Chapter Thirty-Five: Wu Jianguo Stands Up

Several days had passed since the project submission, and the very next day, Wu You handed the matter over to Xiang Biao, Wang Dong, and Zhang Junhua, who had just been discharged from the hospital—he was the bespectacled Hua.

To their friends and family, it was clear that Xiang Biao, Wang Dong, and Zhang Junhua had recently come into their own. Previously, they came across as somewhat unruly, but now, they had suddenly turned over a new leaf, becoming much more agreeable and refined in their speech and conduct. Their lifestyle showed newfound sophistication; they drove Audis, wore designer clothes, and their social media posts brimmed with high-class activities. Xiang Biao even shared a photo dining with leaders from the Ministry of Land and Resources and the Construction Bureau.

Yet, as the three enjoyed their newfound respect and prominence, they threw themselves into their work with remarkable dedication. Without Wu You needing to instruct them in detail, they sought out intermediary firms and consulted lawyers, attending every meeting and handling every matter diligently.

They knew well where their good fortune had come from. Having tasted the respect and recognition they had longed for, none wished to return to their former lives as hooligans. Everyone yearns for goodness: some fall into the abyss, never to climb out, while others stumble into darkness but find a hand reaching out to help them. Xiang Biao and the others belonged to the latter group, and Wu You was the one who extended that hand. Who would choose to stoop to wrongdoing when they can stand tall as upright people?

...

While Xiang Biao and the others were busy, Wu You suddenly found himself with more leisure. Aside from his daily visits to Qiantang Central Hospital, he spent most of his remaining time studying alchemy.

He also searched for high-quality rubies and sapphires, never forgetting the importance of alchemical energy extraction. While the system seemed to grant initial alchemical energy at level one and two, and offered rewards for completing basic tasks, it was clear that these were limited—once completed, the rewards ceased.

So far, he had only experienced the level one and two systems, which provided mere handfuls of alchemical energy. But what about later, at level three or four, or even eight or nine? Would the system still gift tens of thousands or millions of alchemical energy points? Unlikely. Even if it did, the amount would surely be small.

Thus, securing his own source of alchemical energy was vital. Wu You fervently hoped that a single high-quality ruby or sapphire could provide vast amounts of alchemical energy, though he knew the chances were slim.

One day, after discussing some ideas about other medicinal ingredients with Bai Yanxi, Wu You received a call from Zhang Guihua. He answered, and his mother’s excited voice rang out.

"Little You, your father—he’s standing up!"

"I’ll come to the hospital right away," Wu You replied, his heart leaping with joy.

He found Bai Yanxi, took him along, and got into the Maybach, heading straight for the hospital.

...

At Qiantang Central Hospital, Wu Jianguo’s attending physician was already examining his patient, and doctors from other departments who had time were stopping by to observe. Wu Jianguo himself was at the bedside, stretching his arms and legs. For several days, he had noticed the pain was gone and he could move his limbs freely, but out of caution, he still handled everything gently and took his medicine as prescribed.

Today, he felt especially well and decided to try getting out of bed. To his astonishment, he truly was better.

The doctors knew the extent of Wu Jianguo’s injuries—ICU admissions were rare, and he had been expected to suffer severe disability. Yet, in less than a month, he had recovered enough to stand.

Had Qiantang Central Hospital’s medical standards surpassed the world’s best? Some doctors couldn’t help but question their own disbelief.

"A miracle, an absolute miracle!" Wu Jianguo’s attending physician, Lu Zhiyou, exclaimed, holding up the X-ray. "His bones have healed completely, and the internal injuries are nearly gone. How can this be?"

"Mr. Wu, Mrs. Zhang, did you use any special medicines or treatments?" Lu Zhiyou asked.

Zhang Guihua pondered, but Wu Jianguo answered first. "Nothing much, except that my son came by some time ago and applied a traditional Chinese medicinal ointment. He meant well, so I didn’t refuse."

Lu Zhiyou seized on this. "What ointment? How did it feel when applied?"

Wu Jianguo replied honestly, "I think it’s called Life-Restoring Bone Mending Balm. Supposedly made from rare herbs."

He continued, "It’s quite unique. When applied, my whole body felt cool, and soon it was completely absorbed into the skin—cleaner than after wiping it off. Then, warmth spread throughout every part of my body, and even when I went to bed, I could still feel it."

Wu Jianguo’s description sounded almost magical, but it was likely true.

"If there’s no mistake, that must be it. Mr. Wu, when is your son coming by? I’d like to meet him," Lu Zhiyou said.

Wu You had already arrived outside the ward, and seeing so many doctors and nurses inside, he spoke to Zhang Guihua at the door.

"Mom, is Dad inside?"

Wu Jianguo called out, "Little You, come in! I’m perfectly fine now."

Wu You and Bai Yanxi entered together, and Bai Yanxi began examining Wu Jianguo.

Bai Yanxi felt Wu Jianguo’s limbs and ribs, then stroked his beard and said, "Excellent, he’s nearly fully recovered. Wu, go ahead and arrange discharge procedures for your father."

Lu Zhiyou watched quietly as Bai Yanxi examined Wu Jianguo, recognizing a master of traditional medicine.

"Sir, was that balm you applied to Wu Jianguo your creation?" Lu Zhiyou asked Bai Yanxi, curious.

Bai Yanxi looked at the forty-something doctor in puzzlement. "And you are?"

"Mr. Bai, this is my attending physician, Dr. Lu. He’s very interested in the Life-Restoring Bone Mending Balm you applied," Wu Jianguo explained.

Bai Yanxi glanced at Wu You, then feigned confusion. "What Life-Restoring Bone Mending Balm? I’ve never heard of it."

Wu You, amused, stepped forward to speak.

"It’s alright, Mr. Bai. There’s no need to keep the balm secret," he said, turning to Lu Zhiyou. "Dr. Lu, the balm does exist, but creating it requires unimaginable resources. I’m sure you can infer that from its effects."

Lu Zhiyou nodded. "As a doctor, I understand. If such a miraculous balm exists, its ingredients must be exceedingly rare and precious."

He realized Wu You must be the true owner of the balm, not Bai Yanxi. After a brief pause, he continued, "I just want to ask, Mr. Wu, if someone urgently needed this balm to save their life, and they were willing to pay any price you deemed satisfactory, would you be willing to sell some?"

Wu You understood; Lu Zhiyou must know of someone critically ill, beyond the reach of modern medicine. Witnessing Wu Jianguo’s miraculous recovery, he was seeking the balm.

"Dr. Lu, although the Life-Restoring Bone Mending Balm is extremely precious and its ingredients scarce, if the person in need is truly worthy, I won’t keep it hidden."

Wu You laid the groundwork; whether someone was worthy would be his judgment to make.

...

After Wu Jianguo completed his discharge procedures, Lu Zhiyou could not contain himself and called his father from his office, getting straight to the point as soon as the call connected.

"Dad, Elder Li’s illness can be cured..."