Chapter Ninety-One: A Cad, Bullying the Weak and Fearing the Strong

Several of the companions behind Song Qiang clearly doubted the shabby little clinic. They whispered among themselves, their tones full of disdain and skepticism.

Though Xiao Jiang had been singled out by Song Qiang, he seemed to harbor a flicker of curiosity about Li Chao’s medical skill, so he replied:

"Whether he's a miracle doctor or not, we'll know once we try. But judging by this scene, waiting in line is truly a problem."

Another companion voiced his displeasure bluntly:

"Exactly, Brother Qiang. In which county hospital have we ever not been seen the moment we arrive? Why should we suffer like this? This clinic is far too crude and unsophisticated."

At those words, Song Qiang’s brow furrowed tightly; he was clearly extremely dissatisfied with the prospect of waiting.

He gave a cold snort and said, "I’ve never had to queue at the county hospital. And now I come to this lousy place for treatment, and I’m actually expected to line up? What a joke!"

With that, Song Qiang rose and prepared to force his way straight into the consultation room.

Yuxin and Sun Peng hurried forward to stop him.

Yuxin said politely but firmly, "Sir, please follow the rules and wait patiently. Dr. Li is currently seeing other patients. When it is your turn, your number will be called naturally."

"Move."

At Song Qiang’s command, as though the whole world should yield to him, he flicked his carefully styled hair and strode forward with a group of equally arrogant companions toward the depths of the clinic.

There was no mistaking the swagger in their steps, as though this were territory they had long since conquered.

Before such overbearing arrogance, one figure stood unshaken: Sun Peng, guardian of the clinic’s order.

He stepped forward at once, his voice steady and calm.

"Everyone, you’re here for medical help, yes? Please calm yourselves, take a number first, and wait in line at the back."

As he spoke, he handed over a numbered card, a symbol of fairness and order.

But Song Qiang’s response was like a bucket of ice water in winter. He sneered, flicked the card lightly with his finger, and sent it arcing helplessly through the air before it landed on the ground.

"Queue? In my world, rules are made to be broken."

His words dripped with contempt for the rules. Then he pulled a thick wad of cash from his pocket and slapped it against Sun Peng’s face in a nearly provocative manner.

"These should be enough to make me a VIP here, shouldn’t they?"

The air seemed to freeze. The people around them stared, astonished and displeased in equal measure.

But Sun Peng, this seemingly ordinary enforcer of order, showed a tenacity and principle beyond the common man.

His expression never changed as the bills slid away. His gaze was like a torch.

"I’m sorry, sir, but our clinic has no VIP system. Here, regardless of status, everyone is treated equally and must wait their turn."

Song Qiang’s face darkened instantly. He had never imagined that in this seemingly insignificant clinic, someone would dare refuse his "kindness" so directly.

"Damn it! You’re refusing the toast only to be forced to drink the penalty?"

He was furious, his voice carrying a clear threat.

"Do you know who I am? If you offend me, you’d better think carefully about the consequences!"

Sun Peng’s answer was like a breath of cool wind on a summer day: firm, calm, and refreshing.

"I don’t know who you are, nor do I want to know. I only know that as a member of this clinic, I have the duty to maintain its order and fairness. Please respect every patient waiting here, and respect the rules we all abide by."

"You believe or not, one phone call from me could plunge this shabby clinic into an unprecedented crisis?"

Before the words had even faded, a fierce slap landed heavily across Sun Peng’s face, leaving a vivid mark.

Sun Peng clenched both fists so tightly that his knuckles went white, but he suppressed his rage and pain and did not strike back. He knew these young men might have some serious backing, and to avoid unnecessary trouble, he chose restraint.

Though fire raged in his heart, he still stood there resolutely, like an unbreakable barrier, refusing to let Song Qiang and the others go any farther.

Seeing this, Song Qiang showed no restraint whatsoever; instead, he grew even more arrogant and launched a series of punches and kicks at Sun Peng.

In her eyes, this was nothing more than an inconspicuous clinic and a worthless gatekeeper daring to block her path. It was sheer overconfidence.

The crowd watching was intimidated by Song Qiang’s brutality and backed away in fear. No one dared step forward to intervene, and the air was thick with oppression and dread.

At that tense moment, a figure suddenly strode out from inside the clinic without the slightest hesitation and kicked straight at Song Qiang with great force.

Bang!

With a thunderous impact, Song Qiang’s body flew several yards as if cut from a string, crashing heavily to the ground amid a chorus of gasps.

The one who struck was Li Chao, who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion.

His gaze was cold as he swept over the crowd, then turned to Sun Peng and asked, "He hit you, and you didn’t hit back?"

Li Chao’s voice was steady and powerful, carrying unquestionable authority.

Sun Peng lowered his head, his voice soft but firm.

"I didn’t want my trouble to bring you more problems."

Li Chao gently shook his head, a complicated emotion flashing through his eyes, as though both helpless and understanding of Sun Peng’s excessive restraint.

"This is the typical way a kind person thinks. Faced with conflict, you always choose to give way, and even when hurt, you endure it in silence. But remember this: the rules here are the bottom line we protect together."

He turned to Sun Peng, his tone firm.

"No matter who it is, if they dare trample these rules, you have both the right and the duty to defend them. There’s no need to fear them. Face them directly. Use your actions to tell them that this is not a place where anyone can run wild."

Li Chao paused, then looked at Song Qiang with piercing eyes, his tone carrying unmistakable authority.

"Remember, the rules here are decided by us! Anyone who tries to destroy this order will receive the punishment they deserve. If you dare do it again, don’t hesitate. Strike first. I, Li Chao, will bear every consequence!"

Song Qiang struggled to his feet, a trace of scorn and rage at the corner of his mouth.

"And who do you think you are? You really think you can take on everything? Let me tell you, if I, Song Qiang, want to do something, no one can stop me! I can turn your lousy clinic into rubble anytime I want!"

The moment he finished, a cold smile curled at Li Chao’s lips. In a flash, he was already in front of Song Qiang, and with a sweeping motion of his hand, he delivered another resounding slap, sending Song Qiang staggering several steps. Half his face swelled up at once, his eyes filled with shock and fury.

"Flatten it? Go ahead and try. But don’t forget, this is my turf. I, Li Chao, never speak empty words."

Li Chao’s voice was icy and resolute, each word striking like a heavy hammer against Song Qiang’s heart, filling him with unprecedented pressure and fear.

There was a hint of teasing in Li Chao’s tone as he casually rotated his wrist, revealing, almost absentmindedly, a force that could not be underestimated.

Confronted with Song Qiang’s provocation and doubt, he did not anger. Instead, he answered with an unruffled calm.

"Zhou Shaofeng?"

A smile played at Li Chao’s lips. In it was both pity for Song Qiang’s ignorance and a casual indifference to the story behind that name.

"You bring up his name to scare me? Or do you think using it means you can crush anything?"

At those words, Song Qiang’s expression changed slightly.

He had not expected Li Chao to be familiar with Zhou Shaofeng’s name, much less to remain so composed. He had intended to use Zhou Shaofeng’s reputation to frighten Li Chao, but the effect was the opposite.

"Humph, as long as you know!"

Song Qiang forced himself to remain calm, trying to hide his guilty conscience with words.

"Young Master Zhou is a man who has the final say in Kaiyuan County. If you offend us, you’re offending Young Master Zhou! When that happens, don’t blame us for being rude!"

Li Chao only smiled faintly, that smile carrying nothing but disdain and contempt for Ma Ying and the others.

"Zhou Shaofeng’s reputation may shine like the midday sun in the eyes of people like you, but to me, it’s only a name. If he’s really so powerful, why would he need the lot of you to swagger about under his banner?"

At this, Li Chao’s eyes suddenly turned sharp. Fixing Song Qiang with an unwavering stare, he said word by word:

"And another thing, let me warn you. My clinic may be small, but it is a place I have built with care. If you dare lay a finger on a single brick or tile here, I guarantee you will regret ever being born."

Song Qiang’s voice became shrill and piercing, as if it meant to tear the night apart.

"Enough nonsense! He’s our boss!"

His tone was full of unconditional worship and loyalty to Zhou Shaofeng, but that conviction was swiftly shattered by what came next.

Li Chao curved his lips in an amused smile, as though everything were already under control.

He lightly pressed the dial button on his phone. That familiar yet unfamiliar number flickered in the night, linking two worlds that seemed to have no reason to intersect.

Beep... beep...

After a few ringing tones, a low, awed voice came from the other end.

"Brother Chao, what do you need me for?"

There was not only absolute obedience in that voice, but also an almost imperceptible trace of nervous anticipation.

In that instant, the air seemed to freeze. Song Qiang and his underlings widened their eyes, the arrogance and anger on their faces petrifying into utter disbelief.

They looked at one another, as if they had just heard the most unimaginable joke in the world.

"This... this really is Zhou Shaofeng’s voice!"

One of the underlings muttered, his voice trembling.

They could not believe that Zhou Shaofeng, who in their hearts was like a god, would actually address a village doctor with such deference as "big brother."

"The big brother of his big brother?"

That thought struck them like a bolt from the blue.

They began to doubt their own ears, even to question the reality of the world itself.

Had they gone mad? Or had the world gone mad?

Watching their reaction, Li Chao could not help but laugh inwardly.

He slowly put away his phone, his gaze like a torch, as though he could see straight through the human heart.

"Now do you still think I’m nothing more than a small-town village doctor?"

Song Qiang and the others looked at one another helplessly. In the end, all they could do was bow their heads and apologize in trembling voices.

"We’re sorry. We were blind and offended you."

Li Chao’s laughter echoed in the night, carrying a touch of mockery and ease.

He deliberately held the phone near Song Qiang so that Zhou Shaofeng on the other end could clearly hear Song Qiang’s trembling voice.

"A few rich second-generation brats from the county have come to me!"

Li Chao’s words were laced with teasing, as if he were reporting a trivial nuisance that nonetheless gave him a headache.

"They’re threatening to tear down the clinic?"

Zhou Shaofeng’s voice carried anger, but even more than that, concern and protection for Li Chao.

"Brother Chao, don’t worry. Leave this to me."

"I was going to hit them myself, but from the tone, it sounds like they’re your underlings!"

Li Chao deliberately paused for effect, then handed the phone to Song Qiang and motioned for him to state his name.

Song Qiang took the phone as though it were a live coal, his whole body trembling. His voice was so small it could barely be heard.

"Bro... Brother Feng, it’s me, Xiao Song!"

On the other end, Zhou Shaofeng’s roar exploded like thunder.

"Damn you! You dare offend my big brother? Do you want to die?"

Then Zhou Shaofeng’s tone turned urgent and decisive.

"I’m driving over now! You’d better wait there. If I arrive and Brother Chao still hasn’t forgiven you, then he won’t need to lift a finger—I’ll kill you myself!"

With that, the line went dead with a busy tone. Clearly, Zhou Shaofeng had hung up and was rushing over at top speed.

Song Qiang and his underlings turned pale as paper. Their legs went weak, and they nearly dropped to their knees.

They had never imagined that the arrogance they usually carried with such ease would today bring them face to face with a wall they could not climb.

Zhou Shaofeng’s voice came again from the phone, but this time his tone was entirely different, full of apology and urgency.

"Brother Chao, this bastard is indeed one of my underlings. He’s ignorant, so don’t stoop to his level. I’m coming over right now to deal with him and give you a satisfactory explanation."

He paused, seemingly to confirm Li Chao’s location so he could arrive quickly.

"By the way, are you in Li Family Fort? I remember when I bought the car last time, my dad specifically asked Ye Wuji about your address."

Li Chao gave a faint reply and hung up.

He knew Zhou Shaofeng was a clear-headed man and a loyal one as well; he would handle everything properly.

As for Song Qiang, he was already terrified out of his wits.

He knew all too well Zhou Shaofeng’s methods. Once that man truly flew into a rage, it was no laughing matter.

His eyes on Li Chao were filled with fear and despair, as though he could already see the miserable fate awaiting him.

Thud.

Song Qiang and his companions could no longer bear the terror in their hearts and dropped straight to their knees.

They kept kowtowing to Li Chao and begging for mercy, hoping for even a shred of forgiveness.

Song Qiang went so far as to slap himself wildly across the face, crying out apologies all the while.

"Brother! Big brother! I was wrong! I was blind! Please spare me! From now on, wherever I go, I’ll queue properly and behave like a decent young man of the new era! I was truly wrong!"

His voice was full of remorse and pain, and his mouth bled from the force of his own blows.

Li Chao only looked at them coldly, without the slightest softening of heart.

He knew these rich second-generation heirs had long been used to acting tyrannically. A profound lesson today was necessary.

Only then would they learn to respect others and temper their own sharp edges.

The turn of events left everyone present shocked and sighing.

The rich young men who had just moments ago been so arrogant and overbearing now looked like eggplants beaten by frost, wilted and drooping as they stood maintaining order, utterly unlike their earlier selves.

Li Chao’s tranquil bearing and the power of his single call had shown everyone how extraordinary he truly was.

His identity seemed to be far more than that of a simple village doctor; behind him, there might be hidden backing and strength no one knew about.

The nearby patients began whispering among themselves, looking at Li Chao with admiration.

They had never expected that this seemingly ordinary village doctor possessed such influence, that a single phone call could make those usually imperious rich heirs behave so obediently.

Sun Peng sat on a bench beneath the shade of a tree, holding a drink in his hands, a relaxed smile on his face.

He glanced gratefully at Li Chao, silently thankful that he had chosen the right person to follow.

As for Song Qiang and the others, they were suffering miserably. In the middle of the day, they stood outside the clinic under the scorching sun, not even daring to drink water.

Their hearts were filled with regret and self-reproach. Had they known Li Chao was this formidable, how could they have dared to make trouble?

When Zhou Shaofeng rushed over and saw the scene, his face too was as dark as thunder.

He had not expected his own underlings to cause such enormous trouble, much less that Li Chao would show him so little face.