"Mom, I was a bit busy during the day and didn't notice my phone. I just saw you called..." Chen Fei chuckled, forcing a bit of energy into his voice.

"What could you be so busy with all day, you brat? Honestly. Where are you now? Northern Mountain City?" his mother complained on the other end of the line, before her tone suddenly turned serious as if she had something important to discuss.

"No, I'm in the mountains right now. The scenic area in the Lingnan Mountains... I came here on a trip with some friends," Chen Fei said, a bit startled.

"Traveling with friends? Male friends or a girlfriend? When are you finally going to bring a girlfriend home for me to meet? I've been looking forward to that day for a long time, you hear me?" Hearing this, his mother's voice instantly rose, broaching a topic that always gave Chen Fei a headache.

"Mom, what are you talking about? They're male friends, just male friends... Yes, yes, I know, I get it. We can talk about that later. Didn't you call me about something? What was it?" Chen Fei rubbed his head, quickly changing the subject.

"You always try to gloss things over with me. Sigh, never mind, we'll talk about that later. Come back tomorrow; I need your help with something," Lin Ling said, finally remembering the "important matter," her tone sounding a bit unusual.

"You need my help? Oh, okay. What is it?" Chen Fei asked with some confusion, nodding despite his surprise.

"Your medical skills are quite impressive now, aren't they? The last time you came back, you even cured my chronic condition, something that even the doctors in Capital City couldn't fix. Anyway, a friend's son is sick. Somehow, they found out about your exceptional medical skills and came to me. It seems the situation has become quite serious and can't be delayed any longer," Lin Ling explained softly. However, to Chen Fei, the tone of her voice, though soft and low, sounded inexplicably evasive and dejected.

"An old friend of yours, Mom? Alright then, I understand. I'll tell my friends first thing in the morning and rush back. Why don't you get some sleep, Mom? It's getting late." Chen Fei immediately nodded, promising to return early the next morning.

"Alright, then I'll hang up. You mischievous boy, you should get to bed early too. You'd better get back as soon as possible. The situation really doesn't look good," Lin Ling urged, her rambling words suddenly turning into a light sigh. If the situation wasn't truly dire, would that family really dare to defy the old master's wishes and come find me?

"Don't worry, Mom. I'll catch the first flight back tomorrow morning," Chen Fei promised once again before hanging up.

Seeing Chen Fei end the call, Elder Xunn smiled kindly. "Was that your mother? Did she need something?"

"Yeah, it seems an old friend's son is sick. I'm not sure how, but they contacted her and want me to take a look. Apparently, the situation is a bit critical, so it looks like I'll have to head back as early as possible tomorrow," Chen Fei nodded. He was actually quite surprised. He hadn't expected them to approach his mother. Who could they be?

"Your mother's old friend's son? Then you should indeed go and take a look... In that case, I won't disturb your rest. Get some more sleep. Oh, by the way, there's food, fruit, and warm water over there on the nightstand. Help yourself to whatever you'd like," Elder Xunn murmured thoughtfully before smiling as he stood up, pointing to the table on the other side of the bed. Only then did Chen Fei notice that fruit, food, and warm water had been prepared for him.

"Okay, got it." He nodded, throwing back the covers to get something to eat.

Seeing this, Elder Xunn smiled faintly and walked out of the room, switching on a dim lamp as he left. After closing the door behind him, his clouded, aged face showed a peculiar glint. He shook his head and murmured to himself, I thought this kid wouldn't be heading to Capital City so soon, but now it seems... a lot of trouble is about to brew.

After saying this, he shook his head again, adjusted the small medicine chest slung over his shoulder, and walked away down the corridor.

Meanwhile, inside the room, Chen Fei casually picked up an apple and took a bite. He then took the nearby glass of warm water and sipped it slowly. His deep, clear-as-glass eyes narrowed slightly. A faint murmur echoed in the silent room. Elder Xunn seems to know something... Is he trying to give me a hint?

After all, with only a wall between us, how could I possibly not have heard him with my cultivation level?

He shook his head, pushing the thought aside. Whatever. I'll just head back and see what happens. It's been a while since I've been home anyway. It's a good chance to visit Mom...

「The night passed without further incident.」

Early the next morning, Chen Fei said goodbye to Elder Xunn and Chief Luo Yuanzhi, then boarded a special small plane from the Main Base of Flying Leopard in the Lingnan Mountains, heading for his hometown, Northern Mountain City.

Since he was pressed for time and still not feeling well, he decided not to bother with commercial flights, instead taking advantage of a special privilege: a private jet.

Around ten o'clock in the morning, the special private plane carrying Chen Fei landed discreetly at the Northern Mountain City airport, the one closest to Chengyang County. A sky-blue Jaguar sports car roared away shortly after.

It turned out Chen Fei had already informed Young Master Gao Yuan to have someone pick him up with a car. After all, his Mercedes GL400 was still gathering dust in the garage of the California Garden Grand Hotel. It was too late and unnecessary to go back for it now.

This vehicle was naturally one of Young Master Gao Yuan's luxurious rides. It looked like it was worth at least a million or two, perhaps even more.

More than half an hour later, the sky-blue Jaguar finally crossed into Chengyang County. As he gazed out the window at the familiar buildings and the scenery, which was beginning to show signs of autumn, Chen Fei's heart stirred with an inexplicable emotion.

Even though his hometown was just a small county, there was something about it that felt just right, so warmly familiar.

RING, RING, RING...

Just then, his phone rang. He pulled it out and saw it was his mother calling.

"Hello, Mom," he answered immediately.

But before he could finish, his mother Lin Ling's anxious voice cut in, "Hello? Have you left yet? Were you able to get a plane ticket?"

A warmth spread through Chen Fei's chest. "Of course. I'm almost at the entrance to our neighborhood. Should I come straight home?"

"You're almost at the neighborhood already? That fast?" Now it was Lin Ling's turn to be taken aback.

Startled by her surprise, Chen Fei quickly fabricated an excuse. "Yeah, you sounded anxious last night, so I bought a ticket for an early morning flight. I should be there in about ten minutes."

"Oh, alright then. Come straight home. My friend happens to be here right now... Okay, that's all. I'm hanging up." As Lin Ling spoke, she ended the call. Her gentle eyes flickered with a complex emotion.

"Lin Ling... is your son... coming back?" a slightly hesitant voice sounded from beside her. The voice belonged to a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties. He had salt-and-pepper hair and a resolute face that gave him an air of integrity. Yet at this moment, his expression was inexplicably awkward and anxious, as if he were deeply uncomfortable.

This man was none other than Chen Zhenjun, the executive deputy minister of a certain department in Capital City and one of the so-called "Twin Tigers" of the Chen Family of Capital City's third generation. It turned out that he was the one who had come looking for Chen Fei's mother, Lin Ling. Apparently, the two were old friends...

"Yes, he said he's already in Chengyang County and should be here in about ten minutes. Wait a little longer. I'm going to stir-fry some dishes and heat up the rice and soup," Lin Ling replied, her words evasive as she turned and headed for the kitchen.

"Lin Ling," Chen Zhenjun called out, stopping her. He then said slowly, "Regarding my son... I'm truly sorry to have troubled you. If it weren't for you..."

"What's there to be troubled about? My son is a doctor; it's perfectly normal for him to treat patients. There's no need to thank me." Lin Ling was clearly unwilling to discuss it further, and her steps quickened.

Seeing this, Chen Zhenjun paused for a moment before sighing and shaking his head. "Sigh... It seems you still hold a grudge against me."

Hearing this, Lin Ling's steps finally slowed to a halt. A cool, calm voice escaped her lips. "You are a Chen, after all. Are you not?"

"But your son's surname is also Chen," Chen Zhenjun argued, a hint of defiance in his voice.

Lin Ling turned to face him, her expression serene. "But he is *my* son."

Chen Zhenjun was stunned speechless. He could only shake his head helplessly. Yes, Chen Fei is her son. Of course it doesn't matter that his surname is Chen. But I'm different... I'm a Chen, and a member of *that* Chen family.

So how could Lin Ling, the woman his family had driven out of Capital City all those years ago, not hate him? In fact, her willingness to let her son treat his son was already a sign that she was setting aside past grudges. What more could he possibly hope for? He had absolutely no right to ask for anything more.

"No matter what, we wronged you in the past. I'm not speaking for the Chen family now, but for myself. Thank you for being willing to help me today... and I am sorry." With that, he stood and bowed deeply to Chen Fei's mother, his sincerity evident, completely setting aside his status as an executive deputy minister from Capital City.

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