke, exuding an intimidating aura. "Dr. Xu, if you have any further complaints, please voice them after you leave. The Elder Master needs his rest."

Xu Ke smiled faintly. "I have no complaints. I just want to ask Elder Master Zhou one thing. Did your health not begin to decline drastically after this Ruby Ring appeared on your hand?"

As he finished speaking, everyone froze.

A ring? What did this have to do with a ring?

Zhou Yi Yi laughed in fury. "Xu Ke, are you still trying to play the mystic? If you're not allowed to perform a diagnosis, then just leave. Why do you have to stay here spouting superstitious nonsense about omens and rings?"

"Dr. Xu, my patience has its limits…" Zhou Qingzhi's restraint was at its breaking point.

Wang Qiya's face paled, and she quickly stepped forward to tug at the corner of Xu Ke's shirt.

Duan Chongfeng held his breath. Damn it... At this rate, forget about asking the Zhou Family to help my little brother against the Ye and Huang Families. It's a question of whether we can even walk out the front gate safely.

But just then, a voice cut through the angry shouts.

"Dr. Xu, what do you mean by that?"

Everyone whipped their heads around in shock, their eyes widening. At some point, Zhou Hongsheng, who had been lying motionless with his eyes closed, had sat up. He was now staring at Xu Ke in shock and disbelief.

Seeing this, the family couldn't help but gasp. When had they ever seen their father so rattled?

"It's simple," Xu Ke said. "If you think about the timing, I believe you already know the answer in your heart." Then, he added meaningfully, "This item most likely came from a tomb. If you take it off now and cooperate with me completely, you can still be saved."

Zhou Hongsheng's expression changed drastically. He even knows about the tomb?

His face grew tense. "I can still be saved?!"

Xu Ke nodded. "That's right."

Zhou Hongsheng's expression shifted for a long moment before he suddenly swung his legs off the bed. Zhou Xiuyun and Zhou Yi Yi rushed to support him. Once he was standing steady, just as everyone wondered what he was about to do, he made a move nobody expected.

Zhou Hongsheng bowed deeply. "Doctor Xu, please forgive my earlier offense."

Everyone's eyes went wide. Zhou Hongsheng apologized?

Xu Ke strode forward and supported Zhou Hongsheng. "Elder Master Zhou, there's no need for this."

But Zhou Hongsheng shook his head. "It was my fault for disrespecting you."

Xu Ke smiled. "Elder Master Zhou, please don't say that. Curing your illness is the priority right now."

As he spoke, everyone finally understood. Xu Ke had seen the cause of Zhou Hongsheng's illness from the very beginning.

Zhou Yi Yi's face burned with embarrassment. It was another metaphorical slap in the face from Xu Ke. Zhou Xiuyun and Zhou Qingzhi exchanged a look, both at a loss. After all, they had just been about to kick the man out. Still, what Xu Ke had said was indeed harsh.

Ouyang Hao breathed a sigh of relief, thankful he had played the peacemaker.

Now, none of them knew if they should be the first to apologize.

Meanwhile, Wang Qiya's face was glowing with pride. My brother-in-law is amazing!

Duan Chongfeng now wore a strange smile. Nicely played, little brother. You had an ace up your sleeve all along!

At that moment, Zhou Hongsheng suddenly spoke. "The rest of you, leave. Doctor Xu will stay. Stop standing around gawking."

"Yes!" Zhou Qingzhi hurriedly agreed.

As Zhou Xiuyun helped her father back to the bed, she looked at Xu Ke. "I'm sorry, Dr. Xu..."

"It's nothing, Aunt Yun. My words were unpleasant, I admit," Xu Ke interrupted her. "But it was necessary to make Elder Master Zhou listen." His words had been for Zhou Hongsheng's ears; it was only natural for his children to react that way.

Gratitude filled Zhou Xiuyun's eyes. "Then we'll have to trouble you, Doctor Xu!" As expected, Doctor Xu is as magnanimous as ever.

Zhou Yi Yi, her face flushed with shame, stammered, "Xu Ke, I..."

"It's fine. You should all go out now." Xu Ke waved his hand. "And remember to tell Qi Ya to wait for me."

Zhou Yi Yi nodded quickly.

Just as everyone was about to leave, Zhou Hongsheng called out, "Chongfeng..."

"Yes, Elder Master? I'm here. What is it?" Duan Chongfeng stopped and turned around.

Zhou Hongsheng coughed twice. "Please, convey my apologies to the Divine Doctor who cured you. If he arrives, you might have to trouble him to wait outside for a while. Make sure he doesn't leave. I have important matters to consult with him about."

With that, all eyes fell on Duan Chongfeng. The question was how to make such a Divine Doctor wait patiently.

But Duan Chongfeng found himself choking on his words. A deeply awkward expression spread across his face. "Well... Elder Master Zhou, I don't think that will be necessary."

Zhou Qingzhi quickly added, "Yes, will this Divine Doctor make any difficult requests? Rest assured, the Zhou family will do our best to assist. Please, Boss Duan, grant my father's wish."

Duan Chongfeng glanced at Xu Ke. "That's not the reason..."

Xu Ke's expression was also rather strange. He hadn't said anything when he first came in because he didn't want the Zhou family to think he was showing off. Then he had been too focused on the Ruby Ring to speak up. Now, having missed several opportunities, Xu Ke could only pretend to be absorbed in taking out his silver needles.

"Then what is the reason?" everyone else demanded, growing anxious. Why is the boss of Dapeng Commerce being so hesitant?

Duan Chongfeng pointed at Xu Ke, who was pretending to be busy with his silver needles, and laughed dryly. "There's no reason. Because Xu Ke is the very doctor who cured me. He's already here."

As he spoke, everyone stared in astonishment. "Really?"

Xu Ke coughed twice. "Yes... that was me."

The anxious crowd instantly fell silent.

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