May I come in?" Shu Lan asked softly."Yes, please," I replied.
I walked ahead of her as she followed me into the living room.She took a seat on the couch while I headed to the kitchen to pour some juice.
I handed her a glass of orange juice and asked,"What's the matter?"
She sighed and said, "It's been three months already. You haven't paid rent, and now the total has reached six hundred dollars. If you can't pay it soon, you may have to move out."
"Could you give me one more week?" I asked.
She tilted her head. "What can you possibly do in a week? ...Perhaps I could let it slide, under one condition."
"And what's your condition?" I asked cautiously.
Her face flushed red as she said,"I want you to be my boyfriend."
I stared at her, stunned, before replying,"I'm sorry, but I'm not looking to be in a relationship right now. Just give me a week, and I'll get you the money."
She frowned. "Why not? I'm mature, beautiful, and elegant."
I responded calmly,"I simply don't want to be involved in romance at the moment. I hope you understand."
"Fine," she said sharply. "You have one week. If you don't bring the money, you'll have to leave."
She stormed out of the apartment, clearly irritated. I finished my juice in total silence.
Later, I left the apartment with the phone in hand and headed to a mobile phone shop.I sold the phone, then went to a pharmacy and purchased a set of traditional silver acupuncture needles.
After that, I went to the local market and hung a sign that read:"We Can Cure Any Illness."
I sat cross-legged on a green mat, calmly waiting.
"Look at that idiot," a man pointed at me."A guy wearing a mask claiming he can cure any disease. Total fraud."
I had bought the mask before the needles—because my looks attracted too much attention.
"It's a shame the police let these charlatans scam innocent people."
I sat there all day, until the sun began to set, and not a single customer came.
Then, suddenly, a beautiful woman with long black hair and striking blue eyes approached me."Can you really cure any illness?" she asked.
Her assistant immediately stepped forward."Ma'am, don't waste your time on him. He's just a scam artist."
She hesitated for a moment, then looked at me and said,"Follow me to the car."
"Alright," I replied, standing up.
I followed her into a black armored car. We drove for an hour until we reached a luxurious villa with a wide garden.
She stepped out, and I followed.
"I want you to pretend that you're coming to treat my grandfather," she said, "while in reality, we're preparing for his funeral."
Zhou Fan looked at her with a mocking smile."So even you don't believe in me."
The young lady and Zhou Fan entered a crowded room.Dozens of eyes turned to stare at them with suspicion and disdain.
Ling Fang scoffed."Shaorin, who is this man you've brought with you?"
"He's a doctor," she replied calmly. "He's going to examine Grandpa."
Ling Fang sneered."Where did you even find this fraud? Just look at his shabby clothes."
Another voice chimed in mockingly."A charlatan, clearly here to trick us out of our money."
Zhou Fan stepped forward, unbothered."I'm no charlatan. I can heal your grandfather. But my services will cost you thirty thousand."
The room erupted.
"What did you say?" one man shouted. "Are you insane? You think we'll just hand over that kind of money to someone like you?"
"Guards! Throw him out!"
Two burly men stormed toward Zhou Fan—But before they could lay a hand on him, Zhou Fan unleashed a sudden burst of pressure. The men collapsed to the floor, groaning in pain.
"What the hell...?" someone gasped.
Ling Fang stared at Zhou Fan in utter shock.
"I told you," Zhou Fan said coldly, "I can treat your grandfather—for sixty thousand."
"Wasn't it thirty? How did it become sixty?" Ling Fang snapped. "In any case, you won't get a single cent from us!"
"Ling Fang, be quiet."
An elderly voice rang out—sharp and commanding. A hunched old woman leaning on a cane tossed a black card toward Zhou Fan.
"Take sixty thousand. Just heal him."
Zhou Fan smirked."I believe I said one hundred and twenty thousand."
The old woman's eyes narrowed. Furious, she hurled another black card his way.
"But remember this," she said coldly. "If you fail to heal him, you won't be leaving this house alive."
Zhou Fan said nothing. He stepped into the patient's room, pulling out a roll of silver needles.
He began using the Black Flower Method, a first-grade medical technique.
The needles moved like a dance—dozens of them piercing into the old man's body in precise, measured rhythm.
Ling Fang watched with disdain."Let's see how long this clown can keep the act going. Just wait—he'll be crawling out of here on his knees."
Suddenly, Zhou Fan stopped. The final needle hovered above the patient's chest—
Ling Fang stepped forward and shouted, "What have you done to my grandfather?! His condition seems to have worsened because of you! Guards!"
Zhou Fan calmly walked out of the room.
The guards approached him, but the only thing Zhou Fan did was release his aura—instantly, they froze in place, unable to move.
"So, you're a cultivator... Just as I thought," the hunched old woman muttered as she stepped closer."What level are you? Low internal energy? Or perhaps mid-tier?"
Zhou Fan simply stared at her."I've treated your grandfather. I'd like to take my leave now—I don't have time to spare."
"Treated him? From what I can see, he seems worse than before," she scoffed.
"Grandmother! Grandmother!" Sharen suddenly cried out. "Grandfather—he's awake!"
Everyone rushed into the room—the grandmother, her sons, their wives—only to be struck with disbelief.The old man was sitting upright in bed.
Sharen ran to him and wrapped her arms around him tightly."Grandfather! Thank God you're alright!"
"I'm fine, Sharen," he replied softly, before turning to his wife."Who healed me?"
The old woman pointed silently toward Zhou Fan.
The elder placed his hands together and bowed his head."Thank you, young man. If not for you, I would not be alive right now.If there's anything I can do for you, ask it."
"I do have one question," Zhou Fan replied. "I've lived in seclusion in the mountains for many years. I know little of the current cultivation realms. Could you tell me about them?"
The old man looked at him, stunned."There is External Strength first, followed by Internal Energy—which is divided into three stages: Lesser, Middle, and Greater. After that comes the Legendary Martial Arts Master."
So my strength is at least at the level of a Martial Arts Master, Zhou Fan thought to himself.
"You have done a great service to our family. We are forever in your debt."
"No need for thanks," Zhou Fan said. "I only hope we meet again someday."
"At least... can you tell us your name?"
Zhou Fan looked at them silently, then said with calm composure,"Zhou Fan."