"Don't talk about dying. Why are you talking nonsense again? With me here, nothing will happen to you!"
After saying this angrily, Old Master He turned to Zhang Wan'er and said in a manner befitting an elder, "Miss Zhang, you've heard everything the old woman just said, right?
We feel rather bad about letting a junior like you pay for the medicinal ingredients. Why don't you name your price? No matter how much it is, we can afford it. Or, if there's anything you need our help with, we'll do our best to satisfy you as long as it's within our capabilities.
We're getting old and dislike owing favors. We find ourselves with the will but not the strength for many things, and we're afraid your requests might be strange, making it impossible for us to fulfill them!"
Seeing the awkward demeanor of the elderly couple, a hint of impatience flashed in Zhang Wan'er's eyes. She quickly concealed it and then, feigning a demure and dejected expression, slowly said:
"Please don't worry, elders. I just wanted to express my sincerity and didn't expect anything in return. After all, I'm someone who was doted on by the Zhang and Yang families. I've never lacked anything in terms of food or clothing, and I'm content with my current life. I feel like I have everything!
You've rejected me time and time again, and I can see that you truly don't want any ties with me. Today, I want to make my stance clear. I found the medicinal ingredients for you simply to express my good intentions, with no ulterior motives. If you still feel indebted, then fine, I'll write down the price of the ingredients!"
With that, Zhang Wan'er showed the purchase record to the two elders of the He family.
Upon seeing this, Old Master He beckoned to his subordinate, and someone soon approached with a bank card.
Old Master He said, "This bank card has a limit of fifty million. From now on, if you buy medicinal ingredients for us, use this card for payment. If the money isn't enough, I'll arrange for my assistant to transfer funds to this card."
Zhang Wan'er took the bank card with both hands. Her purpose in buying medicine for Old Madam He was not just to gain their favor, but more importantly, to owe them a favor. If she needed help in the future, the He family would not be able to refuse.
However, it was clear that this latter wish was going to fall through. Still, for the sake of the bigger picture, she had to let go of the small matters to achieve greater goals! Besides, the price of these medicinal ingredients was indeed not cheap. She had borrowed money at high interest rates and added some pocket money from home to barely afford the ingredients for these two times. She had been worried about how to acquire enough money for the third batch of ingredients, when Old Master He delivered a pillow just when she was about to doze off.
Thinking of this, Zhang Wan'er demurely replied, "That's certainly fine. I have other tonics for strengthening the body. I see that Old Madam He doesn't usually take care of her health, and with such depletion, her body will indeed worsen! Perhaps I should bring more supplements to help you recuperate!"
Looking at the overly enthusiastic Zhang Wan'er, Old Madam He couldn't help but sneer, "There's no need to trouble you with supplements. What don't we have here? We're not related, so you don't need to be so good to an old woman like me."
Sensing Old Madam He's malice, Zhang Wan'er felt a pang of displeasure, but she ultimately did not reveal her emotions. She merely curved her lips slightly and then said, "Yes."
As the two-hour mark was approaching, just as Zhang Wan'er was about to leave, the doorbell suddenly rang. Upon opening the door, she saw a familiar face. Seeing He Gu appear, her expression suddenly became meaningful.
Old Master He approached He Gu, leaning on his cane, and asked, "Who are you?"
When He Gu saw Zhang Wan'er, a look of panic flickered across his face, but he quickly concealed it. Then, pretending to be calm, he introduced himself, "You must be the renowned Old Master He. I'm a doctor found by your goddaughter, Chen Lishu, to treat your illness."
A doctor found by Chen Lishu? Old Master He's expression became less guarded, and his tone became considerably more polite. "Then I'll have to trouble you. Should we proceed with the examination now, or what?"
He Gu lowered his head and seriously suggested, "The elderly couple will likely need to come with me. For Old Madam He's health, we can only use imported foreign equipment for her examination."
Old Master He, leaning on his cane, was about to help Old Madam He when Zhang Wan'er seized the opportunity. She went to Old Madam He's side and demurely smiled at Old Master He, saying, "Lishu is busy with work, and I don't know if Xingdong is at home. Why don't I take you two to the hospital? Isn't it better to have a young person around to take care of you?"
Without a second thought, Old Master He readily agreed, "If that's possible, that would be best!"
Old Madam He intended to stop Old Master He's impulsive decision, but before she could even make a move, the words had already been spoken. Normally, she could only glare at Old Master He with eyes that wished he were stronger.
Soon, the three of them got into a car and arrived at He Gu's Traditional Chinese Medicine hospital. As they walked, he said, "Miss Chen mentioned that Old Madam He's condition is worsening daily, and many foreign experts have been consulted without any diagnosis?
My examination methods are a bit different from those foreigners. We primarily follow the path of Traditional Chinese Medicine, our most precious traditional medical knowledge from China. If Western medicine hasn't found the cause of the illness, don't worry. Perhaps our Traditional Chinese Medicine will have the answer?"
As they spoke, they arrived at He Gu's office. The originally spacious office was now filled with various examination instruments. Old Madam He, under He Gu's guidance, stood before these machines for a full-body check-up. When He Gu saw the results, his brow furrowed tightly.
Seeing He Gu's expression, Old Master He's heart skipped a beat. He then eagerly approached He Gu, grabbed his shoulder, and asked, "Doctor He, is my wife's condition very serious now? We can accept any result. Just tell us if this illness is still treatable."
He Gu stammered, his mouth opening and closing, but he didn't know how to explain. After a moment of hesitation, he employed a delaying tactic and said, "I... I need to discuss this condition. I'll give you the results in half an hour. How about that?"