Super Doctor - Chapter 122

“You beat up another Zhang kid?” The old master paused mid-chew, then slowly swallowed his bite of greens before looking up at Xu Ze with an amused glint in his eyes. “Well, if you already did it, then it’s done. But… you didn’t go too far, did you?”

“Not really. Just a couple of kicks. Probably didn’t break anything,” Xu Ze replied casually.

“Hmm… good. If you’d actually crippled the eldest son too, that would’ve been troublesome.” The old man chuckled and shook his head. “You really don’t make things easy, do you? But why was Zhang Junhai bold enough to confront you in the first place?”

Xu Ze put on an innocent expression. “He wasn’t. On my way up the mountain, I saw him bullying an old woman. I stepped in and took care of a few guys—only afterward did I realize the ringleader was Zhang Junhai.”

“Took care of a few?” The old master’s eyes widened. Then, remembering Xu Ze’s training in internal martial arts, he relaxed and smirked. “How many is ‘a few’?”

“Four,” Xu Ze admitted.

“Good. Next time, try six,” the old man said seriously. “Young men should fight—just make sure you never pick a fight you can’t win. But if you can win? Hit hard. The more experience you get, the fewer losses you’ll take.”

Xu Ze wiped imaginary sweat from his brow and nodded. “Right… of course…”

After dinner, Xu Ze performed acupuncture for the old master before leisurely driving back down the mountain. When he reached Qinglin Road, he pulled up in front of the elegant villa and lightly tapped the horn.

Two short beeps later, a refined-looking man emerged from behind the garden fence, holding a watering can. He studied the car, then Xu Ze, with polite curiosity. “Hello, may I help you?”

Seeing traces of Tao Yiyi in the man’s features, Xu Ze stepped out of the car and smiled respectfully. “Hello, Uncle. I’m Yiyi’s classmate. I was just up the mountain and offered to give her a ride back to campus.”

“Oh! You’re Yiyi’s classmate?” Tao Yiyi’s father brightened and opened the wrought-iron gate. “Come in, come in. She’s just finishing up in the shower—she’ll be ready soon.”

Hearing that Yiyi wasn’t quite ready, Xu Ze didn’t refuse the invitation. He thanked Mr. Tao and followed him into the living room.

Like the villa itself, the interior was tastefully decorated. As Xu Ze settled onto the sofa, Mr. Tao brought over a cup of tea. After thanking him, Xu Ze introduced himself. “My name is Xu Ze. You can just call me Xiao Ze.”

“Xu Ze?” Mr. Tao’s eyebrows shot up. “Wait—you’re the Xu Ze?”

Xu Ze suppressed a sigh. Was his reputation really this widespread? “Yes, Uncle. That’s me.”

Mr. Tao burst into laughter. “No wonder you looked familiar! I’ve heard so much about you from Yiyi—the campus hero!”

Before Xu Ze could respond, a melodious voice floated down the stairs. “Qingyang, who’s here? You sound thrilled.”

“Xiya! Come meet an impressive young man—Yiyi’s classmate!” Mr. Tao called back cheerfully.

A beautiful woman who looked no older than her thirties descended the stairs and sat beside her husband, studying Xu Ze with polite curiosity.

“Auntie, hello. I’m Xu Ze,” he said, bowing slightly.

“Xu Ze?” Her eyes flickered with recognition. “You’re that Xu Ze?”

“Yes, he is!” Mr. Tao grinned. “The one you once called ‘the most charismatic university student of our time’!”

Mrs. Tao’s expression warmed with approval. “Well, the reputation doesn’t do you justice. Just your calm demeanor alone sets you apart from most young men.”

Xu Ze shifted uncomfortably under the praise. “You’re too kind, Auntie.”

“Clear eyes, dignified bearing, humble manners…” Mr. Tao mused, nodding at his wife. “You don’t see many young people like this nowadays.”

Mrs. Tao smiled and turned back to Xu Ze. “Xiao Ze, where’s your hometown?”

“Liuhe,” Xu Ze answered honestly.

“Ah, Liuhe! Famous for its fireworks. One of my export companies does business with several manufacturers there.” She paused, then added playfully, “Yiyi’s been spoiled at home. Since you’re classmates, you should look out for her at school, okay?”

“Uh… of course. Yiyi is very… diligent in her studies…” Xu Ze discreetly wiped his palms, scrambling for the right words.

Thankfully, Tao Yiyi chose that moment to appear, her cheeks pink from her shower. “Mom! What are you saying?”

Mrs. Tao feigned innocence. “Just asking Xiao Ze to take care of you at school. What’s wrong with that?”

Yiyi’s face burned even redder. “Mom, stop!” She turned to Xu Ze. “Wait for me—I’ll grab a book and we can go.” She dashed upstairs, returned moments later, and practically dragged Xu Ze out with a hurried “Bye, Mom and Dad!”

Xu Ze managed a polite nod to her parents. “Uncle, Auntie, I’ll take my leave.”

“Come visit again, Xiao Ze!” they called after him, laughing as their daughter fled in embarrassment.

“What a fine young man,” Mrs. Tao remarked.

Mr. Tao nodded. “And the Tang family’s old master clearly favors him—did you see that Maserati?”

“Hmm. With the Tangs backing him, the Zhangs won’t dare make trouble.” She sighed. “Most young people these days are so shallow. It’s rare to find someone as composed as Xu Ze. If Yiyi likes him, I wouldn’t object.”

Mr. Tao chuckled. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Judging by how flustered she was, there’s nothing between them yet. Let nature take its course.”

…..

In the car, the evening breeze did little to cool Yiyi’s lingering blush. She stole a glance at Xu Ze—still as calm as ever—and felt a faint pang of disappointment.

“Your parents are wonderful. So down-to-earth,” Xu Ze remarked.

“Oh, they’re always like that—teasing people. Don’t mind them.” His words lifted her spirits slightly.

“I like their personalities. No reason to mind.” He smiled.

As they merged onto the ring road, traffic thickened. Xu Ze raised the convertible’s roof and turned on the AC, shielding them from exhaust fumes.

Nearing campus, Yiyi bit her lip, then gathered her courage. “Xu Ze… do you go to Tianyang Mountain often?”

“Lately, almost every day.”

Her eyes brightened. “Oh! That’s perfect. Could I… have your number? I might visit home more often, and maybe I could catch a ride with you?” Her cheeks flushed—she’d never asked a boy for his number before.

“Sure. It’s 139… Call me so I have yours too.”

“Okay!” She eagerly dialed, saving his contact after a single ring.

When they reached the dorm, all eyes turned to Yiyi stepping out of the Maserati.

Boys whispered enviously—First Sun Lingfei, now Tao Yiyi? Unfair!

Girls sighed dreamily—Xu Ze plus a luxury car? So romantic!

Xu Ze, oblivious, waved goodbye and drove off.

Back home, he kicked off his shoes, showered, then lounged on his balcony with a pillow under his head, gazing at the stars.

The summer internship at Xingda Affiliated Hospital… He smirked. The old master had connections. A top-five national hospital accepting a third-year undergrad? He’d probably get more leeway than a typical intern.

After finals, he’d visit home. The 100,000 yuan in his account could ease his family’s burdens—if he could just explain where it came from.