“What did Little Lin say just now?”
“Uncle’s liver seems to have a bit of a problem.”
Xu Wanyue was clearly growing incredibly anxious at this moment. “How do you know?”
“I saw it. My ability lets me see things like that,” Lin Cheng answered softly, his voice gentling a fraction. “It’s nothing to worry about. Resplendent Pharmaceuticals’ new drug has just stabilized and hit the market. Let me make a call.”
Lin Cheng pulled out his phone and dialed Litchi. The call connected after three seconds. He didn’t put it on speaker, holding it to his ear instead. On the other end came the sound of running water.
“What’s up?” Litchi’s voice was soft and gentle.
“I remember the new drug development at Resplendent Pharmaceuticals has gone to market?”
“Yeah, it’s being sold in three different strengths. We’re expecting a payout of three hundred million in about two months. Why the sudden interest from the boss?” There was a hint of sourness in Litchi’s tone. Lin Cheng never paid attention to this stuff—he was the ultimate hands-off manager.
“About the special effect medicine for cancer—if it’s convenient, have them send me a batch. I’ll text you the address right now.”
“Sure.” Litchi didn’t ask what he needed it for. After agreeing, she hung up. Moments later, she received the address from Lin Cheng and got right to work contacting Resplendent Pharmaceuticals’ person in charge.
Lin Cheng set his phone down. Xu Wanyue’s eyes were fixed anxiously on him. He gently took her hand. “Relax. I’ve had someone send the medicine over.”
Uncle’s head was still a bit fuzzy right now. He and Lin Cheng had drunk quite a bit earlier, leaving his face somewhat pale. Listening to their conversation, he felt a little dazed. Lin Cheng thought for a moment, then patiently explained: he was an Ability User. Lin Cheng had been about to elaborate on Resplendent Pharmaceuticals’ special effect medicine when, to his surprise, Uncle cut in. “I know… I know that pharmaceutical company.”
“Hm?”
Uncle let out a burp from the alcohol and turned to Xu Wanyue. “Do you remember Uncle Li and his family? They used to live next door to us.”
“Of course. Auntie Li was always so good to me,” Xu Wanyue said softly. Then she heard Uncle sigh. “A while back, Auntie Li was diagnosed with stomach cancer. In just a few days, her whole spirit was gone. She used to love to laugh, but lately you can’t even spot her at the neighborhood square. Your auntie went over to comfort her… but it didn’t do much good.”
“Stomach cancer?”
“The doctors said conservative treatment might give her two or three more years at best. A while ago, everyone around here heard about Resplendent Pharmaceuticals. Their ads were everywhere—on TV, the big screens at the square, computers. Special effect medicine that treats cancer, officially certified efficacy, like some kind of miracle pill. But each dose costs two million… Uncle Li was selling everything he had, even ready to sell the house, and he borrowed twenty grand from us. They scraped together the money somehow, but to buy that special effect medicine, you need qualifications and have to get in line. Uncle Li registered, but no one knows when he’ll actually get it—it’s all up in the air… In the end, Uncle Li had a heart attack from all the stress. He just got out of the hospital. The two of them are completely broken now. You know how your auntie loves to show off—when she bought the new house, she wanted the whole neighborhood to know. She even had a fight with Auntie Li not long ago…”
“Uncle Li’s family is going through hell right now. You think they’d be happy hearing about our good fortune? I’ve known Uncle Li for years, but in the end, I had to go apologize and clean up the mess for her…”
“Getting old just means falling apart. All kinds of ailments pop up… From what Little Lin said earlier, you’re no ordinary guy, huh?”
“I just happen to have some special abilities and a bit of acquaintance with other Ability Users,” Lin Cheng replied softly. “I invested early in Resplendent Pharmaceuticals, so I’m a shareholder. That’s how I can get some of their special effect medicine from them.”
It wasn’t exactly an investment, per se. The Fruit Shop had handed over a drop of Evolution Blood to Resplendent Pharmaceuticals, and Lemon had provided some alchemy techniques. It was more like a technical stake. The future returns would far exceed those few billion. The latest batch of potions was especially pricey right now, but once Resplendent Pharmaceuticals’ alchemy tech matured, the prices would drop fast—soon affordable for most families.
Lin Cheng patiently continued chatting with Uncle about his own background and history. As they talked, a car pulled up outside. A man in a suit walked into the little restaurant, carrying a metal case in one hand. The place was empty except for Lin Cheng’s group, so the man glanced their way and asked softly, “Excuse me… which one of you is Lin Cheng?”
“That’s me.” Lin Cheng waved him over. The suited man approached quickly, set the metal case on the table, entered a code, and opened it. Inside were ten vials of red potion.
“These are the highest-spec doses from Resplendent Pharmaceuticals right now—the best for ordinary people. Just one vial cures ninety-nine percent of diseases in a minute. Full usage instructions are in the booklet.”
“Can he take it after drinking?” Lin Cheng asked offhandedly.
“Of course. No side effects even now, and it’ll take effect in a minute. We’ve delivered the potions. Here’s my card—if you need more in the future, just call this number. We’ll make as many as you need.”
“You’re too kind. Thank you.”
The suited man left the metal case behind and bowed respectfully to Lin Cheng before leaving. Uncle stared at the ten vials in a daze—he’d heard the whole exchange. Lin Cheng unscrewed one and handed it to him. “Drink this, and you’ll be good.”
Uncle’s expression was a mix of apprehension. He hesitated, then downed the entire contents. After waiting quietly for a minute, he stood and took a few steps. To his astonishment, he said, “Even my back pain’s gone, just like that. It’s been bothering me constantly.”
“These potions work great as health supplements too. They fix all sorts of issues—cancer treatment’s just one of the effects.”
Lin Cheng curiously read over the instructions. Uncle pulled out his phone and scanned the QR code on one of the vials. That’s when he saw the official price on their site: 4.88 million.
He rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn’t seeing things.
The way he looked at Lin Cheng now carried even more unease. Ever since they first met, he’d sensed something special about this young man—an indefinable aura that inspired vague fear, yet his eyes were so mild. It created a strange contrast. Lin Cheng spoke softly. “Uncle, if you’re still not convinced, get a checkup tomorrow. You can keep the rest of these potions… give them to friends or the elders at home.”
“This, this… no, I can’t possibly…” Uncle’s words came out a bit jumbled.
“It’s not worth much to me. Like you heard, I can get as many as I want. Yueyue only called me here today, so I didn’t have time to prepare a proper meeting gift. Consider these my gift. Next time I visit, I’ll bring some good liquor.”
Lin Cheng’s smile was warm and gentle. Uncle was at a loss for a moment. Xu Wanyue thought it over and said softly, “Just take them, Uncle. You could give some to Auntie Li next door. You’ve been friends with Uncle Li for years, and she was always so nice to me when I was little.”
In the end, they closed up the case. Uncle, still a bit uneasy, stashed it in a kitchen cabinet for now. He returned to his seat and ventured tentatively, “Want to keep drinking, Little Lin?”
“If Uncle wants to, of course I’ll join you,” Lin Cheng replied softly.
It was already eleven at night when they finally left Uncle’s little restaurant. Lin Cheng and Uncle had drunk quite a bit more, until even Lin Cheng felt a slight buzz. Uncle grabbed his hand and told him to take good care of Xu Wanyue from now on. Lin Cheng listened quietly and promised he would. Auntie showed up later and grilled Lin Cheng with questions, chatting about family matters. Uncle filled her in on the potions too. Before they knew it, the conversation stretched past eleven. Xu Wanyue hadn’t drunk, so she could drive. Lin Cheng sat in the passenger seat as she cracked the window a bit for him.
“You were so serious talking to Uncle earlier.”
“Hm?”
“Like… the moment he came out, it was like you switched into a whole different person from your usual self. Total domineering CEO vibe.”
Lin Cheng chuckled helplessly.
“Thanks, Lin Cheng,” Xu Wanyue said suddenly.
“It was no trouble.”
“But now I feel like I owe you another huge favor.”
“It’s nothing. You don’t owe me anything.”
“No, this one’s important. If I keep owing you… I’ll never be able to pay it all back.”
“If you can’t pay it back, you don’t have to.”
“It’s not that simple!” Xu Wanyue focused on driving. She’d cracked the window, and her long black hair danced lightly in the breeze. Half an hour later, they pulled into her neighborhood. After parking, she gently helped Lin Cheng out—he’d had a lot to drink that night.
“How about… you take me home?” Lin Cheng hesitated, mumbling softly.
“Hm? Why the sudden urge to go home?”
“Nah. Last time I came over drunk, weren’t you afraid I’d do something bad to you?” Lin Cheng said softly. But Xu Wanyue clung tightly to his arm and rode the elevator up with him. Staring at their reflections in the elevator, she said quietly, “Not anymore. I trust you now.”
Lin Cheng smiled helplessly. “What if I do want to do something bad?”
“Hmph. Then I’ll step on you.” Xu Wanyue held his hand and led him back to her room. Lin Cheng sank onto the sofa. She headed to the bathroom. A good while later, Xu Wanyue appeared in front of him and extended her hand.
“Hm?” Lin Cheng looked up.
“Come on, time for a bath and bed. I set the water temperature just right.”
“Oh…” Lin Cheng stood and headed to the bathroom. He really was a little drunk. As he went to close the door, Xu Wanyue slipped inside. Lin Cheng froze, but her hands were already on his shoulders, her voice incredibly gentle. “Arms up.”
“What for?”
“To help you undress, duh… What if you slip and fall in there like this?” Xu Wanyue’s fingers lightly grasped the hem of his T-shirt. Lin Cheng dazedly lifted his arms, and she pulled it off. A strange panic stirred in him. “I-I can do it myself…”
“But isn’t serving the Master his bath a maid’s duty?” Xu Wanyue blinked at him, her smile sly yet tender.
“I can do it my—”
“Be good.” Xu Wanyue’s fingertip pressed lightly to his lips, her demeanor suddenly brimming with commanding presence, utterly unyielding.
