C7 A Life Crisis!

"It's that fool again!" Eleanor exclaimed with a huff.

The old man chuckled, teasingly saying, "Oh, that young man is quite bold. Perhaps Uncle Hart should teach him a lesson?"

"Let him be. If he gets himself killed, he has only himself to blame!" Eleanor pouted, her annoyance making her look unexpectedly cute. "I went to bat for him, and he couldn't even muster a thank you."

The old man's smile remained unchanged. "He's not ungrateful; he just realizes he's provoked someone powerful and doesn't want to involve you. The kid's got sense; he knows the score."

"But we're not scared of the Hansens. Grandpa, if you stepped in, they wouldn't dare touch him," Eleanor asserted with confidence.

"That's not a given," the old man shook his head. "I could intervene, and they might play nice to my face but still play dirty in secret."

Eleanor looked taken aback. "Does that mean Zachary is doomed?"

"It's unclear," the old man frowned. "He's courageous and principled, but he lacks worldly experience and doesn't see how treacherous people can be. A hard knock might teach him that he can't always play the hero."

It's noble to stand up for what's right, but without intellect and cunning, bravery can lead to one's undoing.

"But he's got no backing; he's no match for the Hansens," Eleanor expressed concern for Zachary's well-being.

The old man smiled wryly, sighing in resignation. "There's a fine line between helping and over-helping. What seems easy for us can harm him. Too much assistance and he might become overconfident, thinking he can cross anyone. The world isn't as simple as he imagines."

Adversity is necessary for growth.

The old man truly admired Zachary and wished he could simply fix things, but he was well aware that such interference would be counterproductive. A warning to the Hansens could result in them being duplicitous, outwardly respectful but inwardly subversive, which could end up putting Zachary in an even more perilous situation.

His reluctance was borne of tough love.

After a moment of reflection, Eleanor said, "I understand now. Help should be given in moderation; overdoing it inevitably leads to the opposite effect."

The elderly man nodded with satisfaction. "As long as you understand, my lengthy explanation wasn't for nothing."

"However, Grandpa, they're still on Zachary's trail, intent on wiping him out. We can't just ignore this," Eleanor said, her voice laced with concern.

After a moment's thought, the old man responded, "Yes, he's been a bit impulsive, but a doctor of his caliber, with such character, shouldn't be ruined by those with ill intentions. Rafael, keep an eye on him discreetly. Step in if his life is threatened, but if it's a trivial matter, let it slide."

"Grandpa, is that really the best course of action?" Eleanor was still worried.

"Don't you remember what I've told you? In the end, it's up to him to handle this. If he can't overcome this challenge, our assistance is pointless. He's angered the Qi family today; tomorrow, it could be someone with even more influence," the old man imparted with a gentle firmness.

"Okay, I get it now," Eleanor replied, accepting his wisdom.

The old man stroked his granddaughter's long hair affectionately, his eyes warm and gentle. But suddenly, he clutched at his chest, his complexion paling.

Seeing this, Eleanor's face filled with concern. "Grandpa, what's wrong?"

He sighed and shook his head. "Nothing to worry about, just the same old problem acting up."

Quick to act, Eleanor rolled down the window for fresh air and soothed her grandfather's back to help him catch his breath. His color soon improved slightly. She looked up at the driver, "Mr. Hart, drive us home, please!"

"Right away," Mr. Hart responded, and the car roared to life, speeding away swiftly.

Zachary left the Medical University and stood on the street, feeling a profound sense of bewilderment.

The city seemed alien to him, and he was at a loss for what to do next.

"Move it, freak! Don't block the way!" a young man passing by muttered irritably.

Jolted back to reality, Zachary shook his head and inhaled deeply. Now was not the time to be lost in thought.

He checked his wallet and let out a wry smile. His entire fortune was less than a thousand.

In the expensive city of Zoplus, that amount wouldn't last long.

"Well, I'll have to find a cheap hotel to stay in for the time being," he decided. First, he needed a place to stay; he could worry about finding a job afterward.

Clearing his name was secondary; his immediate concern was survival.

Zachary arrived at an old neighborhood, knowing well that several affordable inns were nestled nearby.

"It must be here," he said to himself after a long search, noticing a wooden sign with the word 'Accommodation' crudely written, hanging under a dilapidated roof.

It was almost inconceivable to encounter such a decrepit tile-roofed dwelling in a bustling city.

Despite the dirt floor strewn with garbage, Zachary pressed on to the doorway and shouted, "Hello? I'm looking for a place to stay!"

Rapid footsteps sounded from inside, and a middle-aged woman with a mop appeared. Her face broke into a smile at the sight of Zachary. "Need a room? Please, come inside."

She propped the mop aside and eagerly helped Zachary with his luggage, her demeanor warm and inviting. "This way, young man."

The interior was small, no more than 70 to 80 square meters, yet it was clean, clearly well-maintained.

The woman brought over a stool, wiped it clean, and set it down for Zachary. "You look tired. Take a seat."

Zachary took the offer without hesitation and said directly, "I'm here to stay."

A smile creased her wrinkled face. "I could tell. This place isn't easy to find. Come with me, I'll show you where you'll be staying."

As they moved through the house, she asked with a warm laugh, "Are you from around here, or...?"

"Not a local, I'm from the countryside," Zachary responded with a smile.

"You're here looking for work?" she asked, a note of surprise in her voice.

"Sort of," Zachary replied, choosing not to elaborate on his circumstances.