Chapter 23: Cold Words and Cold Looks

Jiang Hao ignored him and continued speaking to Professor Chen, “Professor Chen, no matter what, you are much older than me. It really isn’t appropriate for me to take you as my disciple. If there’s a chance in the future, we can communicate as equals, exchange medical knowledge, and explore the mysteries of medicine together. As for becoming master and disciple, let’s drop that idea.”

“This…”

Disappointment clouded Chen Guang’s face, but Jiang Hao’s tone was resolute.

“Besides, accepting a disciple shouldn’t be forced—it’s a matter of fate. I can’t just accept you because you kneel before me and pressure me, right? That would be forcing someone against their will.”

Jiang Hao had made himself clear, so Chen Guang had no choice but to rise from the ground, feeling rather embarrassed.

“All right, I understand. Mr. Jiang, please promise me that you’ll share your medical expertise with me in the future whenever you have time!” Chen Guang pleaded earnestly.

“That’s certain,” Jiang Hao nodded in agreement.

Having said that, Jiang Hao turned to look at Pan Yixuan standing nearby.

“Why are you still here? Are you expecting me to buy you dinner? Get lost, young master of the Pan family—I have no interest in talking to you.”

Jiang Hao’s words made Pan Yixuan’s forehead veins bulge with rage.

But so what?

What could he possibly do to Jiang Hao?

Pan Yixuan glared furiously at Jiang Hao, then at Chen Guang, who stood before Jiang Hao with respectful deference. He shouted angrily, “You… you just wait and see! This isn’t the end of things today!”

Having thrown out that threat, Pan Yixuan left in disgrace, his departing figure resembling a defeated rooster, utterly humiliated.

“We should leave as well,” Su Qingli suddenly spoke up, addressing the members of the Su family present.

Su Tianming wanted to say something, but after glancing at the matriarch, he held his tongue.

The old lady of the Su family turned to Jiang Hao, her expression complicated. “Jiang Hao, you saved my life today. Consider it a favor the Su family owes you. But the matter of your divorce from Qingli is non-negotiable. Think it over carefully.”

With those words, the matriarch led the way out.

Su Tianming shot Jiang Hao a vicious look before turning to follow the matriarch, and the other members of the Su family trailed after her as well.

Zhang Liping seemed as if she wanted to speak, but Su Qingli gave her a gentle push, urging her to leave too.

The only Su family member still present was Su Qingli.

Looking at Jiang Hao, Su Qingli sighed helplessly. “So much has happened today. It feels like I’m dreaming…”

“What’s the point in saying any of that?”

Jiang Hao replied bluntly.

Hearing this, Su Qingli’s expression became exceptionally desolate.

After a moment’s hesitation, she finally asked, “Jiang Hao, are you truly determined to divorce me?”

“Of course.”

Jiang Hao turned away, his back to her.

“You won’t reconsider? Maybe… maybe things aren’t exactly how you think…”

Su Qingli spoke hesitantly, taking half a minute to finish her brief sentence.

Jiang Hao gave her no quarter, his voice cold, “What do you mean, things aren’t as I think? What are you trying to say? Forget it—there’s nothing more to discuss. Our fate together is over. I’ll move out soon, and once the divorce papers are signed, we’ll be strangers.”

Su Qingli raised her hand to rub her eyes, sighed deeply, and began to walk away, heading toward the ancestral home of the Su family.

Their relationship had grown so strained that she couldn’t possibly stay here tonight.

Once Su Qingli had gone, only Jiang Hao and Chen Guang remained.

After a moment’s hesitation, Chen Guang spoke, “Mr. Jiang, that Miss Su is your wife, isn’t she? I don’t know exactly what’s happened between you two, but I can tell she still has feelings for you.”

“Feelings? If she truly had feelings for me, would she have plotted to kill me?”

Jiang Hao’s voice was icy.

Plotted to kill him?

Chen Guang was startled by this revelation.

He adjusted his silver-rimmed glasses nervously. “I didn’t expect things to be so complicated between you. I won’t comment further… Mr. Jiang, I’ll be staying in Maple Leaf City for a while. If you have time, please contact me. I’d very much like to discuss and exchange medical insights with you.”

With that, Chen Guang handed Jiang Hao his business card, picked up his exquisitely crafted medical case, and hurried away.

Su Family Ancestral Home.

The matriarch sat in the grand master’s chair, while Su Tianming used a damp cloth to clean away the bloodstains on her clothing—remnants from the treatment that had caused her to cough up blood.

“What should we do about Jiang Hao?” the matriarch asked after sipping her tea.

Su Tianming responded immediately, “Isn’t it obvious? He should divorce Qingli as soon as possible! He keeps saying he wants a divorce, and we want them separated, too. Since that’s the case, let’s handle it quickly and not drag it out.”

“But Qingli doesn’t want to…”

A member of the Su family spoke hesitantly.

“That’s not up to her—we’ll make the decision for her.” Zhang Liping, Su Qingli’s mother, replied sharply, her voice piercing. She shot a glare at Su Qingli, forbidding her to speak.

Su Qingli didn’t bother arguing.

She lowered her head, unwilling to say or hear anything, her heart a tangled mess.

So much had happened in such a short span, one event after another, but what shocked her most was the transformation in Jiang Hao.

In just this brief time, Jiang Hao seemed like a different person entirely—a change she found hard to accept.

The old Jiang Hao had no abilities, but he was mild-mannered and obedient, always listening to her.

But now, Jiang Hao had grown capable and temperamental, no longer accommodating her as he once did.

Which Jiang Hao was better? Su Qingli honestly couldn’t say.

Most importantly, Jiang Hao himself wanted a divorce.

That made things difficult.

It seemed, even if she didn’t want to part ways, the marriage couldn’t be saved.

But was there truly no way to salvage it?

The matriarch sighed from her grand chair. “This Jiang Hao seems to have gained remarkable skills, learning some mysterious medical arts from who knows where…”

“So what? Even if he has extraordinary abilities, if he doesn’t serve the Su family, he’s useless to us!” Su Tianming said coldly.

“That’s true.”

“And that fellow is far too unruly—he doesn’t respect us at all.”

“Exactly, it’s outrageous! We can’t control someone like that; he’s completely unmanageable!”

“We might as well let him divorce Qingli early, so we don’t have to worry anymore.”

The Su family members chattered on, each voicing criticism of Jiang Hao’s shortcomings.

At that moment, Su Qingli suddenly looked up at the matriarch and said, “Grandmother, though Jiang Hao saved your life today, your illness isn’t cured yet, is it? Maybe, in the future, you’ll still need him…”