Chapter 022: You Said It Yourself

Liu Zhen prided himself on his exceptional medical skills, which lent him a certain arrogance; yet the deepest respect he held in this life was reserved for his sect and for his late master. Bai Chuwei spoke in a cool tone, “Tonight, I’ll have your master teach you the true meaning of respecting your elders.”

Liu Zhen’s face flushed with anger as he rebuked her in the courtyard, “Child, do not insult my master! He has been gone for decades!”

Bai Chuwei smiled, her expression laced with meaning. “That’s all right. I’ll have him come find you tonight.”

Liu Zhen was so incensed he wanted to storm out, but the Duan family security stopped him, eager to placate. “Mr. Liu, please don’t take offense at a child’s words. For the sake of our Third Master and Miss Tong, won’t you stay? Miss Tong is still with Third Master at the set; she’ll return soon.”

The Miss Tong they mentioned was not Tong Qingyan, but her aunt, Tong Yunrou.

Hearing this, Liu Zhen’s expression improved considerably. He cast Bai Chuwei a cold glance and strode toward Old Master Duan’s courtyard.

Bai Chuwei viewed the episode as a minor interlude and made to leave the Duan residence, only to be blocked by Duan Xingye.

“Chuwei, don’t go! My grandfather really isn’t well. Are you feeling upset? Then... then how about I perform for you? I can mimic a cat’s meow, would you like that?”

His handsome face flushed bright red; he was truly embarrassed to perform such a childish act in front of everyone, but it had been rather popular lately.

He was about to say more when he suddenly sensed a cold, deep gaze fixed upon him. Duan Xingye shivered.

Why was Fourth Uncle looking at him like that?

Duan Feihan looked at Bai Chuwei, his voice low and gentle, reminiscent of a mountain spring. “Miss Bai, though I don’t know what has suddenly soured your mood, if you are willing to treat my father, apart from your consultation fee, as long as it’s not illegal, I will grant you any request, unconditionally.”

All the servants around them gasped in disbelief, staring at Duan Feihan.

As heir to the century-old Duan family, an unconditional promise from him was worth more than one could imagine.

Some maids couldn’t help but wonder—if she asked to be the Duan family’s Fourth Young Madam, would Fourth Master agree as well?

Duan Xingye watched for a while, feeling that his uncle’s offer far outshone his own cat imitation.

Bai Chuwei was momentarily taken aback; her brows arched with interest as she placed her slender, fair hand upon Duan Feihan’s broad shoulder, her fingers lightly caressing, sensing a fleeting stiffness in the man.

She gazed into his deep, earnest eyes, rose on her toes, and whispered teasingly in his ear, “Remember, you said it yourself.”

With a smile touching her lips, Bai Chuwei turned and walked toward Old Master Duan’s courtyard, hands clasped behind her back.

Duan Xingye looked at Duan Feihan with a complicated expression. “...Fourth Uncle, I never imagined your bond with Grandfather ran so deep.”

Duan Feihan was Old Master Duan’s youngest son, but from childhood, he had been cold-natured and distant with his kin.

Who would have thought Fourth Uncle might sacrifice his dignity for Grandfather’s sake!

Duan Feihan had no interest in engaging with him, sidestepping Duan Xingye to follow Bai Chuwei.

Inside, they found Liu Zhen seated beside the bed, checking the pulse of the unconscious Old Master Duan.

Bai Chuwei stood nearby, watching the proceedings with amusement.

Liu Zhen withdrew his hand. The butler hurried forward, asking, “Mr. Liu, is there any hope?”

Liu Zhen stroked his beard, cast a glance at Bai Chuwei, and after a moment’s deliberation, replied, “There is hope. I can extend the old master’s life by two more years.”

At these words, the crowd was overjoyed.

After all, Old Master Duan had been given multiple critical notices by the hospital.