Super Doctor - Chapter 166

The shop owner carefully packed the violin for Xu Ze and then asked, “Would you like to look at pianos now?”

“Of course,” Xu Ze nodded. The piano was the main reason he was here today—how could he not look?

“This Yamaha is an original import from Japan. Its tone, quality, and touch are the best in our store…” This time, the owner didn’t ask whether Xu Ze wanted an upright or a grand piano—he directly led him to a grand piano.

“Yamaha?” Xu Ze frowned slightly but still walked over. He sat down at the piano, ran his fingers over the keys, and effortlessly glided his right hand across them, producing a series of clear, melodious notes.

The tone seemed acceptable. Xu Ze took a slow, deep breath, placed his hands on the keys, and let his slender fingers dance swiftly across the black and white notes…

As his fingers moved, the store filled with the enchanting, ethereal melody of Richard Clayderman’s version of “Lyphard Melody.”

The music captivated not only the shop owner but also the elegant woman referred to as “Teacher Zhao,” along with two other customers who had been browsing. They all gathered around, holding their breaths as they listened to the beautiful piece.

A few minutes later, as the final low note faded, Xu Ze stood up gently and sighed.

The shop owner, snapping out of his reverie, asked in surprise, “Sir… are you not satisfied with this piano?”

“It’s alright, but I don’t like it,” Xu Ze replied with a faint smile, shaking his head. “Do you have anything else?”

Both the owner and Teacher Zhao were stunned. This imported Yamaha was the best piano in Zhiyin Music Store—Teacher Zhao had played it herself and found its tone, tuning, and touch excellent. Moreover, Xu Ze had played it flawlessly. How could he not like it?

The shop owner hesitated. “This is the best we have. There’s a slightly less expensive Kawai… Would you like to try it?”

“Kawai?” Xu Ze chuckled and shook his head. “No, thank you.”

He estimated that his card might not have enough funds, but he still looked at the owner hopefully. “Do you have a Steinway?”

“Steinway?” Both the owner and Teacher Zhao gasped in astonishment. Teacher Zhao, in particular, looked at Xu Ze with wide-eyed disbelief.

She had initially thought Xu Ze was unaware of instrument prices, planning to use a shopping card for his purchases. But now, it was clear that he was not only knowledgeable about instruments—except perhaps violins—but also highly skilled. And now he was asking about a Steinway…

Moreover, he seemed serious about buying one. The owner and Teacher Zhao were utterly shocked.

Teacher Zhao, a violin instructor at the university’s music department and a regular customer at Zhiyin Music Store, was close friends with the owner. She had never heard anyone casually ask for a Steinway here.

Seeing Xu Ze’s earnest expression, the owner swallowed hard and finally smiled. “Sir, we don’t carry Steinway here. If you want one, you’ll have to go to Bowei Music Store. They have the exclusive dealership for Steinway in Star City and should have one in stock.”

“Go to Bowei Music Store?” Xu Ze smiled wryly. If only he could—but without being able to use his card, he’d have to trade in his Maserati to afford one. The Yamaha was decent, but he simply didn’t like it.

With a sigh, he said, “Never mind. Please prepare the bill for me. I’ll go pay.”

“Of course… Just a moment, please!” The owner nodded with a smile, no longer doubting Xu Ze’s ability to pay. As he wrote out the bill, he said, “One handcrafted violin from Lexian Workshop—83,500; one Gibson guitar—16,800; total—100,300.”

Finished, the owner handed the bill to Xu Ze with both hands and said politely, “Sir, please proceed to the cashier on the left to pay.”

Xu Ze glanced at the long string of numbers on the bill and smiled wryly. While ordinary instruments might cost a few hundred, high-quality ones were easily a hundred times more expensive. And these weren’t even the best—just reasonably good. With a light sigh, he took the bill and headed to the cashier.

Seeing that Xu Ze didn’t bat an eye at the price and went straight to pay, the owner breathed a sigh of relief. These were genuine, high-quality instruments that most people couldn’t afford. Despite his modest appearance, this young man clearly had the means.

Nearby, Teacher Zhao also sighed softly and said with a smile, “Manager Zhang, I never thought you’d sell both of your store’s treasures today… If he had bought the Yamaha too, all your prized pieces would be gone.”

“Heh… Teacher Zhao, you know these pieces were mostly for display—to let discerning customers appreciate them. Even if I sell them, I don’t make much profit,” Manager Zhang replied with a shake of his head. “But I’m glad to sell them to this young man. He knows his stuff… His guitar and piano skills are top-notch. If I didn’t sell them to him, they’d just sit here gathering dust. At least they’ll be put to good use.”

“True… But he bought the violin too. I wonder if he can play it? Otherwise…” Teacher Zhao trailed off, a hint of regret in her voice. As a violin instructor, she had a deep appreciation for fine instruments and had always admired that particular violin. Its high price had deterred her from buying it, and now that it was sold, she felt a twinge of disappointment.

Manager Zhang chuckled. “Don’t worry, Teacher Zhao. Since he plays the piano and guitar so well, he’s not the type to let a good instrument go to waste. It’ll find a good home.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Teacher Zhao nodded, somewhat comforted.

Xu Ze walked a few steps to the left and found the cashier. The cashier was surprised to see his card—she recognized it as a rare, high-limit card she seldom encountered. She processed the payment respectfully, stamped the receipt, and handed it back to him.

Xu Ze returned to the store, gave the receipt to the owner, and accepted the guitar and violin, now carefully packed in cases. Just as he was about to leave, his phone rang. Slightly annoyed, he placed the instruments back on the counter and answered the call.

“Hello… Xiao Ze?”

“It’s me, Brother Tang,” Xu Ze replied with a smile.

“Xiao Ze… The matter from that day has been resolved…” Tang Zhi said cheerfully. “The old man asked me to inform you.”

“That day’s matter?” Xu Ze paused, recalling the incident at Tianyang Mountain, and then smiled. “Oh? What’s the outcome?”

“Zhuo Ku, the most heinous of them all, has been sentenced to death—the trial is soon. As for Wu Gang and the fat guy, the investigation uncovered more crimes. They’ve been linked to several unsolved murder cases. They’ll likely face the death penalty too.”

“All sentenced to death?” Xu Ze smiled faintly. “They got what they deserved, especially Zhuo Ku. He deserves worse than death.”

Tang Zhi chuckled. “It’s all thanks to you. Otherwise, who knows how long it would’ve taken to catch them.”

“They brought it upon themselves,” Xu Ze said lightly. “If it were someone else, they might’ve ended up as their victims.”

“True. Those three were top fighters from an underground boxing ring in another province. Except for the fat guy, Zhuo Ku and Wu Gang were exceptionally ruthless. I heard they’ve killed several people in the ring and injured countless others…” Tang Zhi laughed. “But they were no match for our Xiao Ze.”

“You flatter me, Brother Tang,” Xu Ze replied modestly.

Tang Zhi hesitated for a moment before continuing, “As for Zhang Junhai… well… there’s a small issue.”

“A small issue?” Xu Ze raised an eyebrow. This wasn’t entirely unexpected. Zhang Junhai was now the Zhang family’s only remaining son—his brother, Zhang Juntao, was reportedly in a vegetative state. If the Zhang family didn’t protect their sole heir, they might as well vanish from Star City.

He smiled. “What’s the issue? Tell me, Brother Tang.”

Hearing Xu Ze’s relaxed tone, Tang Zhi felt relieved, knowing Xu Ze understood the situation. “Vice Mayor Zhang visited the old man the day before yesterday to apologize. He begged the old man to spare Zhang Junhai, given that he’s the family’s only son left. He’s willing to offer you compensation.”

“The old man knows the Zhang family’s situation. If pushed too far, they might become desperate and cause trouble for you… So he asked me to check with you. If you’re willing to let Zhang Junhai off, the Zhang family will send him abroad immediately—never to return—and compensate you generously.”

Xu Ze smiled. This was within his expectations. Although the Zhang family was no match for the Tang family, they still held considerable influence in Star City. If they were willing to compromise, the old man wouldn’t push them to the brink.

“Brother Tang, please thank the old man for me… I agree to the Zhang family’s terms,” Xu Ze said.

“Great! That makes things easier,” Tang Zhi replied cheerfully. “The Zhang family is wealthy—don’t hesitate to ask for a hefty compensation. A million or so wouldn’t be unreasonable.”

“Hmm…” Xu Ze wasn’t sure what to ask for. Money seemed inappropriate, and he didn’t really need anything else.

As he hesitated, an idea suddenly came to him. He chuckled. “Brother Tang, I know what I want!”

“What is it?” Tang Zhi had expected Xu Ze to take longer to decide but was pleased he’d made up his mind so quickly. “Xiao Ze, are you sure? Don’t miss this chance to make the Zhang family pay.”

“No need to think further, Brother Tang. Tell Vice Mayor Zhang to prepare a white grand Steinway piano for me.”