Mu Rongxie wore an uncharacteristically stern expression.
"The disciples of the Mu family are far different from the average medical students. Beyond textbook knowledge, we also have a trove of ancestral techniques that have never been made public. If you're truly considering taking on a disciple…"
He paused meaningfully, then continued, "Mu Side, you're the future head of the Mu family. You tell me—should we take on a disciple or not?"
"If it's Shu Lanzhou," Mu Side smiled faintly, "then of course we should."
Mu Rongxie could see right through him. He raised a finger and pointed at Mu Side's face. "You've fallen for that girl, haven't you?"
"I have." Mu Side didn't bother hiding it. "I quite like her. So, Second Uncle, please be a little kinder to her. She's timid and gets scared easily."
"I heard she even dared to treat Old Master Long. That doesn't sound timid to me," Mu Rongxie chuckled.
"But don't say I didn't warn you—if you're going to make her your disciple, it needs to be done properly, with a formal ceremony, and she'll have to respect the family rules. If she's willing to accept that, then I won't stop you this time."
Mu Side's face lit up. "Thank you, Second Uncle!"
"You rascal," Mu Rongxie gave a few low chuckles. "Are you thanking me for your aunt's sake or for that girl's?"
Mu Side's grin deepened. "Both."
"Alright, go on then. I've known for a while that you weren't interested in chatting with me—you're itching to run off and find that girl. Look at you, so hopelessly obvious."
Though Mu Rongxie scolded him with his mouth, his heart ached for his nephew, and he waved him off with affection.
"Second Uncle!" Mu Side stood up but didn't leave immediately. "Are you really not going to find yourself a wife?"
Mu Rongxie hurled a penholder at him.
"How many times have I said it? No means no! Your father already handed you over to me like a son—why should I bother with the trouble?"
"But still—" Mu Side didn't get to finish. A folder came flying at his head.
"Out! I don't want to hear another word of your lecturing!" Mu Rongxie bellowed.
He was absolutely firm—no one was allowed to bring up that subject. Every time someone did, he'd explode. Mu Side had thought about it for years but could never understand why.
It wasn't like his second uncle disliked women. In fact, he'd had a woman he deeply loved in his youth. According to Grandma, after the Mu family incident, that woman still insisted on marrying into the family.
But for some reason, Second Uncle suddenly turned cold and flat-out refused to marry her. That woman waited for years, but eventually left the country in anger and never came back.
Since then, Second Uncle had never been in another relationship. He dedicated himself to the Mu family, expanding its legacy into the powerful force it was today.
Mu Side had returned to China at a young age to live with his aunts and uncles, and he had deep affection for Mu Rongxie. Now that he saw his uncle aging, he couldn't help but feel concerned.
Leaving the study, Mu Side felt a mix of emotions. Passing by Shu Lanzhou's room, he suddenly had the urge to stop in and sit with her a while.
The little girl had a strange habit—she never quite closed her door all the way. Through the crack, he could see her profile as she focused intently on her book.
She was such a good kid, so dedicated to her studies, with a quiet resilience that showed in her concentration. That level of seriousness, as if she were about to merge with the textbook, made it impossible to interrupt her.
Forget it. There's plenty of time ahead—no need to rush, Mu Side thought, standing at her door for a moment before heading back to his own room.
…
Knowing she'd be making a house call to see Old Master Long, Shu Lanzhou didn't dare oversleep. Even though she'd stayed up late studying the night before, she got out of bed just after dawn.
The Mu family ran on a strict schedule. Soon enough, everyone was up, and after breakfast, they all went about their business—some off to work, others preparing for the New Year festivities. Mu Yaning took Shu Lanzhou to the hospital where Old Master Long was being treated.
Just as they arrived downstairs, a bespectacled, middle-aged doctor in a white coat came rushing out of the elevator.
"Dr. Mu, you're here—this way!" Qin Dongming greeted them warmly, ushering the two into the VIP elevator reserved for special patients.
As soon as they stepped inside, Qin Dongming extended his hand toward Shu Lanzhou.
"Hello, Student Shu. I'm Qin Dongming, the attending physician for Old Master Long. We'll be relying on you and your teacher this time. If you need anything during your stay at the hospital, just let me know."
"Hello, Dr. Qin." Shu Lanzhou gave a brief handshake. "I'll follow my teacher's lead."
In other words, if there's anything needed, her teacher would handle it—not her place to speak.
Qin Dongming let out a hearty laugh. "Dr. Mu, where'd you find such a good student? She's not at all like what people have been saying. I'd say she's anything but reckless."
"In an emergency, why wouldn't someone act?" Mu Yaning replied flatly.
"In a crisis, are you really supposed to sit there debating whether the person deserves to be saved?"
That line was sharp. Shu Lanzhou quickly lowered her head, trying hard not to laugh. It wasn't the right time, and it wasn't polite—but it was funny!
Qin Dongming had meant to be complimentary but hadn't expected such a blunt response.
Still—he liked it!
Clapping his hands, he said, "Exactly! You can't afford too many thoughts when saving someone. You act—that's it. That's why we're counting on you for Old Master Long."
"You're not one of those people trying to wriggle out of responsibility, are you?" Mu Yaning's tone darkened slightly.
Qin Dongming's expression shifted instantly. He waved his hands in a hurry. "No, no! I was just worried you might change your mind again."
That last sentence was muttered under his breath, barely audible.
After all, several days had passed without a word from Mu Yaning, and he'd been on edge. Now that she'd finally come, he wanted to lock down the collaboration.
Just as they stepped out of the elevator, they bumped into two familiar faces at the ward door—Lin Jiayi and Han Weicheng!
No one quite knew what kind of relationship they had, but they sure had a habit of showing up together—raising plenty of eyebrows.
"What are you doing here?" Han Weicheng's face darkened when he saw Mu Yaning and Shu Lanzhou.
"Don't tell me you came to apologize to Old Master Long? You'd better leave. He's resting and not seeing anyone!"
Clearly, the two had just been turned away themselves and were taking it out on someone else.
Shu Lanzhou bit her lip, trying not to snap back at Han Weicheng in front of Qin Dongming.
"Dr. Qin?" Mu Yaning didn't even bother acknowledging him directly.
Qin Dongming frowned slightly, seeing the pair blocking the doorway. "Excuse me, could you move aside? You're blocking the entrance."
"Dr. Qin, you're Old Master Long's attending, aren't you?" Lin Jiayi stepped forward with a bright smile, offering a handshake.
"Hello, I'm Lin Jiayi, Deputy Director of the Central Research Institute. Mr. Long Xingyue just informed us that Old Master Long isn't accepting any visitors. Don't you think it's inappropriate for you to bring them in?"
Qin Dongming looked at the pair—so smug, so fake—and felt a sudden surge of anger. He remembered the online rumors—the ones blaming Shu Lanzhou.
And this woman had the nerve to claim she was from the Research Institute? Did she have any sense of right and wrong?
And that middle-aged man beside her—what kind of idiot thinks someone comes to apologize empty-handed? Was he sick?
Yes. Sick in the head.
Qin Dongming took a deep breath. His manners held him back from saying anything too harsh. He simply adjusted his glasses and said with a polite smile:
"Whether it's appropriate or not—that's my call, not yours. I don't believe the deputy director needs to worry about my decisions. After all, we're not exactly well-acquainted."
"I'll say it one more time—please move aside."