Super Doctor - Chapter 86

It was clear that Old Master Tang was in an exceptionally good mood. Since the onset of his angina, there had never been a three-day stretch without an episode—until now. Thanks to Xu Ze, he had truly glimpsed the dawn of relief from his suffering.

So when Xu Ze arrived, the old man personally stood to welcome him, leading him into the tea room. Under Xu Ze’s delighted gaze, Old Tang even brought out his treasured, national-grade Da Hong Pao tea without hesitation. The two of them, one old and one young, settled by the small tea table, indulging in a luxury fit for royalty…

“Xu Ze… I never expected it to work so quickly. This truly surpasses my expectations,” Old Tang mused as he brewed the tea, his voice brimming with excitement. Even the soothing, refreshing aroma of the tea couldn’t fully calm his exhilaration.

Watching the amber tea stream slowly from the spout of the purple clay pot into tiny cups, releasing an invigorating fragrance, Xu Ze closed his eyes lightly and took a deep breath. Slightly intoxicated, he said, “Don’t worry, Old Tang. In just half a month, the pain shouldn’t return.”

“That’s good… that’s very good. Heh… Drink up, drink up.” The pot yielded exactly six small cups. With a smile, Old Tang filled each one, set down the teapot, and gestured for Xu Ze to begin.

Xu Ze didn’t stand on ceremony. He picked up a cup, brought it to his nose, and inhaled deeply. The rich aroma flooded his senses, sharpening his mind in an instant. With a contented sigh, he downed the tea in one go.

“If life grants me such tea, then it has not been wasted…” Reluctantly swallowing the last drop, Xu Ze sighed again before setting down the cup. A question that had been on his mind for days resurfaced, and he turned to Old Tang with a smile. “Old Tang, do you live here alone?”

“Haha, yes. Just me, Tang Zhi, and a few housekeepers,” Old Tang replied, understanding the unspoken curiosity. “I prefer peace and quiet, which is why I bought this place. My children and grandchildren have their own homes and busy lives. Aside from holidays, it’s usually just me here.”

“I see…” Though Old Tang wore a smile, Xu Ze caught the fleeting trace of loneliness in his eyes. Nodding gently, he said, “Old Tang, I really like the environment here—the fresh air, the tranquility.”

“Ha! Then come visit whenever you like. I’m usually home alone anyway. Just call Tang Zhi, and he’ll arrange for someone to pick you up.” Old Tang laughed heartily at Xu Ze’s words.

By the time they finished tea, it was already 9 p.m. Xu Ze began Old Tang’s electro-acupuncture treatment…

After the session, Old Tang was again drenched in sweat, though now the impurities were far fewer—only faint traces of gray amid the glistening beads.

The extended Mercedes stopped at the school gates as usual. Xu Ze smiled at Tang Zhi. “Brother Tang, you really don’t need to chauffeur me every day. Just send a driver tomorrow.”

Tang Zhi patted his shoulder. “It’s no trouble. The old man insists I handle it personally—don’t make my job harder.”

Then, he pulled an envelope from his pocket and handed it to Xu Ze. “This is from Old Tang.”

“Ah…” Xu Ze stared at the envelope, momentarily stunned before quickly declining with a smile. “Brother Tang, I’m not even a licensed doctor yet. Helping Old Tang was just a small gesture. I can’t accept payment.”

As expected, Tang Zhi chuckled at his refusal. “This is only right. You’re making two trips daily—consider it compensation for your time. We can’t have you running around for nothing. Even if the old man didn’t insist, I’d feel guilty.”

“Really, it’s unnecessary. I see Old Tang as family. His recovery and happiness are reward enough. Taking money would weigh on me.” Xu Ze’s words were sincere, his refusal firm.

Tang Zhi’s admiration deepened at the resolve in Xu Ze’s eyes. He gave his shoulder a light squeeze. “We understand your feelings. But this is Old Tang’s gift. Even if you’d done nothing for him, you could accept it. He sees you as his own.”

“He knows how hard you’ve worked these past years. With your talent and dedication, you deserve more. Think of this as pocket money from an elder.”

“Look at you—the dream guy of half the campus, yet your T-shirt’s frayed. Two years old, right? It’s even getting short…” Tang Zhi tugged at the worn collar, warmth in his gaze. “Buy yourself some sharp new clothes. They’ll suit you better.”

Moved by the kindness in Tang Zhi’s eyes, Xu Ze paused, then nodded slowly with a smile. “Thank you, to both Old Tang and you. I’ll accept it, then.”

By the time Xu Ze returned to his dorm, it was nearly 10:30 p.m. Luo, exhausted from a day of basketball, was already asleep, while Gangzi and Pangzi battled away at their computers.

Tossing the envelope onto his pillow, Xu Ze grabbed his toiletries for a shower, scrubbed his clothes, hung them to dry, then settled into bed. He planned to cycle his energy a few times before entering the virtual space.

Only then did he remember the envelope. Retrieving it, he felt its thinness. A check, perhaps?

Xu Ze smiled wryly. Of course—someone of Old Tang’s status would pay with a check. A world apart from mine.

Opening it, he slid out a slip of paper bearing a bank’s insignia. Indeed, a check.

But one glance froze him in place. He reread it twice to confirm: One Hundred Thousand Yuan.

“100,000…” Xu Ze’s mind blanked. This is 100,000 yuan in my hands? His heart pounded wildly. After a long moment, he carefully returned the check to the envelope.

He’d never imagined Old Tang would give him such an amount. He’d assumed maybe 10,000—enough to cover half a year’s expenses, refresh his outdated wardrobe, help Qing’er and Xiao Hao with their needs, spare his mother her grueling street-stall work…

But *100,000*?

What did that sum represent? For the campus’s rich kids, it might cover two years of allowance. But for Xu Ze, it meant everything: tuition and living costs for his entire degree.

With this, his mother wouldn’t need to toil dawn to dusk despite her poor health. He wouldn’t have to beg for odd jobs, skimp on meals, or cling to fraying clothes. He could join classmates’ birthday outings without excuses, buy Qing’er a proper gift without starving for weeks…

100,000 meant freedom from countless hardships.

“Should I return it?”

“No… Old Tang wouldn’t take it back. He just wants me dressed properly, living without struggle.”

Clutching the envelope, Xu Ze lay still. Behind closed lids, two crystalline tears slowly formed.