"Whose disciple is this?" Zhuang Tang asked coldly.
No one answered him. All the old Chinese medicine practitioners in the clinic looked at him as if he were an idiot. It wasn't just them; the patients also shared the same sentiment.
"Who is this guy? So arrogant, daring to speak to Divine Doctor Li like that?"
"Exactly. Does he think he can act all high and mighty just because he's older?"
"He even wants to ban Divine Doctor Li. I really don't know where he gets his courage."
"..."
Many patients pointed and discussed Zhuang Tang.
Annoyed by their chatter, Zhuang Tang turned to Old Huang and said, "Old Huang, can you ban him? I'm telling you, you must ban him today!"
Old Huang, with a stern face, shook his head. "I cannot ban him."
"Why?" Zhuang Tang was taken aback. "Is he your disciple?"
"No!" Old Huang still shook his head.
"A young whippersnapper like him, why can't he be banned? People like him swindle and deceive, only tarnishing the reputation of traditional Chinese medicine!" Zhuang Tang said righteously.
"Because he is the president of our Chinese Medicine Association!" Old Huang stated, enunciating each word.
Zhuang Tang froze. He looked at Li Se in disbelief and exclaimed, "He... he is the president of the Chinese Medicine Association? How is that possible? He's so young, how can there be such a young Chinese medicine practitioner?"
"Zhuang Tang, I told you, you are not fit to be a doctor. If you were to apply to the Chinese Medicine Association, I would not agree either. Therefore, please leave now and never step into our Jisheng Chinese Medicine Clinic again. You are not worthy!" Li Se said coldly.
Li Se had no good feelings, and even felt disgust, towards doctors who were so arrogant and solely focused on profit.
"Well said!"
Many patients began to cheer. In fact, some patients had heard about Zhuang Tang's reputation. He was a renowned doctor, but only cared about money, so people didn't have a good impression of him.
"So that's Zhuang Tang. I heard he's very difficult to deal with."
"This Zhuang Tang is indeed unfit to be a doctor!"
"I once heard that a patient collapsed at the entrance of his clinic, but he didn't even bother to look, and instead had people carry the patient to the side so as not to obstruct his business!"
"He has no medical ethics at all..."
"..."
The comments from the crowd became increasingly harsh.
Zhuang Tang's face turned from pale to purple. He yelled at the patients, "You commoners, are you even worthy of my treatment? Do you know how many high officials and noblemen beg me for treatment every day? What do you count as..."
"Enough!" Li Se shouted.
Zhuang Tang was somewhat angered. He had intended to join the Chinese Medicine Association, but to his surprise, Li Se was the president, which meant he could no longer join.
"Lightning, escort him out for me. He's too noisy!" Li Se couldn't be bothered to deal with Zhuang Tang anymore.
Zhuang Tang, who had intended to argue and even challenge Li Se to a medical duel, was instead grabbed by Lightning and thrown out of the clinic.
Old Huang sighed, "Alas, he wasn't like this in his younger years. It's just that he became too eager for quick success and profit, otherwise, his medical skills are quite good. What a pity."
"That is his own choice." Li Se would not correct Zhuang Tang, nor would he force Zhuang Tang to change his ways. These things were meaningless. Everyone had their own choices, and he would not interfere with them.
Time passed quickly. Another day went by. Qi Aoran and his wife brought their daughter to specifically thank Li Se. Following Li Se's methods, their daughter had indeed recovered completely.
Two more days passed. Li Se went to visit Old Fu's residence again to follow up on Old Fu's boss. After the follow-up examination, Old Fu's boss also fully recovered.
"Divine Doctor Li, thank you so much!" Old Fu said excitedly.
"Thank you!" his wife also expressed her gratitude, as she had been greatly tormented by the illness.
Wang Yuanping felt immense shame recalling his previous attitude towards Li Se.
Of course, Old Fu's consultation fee was quite generous, and Li Se did not refuse it. He didn't have a deep relationship with Old Fu. It was only natural for him to receive payment for his treatment.
On this day, Xia Bingyun arrived at the clinic.
"Your sweetheart is here to see you," Huang Shanshan said with a hint of jealousy. She knew that Xia Bingyun was also one of Li Se's women. Although she had agreed that Li Se could have other women, it didn't mean they could get along harmoniously.
Li Se felt a little awkward and didn't know how to comfort Huang Shanshan. He could only reach out and pat her perky backside, smiling, "Are you jealous?"
Huang Shanshan's pretty face flushed red, and she glared at Li Se annoyedly.
"Are you done with your flirting?" Xia Bingyun's thoughts were the same as Huang Shanshan's. She naturally couldn't get along with Huang Shanshan.
Li Se quickly led Xia Bingyun outside the clinic and asked, "Bingyun, did something happen?"
"What? Can't I come to see you if nothing is wrong?" Xia Bingyun glanced into the clinic. "Or did I interrupt your affection with another woman?"
"Bingyun, I didn't mean that. You know, I am sincere to each of you." Li Se said very seriously.
"You truly are a playboy." Xia Bingyun said with a hint of melancholy. For any woman, who would want to share her man with other women? But as Li Se's woman, she had to accept this fact.
Li Se smiled, "I am romantic, not vulgar. Affectionate, not promiscuous."
"What you say makes sense. Do you have time now?" Xia Bingyun didn't want to dwell on this with Li Se. She had come to see him with a serious matter.
"Bingyun, since you're here, even if I didn't have time, I would make time for you, wouldn't I?" Li Se said with a smile.
"I have a business partner from abroad whom I used to cooperate with frequently. She arrived in Qingyun City these past two days. Her husband is ill. Although we no longer cooperate, I still need to visit her. I thought that you might be able to treat him," Xia Bingyun said.
"Since you've asked, of course, I must go and treat him. Let's go now." Li Se took her hand and walked towards the parking lot.
About twenty minutes later, Li Se parked the car at a rather upscale hotel. As he and Xia Bingyun were about to enter, they were stopped by the security guards at the entrance.
"Is there something wrong?" Li Se asked.
One of the security guards said, "Today is a special occasion. You must be checked."
As he spoke, both security guards leered greedily at Xia Bingyun. She was a great beauty, and they could take the opportunity to "touch her up" during the inspection.
"What? Do I need to be checked to enter a hotel?" Li Se frowned.
The security guard said arrogantly, "The situation is different today. Our boss is staying at this hotel, so we have to conduct routine checks. If you don't cooperate, I won't let you in."
"Who is your boss?" Li Se's expression darkened. How could he encounter such arrogant security guards? They needed to check people just to enter a hotel?
"Listen up, our boss is a foreign friend, and his identity is extremely noble. Our boss specifically arranged us here, and everyone entering the hotel must be checked, and you are no exception!"
The security guard proudly introduced his boss, then said coldly, "If you don't cooperate, I won't let you in. Who knows if you're targeting our boss!"
"Just cooperate obediently!" another security guard said, practically drooling as he looked at Xia Bingyun.