C4 The Skills of an Elite

The onlookers gazed at Jiang Chen as though they were witnessing something otherworldly.

Jiang Chen, the man known for his mediocre medical skills, had miraculously healed Lin Zhenhai!

Lin Jingqiu was equally astounded, grappling with the surreal nature of the situation.

Could her husband, who had never shown any promise, actually be a masterful healer in disguise?

Prof. Hee had been adamant about the need for surgery, yet Jiang Chen had resolved the condition with mere silver needles.

Why then had he concealed his talent?

Or was it simply a stroke of luck?

"Damn!" Huang Kai's face contorted as if he'd ingested something foul, "Did you walk into some good fortune by accident today?!"

A thought struck him, and he exclaimed, "Hold on, everyone, let's not jump to conclusions. Remember, the hospital director had already treated the uncle before we arrived. It's likely that the director's treatment took effect, and this nobody just reaped the benefits!"

"Consider this: if he truly possessed exceptional medical prowess, why keep it hidden until now? It's common knowledge that skilled doctors reap both fame and wealth. Who would choose to be a despised son-in-law instead?"

Huang Kai gestured emphatically, "Therefore, this man must be a fraud!"

Suddenly, it all made sense to the crowd. Indeed, the hospital director had attended to Lin Zhenhai upon his admission.

It was merely that by the time Jiang Chen and company had arrived, the director had departed.

Prof. Hee felt a surge of realization and quickly interjected, "Exactly, it has to be the case! I've practiced medicine for decades and have never encountered a case where acupuncture alone could cure such a grave illness. Not even the revered Medical Sage Song could achieve such a feat!"

"To think a few silver needles could save a life, one would have to be a deity!"

"Or perhaps, it was just a fortunate blunder!"

Naturally, he couldn't concede that Jiang Chen was the one who had healed Lin Zhenhai. To do so would suggest that he was less competent than Jiang Chen.

How could a respected medical authority lose face to a young upstart?

Upon hearing Prof. Hee's rationale, everyone nodded in agreement.

They embraced this explanation, as it appeared far more plausible.

Immediately, several other doctors chimed in, "It appears that's the case. We trust Prof. Hee."

Huang Wan joined in the rebuke, "This good-for-nothing almost had me fooled. I knew he was incompetent; how could he possibly understand medicine?"

With the tide turning in his favor, Huang Kai burst into laughter, boasting arrogantly, "You're a pathetic loser, you can't deceive me. What more do you have to say?"

"Accept the loss and get out of here!"

Jiang Chen frowned; he hadn't anticipated the situation escalating to this extent.

"You all are truly despicable," Jiang Chen said icily.

Yet, the remarks from Prof. Hee and the others served as a wake-up call.

Indeed, bestowing life was a claim too sensational to be taken lightly. He would have to be more discreet in the future.

"Jingqiu, you see? Your husband is nothing but a fraud. Being with such a man only drags down your status!" Huang Kai taunted.

"Jiang Chen, apologize to Huang Kai now! Don't make me lose respect for you," Lin Jingqiu demanded with a tone of revulsion.

Torn between her detested husband and her mother, Lin Jingqiu naturally sided with her mother.

"Have you ever respected me?" Jiang Chen retorted with a cold laugh, then turned to Huang Kai, "So, you're refusing to acknowledge your mistake?"

"Jiang Chen!"

Lin Jingqiu's expression was frosty. She was taken aback by Jiang Chen's blatant disregard for her words.

"What is this attitude? Don't assume I won't go through with a divorce!"

"If you lack talent, that's one thing, but I can hold this family together. You need to let go of your laughable pride! You're clearly in the wrong, yet you persist?"

"Continuing this way will only earn you more contempt!"

Her disappointment in Jiang Chen was complete, and her voice carried the weight of her disillusionment.

"Divorce? You think I'm afraid?"

Jiang Chen's voice was frigid.

"Let's set a time for a divorce. I'm fed up with this sham of a marriage!"

"Moreover, I don't need your guidance on how to handle my affairs."

"If you have no faith in me, then there's no point in offering any explanations."

Huang Kai, standing nearby, hadn't anticipated that Jiang Chen would pick a fight with Lin Jingqiu at that moment. It caught him completely by surprise.

However, he secretly preferred them to quarrel. He longed for Lin Jingqiu and Jiang Chen to divorce, so he could swoop in and take his chance!

So, he quickly intervened, "Jiang Chen, how can you speak to your wife like that? Apologize to Jingqiu right now! Or else..."

Jiang Chen's eyebrows shot up as he replied icily, "Or else what?"

"Or else, don't blame me for not being polite." Huang Kai said with a menacing grin.

"Fine, I'm curious to see just how impolite you can be." Jiang Chen stood his ground fearlessly, "Show me what you've got if you're brave enough."

"Damn it, if you won't drink a toast, you'll have to drink a forfeit!"

Huang Kai's expression turned grim.

Jiang Chen was behaving strangely today, and this deviation from the norm was infuriating Huang Kai even more.

He had always seen Jiang Chen as a spineless man, easily bullied by everyone.

Yet now, this man dared to speak to him with such insolence. It was a clear sign of disrespect!

With that, Huang Kai threw a punch at Jiang Chen.

But Jiang Chen's reflexes were incredibly sharp.

Having been an elite in his past life, he wasn't going to be struck down so easily.

With a slight sidestep, he evaded the blow.

Then...

Bang!

He landed a punch right on Huang Kai's arm.

Ah!

Huang Kai howled in pain, feeling as if his bones might be shattered.

Then...

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The sounds of punches raining down on bone echoed, with Huang Kai's screams following suit.

In no time, he was incapacitated.

Jiang Chen, gripping his collar, hoisted him up.

Smack!

A bright red slap marked Huang Kai's face.

"That's for the insult you hurled at me just now."

Smack!

Another slap followed.

"That's for disturbing the peace of my sick father-in-law with your commotion."

Smack!

"And that's for daring to lust after my wife! Our relationship may be strained, but you had the audacity to try and cuckold me."

Smack!

"And this slap..."

In the hospital room, the crisp sounds of slaps continued unabated. Huang Kai's face swelled up like a pig's head.

Lin Jingqiu's cheeks were flushed with embarrassment after Jiang Chen's insinuations about infidelity. She harbored a strong distaste for Huang Kai, but she knew she couldn't let Jiang Chen continue to assault him – it could end in a fatality.

"Jiang Chen, stop!" Lin Jingqiu commanded.

"Everyone here can clearly see that he threw the first punch," Jiang Chen responded.

"You violent maniac! Is violence your only solution to problems?"

"Violent maniac?" Jiang Chen shot back, "Lin Jingqiu, are you blind? Didn't you see him provoke me first? If I hadn't defended myself, I'd likely be the one injured!"

"Or do you think I deserve to be beaten?"

"You—" Lin Jingqiu's lips quivered. Deep down, she knew Jiang Chen was right, but his stubborn refusal to admit fault had left a sour taste, and her pent-up frustrations had reached a boiling point.

"I don't care anymore. You're coming with me to file for divorce later! I'm done with you!"

"I've said before, if you want a divorce, you can find me anytime. I'm just as fed up with this marriage," Jiang Chen declared firmly.

But just then, a man's voice broke the silence.

"Silence! No one divorces without my permission!"

The room fell quiet as everyone turned to see Lin Zhenhai, lying in the hospital bed, glaring at them with intense dissatisfaction.

"Husband!"

"Dad!"

Huang Wan and Lin Jingqiu rushed to his side.

Lin Zhenhai's voice was severe, "Have you forgotten what I've told you? Who gave you the right to treat Chen this way?"

"Chen is Jiang's adopted son, and Jiang is my old war buddy. We share a bond forged in life and death! Treating him this way, how will I face Jiang when my time comes?"

His piercing gaze swept over the crowd before he addressed his daughter, "Jingqiu, do you still intend to divorce Jiang Chen?"

"I—" Lin Jingqiu, ever the dutiful daughter, would not have married Jiang Chen if not for her parents' wishes.

Moreover, her father's hospitalization was a direct result of her argument with Jiang Chen. If she were to insist on a divorce, she couldn't fathom how it might affect her father!

Consequently, Lin Jingqiu found herself at a loss for words.

"Answer me!" Lin Zhenhai's voice grew even more stern.