"Miss Liu, you trust people too easily. This young man, what advanced medical skills can he possibly have? I’ve eaten more salt than he’s eaten rice. I’d wager he can’t even distinguish between a common cold and a fever."
He Zhongming put on an air of seniority, completely disregarding Du Fei.
Liu Yuanhao sized up Du Fei from head to toe, his tone full of disdain. "Shishi, our Liu family is quite reputable in Rongcheng. Yet you've brought this charlatan here. If this gets out and people find out, we'll be laughed at!"
Their thoughts were aligned; neither believed Du Fei was a skilled physician.
"Who told you that age equates to superior medical skills? My medical expertise is for healing, not for showing off. Besides, eating too much salt can lead to dementia."
Facing their contempt, Du Fei remained calm, unfazed by their words.
He Zhongming, stung by Du Fei’s retort, puffed up his chest, fuming. "Which medical school did you graduate from, you brat? Believe it or not, I can call him right now and have him teach you about respecting your elders. I'm the vice president of the Rongcheng Medical Association!"
"I did not graduate from medical school."
"What the hell! You’ve got some nerve, trying to deceive us... Ugh, let go!"
Before Liu Yuanhao could finish speaking, a large hand covered his face.
Du Fei applied pressure with his right hand, and Liu Yuanhao felt a burning pain on his face.
"If you dare to insult my family again, you will suffer a terrible fate."
After being released from prison, Du Fei had promised himself that no matter who it was, if they threatened his family, he would make them regret their actions.
Although Liu Yuanhao was wealthy and influential, in Du Fei's eyes, a single finger could make him beg on his knees, and a silver needle could make him wish for death.
In Rongcheng Prison, there were plenty more wealthy and powerful individuals than Liu Yuanhao, yet they all treated Du Fei with utmost respect.
This was because Du Fei's hands held the power to determine their life and death.
Who in this world does not fear death?
Even those who claimed to be fearless, that they feared nothing under heaven, might find themselves losing control of their bodily functions when death truly loomed before them.
At such a moment, if someone could save their life, they would gladly grovel and kowtow.
"One million! From now on, if you want me to cure your grandfather, my consultation fee is one million."
His good mood disturbed by Liu Yuanhao, Du Fei directly doubled his fee.
This was because he was confident that, besides himself, no one in Rongcheng could cure Liu Shishi's grandfather's illness.
"You, who haven't even attended medical school, dare to demand a million dollars? What a colossal sum!"
"Miss Liu, please don't be fooled by him. This kind of person should be reported to the police immediately!"
Upon hearing Du Fei's demand for a million, He Zhongming immediately cried out.
He had been the Liu family's private doctor for so many years and hadn't earned a million. Now, Du Fei was asking for it in one go. This was simply outrageous.
He Zhongming had already labeled Du Fei as a swindler in his heart, believing he had deceived Liu Shishi with his honeyed words.
"Forget a million, we won't give you a single cent! Get out, or I'll call the police!"
Released by Du Fei, Liu Yuanhao, fearing another move, quickly retreated a few steps and stood by Liu Shishi.
Du Fei glanced at Liu Yuanhao, who suddenly felt a chill run from his tailbone to the crown of his head.
"Second Uncle! A mere million is nothing. As long as it can cure Grandpa, I'll pay whatever it costs! Du Fei, I'll write you a check right now!"
Liu Shishi, afraid Du Fei would go back on his word, pulled out her checkbook and prepared to write him a check.
Unexpectedly, Liu Yuanhao snatched the checkbook away.
"Shishi! Don't think because Dad made you president and put you in charge of company affairs, you can act recklessly and casually write a million-dollar check. Do you think the company is yours alone?"
Liu Yuanhao had long harbored resentment towards his father. He was his biological son, yet the position of company president had fallen to Liu Shishi, which infuriated him.
But despite his anger, Liu Zhengnan held absolute authority at home, his position supreme.
If Liu Yuanhao dared to openly oppose him, he had no doubt that Liu Zhengnan would simply kick him out.
Ever since Liu Zhengnan had fallen into a coma a year ago, after the initial period of sadness, Liu Yuanhao, influenced by certain individuals, had begun to harbor ulterior motives.
Although Liu Zhengnan had appointed Liu Shishi as president and granted her full authority over company matters before his coma, he had not left any will.
Should anything happen to Liu Zhengnan, with Liu Shishi's father deceased, he, as the only son, would undoubtedly inherit the largest portion of the estate.
This meant that from then on, he would wield absolute power over the Liu Group.
Therefore, even if Du Fei were a supremely skilled physician, Liu Yuanhao would absolutely not allow him to treat Liu Zhengnan.
He Zhongming had privately informed him that Liu Zhengnan could only hold on for another month at most.
Once that happened, the Liu Group would be his domain. Thinking of this, Liu Yuanhao became ecstatic.
"Second Uncle! You..."
Liu Shishi was furious at having her checkbook snatched away.
Du Fei watched the two arguing, shook his head, walked to the bedside, removed the silver needles from Liu Zhengnan, and turned to leave the room.
"Du Fei! Don't go."
Seeing Du Fei about to leave, Liu Shishi cried out in desperation.
However, Liu Yuanhao grabbed Liu Shishi. "Shishi! How long will you continue to act out? Can this kind of swindler save your grandfather? I think you should face reality and prepare for the aftermath."
"Grandpa will be fine! He will definitely recover!"
Liu Shishi pushed Liu Yuanhao's hand away, intending to chase after Du Fei.
A cough.
A series of coughs.
Everyone in the room froze, turning towards the source of the sound.
Upon seeing that Liu Zhengnan on the sickbed was slowly opening his eyes, everyone's mouths dropped open in disbelief, their faces etched with shock.
"Grandpa!"
"Grandpa, you're finally awake!"
Liu Shishi was the first to react, then rushed to the bedside with surprise, grabbing Liu Zhengnan's hand, her eyes glistening with tears as she looked at him.
As for Liu Yuanhao, he glared fiercely at He Zhongming beside him.
"Impossible, this is absolutely impossible. I examined him thoroughly; Old Master Liu could not possibly wake up. Could it be that young man just now?"
He Zhongming, under Liu Yuanhao's glare, shook his head like a rattle drum.
Suddenly, his eyes narrowed, and he remembered Du Fei, who had just left after apparently removing some silver needles from Old Master Liu.
Could that young man truly be a master physician?