Chapter 47: Mind Your Tone

"Why? I can't go?" Jonathan replied, a hint of irritation in his voice. If it weren't for Isabella's insisting, he would have skipped the whole conference. "Of course, you can come! I'm thrilled that you're going!" Samuel's voice brimmed with excitement. They exchanged a few more words before hanging up the phone. Isabella, curious, asked, "Who was that?" "Just a friend," Jonathan responded casually, then went back to his breakfast. By 8:30, Isabella drove Jonathan out of the villa, heading downtown. ... Traditional Medicine Association Building. The Traditional Medicine Association was the official organization for traditional medicine in Skyward State. Every medical practitioner registered their qualifications here. Today, the association vacated its office building for the conference, which was focused on treating illnesses and saving lives. Renowned doctors, rarely seen in public, were holding free clinics for the day. Because of this, the area was flooded with people hoping to see a doctor. However, there were far more patients than available doctors, so the association implemented a system to select patients at random for treatment. Despite this process, the building remained packed with people hoping to be seen by a doctor. When Isabella and Jonathan arrived, the entrance was already crowded with people waiting to draw lots. In a nearby parking lot, luxury cars were lined up, signaling that many of Skyward State's wealthy elite had also come to the event. These people weren't worried about money—they were worried about their health. For them, establishing relationships with famous doctors was priceless. --- As Jonathan stepped out of the car, his phone rang again. It was Samuel. "Master, where are you? Do you need me to come and pick you up?" "I just got here. What's up?" Jonathan replied. "I was hoping you could test my acupuncture skills." "Alright, send me your location, and I'll come over." After hanging up, Isabella looked at Jonathan. "What's going on?" "A friend of mine is at the conference. He asked me to check on his acupuncture technique." Isabella nodded. "Alright, you go ahead. I'll find you later." Jonathan, always ready to escape any unnecessary obligations, immediately nodded. "Great, I'll catch up with you later." With that, he disappeared into the crowd in a few quick strides. "This kid…" Isabella shook her head with a smile. She knew she'd be busy with patients for most of the day anyway. What neither of them noticed was that Abigail and Andrew approached the entrance of the building, pushing David in a wheelchair. "Grandpa, I've made arrangements with Dr. Wu. He said he recently mastered a magical acupuncture technique that might be able to cure your illness," Andrew explained. David smiled weakly. "Andrew, I'm grateful. Without you, I'd have fallen apart by now." Over the past few weeks, David had felt his health rapidly decline. Pain wracked his body, leaving him unable to sleep most nights. Jonathan's warning had slowly become a reality. The only thing keeping him going was his dedication to the Tang Family. "Grandpa," Abigail added with a soft smile, "Andrew has worked so hard to secure this appointment. At first, Doctor Wu wasn't willing to see you, but Andrew's persistence convinced him." David looked at his granddaughter lovingly. "Alright, alright. Once I'm better, we'll plan your wedding." Andrew beamed with joy. "Thank you, Grandpa!" Abigail smiled as well, relieved to see her grandfather in good spirits. Andrew, feeling proud, was also content. He had gone to great lengths to make Abigail smile after the incident with Jonathan at the Cooper family. Seeing her happy again made all the effort worthwhile. --- Soon, they found Samuel sitting among the other doctors outside the building. Despite his status as one of Skyward State's top doctors, Samuel treated patients like any ordinary doctor, tending to anyone who approached, regardless of their wealth or status. "Dr. Wu, I've brought my grandfather. Please take a look," Andrew said respectfully. Samuel glanced at David and nodded. "Push him over here." Abigail hurriedly wheeled David to Samuel. David, ever the gentleman, said, "Thank you for taking the time. I'll have my family send payment afterward." Samuel waved him off. "Today's a free clinic. No fees." David was taken aback, admiring Samuel's integrity. While it was customary for people to pay despite the free clinic, and many doctors accepted such payments, Samuel remained true to the event's spirit. Samuel placed his fingers on David's wrist to check his pulse. Abigail watched anxiously, her breath held. She had witnessed the toll the illness had taken on her grandfather, and she desperately hoped Samuel could offer a cure. After a long while, Samuel withdrew his hand, his brow furrowed. "This is an old ailment. It's been troubling you for at least twenty years, hasn't it?" Samuel asked. "You're right! Can you treat it?" David asked, his voice filled with hope. Samuel was silent for a few moments, then shook his head slowly. "I'm sorry. My skills aren't sufficient to cure you." "What? Even you can't help?" Abigail's voice trembled with disappointment. Andrew, growing anxious, chimed in. "Dr. Wu, you're the best doctor in Skyward State! We'll pay anything if you can cure my grandfather! Didn't you say you learned a magical acupuncture technique?" Samuel sighed. "It's not about money. That acupuncture technique is indeed powerful, but your grandfather's condition has progressed too far. No matter how magical the technique, it can't save him." David, feeling the weight of his mortality, asked, "Is there no other way?" Samuel paused, considering his next words carefully. "Your internal organs have deteriorated too much to be helped by medicine alone. I'm curious, though—by all accounts, you should have died twenty years ago. What kept you going until now?" David hesitated but eventually said, "I met a doctor back then who treated me." "Why not go back to that doctor?" Samuel asked. "For personal reasons, I can't see him again," David replied, unwilling to divulge his family's conflict with Jonathan. Samuel nodded, respecting his privacy. He was about to suggest they leave when a thought struck him. "I may not be able to help, but my master might." "Your master?" David asked, surprised. Samuel nodded again. "Yes, my master is far more skilled than I am. He's a descendant of the Taiyi Divine Needle lineage. If anyone can help, it's him." Abigail's eyes lit up. "Dr. Wu, could you give us your master's contact information? We'd like to reach out to him." Samuel hesitated. "He has a bit of an... eccentric personality." Andrew quickly interjected, "We'll do whatever it takes!" Abigail nodded in agreement. "That's right. Whatever conditions he has—whether it's money, status—we'll meet them as long as he can save my grandfather." David, his face filled with renewed hope, nodded. He wasn't ready to give up yet, not while his family still needed him. Samuel finally relented. "Alright. My master is attending the conference today. He'll be here soon." Abigail and Andrew's faces lit up with excitement. If this master could cure David, the Tang Family would regain its strength. And once that was settled, they could deal with Jonathan. Jonathan might have the upper hand now, but his time would come. As Abigail was lost in thought, a familiar voice broke through. "I'm here!" Abigail's eyes widened in shock, and Andrew's face twisted in disbelief. That voice—could it be? They turned around and, sure enough, it was Jonathan. "Why is he here?" Abigail gritted her teeth. Andrew's expression darkened. "How do we run into this country bumpkin everywhere? What does he want now?" David, fuming with anger, growled, "That little beast!" Jonathan, oblivious to their reactions, walked over, stretching. "Old man, I'm thirsty. Do you have any water around here?" Samuel was about to speak when Andrew angrily cut in, "Shut up! Mind your tone when you're speaking to Dr. Wu!"