Super Doctor - Chapter 126

The July sun was blazing fiercely as the sports car kicked up a trail of yellow dust on the scorching cement road. It rolled slowly into the entrance of Chentang Town at just a little past eleven-thirty.

Xu Ze slowed down, steering toward home, secretly imagining that his mother had probably already prepared a table full of delicious dishes by now and was peering out the door, waiting for them…

The Maserati glided into the familiar old street, drawing the attention of many neighbors. Xu Ze didn’t show off, just drove forward steadily. The brick-red building grew closer and clearer in his sight.

The entrance of the clinic was quiet—his mother didn’t seem to be waiting outside—but the rich aroma of home-cooked food wafted from inside. Smiling, Xu Ze parked the car at the door. Under the stunned gazes of a few familiar neighbors, the three siblings stepped out.

Aunt Zhang from across the street gaped at the luxurious sports car, then at Xu Ze as he removed his sunglasses. Only when Xu Ze greeted her did she snap out of it, stammering, “Ah… Ah-Ze, you’re back…”

Xu Hao carried his siblings’ bags, following his older brother and sister. After cheerfully greeting a few uncles and aunts nearby, they headed inside.

The house was empty, but voices drifted from the dining room. Xu Ze raised an eyebrow, thinking, Do we have guests today? But even if we did, Mom and Dad would wait for us before starting the meal, wouldn’t they?

Meanwhile, Xu Hao and Xu Qing’er went upstairs with their bags and violin, planning to put their things away before coming back down.

Puzzled, Xu Ze approached the dining room. Inside, his father’s voice, laced with helplessness, pleaded with someone, “Director Li, can’t we extend the loan for another six months? We’ll pay the interest as agreed…”

“Dr. Xu, we’re old acquaintances. You know very well that this loan shouldn’t have been approved in the first place. If you hadn’t put up your property as collateral, do you think you’d have gotten that 40,000 yuan?” Director Li replied arrogantly. “The bank’s policies are strict now. Out of respect for you, I already extended the deadline by three months. Another extension is impossible. If you don’t repay by the end of the week, we’ll have no choice but to foreclose and auction off this property.”

Hearing this, Xu Ze’s mother couldn’t hold back. “Director Li, I heard the Zhang family got their loan extended for a whole year, and they borrowed around the same time as us. Why can’t we get the same treatment?”

Director Li snorted, annoyed. “Mrs. Xu, what are you implying? Their situation is different—they applied for the extension in advance. You’re too late now. The bank just tightened its policies, so there’s no more leeway. Do you really think I’d go out of my way to make things difficult for you?”

“Ah… Director Li, don’t be upset. Here, have another drink…” Xu’s father quickly intervened, raising his glass. “Let me toast you…”

Director Li took a sip, then paused before speaking again with a sly smile. “Dr. Xu, since we’ve known each other for so long, let me offer you a way out…”

“Of course, of course! Thank you, Director Li. Please, go ahead…” Xu’s father replied eagerly.

“Well… I have a distant relative who… uh… knows about your financial troubles. He’s willing to buy this shopfront of yours for 40,000 yuan. That way, you can repay the loan and avoid foreclosure. What do you think?” Director Li chuckled dryly.

“What? Buy our shopfront?” Xu’s mother’s voice rose sharply in anger. “Director Li, if we sell the shopfront, where are we supposed to run the clinic? Are you joking? That’s no different from selling our entire house!”

“Now, now, Mrs. Xu, that’s not how you should look at it. If you sell the shopfront, you’ll still have the upstairs to live in. But if the whole property gets auctioned off, you won’t even have a roof over your heads…” Director Li feigned concern.

Finally, the truth dawned on Xu’s father. Last year, Director Li had insisted they use their property as collateral for the loan. And when Xu’s father had tried to extend the repayment period two months ago, Director Li had brushed him off, delaying until now—when an extension was no longer possible.

Furious, Xu’s father snapped, “Director Li, last time I came to request an extension, you said you were too busy and told me to come back later. Was this your plan all along? You deliberately stalled so your ‘relative’ could swoop in and buy our property?”

“Hmph!” Director Li’s face darkened. “Dr. Xu, watch your words. Are you accusing me of scheming against you? I’m just offering a solution. Think it over. But if you don’t repay within a week, the bank will seize your house. Don’t blame me when you’re left homeless.”

“Li Yutian, you’ve had this planned from the start, haven’t you?” Xu’s father, normally mild-mannered, was now seething. Their family clinic, passed down for generations, was being threatened like this?

“Enough!” Director Li slammed his chopsticks down, his expression twisted with anger. “This has nothing to do with me. You were the ones who put up your property as collateral. Now that you can’t repay, you’re blaming me?”

He stood, snatched his bag, and stormed toward the door. Pausing at the exit, he turned back with a cold smirk. “Dr. Xu, think carefully about my offer. Otherwise, in a week… heh…” With that, he strode out.

Li Yutian was smug. He’d coveted the Xu family’s shopfront for years. Last year, taking advantage of their financial strain, he’d convinced them to mortgage the property. Now, after carefully orchestrating things, he was finally at the last step.

He was confident the Xu family would accept. They were strapped for cash, and even if they scraped together the 40,000 yuan now, in two months, they’d need another hefty sum for their children’s tuition. Selling the shopfront to his so-called “relative” was their only option—unless they wanted to lose the entire house at auction.

Xu’s father, his face pale with rage, rushed out after him. “Li Yutian, forget it! We’re never selling our clinic to you!”

Li Yutian, already tipsy and full from the meal, sneered. “Suit yourselves. We’ll see how long you hold out.”

Neighbors who overheard the commotion stared in shock. The mild-mannered Dr. Xu was shouting about someone trying to buy their ancestral clinic? Was Li Yutian out of his mind? The Xu family would never sell!

As Li Yutian swaggered toward the exit, a young man blocked his path.

Frowning, Li Yutian eyed the handsome but vaguely familiar face. “Who are you?”

Xu Ze smiled faintly. “I heard you want to buy our clinic?”

“Oh?” Li Yutian squinted, finally recognizing him—the Xu family’s eldest son. But he looked… different. More polished.

Smugly, Li Yutian corrected, “Not me. My relative. Your family owes the bank. If you don’t repay, your house gets auctioned. I’m just offering a way out. Talk some sense into your stubborn old man. Sell now, save the trouble later.”

“Your relative, huh?” Xu Ze’s smile didn’t waver. “Funny. It sounds like you’re the one who wants it.”

“Watch your mouth!” Li Yutian barked. “Kid, you’d better think hard. If you don’t sell, we’ll seize the property in a few days. Then? Hmph. Enjoy sleeping on the streets.”

Xu Ze’s eyes flickered with something dangerous. His hand lifted—

SLAP!

Li Yutian staggered, clutching his stinging cheek in disbelief. As the director of Chentang Town’s rural bank, he was used to respect. Who dared hit him?

“Y-You little—!” His voice trembled with rage. “You dare strike me?”

SLAP!

Another blow sent him spinning, barely catching himself on a doorpost to avoid crashing to the ground.

Dazed, Li Yutian touched his swollen, bleeding lip. His head swam, vision blurring. When it cleared, he glared at Xu Ze like an enraged bull. “You motherf— I’ll teach you a lesson!”

He lunged, his bulky frame barreling forward—

SLAP!

This time, the impact was louder. Li Yutian spun twice before miraculously grabbing the doorpost again.

His mouth tasted metallic. A few teeth wobbled precariously.

The neighbors stared, stunned. Even Xu’s father, who had just stepped out, froze at the sight.