Chapter 67

“Young Master Chen, do you know anything about Chinese medicine?” Ye Aotian asked.

“I don’t, but these three esteemed gentlemen certainly do. Do you? Where’s your team?” Chen Fan played dumb, slipping into his role.

Standing near the door, Ling Yuyan watched the scene with keen interest. Fight, come on, just fight already!

Ye Aotian chuckled. “Do you think everyone’s as clueless as you? Chinese medicine—I’m proficient in it myself.”

Chen Fan chuckled dryly. “Prince William, are you really going to trust someone so young to needle your butler? Do you truly believe he’s fit for it?”

Although William was friends with Ye Aotian, this situation made him a bit nervous. He looked at Ye Aotian and asked, “Are you confident?”

“Absolutely. It’s just a case of a brain hemorrhage. Treating it without brain surgery isn’t difficult.”

Arrogant. Insanely arrogant. One of the elderly practitioners beside Chen Fan spoke up. “Such audacity from a mere child! Human life cannot be guaranteed so flippantly! And what if something goes wrong?”

Wow, this guy’s my hero, Chen Fan thought. Anyone who reads novels knows that when the elder says such a line, they’re bound to get slapped in the face. Chen Fan had been worried he’d struggle to slip into character, but this outburst by the elderly practitioner made him gleeful.

On the sidelines, Jin Lan massaged her temples. Can we please wrap up this circus? Watching this is exhausting.

Ye Aotian shot back, “You stubborn old fools never understand that there’s always someone better out there.”

“Very well, go ahead then. If it doesn’t work, we won’t be responsible for the aftermath.”

Chen Fan turned to William and said, “Prince William, if Ye Aotian fails, causing irreparable harm, we won’t be able to intervene. The full responsibility will lie with Ye Aotian.”

“Responsibility?” William looked over at Ye Aotian.

“My life is on the line here. Of course, I’m willing to take responsibility.”

Anna scoffed, “Who cares about your pathetic life? The butler is family to us. Who are you? Do you have any real assurance?”

Who is this woman? Get her out of here.

Oh, it’s Anna? Fine then. Is this woman cursed?

William glanced at Anna’s face. “Sister, what happened to your face?”

“It’s nothing. I tripped. No big deal.”

Tripped? Tripped so hard you ended up with five handprints on your face? Forget it. If my sister says it’s fine, I won’t get involved.

Anna had started to dislike Ye Aotian. She didn’t even know why. If she didn’t know the plot, she might have seen him as just another flirt. But knowing the story and seeing Ye Aotian’s true nature, she only found him increasingly fake.

Now, with both sides using the same plan, whoever treated the patient first would steal the spotlight. Let Ye Aotian show off? Not happening.

Ye Aotian turned to Princess Anna, “I don’t know why you’re so hostile towards me. I think there must be a misunderstanding. I genuinely want to save this person.”

Save him? Come on, protagonist, are you a saint or something? She’s insulting you left and right, calling you a dog, and you still want to save face for yourself? Unbelievable.

Actually, Ye Aotian was feeling irritated too. What’s with this woman? Ever since she showed up, she’s been on my case. Is she acting out to get my attention?

Looking at it that way, it all made sense. Maybe he just hadn’t been assertive enough when he flirted with her. William had mentioned she was a bit of a basket case. Fascinating woman, truly.

Chen Fan had no idea of Ye Aotian’s inner thoughts, but if he did, he would have awarded him “Best Protagonist.” This was the ultimate self-conquest strategy. Top marks for delusion.

Anna’s resistance left Ye Aotian perplexed. He said, “In that case, you go first. What if something goes wrong?”

What if? It definitely will go wrong, and if they don’t kill the old man, it’d be a miracle. But in the current situation, there was no choice but to keep going.

Chen Fan signaled to the elderly practitioners and said, “Go ahead and treat him. If anything goes wrong, I’ll take responsibility.”

The three elderly practitioners nodded, positioned themselves around the patient, and began identifying acupuncture points. Chen Fan stepped out to the corridor, casually lighting a cigarette.

Hospitals may not allow smoking, but he was the villain. Villains, after all, have no regard for manners.

There were quite a few spectators, including Lin Qingyue, which surprised Chen Fan. What is she doing here? It’s not her scene yet.

[What an idiot. Seriously, that Anna—what if the old man dies?]

[But the plan itself isn’t wrong; it just lacks the inner strength needed for effective acupuncture.]

[Hold on. If these three fail, and Ye Aotian steps in to save the day, wouldn’t that make him a hero and the star of the show? Damn, Anna really knows how to set up a plot better than the original story.]

[Ye Aotian will show his prowess in front of all the heroines. I bet every single one will swoon.]

[Oh right, the Lin family might need Ye Aotian’s help too. Hahaha, soon the Lin family will be by Ye Aotian’s side.]

[Zhu Yeqing, little darling, I can’t get to you, but Lin Qingyue, you’re still within my reach. Wait till you see how ruthless a villain can be.]

Zhu Yeqing, reading the diary, was full of disdain. As expected, you’re a total scoundrel.

After reading it, Lin Qingyue instantly understood. Her father had recently been facing health problems, specifically with his kidneys. If Ye Aotian saved this patient, he’d undoubtedly become popular in Qincheng, and the family would likely reach out to him.

Some things are just meant to be, I guess.

Chen Fan, stepping out of the bathroom, noticed Lin Qingyue but chose to ignore her. He expected she’d go into the room to watch Ye Aotian’s grandstanding, but instead, she was still waiting for him by the door. Crazy.

“What are you waiting for? Aren’t you going to watch your boyfriend?”

“The other day, it was Xiao Lan, not me. Why do you always think it’s me?”

“Does it matter? Without your encouragement, would Xiao Lan have dared to go after Ye Aotian? Are you still acting in front of me? You don’t need to anymore. Ye Aotian’s wealthy now and capable; you two can be together.”

“I … Chen Fan, you’re being unreasonable.”

“How am I unreasonable? Isn’t your Lin family interested in Ye Aotian lately? I’ve heard your family frequents his bar.”

“Those are just relatives, not me.”

Chen Fan wasn’t interested in listening. He had to play his part. I don’t care if you went or not; if I think you went, then you went. I don’t care.

In the room, the three elderly practitioners looked frustrated as there were no signs of the patient waking up. They stepped aside.

Ye Aotian mocked, “My turn? It’s truly laughable. A group of old fossils trying to act like they’re something they’re not?”

Standing at the door, Chen Fan feigned anger and sneered, “A bunch of useless fools.”

But inside, he was thrilled. Great job, you three old men! I was worried you’d accidentally save the patient. That would’ve been a nightmare.

He resolved to reward each of them with a villa.

Still, he kept a scowl on his face, glaring at Ye Aotian.

“These three masters couldn’t do anything, and you think you can? Don’t kill him, or you won’t be able to bear the responsibility.”

Ye Aotian smirked devilishly.

Chen Fan watched, almost wanting to grab a megaphone and shout, Everyone, look! The protagonist is about to show off! Look at that halo! It’s blinding!

Ye Aotian declared, “I’ll use your treatment plan to save this person. Watch and learn what a real difference in skill looks like.”