Chapter Sixty-Three: It Turned Out to Be a Golden Buddha

Su Xiaoling immediately noticed the visitor’s refined attire and distinguished bearing, and greeted him with a bright smile. “Hello, you are…?”

“Oh, I’m the Deputy Director of the First People’s Hospital of Linhai. My surname is Ma. Here’s my card. I’m here to see Mr. Chen.” As he spoke, Ma Wei pulled a white business card from the inner pocket of his elegant black jacket and handed it to Su Xiaoling.

She took the card, glanced at it, and her eyes widened. Who was this? The Deputy Director of the First People’s Hospital of Linhai, coming in person to see Chen Yang, and addressing him as Mr. Chen? That was quite a mark of respect.

Su Xiaoling was momentarily stunned, but managed to turn and smile again. “That’s right, he’s here. Director Ma, please come in, do come in.”

Ma Wei nodded to her, bowed slightly, and stepped inside the villa.

At that moment, Chen Yang, Qin Muxue, Han Qin, and Qin Guoshan all emerged from their rooms, gathering in the living room. Qin Guoshan, always courteous, greeted Ma Wei warmly, though he didn’t recognize him. “Please, sir, have a seat.”

Ma Wei waved his hand. “No need, no need, sir.” Then, with an excited expression, he looked at Chen Yang, studied him for a moment, and walked toward him, extending his hand. “You must be Mr. Chen?”

Chen Yang smiled and shook hands with him. “And you are?”

Ma Wei grinned. “I’m the Deputy Director of the First People’s Hospital of Linhai, Ma Wei. I’m not at the hospital right now, so just call me Ma Wei, or Old Ma, whichever you prefer.”

Han Qin, Qin Guoshan, and even Qin Muxue were bewildered by Ma Wei’s introduction. Who was this? The Deputy Director of the First People’s Hospital of Linhai had come personally, seeking Chen Yang, being exceedingly polite to him. Chen Yang’s status seemed unexpectedly elevated.

Qin Guoshan, realizing his guest was indeed a hospital deputy director, quickly greeted him with a smile. “So you’re Director Ma! Forgive me for not welcoming you properly.”

“No need for formalities, Mr. Qin. I’ve come today to see Mr. Chen about a favor.” Ma Wei’s expression was complex.

“Oh, is that so?” Qin Guoshan said in surprise, inwardly astounded. The deputy director needed Chen Yang’s help? What could Chen Yang possibly do for Director Ma?

Su Xiaoling was equally incredulous—this was too much. Since when did Chen Yang command such respect, that a deputy director would come to him for help?

Chen Yang caught the astonished glances from his father-in-law, Su Xiaoling, and the others, but remained calm and looked to Ma Wei with a gentle smile. “What can I do for you?”

Ma Wei began to recount his troubles in detail. His wife was suffering from a brain neuroma; Western medicine would require surgery and chemotherapy. Ma Wei couldn’t bear to see her endure such hardship. He knew that Master Sun Shengfang was renowned for his medical skills, especially in treating difficult and rare conditions, and that there were traditional Chinese methods that could help with a neuroma. Thus, Ma Wei had come personally, hoping Chen Yang could act as an intermediary and connect him with Master Sun, so that Sun would treat his wife.

After listening, Chen Yang smiled; indeed, the situation was urgent. If something like this happened to him—if Qin Muxue suffered from a brain neuroma—he wouldn’t eat, drink, or sleep before getting her to Sun Shengfang for treatment.

He fully understood Ma Wei’s anxiety.

But Sun was elderly and could not endure a steady stream of patients seeking his expertise. Sun Shengfang had long since retired from the public eye; the last time he helped, it was only out of respect for Chen Yang.

If Chen Yang helped Ma Wei now, word would spread quickly. Many others would soon come to him, asking him to contact Master Sun for help. If that happened, Sun would be overwhelmed, and Chen Yang himself would be exhausted.

Thus, discretion was essential.

With this in mind, Chen Yang smiled and said, “To be honest, I’m not particularly close with Master Sun. He helped last time because I asked through an intermediary. Master Sun is old now; he can't be bothered by a constant stream of requests. I can try to help you, but if Master Sun is unable to take another patient, please don’t push. And this must not be made public. If you spread the word and others come to me for help, I won’t assist again. This will be the last time I trouble Master Sun. If you agree, I’ll make contact. If you don’t, you’re free to leave.”

Chen Yang spoke with confidence and spirit. Han Qin and Qin Muxue looked at him with admiration, as if he were bathed in light.

Ma Wei's heart was full of bitterness. He had lost countless hairs worrying about his wife's illness. Chen Yang’s condition was nothing; even if Chen asked him to walk through fire, he would do it.

Thus, Ma Wei’s gaze was resolute. “Agreed, Mr. Chen. You have my word…”

But Chen Yang was still cautious. “Director Ma, I know your hospital is full of people, and you might talk about this with colleagues, friends, or relatives. But let me be clear: this is the last time I trouble Master Sun. If you slip and others come to me for help, I won’t assist, and you mustn’t blame me.”

Ma Wei replied immediately, “Of course not! I’m so grateful, how could I blame you?”

“Good, then. I’ll try to help; whether it works or not depends on luck,” Chen Yang said.

Ma Wei’s heart was in his throat. He hoped Chen Yang would succeed, but there was no certainty. He placed his hopes in fate, grasped Chen Yang’s hand, and pleaded, “Mr. Chen, please earnestly plead on my behalf—please, please.”

“Don’t worry. When it comes to saving a life, I won’t be careless,” Chen Yang said confidently.

Ma Wei nodded. “Regardless of the outcome, I will present you with a generous gift, Mr. Chen.”

“Please, don’t. I’m just making a few phone calls; no need for gifts,” Chen Yang replied.

Ma Wei waved his hand. “Let me handle it. Just help me first, I beg you.”

Chen Yang smiled at Ma Wei, and realized that the gift Ma Wei intended for him would not be cheap. The pride in Ma Wei's face as he mentioned the generous gift made it clear that it was something special.

Once their conversation was nearly finished, Ma Wei handed Chen Yang a business card, politely bid farewell to everyone, and left.

Ma Wei respected Qin Guoshan, and Qin Guoshan returned the gesture. Qin Guoshan and Han Qin escorted Ma Wei to his car and watched him drive away before returning to the villa.

Upon entering, Qin Guoshan asked Chen Yang seriously, “Chen Yang, are you confident you can manage this?”

“I don’t know, but I’ll do my best. Master Sun’s health isn’t great, and he may not have the energy for more patients. It all depends on him,” Chen Yang replied earnestly.

Su Xiaoling teased, “Not bad, Chen Yang. Someone’s come to you for help.”

Chen Yang rolled his eyes. “Don’t forget, I helped you out with your shop lease, too.”

“That’s why you’re so impressive,” Su Xiaoling said carelessly.

Chen Yang glanced at her, said nothing more, and turned to Qin Muxue. “Muxue, let’s go to work.”

Qin Muxue nodded with a smile, delighted. Her husband was needed and respected, which brought her pride.

A day later, Chen Yang notified Ma Wei that Master Sun was willing to see the patient. In truth, Sun’s willingness depended on his attitude. He saw that Ma Wei was a good person, truly struggling for his wife, and out of sympathy, he asked Sun to give her a thorough examination.

Ma Wei was so overjoyed that he nearly jumped for joy, thanking Chen Yang repeatedly.

That evening, as Chen Yang reached his doorstep, a courier handed him a beautifully wrapped blue gift box, saying it was from Director Ma, then hurried off.

Chen Yang opened the box and, though he was wealthy, couldn’t help but gasp. Inside was a golden Buddha statue, worth at least tens of thousands.

He brought the Buddha home and gave it to Qin Muxue, feeling that such a precious gift should belong to her.

Qin Muxue beamed with happiness. A golden Buddha—what woman wouldn’t love gold?

During dinner, Qin Guoshan eyed Chen Yang with envy. “Chen Yang, I heard Director Ma gave you a golden Buddha tonight?”

“Yes, Dad,” Chen Yang replied with a smile.

Su Xiaoling was envious as well. “Director Ma is really generous.”

Chen Yang laughed. “Xiaoling, just think—if Master Sun cures his wife’s serious illness, how much money will he save? His wife won’t have to suffer; perhaps with some medicine and acupuncture, she’ll recover. In that case, giving me a golden Buddha is nothing.”

Su Xiaoling wrinkled her nose, at a loss for words.

Chen Yang smiled and shook his head, glancing at Qin Muxue’s profile. Seeing her smile, he smiled as well. His wife was happy with the golden Buddha, so he was happy too.

Early the next morning, Friday, with only a day to the weekend, Chen Yang and Qin Muxue had just come downstairs when Qin Guoshan called them over and told Qin Muxue that Saturday evening they would attend the eightieth birthday banquet of the Wang family patriarch at the Linhai Grand Hotel.

Qin Guoshan invited Qin Muxue because the entire family had been invited.

The Wang family of Linhai was a powerful clan, even more influential than the Qin family. They were discreet, rarely hosting events, but when they did, it was always significant.

Qin Guoshan knew many of the elder members of the Wang family and maintained good relations with them, so he was included in the invitation.

Qin Muxue was delighted to hear this. “Really? Then I must go and wish Grandpa Wang happiness and blessings at his birthday banquet.”

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