"Heh, then give it a try," Elder He said with a chuckle, sitting in his chair.
Then, he glanced at Qi Dalei and reassured Zhang Yang, "Little Yang, don't feel any pressure. It's okay if you can't cure it."
Zhang Yang, who was in the process of rolling up Elder He's pant leg to his knee, paused. It seemed that the Elder He he had known for many years was not simple.
"Grandpa, just watch," Zhang Yang said with a confident smile.
Just now, when he had rolled up Elder He's pant leg, he had given it a general examination to determine the cause of his limp. The leg injury was caused by a gunshot wound years ago. Although the bullet was removed in time, the wound treatment was very crude, possibly due to the conditions at the time. This prevented the wound from healing, leaving it in a state of inflammation. Consequently, the meridians connecting the lower and upper leg became blocked, making it impossible to exert force.
The problem of blocked meridians was very troublesome for Qi Dalei and his team. It wasn't just Elder He; many of the old heroes living in the nursing home suffered from blocked meridians to varying degrees, with most cases being incurable. However, for Zhang Yang, it was a different story.
This time, Zhang Yang didn't even plan to use silver needles. His palm glowed with true qi, and he directly grasped Elder He's lame calf, continuously pushing and kneading it. This treatment method seemed somewhat like a charade to Qi Dalei and the other person. Although Qi Dalei remained silent, his expression was filled with mockery. He viewed Zhang Yang's massage as a joke and was waiting to see how Zhang Yang would explain himself. Xiao Dao, a team member beside him, even sneered, "Heh, how laughable. I was expecting so much, only to find out it's just a foot massage."
Zhang Yang sneered dismissively, not bothering to argue with this frog in a well, and focused on massaging Elder He. Soon, his massage was over. He stood up and said with a smile, "Grandpa, it's done. Try walking a few steps."
Elder He looked at him with suspicion. Even he now felt that Zhang Yang was being a bit of a trickster. When Zhang Yang massaged him earlier, he did feel a warmth in his calf. However, he also felt this warmth when he applied medicinal wine to his leg on cloudy days. "It's done already? So quickly?" Elder He asked doubtfully.
"Yes, walk a few steps," Zhang Yang replied, nodding.
Seeing Zhang Yang nod, Elder He stood up with a mixture of belief and doubt. As usual, he slowly moved his legs forward. At first, Elder He didn't notice any change. But after walking a few more steps, Elder He realized that his gait was no longer bumpy from his limp! He was walking as normally as an ordinary person, as if on level ground.
Qi Dalei and Xiao Dao, who were standing nearby, saw their mocking smiles instantly vanish, replaced by expressions of shock. "This... he actually cured it?" Qi Dalei exclaimed in disbelief. Elder He was also astonished. He even jumped up and down a few times. "Little Yang, your massage technique is quite good!" Elder He said happily, giving Zhang Yang a thumbs-up.
However, the word "massage" used by Elder He sounded particularly jarring to Qi Dalei and Xiao Dao. Just moments ago, they had mocked Zhang Yang for giving a foot massage. Now, they realized they were the ones who were short-sighted and ignorant.
"Blocked meridians aren't a big problem," Zhang Yang said with a confident smile, his words carrying a hidden meaning. "Grandpa, now that your leg is healed, no one can force you to leave here." Elder He nodded repeatedly, "Indeed, with my legs nimble again, I have even less desire to go to the nursing home."
"Young man, if you don't want to stay for a meal, you can go back and report your findings." Qi Dalei was speechless. After a moment of thought, he said with a wry smile, "I didn't expect this young man to be such a hidden master of bone setting. We were indeed blind."
Zhang Yang did not acknowledge Qi Dalei's apology. Qi Dalei did not hold it against him. He was now troubled. With Zhang Yang having cured Elder He's leg, he had no other reason to persuade Elder He to return to the nursing home. It seemed he would be scolded by his superiors upon his return. However, Qi Dalei did not blame Zhang Yang. After all, Zhang Yang had indeed cured Elder He, and the treatment method was remarkably easy. Qi Dalei respected capable people like Zhang Yang from the bottom of his heart. Moreover... Qi Dalei had a personal motive. After all, there were many people in the nursing home in situations similar to Elder He's. If Zhang Yang could visit them, perhaps... Qi Dalei was filled with regret, cursing his own short-sightedness. If he had known, he wouldn't have antagonized Zhang Yang so much. Now, how could he possibly ask for a favor?
"Elder He, since you are unwilling to return, we will not bother you further," Qi Dalei said. "However, we would appreciate it if you could keep an eye out for the matter we asked you about earlier," he added, making a request. Elder He smiled kindly, his cloudy old eyes seeing through Qi Dalei's intentions. "Alright, I'll keep an eye out, but don't get your hopes too high. I've lived in this old residential area for many years and haven't heard of any alchemy grandmasters."
Qi Dalei shook his head, disagreeing. "Elder He, the truly great hermits hide in the marketplace. I believe this alchemy grandmaster might be living right here in this old residential area. If you have any news of this master, please inform us immediately." Elder He didn't say anything further, just nodded with a smile in agreement. "Alright."
"Then, Elder He, we'll be going now," Qi Dalei said. Turning to Zhang Yang, he added amicably, "Young man, my name is Qi Dalei. We'll meet again." Zhang Yang was somewhat surprised. Qi Dalei seemed quite eager to befriend him. However, Zhang Yang, being in a bad mood today, didn't want to engage with him. But Elder He suddenly nudged Zhang Yang's back. Feeling the nudge, Zhang Yang finally responded, "My name is Zhang Yang." Qi Dalei nodded and left with Xiao Dao.
After they left, Xiao Dao, looking displeased, spat on the ground. "Captain, Zhang Yang is getting too arrogant just because he cured Elder He!" "I saw it just now. If Elder He hadn't hinted at it, he wouldn't have even bothered to acknowledge you." Qi Dalei shook his head, "Xiao Dao, don't think like that. We were in the wrong first today." Xiao Dao was dismissive. "Captain, we are members of the Dragon Group. What's wrong with looking down on Zhang Yang?" "If Elder He hadn't been here, I would have beaten him up and taught him the power of our Dragon Group."
Hearing Xiao Dao's arrogant remarks, Qi Dalei's expression suddenly turned serious. "Xiao Dao, the Dragon Group exists to protect the country, not to bully our own people!" "If I hear such remarks again, I'll put you under house arrest for a month!" Seeing Qi Dalei about to get angry, Xiao Dao quickly shrank his neck, not daring to say anything more. However, Xiao Dao still harbored resentment towards Zhang Yang, secretly thinking he would find an opportunity to teach Zhang Yang a lesson!
...
Some time after Qi Dalei and Xiao Dao had left, Zhang Yang and Elder He had a simple meal of sweet potato porridge. Then, they brought out some homemade sweet potato liquor and two plates of peanuts and began to drink.
"Grandpa, I overheard Qi Dalei talking about an alchemy grandmaster. What is that?" After two cups of the potent homemade sweet potato liquor, Zhang Yang's face was already flushed.
"Heh, an alchemy grandmaster, of course, is someone who refines pills. Qi Dalei came to see me today..." Elder He chuckled and explained the situation to Zhang Yang. It turned out that Qi Dalei had found a pill near the bus station when he came over earlier. After trying it, he determined that the pill was of extraordinary value and had a significant effect on strengthening the body. Therefore, he had asked Elder He to help him find this alchemy grandmaster.
Upon understanding the whole story, Zhang Yang's expression became somewhat strange. He remembered that when he left home this morning, he had several Guiyuan Pills with him. Could it be... Zhang Yang patted his pocket. Upon checking, he indeed found that one Guiyuan Pill was missing. This... was too coincidental, wasn't it?
"Little Yang, what are you spacing out for? Keep drinking, don't let the old man fish," Elder He's urging to drink pulled Zhang Yang out of his thoughts. "Here's to it!" Zhang Yang didn't hesitate, picked up his wine cup, and drank it down. Today, he had come to drink with Elder He to relieve his bad mood.
After several rounds of drinks, Zhang Yang's expression became a bit hazy, his head swaying. Elder He narrowed his eyes. Zhang Yang's alcohol tolerance was usually much higher. "Little Yang, tell me, did something happen?" Zhang Yang hiccuped and said with a wry smile, "It seems nothing can escape your notice, Grandpa." "Tell me, what's bothering you?" Elder He asked with a smile.
"Sigh..." Zhang Yang sighed helplessly. He snatched a rolled cigarette from the table and casually rolled one, then lit it. *Hiss* Zhang Yang took a deep drag, the strong smoke burning his throat. He coughed uncontrollably, tears welling up in his eyes. He quickly grabbed the white wine on the table and downed another glass!
"Grandpa, why is it that even though I've poured my heart out to help her, she'd rather believe the person who harmed her than me?" "And even though I'm very angry in my heart, I can't let go of her." Elder He's old, weathered face suddenly showed a hint of interest. "Is it that girl you always mention? Did you finally meet her?" "Yes, I met her, and we've become friends," Zhang Yang replied truthfully. Then, he took another large puff of the cigarette and drank another glass of wine. "But what's the use? She doesn't take me seriously and doesn't care about my feelings at all." Zhang Yang placed the rolled cigarette in the corner of his mouth, gradually getting used to the dizziness and throat irritation caused by the smoke.
Elder He shook his head. He had watched Zhang Yang grow up and knew how strong his resilience was. If he wasn't truly distressed to a certain extent, he wouldn't resort to drowning his sorrows in alcohol. "You brat, I've been without a wife or children my entire life, and you're asking me about love matters." "However, since you feel wronged, it means you can't let go." "Besides, meeting this girl and becoming friends, isn't that what you've always dreamed of?" "I remember you used to brag to me about who would marry her. Why are you giving up now, just as it's starting?"
This... was he planning to give up? Zhang Yang was stumped. He picked up his wine cup and looked at the rippling white wine. He recalled the scene eight years ago when Han Xiyao appeared before him in his most desperate moment. How desperate he had been then... But Han Xiyao had appeared before him like an angel, illuminating a path of light for him in his endless darkness. At that time... Han Xiyao hadn't considered what reward she would get for helping Zhang Yang. So... why should he expect Han Xiyao to respond to him immediately after he did a few things for her?
As he thought, Zhang Yang suddenly felt a sense of release. "Grandpa, I think I understand." Elder He nodded with satisfaction, "Heh, it's good that you understand." With that, he also picked up his wine cup and drank it down. As if infected by Zhang Yang, it stirred up some old sad memories, and he suddenly recited a line of poetry. "Alas..." "Love arises with the wind, but when the wind stops, the feelings remain unsettled..." Zhang Yang grinned, and with his newfound clarity, he also spoke from the heart. "I got drunk and secretly kissed the evening breeze. The breeze rushed towards her, and her shy cheeks blushed the entire sunset behind her." The old man and the young man spoke eloquently and then looked at each other. Following that, they both burst into loud laughter. "Hahaha..."
All of this was overheard by Liao Zixia, who was standing at the doorway. She checked the time and finally sighed, walking in from outside. "Zhang Yang." "You didn't kiss the evening breeze, and the breeze didn't carry your kiss to her. This is just your drunken fantasy." "For you, only the sunset is real." "But..." "If you choose to continue drinking here, the sunset will only be the color of your bloodshot eyes!"
Elder He was not surprised by Liao Zixia's sudden appearance, as he had already noticed her outside the courtyard. Upon seeing Liao Zixia, Zhang Yang's drunken haze cleared somewhat. Especially... Liao Zixia's words made Zhang Yang feel uneasy. "What do you mean by that?" Liao Zixia fell silent. In fact, she had been listening at the door for a long time. However, Zhang Yang had been drinking, so she hadn't chosen to come in. This was because Qin Shengnan had told her to stall Zhang Yang. But after listening outside the courtyard for a while, Liao Zixia was moved by Zhang Yang. Ultimately, the kind-hearted Liao Zixia came out.
"Tonight, Han Xiyao will be at the Sheraton Grand Hotel to apologize to Nangong Yi." "I've said all I can. The decision is yours." With that, Liao Zixia turned and left directly.
This! Nangong Yi! Hearing this name, Zhang Yang's dazed expression vanished completely! Zhang Yang knew very well why Han Xiyao would be apologizing to Nangong Yi. It must be because he had beaten up Nangong Yi today! Moreover, Zhang Yang had not forgotten that Nangong Yi had intended to drug Han Xiyao today! Although Nangong Yi hadn't done so during the day, it didn't mean he wouldn't do it tonight! Instantly, Zhang Yang's anger flared up again. The true qi within his body directly dispelled the alcohol fumes!
"Nangong Yi, I will tear you to shreds!" With that, Zhang Yang vanished with a whoosh. Elder He, however, narrowed his eyes in thought. Nangong Yi? There weren't many people surnamed Nangong in Jiangnan City. Thinking of this, he took out his old mobile phone and silently dialed a string of numbers...