C531 – This Annoying Thing Is Here Again


    Since the two girls were asleep, Lee Sumei and Su Tao kept their conversation to a minimum. They too closed their eyes to rest in the backseat while Su Ming focused on driving.


    Thanks to his Stamina Talent, fatigue while driving was not an issue for him.


    Moreover, the highway was nearly empty that morning, allowing Su Ming to drive with exceptional ease. In no time at all, they arrived at the hospital entrance.


    The girls had slept well and were visibly refreshed. The group exited the car and made a beeline for the hospital.


    Upon reaching the ward door, they were greeted by the sight of Zhang Tao cheerfully preparing hot water and breakfast.


    Spotting Su Ming and the others, his face brightened, and he quickly approached them.


    “Oh my! What brings you here?!”


    Zhang Tao eximed, clearly delighted.


    The esteemed doctors from the capital had deliberated for a day.


    After the elderly gentleman had rested for a day and his health indicators normalized, they proceeded with the surgery. Lasting an impressive 23 hours, the operation was a resounding sess!


    He didn’t even require a transfer to the intensive care unit afterward but was taken directly to a regr ward.


    Of course, this “regr” ward was not quite ordinary.


    While a typical ward would house several patients together, this one was a private room, fully equipped andparable to a hotel.


    “We were so ted about the old man’s sessful surgery that we couldn’t sleep. We just had toe and see how he was doing,” Su Tao inquired.


    ?”He’s woken up, though he’s drifted off to sleep again,” Zhang Tao replied, beaming with joy.


    ?”This time, we owe a lot to your son. Old Su, your boy is truly remarkable. Who would have thought our little vige would produce such a distinguished individual!” Zhang Tao said to Su Ming with a warm smile.


    ?”Zhang, you’re making it sound more dramatic than it is. Don’t go ttering the kid too much, or he’ll get too cocky. Let’s go inside and check on the old man,” Su Tao said, leading the group carefully into the ward.


    ?Zhang Tao ced the kettle by the door and then, with a hint of intrigue, pulled his daughter aside and whispered, “Well? Was it a sess?”


    Zhang Qianqian, having stepped out into the brisk air, had felt more alert, but the hospital’s disinfectant odor and warmth quickly made her drowsy again. Confused, she took a moment to process her father’s question.


    “Dad, what are you saying?”


    Zhang Qianqian blinked in confusion.


    “You’re pretending not to know, aren’t you? What about the task I gave you? Have youpleted it?”


    At this, Zhang Qianqian was torn betweenughter and tears. “Dad! Are you really that worried I won’t find someone to marry? I’ve just started my freshman year of college!”


    “My daughter is beautiful and smart, and there are plenty of people who’d like to marry her. But finding a good son-inw is tough. Su Ming, for instance, is from our vige and has grown up with you. He knows you inside out. You can’t let a catch like him slip away. You’ve got to be proactive—turn the raw rice into cooked rice!” Zhang Tao advised.


    “Dad!” Zhang Qianqian’s face flushed with embarrassment.


    What kind of father talks like that?


    He even went as far as to say ‘turn the raw rice into cooked rice’!


    Embarrassed, Zhang Qianqian ignored her father and went inside.


    The old man wasn’t asleep. Hearing the noise at the door, he opened his eyes.


    “Oh, everyone’s here. It was just a little surgery, and you alle rushing over.”


    After the surgery, Zhang Tao had filled in the vige chief on many things, so the chief knew that if it hadn’t been for Su Ming, he might not have made it.


    “Uncle Zhang, don’t say such things. You’re the vige chief and our elder. It’s only right for us toe and check on you,” Su Tao said cheerfully.


    ?The vige chief nodded, his eyes settling on Su Ming. “You’ve always been modest, but who knew you’d be so aplished. I owe you my life this time. I’m not sure how I can ever thank you enough.”


    “Grandpa Zhang, I’d be upset if you talk like that. You helped our family a lot when we were struggling. I was just doing what I should,” Su Ming replied with a smile.


    “Good, good!” The vige chief was clearly delighted.


    Just then, something urred to Su Ming.


    “Grandpa Zhang, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you,” Su Ming said, pausing thoughtfully.


    ?”What’s on your mind?”


    The vige chief took the matter seriously.


    “It’s the vacant lot by your house,” Su Ming exined.


    ?Upon hearing this, the vige chief paused, then his brow furrowed slightly.


    ?”Grandpa Zhang, please don’t misunderstand. I have no ulterior motives; I simply want to purchase that empty lot.”


    “I n to construct a za, install a few ping-pong tables, create a couple of basketball courts, and build some small structures.”


    “Our vigers could dance in the za, y basketball, ping-pong, or enjoy a game of chess inside those buildings.”


    “It would also prevent others from coveting the space.”


    Su Ming quickly rified his intentions.


    Realization dawned on the vige chief. This was indeed a positive development.


    ?Ning Zhiyuan had approached him several times, but he had always refused, knowing full well what Ning intended to do.


    The vige chief was also aware that Ning Zhiyuan wouldn’t rest until he acquired thend.


    But now, if Su Ming were to buy it, constructing a za would not only be harmless to the vige but actually beneficial.


    “However, if Ning Zhiyuan learns that you’ve made the purchase, won’t he cause trouble for you?” the vige chief asked, still concerned.


    “Don’t worry, Grandpa Zhang,” Su Ming reassured him with a smile. “He wouldn’t dare mess with me.”


    Relieved by Su Ming’s confidence, the vige chief quickly agreed without further thought. “Alright, let’s proceed then. It’s perfect timing, actually. My house is empty these days, and I’ve been concerned that Ning Zhiyuan might sneak in and steal my belongings, so I’ve taken everything with me. Let’s not dy andplete the paperwork today while everyone is avable.”


    ?”Sounds good,” Su Ming agreed with a nod.


    The vige was overjoyed at the sessful oue of the vige chief’s surgery, and his spirits were high after a lengthy conversation.


    ?The following morning, Zhang Tao and Su Ming went ahead and finalized thend transfer paperwork.


    ?The vige chief initially insisted on not epting any payment, but Su Ming wouldn’t hear of it. He promptly paid 100,000 yuan and then gave Zhang Tao an additional two million yuan to oversee the hiring of workers and the purchase of materials for the new za.


    If the collection exceeded the expected amount, it would be contributed to the vige fund. Should it fall short, Su Ming would top it up. At midday, everyone went out for a hearty meal and then returned to keep Vige Chief Zhangpany, chatting away. As they were talking, a series of footsteps approached the door.


    “Oh my! Vige Chief Zhang, I’m absolutely thrilled to hear your surgery was a sess. I’vee to extend my congrattions and also brought along a few small gifts for you!”


    The footsteps were apanied by a voice that made everyone slightly furrow their brows; they immediately recognized who it was. This man was relentless.


    ?He was like a persistent fly, buzzing around once more.


    The person in question was none other than Ning Zhiyuan, who had his eyes set on Vige Chief Zhang’s piece ofnd.