Cao Baifeng was busy with her own matters, which was still better than those officials' wives who were idle, playing cards, getting beauty treatments, and gossiping. It was tolerable to some extent. However, Meng Biao was an opportunist who wanted to achieve great success and become the richest person in the city. He would create trouble even when there was none, and he wouldn't allow anyone to bully him.
Cao Baifeng didn't mind seeing the continuous flow of patients at the small clinic across the street. They were minding their own business, and there was no need for any interaction. Meng Biao, on the other hand, had long been dissatisfied. He was the type to get angry and jealous over others' success. He believed that being born as the second generation of officials meant that with a stomp of his foot, the entire city would tremble. If he saw an ordinary person becoming wealthy, it was as if they had stolen his money, dug into his heart, and cut off his flesh.
Every few days, he would send his underlings from the Emperor Club to cause trouble, scaring away the loyal customers of the clinic. Even the nearby residents who had a cold or fever were afraid to come for treatment.
As Lin Tianlong and Shi Jieyi's car turned a corner, they could see a chaotic scene outside the clinic. Three thugs were arguing with Qin Keqing, causing a commotion.
Qin Keqing is a typical Eastern beauty: she has a standard oval face, as radiant as a moon, with skin as fair as snow-white cream. Her long black hair cascades over her fragrant shoulders. At only 22 years old, three years older than Lin Tianlong, she is already a mother, yet she possesses both the beauty of youthful innocence and the allure of a mature woman. Her exquisite appearance is unparalleled. Her figure, accentuated by the white doctor's coat, is graceful and slender. Her waist is trim without an ounce of excess fat, and her ample E-cup breasts proudly stand high. Her slender and smooth legs, wrapped in flesh-colored sheer stockings, enhance her perfect curves.
She exudes a dreamlike and elegant temperament that evokes sympathy and affection as if she were a beautifully crafted masterpiece by the goddess. When Lin Tianlong was studying in the provincial capital, the mere thought of his sister-in-law Keqing with her swan-like beauty, nobility, and pure and affectionate eyes would bewitch his soul and occupy his random thoughts. She just turned 22 this year, three years older than him. With the unexpected car accident that took the life of Brother Tianfeng, having such a young and beautiful wife become a widow was like a bolt from the blue, burdening her with immense pain and sorrow. Lin Tianlong felt truly sorry for his sister-in-law Keqing. Although he took leave and stayed home with his Aunt and sister-in-law during the most difficult period after Brother Tianfeng's accident, he later went back to continue his studies, leaving his aunt, sister-in-law, and their niece to depend on each other. Tianlong has always dreamed that if given a chance, he would love and cherish his beautiful sister-in-law, compensate her, and let her enjoy the happiness and fulfillment of being a woman!! He would take care of them, mother and daughter pair, for their entire lives!
The three thugs were burly with fierce expressions on their faces. The leader, a tall man over six feet, had a shaved head and wore a black vest, revealing a tattoo of a black snake. When the bald man saw the nurse behind Qin Keqing, his eyes flashed with anger. But when he saw Qin Keqing herself, his eyes brightened, and he stared at her intently, saying, "Su Lianqing, come here."
The nurse named Su Lianqing trembled upon hearing the bald man's voice and shook her head.
The bald man beckoned to Su Lianqing and said, "Su Lianqing, I've told you not to work here anymore. How dare you come back? Do you think we're pushovers?"
Su Lianqing's face turned pale as if she remembered something terrifying and she stammered, "No... no... it's not... I'm not..."
Qin Keqing coldly spoke, "Lianqing is a nurse in my clinic. She can come and go as she pleases. Are you daring to threaten her safety?"
The bald man chuckled and said, "Dr. Qin, this is between me and her. I advise you not to meddle."
At this moment, a sleazy man behind the bald man said, "Boss, this one is a rare beauty. I haven't seen one like her in a long time. If we can bring her to our place, then..." His eyes gleamed with wicked desire.
The bald man nodded and took another look at Qin Keqing, his eyes gradually becoming heated. Qin Keqing held a stethoscope in her hand, her delicate and pure appearance, mature and voluptuous figure, and the doctor's white coat made her seem noble and unattainable, like those beautiful doctors from a Japanese or Korean drama. Those who were wealthy and well-off and one couldn't resist such charm.
Seeing the lecherous gaze of the bald man and his companions, Qin Keqing frowned and said, "Get lost!"
The bald man coldly replied, "We can leave, but Su Lianqing will come with us, and you will come with us too."
As soon as he finished speaking, a bald man rushed in front of Qin Keqing.
Qin Keqing turned to face the bald man and said, "Why should I?"
The bald man smirked and said, "Because this boss has taken a liking to you."
After saying that, his eyes stared wickedly at Qin Keqing, as if his gaze alone had violated her countless times.
The other two men chuckled, "Beauty, come with us. You'll enjoy the best food and drinks at the nightclub, let..."
The other two big men chuckled, "Beauty, come with us. You'll have a great time in the nightclub, enjoying the finest food and drinks!"
Qin Keqing scolded, "Shameless! Get lost, or I'll call the police."
The bald man arrogantly laughed, "Call the police, go ahead. Let's see if they'll come."
"Haha, this woman is so naive. She doesn't even know our connection with the police."
"Girl, be smart and come with us to avoid suffering."
"How dare you! Kidnapping a woman in broad daylight!"
"Snatching a beauty is just the beginning. One command from our boss, and we'll demolish this building of yours. Ahu, Aobao, take them away. Hold on, I'll handle this exquisite babe myself, so you two scoundrels don't get greedy. Our nightclub is hosting a big event tonight!"
Just then, a figure intervened and shouted, "Hold on!"
Simultaneously, the person grabbed the bald man's outstretched hand and gave it a shake. The bald man immediately took several steps back, relying on his martial arts skills to save himself from embarrassment.
"Who's this little brat? Daring to meddle in our boss's affairs?"
The bald man twisted his hand and approached Lin Tianlong.
Qin Keqing, with tears in her beautiful eyes, called out, "Tianlong!"
"Sister-in-law, rest assured, I'm back. I won't let these trashy dogs bother you anymore!" Lin Tianlong smiled and said, "This young master is meddling in your boss's business. Be smart and get lost. Today, I'm in a good mood, so I'll spare your lives."
Shi Jieyi also walked over and held Qin Keqing's jade hand, standing side by side with Qin Keqing and Su Lianqing. They anxiously watched as Lin Tianlong faced three opponents alone. The three women were also restless, unsure whether this young man was a match for the three thugs.
"Damn, this little brat dares to stand in our way!" The bald man's face trembled with anger.
Lin Tianlong looked coldly at the bald man, his gaze sharp enough to kill: How dare you touch my woman in front of me? You're looking for death.
The bald man had trained in martial arts for a few years in his early years, and ordinary three or four people couldn't get close to him. Moreover, there was a powerful backer behind him. Over the years, he had been rampant in the Flame Capital City, used to doing whatever he pleased. In his eyes, how could a young man of eighteen or nineteen be his match? Upon hearing this, he grinned and said to the two followers behind him, "Oh, well, Ah Hu, Ah Bao, I didn't expect someone even more arrogant than me in this Flame Capital City."
Ah Hu said, "Brother Guang is right. This kid dares to play with a big knife in front of our boss. Let me teach him a lesson."
After speaking, he took a few steps and approached Lin Tianlong. He was broad and fat, and in terms of physique and height, Lin Tianlong was no match for him.
Qin Keqing also believed that Lin Tianlong was no match for them and said, "Tianlong, there's no need to argue with them. I'll call the police."
Upon hearing this, Ah Bao laughed recklessly and said, "Brother Bald, this woman actually said she'll call the police. She's making me laugh."
Ah Hu and the bald man also burst into laughter. Hearing this, Qin Keqing felt a bit uneasy and thought, "Who are these people? They don't even fear the police."
Ah Hu played with his fingers, twisted his neck, and said, "Kid, you dare to meddle in others' affairs. Today, I'll make you pay the price."
He swung his fan-like palm towards Lin Tianlong.
Lin Tianlong moved to the left, avoiding the attack. He then swiftly swung his right hand, seemingly light but heavy in force, and his fist struck Ah Hu's waist like a bolt of lightning. Ah Hu trembled, flew out about forty to fifty meters, and fell to the ground, his life hanging by a thread.
The bald man and Ah Bao were stunned. They didn't expect this young boy to have martial arts skills. Ah Bao shouted, "Kid, I didn't expect you to be skilled."
He then pulled out a spring knife and stabbed at Lin Tianlong.
Seeing this, Qin Keqing, Shi Jieyi, and Su Lianqing screamed in shock. They covered their eyes and couldn't bear to look. After all, women were generally more timid. But as they saw the knife approaching, they were surprised to find that Lin Tianlong didn't dodge or avoid it. He just smiled lightly and said, "Just a clown, yet he dares to play with a knife."
With that, Lin Tianlong made a quick move with his right hand. Ah Bao felt a tingling and burning sensation on his backhand as if he had been shocked by electricity. The knife in his hand somehow ended up in Lin Tianlong's hand. Then, in a flash, the knife's glimmer appeared, and Ah Bao's right hand began to spurt blood, with his hand bones visible.
Qin Keqing, Shi Jieyi, and Su Lianqing were shocked again, but this time, they were somewhat delighted.
This change happened in the blink of an eye, and even Ah Bao himself didn't know why this happened. He was stunned, only realizing the intense pain in his hand, and looked at Lin Tianlong in astonishment, saying, "You, you can use magic?"
Lin Tianlong laughed heartily and said, "As long as I can punish the evildoers, what does it matter if it's considered magic?"
Dashing and heroic, like ancient chivalrous heroes who uphold justice and protect the weak, and modern heroes who bravely intervene to fight evil when they see injustice, Su Lianqing, who had a shy personality, looked at Lin Tianlong with admiration. Women are emotional creatures, and they admire and like men who stand against injustice like this. This is why beautiful women love heroes, and Shi Jieyi also became more fond of her beloved.
Even Qin Keqing, when she looked at her little nephew Lin Tianlong, had a different look in her eyes.
The hearty laughter echoed in the air, attracting the attention of countless pedestrians. People saw Lin Tianlong easily defeating Ah Hu and Ah Bao, who were usually overbearing and always causing trouble, and they applauded.
The crowd's applause made the bald man extremely embarrassed. To him, these laughs were the most serious insult. Having practiced some martial arts in the past, he knew he had encountered a formidable opponent this time. However, to defend his dignity and position in the underground world of the Flame Capital City, he had to deal with this kid. Without hesitation, he lunged forward, and his two massive iron fists attacked Lin Tianlong's vital points.
Lin Tianlong held his hands in a rounded shape and lightly patted with his right hand while swinging with his left, effortlessly neutralizing the bald man's attack, displaying an extraordinary sense of ease.
Those knowledgeable in martial arts appreciated the skill, but the bystanders simply saw the fierce attack by the bald man and assumed he had the upper hand. Little did they know that the bald man was feeling helpless. Facing Lin Tianlong was like being trapped in a quagmire, unable to break free. No one had ever been his match in one-on-one fights since he started learning martial arts, but today, he couldn't break free from the grasp of this inexperienced kid.
After ten moves, Lin Tianlong smiled and said, "Alright, I won't play with you anymore."
With that, he moved his hands in a circular motion, dissolving the bald man's attack into nothingness. Then, his hands formed a gentle force, lifting the bald man up in the air. The bald man spun around with Lin Tianlong's hands, screaming in fear.
After a few spins, perhaps because Lin Tianlong no longer wanted to play, he released his grip, and the bald man fell heavily in the distance. The bald man had some martial arts skills, so the fall didn't cause much damage; he was just a bit disheveled.
The bald man glared at Lin Tianlong with resentment and said, "Kid, you wait. I won't let this go."
Lin Tianlong snorted and said, "Then what do you want?" He flicked his fingers, and a faint electric energy hit the bald man's chest.
The bald man felt a shock in his chest, and his blood surged. He thought, "What kind of freak is this kid? Can he use some kind of supernatural power? It's better not to offend him. I should report everything to Boss Meng."
He turned around and said, "Let's go."
Lin Tianlong's voice turned dark and eerie, "Is that it? You think it's settled just like that?"
"Kid, what else do you want?" Ah Hu roared.
Lin Tianlong's cheerful expression suddenly changed, and he said coldly, "Kid, was it you who told them to call me 'grandfather'? For being impolite, you deserve a punishment."
After saying that, Lin Tianlong walked calmly to Ah Hu, and with both hands, he delivered several slaps to his face.
The bald man and Ah Bao wanted to stop him, but seeing Lin Tianlong's composed demeanor, they inexplicably couldn't take a step forward.
Ah Hu's face turned red, showing five clear fingerprints. Blood slowly trickled from the corner of his mouth. It was evident that Lin Tianlong didn't go easy on him.
Learning from Ah Hu's experience, Ah Bao became much more polite and asked, "Do you have any other requests?"
Lin Tianlong replied, "Nothing much. Just have you call me 'grandfather.' You all seemed to enjoy calling me that earlier, didn't you? So, why not let you have your fill of it?"
As soon as Lin Tianlong said this, the crowd, who had been cheering moments ago, fell silent. They couldn't believe that Lin Tianlong made such a request; it seemed too much like child's play.
The bald man was furious and said, "What did you say?"
With so many people around, making him call Lin Tianlong 'grandfather' on the spot, how could he still maintain his position in the Flame Capital City?
Lin Tianlong narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "You're not going to call me that?" His tone was chilling, sending shivers down everyone's spine. With a flick of his finger, the three of them, Ah Hu, Ah Bao, and the bald man, screamed as if they had been electrocuted. Their bodies convulsed, and they fell to their knees on the wet ground from the recent rain.
Although Ah Hu wanted to resist and calm himself down, when he saw Lin Tianlong's anger, his heart couldn't help but tremble. Witnessing the bald man being made to call Lin Tianlong 'grandfather,' Ah Hu and Ah Bao hesitated and called out, "Brother Bald."
"Call me 'grandfather'!" Lin Tianlong said coldly.
Ah Hu, Ah Bao, and the bald man looked at each other and reluctantly called out, "Grandfather."
Lin Tianlong greatly enjoyed this and nodded, saying, "Good, well-behaved. And her, you made my sister-in-law worried earlier, so apologize to her by calling her 'Aunt'." He pointed at Qin Keqing.
The onlookers initially thought that Lin Tianlong wanted the bald man to call him 'grandfather' as a form of punishment. But now, they felt that there was more of a mischievous element to it.
Hearing this, the bald man glared angrily at Lin Tianlong and said, "You..."
Ah Hu furiously added, "Kid, don't go too far."
Lin Tianlong responded, "I went too far? What do you want to do about it?"
After grinding his teeth, the bald man said, "Fine, we admit defeat today."
He then obediently walked to Su Lianqing and Qin Keqing and called out, "Aunt."
Qin Keqing chuckled and said, "Good."
For over a year, she hadn't felt this happy in a long time. Su Lianqing, on the other hand, was trembling with fear and quickly moved away.
Looking at Lin Tianlong and the three beautiful women walking triumphantly back to the clinic, the bald man's eyes burned with anger. Ah Hu said, "Boss, I'll go call some people."
"To hell with that! Are you stupid? That kid is extremely skilled. No matter how many people you call, it'll be useless. Call Meng Zong and ask him to send some people from the police force."
Ah Bao suddenly realized, "Using the police against him, Boss, you're brilliant."
The bald man stared at the Huimin Clinic with resentment in his eyes. "Kid, just wait, I'll make you suffer."
"They always come to make trouble, constantly switching shifts. It's really annoying!" Su Lianqing complained, slapping her chest. With her shy and timid nature, her heart must have been pounding rapidly.
"Sister-in-law, you don't need to be polite with me. I should have come back earlier to help you through the difficulties," Lin Tianlong said with deep affection while looking at his sister-in-law, Qin Keqing. He spoke ambiguously, "Now that I've returned after graduation, I'll never let anyone bully you again!"
Qin Keqing blushed and avoided her little nephew's fiery and affectionate gaze. Being intelligent, she understood the meaning behind his words. Since her marriage to Tianfeng, she had noticed his passionate glances at her for the first time. At that time, she thought it was just a young boy's innocent infatuation. Then, last year, when Tianfeng had an accident, Lin Tianlong took two months of leave to accompany them through thick and thin, comforting and consoling them. His actions especially warmed her heart. When Little Yu caught a fever, Lin Tianlong carried her on his back in the middle of the night to find Aunt Lin Huiyin for medical treatment. He was busy and tired, running around for everything in the family. He single-handedly bore all the responsibilities and accompanied them through the most difficult times. After the vacation ended, the school called many times to remind him, and when he was about to leave, he held Little Yu and looked into her eyes with deep affection, saying from the bottom of his heart, "Sister-in-law, wait for me to graduate and come back to support this family!"
In that instant, Qin Keqing understood the intentions of this young man—it was a promise to give his all for her. She felt that the weight of that promise was too heavy for a widow like her to bear, but she couldn't help but be moved by it. Over this year, she had relied on the young man's promise to get through difficult times. Even facing so much hardship, both overt and covert, and the harassment and sabotage by the local hooligans, whenever she saw Little Yu, she couldn't help but think of the expression in Lin Tianlong's eyes when he held Little Yu and said those words. Such sincere and affectionate eyes were enough to move any woman's heart.
Now that he had finally returned, and once again facing her, he spoke with deep affection. Qin Keling's beautiful eyes shimmered as she shyly avoided her young cousin's passionate gaze. In a fluster, she turned her head left and right and said, "Uncle Wang, Aunt Zhang, and Uncle Zhao, you can come out now. Everything is fine. I'm really sorry for causing you all to worry!"
Seeing her lover and sister-in-law, Qin Keling, exchanging meaningful glances, Shi Jieyi felt a bittersweet pang in her heart, though she didn't dare to show her jealousy.
Lin Tianlong then noticed Su Lianqing helping three elderly people come out from the back room. Aunt Zhang and Uncle Zhao were around fifty to sixty years old, while Uncle Wang was in his forties and leaning on a cane.
"Have those bastards left?" Uncle Wang cursed, "If it weren't for my bad leg, I would have beaten them with my cane like I used to at the mine!"
"Alas, old man! We're useless!" Uncle Zhao sighed, "Those scoundrels keep changing shifts to cause trouble. We can't do much to help Dr. Qin. The world has changed, and people's hearts are no longer the same."
"Don't say that, Uncle Zhao. If it weren't for loyal customers like you taking care of this small clinic, it wouldn't have survived until now!" Qin Keling said with concern, "Your unwavering support, not fearing those thugs, and coming here for injections and drips as usual are the biggest support for me. I should thank all of you!"
"Dr. Qin, those scoundrels are not the same ones as the other day. They keep changing shifts to come and disrupt your clinic," Aunt Zhang said, "The neighbors say you've offended Kang Hua and his gang, and it seems like it's true. You should be careful!"
"Alas, why doesn't Yandu City do something like the mountain city and launch an anti-crime campaign to deal with these scumbags from the dark society! Crush their evil spirits!" Uncle Wang cursed.
"Shh, don't you know who's behind those scoundrels?" Aunt Zhang said.
"Yes, Kang Hua is the wife of the chief of the Public Security Bureau, and those scoundrels are most likely from the Emperor Nightclub, which is under Meng Biao's territory. Do you expect a father to kill his own son?" Shi Jieyi sneered.
"Uncle Zhao, you've been on drips for a week. Your phlegm has visibly reduced, and your cough has improved. The inflammation in your lungs has mostly subsided. After today's drip, you can stop it! Taking too many antibiotics is not good!" Qin Keling said.
"Ah, my chronic lung disease can't be cured completely. I can only take it to the grave," Uncle Zhao sighed, "And the lumbar disc herniation is getting worse. The doctor wants me to have surgery, but at my age, why should I endure such suffering?!"
"You have a herniated lumbar disc, and I have cervical spondylosis. We're getting old, and our bodies are aging too. I've spent thousands on medicine, but it's no use!" Aunt Zhang said, "The doctor also wants me to have surgery, but they say cervical spine surgery has a higher risk. It could lead to high-level paralysis. I'm an old woman; I can't take that risk."
"What are you complaining about? At least you can still walk," Uncle Wang sighed, "I broke my leg at the mine three years ago, and it hasn't healed. The experts said the bones won't connect. Medication and injections don't work. Bone grafting was useless too. I've suffered so many times. After it finally healed, I got osteomyelitis, pus kept flowing out, blood everywhere, it's painful and agonizing!"
Unable to bear the smell of soda water in the clinic, Shi Jieyi covered her nose, feeling increasingly anxious as she listened to the three people discussing their medical conditions.
"Uncle Wang, let me take a look, okay?" Lin Tianlong smiled.
"You? Weren't you the little guy who used to help your sister-in-law here? I haven't seen you in a long time, and now you've grown so tall?" Uncle Wang laughed, "Have you learned how to treat illnesses from your sister-in-law?"
"I know this kid's mother is the head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology department at People's Hospital. She delivered my grandson!" Aunt Zhang laughed, "Didn't you learn Obstetrics and Gynecology from your mother? How did you switch to Orthopedics?"
"Tianlong studied medicine in the provincial capital and has just graduated!" Su Lianqing introduced with a smile. She had met Lin Tianlong a few years ago at her sister Su Nianci's place. Later, she was assigned to Qin Keling's clinic by the district hospital, and Lin Tianlong often came to help. However, she didn't expect the short, skinny, dark-skinned kid from before to grow into such a handsome, tall, and strong young man in just two years, and he even learned martial arts. In the blink of an eye, he defeated three scoundrels so easily.
However, Lin Tianlong knew that Su Lianqing was not only his aunt, Su Nianci's sister but also his sister-in-law, Qin Keling's sister-in-law. The relationships in Yandu City were indeed intricate, and even in a small clinic, these connections were so distinct. His main focus was on his sister-in-law, Qin Keling, so he paid little attention to Su Lianqing.
"Well, Tianlong has been influenced by his mother since childhood. He has a strong interest in traditional Chinese medicine and has done a lot of research. Besides, he has some unique abilities!" Qin Keling introduced with a smile.
"But... unique abilities?" Su Lianqing, Wang Shu, Zhang Yi, and Zhao Da-ye all widened their eyes in astonishment.
"Little brother, can you get me the Seven-Star Pain Relief Paste?" Lin Tianlong didn't explain further. He carefully examined the fractured shinbone of Wang Shu's left leg and then smiled at Qin Keling.
Qin Keling noticed how composed her younger brother seemed, realizing that the young boy had grown into a mature and capable man, displaying a charm he hadn't possessed before.
"Wang Shu, if you trust me, let me apply this paste to your wound. After using it three times, the pus and blood will be drained, the wound will heal, and the necrotic bone will regenerate within three months!" Lin Tianlong said with a smile. "Of course, if you don't believe me, you can just disregard what I said!"
Wang Shu observed Lin Tianlong's confident demeanor and looked at Qin Keling, then turned to Zhang Yi and Zhao Da-ye. He clenched his teeth and said, "Alright! Since it's a desperate situation, I'll trust you!"
With widened eyes, Shi Jie-yi and Su Lianqing watched intently as Lin Tianlong first applied acupressure massage to drain the pus and blood from Wang Shu's black and blue shinbone, and then he heated the herbal paste with his palms and applied it to the wound.
"Oh, oh, oh, young man, your hands feel like electricity! Ah, it's so hot and comforting! This paste is quite different; it seems to penetrate straight to the bone marrow!" Wang Shu exclaimed, his facial expressions changing with each movement of Lin Tianlong's massage. After the paste was applied, he took a deep breath and laughed, "Good boy, if you can really heal my bone injury, I'll give you an embroidered banner and make a big fuss at the mine to promote you!"
"Old Wang, is it really that good?" Zhang Yi and Zhao Da-ye asked curiously.
"It's really comfortable!" Wang Shu nodded.
"Believe, and it will work. Zhang Yi, Zhao Da-ye, I still have two pastes. Would you like to try them?" Lin Tianlong smiled. "Today is our fate, and the treatment is free. The paste will be charged starting tomorrow!"
"Sure!" The elderly had kind hearts, and though they knew this treatment might not cure their ailments, they considered it a sort of clinical trial for the ambitious young man.
Qin Keling stood stunned as she watched Zhang Yi and Zhao Da-ye, in turn, allow Lin Tianlong to apply the paste to their lumbar and cervical vertebrae.
The three elderly patients excitedly discussed the miraculous feeling of Lin Tianlong's electric massage. Meanwhile, Qin Keling, Shi Jie-yi, and Su Lianqing exchanged glances, feeling amazed. Lin Tianlong knew that the exaggerated praises from the three elderly people were merely encouragement for him, and he could see that they treated the idea of being cured as more of a joke.
Suddenly, police sirens sounded from outside, and Shi Jie-yi exclaimed with alarm, "There are so many police officers! And officials from the demolition office! Tianlong, you've caused a big problem!"
Cao Baifeng was busy with her own matters, which was still better than those officials' wives who were idle, playing cards, getting beauty treatments, and gossiping. It was tolerable to some extent. However, Meng Biao was an opportunist who wanted to achieve great success and become the richest person in the city. He would create trouble even when there was none, and he wouldn't allow anyone to bully him.
Cao Baifeng didn't mind seeing the continuous flow of patients at the small clinic across the street. They were minding their own business, and there was no need for any interaction. Meng Biao, on the other hand, had long been dissatisfied. He was the type to get angry and jealous over others' success. He believed that being born as the second generation of officials meant that with a stomp of his foot, the entire city would tremble. If he saw an ordinary person becoming wealthy, it was as if they had stolen his money, dug into his heart, and cut off his flesh.
Every few days, he would send his underlings from the Emperor Club to cause trouble, scaring away the loyal customers of the clinic. Even the nearby residents who had a cold or fever were afraid to come for treatment.
As Lin Tianlong and Shi Jieyi's car turned a corner, they could see a chaotic scene outside the clinic. Three thugs were arguing with Qin Keqing, causing a commotion.
Qin Keqing is a typical Eastern beauty: she has a standard oval face, as radiant as a moon, with skin as fair as snow-white cream. Her long black hair cascades over her fragrant shoulders. At only 22 years old, three years older than Lin Tianlong, she is already a mother, yet she possesses both the beauty of youthful innocence and the allure of a mature woman. Her exquisite appearance is unparalleled. Her figure, accentuated by the white doctor's coat, is graceful and slender. Her waist is trim without an ounce of excess fat, and her ample E-cup breasts proudly stand high. Her slender and smooth legs, wrapped in flesh-colored sheer stockings, enhance her perfect curves.
She exudes a dreamlike and elegant temperament that evokes sympathy and affection as if she were a beautifully crafted masterpiece by the goddess. When Lin Tianlong was studying in the provincial capital, the mere thought of his sister-in-law Keqing with her swan-like beauty, nobility, and pure and affectionate eyes would bewitch his soul and occupy his random thoughts. She just turned 22 this year, three years older than him. With the unexpected car accident that took the life of Brother Tianfeng, having such a young and beautiful wife become a widow was like a bolt from the blue, burdening her with immense pain and sorrow. Lin Tianlong felt truly sorry for his sister-in-law Keqing. Although he took leave and stayed home with his Aunt and sister-in-law during the most difficult period after Brother Tianfeng's accident, he later went back to continue his studies, leaving his aunt, sister-in-law, and their niece to depend on each other. Tianlong has always dreamed that if given a chance, he would love and cherish his beautiful sister-in-law, compensate her, and let her enjoy the happiness and fulfillment of being a woman!! He would take care of them, mother and daughter pair, for their entire lives!
The three thugs were burly with fierce expressions on their faces. The leader, a tall man over six feet, had a shaved head and wore a black vest, revealing a tattoo of a black snake. When the bald man saw the nurse behind Qin Keqing, his eyes flashed with anger. But when he saw Qin Keqing herself, his eyes brightened, and he stared at her intently, saying, "Su Lianqing, come here."
The nurse named Su Lianqing trembled upon hearing the bald man's voice and shook her head.
The bald man beckoned to Su Lianqing and said, "Su Lianqing, I've told you not to work here anymore. How dare you come back? Do you think we're pushovers?"
Su Lianqing's face turned pale as if she remembered something terrifying and she stammered, "No... no... it's not... I'm not..."
Qin Keqing coldly spoke, "Lianqing is a nurse in my clinic. She can come and go as she pleases. Are you daring to threaten her safety?"
The bald man chuckled and said, "Dr. Qin, this is between me and her. I advise you not to meddle."
At this moment, a sleazy man behind the bald man said, "Boss, this one is a rare beauty. I haven't seen one like her in a long time. If we can bring her to our place, then..." His eyes gleamed with wicked desire.
The bald man nodded and took another look at Qin Keqing, his eyes gradually becoming heated. Qin Keqing held a stethoscope in her hand, her delicate and pure appearance, mature and voluptuous figure, and the doctor's white coat made her seem noble and unattainable, like those beautiful doctors from a Japanese or Korean drama. Those who were wealthy and well-off and one couldn't resist such charm.
Seeing the lecherous gaze of the bald man and his companions, Qin Keqing frowned and said, "Get lost!"
The bald man coldly replied, "We can leave, but Su Lianqing will come with us, and you will come with us too."
As soon as he finished speaking, a bald man rushed in front of Qin Keqing.
Qin Keqing turned to face the bald man and said, "Why should I?"
The bald man smirked and said, "Because this boss has taken a liking to you."
After saying that, his eyes stared wickedly at Qin Keqing, as if his gaze alone had violated her countless times.
The other two men chuckled, "Beauty, come with us. You'll enjoy the best food and drinks at the nightclub, let..."
The other two big men chuckled, "Beauty, come with us. You'll have a great time in the nightclub, enjoying the finest food and drinks!"
Qin Keqing scolded, "Shameless! Get lost, or I'll call the police."
The bald man arrogantly laughed, "Call the police, go ahead. Let's see if they'll come."
"Haha, this woman is so naive. She doesn't even know our connection with the police."
"Girl, be smart and come with us to avoid suffering."
"How dare you! Kidnapping a woman in broad daylight!"
"Snatching a beauty is just the beginning. One command from our boss, and we'll demolish this building of yours. Ahu, Aobao, take them away. Hold on, I'll handle this exquisite babe myself, so you two scoundrels don't get greedy. Our nightclub is hosting a big event tonight!"
Just then, a figure intervened and shouted, "Hold on!"
Simultaneously, the person grabbed the bald man's outstretched hand and gave it a shake. The bald man immediately took several steps back, relying on his martial arts skills to save himself from embarrassment.
"Who's this little brat? Daring to meddle in our boss's affairs?"
The bald man twisted his hand and approached Lin Tianlong.
Qin Keqing, with tears in her beautiful eyes, called out, "Tianlong!"
"Sister-in-law, rest assured, I'm back. I won't let these trashy dogs bother you anymore!" Lin Tianlong smiled and said, "This young master is meddling in your boss's business. Be smart and get lost. Today, I'm in a good mood, so I'll spare your lives."
Shi Jieyi also walked over and held Qin Keqing's jade hand, standing side by side with Qin Keqing and Su Lianqing. They anxiously watched as Lin Tianlong faced three opponents alone. The three women were also restless, unsure whether this young man was a match for the three thugs.
"Damn, this little brat dares to stand in our way!" The bald man's face trembled with anger.
Lin Tianlong looked coldly at the bald man, his gaze sharp enough to kill: How dare you touch my woman in front of me? You're looking for death.
The bald man had trained in martial arts for a few years in his early years, and ordinary three or four people couldn't get close to him. Moreover, there was a powerful backer behind him. Over the years, he had been rampant in the Flame Capital City, used to doing whatever he pleased. In his eyes, how could a young man of eighteen or nineteen be his match? Upon hearing this, he grinned and said to the two followers behind him, "Oh, well, Ah Hu, Ah Bao, I didn't expect someone even more arrogant than me in this Flame Capital City."
Ah Hu said, "Brother Guang is right. This kid dares to play with a big knife in front of our boss. Let me teach him a lesson."
After speaking, he took a few steps and approached Lin Tianlong. He was broad and fat, and in terms of physique and height, Lin Tianlong was no match for him.
Qin Keqing also believed that Lin Tianlong was no match for them and said, "Tianlong, there's no need to argue with them. I'll call the police."
Upon hearing this, Ah Bao laughed recklessly and said, "Brother Bald, this woman actually said she'll call the police. She's making me laugh."
Ah Hu and the bald man also burst into laughter. Hearing this, Qin Keqing felt a bit uneasy and thought, "Who are these people? They don't even fear the police."
Ah Hu played with his fingers, twisted his neck, and said, "Kid, you dare to meddle in others' affairs. Today, I'll make you pay the price."
He swung his fan-like palm towards Lin Tianlong.
Lin Tianlong moved to the left, avoiding the attack. He then swiftly swung his right hand, seemingly light but heavy in force, and his fist struck Ah Hu's waist like a bolt of lightning. Ah Hu trembled, flew out about forty to fifty meters, and fell to the ground, his life hanging by a thread.
The bald man and Ah Bao were stunned. They didn't expect this young boy to have martial arts skills. Ah Bao shouted, "Kid, I didn't expect you to be skilled."
He then pulled out a spring knife and stabbed at Lin Tianlong.
Seeing this, Qin Keqing, Shi Jieyi, and Su Lianqing screamed in shock. They covered their eyes and couldn't bear to look. After all, women were generally more timid. But as they saw the knife approaching, they were surprised to find that Lin Tianlong didn't dodge or avoid it. He just smiled lightly and said, "Just a clown, yet he dares to play with a knife."
With that, Lin Tianlong made a quick move with his right hand. Ah Bao felt a tingling and burning sensation on his backhand as if he had been shocked by electricity. The knife in his hand somehow ended up in Lin Tianlong's hand. Then, in a flash, the knife's glimmer appeared, and Ah Bao's right hand began to spurt blood, with his hand bones visible.
Qin Keqing, Shi Jieyi, and Su Lianqing were shocked again, but this time, they were somewhat delighted.
This change happened in the blink of an eye, and even Ah Bao himself didn't know why this happened. He was stunned, only realizing the intense pain in his hand, and looked at Lin Tianlong in astonishment, saying, "You, you can use magic?"
Lin Tianlong laughed heartily and said, "As long as I can punish the evildoers, what does it matter if it's considered magic?"
Dashing and heroic, like ancient chivalrous heroes who uphold justice and protect the weak, and modern heroes who bravely intervene to fight evil when they see injustice, Su Lianqing, who had a shy personality, looked at Lin Tianlong with admiration. Women are emotional creatures, and they admire and like men who stand against injustice like this. This is why beautiful women love heroes, and Shi Jieyi also became more fond of her beloved.
Even Qin Keqing, when she looked at her little nephew Lin Tianlong, had a different look in her eyes.
The hearty laughter echoed in the air, attracting the attention of countless pedestrians. People saw Lin Tianlong easily defeating Ah Hu and Ah Bao, who were usually overbearing and always causing trouble, and they applauded.
The crowd's applause made the bald man extremely embarrassed. To him, these laughs were the most serious insult. Having practiced some martial arts in the past, he knew he had encountered a formidable opponent this time. However, to defend his dignity and position in the underground world of the Flame Capital City, he had to deal with this kid. Without hesitation, he lunged forward, and his two massive iron fists attacked Lin Tianlong's vital points.
Lin Tianlong held his hands in a rounded shape and lightly patted with his right hand while swinging with his left, effortlessly neutralizing the bald man's attack, displaying an extraordinary sense of ease.
Those knowledgeable in martial arts appreciated the skill, but the bystanders simply saw the fierce attack by the bald man and assumed he had the upper hand. Little did they know that the bald man was feeling helpless. Facing Lin Tianlong was like being trapped in a quagmire, unable to break free. No one had ever been his match in one-on-one fights since he started learning martial arts, but today, he couldn't break free from the grasp of this inexperienced kid.
After ten moves, Lin Tianlong smiled and said, "Alright, I won't play with you anymore."
With that, he moved his hands in a circular motion, dissolving the bald man's attack into nothingness. Then, his hands formed a gentle force, lifting the bald man up in the air. The bald man spun around with Lin Tianlong's hands, screaming in fear.
After a few spins, perhaps because Lin Tianlong no longer wanted to play, he released his grip, and the bald man fell heavily in the distance. The bald man had some martial arts skills, so the fall didn't cause much damage; he was just a bit disheveled.
The bald man glared at Lin Tianlong with resentment and said, "Kid, you wait. I won't let this go."
Lin Tianlong snorted and said, "Then what do you want?" He flicked his fingers, and a faint electric energy hit the bald man's chest.
The bald man felt a shock in his chest, and his blood surged. He thought, "What kind of freak is this kid? Can he use some kind of supernatural power? It's better not to offend him. I should report everything to Boss Meng."
He turned around and said, "Let's go."
Lin Tianlong's voice turned dark and eerie, "Is that it? You think it's settled just like that?"
"Kid, what else do you want?" Ah Hu roared.
Lin Tianlong's cheerful expression suddenly changed, and he said coldly, "Kid, was it you who told them to call me 'grandfather'? For being impolite, you deserve a punishment."
After saying that, Lin Tianlong walked calmly to Ah Hu, and with both hands, he delivered several slaps to his face.
The bald man and Ah Bao wanted to stop him, but seeing Lin Tianlong's composed demeanor, they inexplicably couldn't take a step forward.
Ah Hu's face turned red, showing five clear fingerprints. Blood slowly trickled from the corner of his mouth. It was evident that Lin Tianlong didn't go easy on him.
Learning from Ah Hu's experience, Ah Bao became much more polite and asked, "Do you have any other requests?"
Lin Tianlong replied, "Nothing much. Just have you call me 'grandfather.' You all seemed to enjoy calling me that earlier, didn't you? So, why not let you have your fill of it?"
As soon as Lin Tianlong said this, the crowd, who had been cheering moments ago, fell silent. They couldn't believe that Lin Tianlong made such a request; it seemed too much like child's play.
The bald man was furious and said, "What did you say?"
With so many people around, making him call Lin Tianlong 'grandfather' on the spot, how could he still maintain his position in the Flame Capital City?
Lin Tianlong narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "You're not going to call me that?" His tone was chilling, sending shivers down everyone's spine. With a flick of his finger, the three of them, Ah Hu, Ah Bao, and the bald man, screamed as if they had been electrocuted. Their bodies convulsed, and they fell to their knees on the wet ground from the recent rain.
Although Ah Hu wanted to resist and calm himself down, when he saw Lin Tianlong's anger, his heart couldn't help but tremble. Witnessing the bald man being made to call Lin Tianlong 'grandfather,' Ah Hu and Ah Bao hesitated and called out, "Brother Bald."
"Call me 'grandfather'!" Lin Tianlong said coldly.
Ah Hu, Ah Bao, and the bald man looked at each other and reluctantly called out, "Grandfather."
Lin Tianlong greatly enjoyed this and nodded, saying, "Good, well-behaved. And her, you made my sister-in-law worried earlier, so apologize to her by calling her 'Aunt'." He pointed at Qin Keqing.
The onlookers initially thought that Lin Tianlong wanted the bald man to call him 'grandfather' as a form of punishment. But now, they felt that there was more of a mischievous element to it.
Hearing this, the bald man glared angrily at Lin Tianlong and said, "You..."
Ah Hu furiously added, "Kid, don't go too far."
Lin Tianlong responded, "I went too far? What do you want to do about it?"
After grinding his teeth, the bald man said, "Fine, we admit defeat today."
He then obediently walked to Su Lianqing and Qin Keqing and called out, "Aunt."
Qin Keqing chuckled and said, "Good."
For over a year, she hadn't felt this happy in a long time. Su Lianqing, on the other hand, was trembling with fear and quickly moved away.
Looking at Lin Tianlong and the three beautiful women walking triumphantly back to the clinic, the bald man's eyes burned with anger. Ah Hu said, "Boss, I'll go call some people."
"To hell with that! Are you stupid? That kid is extremely skilled. No matter how many people you call, it'll be useless. Call Meng Zong and ask him to send some people from the police force."
Ah Bao suddenly realized, "Using the police against him, Boss, you're brilliant."
The bald man stared at the Huimin Clinic with resentment in his eyes. "Kid, just wait, I'll make you suffer."
"They always come to make trouble, constantly switching shifts. It's really annoying!" Su Lianqing complained, slapping her chest. With her shy and timid nature, her heart must have been pounding rapidly.
"Sister-in-law, you don't need to be polite with me. I should have come back earlier to help you through the difficulties," Lin Tianlong said with deep affection while looking at his sister-in-law, Qin Keqing. He spoke ambiguously, "Now that I've returned after graduation, I'll never let anyone bully you again!"
Qin Keqing blushed and avoided her little nephew's fiery and affectionate gaze. Being intelligent, she understood the meaning behind his words. Since her marriage to Tianfeng, she had noticed his passionate glances at her for the first time. At that time, she thought it was just a young boy's innocent infatuation. Then, last year, when Tianfeng had an accident, Lin Tianlong took two months of leave to accompany them through thick and thin, comforting and consoling them. His actions especially warmed her heart. When Little Yu caught a fever, Lin Tianlong carried her on his back in the middle of the night to find Aunt Lin Huiyin for medical treatment. He was busy and tired, running around for everything in the family. He single-handedly bore all the responsibilities and accompanied them through the most difficult times. After the vacation ended, the school called many times to remind him, and when he was about to leave, he held Little Yu and looked into her eyes with deep affection, saying from the bottom of his heart, "Sister-in-law, wait for me to graduate and come back to support this family!"
In that instant, Qin Keqing understood the intentions of this young man—it was a promise to give his all for her. She felt that the weight of that promise was too heavy for a widow like her to bear, but she couldn't help but be moved by it. Over this year, she had relied on the young man's promise to get through difficult times. Even facing so much hardship, both overt and covert, and the harassment and sabotage by the local hooligans, whenever she saw Little Yu, she couldn't help but think of the expression in Lin Tianlong's eyes when he held Little Yu and said those words. Such sincere and affectionate eyes were enough to move any woman's heart.
Now that he had finally returned, and once again facing her, he spoke with deep affection. Qin Keling's beautiful eyes shimmered as she shyly avoided her young cousin's passionate gaze. In a fluster, she turned her head left and right and said, "Uncle Wang, Aunt Zhang, and Uncle Zhao, you can come out now. Everything is fine. I'm really sorry for causing you all to worry!"
Seeing her lover and sister-in-law, Qin Keling, exchanging meaningful glances, Shi Jieyi felt a bittersweet pang in her heart, though she didn't dare to show her jealousy.
Lin Tianlong then noticed Su Lianqing helping three elderly people come out from the back room. Aunt Zhang and Uncle Zhao were around fifty to sixty years old, while Uncle Wang was in his forties and leaning on a cane.
"Have those bastards left?" Uncle Wang cursed, "If it weren't for my bad leg, I would have beaten them with my cane like I used to at the mine!"
"Alas, old man! We're useless!" Uncle Zhao sighed, "Those scoundrels keep changing shifts to cause trouble. We can't do much to help Dr. Qin. The world has changed, and people's hearts are no longer the same."
"Don't say that, Uncle Zhao. If it weren't for loyal customers like you taking care of this small clinic, it wouldn't have survived until now!" Qin Keling said with concern, "Your unwavering support, not fearing those thugs, and coming here for injections and drips as usual are the biggest support for me. I should thank all of you!"
"Dr. Qin, those scoundrels are not the same ones as the other day. They keep changing shifts to come and disrupt your clinic," Aunt Zhang said, "The neighbors say you've offended Kang Hua and his gang, and it seems like it's true. You should be careful!"
"Alas, why doesn't Yandu City do something like the mountain city and launch an anti-crime campaign to deal with these scumbags from the dark society! Crush their evil spirits!" Uncle Wang cursed.
"Shh, don't you know who's behind those scoundrels?" Aunt Zhang said.
"Yes, Kang Hua is the wife of the chief of the Public Security Bureau, and those scoundrels are most likely from the Emperor Nightclub, which is under Meng Biao's territory. Do you expect a father to kill his own son?" Shi Jieyi sneered.
"Uncle Zhao, you've been on drips for a week. Your phlegm has visibly reduced, and your cough has improved. The inflammation in your lungs has mostly subsided. After today's drip, you can stop it! Taking too many antibiotics is not good!" Qin Keling said.
"Ah, my chronic lung disease can't be cured completely. I can only take it to the grave," Uncle Zhao sighed, "And the lumbar disc herniation is getting worse. The doctor wants me to have surgery, but at my age, why should I endure such suffering?!"
"You have a herniated lumbar disc, and I have cervical spondylosis. We're getting old, and our bodies are aging too. I've spent thousands on medicine, but it's no use!" Aunt Zhang said, "The doctor also wants me to have surgery, but they say cervical spine surgery has a higher risk. It could lead to high-level paralysis. I'm an old woman; I can't take that risk."
"What are you complaining about? At least you can still walk," Uncle Wang sighed, "I broke my leg at the mine three years ago, and it hasn't healed. The experts said the bones won't connect. Medication and injections don't work. Bone grafting was useless too. I've suffered so many times. After it finally healed, I got osteomyelitis, pus kept flowing out, blood everywhere, it's painful and agonizing!"
Unable to bear the smell of soda water in the clinic, Shi Jieyi covered her nose, feeling increasingly anxious as she listened to the three people discussing their medical conditions.
"Uncle Wang, let me take a look, okay?" Lin Tianlong smiled.
"You? Weren't you the little guy who used to help your sister-in-law here? I haven't seen you in a long time, and now you've grown so tall?" Uncle Wang laughed, "Have you learned how to treat illnesses from your sister-in-law?"
"I know this kid's mother is the head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology department at People's Hospital. She delivered my grandson!" Aunt Zhang laughed, "Didn't you learn Obstetrics and Gynecology from your mother? How did you switch to Orthopedics?"
"Tianlong studied medicine in the provincial capital and has just graduated!" Su Lianqing introduced with a smile. She had met Lin Tianlong a few years ago at her sister Su Nianci's place. Later, she was assigned to Qin Keling's clinic by the district hospital, and Lin Tianlong often came to help. However, she didn't expect the short, skinny, dark-skinned kid from before to grow into such a handsome, tall, and strong young man in just two years, and he even learned martial arts. In the blink of an eye, he defeated three scoundrels so easily.
However, Lin Tianlong knew that Su Lianqing was not only his aunt, Su Nianci's sister but also his sister-in-law, Qin Keling's sister-in-law. The relationships in Yandu City were indeed intricate, and even in a small clinic, these connections were so distinct. His main focus was on his sister-in-law, Qin Keling, so he paid little attention to Su Lianqing.
"Well, Tianlong has been influenced by his mother since childhood. He has a strong interest in traditional Chinese medicine and has done a lot of research. Besides, he has some unique abilities!" Qin Keling introduced with a smile.
"But... unique abilities?" Su Lianqing, Wang Shu, Zhang Yi, and Zhao Da-ye all widened their eyes in astonishment.
"Little brother, can you get me the Seven-Star Pain Relief Paste?" Lin Tianlong didn't explain further. He carefully examined the fractured shinbone of Wang Shu's left leg and then smiled at Qin Keling.
Qin Keling noticed how composed her younger brother seemed, realizing that the young boy had grown into a mature and capable man, displaying a charm he hadn't possessed before.
"Wang Shu, if you trust me, let me apply this paste to your wound. After using it three times, the pus and blood will be drained, the wound will heal, and the necrotic bone will regenerate within three months!" Lin Tianlong said with a smile. "Of course, if you don't believe me, you can just disregard what I said!"
Wang Shu observed Lin Tianlong's confident demeanor and looked at Qin Keling, then turned to Zhang Yi and Zhao Da-ye. He clenched his teeth and said, "Alright! Since it's a desperate situation, I'll trust you!"
With widened eyes, Shi Jie-yi and Su Lianqing watched intently as Lin Tianlong first applied acupressure massage to drain the pus and blood from Wang Shu's black and blue shinbone, and then he heated the herbal paste with his palms and applied it to the wound.
"Oh, oh, oh, young man, your hands feel like electricity! Ah, it's so hot and comforting! This paste is quite different; it seems to penetrate straight to the bone marrow!" Wang Shu exclaimed, his facial expressions changing with each movement of Lin Tianlong's massage. After the paste was applied, he took a deep breath and laughed, "Good boy, if you can really heal my bone injury, I'll give you an embroidered banner and make a big fuss at the mine to promote you!"
"Old Wang, is it really that good?" Zhang Yi and Zhao Da-ye asked curiously.
"It's really comfortable!" Wang Shu nodded.
"Believe, and it will work. Zhang Yi, Zhao Da-ye, I still have two pastes. Would you like to try them?" Lin Tianlong smiled. "Today is our fate, and the treatment is free. The paste will be charged starting tomorrow!"
"Sure!" The elderly had kind hearts, and though they knew this treatment might not cure their ailments, they considered it a sort of clinical trial for the ambitious young man.
Qin Keling stood stunned as she watched Zhang Yi and Zhao Da-ye, in turn, allow Lin Tianlong to apply the paste to their lumbar and cervical vertebrae.
The three elderly patients excitedly discussed the miraculous feeling of Lin Tianlong's electric massage. Meanwhile, Qin Keling, Shi Jie-yi, and Su Lianqing exchanged glances, feeling amazed. Lin Tianlong knew that the exaggerated praises from the three elderly people were merely encouragement for him, and he could see that they treated the idea of being cured as more of a joke.
Suddenly, police sirens sounded from outside, and Shi Jie-yi exclaimed with alarm, "There are so many police officers! And officials from the demolition office! Tianlong, you've caused a big problem!"
