John spoke with clarity and authority, quoting classical texts as he elaborated on the concept of "Curing before Getting Ill."
He didn't need to emphasize its importance—his words carried weight, and the students naturally understood:
The more brilliant the doctor, the more attention they paid to prevention.
By the time he finished, the message was clear to everyone:
Preventative treatment wasn't just theory—it was the hallmark of true medical skill.
Applause erupted.
Loud, unrelenting, like invisible slaps landing on the stereotyped man's face.
This—this was teaching.
Not mindlessly reading ancient text from a PowerPoint and offering half-hearted explanations.
The man's face turned livid. He had planned to humiliate John, to put the "stubborn student" in his place.
But instead, it was he who had been utterly embarrassed in front of everyone.
The students couldn't contain their excitement any longer.
"Mr. Lopez, you're so handsome!"
"Mr. Lopez, I love you!"
"Mr. Lopez, I want to have your baby!"
The stereotyped man's entire body trembled.
Mr. Lopez?
Suddenly, it all clicked.
This wasn't just some random troublemaker—it was that Mr. Lopez. The one Marvin Philips, Vice Dean of the State Hospital of Traditional Medicine, looked up to. The famous Dr. John Lopez.
Panic swept over him like a wave. He bowed deeply, cold sweat sliding down his neck, soaking his collar.
"Dr. Lopez, I-I didn't recognize you. I thought… I thought you were just another student causing trouble…"
The fear in his voice was unmistakable.
He was merely an inpatient doctor in the Traditional Medicine Department. John was someone Marvin—his superior—personally respected. If he offended John, his entire career might be over.
John didn't even bother getting angry.
He simply said, "If I were just a student causing trouble, it only proves one thing—you're not teaching well. You should reflect on that."
"Yes, yes, you're absolutely right, Dr. Lopez!" the man stammered.
Seeing that John didn't want to make a bigger issue out of it, the man let out a long breath of relief.
"Go. Reflect on yourself," John added with a wave of his hand. "I'll finish the lesson."
The man shuffled out of the room like a dog with its tail between its legs.
As soon as he was gone, the students surged toward John, full of energy and questions—a stark contrast to the lifeless atmosphere just moments ago.
Exactly what John wanted.
He believed in teaching with passion, making his lessons come alive.
The classroom had initially been less than one-third full. But after some students shared the news on social media, a flood of others rushed in.
It was like the old days—but better.
John's popularity had soared even higher.
Many students had already seen that paparazzi photo—the one taken when John visited Anita Moore's set. Though Danson had pulled strings to get it wiped from the internet, word had already spread.
And as for Danson, the nosy paparazzo…
Let's just say, John had long since shipped that "talent" off to the Oracle Palace's Intelligence Agency.
Anyway.
Thanks to the photo, most students now knew that John was Anita Moore's younger brother.
So when word got out that Mr. Lopez was back on campus, they came running—not just for his lecture, but also with hopes of getting an autograph from the famous Sharon.
John smiled and said:
"Getting an autograph from Anita? That's easy. The top ten students at the end of this semester's Traditional Medicine interest class will each get one—free."
Cheers exploded across the classroom.
The rest of the lecture went smoothly.
The room was packed, and everyone was engaged. No one wanted to miss out. No one was just coasting by anymore.
Outside the classroom.
Emily Wood stood silently, watching John.
She didn't approach. Didn't greet him. Her expression was complicated.
She had been training hard these past few weeks—desperately trying to become a cultivator.
But hard work could only take someone so far. Talent set the ceiling.
Those with talent could refine life energy in just a few hours.
Those without… might spend months, even years, with no results.
That was fate.
And Emily knew where she stood.
The gap between her and John was no longer something she could deny.
During the time he'd been gone, she had figured out a lot. They came from two different worlds.
And if that was the case, she had no business trying to disturb him.
She would continue trying to refine life energy, but… without hope.
What wasn't fated could never be forced.
People could only have what destiny allowed.
And what wasn't in their destiny… they would never reach, no matter how hard they tried.
Emily stood there for a long time before turning away, leaving before the class ended.
Inside the classroom.
John was answering students' questions when he suddenly paused mid-sentence.
But he recovered quickly, continuing as if nothing had happened.
Of course he saw her.
He had always had complicated feelings toward Emily.
Their relationship had started with Alton.
But Alton was a self-serving man. He'd pushed his daughter at John for the sake of connections—even tried to get her to seduce him by getting him drunk.
At the time, John had wanted to teach them both a lesson.
But Emily… had come to her senses in time.
Since then, John had only ever seen her as a friend.
But they were never meant to be.
It was better that she understood that.
He sighed.
What he didn't realize was that one day in the future…
Emily Wood's name would become the deepest pain in his heart.