"Thank you again," Fang Yun expressed her gratitude towards Xiao Han.
"I've said it before, don't stand on ceremony, we're family," Xiao Han said with a cheeky grin.
Fang Yun stayed silent, a tinge of red spreading across her cheeks as she held her daughter, whispering sweet nothings to her.
Only then did the Dean approach Xiao Han and said tentatively, "Brother Xiao, I have a rather presumptuous request."
"If you know it's presumptuous, then don't bother asking," Xiao Han glanced at him and replied indifferently.
The Dean's expression froze, and he couldn't help but give a bitter smile. This Xiao Han really had no regard for pleasantries. Still, he wasn't angry and said with a smile, "Actually, it's for the sake of the patients. I'd like to ask Brother Xiao to become the head of our hospital's Traditional Chinese Medicine department."
Hearing the Dean's words, Xiao Han looked bemused and, with a tinge of cold sarcasm, retorted, "Are you joking with me? Since the moment I walked into your hospital, I haven't sensed a whiff of herbal medicine. Don't tell me your TCM department isn't even on this premises."
"Ahem." The Dean chuckled awkwardly, "We're just about to set it up and are missing someone to lead it. If Brother Xiao is willing, you could become the chief of our TCM department, and once I retire in two years, I assure you that you can take my position."
Fang Yun looked shocked upon hearing the Dean's words. To ascend to the position of the dean of the city hospital in just two years was truly astounding.
Your average person, if offered such terms, would probably have agreed on the spot.
"Is your job as the Dean that impressive?" Xiao Han asked the Dean, maintaining a dispassionate tone.
He exuded an air of haughtiness, plainly not placing much value on the position of a hospital dean.
"If I wanted, I could open a small clinic and compete with the world's finest hospitals. Do you believe that?" Xiao Han said, half-smiling.
The Dean forced a smile. As the successor of the Ninety-nine Soul Returning Needle technique, Xiao Han certainly had the capability. In the eyes of ordinary people, the position of Dean was certainly worth striving for a lifetime, but to someone like Xiao Han, it meant nothing.
"Forget it, perhaps I was too hopeful," the Dean conceded. "Brother Xiao, would this arrangement work for you: if we have patients that we cannot handle, could we contact you? Of course, the hospital will provide ample compensation for your intervention." The Dean couldn't bring himself to give up, remembering Xiao Han's astonishing acupuncture skills.
"For the poor, one hundred thousand; for the rich, a million; for those on the brink of death, half of their assets, with a cap of five million. I am not greedy," Xiao Han declared.
That's hardly ungreedy, both the Dean and Fang Yun couldn't help but take a sharp breath.
"I forgot to tell you, as long as I step in, there are no incurable patients. However, there's one thing, I don't save dead people, as the cost is too great. If you really want my help, it'll take ten billion for a life-saving attempt, and the death must not have exceeded twenty-four hours. Moreover, there is no guarantee of revival," Xiao Han said, looking at the Dean once again.
"You can save dead people?" The Dean was genuinely astonished this time.
"That's right, I've said it before, there's no one I can't save," Xiao Han said with a faint smile.
The Dean found it hard to believe; this was unlike any TCM he knew. In ancient times, there were 'Divine Doctors' who could bring the dead back to life, but those were not truly dead, just cases of suspended animation.
However, seeing the certainty with which Xiao Han spoke, the Dean felt his words might actually hold truth.
He was internally shocked, wondering what kind of a monster he had encountered. Of course, not just anyone could afford the astronomical price of ten billion.
"How can I contact you?" asked the Dean.
Xiao Han gave out his phone number, and the hospital director dialed the number.
Just then, a group of people came in carrying delicious-smelling food. Xiao Han glanced over it, selected a few dishes, all of which were vegetarian, and then tossed the rest aside.
Fang Yun fed Nannan, who was indeed very hungry, but she didn't eat much. The little girl had always been in poor health, always having had a small appetite.
Despite that, it was enough to greatly surprise Fang Yun, because these past few days, as Nannan's condition worsened, she had been relying on intravenous nutrition to meet her bodily needs. Now that she was able to eat, how could Fang Yun not be thrilled?
It was all thanks to one man, Fang Yun glanced at Xiao Han, feeling grateful in her heart.
Not until Nannan said she was full did Xiao Han speak, "Alright, it's time for us to go. There's too much death energy in the hospital; staying too long isn't good for Nannan's health."
"Okay."
Fang Yun was now almost completely obedient to Xiao Han's words. Hearing him say this, she was startled and quickly prepared to take Nannan and leave.
"Brother Xiao, what about Doctor Chen?" the hospital director glanced at Chen Yang, his meaning clear.
At that moment, Chen Yang was in a state of extreme disarray, his mouth slightly open, saliva dripping, and his eyes filled with tears, unable to blink.
This sight sent shivers down the spines of those around and filled them with awe toward Xiao Han. They were relieved they hadn't provoked this malevolent man.
"Oh, just remove the Golden Needle," Xiao Han said nonchalantly.
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was stupefied. Didn't he just say it wasn't possible? The nurse couldn't help but ask, "You just said that if the Golden Needle was pulled out, he would die."
"Can't I make a joke?" Xiao Han asked innocently.
The crowd was speechless, including the hospital director, who could only laugh wryly. He personally stepped forward, removed the Golden Needle, and Chen Yang's body crashed to the ground, startling everyone.
"It hurts so much," Chen Yang cried out in agony.
Xiao Han laughed heartily. He retrieved the Golden Needle and then took Nannan from Fang Yun's arms, leaving the place.
Nannan was very well-behaved, clinging to Xiao Han's neck without fear or stranger anxiety. This made Fang Yun breathe a sigh of relief. Her gaze flickered, filled with surprise. It seemed that Nannan and Xiao Han really hit it off.
"Where do you live? I'll take you back," Xiao Han asked.
After hearing her address, Xiao Han hailed a cab and took them back. They arrived at a somewhat rundown neighborhood, which made Xiao Han frown.
Fang Yun lived on the third floor, where the hallway was cluttered with stuff, making it inconvenient for passersby.
Upon opening the door, Xiao Han saw the conditions of their living space, and he frowned, saying, "Why don't you move in with me for now? My place has bigger rooms."
The room was very small, a one-bedroom with a living room, where all the furniture was quite worn, evidently having been used for many years. However, the room was spotless, evidently kept very clean, showing that the owner was a hardworking person.