C13 Hsiao Rann Had Earned a Lot of Money.

Shortly thereafter, the security guard returned with a plastic bag in hand.

Hsiao Rann checked the temperature of the medicinal liquid; it was ready to be administered. Without hesitation, he gave the medicine to the child and began to vigorously pat the child's back and chest.

The onlookers began to wonder if the child, even if revived, would still require emergency surgery.

The combination of the medicinal liquid and the Fake Vital Energy that Hsiao Rann had infused into the child was gradually taking effect.

"The child is moving," someone suddenly cried out.

Upon hearing this, the child's mother made to rush over but was firmly held back by Hsiao Rann.

"If you don't want to negate all the work I've done, don't touch the child. And everyone, please be quiet and stop the commotion," Hsiao Rann instructed.

Sweat dripped steadily from Hsiao Rann's brow. He had expended a great deal of his Fake Vital Energy and was visibly fatigued.

Moments later, Hsiao Rann delivered a sharp slap to the child's back, causing a thick black vomit to spew forth. Thankfully, the plastic bag caught the discharge, sparing the ground from being soiled.

Those nearby covered their noses; the odor was unbearable.

After completing the treatment, Hsiao Rann collapsed to the ground, seemingly drained of strength. A middle-aged man in a suit rushed to his aid. Having observed the entire rescue, he then offered Hsiao Rann a bottle of water.

Once he had quenched his thirst, Hsiao Rann crawled back to the child's side.

The child's parents, too anxious to intervene, stood by as the child began to make noises, a clear sign of recovery. Yet, without Hsiao Rann's direction, they remained still.

After inspecting the child and ascertaining that most of the toxins had been purged, Hsiao Rann wiped away his sweat.

He advised the parents, "Prepare three doses of the medicine as per the prescription I gave you. Administer it to the child once in the morning and once at night. In three days, the toxins should be fully expelled from the child's system. The child is out of danger now. Please dispose of the plastic bag quickly; it's quite foul."

Nobody held it against Hsiao Rann for commenting on the stench of the vomit. At that moment, nearly every gaze that fell upon him was laced with admiration.

Upon hearing Hsiao Rann's instructions, the security guard passed the prescription to the child's father, then scooped up the vomit and hurried to the trash can.

"My savior, we can't thank you enough. This is all the money we have; please accept it as your fee."

The child’s father was clearly a man of simple means, at a loss for words to convey his deep gratitude. Yet, his thankful demeanor was evident to all. Hsiao Rann was their hero, but their means to compensate him were limited.

For Hsiao Rann, the couple's offering was of little consequence. To him, saving the child was essentially a promotional act.

In doing so, Hsiao Rann dispelled any doubts about his medical expertise. He then boldly listed his fees on a white cloth: one hundred yuan for a minor ailment, one thousand for an injury, ten thousand for a life-threatening condition—valid only for that day.

His rates were steep, and all he provided was a prescription. Patients had to purchase their own medicines based on his recommendations. Yet, if the treatment worked, the cost was of no concern.

Hsiao Rann had come prepared with over a dozen different prescriptions. Armed with these, he could address a multitude of illnesses, and the spectators who had witnessed his life-saving efforts were eager to become his first clients.

Hsiao Rann relied on his keen observational skills to diagnose illnesses, though he would still perform traditional checks like taking pulses and examining tongues and eyes. This not only bolstered the trust in his practice but also verified his diagnoses.

"Your condition stems from excessive late nights and insufficient sleep. Insomnia, irregular menstruation, and a sallow complexion—all these symptoms are linked. Here's a prescription; after taking this medicine for a week, you should be fully recovered."

"You're too selective with your food, leading to a vitamin deficiency. This prescription will help boost your appetite."

"Your condition is critical. Without treatment, you might not survive the year. Take this medicine for a month, and you should be on the mend."

“You’re not ill. However, I do have a tonic prescription that can nourish your body. Taking it will lighten your skin and provide overall nourishment. Just one dose per week is all you need.”

Hsiao Rann treated his patients with a calm ease, as they conscientiously lined up in a lengthy queue. Passersby, unaware of his reputation, were informed by the waiting crowd of the highly skilled doctor in their midst.

Some might be skeptical, but the presence of doctors and nurses in line bolstered the credibility.

Of course, there were those without any ailments, seeking only a health check for peace of mind.

Hsiao Rann worked with remarkable speed. Some individuals would first visit the hospital and then seek Hsiao Rann's diagnosis. To their surprise, the half-hour hospital diagnosis was nearly identical to the one Hsiao Rann provided in under a minute, often with even greater precision.

Others saw Hsiao Rann first before heading to the hospital, only to find the diagnoses matched.

Though Hsiao Rann's prescriptions differed from the hospital's, his were primarily herbal, leading many to trust his judgment.

Word of Hsiao Rann's exceptional medical prowess quickly spread.

"Sister Wang, why haven’t you taken your husband to see the Young Divine Doctor yet? He can heal all kinds of illnesses. You've always spoken of your husband's condition; you should take him before the doctor leaves," urged one woman to another, who was busy at her fruit stand.

"Is he really that skilled? He’s not a swindler, is he? There are so many these days," the fruit seller replied, skeptical.

"You mean the Young Divine Doctor at the Central Hospital entrance? I've heard he can bring the dead back to life," chimed in a customer who overheard their exchange.

"They say the Young Divine Doctor only needs one glance to tell if you're sick. And even if you're not, he’s known to prescribe beauty treatments," added another.

When someone made the claim, it was met with immediate consensus. A single voice might go unheard, but a few can stir curiosity. Yet when the chorus is unanimous, the truth is undeniable. Thus, the fruit vendor, Auntie, hastily enlisted her neighbor to mind her stall—she needed to seek out the Young Divine Doctor for treatment without delay.

Word of the Young Divine Doctor at the Central Hospital's entrance spread like wildfire, reaching even distant ears. In less than a day, Hsiao Rann, who had already set a precedent at the university, became a legend once more, his fame spreading far and wide. This time, however, Hsiao Rann, overwhelmed by the growing attention, cleverly purchased a pair of decorative glasses, a hat, and some clothes to disguise himself before continuing to heal the ailing.

Despite his efforts, evading the stealthy clicks of cameras was impossible, but he was determined to avoid a spectacle. His goal was to maintain a low profile.

As the clock neared six in the evening, Hsiao Rann announced he would see ten more patients before his departure. He had been tending to the sick since dawn, driven by the desire to earn his keep.

His newly acquired backpack was now brimming with cash, the exact amount of which would only be revealed upon a careful count back at home.

Having attended to the last patient, Hsiao Rann shouldered his backpack and walked away, leaving behind the inconsequential table and chairs. Lingering was not an option; the press would swarm in moments.

Luckily, Hsiao Rann knew the area like the back of his hand, ensuring a swift escape from the prying journalists.

Once home, Hsiao Rann spilled the contents of his backpack onto his bed, gazing in awe at the money he had never encountered in such abundance before—it nearly formed a small hill! The majority were hundred-yuan notes. The sight filled Hsiao Rann with elation; making money had never seemed so effortless.

With his appetite for food replaced by an appetite for counting, Hsiao Rann secured the locks and settled in to tally his earnings.

The sum amounted to over fifty thousand yuan. As for the cost of the herbs needed to concoct the Essence Fostering Pills, Hsiao Rann would have to inquire at the pharmacy. For the moment, he decided to prioritize a meal.

Bai Yu was the epitome of obedience, one of her university's top ten beauties, and strikingly attractive. She was also known for her gentle demeanor, modesty, and tendency to blush easily.

Reading was Bai Yu's greatest passion, and she seldom paid mind to anything else.

Like many times before, she lingered in the bookstore until eight in the evening before she thought of heading home. Given her family's wealth, she had no real need to read books there. Yet, at home, she would often be pestered by meddlesome aunties eager to set her up with their sons or nephews, much to her chagrin. At school, the boys would invariably try to chat her up upon seeing her. Thus, she found solace in the quiet of the bookstore.

Her aunt managed the Xinhua Bookstore, which gave her family peace of mind about her spending time there.

Exiting the bookstore with books in arm, Bai Yu made her way to the bus stop with her characteristic light steps. She had traversed this route countless times. In truth, walking home would take her merely fifteen minutes. This area was the city's most vibrant hub, bustling with foot traffic even at midnight.

Bai Yu had long grown accustomed to the gazes drawn by her beauty and paid no mind to the covert glances cast her way.