Mountain Sea

In the corridor, father and son stood facing each other in silence.

Just then, the door to the ward behind them opened. Three doctors in white coats emerged surrounded by nurses, and Shen Liang and Shen Qian hurried over to meet them.

Through the gap in the doorway, Shen Qian saw Wang Xiaojuan lying quietly on the hospital bed, her eyes shut and her face ashen.

"Director Qian, how is she?" Shen Liang tried to keep his voice calm as he looked at the elderly man in front.

"She is not in immediate danger," Doctor Qian said first.

Shen Liang and Shen Qian both let out a breath of relief.

"But it is still troublesome." Doctor Qian shook his head. "The medicine she has been taking over the past two weeks was not only ineffective, it also worsened her condition. It is not just her kidneys; her other organs have also suffered varying degrees of failure."

"Then what do we do?" Shen Liang's face turned anxious again.

"Our unanimous recommendation is to take her to a hospital with a Mountain Sea Martial Artist as soon as possible and ask them to act. They can use vital energy to clear the toxins from her body..." Doctor Qian exchanged glances with the other two doctors before speaking slowly.

"The toxins from outside the restricted zones are complex. With the current level of medical technology, completely removing them is extremely difficult. We discussed it just now, and even if we risk surgery, the success rate would be very low," another doctor added.

Shen Liang said nothing, and Shen Qian felt equally weighed down.

They both knew that if a Mountain Sea Martial Artist acted, Wang Xiaojuan could be completely cured. But martial artists of the Mountain Sea Realm were legendary figures in Jing City.

There were only two hospitals in all of Jing City with Mountain Sea Martial Artists on staff.

And asking a Mountain Sea Martial Artist to act started at a seven-figure fee, not to mention the waiting list...

"Is there any other way to keep her stable?" Shen Liang asked hoarsely.

"I have temporarily stabilized her condition with the latest equipment, but she will need to remain hospitalized for a while. After she is discharged, if you want to slow the toxins' spread, the only option will be to increase the dosage of the special medicine."

Doctor Qian paused, then continued, "But I need to remind you that this will not only increase your burden, it only treats the symptoms, not the root cause. At most, it can keep her going for another two or three years..."

Doctor Qian did not say what would happen after two or three years, but Shen Liang and Shen Qian both understood.

"For now, let's do that. Here is the bill. Go pay it as soon as possible." Doctor Qian wrote out a slip for Shen Liang, then left with the medical staff.

Shen Liang gripped the bill in his hand and fell silent for a moment. Then he suddenly turned and smiled at Shen Qian. "It's all right. We still have time. At least your mother's condition is stable for now. Xiaoqian, wait here for a bit. I'll go get some money."

"Dad, it's nearly thirty thousand yuan. Who are you planning to borrow it from?" Shen Qian had caught a glimpse of the figure on the bill and sighed softly.

Shen Liang's steps froze. He forced a casual tone. "Don't worry. It's only thirty thousand. Your dad will find a way."

"With that bunch of poor relatives, forget it... As for Uncle Sun, your colleague, it's not like I haven't met him. Dad, I'm not looking down on him, but even if he has some money, he has the same temperament as you. You can tell at a glance he is not the one calling the shots at home."

Just as Shen Liang was about to speak, Shen Qian placed a thick envelope in his hand.

"Here. Forty thousand. Take it and spend it. If it's not enough, we'll talk then." Shen Qian imitated Shen Liang's usual tone and waved dismissively.

Shen Liang froze. Ignoring his son's teasing, he opened the envelope and looked inside. Then he raised his head in shock. "Where did you get so much money?"

"Don't worry, it's clean."

"No, Xiaoqian. You have to explain where this money came from." Shen Liang turned serious.

Sure enough, it's a hassle for a seventeen-year-old to carry around a huge sum of money. Even his parents don't trust him...

Shen Qian rubbed his brow and explained helplessly, "Do you remember Ding Yi? Well, you should have seen her at one of the parent-teacher meetings... She's the prettiest girl in our class."

"The prettiest?"

Shen Liang thought for a moment and quickly recalled her. "The tall girl with the ponytail? The one you said had a crush on you?"

"Yes, that's her. To be honest, we've already pledged ourselves to each other for life... Dad, stop glaring at me. Fine, even if it's not that, at least we're childhood sweethearts who are in love..."

Seeing Shen Liang roll his eyes, Shen Qian could only get to the point. "Ahem. Anyway, her family is rich. I knew coming to the hospital would cost money, so I borrowed some from her in advance. I'll pay her back later."

Shen Liang was speechless for a moment.

"Relax, relax. Her family really is rich. Her monthly allowance is hundreds of thousands. This is nothing to her. Besides, it's not like we won't pay her back. Dad, don't feel burdened by it!"

"I..." Shen Liang looked at his grinning son, shook his head, and finally sighed. "It's because your father is useless. Find a chance to invite her over for a meal sometime. I'll thank her in person."

"And just because she is rich does not mean it has anything to do with us. What we owe, we still have to repay. I'll check the current interest rates later. We need to calculate some interest for her no matter what."

Shen Liang was exceedingly solemn, so Shen Qian could only nod repeatedly in agreement.

Once Shen Liang finally accepted his explanation and hurried downstairs to pay the bill, the playful smile on Shen Qian's face gradually vanished. His fists slowly clenched.

"Mountain Sea Realm..."

His soft yet resolute murmur slowly drifted through the corridor.

With the Ten-Thousand-Yuan Household Experience Card about to expire again, Shen Qian squeezed the envelope, now much flatter than before, and gave up on the idea of going to Jiuzhou Martial Arts Hall.

Some of the medicine's effects still remained in his body. Even without the martial arts hall's equipment for the time being, his rate of improvement would not be slow.

After Wang Xiaojuan's condition stabilized, Shen Liang chased Shen Qian out of the hospital. There was indeed no need for Shen Qian to keep watch by her bedside, so after some thought, he decided to go home and lift weights.

He needed to advance to the rank of Beginner Martial Artist as quickly as possible. That way, he would have a legitimate income of ten thousand yuan every month and would be much more at ease when facing his parents' questions in the future.

Unfortunately, his plan to sell the prescription was not yet mature. Since it involved the system, Shen Qian had to be extremely cautious.

Under the moonlight, the peeling paint on the walls of "Xingfu Residential Area" gleamed with a sickly white light.

It was already ten at night. The usually bustling entrance to the residential area was especially deserted. That was normal for a neighborhood made up mostly of middle-aged and elderly residents.

As he passed the security booth, Shen Qian glanced inside and immediately felt contempt rise in his heart.

The booth's door was tightly shut, with only a faint glow leaking through the window.

Old Hu is slacking off this early? As expected of a security guard from a vocational school, completely unreliable...

After walking a short distance, Shen Qian suddenly stopped, then turned back.

Recently, as his physical condition improved, all five of his senses had become much sharper. He was certain he had smelled hotpot, along with the fresh fragrance of leafy vegetables...

Having missed dinner himself, Shen Qian walked over to the security booth and knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" After several seconds of silence, Old Hu's wary voice came from inside.

"Police Warriors inspection!" Shen Qian lowered his voice and spoke gravely. "We received a report from the public and suspect you are slacking off in there with a group. Open up, now!"