C2 Birthday Party

"Lan, put the gun away," came a hoarse voice. It belonged to the elderly man who had just removed his oxygen mask, gasping for air. The strong man beside him attempted to replace the mask, but the old man pushed him away.

"Grandpa," the girl, Lan, rushed to his side. The old man offered her a weak smile and said, "If he refuses to treat me, we can't force it. Perhaps this is simply my fate. Let's leave."

His eyes met Qin Tian's, and with a nod, the old man conveyed his apology. Lan's eyes brimmed with tears as she spoke, "Grandfather, you've battled for our Dragon Country. Even if I weren't your granddaughter, I couldn't stand by and watch you suffer."

"Godly Doctor Qin, I apologize for my earlier actions. Please, save my grandfather." Chung Lan turned, knelt on the ground, and respectfully kowtowed three times to Qin Tian. When she rose, blood trickled from her forehead.

Chung Lan had been ready to fight, blocked by the Taoist boy, but now her only concern was her grandfather's well-being. "Since the gentleman has served his country, I will offer him a Spirit Pill. It will sustain him for six months, but beyond that, the future is uncertain," Qin Tian said, glancing at the Taoist boy who soon returned with a jade box containing a cherry-sized, emerald pellet.

"Thank you, Godly Doctor Qin." Chung Lan accepted the pellet and administered it to her grandfather. Within seconds, his complexion turned rosy, and his breathing steadied.

Overwhelmed with relief, Chung Lan turned to express her gratitude to Qin Tian, only to find he had vanished. Resolute, she thought, "I have only six months. I must save Grandpa." She silently vowed to seek Qin Tian's aid once more, regardless of the cost.

At Cloud Sea, 8 PM, she stood outside King's Hotel, determined to find a way.

Qin Tian stood at the base of the building, gazing upwards toward the top floor, his eyes narrowing slightly in concentration. He sensed that the girl with the pure Yin constitution was somewhere within.

"Godly Doctor Qin, are you sure you don't need me to accompany you upstairs?" asked a middle-aged man standing beside Qin Tian. He was Tang Jincun, the president of the Cloud Sea Chamber of Commerce, owner of two multinational companies, and the wealthiest man in the Cloud Sea.

A year earlier, Tang Jincun had been diagnosed with uremia and had sought treatment at the Flowing Cloud Abbey. In less than three months, he was completely cured. He regarded Qin Tian as his lifesaver and insisted on personally welcoming him to the Cloud Sea.

"There's no need; I can manage on my own," Qin Tian replied with a smile. Tang Jincun nodded in understanding, then took out a smartphone, cradling it in both hands before presenting it to Qin Tian.

"Godly Doctor Qin, my contact information is in this phone. Please call me whenever you need anything," Tang Jincun offered with utmost respect. Anyone witnessing the Cloud Sea's richest man treating Qin Tian with such deference would be astounded.

"Thank you," Qin Tian said, accepting the phone without further ado. He then proceeded into the hotel and made his way directly to the top floor.

The 28th floor of King's Hotel was alive with activity. An array of dashing men and elegant women mingled, wine glasses in hand, enjoying the lively atmosphere. Near the window, a young woman in a deep blue evening gown gazed out pensively, a wine glass in her hand.

She was in her early twenties, with large expressive eyes, a prominent nose, and lips like cherries, slightly parted in a captivating expression. Standing at no less than 1.7 meters tall, her slender, bare legs were an object of envy.

"Zhixi, what are you doing here? Young Master Yang has been looking for you," said another young woman, dressed in a pale gold evening gown, approaching with a slight frown of annoyance.

"Wan'er, you know I don't like Yang Sen," Zhixi replied, her brow furrowing.

Wan'er moved closer and said in a low voice, "Whether you like him or not, you're well aware of the Lin family's predicament. Without a new influx of capital, I'm afraid your family's company is on the brink of bankruptcy."

"Just play along and keep Young Master Yang happy. If you can do that, the Lin family might just get a second chance at life."

"Let's go, hurry up and come with me. Today is Young Master Yang's birthday, and you don't want to ruin his mood. If he decides to kick the Lin family while they're down, it'll be the end for you all."

Fong Wan didn't wait for Lin Zhixi's consent and pulled her along regardless of her willingness.

Soon, they arrived before a breathtaking sea of roses. In the midst of it all, a man in a white suit knelt on one knee.

His name was Yang Sen, the heir to Yang's Group. He held a bouquet of purple roses, his face beaming with joy.

"Zhixi, I love you. Marry me," he proclaimed.

At Young Master Yang's shout, all the young women nearby turned their gaze to Lin Zhixi, some with envy, others with jealousy.

After all, marrying into Yang's Group, a giant in the Cloud Sea, meant a life of luxury.

"Wan'er, how could you do this to me?"

Lin Zhixi, caught off guard by the situation, glared at Fong Wan with indignation.

"Oh, Zhixi, I'm only thinking of what's best for you. Just say yes to Young Master Yang, and you'll instantly become the Young Mistress of the Yang family."

Fong Wan urged her on, but Lin Zhixi's expression turned icy as she addressed Yang Sen, "I'm sorry, Young Master Yang, but I'm not interested in you, and I already have a boyfriend."

Everyone in the Cloud Sea knew Yang Sen's reputation for toying with women and leaving them broken, even to the point of causing death. Yet, with the Yang family's wealth and influence, he never faced the consequences for his actions.

Despite the Lin family's precarious situation, Lin Zhixi refused to marry Yang Sen.

"Zhixi, have you lost your mind? Rejecting Young Master Yang is something countless women wouldn't dare dream of!"

"Apologize to Young Master Yang now, and accept his proposal. You know the consequences of crossing him."

As Yang Sen's expression grew stormy, Fong Wan's face contorted with distress. She earnestly attempted to reason with Lin Zhixi, but Lin Zhixi paid her no heed and walked away.

"Ungrateful, aren't you? What do you think you are?"

Lin Zhixi hadn't gotten far when someone abruptly grabbed her hair. With a forceful yank, she was sent sprawling to the ground. Looking up, she was met with the cold, mocking sneer of Yang Sen.

"I've confessed my feelings to you three times, and each time you've rejected me. Lin Zhixi, do you really think you're so high and mighty? To me, you're no different from a prostitute. Today, I'll make sure you understand that you can't just keep turning down Yang Sen."

As he was speaking, Yang Sen lifted his arm, but as his hand was about to strike, someone suddenly seized his wrist.