Chapter Eighteen: Weariness

Two hours later.

Zhao Cuihua rose and fastened her buttons. Her cheeks were flushed, her hair disheveled, and she looked a little tired, but her excitement far outweighed any exhaustion.

“It’s been years since I’ve felt this happy,” she said, looking at Lu Hao with deep satisfaction. “Today, I finally became a woman again. Thank you, Lu Hao. It’s you who helped me regain my confidence in life.”

Lu Hao didn’t respond; he simply lay quietly at the head of the bed, smoke curling through his fingers. Strangely, after all that had happened, he didn’t feel tired at all. He hadn’t bothered to dress, and gazed at Zhao Cuihua, saying, “Cuihua, from today, any grievance you suffer is my grievance. Any loss you endure, I endure with you. From now on, you are my woman.”

She lowered her head and gently leaned against his chest. In that moment, she felt a warmth and reliability she hadn’t experienced in years.

As the two lingered in their tender embrace, Lu Hao became aware that some energy within his body seemed to have changed. The Azure Dragon inheritance he’d received had granted him not only extensive medical knowledge and prescriptions, but also internal and external martial arts, even secret cultivation techniques.

Recently, he’d been practicing the Azure Dragon Breathing Technique, which strengthened his body and broadened his vitality, while enhancing his mental focus. By mimicking the breathing of the Azure Dragon, he’d acquired an energy that circulated within him, which he temporarily named Azure Dragon energy.

“How odd—my Azure Dragon energy feels like it’s swelling, growing stronger,” Lu Hao mused, surprised by the sensation. “Could it be that by joining yin and yang, I can increase my energy?”

He decided to test it again, pulling Zhao Cuihua close. Her cheeks reddened, unsure why his appetite was so insatiable, but she yielded to him.

“Little brother, how long has it been… Aren’t you afraid you’ll wear yourself out?”

“No worries. I’m strong, young, full of vigor.”

Soon, through his dialogue and experience with Zhao Cuihua, Lu Hao confirmed his suspicion: his Azure Dragon energy truly increased through the union of yin and yang with a woman.

At this moment, he felt an inexhaustible strength, as if he could fell an ox with a single blow.

Zhao Cuihua, on the other hand, was now completely spent, barely conscious. Lu Hao had truly worn her out this time.

“Cuihua, forgive me,” Lu Hao said with a wry smile, covering her with a blanket and preparing her a meal before leaving.

He’d just returned home when he saw an icy beauty sitting on his shabby sofa: she wore a black trench coat and long, jet-black riding boots. Her skin was pale as snow, her large round eyes fixed steadily on Lu Hao. Though dressed for autumn, her slender, fair legs were bare, and her sexy collarbone and sharp chin gave her an aura that warned others to keep their distance.

“Mom, who is this?” Lu Hao asked, puzzled.

Why was there a stranger in his house? Was this young woman a distant relative?

Liu Xiulan replied with a smile, “This is Dr. Zhang from the county’s First People’s Hospital. She said she came especially to see you, hoping to discuss medical practice. You should spend more time with her.”

“I’ve already checked—she’s single, not yet married.”

“….”

Lu Hao waved his hand. “Alright, Mom, how far did your questions go? She must have great patience to answer your household registry-style interrogation.”

Surprisingly, the woman seemed unfazed, standing up and extending her hand. “Hello, Lu Hao. I’m Zhang Qingfan, deputy chief physician of internal medicine at the First People’s Hospital. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Lu Hao shook her hand politely. Her touch was as soft as silk, her skin so well cared for it hardly seemed real.

“Nice to meet you. But Dr. Zhang, how did you come to know about me?”

She explained, “My uncle is Director Zhao Qiang. He told me about your recent removal of the Thai curse. I was very curious, so I came to trouble you. I heard you used only a set of silver needles, some rooster blood and realgar, and broke that evil spell. Remarkable.”

Lu Hao felt a little embarrassed.

Was it really necessary to track him down at home just to praise his skills?

He glanced again at her flawless, snow-white legs, reminding himself to be patient. She was, after all, a beautiful woman, deserving of courtesy.

Zhang Qingfan noticed Lu Hao’s expression and realized something. “Ah, am I disturbing you? If so, I apologize in advance.”

“It’s alright,” Lu Hao replied, waving his hand. “Next time, leave your number. If anything comes up, we can talk outside.”

“Oh, okay,” Zhang Qingfan nodded earnestly. “I actually came to ask you for a favor.”

“What is it?” Lu Hao inquired.

“I want to learn your traditional needle technique. I’m passionate about this field, and hope you’ll teach me.”

She spoke frankly. At the First People’s Hospital, she was notorious for her obsession with medical skill—she could go days without sleep, food, or leaving her room when pursuing a new technique or case study.

“What?” Lu Hao scratched his head in surprise. “You’re a deputy chief physician at a major hospital, and you want to learn medicine from a regular medical school graduate like me?”

She nodded seriously. “Yes, I hope you’ll guide me, Master.”

Lu Hao stroked his nose, sizing up her figure. “I could, but I’m not sure you have the aptitude or talent to learn it.”

He meant it as a kind warning. After all, he’d mastered the Azure Dragon needle technique because of the inheritance. She had nothing but her own ability; whether she could learn it was uncertain.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Qingfan’s face took on a determined look. “Dr. Lu, up to now, there’s never been a medical subject I couldn’t understand or master. As long as you’re willing to teach, I won’t let you down.”