Holy Heart Hospital, a certain ward.
Lin Fan woke up from a coma in a fit of severe headache.
He struggled to open his heavy eyelids, and what met his eyes was a cold and unfamiliar ceiling.
The light was dim, and the atmosphere was oppressive.
He moved his body and found himself lying on a cold metal hospital bed, covered by a thin white sheet.
The wounds on his body had been sutured, and although they still hurt, it was much better than the feeling of being on the verge of death by the garbage dump before; at least... his life was no longer in danger.
But where was this?
Why was he here?
"Creak --"
A middle-aged man, dressed in a pristine white lab coat, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and looking refined and elegant, walked in.
It was Wang Donglin, the vice president of Holy Heart Hospital who orchestrated things behind the scenes, and the younger brother of Wang Donghai.
Wang Donglin walked to Lin Fan's bed, a kind smile on his face, yet one that offered no warmth at all.
"Mr. Lin Fan, how are you feeling?"
His voice was gentle, with a hint of deliberate concern.
"Your injuries are severe, but please rest assured, our Holy Heart Hospital possesses the most advanced medical technology and equipment, and we will ensure your speedy recovery."
Lin Fan, however, looked at this suddenly appearing stranger with vigilance.
His voice was hoarse, with a hint of weakness.
"Who are you?"
"Why did you save me?"
"What do you... want to do?"
He didn't believe there was such a thing as unprovoked kindness in this world, especially after all the betrayal and scheming he had experienced.
Wang Donglin pushed up the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose, his smile unchanged, but his tone carried a hint of playfulness.
"Save you? Mr. Lin, you are mistaken."
"I just couldn't bear to see a skilled physician, who should have been healing the world, die so disgracefully, like a wild dog, in a dirty corner.
"As for what I want to do..."
He paused, a glint flashing in his eyes.
"I just feel that a talent like Mr. Lin should not be buried, let alone suppressed and ostracized.
"Our Holy Heart Hospital has always valued talent."
Wang Donglin keenly caught the subtle change in his eyes, changed the subject, and his tone became overtly seductive.
"Mr. Lin Fan, if you are willing to join my team and cooperate with our Holy Heart Hospital.
"I can not only guarantee to completely heal your injuries with the best medicine and technology, restoring you to your former self, but even..."
"I can also give you everything you desire -- money, status, fame..."
"All you need to do..." Wang Donglin's smile became somewhat meaningful, "is help us with a small favor."
"Target Returning Spring Hall!"
Target Returning Spring Hall?
When Lin Fan heard these words, a flicker of instinctive disgust first crossed his eyes.
After all, he had previously wanted to prove himself at Returning Spring Hall, and had even once felt something for that woman, Luo Qingyan... But then, he hesitated.
Did anyone there still respect him now?
Didn't that slut, Luo Qingyan, ultimately believe Lu Cheng's nonsense and throw him out like trash?
The so-called gentlemen were nothing more than a bunch of hypocrites, chasing fame and fortune.
And now, his reputation in the entire Magic City Traditional Chinese Medicine community was completely ruined!
There was no going back!
But he didn't agree immediately; instead, he looked coldly at Wang Donglin, his voice hoarse.
"Why should I trust you?"
"I am a Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor, so why should I help you Western doctors to deal with Returning Spring Hall, which is also Traditional Chinese Medicine?"
Wang Donglin seemed to have anticipated his question, and his smile grew wider.
"Mr. Lin, let's be frank."
"I know you hate Returning Spring Hall, and you hate Lu Cheng even more."
"Your eyes can't hide it, but you should know better than I do how powerful he is."
"To seek revenge on him by yourself is nothing short of a fool's dream, like a mantis trying to stop a chariot."
Wang Donglin's words were like a heavy hammer, striking Lin Fan's heart.
Revenge!
Of course, he wanted revenge!
He dreamed of tearing that bastard Lu Cheng into a thousand pieces!
But... Lu Cheng was like an insurmountable mountain, suffocating him!
He had nothing, and even basic survival was a problem!
How could he talk about revenge?
Looking at Lin Fan's unwilling, angry, yet helpless expression.
Wang Donglin knew that the time was ripe.
He threw out his final chip:
"Mr. Lin, to be honest, our Holy Heart Hospital has also been under great pressure recently because of Returning Spring Hall."
"My brother, Wang Donghai, has been imprisoned because of this matter..."
"I need an opportunity, an opportunity that can completely turn the tables for Holy Heart Hospital, and at the same time, make the entire Traditional Chinese Medicine community lose face."
"I will use all resources to organize a 'Grand Showdown between Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine' that will shock the entire nation."
"At that time, we will invite all media in Magic City for a live broadcast.
"Both sides will send representatives to treat patients with the same difficult and complicated diseases."
"Let everyone see with their own eyes who is truly scientific and who is truly saving lives and helping the injured!"
"As long as we can completely defeat the Traditional Chinese Medicine representatives in this showdown and make Traditional Chinese Medicine suffer a crushing defeat, then Holy Heart Hospital will be able to restore its reputation! And you, you can clear your name as a murderous quack; instead, they were the ones who wronged a medical genius like you."
Wang Donglin's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"However..." He changed the subject, showing a hint of difficulty, "Luo Qingyan from Returning Spring Hall can cure cancer, so if she represents Traditional Chinese Medicine, we might... not have a high chance of winning."
"Therefore, we need your help. As long as you can find a way to prevent Luo Qingyan from participating in this showdown, we are confident of victory."
"After all, as far as I know, currently in the entire Traditional Chinese Medicine community, besides Luo Qingyan, there is probably no second person who dares to say they can cure cancer..."
Luo Qingyan!
Hearing this name, a sinister glint flashed in Lin Fan's eyes again.
Another slut!
He didn't know if she had already been slept with by that bastard Lu Cheng!
Why could they all be so glamorous, while he had to linger on like a dog?
None of you give me, Lin Fan, a way to live!
Then why should I, Lin Fan, let you live comfortably?
A strong, all-consuming rage burned fiercely in his chest.
What righteous path or evil path, what Traditional Chinese Medicine or Western Medicine.
Target me? Then don't expect to have an easy time either!
He raised his head, looking at Wang Donglin, a crazy glint in his eyes, his voice hoarse but unusually firm.
"I'll join."
"But, I want more money!"
Even if his reputation was restored, he no longer wanted to stay in Magic City; he planned to take the money and flee far away.
Wang Donglin heard this and a satisfied smile appeared on his face: "Of course, money is not an issue."
Lin Fan paused, a colder calculation flashing in his eyes.
"As for what you said about preventing Luo Qingyan from participating..."
"No."
"Not only can we not stop her, but instead..."
"We must try every possible way to force her onto the stage! Make her represent Traditional Chinese Medicine in the showdown!"
"Because the one who cured that patient wasn't her at all!"
"It was... Lu Cheng."
"I want her to... lose everything!"