As Xia Yunfan continued his treatment, a trace of color began to return to Elder Chu's face.
"You... who are you?"
Elder Chu's gaze lost its dullness, gradually clearing as he questioned Xia Yunfan.
Standing beside them, Xinyue said, "Grandfather, this is Xia Yunfan, the fiancé you arranged for me."
"It's you! You've finally come."
Elder Chu tremblingly grasped Xia Yunfan's hand, his expression deeply emotional.
"Old man, your health isn't good, try not to get too excited," Xia Yunfan advised.
Elder Chu immediately agreed, "Alright, alright, alright. I'll listen to my future grandson-in-law in everything."
What the hell!
Elder Chu's attitude shocked the members of the Chu Family present.
In everyone's minds, the old man was an imposing head of the family, a man whose word was absolute within the Chu Family.
Perhaps only when facing Xinyue and her sister would he show the kindness of an ordinary old man.
Yet when facing Xia Yunfan, it was entirely different, his tone actually carrying a hint of ingratiation.
This caused everyone present to look at Xia Yunfan with curiosity.
"This fellow looks roguish, like a hooligan who just came from the village. Why is the old man acting so servile in front of him?"
"This defies logic! Could this kid be a super fourth-generation red-background scion? Or the heir to some top-tier wealthy family? Or perhaps the son of some underworld boss?"
"Chu Tianxiong won't let this kid off. When this kid plays his trump card, we'll know who he really is."
Everyone had figured it out: this kid was nothing more than a reckless brute.
Dealing with such a reckless brute was best left to Chu Tianxiong.
At that moment, Xia Yunfan reached out and grabbed Xinyue's petite hand.
"You... what are you doing?"
Xinyue's pretty face flushed. Although they were affianced, holding hands in front of so many people still made her terribly shy.
She struggled twice, but failed to break free, lowering her head in embarrassment as she didn't dare meet the gaze of the surrounding crowd.
"I was just checking the time."
Xia Yunfan chuckled as he looked at Xinyue's wristwatch.
Not to mention, this wrist was truly tender and smooth, white and crystal-clear.
"Oh my, three minutes are already up."
Glancing at the time on the watch, Xia Yunfan smiled and looked over at Chen Chong.
Xia Yunfan said with a smile, "The three minutes are up. Remember our bet—it was crystal clear. Whatever I tell you to do, you do. Right?"
"Hmph! Just because this old man hasn't died in three minutes doesn't mean you didn't use banned drugs. Just wait, this old fellow will be finished soon enough."
Chen Chong snorted coldly and turned to walk outside.
"Did I say you could leave?"
Xia Yunfan hooked a nearby stool with his foot and kicked his leg out fiercely.
"Whoosh!"
The stool cut through the air with a whistling sound, grazing past Chen Chong's head.
"Bang!"
With a loud crash, the stool smashed into the wall right in front of Chen Chong, creating a tremendous noise.
Bolstered by terrifying force, the top-grade huanghuali stool shattered into pieces.
One of the splinters grazed Chen Chong's face, leaving a gash behind.
Chen Chong felt a warm sensation flowing down his face and reached out to wipe it.
"Blood! There's blood!"
He brought his palm up to his eyes, only to find it covered in crimson, and let out a terrified scream.
Xia Yunfan sneered, "I'm a very reasonable person. If you want to leave, that's fine, but you're going to crawl out of the Chu Family's gates on your hands and knees."
Angry and fearful, Chen Chong protested, "You... you can't do this."
"A bet's a bet. Either do as I say, or that stool you saw a moment ago will be your fate!"
Chen Chong glared angrily at Xia Yunfan, then lowered his head to look at the shattered pieces of wood scattered all over the floor.
If the wood couldn't withstand a single kick from Xia Yunfan, his body certainly wouldn't either.
Xia Yunfan issued his final ultimatum: "I'll give you three seconds."
"One!"
"Two!"
"I'll crawl! I'll crawl, alright?!"
Sensing the murderous intent in Xia Yunfan's eyes—the look of a man who genuinely wanted him dead was impossible to hide—Chen Chong shuddered violently. He didn't dare gamble on whether this fellow actually had the guts to kill.
"Thud..."
Chen Chong bent his legs in humiliation, dropping to his knees right in front of Xia Yunfan.
"Is this okay?" Chen Chong asked through clenched teeth.
Xia Yunfan smiled. "You can crawl out now. And as you crawl, shout that you're a quack doctor."
"I'm a quack doctor! I'm a quack doctor!"
Chanting as he crawled toward the door, Chen Chong kept his head down, not daring to look at anyone.
"Eh? Isn't that Divine Doctor Chen? Why is he crawling out of the villa?"
"His face is all swollen. Did he tumble down the stairs? Let's go help him up."
"Help my ass! He was clearly beaten by someone. When it comes to the affairs of wealthy families, we'd better mind our own business."
Inside the estate, bodyguards and cleaners began discussing among themselves, pointing fingers at Chen Chong.
Although they spoke in hushed tones, the words still reached Chen Chong's ears, filling his eyes with venomous hatred.
"Xia Yunfan! I'm going to hack you to pieces!"
As a rising leader in the medical community, Chen Chong had cultivated connections with countless high-ranking figures. With just a single word from him, countless people would be more than willing to help him finish off Xia Yunfan.
Meanwhile, back inside the villa.
Seeing that the old man had woken up, the members of the Chu Family crowded around to shower him with concern.
Elder Chu said weakly, "Xinyue and Yunfan, stay. Everyone else, get out."
At these words, disappointment washed over the faces of the Chu Family members. After all, this was the golden opportunity to curry favor with the old man.
"Elder, we'll be stepping out now. Rest peacefully, and if you need anything, just give the word and we'll have it handled in a flash."
"Grandfather, you're finally awake. Yesterday Dad bought a century-old ginseng from a wealthy merchant; we'll bring it over tomorrow to help build up your strength."
"Dad, I've been staying right here in the estate lately. Just let me know if there's anything you need me to take care of."
After pledging their loyalty to the old man, they filed out of the bedroom.
As the door clicked shut, only the old man, Xinyue, and Xia Yunfan remained in the room.
Elder Chu looked at Xia Yunfan and remarked, "Young, talented, and dashing. Being able to marry Xinyue is the blessing of our Chu Family."
What?!
Xinyue, standing to the side, was stunned.
She felt as though her grandfather's implication was that she was the one not good enough for Xia Yunfan.
How could that be?
She was the eldest daughter of the Chu Family, the undisputed number one beauty of Shanghai. There were countless wealthy heirs chasing after her—how could she not be a match for this fellow?
Struggling to support his weak body, Elder Chu urged anxiously, "Xinyue, you're already twenty-four. At your age, your grandmother had already given birth to two children. Since you and Yunfan are engaged, consummate the marriage tonight."
"Grandfather, what are you saying?!"
Xinyue's eyes widened in disbelief. She never imagined her grandfather would actually say such a thing to her.
Anyone listening in would think the old man's granddaughter couldn't possibly find a husband, forcing him to push her sales so desperately.
Xia Yunfan tactfully offered, "Grandfather, wouldn't that be a bit inappropriate? After all, today is only our first time meeting, and we haven't built up any feelings for each other yet."
Xinyue wanted nothing more than to send Xia Yunfan flying with a kick. This scoundrel had practically written the words "can't wait" across his face, yet he was still putting on an act of modesty.
Elder Chu declared imperiously, "Back in the day, her grandmother and I met through an arranged introduction too—we got on the train first and bought the ticket later. Have the children first, and you can build up your feelings slowly afterward. It's settled. You're consummating the marriage tonight!"