Chapter 22: Pride in the Nation

Jerry Chen’s sudden act of kneeling stunned everyone present. The members of the Su family stared at him in disbelief, while Ethan Pan was so furious it seemed he might explode.

Jerry Chen was a world-class medical professor, an expert who had studied abroad and returned with honors, and the Pan family’s esteemed private physician. Yet now, in front of so many people, he was kneeling to Hao Jiang, earnestly begging to be accepted as his disciple? Was this some kind of joke?

Ethan Pan strode over, grabbing Jerry Chen’s shoulder, intent on pulling him up. But Jerry’s knees seemed rooted to the floor—no matter how hard Ethan tugged, he wouldn’t budge.

“Jerry Chen, have you lost your mind?” Ethan shouted, his anger barely contained.

“Young Master Pan, I am perfectly sane,” Jerry replied, lifting his head to speak calmly to Ethan. “If you’re so clear-headed, then why are you kneeling to Hao Jiang, begging that… that bastard to take you as his disciple? What right does he have?”

Even now, Ethan still insulted Hao Jiang. Su Qingli instantly felt displeased, and a surge of anger rose within Hao as well.

But Jerry Chen cut in sternly, “Young Master Pan, mind your words! Mr. Jiang cured a patient I couldn’t save—that alone proves his medical skill surpasses mine. I may be an expert in Western medicine, and Mr. Jiang in traditional Chinese medicine, but whether it’s East or West, the ultimate goal is to heal the patient. For that, he deserves respect!”

“Nonsense!” Ethan roared, arrogance dripping from his voice.

Su Qingli glared at Ethan, her voice cold with anger. “Ethan Pan, show some respect! I haven’t even divorced Hao Jiang yet—he’s still my husband! If you speak that way again, please leave. You are not welcome here.”

In the past, if Su Qingli had dared speak so, the entire Su family would have objected in unison. Zhang Liping would certainly have leapt up to scold her. But now, with Hao Jiang having saved the old matriarch and earned the family’s deep gratitude, no one uttered a word in his defense.

Ethan Pan stared at Su Qingli, stunned. “Qingli, weren’t you going to divorce him today? And I’m the eldest son of the Pan family—how am I inferior to him?”

“It’s simple,” Su Qingli replied bluntly. “He saved my grandmother, and your people couldn’t. That alone makes you no match for him.”

Her words left Ethan speechless. Enraged, his whole body shook, fists clenched as if he wanted to lash out, but he didn’t dare raise his hand.

After a long pause, he remembered himself and barked at Jerry Chen, “You’re our family’s private physician, under contract with us! I order you to get up at once and come with me!”

But Jerry merely shook his head.

“How dare you defy me? I’ll fire you, do you hear?” Ethan jabbed a finger at Jerry’s nose, threatening him.

Jerry was unperturbed. “Young Master Pan, if you fire me, I would honestly be delighted! I am, after all, a medical professor. Without the Pan family, I’ll have no trouble making a living elsewhere. Besides, something matters more than money now—learning Chinese medicine from Mr. Jiang!”

He turned to Hao Jiang, his voice trembling with excitement. “Mr. Jiang, I hope you see my sincerity. Please accept me as your disciple and teach me your art! I swear to heaven, without your permission I will never reveal your medical secrets. I am willing to be your assistant from now on, and I’ll expect no salary!”

With that, Jerry bowed low until his forehead touched the cold floor.

He was kowtowing to Hao Jiang!

Even Hao was taken aback—he’d never expected Jerry Chen’s reaction to be so intense. All he’d done was pull the old matriarch back from a false death; was this really necessary?

What Hao didn’t realize was that traditional Chinese medicine from the Middle Kingdom was renowned worldwide and shrouded in mystery. Countless foreign doctors had devoted years to studying its depths, yet failed to grasp its essence.

Now, with such a golden opportunity before him, Jerry Chen was determined to seize it.

“Mr. Jiang, I beg you, please take me as your disciple. I am willing to kowtow to you!” Jerry pleaded, bowing again.

Hao Jiang, coming to his senses, hurried to help Jerry up, but Jerry simply refused to rise.

“Mr. Jiang, unless you agree to take me as your disciple, I will not get up! I’ll kneel here all day if I have to!”

Hao couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

The Su family members exchanged glances, their expressions complex. They had come here today intending to embarrass Hao Jiang, yet now, far from being shamed, he was the center of attention—even Jerry Chen, the world-renowned professor, was kneeling to him, desperate to become his student.

What greater honor could there be?

Su Tianming watched, green with envy, wishing he could trade places with Hao Jiang. As for Su Qingli, her heart was filled with bittersweet emotion. The once useless, good-for-nothing Hao Jiang had suddenly become so formidable, so outstanding, even exuding an air of mystery and depth. Was he really the same man she had known?

While each person’s thoughts ran wild, Hao Jiang felt caught in a dilemma. Was he really to take Jerry Chen as his disciple?

After a moment’s consideration, he looked at Jerry Chen seriously. “Professor Jerry, you’re from China, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I am,” Jerry replied.

“What’s your real name? Honestly, I don’t care for your foreign name,” Hao pressed.

Without hesitation, Jerry answered, “My name is Chen Guang. ‘Jerry Chen’ was a name my teacher gave me when I studied overseas.”

“I see,” Hao mused. “But even so, you must remember who you are. As a Chinese, you should use your real name with pride, not flaunt a foreign one as if it’s an honor. Frankly, that’s shameful. Anyone who doesn’t know you would think you’re trying to curry favor with foreigners.”

Hao’s expression grew stern.

Ethan Pan sneered, “What does it matter what name he prefers? That’s none of your business.”

But before he could finish, Jerry Chen spoke earnestly, “Mr. Jiang, you’re right. I was wrong. From now on, I will never use my foreign name in public again. I am Chinese, and I should be proud of it.”

“That’s more like it,” Hao Jiang said, clapping Chen Guang on the shoulder with a smile.

Ethan Pan stood by, his face ashen with rage, lips trembling.