9:10 AM.

「The Living Room」

"Dad, are you really okay now?"

After coming out of his room, Zhou Qingzhi looked at Zhou Hongsheng in amazement. Zhou Hongsheng's current energetic and lively appearance, compared to his previously frail state, made him seem like a completely different person.

Xu Ke's medical skills were simply too astonishing!

"Not fully recovered yet," Zhou Hongsheng shook his head. "I still need to replenish my Qi and blood. For the next few days, get me a batch of medicinal herbs from the group at cost."

"Yes!" Zhou Qingzhi nodded.

Seeing this, Duan Chongfeng smiled and seized the opportunity to chime in, "Elder Master Zhou, I happen to have some top-quality medicinal herbs. How about I bring them over for you tomorrow?"

He certainly wouldn't miss a chance to get on good terms with the Zhou Family.

Zhou Hongsheng waved his hand with a smile. "Chongfeng, I understand your kind intentions. But you bringing Xu Ke to me is already something I'm very grateful for. So, you can keep your medicinal herbs. Instead, go pick something from our group's inventory to take with you. Don't refuse—it's a token of my gratitude."

"Ouyang Hao, you go too! And Qi Ya, if you want anything, just tell Yiyi. If not, go pick some medicinal herbs from our group's pharmacy as well."

He had seen firsthand the effort Xu Ke had put in to save him. He wanted to express his deep gratitude not only to Xu Ke, but also to those who had brought Xu Ke to his side.

Upon hearing this, Duan Chongfeng, Ouyang Hao, and Wang Qiya were taken aback. "That's really not necessary, Elder Master Zhou!"

"None of you are to refuse!" Zhou Xiuyun said with a warm smile. "Doctor Xu saved my father's life, and you all played a part in that."

Ouyang Hao and Wang Qiya still wanted to decline politely, but Zhou Qingzhi waved it off. "Don't be polite, it's settled!"

Since Zhou Qingzhi had spoken, they felt it would be rude to refuse. Afterward, they started chatting again.

At that moment, the perceptive Wang Qiya noticed that Zhou Yiyi had been silent the entire time and couldn't help but ask, "Yiyi, what's wrong?"

Startled out of her daze, Zhou Yiyi quickly changed the subject. "No, it's nothing. Have you decided what you want?"

Wang Qiya's attention was diverted. "No, that's alright. My brother-in-law was coming anyway, I just tagged along."

She wouldn't admit that she had actually come to "protect" him, afraid he might be insulted.

"Just think about it..." Zhou Yiyi smiled.

But inwardly, she was not as calm as she appeared. To be honest, she hadn't believed Xu Ke was truly that capable. Only after seeing her grandfather completely healed did she realize that Xu Ke's medical skills were truly heaven-defying. The more this was true, however, the more she felt justified in warning Wang Qiya to be wary of him. In her opinion, if Xu Ke was so capable, why did he compromise with Ye Chong? Why didn't he just call the Duan and Ouyang families to apply pressure together back then? With so many factions united, would he still need to compromise with Ye Chong? Would he still need to go out of his way to heal Ye Chong's Dantian? It would be absurd if there wasn't something shady between him and Ye Chong!

The thought solidified her conviction: she had to warn Wang Qiya to be careful about Xu Ke getting too close to the Wang Family's inner circle. But Xu Ke had just performed a great service. If she voiced her concerns now, she would surely lose Wang Qiya as a best friend. She would have to wait a while longer.

...

As Wang Qiya and Zhou Yiyi chatted, the others were also talking amongst themselves. Zhou Hongsheng turned to Duan Chongfeng. "By the way, Chongfeng, the way you addressed Doctor Xu just now seemed a bit... unusual."

"Haha, that's right!" Duan Chongfeng laughed. "A few days ago, I became sworn brothers with Xu Ke."

Although they hadn't held a formal ceremony, in his heart, Xu Ke was well and truly his younger brother.

Everyone was stunned. The members of the Zhou Family and Ouyang Hao exchanged shocked glances. The implications of this were immense!

Everyone knew Xu Ke was affiliated with the Wang Family. With this new development, could it be that the Da Peng Trading Company and the Duan Family of Long Capital behind Duan Chongfeng—who never got involved in Tianhai's affairs—were about to form an alliance with the Wang Family? Was the power balance in Tianhai about to shift?

"Please, don't worry," Duan Chongfeng said, sensing their questions. "My relationship with my younger brother is a personal one. The Da Peng Trading Company and the Duan Family's positions remain unchanged; we are simply respectable merchants here to conduct business and pay our taxes. We won't get involved in the affairs of the six great families."

The crowd was speechless. Zhou Hongsheng gave a meaningful smile. "Of course, of course."

You can say that, but that doesn't mean we believe you! In any case, one thing Zhou Hongsheng was sure of was that regardless of the Wang Family's power, Xu Ke's own strength was formidable. He was backed by the Medical Saint, the Wang Family, and the Duan Family... Even he, Zhou Hongsheng, now owed Xu Ke a massive favor. It was hard to imagine just how many factions stood behind Xu Ke, and how terrifying his power and influence might become. As Zhou Hongsheng considered this, a few ideas began to form in his mind.

...

While everyone was chatting, Wang Wu arrived.

Seeing Wang Wu, Zhou Hongsheng stood. "Mister Wu!"

Wang Wu smiled. "Family Head Zhou, no need for such formalities." He then looked at Wang Qiya. "Second Miss, where is Mister Xu?"

When Wang Wu had first received the news, he was nearly scared out of his wits, thinking Sun Luo had made a comeback. But he later found out that Xu Ke had come to the Zhou Family's home to save someone and had fainted from exhaustion.

"He's upstairs, Uncle Wu," Wang Qiya said, immediately moving to Wang Wu's side.

Wang Wu nodded and looked at Zhou Hongsheng. "Thank you, Family Head Zhou, for taking care of Mister Xu."

"Don't be so formal. Doctor Xu saved my life. I haven't even had the chance to thank you all properly."

Wang Wu smiled. "You're too kind, Family Head Zhou. In that case, we'll take Mister Xu back now."

He had come to pick Xu Ke up.

"That won't do." But just as Wang Wu was about to move, Zhou Hongsheng shook his head. "It's not a good time to move Doctor Xu; he needs to rest."

"Yes, Mister Wu," Duan Chongfeng stood up. "Xu Ke just had a breakthrough. Moving him now could cause adverse effects."

Wang Wu's eyes widened slightly. "A breakthrough?"

Wu Ming added from the side, "Yes, he just reached the Postnatal Late Stage."

Wang Wu was stunned. "That fast?!"

Was Xu Ke's cultivation speed like a rocket?

"Yes," Duan Chongfeng nodded. "So, Mister Wu, it's best for Xu Ke to rest at the Zhou Family's home tonight."

"But..." Wang Wu hesitated. "Then let me stay here and watch over Mister Xu for the night."

Rest at the Zhou Family's home? Wang Wu couldn't help but feel worried.

The other members of the Zhou Family also understood it was impossible for Wang Wu to trust them completely, so they were about to agree.

But at that moment, Duan Chongfeng suddenly stepped forward. "But then the Second Miss would have to return alone, wouldn't she? That's too dangerous. Let me keep watch over Xu Ke tonight!"

Wang Wu was taken aback. "That would be too much trouble for you."

He knew about the good relationship between Duan Chongfeng and Xu Ke. After all, he clearly remembered how Duan Chongfeng had "chided" the Wang Family when Li Lang was humiliated.

"It's no trouble at all," Duan Chongfeng said with a slight smile. "Besides, Xu Ke needs the protection of a powerful Martial Artist right now, and I am perfectly suited for the task."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Boss Duan! I'll leave Mister Xu in your care for now and come pick him up tomorrow."

Since the offer was made, Wang Wu had no choice but to agree.

"Rest assured, he's in good hands with me," Duan Chongfeng said cheerfully.

Afterward, Wang Wu exchanged a few more pleasantries with them before taking his leave with Wang Qiya.

...

They exited the mansion, got into the car, and drove away from the Zhou estate.

"Uncle Wu, does my sister know about my brother-in-law fainting?" Wang Qiya asked the moment she got into the car.

Wang Wu replied, "When I left, I told her I was just picking you up. The Eldest Miss shouldn't know."

Wang Qiya sighed in relief. "That's good."

If her sister found out her brother-in-law had ended up in this state saving someone, they would both surely be grounded. Then, Wang Qiya looked down at her phone.

"By the way, Second Miss, do you know what happened to Mister Xu just now?"

Wang Wu couldn't figure out how Xu Ke had managed to achieve a breakthrough right after treating a patient... He had never heard of a Martial Artist breaking through like that.

But Wang Qiya didn't respond. When Wang Wu glanced at the rearview mirror, his expression changed drastically. In the mirror, all the color had drained from Wang Qiya's face.

Her lips trembled. "Bro... brother-in-law's in trouble!"

"What happened?!" Wang Wu exclaimed, hastily braking to a stop on the side of the road.

He had thought something had happened to Xu Ke back at the Zhou Family's home.

Just then, Wang Qiya handed him her phone.

Seeing the news headlines on the screen, Wang Wu's eyes widened—

"Tearful Accusation┃Kept Man Personal Trainer, A Mother-in-Law's Words of Woe!"

"Betrayal┃For Money, Wong Qifu's Fiancé Allegedly Throws His Own Relatives Out?!"

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