Chapter 341: Stepping Forward

**Chapter 341: Intervention**

"So, Mr. Hu, what brings you here? Surely not to cause a scene over medical treatment?"

Ye Xiaoxiao asked calmly.

Hu Yaowen, having just been reprimanded, obediently explained his purpose.

Only then did Ye Xiaoxiao pretend to just realize the situation. "Oh, so that’s your mother. But such a minor issue doesn’t require my master to get involved—he no longer sees patients, as you know."

Hu Yaowen wanted to say something but shot a resentful glance at Qu Miao and instead mumbled, "My mother’s illness isn’t urgent, but it’s difficult to treat. If it were something common, our family's connections would’ve taken care of it already."

Perhaps only now did Hu Yaowen begin to understand—money couldn’t solve everything.

Qu Miao, still annoyed by Hu Yaowen’s earlier attitude, shot back, "It’s just diarrhea. You just haven’t found the right doctor yet."

Ye Xiaoxiao had already decided on a prescription. Hearing Qu Miao’s confidence, she asked, "You have a solution?"

Qu Miao: "I haven’t seen the patient yet, but I’m 90% sure."

Ye Xiaoxiao turned to Hu Yaowen. "Mr. Hu, you won’t be able to call on my master—his relationship with Wang Lei is far from good."

Beads of sweat formed on Hu Yaowen’s forehead. "But aren’t they former fellow students?"

"Wang Lei has been deceiving people using Rende Pharmacy’s reputation. He stopped being one of our disciples a long time ago."

And Ye Xiaoxiao was certain Hu Yaowen knew this well.

Yet even knowing that, as long as his medical techniques came from Rende, he still had supporters.

Hu Yaowen quickly promised, "If Rende can cure my mother, I’ll make sure Wang gets no more financial support from me."

Ye Xiaoxiao replied, "With a fraud like him, any investment would be a loss. Best to cut your losses now."

Hu Yaowen shifted uncomfortably. "Then… about my mother’s condition…"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Dr. Qu and I will go check on her."

Hu Yaowen studied the two young doctors, clearly doubtful of their abilities.

"Ah? Isn’t this—"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "What, you doubt us? Your stroke was handled quickly enough just now."

Hu Yaowen winced, recalling what had happened, and realized the young man wasn’t someone to underestimate.

"Alright then. Please come with me, doctors."

This time, Hu Yaowen’s tone carried a hint of sincerity.

Though Rende didn’t usually make house calls, exceptions could be made—for the right price.

Old Mrs. Hu’s condition had been ongoing, so Ye Xiaoxiao and Qu Miao wrapped up their work at the pharmacy before gathering their things to leave with Hu Yaowen.

Qu Miao packed a collection of his gear, including incense burners and medicine jars.

Since they had decided to let Qu Miao handle the case, Ye Xiaoxiao would just assist this time.

Besides, they'd just offended the Hu family. Without any real skills, they might not make it out of the Hu household in one piece.

Ye Xiaoxiao had already sent away the bodyguards that Lu Hanchuan had arranged earlier, leaving only Duan Hong still staying with her.

Duan Hong was sure the danger wasn't past yet.

Wang Lei was stuck in the hospital for now, so he couldn't cause trouble. But once he recovered, he'd be back for payback.

...

At the Hu residence, the saying went: you don't change horses midstream.

Hu Yaowen had brought so many doctors into his home, putting Ye Xiaoxiao and Zhang Wanqiu at odds.

Zhang Wanqiu didn't seem particularly upset and merely said calmly, "Mr. Hu, the prescriptions you sent before did nothing but make the old lady suffer. Now you've brought in new doctors whose methods will probably clash with mine.

If that's the case, I'm walking out now before I get blamed if anything goes wrong."

Hu Yaowen waffled. He wanted to cure his mother but didn't dare promise results.

If he ended up driving Zhang Wanqiu away, he'd be up a creek.

Just then, Hu Yaowen's sister came back with her child.

"Second Brother, why'd you drag more quacks here? Seems like you want Mom to stay sick."

Hu Yaowen glared at Hu Qingyu. "Bull! Everything I do is for Mom!"

Hu Qingyu pouted defiantly. "Second Brother, we'd help if Mom wanted us to. I think Dr. Zhang's doing fine. Don't fix what ain't broke."

Hu Yaowen insisted firmly, "Mother's illness needs a permanent cure."

Ye Xiaoxiao listened from the side. House calls were bad enough without getting dragged into family drama.

She coughed lightly. "Mr. Hu, are we doing this exam or not? We're on the clock here."

Hu Yaowen: "Yes!"

Hu Qingyu: "No!"

The brother and sister butted heads again.

Ye Xiaoxiao cut in. "How about we ask the actual patient?"

So the siblings went together to consult Old Mrs. Hu.

Left in the living room were Ye Xiaoxiao, Qu Miao, and Zhang Wanqiu.

Zhang Wanqiu recognized Ye Xiaoxiao.

Age hadn't brought wisdom.

He looked her up and down like trash, then sneered.

"Little Sister, you haven't been studying medicine long, have you? With your level, you shouldn't show your face in professional circles and drag our teacher's name through the mud."

Ye Xiaoxiao touched her ear and tilted her head toward Qu Miao. "You catch that noise?"

Qu Miao replied coldly, "Sounded like a yappy mutt."

"You..." Zhang Wanqiu was beside himself with anger—these two young people were completely disrespectful.

"Never thought Master would take in a disciple like you without any manners. You must not have learned the rules yet."

When Zhang Wanqiu became an apprentice in medicine, he entered Rende Pharmacy at thirteen. Back then, the grandmaster was still alive, and Rende Pharmacy had strict discipline. Apprentices were extremely careful with their words and actions.

A brat like Ye Xiaoxiao, who spoke without restraint, should’ve been caned.

"Zhang Wanqiu, you need to understand—you’re no longer a disciple of Rende Pharmacy. You have no right to call him Master, or me junior sister."

Ye Xiaoxiao’s offhand remark instantly made Zhang Wanqiu lose it.

He shouted back, "So what? As long as my medical skills were taught by Master, I’ll always be his disciple! Even if Master himself denies it, others will recognize me!"

Ye Xiaoxiao gave him a pitying look. "You’ll soon see that what you’ve learned is just a drop in the bucket—completely insignificant."

While things downstairs were about to come to blows, Hu Yaowen and Hu Qingyu finally stopped their shouting match.

In the end, the two agreed to listen to Old Mrs. Hu and give the treatment one last shot.

But Old Mrs. Hu also laid down the law—if this attempt failed again, Hu Yaowen would have to leave the house too.