Chapter 41

Chapter 41

What Wu Heng sent over was the prescription for the foot soak powder, but he didn’t specify who it was for. However, thinking about the tone Wu Heng used, saying his organs were waiting to be crushed due to his height shrinking, Han Ye decided to try it one by one!

Starting with his current roommates.

Time for a foot soak!

Another roommate walked over and saw the medicinal packet soaked in the basin full of hot water. Soon, the entire basin of water turned a brownish-red, and there was a faint herbal fragrance. He became interested and asked curiously:

"Han Ye, is this the prescription that Teacher Wu Heng privately gave you? Will soaking in it make you taller?"

Han Ye was briefly speechless.

Of course not! This is for someone else.

The roommate seemed suspicious. "If soaking in it can make you taller, why did you come back looking like you were on death's door?"

Shouldn't you look relieved if your problem had been solved?

The roommate playfully punched his shoulder and said, "Isn't that to be expected? Even if our professor tells the patient's family the surgery has a 95% success rate, the family still worries before the surgery. It's only human."

This reasoning made sense. After all, although Wu Heng was their teacher and a medical practitioner, his methods were a bit mysterious. It was normal to be worried.

Amid the sound of rapid keyboard clicks as Yang Zhiyuan played his game, the two roommates chatted away.

Yang Zhiyuan even chimed in, "Once you're better, let's go out and celebrate with a hotpot dinner."

Han Ye felt warm inside. Even though they had only known each other for a few days, the four of them were getting along great.

"So, is this really the foot soak powder that Teacher Wu prescribed to help you grow taller?" The roommate, no longer looking shocked, asked Han Ye with some anticipation.

Han Ye knew lying wasn’t right, but he couldn’t explain it clearly.

He even vaguely felt that Wu Heng had deliberately left it unclear during the live stream that the prescription wasn’t for him but for someone else.

So, for the sake of his life, Han Ye decided to go along with it. At worst, he could apologize later.

Avoiding eye contact with his roommate, Han Ye coughed lightly and replied, "Yes, I got the medicine from the school hospital and soaked a packet immediately. Do you want to give it a try too? Teacher Wu said this foot soak powder is very friendly, and everyone can give it a try."

Upon receiving an affirmative response, the roommates got excited. "Holy crap, really? Just soaking your feet can make you taller? This is miraculous. The professors in our medical school would faint in disbelief."

Height is something that’s determined by genetics and later efforts. You can change your appearance with plastic surgery or lose weight, but height is something that can’t be changed. Nowadays, people work hard to increase their height by eating well and exercising, but how could it be as easy as soaking your feet?

Many people from their school watched Wu Heng's live streams. It was said that every live stream had no less than a thousand reports against him for practicing medicine without a license, yet he was still doing fine. It was even rumored that the dean of a top hospital followed him.

"I'll give it a try." The roommate immediately became interested.

In the north, there were too many tall boys, and he, being just barely average, was truly envious.

The roommate immediately took off his socks and soaked his feet in the basin, feeling so comfortable that he yelled out in joy.

Han Ye watched his roommate closely, but there didn’t seem to be any strange reactions. Wu Heng hadn’t mentioned what would happen after soaking either.

Deciding to go all out, Han Ye took out his phone and entered the class group.

"Clinical Class 01 Han Ye: @everyone, Teacher Wu Heng from Shark Video Platform gave me a prescription for a foot soak to grow taller. I have extra. If anyone needs it, come to dorm 302 ~"

Most of the freshmen who had just started university after graduating from high school were night owls. Since the medical university never turned off its lights or cut its internet connection, almost more than half of the students saw the group message.

Because of that co-streaming session with Dr. Wu, Han Ye, much to his chagrin, became the talk of his cohort. However, it wasn’t because he had won the right to choose a partner first, but because he was the poor guy suffering from a mysterious illness.

Even the counselor couldn’t resist asking Han Ye to measure his height three times a day and report back.

And even tonight, during his follow-up consultation with Dr. Wu, many of his classmates secretly tuned in to the live stream.

While some were still questioning whether the remedy prescribed by the online streamer was truly effective, the patient himself was offering extra foot bath powder.

It seemed that the remedy was actually working. Perhaps Han Ye had already recovered, which is why he was willing to share the extra powder.

This series of speculations excited many students.

"Absurd, how dare they use a remedy from an online quack? Are they really not afraid something might go wrong? I need to talk to Han Ye. I’m going to find him now."

"Han Ye has recovered? That’s awesome! As his classmates, how can we not go see him? I’ll grab a bag of fruit and head over to see him."

"Professor Wang asked us to save a pack to see if this really helps with height growth. Allow me to be the first to try it."

Several students in the class took screenshots and forwarded the message to the alumni group. Soon, not only classmates but also older students from other majors got wind of it.

In less than three minutes, someone knocked on the door of Han Ye’s dorm room 302.

A group of guys in pajamas shamelessly showed up. They self-righteously opened their mouths: "Han Ye, I’m willing to dedicate myself to medical science, including my own body!"

Saying that, the group of guys all stretched out their feet.

Han Ye, feeling dead inside, said, "Let’s get this organized!"

The four-man dorm room wasn’t that big to begin with, so Han Ye had no choice but to send another message in the group chat—please bring your own stools and towels to wipe your feet.

Who knew one post would attract this many students, even seniors from other majors.

A man’s height is his pride!

This wasn’t about foot baths; this was about getting a makeover.

"Yo, ten bucks per person."

Seeing the long line of people waiting, the roommate even helped shout, "Three male guests."

Han Ye silently thought that instead of coming to university to study medicine, he had somehow started a business—running a foot bath city.

Other people started businesses in college; he had also started one, running a foot bath city.

"I feel less fatigued," a brother who had just finished soaking his feet reported timely.

As for the main advertised effect of height growth, it couldn’t happen instantly, so they would have to wait until tomorrow morning to see.

The roommate put his hand on Han Ye’s shoulder, who was almost exhausted, and said, "Bro, the girls are being stopped outside the men’s dormitory. They’re currently arguing with the dorm manager to come up."

Looking out the window, Han Ye was astonished to see girls who also wanted to try it.

This isn’t right, Dr. Wu. How long will this go on?

Just as Han Ye was feeling anxious, his roommate Yang Zhiyuan couldn't help but ask, "Can I try soaking my feet too?"

Yang Zhiyuan had been playing games and from the corner of his eye saw those classmates saying how comfortable it was to soak their feet. After hearing it so many times, he couldn't help but want to try it too.

It was getting late anyway, so he might as well soak his feet before going to bed.

Han Ye said, "Sure."

He was already quite skilled at this foot-soaking business; he just needed to get it done.

Yang Zhiyuan put his feet into his own foot basin, and after a while, his feet turned a healthy red from the hot water, and he sighed in comfort.

After soaking for a while, he lifted his feet and reached for the towel hanging nearby, intending to dry them.

Han Ye glanced sideways and froze, exclaiming, "Wait a moment—"

At this moment, the other two roommates and a group of alumni waiting outside also peeked over.

Countless pairs of eyes were astonished as they looked at the soles of Yang Zhiyuan's feet, where a cinnabar-red inscription appeared, clearly bearing Han Ye's name and birth details.

It was exact.

Han Ye's mind blanked for a moment, then he angrily threw the towel to the ground and pointed at Yang Zhiyuan, shouting furiously, "What the hell is that on your soles? Why does it have my name and birth details?!"

Yang Zhiyuan looked momentarily panicked but quickly calmed down and shouted back even louder, "What do you mean by that? How should I know what happened? Maybe that shaman's medicine was faulty, and you're trying to frame me!"

Han Ye was almost laughing in anger. "You don't know what happened? So many classmates and seniors have soaked their feet and are perfectly fine. But your soles suddenly show my name and birth details, and now you're playing dumb? Do I have a grudge against you?"

No wonder Doctor Wu Heng said this medicine pack wasn't for him but for someone else.

Fan Xuan was really right; this wasn't his own illness but something caused by someone else.

The surrounding alumni also felt that something was off. They were all college students, not superstitious, but even they couldn't help frowning when they saw this scene.

Whether or not this practice was effective, stepping on someone's name and birth details was something no one could tolerate. Yang Zhiyuan's actions were indeed out of line.

Fan Xuan, having learned about the opening of Han Ye's foot-soaking business, arrived just in time to witness this and blurted out, "In metaphysical terms, this is called 'trampling on a villain'."

Ever since his appearance-obsessed older sister fell victim to something similar, Fan Xuan had not only studied medical books but also delved into many esoteric things.

Trampling on a villain? So it was him they were stepping on?

Han Ye flew into a rage, realizing why he had been shrinking. It turned out his new roommate had been stepping on him all along; he'd have to be short, wouldn't he? If it weren't for Doctor Wu's follow-up diagnosis exposing this, he wouldn't even know how he would have died.

Yang Zhiyuan stood up barefoot, towering half a head above Han Ye. Seeing that Yang Zhiyuan was still treating him like a villain, Han Ye, furious, grabbed Yang Zhiyuan's foot-soaking basin and poured the water straight onto him.

"Do you want to die?!"

According to Dr. Wu's explanation, wasn't this exactly what they were trying to do to him?

In his near-death rage, Han Ye landed a fierce punch on Yang Zhiyuan's face, knocking over items on the table, causing a harsh clatter. Many dorms, already at rest, opened their doors and looked towards room 302.

Han Ye and Yang Zhiyuan were locked in a fierce fight. Even though Han Ye was half a head shorter, his rage gave him strength, and he managed to pin Yang Zhiyuan down and beat him.

The counselor, who had been standing in the crowd waiting in line, shouted, "What are you waiting for? Break them up!"

Seeing everyone looking at him, the counselor shrugged his neck and quickly said, "I'm not here to get taller."

The surrounding classmates quickly realized what was happening and rushed forward to separate the two.

Han Ye fell to the ground, gasping for breath, and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his hand. Glaring daggers at Yang Zhiyuan, he cursed, "If you want to challenge me like a man, do it openly. Why resort to such dirty tricks? Come at me directly, alright?"

Han Ye thought he had been extremely unlucky. It had only been about ten days since they started university. What in the world had he done to offend his new roommate to the point of trying to kill him?

Yang Zhiyuan remained silent, refusing to answer, so the counselor interjected and asked, "What exactly is on the sole of your foot? Or could this be a tattoo?"

If it were written with a pen, a quick rinse with water would probably wash it off. Was it really a tattoo? The school didn’t explicitly prohibit students from getting tattoos, but this kind of action hurt the camaraderie between classmates.

Yang Zhiyuan sat there, spitting out the blood from his mouth, but still didn't answer.

"Alright, you're really something," Han Ye said with a bitter laugh, seeing Yang Zhiyuan's defiant silence.

Han Ye automatically reached for his phone, intending to try video calling Wu Heng. But Chengde Medical Hall was offline, and noticing it was nearly 1 a.m., he realized Wu Heng was probably asleep already.

"Should we try video calling San Shui Zhenren?" a roommate suggested.

If the expert isn't available, the apprentice might be able to help. Fans who regularly followed Chengde Medical Hall's live streams knew that San Shui Zhenren often hung around there and could have picked up something.

And so, San Shui Zhenren found a bunch of 985 university students appearing in his live stream.

In the past, netizens loved to mock him for believing in metaphysics. He used to joke that he would sell health products to them. Now, the very people who would eventually produce those health products had come to him.

Han Ye quickly explained the situation. Since San Shui Zhenren often lurked in Chengde Medical Hall's live streams, he naturally knew about this small guy whose height was shrinking.

Staring at the sole of Yang Zhiyuan's foot, San Shui Zhenren said with certainty, "A master used cinnabar to write this, meant to be stepped on by an opponent. The person being stepped on will experience constant bad luck, and if they are physically weak, they may fall ill and end up in the hospital."

Thinking of what Wu Heng had said about Han Ye's height continuously shrinking until he became like a compressed biscuit, with his organs eventually unable to bear the pressure and failing, San Shui Zhenren couldn't help but find it a bit exaggerated.

It would be impossible for one person's foot pressure to kill someone as vibrant as Han Ye.

But Wu Heng had never misdiagnosed in all his live streams, so San Shui Zhenren was a bit uncertain himself.

Han Ye asked again, "I just want to know why he went so far as to mess with me. I've only known him for less than half a month."

Was it really necessary to go so far?

San Shui Zhenren then picked up the tortoise shell artifact on the table, tossed it up, and muttered something as if he were fortune-telling.

Han Ye missed Wu Heng, who could diagnose everything with his telepathic pulse-taking.

Looking at the hexagram in front of him, San Shui Zhenren said, "You two are from the same place. The conflict lies in academics and love."

Han Ye was confused. "What?"

A roommate said, "I remember Yang Ge mentioning that he was a retaker from Zhoucheng No. 1 High School."

Han Ye was surprised. He was a student from No. 2 High School, and Zhoucheng No. 1 High School was right next door. It was as if San Shui Zhenren had hit the mark.

Feeling overwhelmed, Yang Zhiyuan finally spoke in a cold tone, "Did you forget about the biology competition?"

Han Ye exclaimed, "What? I only got last place in the biology competition... You weren't pushed down by me, were you? Are you really that bad?"

Yang Zhiyuan: "..."

Indeed, that was the case.

He had originally planned to earn extra points by participating in competitions, but things went wrong. In every city-wide diagnostic exam, Han Ye's name always happened to be right above his. Even after the college entrance exam, when he confessed to the girl he liked, she rejected him, saying she liked Han Ye from the neighboring No. 2 High School.

Han Ye, it was always Han Ye.

In truth, given Yang Zhiyuan's family background, his father had suggested multiple times that he send him abroad for studies, but he refused. He insisted on taking the college entrance exam to prove himself.

And prove himself he did. He earned his spot at the Medical University through his own merit.

However, he and Han Ye ended up in the same university and the same major. When the system randomly assigned them as roommates, it was Han Ye again.

That name was like a nightmare!

Han Ye didn't know him, but Yang Zhiyuan knew Han Ye all too well. He even dreamt about that name.

Would he always be trampled by Han Ye? Why should he be?

If Han Ye was trampling him, then why couldn't he trample Han Ye back?

He was just giving Han Ye a taste of his own medicine. What was wrong with that?

Han Ye cursed, "You've really got a problem. I had no idea who you were before this."

Is this stupid reason enough to try and ruin him? This guy's got issues!

San Shui Zhenren said, "Such malicious deeds actually affect your karma. Those who harm others will eventually get what's coming to them."

The most talked-about case recently, isn't Lu Guoliang the best example?

According to netizens, Lu Guoliang is in a miserable state in the detention center now. The injuries caused by Wang Mei and the others are incurable, causing him constant pain.

And even when he's executed, the underworld will still have more in store for him.

Yang Zhiyuan showed a flicker of panic and quickly nodded, saying, "Yes, I know. That's why I realized it was wrong to continue doing this. I've prepared the latest shoes from my family's brand to express my apology."

"If Han hadn't discovered it, I was going to clean the bottom of my feet by tomorrow morning."

An off-screen counselor exclaimed in surprise, "Yang Shoes is your family's company? The king of domestic footwear, Yang Xing, is your father?"

Han Ye cursed, "Who the hell wants your crappy shoes? I don't want them, get lost."

The other two roommates, caught in the middle, felt extremely awkward. Accepting the shoes meant they couldn't face Han Ye, who was the victim. They couldn't side with the perpetrator, even though it was the first time they had received such expensive shoes.

The counselor stepped in to smooth things over, saying, "Since the matter is clear, let Yang clean the name and birthdate off the bottom of his feet and write a thousand-character letter of guarantee, then apologize to Han properly."

"I can help you switch dorms. Let's just let it go, you'll still have to be classmates in the future."

Seeing Han Ye's cold expression and lack of response, the counselor frowned and added, "Even if you report this, at most, it'll just be a warning. You're students from a top university! Less of this superstitious nonsense."

San Shui Zhenren thought for a moment and said, "At 3 AM, washing your feet with white vinegar can remove the cinnabar charm."

Hearing this, Han Ye thanked him and ended the call, glaring at Yang Zhiyuan with a dark expression.

"If you don't clean that stuff off your feet, don't even think about touching the ground or walking. Otherwise, I'll go after you."

Han Ye couldn't help but feel enraged thinking about how his personal information had been trampled on for so long.

One of the roommates awkwardly raised his hand to mediate, saying, "I believe Yang has realized his mistake. I'll make sure he doesn't touch the ground before 3 AM. We have plenty of wheelchairs at our Medical University."

Wheelchairs are self-service, after all.

The few people in dorm 302 were not in the mood to clean up the mess on the floor and each climbed into bed to rest.

Han Ye sat cross-legged on the bed, just staring at Yang Zhiyuan. At three o'clock, as instructed by San Shui Zhenren, he confirmed that the cinnabar talisman on Yang Zhiyuan's foot had indeed been washed off. Han Ye's nerves, which had been tense for several days, finally relaxed.

But he still didn't dare to sleep in the dorm, so he went to Fan Xuan's dorm and squeezed in with them.

Fan Xuan's dorm had a studious person who got up early to read books.

As a result, Han Ye didn't sleep well and woke up feeling uncomfortable. He grabbed his phone from the bedside and rolled his eyes when he saw the campus delivery message.

If it were yesterday, he would have truly been happy to receive a gift from his new roommate. After all, his family was only middle-class, and he usually couldn't afford sneakers worth eight thousand yuan.

But now, thinking that Yang Zhiyuan had given him this costly gift out of guilt for harming him, Han Ye felt a deep sense of discomfort.

Han Ye planned to return the gift later.

He put on his shoes and got out of bed. The scholarly senior who was reading books looked up and couldn't help but look him over.

"What's up, senior?"

The senior said tactfully, "Maybe you should measure your height again?"

Han Ye noticed that his field of vision while standing in front of Fan Xuan seemed different from last night, and his heart sank.

Wait...

Han Ye quickly took out a leather tape measure and measured himself.

"H-how much is left? Did it grow back?" Han Ye asked Fan Xuan with a trembling voice.

Fan Xuan said nothing, just handed him the tape measure with a shaking hand, showing the measured value.

"172cm." Seeing that number, Han Ye felt as if the world had turned dark and staggered backward.

He had shrunk again by another!

And by a lot.

Han Ye covered his chest, which had begun to ache slightly, and broke down in tears. "Wu Heng! I need to see Wu Heng for a follow-up appointment!!!"

It was too much for him to handle!

Wu Heng was awakened by the noise. A clear English recitation echoed from downstairs on this beautiful morning.

*

Yang Xing held an English book that had been burnt in his hand as he sat on the threshold of the clinic, reciting. This was his favorite morning activity.

"Don't make noise." Wu Heng came down the stairs to speak to Yang Xing.

"Can you burn me a learning device? The one that can play English tapes in a loop?" Yang Xing, still holding his book, continued to ask.

Ever since he learned that Wu Heng could burn things with real skill, Yang Xing's emotions had become much more stable.

"Country bumpkin, we use mobile apps to play them now. No need for tapes," the little white snake slithered in.

Ever since Xi Xi returned from the capital city, the little white snake has been coming to the medical hall more frequently and earlier.

Wu Heng said, "The app versions in the underworld are outdated, and apps for learning English haven't been updated yet."

Even if there were any, his father said they were foreign eulogies, poorly translated and of no learning value.

Wu Heng then grabbed at the little white snake and said, "Xi Xi is still asleep. You're not allowed to go up."

He Yunxiao had specifically informed his godfather, stressing that they should join forces to protect the young lady and watch out for certain people with dyed yellow or white hair.

Just as he was thinking, the phone in his pocket vibrated slightly. He took it out and saw a WeChat message from He Yunxiao.

"He Yunxiao: Dr. Wu, I'm getting ready to move into my dormitory today. Just now, the courier delivered the shoes I ordered last night. I'll send the shoes over to the Shi family. You or Xi Xi can come get them from the well when you're free. [Photo]"

The photo showed a pair of bright orange sneakers with a unique design that looked as good as famous foreign shoe brands.

He Yunxiao had chosen a gray pair, which happened to match the small gray snake's color.

He really liked these shoes and planned to wear them at the school dormitory.

"Baby Heng Heng: Not wear them?"

Just as He Yunxiao was handing the shoe box over to Shi Xuan, he saw the message and froze.

Not wear them? Why? These shoes look so good!

Wu Su saw that Shi Xuan hadn't taken the box, so he stepped forward, took it, and placed it properly. Afterward, he hurried to the main entrance.

He Yunxiao had already left. A private car was parked at the Shi family's entrance, and Shi Xuan, wearing a black school uniform with a backpack on one shoulder, stood at the gate.

Wu Su stepped forward and opened the car door for him. As Shi Xuan got into the car and sat down, Wu Su signaled the driver not to step on the gas pedal yet. He leaned on the window and said to Shi Xuan, "Young master, the head of the Shi family has already left for Nanyang to handle some business."

It was an early morning flight, and he left quite efficiently.

Shi Xuan nodded, "I understand, Butler Wu."

Wu Su waited but saw that Shi Xuan had nothing more to say, "?"

Wasn't it said that once the head of the family goes on a business trip, you would resign?

Is the young master not fully awake because it's too early?

Shi Xuan, seeing that Wu Butler was still standing by the car door, carefully chose his words and said, "Wu Butler, with the current economic downturn, it's tough to find a job outside. It won't be easy for you to find another job. I'll raise your salary to 300,000 a month. What do you think?"

Wu Su's eyes widened slightly, and after a long pause, he said, "Offering this much, young master, are you planning to take the head of the family's position?"