"Mr. Zhang, hello!" Ke Wen smiled as he greeted, but his cautious demeanor was evident in his words, showing a hint of distrust towards Zhang Zhili. It's a common tendency for people to judge others by appearances. Ke Wen, being older and skeptical of traditional Chinese medicine due to his past experiences, found it hard to fully trust Zhang Zhili. He suspected that Liu Shishou might have attributed his recovery to Zhang Zhili out of politeness towards Shen Hong, but Ke Wen didn't want to ruin their friendship over such trivial matters.
Shen Hong smiled and pointed at Ke Wen as he introduced Zhang Zhili, saying, "Ke Wen used to be a soldier and is very healthy among us." He then described Ke Wen's recent health issues, including dizziness, poor sleep, and a recent heart attack incident.
Ke Wen sat beside Shen Hong, facing Zhang Zhili directly, and skeptically remarked, "I think the dizziness is just from poor sleep, leg cramps from calcium deficiency, and the heart attack was just a freak accident, probably due to a nightmare or something." Shen Hong shook his head and insisted, "We can't be careless."
Ke Wen reluctantly agreed to let Zhang Zhili take a look. Zhang Zhili observed Ke Wen and concluded that while his body was currently free of illness, he was surrounded by negative energy, which could lead to various health issues and even affect his family members. Ke Wen was initially skeptical but eventually got frustrated with Zhang Zhili's diagnosis, dismissing it as a scam to extort money from him.
Despite Shen Hong's embarrassment, Zhang Zhili remained composed. He remembered how Zhang Zhili confidently claimed his expertise in traditional Chinese medicine during their previous encounters. Shen Hong then suggested they listen to Zhang Zhili's advice, even though they were both atheists.
After some probing questions, Zhang Zhili suspected that Ke Wen had recently come into contact with negative energy, possibly through handling certain objects or attending specific events. However, Ke Wen's uncooperative attitude made it difficult to pinpoint the exact source.
Zhang Zhili then asked about Ke Wen's recent activities, specifically if he had visited a cemetery, attended a funeral, or come into contact with deceased individuals during investigations. Ke Wen denied all of these.
As the conversation progressed, Zhang Zhili grew increasingly convinced that Ke Wen was surrounded by negative energy, especially focusing on his hands. He asked if Ke Wen had an interest in collecting antiques or if he had recently purchased a new car, but Ke Wen denied both.
In the end, despite Ke Wen's skepticism and refusal to cooperate, Zhang Zhili decided to help him by using a symbolic gesture to dispel the negative energy surrounding him. Ke Wen, unaware of Zhang Zhili's actions, warned him not to tamper with his car. Shen Hong intervened to prevent any further confrontation.
After Ke Wen left, Zhang Zhili expressed his willingness to help him, albeit with a warning about the dangers involved. Shen Hong, feeling uneasy, silently acknowledged Zhang Zhili's underlying grudge despite his calm demeanor.
Zhang Zhili sneered inwardly; he wasn't exactly a saint. If it weren't for Shen Hong's genuine kindness towards him, he might not have been so patient. Calling the waiter, he found out the bill had already been settled. With no appetite left, Zhang Zhili left the private room. At the restaurant entrance, he happened to see Ke Wen driving out. The car was surrounded by negative energy, and Zhang Zhili raised an eyebrow; Ke Wen truly had a strong luck, or else someone else might have been doomed by now. Shen Hong, unable to persuade Ke Wen, smiled helplessly at Zhang Zhili; this guy had always been this stubborn. They had been friends for over twenty years, and he never minced his words.
"Was what you said earlier true? If it is, could you help him, for the sake of our old friendship?" Shen Hong asked.
"Alright. You go talk to him. Stop the car for a moment," Zhang Zhili replied. Shen Hong hurried to stop the car, making small talk to distract Ke Wen. Zhang Zhili pricked his finger and, using blood as a medium, inscribed a rune on the back of the car. Ke Wen, seeing Zhang Zhili's actions in the rearview mirror, loudly protested, "You little brat, don't mess with my car!"
"Be careful, damn it!" Shen Hong, fearing Ke Wen might anger Zhang Zhili, quickly tapped on the car door, signaling to drive away. After Ke Wen left, Zhang Zhili shook his head slightly. "If he survives tonight, it's partly due to fate. I'll help him dispel it. If not, it's none of my concern."
"Hmm," Shen Hong's expression changed. "Is it that dangerous?"
"Yeah. But I see a faint red light in his palm creases; perhaps there's still a chance. If he refuses to believe me, there's nothing more I can do," Zhang Zhili shrugged indifferently.
Shen Hong looked at Zhang Zhili, feeling a shiver down his spine. He silently thought to himself, "Don't be fooled by his mild demeanor; he's one to hold grudges."