At Xin Yu Restaurant, Duan Chunfeng, carrying large and small bags of gifts, used the address Luo Xiu had previously sent him and quickly found the private room. However, before he could even enter, he heard a commotion coming from inside. Feeling apprehensive, he walked to the door and knocked tentatively.

"Mister Luo, are you in here?"

To his surprise, the first person to greet him was Chen Youzhi.

"Boss, what… what are you doing here?" Chen Youzhi bowed, his terror palpable.

Duan Chunfeng glanced at the underling who used to handle his dirty work and felt a flicker of puzzlement. What's he doing here?

He asked flatly, "What business do you have here?"

With a fawning expression, Chen Youzhi replied, "Oh, it's nothing much. Just some blind little bastard who messed with my son. I came over to demand an explanation."

Disdain filled Duan Chunfeng's eyes. "Still the same despicable character after all these years."

Chen Youzhi chuckled. "Boss, it's rare to see you. How about we go have a few drinks?"

Duan Chunfeng remained stone-faced, offering no response. A character like Chen Youzhi isn't even qualified to drink at the same table as me. He's probably started his own business and gotten a little arrogant now that he has some money. But in my eyes, a lackey is always a lackey.

Still plastering on a smile, Chen Youzhi continued, "Alright Boss, it's a deal then. We must have a proper get-together later. Just let me finish dealing with this little bastard—"

However, before he could finish, he saw Duan Chunfeng stride past him into the private room and come to a stop before Luo Xiu.

"Mister Luo, I knew I'd find you here," Duan Chunfeng said, his face wreathed in a respectful smile.

This scene left Chen Youzhi and his son, Chen Tao, completely dumbfounded.

What is this kid's background?

Duan Chunfeng was the head of the Duan Family and the man in charge of the Duan Consortium. In Henghai, even Admiral Sir had to show him some respect! Why would such a magnate act so reverently toward a young man?

Luo Xiu gave Duan Chunfeng a casual glance. "If you have something to say, say it. I'm in a hurry."

"What the hell is your attitude, kid?" Chen Youzhi blurted out, his anger flaring at Luo Xiu's disrespect toward his old boss. "Do you have any idea who you're talking to?!"

In his mind, Luo Xiu definitely didn't know Duan Chunfeng's true identity. After all, Boss Duan was usually very low-profile in public.

But as soon as the words left his mouth, Duan Chunfeng spun around and slapped him hard across the face.

"Who do you think you are? Is this your place to speak?" Duan Chunfeng roared. "Get on your knees and apologize to Mister Luo right now!"

Duan Chunfeng's heart was pounding with anxiety, terrified of ruining everything. For days, he had been more persistent than Liu Bei paying his three visits to the thatched cottage—swallowing his pride, lowering his status, and making one phone call after another. Just today, Luo Xiu had finally agreed to a meeting, which meant there was still hope for discussion. And now, of all times, Chen Youzhi had to appear!

If Chen Youzhi screws this up and upsets Luo Xiu, I really don't know what I'll do next. And by now, I can probably guess who the "little bastard" Chen Youzhi was talking about is.

Clutching his swollen cheek, Chen Youzhi was completely stunned. "Boss, what are you—"

Duan Chunfeng's gaze was glacial as he cut him off in a low voice. "I told you to kneel and apologize to Mister Luo. Are you deaf?"

The words sent a shiver down Chen Youzhi's spine. His mind went blank, and he immediately dropped to his knees.

"Mister Luo, I'm sorry! I was blind just now! I didn't realize you were a friend of my boss! Please, be the bigger man and forgive my offense this one time!" As he spoke, he grabbed Chen Tao and hissed, "Tao, what are you waiting for? Apologize to Mister Luo!"

Kneeling on the floor, Chen Youzhi broke out in a cold sweat, his heart filled with regret. If I had known Luo Xiu was a big shot even Duan Chunfeng had to defer to, I wouldn't have dared to cause trouble even if you gave me ten times the guts. For Duan Chunfeng to deal with our Chen family, it would only be a matter of minutes! It's all because of this stupid son, always causing trouble!

Luo Xiu looked at the kneeling father and son and waved a hand in annoyance. He just wanted to eat a meal in peace, not get drawn into drama with people like them.

Turning to Chen Youzhi, Duan Chunfeng ordered coldly, "What are you waiting for? Take your mutt of a son and get lost!"

"Yes, yes! We're going, we're going right now!"

「A short while later.」

After the Chen father and son had left, Duan Chunfeng seemed to transform into a different person, approaching Luo Xiu with a beaming smile plastered on his face.

Watching this, Zhang Yi was astonished. Is this really the head of the Duan Family, the man who holds sway over all of Henghai Provincial City? Although she knew her Brother Luo Xiu was very capable, she had never imagined that even a figure like Duan Chunfeng would treat him with such deference.

In truth, Duan Chunfeng was merely putting on an act. He needed something from Luo Xiu, leaving him no choice but to behave this way. In reality, he wanted nothing more than to tear Luo Xiu to pieces.

"Brother Luo Xiu, I'll let you two talk. I'm just going to the restroom." Being a well-bred young woman, Zhang Yi knew they had business to discuss and gracefully excused herself.

「A short while later.」

After Zhang Yi left the room, Duan Chunfeng wore a friendly smile. "Ah, Mister Luo, about what happened before… it was all a misunderstanding. As for the matter between you and Hong Li… I honestly don't care. She and I were only together for the benefit of our families; there were no feelings between us."

Luo Xiu was growing impatient. "Get to the point."

Duan Chunfeng cursed inwardly but kept the smile fixed on his face. "About the treatment… have you considered it?"

A faint smile touched Luo Xiu's lips. "A healer's heart is like a parent's. As a man myself, I understand how Family Head Duan must be feeling right now."

Hearing this, Duan Chunfeng was overjoyed. "So, you've agreed?"

Luo Xiu nodded, then took out his phone. He edited a list of medicinal herbs in a document and sent it to Duan Chunfeng. There were all sorts of ingredients, over a hundred in total. In terms of cost, the list would run into several hundred million. This was precisely why Luo Xiu had agreed to treat Duan Chunfeng.

In reality, only a dozen or so of the herbs were for Duan Chunfeng's condition. The rest were for Lin Xiyue's alchemy. Luo Xiu's goal was simple: to use the Duan Family's wealth to find the ingredients he needed.

"Contact me again once you've gathered all the herbs on this list, Family Head Duan."

"Yes, yes, of course! Thank you, Mister Luo!" Duan Chunfeng clutched his phone as if it were a priceless treasure and saved the document. "Then, Mister Luo, about these modest gifts—"

Luo Xiu gently shook his head, cutting him off. "I won't be accepting any gifts. Right now, I'd like to discuss my compensation."

Duan Chunfeng's expression turned serious. "As long as you can cure me, you can name any price you wish!"

Luo Xiu smiled. "A few days ago, I had some free time and was looking at a map. I thought the island thirty kilometers from the provincial city's port looked quite nice."

At these words, Duan Chunfeng's gaze sharpened. That deserted island was a Duan Family property, originally slated for development into a seaside entertainment venue to make a fortune. I really hadn't expected Luo Xiu to have such a discerning eye.

"So, you want the island?"

Luo Xiu nodded.

"No problem," Duan Chunfeng said without a moment's hesitation. "By our next meeting, the island will belong to you, Mister Luo!"

Compared to his illness and the chance to become a real man again, the island seemed utterly trivial.

***

By the time dinner ended, the sky was pitch-black. Luo Xiu drove Zhang Yi home and then headed back toward Feiyun Villa alone, listening to music.

Just as he reached the main gate of Feiyun Villa, a motorcycle suddenly shot out from an intersection ahead.

Shocked, Luo Xiu slammed on the brakes.

But it was too late. His car still collided with the motorcycle that had darted out.

BOOM!

With a tremendous crash, the motorcycle was sent spinning into the air. The girl riding it was also flung into the sky, her body tumbling several times before she slammed heavily onto the ground.

"Holy crap..." Luo Xiu's eyes widened.

I'm in huge trouble now!

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