Du Dabao didn't know how long he had been unconscious.
When he felt a pang of hunger, he suddenly smelled a rich aroma.
Then, as he opened his eyes, he saw a pile of delicious food not far away.
Human instinct drove Du Dabao. As soon as he sat up, he rushed towards the food.
Munch, munch.
Du Dabao stuffed his mouth like a starving ghost.
After several minutes of continuous eating, Du Dabao let out a burp and stopped.
"How is it, are you feeling better?"
A voice sounded from behind Du Dabao.
Du Dabao turned around. "Du Fei, it's really you. I thought I saw you faintly before I passed out. I thought I was hallucinating. How did you get here?"
As he spoke, Du Dabao also surveyed his surroundings.
"Who ate all my stuff!"
Just as Du Fei was about to speak, a high-pitched scream echoed through the traditional Chinese medicine clinic.
Both of them turned their heads and saw Wang Zhongling emerging from the back, glaring at them furiously.
"It has nothing to do with me. I didn't eat a single bite."
Seeing Miss Wang Zhongling get angry, Du Fei quickly stated that it wasn't his business, to avoid her anger being directed at him.
Wang Zhongling then looked straight at Du Dabao with her clear, watery eyes.
"Um, um, I'm sorry. I was just too hungry just now, and I couldn't help it... I'll pay you back, okay?"
Du Dabao, a burly man nearly six feet tall, was somewhat intimidated by Wang Zhongling's stare and spoke cautiously.
However, after fumbling in his pockets for a long time, Du Dabao couldn't find a single cent.
"I..."
Du Dabao's face was full of embarrassment.
Du Fei, standing beside him, quickly interjected, "Miss Wang, my friend didn't do it on purpose. I apologize on his behalf. I'll buy you double tomorrow, alright?"
"Hmph, I'll let it go this time. But if there's a next time..."
Wang Zhongling glared fiercely at Du Dabao.
Du Dabao tightly covered his mouth and shook his head repeatedly.
Since there were no patients in the clinic at the moment, Du Fei took Du Dabao to sit down to the side.
"Du Fei, why are you at the clinic? Are you working here?"
Du Dabao asked his earlier question again.
Du Fei pointed to the injuries on Du Dabao's body. "Yes, I'm a doctor at this clinic. I treated all your injuries."
Du Dabao finally realized that before he passed out, he had been beaten all over by San Yan and his gang. He should have been in pain everywhere, but since he woke up, he hadn't felt anything at all.
"As for you, didn't you say you were going to turn over a new leaf? How did you get involved with San Yan and his group again?"
Although Du Dabao had said he would turn over a new leaf in front of Du Fei, there were many people who said one thing and did another these days.
Du Fei thought that if Du Dabao was still the same as before, he would immediately kick him out.
"No, no, I..."
Du Dabao shook his head repeatedly, and then he explained the whole story.
It turned out that after Du Fei left that day, Du Dabao had truly decided to turn over a new leaf and start anew.
So, after discussing with his grandfather, he came to Rongcheng, planning to find a job there first and then bring his grandfather over once he was more stable.
But fate is unpredictable. Just as Du Dabao found a job, his grandfather suddenly had a stroke. After being sent to the hospital, he needed a sum of money for surgery.
With no other choice, Du Dabao had to borrow money from someone and was introduced to San Yan.
Although Du Dabao knew clearly that San Yan was not a good person, with his grandfather lying in the hospital and urgently needing money for surgery, Du Dabao could only grit his teeth and borrow the money.
The subsequent plot was like that of many people who borrowed usurious loans. When borrowing money, everything was easy to discuss, but once they couldn't repay, they would be beaten to death.
"Du Fei, I really want to start over this time, but... but... if it weren't for my grandfather, I would really want to die with those guys!"
Du Dabao's tone was full of unwillingness, and he gritted his teeth as he spoke at the end.
Du Fei looked at Du Dabao in front of him and suddenly had an idea.
"Du Dabao, since you are already turning over a new leaf, I will give you an opportunity."
After Du Dabao finished telling Du Fei what had happened in Rongcheng during this period, he was very depressed.
Suddenly hearing Du Fei say he would give him a chance, Du Dabao looked up excitedly. "Really? Du Fei, you're willing to help me?"
However, after the excitement, and with a bit more calm, Du Dabao shook his head. "Du Fei, I know you mean well, but I can't drag you down. These people like San Yan are like sticky candy; once you get stuck, you can never shake them off. I can't harm you."
If Du Fei had only had a sudden idea before, then after hearing Du Dabao's words, he was even more convinced of his idea.
Even though Du Dabao was in deep trouble, he could still think of not implicating others, which showed that he truly wanted to turn over a new leaf.
"Don't worry, that guy San Yan is no problem for me at all. I plan to hire someone at my clinic. How about it, are you willing to stay?"
"And your grandfather's illness, just leave it to me. I'll go to the hospital with you later to see how he's doing."
As soon as Du Fei finished speaking, Du Dabao nodded his agreement without a second thought.
Du Dabao now felt like a headless fly. His grandfather was in the hospital with a stroke, and he owed a large sum of money to loan sharks.
It was rare for someone to be willing to take him in, and Du Dabao felt very fortunate to have met Du Fei.
Just then, someone came to see a doctor. Du Fei asked Du Dabao to rest for a while and said he would go to the hospital with him after he was done.
Patients came one after another. By the time Du Fei finally had some free time, two hours had passed.
Du Fei looked up and saw Du Dabao, under Wang Zhongling's direction, sorting and placing the medicinal herbs that had just arrived yesterday.
The clinic was also cleaned spotless, and even the area in front of the door was swept.
"Alright, arrange them just as I taught you. These medicinal herbs are used to treat illnesses and save lives, so you absolutely cannot put them in the wrong place."
"I understand, I'll be careful."
Seeing Du Dabao diligently following her instructions, Wang Zhongling watched for a while before planning to attend to her own business.
She turned around and saw Du Fei approaching.
"You keep your word. I've brought someone here. From now on, you can entrust any tasks to him."
Du Fei said to Wang Zhongling.
Wang Zhongling turned her head and glanced at Du Dabao. "He looks like a big傻个, but he's quite obedient. Let's see how he does for a few days."
However, Du Fei could see from Wang Zhongling's eyes that she was quite satisfied with Du Dabao.
But Du Fei naturally wouldn't say it out loud.