Chapter 26

With the wound bandaged, Wang Sihua was naturally no longer a target.

"Fine, sir, I'll give you one free checkup. Apart from this wound, you're perfectly healthy today. But since you're injured, you should still rest and recover properly."

Wang Sihua fell into thought at those words.

The moment a thought formed in his mind, the signal above his head shifted.

Su Fuling: "..."

What was this cop thinking? He clearly wasn't a mission target a moment ago. What was he planning to do after the checkup that suddenly made him one?

She had to backpedal quickly. "Sir, I looked more carefully. This wound of yours is rather large, and it will have some impact on your physical health—possibly your mental state as well. In any case, sir, you really should rest."

Wang Sihua: "...You know what I was just thinking?"

How would I know what dangerous thing is going through your head?

Su Fuling shook her head. "I don't know, but a person's thoughts affect their complexion. When you think things that aren't good for you, your complexion changes too."

Wang Sihua: "...How could anyone possibly tell that? If that were true, wouldn't you be some kind of expression expert?"

"If you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do about it," Su Fuling said.

Zhao Facao had been studying on the side. Seeing this turn of events, his mind clicked, and he figured it out. He looked at Wang Sihua with contempt. "Officer Wang, you didn't hurt yourself on purpose just to crash the place, did you?"

He'd encountered people like this before. To extort money, they'd do the opposite of what he'd calculated, then claim he'd been wrong and demand compensation.

His own calculations weren't accurate to begin with, so getting extorted was just bad luck. But his master was the real deal.

Su Fuling looked at this Wang Sihua upon hearing that, and saw his face flush slightly.

Had she really hit the mark? That crossed Su Fuling's bottom line. "Sir, if you're here to crash the place, I won't entertain you."

Wang Sihua hurriedly explained, "I'm sorry, I just wanted to test..."

"I don't know what you're doubting in your head. But as a Doctor, after giving you a checkup and a conclusion, you then deliberately inflict an injury on yourself and blame me—that's a despicable thought," Su Fuling said sternly.

Wang Sihua quickly waved his hands. "Doctor, I wasn't trying to pin it on you. I was just thinking—if I got hurt, it would prove metaphysics doesn't exist."

Su Fuling: "...What a stubborn, incurably curious person."

She actually believed his explanation—he wasn't planning to cause trouble. But she certainly couldn't condone such behavior. "Regardless, hurting yourself over something that doesn't exist is never a good idea."

By now Wang Sihua realized how wrong his behavior had been. Even though he'd said he wouldn't use this to cause trouble for others, these people certainly wouldn't believe him. In their eyes, his behavior was pretty low. "I'm sorry. It won't happen again." He knew that when you did wrong, you had to own up.

Only when she saw the marker on his head change did Su Fuling believe he was sincere.

Considering the double Merit Points from earlier, she'd let it slide. "Consider today's matter closed, Officer Wang. Here there's only a Doctor, no master of metaphysics."

"Doctor Su, we're back!" He Li called out from outside.

She was carrying homemade desserts. Coming in and seeing the familiar Officer Wang, her face darkened. Then thinking he might be here to investigate Doctor Su, she got furious. "Hey, officer, why do you keep haunting us?"

Li Liang also ran to his mommy's side to back her up. "If you keep pestering us, I'm going to file a complaint!"

"He came for a checkup. It's already over; he's leaving soon," Su Fuling said. After all, he'd only gotten hurt trying to catch a thief, and Su Fuling didn't want a police officer being lectured like this. When all was said and done, people's curiosity about metaphysics was hard to suppress.

Wang Sihua nodded at Su Fuling, turned, and walked out.

He Li wasn't satisfied—she ran to the door to watch him leave. Coming back, she asked if he'd come to cause trouble.

Su Fuling didn't want to speak ill of anyone behind their back, and she had some goodwill toward the police profession. Although his methods were a bit out of line, overall he was a good person—even the System recognized him as such, giving more Merit Points. "Alright, let's not talk about others. As for you three, you really don't need to come every day."

"After the checkup, if our bodies are fine, we feel at ease," He Li said.

Twenty Hong Kong dollars wasn't a small amount, but compared to life and safety, it was nothing. That woman An Hui was still in the hospital with her arm in a cast.

Ding Lanhui felt the same way. Since these incidents, not coming to see Doctor Su every day left her uneasy.

She'd originally planned to bring her husband in for a checkup too, but he was an academic and didn't believe in this sort of thing.

Su Fuling didn't say much more—it was their choice.

She scanned and took pulses of the three in turn. The results were good. Only Li Liang's wound needed re-bandaging.

She believed that once this period passed, as long as they maintained this state, they would gradually let go of their psychological shadows and wouldn't need to come see her every day.

After her checkup, He Li said quietly, "Ah Xiang and I are planning to start a little business." She asked Su Fuling guiltily, "Doctor Su, do you think Ah Xiang and I's business will make money? We're planning to sell desserts." After being scammed, they didn't have much savings. They used to earn from stocks, but now she didn't dare touch stocks. Better to do a small business and earn a little.

Zhao Facao pricked up his ears nearby.

Su Fuling just smiled and shook her head. "I don't know. I don't understand business either. Business in Hong City, even less so."

Zhao Facao coughed. "Master, what if Ms. He loses money and can't handle it?"

"How could I not handle something like that?" He Li said angrily.

Zhao Facao hinted, "That cop just now was planning to hurt himself on purpose, and my master saw through it."

He Li: "..."

Before He Li could react, Ding Lanhui, being a careful person, caught the implication. Then she thought—sure enough, that could work.

"If I lose money and can't take the stress, and hurt myself, would it also have something to do with the complexion Doctor Su mentioned?" Ding Lanhui said.

Li Liang: "...What are you all talking about?"

He Li, however, understood what Ding Lanhui and Zhao Facao meant.

Su Fuling could only admire how ruthless they were. Even this kind of loophole they could exploit. The System was right—humans really are cunning.

But no.

Su Fuling refused to do such a thing. She was a Doctor. If she encouraged self-harm for fortune-telling purposes—even if it would let her earn Merit Points and create a win-win situation—it violated her principles as a Doctor and as a person.

"No. I won't support any self-harm."

"..."

The shoulders of the group immediately slumped.

He Li didn't dare force Su Fuling, so she gave up. "I was being greedy."

After the three left, Zhao Facao didn't dare make a sound either.

But Su Fuling still sternly reminded him, "Uncle Fa, as a Doctor, encouraging people to hurt themselves is a terrible thing. If you have thoughts like this in the future, I can't teach you anymore."

"I know, I know. I just haven't broken the habit yet," Zhao Facao said.

He still didn't understand his master well enough.

"Ah, Master, I'll definitely correct myself properly, won't do anything you don't allow. I promise."

Su Fuling didn't say more. As long as Uncle Fa changed some of his ways, having someone like him help her was actually quite useful. She didn't understand the situation in Hong City, and having someone constantly remind her could save her a lot of trouble.

Having decided to teach him medicine properly, Su Fuling took out medical books she'd read before and let Zhao Facao look at them first. If he had questions, he could ask.

Zhao Facao took them excitedly.

"Read these first. When I'm done, I'll make you a study plan," Su Fuling said.

Zhao Facao nodded happily.

But this morning, Su Fuling was destined to have no leisure time.

These days of free treatment, word had spread farther and farther. Everyone came early to line up for treatment.

And the chef next door had brought people over for medicine. Because they'd heard Su Fuling agreed to apply medicine for free, everyone wanted to try.

Su Fuling saw so many people delivering Merit Points in the morning. Her mood lifted.

Seeing how happy Su Fuling looked treating people, Zhao Facao figured he should quickly build his master's reputation and bring more patients.

Since ancient times, hadn't disciples been supposed to share their master's burdens?

When Su Fuling finished at noon, Zhao Facao took out flyers he'd written, ready to find a copy shop and promote them on nearby streets.

Newspaper ads would be the best method, but that was too expensive. He thought his master might not be able to afford it.

Su Fuling hadn't expected this approach. Indeed, having Uncle Fa help really saved trouble.

"Let's try it first. Don't post them too far away."

"I know, I know. If too many come, Master, you won't be able to handle it." Zhao Facao was very proactive. After eating, he went out to copy the flyers, eager to attract more patients for Su Fuling.

Once he left, Su Fuling had peace too. Because afternoons weren't free, she had more downtime.

Indeed, with a free time slot, everyone tried to come in the morning.

Su Fuling was considering whether to offer free consultations in the afternoon too. Now she could make more medicine to help with treatment, and just charge for the medicine. Plus she had checkups she could charge for—enough to satisfy her uncle and aunt without raising suspicions about where her money came from.

And she felt that at this rate of earning, she could soon move out of her uncle's house. That would make it easier to keep these things hidden.

With the afternoon free, Su Fuling rested her chin on her hand, pretending to nap, preparing to enter the System to read. No wasting time.

The Merit System suddenly asked, "Why didn't you accept their proposal? You could have earned more Merit Points and completed the task sooner."

The usually quiet System speaking up was rare. Su Fuling said, "You're actually encouraging me to do something like that?"

The Merit System said, "Anything that can complete the task early is permissible. Our task is to earn Merit Points."

Su Fuling now truly believed the System's master wasn't a good person. Even earning Merit Points, they'd use any means necessary.

"I'll complete the task properly, but what we're earning is Merit Points, not Sin Points. If driven by desire, what consequences might follow, I don't know, but I won't do it."

Merit System: "..."

For once, the Merit System was rendered speechless.

Su Fuling didn't plan to chat. She wanted to focus on reading. She'd just started when she heard movement outside—someone had arrived.

She opened her eyes and saw it was Chen Shan and Chen Shasha, siblings.

They'd brought several people with them.

Chen Shasha looked genuinely apologetic. "Doctor Su, I only just found out that yesterday someone came to bother you because of me. That bastard Lin Wenjie actually dared to come cause you trouble."

Su Fuling was startled at first, then remembered yesterday's rough-faced man. "Yesterday's person was sent by Lin Wenjie?"

"Yeah, my brother's Goons taught him a lesson and he confessed right away. I just went to settle accounts with Lin Wenjie, but I'm still sorry for causing you trouble," Chen Shasha said.

Chen Shan nodded lightly, confirming this.

"It's nothing. As a Doctor, stating a condition is my duty. If he couldn't accept it, that's his problem, not yours," Su Fuling said.

Chen Shasha was truly moved by such a good Doctor Su. Excellent medical skills, good person, and helped her so much.

Truly a good person.

She quickly said, "Doctor Su, I brought several people to see you today. They're all injured."

Su Fuling looked at the boys, whose build and strength seemed similar. Some had bruised faces, some had bandaged hands. "How are so many of you injured?"

"They've all got bad tempers. Went out, got into fights over the slightest disagreement." Chen Shasha naturally didn't dare say they'd had trouble with another gang's Goons.

In front of someone like Doctor Su, Chen Shasha really didn't want her to think she was mixed up with gangs and not proper.

She used to think it was no big deal, but facing Doctor Su, she'd have these thoughts.

Su Fuling smiled at her.

Just as she said, Chen Shasha was much more reliable than Li Liang—how many patients had she brought already?

"Doctor Su, I want to work with you. From now on, anyone from our hall who needs treatment will come to you. Do you open in the evening?" Chen Shan said.

Su Fuling shook her head. "I don't come in the evening."

For her, safety came first.

Chen Shan nodded. "Understood. Then during the day, if there are problems, we'll come to you."

Su Fuling was in great spirits. Yesterday's use of one checkup slot on him really wasn't wasted.

"Same as before—consultations are free. But medicine costs money."

A Goon nearby muttered quietly, "Brother Shan, she's so young, a high schooler, can she handle it?"

"Lin Wenjie's gonorrhea was diagnosed here. You tell me if she can. Are you afraid she'll find something wrong with you?" Chen Shasha said.

The whole hall knew anyway, so she didn't care.

The Goons fell silent.

"Let Doctor Su examine you all first," Chen Shan said.

The Goons lined up one by one in front of Su Fuling.

Su Fuling scanned as usual—they were indeed mission targets. Although their external injuries were clearly visible, she still took pulses carefully.

The pulse readings were alarming. Besides external injuries, their bodies weren't in good shape either. "Do you often have a dull pain in your stomach?"

The bruised-faced Goon said, "Ah, Doctor, you even know that?"

"You skip meals often. Your stomach is going to have problems. If you don't take care of yourself, there'll be serious consequences later." Su Fuling said. Right now it was just mild gastritis, but if it got worse, that would be terrible.

Su Fuling applied medicine to his face first, then prescribed ointment.

"Merit Points +!" "Merit Points +3"

Two Merit Points credited at once.

So treating different ailments on the same person could earn Merit Points simultaneously!

Although the next two only had external injuries with no internal problems, this sudden gain still satisfied Su Fuling greatly.

When she went home in the evening, Su Fuling bought a whole roast goose.

Going upstairs, she was surprised to find that flyers had been posted in her apartment building's hallway by Zhao Facao too.

Several people stood there looking at them, discussing whether to go.

Su Fuling glanced at the flyer content—she'd been blown up into a young miracle doctor with excellent medical ethics and skills.