Volume 1, Chapter 8: If You Can Save Me, I Am Yours

Divine Doctor Li fed one of the Vitality-Nourishing Pills to Gu Cangfeng. As the pill went down, the black energy on Gu Cangfeng's face began to dissipate at a speed visible to everyone present.

"Yes, it is indeed a Vitality-Nourishing Pill. Its effects are arguably even stronger than the one I saw in Magic City," Divine Doctor Li exclaimed in astonishment. "Young lady, your father is out of danger. I will now write you a prescription to regulate his physical weakness. Have him take it every morning and evening; be sure not to get the ingredients wrong."

"Thank you, Divine Doctor Li," Gu Qinghan said, bowing in gratitude, deeply moved.

"Oh, if you want to thank someone, you should thank your friend. That friend of yours is no simple person. To be able to refine this fifth-grade Vitality-Nourishing Pill using a pressure cooker in Qinghai City—that is no ordinary feat," Divine Doctor Li said with a smile, then hesitated. "But young lady, may I discuss something with you?"

"Please, Divine Doctor Li."

"Could you sell me this last Vitality-Nourishing Pill at a high price? I am willing to buy it at the highest current market rate. How about thirty million?"

"Ah, is it that expensive?" Gu Qinghan was dumbfounded.

Little did she know, at thirty million, the old man was actually getting a steal. The effects of this pill were superior to those on the market; if he didn't intend to keep it for himself, he could easily auction it off starting at fifty million.

"Alright, Divine Doctor Li. You saved my father, and I have no use for this pill. I don't want the money; take it to save someone who needs it."

"How could I..." Despite his words, Divine Doctor Li quickly tucked the pill away, fearing Gu Qinghan might change her mind.

"Miss Gu, who is your former boyfriend exactly?" Just then, the woman surnamed Shen, who had been standing to the side, narrowed her eyes.

As Gu Qinghan was about to speak, Su Chen recognized the woman's background and eagerly interjected, "You are Shen Man, the daughter of the Shen family, right?"

"Oh, you know me?"

In Qinghai City, the Shen family was a top-tier elite family. Because their business was focused on overseas trade, the entire family maintained an extremely low profile within Qinghai City. Very few people even knew the Shen family was a local top-tier clan. However, due to his connections with Wan Sanqian, Su Chen knew exactly how deep the Shen family's foundation went. Unfortunately, the Shen family had never taken an interest in Wan Sanqian or his small, third-rate Su family, leaving him no opportunity to connect. Now that the chance had arrived, he was not about to let it slip.

"Hello, hello! I am Su Chen. I have long wanted to meet you. I hope our two families might have a chance to cooperate in the future." Su Chen presented his business card, brimming with confidence.

Shen Man glanced at the card and smiled. "Don't you think your father-in-law's life is more important right now?"

Su Chen froze, only then realizing his mistake.

Beside them, Gu Qinghan frowned. "He has nothing to do with my Gu family. Don't spout nonsense."

Shen Man was not offended. "So, Miss Gu, your former boyfriend is..."

"Why should I tell you?" Gu Qinghan replied, cold as ice. Her intuition told her this woman was up to no good, and she felt a sense of danger.

Su Chen blurted out, "Him? He just got lucky. He used to be in prison. Yan Fengjia, you know him, right?"

"The Yan family?" Shen Man was startled. "The true elite family of Qinghai City back then? The fourth son of Old Master Yan?"

***

"How is it? Did Uncle Gu take the Vitality-Nourishing Pill?"

Downstairs, Yan Fengjia had not left; he had asked Yan Qiluo to check on the situation.

"Yes, he took it. He's fine now," Yan Qiluo reported truthfully.

Yan Fengjia breathed a sigh of relief. He would have felt terribly guilty if Gu Qinghan had lost her father because of him. He cast a meaningful glance at the Sky Building and said, "Let's go."

"Fengjia, where did you go?" As soon as Yan Fengjia returned home, Qin Wanqiu hurried over to him.

"I went to get some medicine. Sister-in-law, this is an ointment specifically for sprains. Come, let me apply it for you."

"N-no, that's alright," Qin Wanqiu said, nervously brushing back her hair. "I can manage now. You should go to the study quickly; Father is waiting for you."

Yan Fengjia didn't think much of it. He pressed the ointment into Qin Wanqiu's hand and turned toward the study in the old family estate.

"Father, you were looking for me?"

"Fengjia, you're back." In the study, Yan's father, his temples gray, wore reading glasses. He no longer possessed the robustness he had five years ago. "I wanted to talk to you about how we are handling the family company."

Yan's father sighed thoughtfully. "We must not add to the nation's burden, and we certainly cannot owe our employees their wages. Everything the Yan family could mortgage to the banks has already been mortgaged. All that remains are these last few floors of the downtown commercial building. I intend to mortgage those as well to pay off all our debts."

Yan Fengjia was stunned. "Father, that is where you built your fortune. Don't you feel pained?"

Yan's father shook his head with a bitter smile. "I am a man who has already walked through the gates of hell. Your three brothers died in the line of duty, and now you are the only son I have left. I no longer care about those things. As long as the family is together, that is more important than anything else."

"Father, why don't you reconsider? I will find a way to cover the costs," Yan Fengjia said with a smile.

"Across all our factories nationwide, we owe at least a billion. Where are you going to find that kind of money?"

"Father, don't underestimate me. When I was the prison doctor, I met many well-connected people. Don't worry, I'll find a way. Please don't be anxious."

"Fine, I will wait to see how you handle it. But you cannot delay too long; the low-level employees are all counting on this money for the New Year."

"Understood."

Yan Fengjia took out one of the Vitality-Nourishing Pills. "Father, take this pill. It will regulate your body. When we get the company back, I will need you to be there to hold down the fort."

Yan's father did not doubt him and swallowed it with a glass of hot water on the spot. His energy visibly improved. "What a miraculous pill. Fengjia, did you make this too?"

Yan Fengjia was about to answer when Qin Wanqiu appeared at the study door, looking anxious.

"Father, Fengjia, some... guests have arrived."

"Is it the debt collectors?" Yan's father looked distressed.

"Father, it's fine. You rest here. Sister-in-law, please keep an eye on him." With that, Yan Fengjia walked out.

In the courtyard, Shen Man and a nervous, restless Divine Doctor Li were waiting.

***

"Who are you?" Yan Fengjia asked as he stepped out.

Upon seeing Yan Fengjia, Shen Man immediately approached with a smile, extending a fair, slender hand. "Mr. Yan, hello. I am Shen Man, the CEO of the Shen Group."

"Something you need?" Yan Fengjia cast a sidelong glance at her.

"The Vitality-Nourishing Pill was exceptionally effective, so I came to introduce myself. Mr. Yan, this is Divine Doctor Li, a master from the Hundred Herbs Hall."

Divine Doctor Li stood by in shock. He had not expected this reclusive expert to be so young, and he stepped forward nervously, not daring to show the slightest disrespect. "Mr. Yan, did you truly refine that pill using a pressure cooker?"

"Yes." Yan Fengjia looked at the old man. He hadn't expected him to be an employee of his own Treasure Herb Hall.

"Mr. Yan, please accept my bow." Without hesitation, Divine Doctor Li knelt down. "All my life, I have pursued the limits of Traditional Chinese Medicine, yet I have never reached the pinnacle. Seeing your miraculous techniques today, I am filled with admiration. Please, Mr. Yan, take me as your apprentice."

"That is unnecessary. I do not take apprentices. You should leave now," Yan Fengjia refused flatly and turned to leave.

"Mr. Yan, wait," Shen Man smiled. "I hear the Yan family is about to declare bankruptcy. If you trust my Shen family, we are willing to help you through this crisis."

Yan Fengjia paused. "Why help me?"

Shen Man walked over, her beautiful eyes fixed on Yan Fengjia's resolute profile. She placed her fair hand meaningfully against his palm. "To be honest, I suffer from a strange illness. If you can cure me completely, my Shen family is willing to cooperate with you to pay off your debts as quickly as possible."

Yan Fengjia raised an eyebrow. Why would he need help with something he could solve with a single word? "Unnecessary." He coldly brushed her hand away.

However, just as he was about to turn away, Shen Man groaned in pain and collapsed, cold sweat beading on her forehead as her expression twisted.

Yan Fengjia stopped. He felt a chill emanating from behind him and turned back in surprise. "How long have you had this cold-body ailment?"

Shen Man bit her lip, trembling in agony. "Since I was born. It used to flare up once a month, but now... now it's almost once a week. Please, Mr. Yan, save me."

She looked up, her eyes brimming with tears. Gone was her previous arrogance, replaced only by desperate pleading.

Yan Fengjia frowned. He crouched before her and said calmly, "It seems your fate is not yet sealed. This cold-body ailment is something only I can cure. Fine, I will save you, but I have conditions."

"Mr. Yan, can you truly save me?" Shen Man had only been trying her luck. Since she was a child, the Shen family had invited countless famous doctors, but the results were always the same. Yan Fengjia was the first person to say he could cure her. "Mr. Yan, name your conditions. As long as you save me, let alone the Yan family's debts, even I... I will be yours."

Yan Fengjia smiled and scooped Shen Man up into his arms. He turned to Divine Doctor Li and said, "Wait here. It is taboo for peers to be present during treatment; you understand this, I trust."

With that, Yan Fengjia carried the shivering Shen Man, who was clutching him tightly for warmth, up to the second floor.