Chapter 43

Chapter 43 In the hotel, the moment the Second Elder of the Longhu Association dropped his teacup to the floor, conflict erupted. The two sides brawled for several minutes, each taking losses, but the Sifang Association, having been prepared, suffered only minor injuries.

The Longhu Association's seated elder said to the Second Elder, 'Uncle Jin, what do we do? They're being tough—not just unfriendly, but demanding we give up so much profit.

And they want all our legitimate businesses.' The Second Elder gave a sinister snort. 'Hmph. Then let them choke on it—can't swallow, can't spit out.' A gunshot rang out.

The Henchman caught in the melee were startled by the shot. Though they'd seen such things before, pulling out a weapon in this setting meant it was a fight to the death.

For the low-level thugs who didn't know the plan, it caught them off guard. None dared move, afraid that another move would put a bullet in them.

Everyone looked toward the direction of the shot and saw the Second Elder of the Longhu Association holding a gun at Wen Shu, while the seated elder and his trusted men behind him also had guns aimed at the Sifang Association. Instantly, the Longhu Association's Henchman let out jeering war cries—the revelry of their faction gaining the upper hand.

The Second Elder of the Longhu Association said, 'Ah Wen, you're old. Sometimes you need to yield when it's time to yield, not act like you're invincible like when you were young.

I hear the leaders of the Sifang Association have lost their edge. Why do you still have to hold on? My ambition isn't big—the territory is still yours, but from now on, in Sifang Association's territory, our people can do some business.

The businesses you're unwilling to do, you might as well hand them over to our Longhu Association.' Chen Shan heard this and knew that Doctor Su had calculated correctly—this demand from the Longhu Association was impossible to meet. Because the businesses the Longhu Association wanted were all dirty trades, which were forbidden in the Sifang Association.

Though the Sifang Association also grabbed territory, did business, and collected protection money, there were some businesses they absolutely would not touch. Huang Bao cursed, 'You call that not ambitious?

That's shitting and pissing on our turf! If we let you do that, the cops will be sweeping our streets every day. How are we supposed to do business?

You cut me before, and now you're making demands? You don't take our Sifang Association seriously at all.' The Longhu Association elder who had clashed with him shot him in the leg.

Huang Bao was wearing body armor, but not on his legs, so the pain nearly made him fall to his knees. Even so, he kept cursing, 'Deadbeat!

If you've got the guts, shoot me again!' Chen Shan: '...Take Huang Bao to the back.' Huang Bao shouted, 'Chen Shan, don't hold me back! I'm not afraid of him!

Let him shoot!' Chen Shan shoved a towel into his mouth. Finally quiet, the Second Elder said to Wen Shu, 'Ah Wen, you need to make a statement.

What about our demands?' Wen Shu glanced at his watch. 'It's noon. Time for lunch.' As soon as he spoke, suddenly the hotel lobby doors burst open from outside.

'Police! Drop your weapons!' In an instant, a squad of fully armed police surrounded the lobby. Compared to the police's weapons, the Longhu Association's men looked like they were playing house.

Their earlier arrogance vanished, replaced by panicked confusion. There's a traitor! The Longhu Association's first thought was that an informant had tipped off the police—not only giving advance notice but also helping take out the lookouts outside.

Otherwise, the police couldn't have arrived directly without any warning from outside. Then, recalling Wen Shu's reaction just now, they understood: the Sifang Association had sold them out!

Wen Shu greeted the entering police officer. 'Chen Sir, I want to report a crime. We were having a business negotiation here when the other side suddenly rioted and assaulted us—not only with knives but also with guns.

One of our people has been shot.' Hearing this, Huang Bao felt his injury was worth it—it was now on record with Wen Shu. He shot a smug look at Chen Shan, thinking that Chen Shan had pulled him back earlier just to keep him from stealing the spotlight.

Chen Sir said, 'Don't worry. The Harbor City police are here to protect citizens' safety. Since you've broken the law, you'll all come back to the Police Station with me.

Mr. Wen, your people also need to come give statements.' From this attitude, everyone knew what was going on. The Second Elder of the Longhu Association cursed, 'Ah Wen!

You're working with the cops!' Wen Shu said, 'You pulled out guns, so of course we need to seek police protection. We're law-abiding citizens.

Chen Sir is a good cop—he won't wrong you. Rest assured and go to the Police Station.' Chen Sir smiled. Catching so many armed people today was a big case, and maybe he could even trace the source of the weapons.

Promotion this year looked promising. He waved his hand with authority. 'Take them away.' The police began surrounding the armed Longhu Association members.

'Drop your weapons.' Seeing this, the Longhu Association men had no choice but to comply. Even the Second Elder put down his gun with hatred.

'Just you wait!' Wen Shu said to Chen Sir with satisfaction, 'How about lunch sometime?' Chen Sir smiled. 'Next time. I have to deal with this today.

I'll treat you, Mr. Wen. I heard you're leaving Harbor City—I'll see you off then.' He also hoped to establish a connection with the Sifang Association's big boss, to make managing the Sifang Association's territory smoother in the future.

Wen Shu nodded with a smile and was about to speak when someone suddenly shoved him, followed by a gunshot. 'Shan Ge!' Wen Shu realized that someone from the Sifang Association had just shot at him, but Chen Shan had pushed him out of the way and taken the bullet himself.

The police reacted quickly, firing at the shooter from the Longhu Association side and knocking the weapon from his hand. Chen Sir said angrily, 'Outrageous!

Shooting right in front of the police! Arrest him!' As the police moved in, the man pulled out a dagger, stabbed himself, and collapsed.

Even the Longhu Association was stunned. The Second Elder watched his trusted man's series of actions, dumbfounded. 'That has nothing to do with us!' He wanted to teach the Sifang Association a lesson, but he wouldn't be stupid enough to shoot at a time like this.

And killing Ah Wen on the spot would truly make the two sides irreconcilable—only a fool would kill an old man about to retire from the underworld. 'It has nothing to do with us!' The Second Elder now knew he had been framed.

Chen Sir naturally sensed something was off, but it didn't matter—since someone had fired, all involved would be taken in. 'We'll sort it out at the Police Station.' Wen Shu had no appetite for lunch anymore.

He quickly arranged for someone to take Chen Shan to the hospital. This time, he wasn't afraid to go to the hospital, since the police had already been notified.

But Chen Shan waved his hand. 'It's just a graze. I'll go back to the branch for treatment. We have a cooperating doctor.' 'Why go back to the branch at a time like this?

Go to the hospital!' Wen Shu worried that Chen Shan was being overly cautious. He added, 'I'll pay the medical expenses.' Chen Shan remembered Doctor Su's earlier instruction: if the injury was serious and she couldn't treat it, don't come to her.

So he said, 'Then I need to make a phone call.' Wen Shu said, 'There's a car phone in my car. Make the call in my car.' He personally helped Chen Shan out.

Huang Bao, being carried out later, felt aggrieved. 'Why him? I'm hurt worse than him! He just got a scratch—I actually got shot!' He didn't dare say it loud, only complained inwardly, so frustrated he almost aggravated his injury.

In the car, Chen Shan looked at his wound and once again felt grateful that he had gotten a checkup from Doctor Su and knew he would be injured today. So even after the police came in and the Longhu Association seemed subdued, he didn't let his guard down, kept watching them, and thus spotted the shooter's intent in time to save Wen Shu.

Doctor Su had told him to protect his chest; now, only his arm was hurt—that was already very lucky. Wen Shu sat beside him.

'Does the wound hurt a lot? We'll be at the hospital soon. By the way, you just called someone to pick up Doctor Su and bring her to the hospital.

Are you worried the hospital doesn't have doctors?' Chen Shan said, 'I promised Doctor Su I'd have her make a house call today. I can't go back on my word.' Wen Shu was even more puzzled.

'You value a doctor that much?' 'Doctor Su is no ordinary doctor,' Chen Shan said. 'Wen Shu, you asked me before how I knew all this.

It's because I went to Doctor Su for a checkup. Doctor Su said my complexion was bad, so I made extra preparations.' He didn't dare go into detail—some things, even if said, others wouldn't believe.

Some things had to be experienced firsthand. But Chen Shan couldn't stay silent either. He had a feeling that Doctor Su wouldn't remain an ordinary person for long, and Wen Shu would eventually find out.

If Wen Shu learned that Chen Shan had known Doctor Su all along but kept it hidden, then his injury today would be for nothing. Wen Shu listened, confused, then laughed.

'Are you sure you're talking about a doctor, not a fortune-teller?' Chen Shan said, 'Wen Shu, if you get the chance, you should get a checkup from Doctor Su. Her medical skills are truly excellent.' 'Maybe sometime.' Wen Shu smiled, not taking it seriously.

He only thought that Chen Shan's caution had led him to make these careful arrangements in advance, and he had happened to see through the Longhu Association's scheme. Su Fulin had eaten lunch early to prepare for the house call.

She had just finished eating and was drinking tea when Li Liang came to pick her up. 'Doctor Su, Shan Ge sent me to take you for the house call.' Su Fulin immediately got up to gather her house call supplies, asking, 'Is it serious?' Li Liang said, 'Shan Ge said not to worry, and you don't need to bring too much—they have everything there.' Chen Shasha quickly asked, 'Is my brother hurt?' Li Liang said, 'Shan Ge is fine.

Just a minor injury. With Doctor Su here, it's no problem.' Zhao Facai had already prepared everything Su Fulin needed for the house call.

'Master, I'll go with you. I have experience.' Chen Shasha immediately said, 'Of course I'm going—that's my turf!' Zhao Facai chuckled.

'It's not a fight, Shasha. It's safer for your senior apprentice to go. You stay and mind the shop. Aren't you helping someone decoct medicine this afternoon?' Su Fulin said, 'Let Shasha go.

Uncle Facai, you have experience with the shop. I'll leave it to you.' Zhao Facai: '...Yes, Master. Leave it to me. I'll make sure everything is done well and you don't have to worry.' He shot a smug look at Chen Shasha, thinking that old ginger is spicier—when it came to handling things, he was the most reliable.

Even if he didn't go on the house call, he could still prove his value. Su Fulin made the arrangements and quickly got into the car with Chen Shasha.

In the car, Chen Shasha said, 'This isn't the way to the branch.' 'We're going to the hospital. Shan Ge and the others were taken there by Wen Shu.' Chen Shasha said, 'They're at the hospital and still need Doctor Su to make a house call?

When did my brother become so troublesome?' Su Fulin: '...' So this client really kept his word. She wouldn't have come if she'd known, but since everyone was together, she could finish the follow-up treatment plan today and at least earn some Merit Points.

Su Fulin arrived at the hospital almost at the same time as Chen Shan's group. She saw it was the same hospital she had visited before.

An Hui and Doctor Gao were both here. But this hospital was large, so gunshot victims should indeed come to a big hospital like this.

Chen Shasha spotted her brother and ran over. Seeing so many injured people being helped, Su Fulin was taken aback—it was her first time seeing so many wounded at once.

'Doctor Su.' Even injured, Chen Shan made a point to come over and greet Su Fulin. 'I'll trouble you today, Doctor Su.' Su Fulin said, 'Get the wounds treated quickly.

There are too many people—I can't handle them all. Better let the hospital take care of it.' She was eager for Merit Points, but she couldn't delay anyone's treatment.

'I'd rather have you treat my wound, Doctor Su. I trust you more.' Su Fulin looked at the bleeding wound. Hospital treatment would be more thorough.

So she shook her head. 'Don't delay with this injury. I have limited supplies here. You need hospital treatment. Let them bandage you first, then we'll talk.' If they delayed any longer, she was afraid he'd lose too much blood.

Wen Shu watched from a distance. Seeing that Doctor Su, whom Chen Shan kept mentioning, was so young and pretty, he thought, 'Is Ah Shan falling for a pretty face?' He suddenly felt he understood why Chen Shan insisted on having this doctor—probably to play up his injury in front of the girl and get a chance to interact with her.

But Ah Shan was still too young. Girls seeing their unstable lifestyle would only be more put off. Women wanted a stable life, not this fighting and killing.

Ah Shan still didn't understand women. With so many injured, the hospital was in a flurry. Gao Yingjie disliked these gang thugs, but since they were patients in the hospital, he had to treat them.

However, when he saw Su Fulin in the treatment room, he was surprised. 'Doctor Su, is this the house call you mentioned?' Su Fulin felt a bit awkward—both times she'd made house calls, she ended up at this hospital.

'My Medical Clinic has a cooperation with them, so they brought me along. I'm not involved in the hospital treatment.' She knew the rules: once they were in the hospital, even if she provided a treatment plan, it would be after discharge.

Gao Yingjie no longer doubted her medical skills, so he wasn't as biased as before. But he was surprised that Su Fulin had a cooperation with these gangs.

Wasn't Doctor Su taking a big risk? After bandaging and emergency treatment, the hospital finally handled everyone's wounds.

Su Fulin began taking pulses and creating follow-up treatment plans for Chen Shan and others. This was secondary treatment—it didn't pay much, but it was better than nothing.

However, Su Fulin was surprised to earn 2 Merit Points from Chen Shan's injury. Based on past experience, she only got 1 Merit Point for secondary treatment of such external injuries.

Was it because it was a gunshot? But it was just a graze. Wen Shu asked from the side, 'Doctor, how is Ah Shan?' Since Chen Shan was injured because of him, he naturally wanted to wait until Chen Shan was better before leaving.

Su Fulin said, 'It's not serious. I'll prescribe some nourishing medicine to restore his vitality.' But seeing how often Chen Shan got injured, she felt that the 16 Merit Points she had earned from him wouldn't be easy to keep.

If his body was already depleted and he kept getting hurt, she worried the System would deduct those Merit Points. Wen Shu was relieved.

'Good. Ah Shan, I know you were hurt for me. Rest well.' Chen Shan quickly said, 'Wen Shu, it was my duty.' 'No need to say more.

Just focus on recovering. Leave the rest to me. I'll head back now.' Chen Shan wanted to see him off, but Wen Shu stopped him, so he sat back down.

Su Fulin asked, 'You were hurt protecting someone?' 'Yes. Someone tried to ambush Wen Shu, so I helped him out.' Su Fulin nodded.

She wondered if the System considered it an act of bravery and thus gave more Merit Points. Same as last time with the police officer—he was hurt catching a thief for someone, so she earned an extra Merit Point.

But could gang fights be the same as police work? At least in Su Fulin's subjective view, they were different. Still, she didn't dwell on it.

The System's owner had a different mindset from hers, and the program was set differently—that was normal. She just needed to focus on earning Merit Points.

Su Fulin continued taking pulses and writing treatment plans when a few police officers entered the treatment room to take statements. Though the higher-ups had communicated, proper procedures had to be followed.

Wang Sihua walked into the treatment room and saw Su Fulin. He was startled to see her here. 'Doctor Su, we meet again.' Su Fulin: '...' So sometimes you really shouldn't talk about someone—the moment she thought of that police officer, he showed up.

She smiled and nodded. 'I'm here for a house call.' Li Liang was nearby, checking on his own Henchman A Si, when he heard Wang Sihua's voice.

Worried he might cause trouble for Doctor Su again, he immediately came over. 'Wang Sir, we meet again. You're not going to arrest anyone randomly this time, are you?' Wang Sihua gave him a disdainful look, ignored him, and walked in to say to Chen Shan, 'We're here to take statements.' Originally, this case wasn't in Wang Sihua's jurisdiction, but Chen Shan's branch was in his area, so dealing with these gang members naturally meant calling in a familiar face.

And since this case was significant, the relevant precincts also wanted a piece of the action. After an hour of work, Su Fulin was done.

Though it was only secondary treatment, with so many people, she earned a total of 21 Merit Points. At least she had some surplus now.

She thought about how much Merit Points she could earn if she had a big clinic and could treat these people directly. The thought made her regretful.

'I'm heading back now.' Su Fulin finished and prepared to leave. She needed to return to the Medical Clinic—there were afternoon patients.

She had to hurry back to earn more Merit Points so she could fully experience the video learning function. Chen Shan instinctively stood up to see her off.

'Doctor Su, I'll see you out.' Wang Sihua, who was taking a statement, looked up at the sound, then lowered his head to continue. After finishing the statements, Wang Sihua left with the police officer from the precinct where the incident occurred.

They were academy classmates, so they chatted in the car. 'Chen Sir made a big catch this time. But the Longhu Association had some nerve—so many people carrying firearms.' Wang Sihua said, 'I heard the Sifang Association knew about the situation in advance?' 'Yeah.

Didn't Chen Shan say he had a Henchman watching the Longhu Association and got the tip-off early.' Wang Sihua said, 'Then that Henchman must be high up in the Longhu Association. Low-level thugs wouldn't know about these things.' 'Who cares?

We just do our own job.' Wang Sihua didn't say more. Instead, he thought about the Doctor Su he had just seen. Ever since he made her unhappy and was kicked out, he hadn't pursued the car accident case.

But he still felt a lingering curiosity about her. Meeting her again today, along with Chen Shan's attitude, rekindled that suppressed curiosity.