"It seems they can't sit still after Long Han Shen's death," the masked man's cold, hoarse voice echoed.
Song Wenting asked, puzzled, "Godfather, who are 'they' you're referring to?"
The masked man glanced at Song Wenting.
Song Wenting quickly fell silent. She hadn't been this talkative before, but she was deeply confused and even a little jealous lately. It was because her godfather cared so much about Chen Fan, and she desperately wanted to understand why.
"Prepare yourself. Accompany me to the capital. It's time to meet some old friends again," the masked man's voice sounded once more.
"Yes, I'll do as you arrange, Godfather." Song Wenting nodded and turned to leave.
The masked man had a rule: no one was allowed in his presence while he ate.
"Wait a moment." Just as Song Wenting was about to open the door, the masked man's voice stopped her.
"Godfather, is there anything else?"
"What do you think of Chen Fan?" the masked man asked.
Song Wenting paused before replying, "He is upright and detests evil, but he's not one of us."
The masked man gave Song Wenting a meaningful look. He knew that her true meaning was only in the last part, 'he's not one of us.'
He understood her thoughts, that she was trying to warn him that Chen Fan was unsuitable for their path. However, he wasn't angry. He said slowly, "What I mean is, I want you to become his woman, help me support him to rise to power and gain the recognition of others."
"Ah?!" Song Wenting was completely stunned.
"But, Godfather, Chen Fan already has a fiancée," Song Wenting said, surprised that Chen Fan would say such a thing.
"I said, to become his woman. That's all. You may go," the masked man waved his hand.
With her mind full of thoughts, Song Wenting could only nod and leave the masked man's room.
'What is it about Chen Fan? Not only does he want to give him a position, but he also wants me to become his woman!' Song Wenting pondered endlessly, but she couldn't find an answer. Her godfather had only met Chen Fan a few times. She had followed the masked man since she was a child and had never heard of Chen Fan. She was certain that there was no connection between her godfather and Chen Fan.
Inside the room, the masked man slowly removed the mask from his face, revealing a wrinkled, terrifyingly hideous visage. The face was clearly severely injured, as if splashed with acid, and had long lost its original appearance.
The masked man didn't eat immediately. Instead, he picked up a mirror and looked at himself, a cold glint in his eyes.
Today, Chen Fan had successfully resolved the difficulties at the Third Hospital, further enhancing his image in the hearts of all medical staff.
Whenever people saw Chen Fan, they would respectfully address him as Director Chen.
Chen Fan first sought out Qin Shuran to inform her of his plan to go to the capital.
He then mentioned that he intended to take her back to his hometown county to meet his grandmother.
Qin Shuran naturally wouldn't refuse, but this would also be her first time meeting Chen Fan's grandmother, so she appeared somewhat shy and nervous.
The next morning, Chen Fan went directly to Longgang Hospital for his consultations. It wasn't until the morning of the third day that Chen Fan and Qin Shuran prepared to depart.
Zhuliang County.
A county at the southernmost tip of South China, under the jurisdiction of Pingnan City.
Due to inconvenient transportation, it was also one of the poorest counties in South China. The county was very backward, and the roads were somewhat rugged.
Chen Fan and Qin Shuran set off in the morning. By noon, after driving for four hours, they reached the Zhuliang County highway exit.
"Is this the poor county you were talking about? I think it's not bad," Qin Shuran said, looking at the high-rise buildings of the county town ahead through the car window, appearing somewhat surprised.
It looked quite prosperous.
Chen Fan was also a little surprised. "When I went to Jiangcheng last year, there weren't any buildings here yet."
To earn money for his studies, Chen Fan hadn't returned home for the New Year last year. He hadn't expected the county to change so much.
Qin Shuran gave Chen Fan a look. "Is this still your hometown? How come even you don't know about it."
Chen Fan felt a bit awkward and drove towards a road he was familiar with.
Meanwhile, in the old city center of the county town.
Several commercial vehicles were parked outside a traditional Chinese medicine clinic. A dozen burly men stood at the entrance. Inside, the place was already in disarray.
"Old lady, have you thought about it? Are you going to transfer the shop, or are you going to transfer it?" At this moment, a young man, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, slowly walked up the steps and asked the white-haired old lady inside the clinic mockingly.
"I won't sell my clinic even if you beat me to death!" the old lady replied coldly and firmly.
The young man's face showed displeasure. He scratched his head and casually threw his cigarette butt on the ground. "Old lady, why bother? How many years has your TCM clinic been operating? You haven't made much money. I'm offering you two hundred thousand for your shop. With this money, can't you just live comfortably in retirement? Why are you being so stubborn? Do you think I'm easy to talk to?"
The old lady's face was grim, and she remained silent, giving the impression of absolute defiance.
Outside the door, a crowd of onlookers had gathered.
However, seeing the situation, no one dared to step forward to speak.
"Damn it, you old hag, I'm giving you a chance and you're not taking it. It seems smashing your shop wasn't enough. Do I have to beat you into the hospital?" The young man's face contorted with anger. He stepped forward and poked the old lady's forehead.
"Go ahead and do it. I've told you, I won't sell this shop even if you beat me to death." The old lady's eyes were also firm.
"Brother Lin, this old lady's son has been missing for decades. She only has a grandson studying in Jiangcheng. It won't matter even if we cripple her. How about we make this old bone suffer a bit?" a burly man beside the young man whispered.
"You only have one grandson. You old hag, I'll give you one last chance. Sign this contract, or I'll break your legs. Think it over yourself." The young man extended his hand, and a burly man behind him quickly took out a contract from a briefcase.
The old lady's face darkened, but she still took the contract.
Seeing this, the young man's face broke into a smile. "Old lady, a wise person knows when to adapt. I think you should..."
"Riiip!"
Before the young man could finish speaking, the contract the old lady had taken was torn to shreds by her own hands.
The smile on the young man's face froze. The rest of his words were swallowed back down his throat.
"You old hag, how dare you tear up the contract! I think you're tired of living!" the burly man angrily pointed at the old lady.
The old lady's resolute, defiant expression completely enraged the young man.
"Do it! Break both her legs! I'll pay for the medical expenses! I don't believe her bones are harder than steel!" the young man roared furiously.