Chapter Sixty-Five: Educate Me

“In short, whatever the case may be, you’re simply not qualified to open a clinic in this village yet,” Xu Fan remarked.

“My advice to you is to close it as soon as possible. Otherwise, your storefront, your hygiene, and your medical license will all bring nothing but disgrace upon your family,” Xu Fan threatened.

After all, they were no longer at the First People’s Hospital, and Director Zhao Qiang wasn’t here. Xu Fan had nothing to fear from Lu Hao—he was just doing his job for the money.

Lu Hao chuckled. “Since when do you, Xu Fan, have the right to meddle in my clinic? Back when I got admitted to the Medical University in the capital, you almost couldn’t even finish school. Now you think you can lecture me?”

As Lu Hao finished speaking, a woman strolled into the courtyard, stretching lazily. She wore a loose white blouse, looking beautiful, relaxed, and radiating a vivid sense of life.

“Lu Hao? When did you get back? How come I didn’t know?” It was Zhang Qingfan’s voice.

Today, she wore tight jeans that accentuated her perfectly shaped legs and slender waist, highlighting her graceful figure. Her cascading waves and her slightly cool, aloof air made her look like a celebrity, instantly drawing the attention of both Xu Fan and Zhou Run in the courtyard.

Xu Fan’s face changed dramatically at the sight of Zhang Qingfan.

“Master Zhou, I have something to attend to. I need to leave now. Good day.” With that, he slipped away without hesitation.

As he left, Xu Fan cast a deep glance at Zhang Qingfan, wondering why she was here.

It was no joke—Zhang Qingfan’s uncle was Zhao Qiang, Director of the First People’s Hospital, and word had spread throughout the hospital that she had acknowledged Lu Hao as her mentor.

If Zhang Qingfan reported his efforts to make things difficult for Lu Hao to Director Zhao, not only would he lose this year’s and the next few months’ bonuses, but his prospects for advancement and future bonuses would also be ruined for at least three years.

“Hey, Dr. Xu, don’t leave! We’re not finished here! You charged so much and now you’re just doing this little bit?” Zhou Run said anxiously.

After Xu Fan left, Zhou Run was left alone to face Lu Hao—who knew what might happen next?

But Xu Fan didn’t waver at all. He strode away without looking back.

Lu Hao watched Xu Fan’s retreating figure and called out, “Dr. Xu, if you plan on coming back for another inspection or to warn me to shut down my clinic, do let me know in advance so I can prepare.”

Xu Fan stiffened at Lu Hao’s words but didn’t dare look back, hurrying his pace even more.

Zhang Qingfan, sensing something was amiss, turned to Lu Hao and asked, “Dr. Lu, what just happened? What did Xu Fan do here?”

Lu Hao replied, “He said my hygiene standards were unqualified and that I didn’t have a medical license. He threatened to report me so the authorities would fine us and shut down the clinic.”

Hearing this, Zhang Qingfan was furious. She slapped the table and said, “Xu Fan’s nerve is outrageous!”

“What business is it of his if you open a clinic here? When I get back—no, I’ll call my uncle right now—he’ll see to it that Xu Fan is dealt with properly. We can’t let him keep tarnishing the reputation of the First People’s Hospital.”

With that, Zhang Qingfan stormed out to make the call.

Without Xu Fan, Zhou Run immediately lost his air of confidence.

“What’s wrong? Are you suffering from impotence, or maybe kidney deficiency?” Lu Hao taunted the village bully.

“You’re the impotent one! Listen here, Lu Hao. You’ve broken the law—I’m not afraid of you!” Zhou Run blustered, but even as he spoke, he retreated a few steps, both fearful and resentful of Lu Hao.

“I’ll ask you just once—when are you going to pay me back what you owe?”

Lu Hao sneered, “It’s ready. Here’s forty thousand—take it and get lost. Don’t ever let me see you again.”

Zhou Run frowned at the bundle of cash tossed his way and snapped, “That’s it? Your whole family owes me four hundred thousand, not forty thousand! Get your facts straight!”

“Are you trying to default and dodge your debts?”

Lu Hao laughed coldly, stepping forward. “When my mother borrowed money from you, it was only forty thousand. There’s no way you could just add a zero to the IOU and claim an extra three hundred and sixty thousand in interest.”

“You truly have a lion’s appetite.”

It was clear Zhou Run had no intention of taking the money. He had other plans.

“Lu Hao, I’m telling you—four hundred thousand, not a penny less. Don’t think knowing some bigshots or having some street tricks will scare me. Behind me stands the people and the law—I’m not afraid of you!”

“I’m telling you, if you want to settle your family’s debt to me, there’s only one way—let your sister marry me!”

At these words, Lu Hao strode forward and slapped Zhou Run hard across the face, knocking him to the ground.

“Utter nonsense! You must be out of your mind. Take a good look at yourself—do you really think you’re worthy of marrying my sister?”

Just look at Zhou Run’s lackeys—who knows how many schoolgirls from nearby villages they’ve already ruined? They get the girls pregnant and then abandon them.

Several of Lu Hao’s sister’s friends had been forced to drop out of school because of this.

Moreover, Zhou Run and his brother-in-law, who used to be a construction foreman, somehow got involved with a few hairdressers from the county. After a few years, he ended up with tattoos and various diseases—he carried all kinds of toxins in his body.

Handing his sister over to Zhou Run would be like feeding her to the wolves.

“Lu Hao, I didn’t expect you to be so obstinate now! Just you wait!” Zhou Run finally understood Lu Hao’s unyielding attitude.

“Get lost—if you don’t, I’ll kill you.” Lu Hao’s voice was ice-cold as he glared at Zhou Run.

Lu Hao had no intention of showing any mercy to this village bully. Only by being fiercer than him would the likes of Zhou Run feel the fear they deserved.

Zhou Run scrambled away in terror, not daring to look back.

The last time, Lu Hao had humiliated him in front of the entire village with a well-placed acupuncture needle, making him too ashamed to drink with his cronies for days. The memory still haunted him.

Zhang Qingfan returned to the courtyard after her call. “Lu Hao, I’ve already informed my uncle. He said he’ll deal with Xu Fan as soon as possible, so don’t give it another thought. And he said that if you ever change your mind, just call him—the doors of the First People’s Hospital will always be open to you.”

Lu Hao nodded. “Thank you and Director Zhao.”

“Oh, right, Lu Hao, you haven’t been home since you got back, have you? Go check on your family—I’ll watch the clinic for you. Something happened at your house this morning.”

“Your mother called me. It’s about your sister.”

“What?” Lu Hao jumped to his feet in alarm.