In his prime, Zhou Mao was full of vigor, forging his own path in Jiang Province through sheer determination.
His reputation in Jiang Province was no less than that of his father, Zhou Wentian.
However, a year ago, a car accident left him disabled and confined to a wheelchair.
Zhou Mao was a proud man, and the loss of his legs plunged him into despair.
He longed for death, but each attempt was thwarted.
Seeing Zhou Mao in such a state, Zhou Wentian was utterly disappointed.
"Hoo..."
Zhou Mao took a deep breath and brought the glass shard to his wrist.
Upon seeing Zhou Mao's face, Jiang Yi was taken aback. The face was all too familiar.
Back in college, this guy was his closest friend.
At the time, Zhou Mao had told Jiang Yi that he came from a poor family, to spare Jiang Yi's pride.
Jiang Yi had seen through the lie then.
Yet, for the four years of college, Jiang Yi never exposed him.
The only thing Jiang Yi hadn't anticipated was that this fellow was the son of the Jiang Province Warlord.
After graduating from college, Zhou Mao had never contacted Jiang Yi again.
"Is this necessary?"
Jiang Yi leaped over the wall.
Hearing a voice, Zhou Mao's hand, holding the glass, froze.
"Who are you?" Zhou Mao asked, frowning at Jiang Yi.
Zhou Mao clearly didn't recognize Jiang Yi.
"I'm the doctor here to treat Miss Zhou!"
Jiang Yi smiled faintly and looked at Zhou Mao.
"So what if you're in a wheelchair? It's not the end of the world."
Zhou Mao ignored Jiang Yi.
"I might be able to heal your legs!" Jiang Yi said.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Mao quickly looked at Jiang Yi.
Soon, the hope that had ignited on Zhou Mao's face vanished once more.
"I've become a cripple. No one can cure me!"
"Now that I'm disabled, there's no meaning in living. Death would be a release," Zhou Mao said with self-mockery.
"You don't believe me?" Jiang Yi asked.
"If my legs could be healed, they would have been healed by now!"
"You look to be in your twenties. So many divine physicians couldn't heal my legs, how can you claim you can?" Zhou Mao asked.
"If I say I can heal them, I can! But I don't do business at a loss. If I heal your legs, you have to agree to one thing for me. I'll tell you what it is later!" Jiang Yi said.
Hearing this, Zhou Mao's gaze turned back to Jiang Yi.
He carefully examined Jiang Yi's face, his eyes widening in recognition. Then he asked, "You... you're Jiang Yi?"
"You're only recognizing me now?" Jiang Yi chuckled.
"Indeed, it's you!"
Zhou Mao laughed.
"We haven't seen each other in so many years, and I almost didn't recognize you. How have you been all these years? Are you doing well?"
"I'm doing alright!"
Jiang Yi took a deep breath.
"We must have a good drink tonight and not stop until we're drunk," Zhou Mao said.
"Will I be interrupting something?" Jiang Yi asked.
Hearing this, Zhou Mao felt a bit awkward. He dropped the broken glass, smiled, and said, "Let's drink first. We can put aside any important matters for later."
Then, Zhou Mao told Jiang Yi that there was a wine cellar behind the courtyard.
Jiang Yi smiled and pushed Zhou Mao into the wine cellar.
The cellar was stocked with many fine wines.
Jiang Yi was very happy to meet Zhou Mao and immediately started drinking with him.
Zhou Mao poured out all that had happened to him over the years.
After speaking, Zhou Mao felt much lighter, the previous sense of oppression gone.
At the same time, Zhou Mao also asked about Jiang Yi.
Jiang Yi spoke only briefly, keeping many things to himself.
They drank until midnight, both Jiang Yi and Zhou Mao drunk.
When they awoke, it was already the next morning.
"Have you thought about what I told you last night?" Jiang Yi asked Zhou Mao with a gentle smile.
Zhou Mao's face showed a complex expression at this.
"Don't worry, I will definitely be able to heal your legs. We knew each other for four years in college. Have I ever lied to you!" Jiang Yi looked at Zhou Mao.
"Alright, I agree!"
Zhou Mao took a deep breath.
"Your words have given me a glimmer of hope, but don't lie to me, or I'll turn on you."
"Since that's the case, let's begin!" Jiang Yi said.
"Now?" Zhou Mao blinked in surprise.
"That's right, right now!"
Jiang Yi smiled faintly, "After I heal you, I'll go treat your sister."
Zhou Mao was half-believing, but he agreed.
Jiang Yi took out the Nine Heavens Needles gifted by Liu Hong and began treating Zhou Mao.
Zhou Mao's legs could only be healed by the Illusion God Needle Technique, a method long lost.
Therefore, only Jiang Yi, who knew how to use the Illusion God Needles, could heal Zhou Mao's legs.
Time passed continuously.
In the blink of an eye, an hour went by.
As Jiang Yi inserted the last golden needle, Zhou Mao couldn't help but let out a pained cry.
"I can feel my legs! I feel the pain..."
Zhou Mao shouted with surprised joy.
Zhou Mao was extremely excited. For a whole year, his legs had been numb.
And now, he could feel the pain.
"The golden needles can be removed in five minutes! I've been away from the adjacent courtyard for a night, and I need to go back! I'm leaving now!" Jiang Yi said.
After taking a few steps, Jiang Yi said to Zhou Mao, "Don't tell anyone that I healed your legs!"
With that, Jiang Yi left!
Zhou Mao looked at Jiang Yi's retreating back with astonishment. He hadn't expected Jiang Yi to possess such amazing medical skills.
Earlier, Zhou Mao had felt guilty about hiding his identity.
Now, Zhou Mao felt it was even. Jiang Yi had also kept his medical studies a secret for so many years.
Just as Jiang Yi left, the Jiang Province Warlord Zhou Wentian and members of the Zhou family found their way to the wine cellar.
"It seems you've come to your senses!"
The Jiang Province Warlord looked at Zhou Mao, took a deep breath, and said, "Losing your legs is a test from heaven. You're much better off than your sister; she probably won't last much longer. Hopefully, the highly skilled doctors invited this time can save your sister's life."
Members of the Zhou family also quickly gathered around, speaking to Zhou Mao.
Although Zhou Mao was now crippled, he was still the eldest son of the Zhou family. Even those who looked down on him had to maintain appearances.
Zhou Mao ignored them. Seeing that the time was right, he began to pull out the golden needles from the acupoints one by one.
The pain caused large beads of sweat to form on Zhou Mao's forehead, but he didn't utter a sound.
Everyone present looked at this scene with confusion.
The next moment, they were all stunned.