C15 One Finger to Break the Ribs

After dismissing Zhou Tianlin, Chiang Hao took a moment to soothe Tang Qingjing.

With the issue settled, he headed to class.

Armed with the Intelligence Concentration Spirit Heart skill, Chiang Hao found listening to lectures remarkably easy. The points the teacher covered stuck with him, deeply etched in his memory.

This stirred a pang of regret in Chiang Hao. Had he acquired this system in high school, he was certain he could have made it into one of the nation's elite universities.

Still, it wasn't too late to have the system now. Even without a degree from a prestigious university, he could lead a comfortable and carefree life.

After all, the goal of attending a top university was to ensure a comfortable life, so acquiring the system now was hardly a missed opportunity.

Yet, his sister's illness remained a pressing concern. He needed to act quickly, earn money for her treatment, and slow the progression of her muscle stiffness.

Mulling over this, Chiang Hao had a sudden epiphany and slapped his thigh in realization.

With such a powerful system at his disposal, why not ask it for a solution to his sister's medical condition?

With that thought, he began to interface with the system.

"Hey, system bro, my sister, she's got..."

"I'm not sure how to treat that. I recommend the host purchase either a Master or Divine Level medical skill," the system interjected, anticipating Chiang Hao's needs before he could finish.

Simultaneously, Chiang Hao's mind was filled with descriptions and prices of two medical skills.

Master Level Medical Skill: Miracle Hand, capable of curing most diseases known to the world, a skill level unmatched in China. Price: 1 million Exclamation Points.

Divine Level Medical Skill: Revive the Dead, Mend Bones, a skill that can heal all diseases. Price: 10 million Exclamation Points.

"System, that's enough for now. I'll reach out if I need anything else."

The price tag of 1 million Exclamation Points left Chiang Hao dumbfounded.

Even if he opted for the Master Level Medical Skill, amassing 1 million Exclamation Points in a short span seemed like an insurmountable task.

The two classes flew by, and with the Dragon Boat Festival just around the corner, the class president called for everyone to stay back and discuss holiday plans.

At the university, students were often preoccupied with their own activities. To foster a sense of unity within the class, the class officers regularly organized gatherings to strengthen the bonds among classmates.

The class president had barely spoken when Chiang Hao noticed several fashionably dressed young men pause at the classroom door, eyeing him with amusement.

"We're looking for you."

A student by the door, mistaking them for friends of Chiang Hao, helpfully pointed out.

Chiang Hao didn't recognize several of the group, as they weren't from his class. Nevertheless, since they sought him out, he left the classroom and followed them into the hallway.

"Are you Tang Qingjing's brother?" inquired one of the youths, sporting a British-style flat cap.

Chiang Hao nodded in confirmation.

"Tang Qingjing isn't someone's mistress, is she? A girl as pure and steadfast as her wouldn't agree to such a thing."

"Exactly, she wouldn't even accept my gifts."

The others chimed in with similar comments.

"Absolutely not. The live streaming equipment that's been talked about online? I bought that for her," Chiang Hao clarified.

"You? Aren't you the guy who tells fortunes on the overpass to pay for school? How could you afford such pricey gear for her?"

Another youth, with bleached hair and a hulking frame, scoffed.

"It's none of your business how I afford things. If you've got nothing better to do, go busy yourselves elsewhere and stop causing a scene," Chiang Hao retorted, clearly annoyed.

"You, in those ragged clothes, can afford equipment worth thousands?"

"Right. Maybe it's you who's being kept by a wealthy woman, and people are mistaking it for your sister?"

"Like anyone would support him. He'd have to pay them instead."

"Don't be so sure. Maybe he's selling himself at a male brothel. Twenty a pop, a few thousand times, and there's your tens of thousands. Hahaha..."

These individuals were all from wealthy or noble backgrounds, accustomed to deference from others. But Chiang Hao's impatience with them provoked a round of mocking banter from the privileged group.

"Hey, have you guys finished? What's the deal with pulling Chiang Hao from our class into this?" Zhao Tianqiang, the class president, emerged from the classroom and made his way to Chiang Hao's side.

"Mind your own business, Zhao Tianqiang," sneered the guy in the cap with a look of disdain.

Zhao Tianqiang came from a wealthy family, a bona fide rich kid, and was acquainted with these other affluent peers.

"Come on, give me a break here. He's one of my classmates."

Despite the cap-wearer's scorn, Zhao Tianqiang didn't take offense; instead, he kept the peace.

"Zhao Tianqiang, I've got important things to handle over the break, so I won't be joining the others for the trip."

With that, Chiang Hao attempted to head downstairs, only to be blocked by the group of wealthy kids.

"Look at this, Zhao Tianqiang. This guy doesn't appreciate what he's got. Why do you even bother with him?" jeered a young man sporting a silver earring in his left ear.

"This has got to be the most arrogant person I've ever seen. He's getting a lesson today," declared the blonde youth as he stepped forward, reaching out to grab Chiang Hao.

"Good grief, these rich kids are just awful, ganging up on Chiang Hao like that."

"Exactly. It's no skill to gang up on one person like that."

"We've got numbers on our side; we can't let a classmate get pushed around."

"But these rich kids, they're not just loaded. A lot of them are trained fighters. We might not stand a chance."

As the tall, muscular man moved to strike Chiang Hao, the students who had just come out from a class meeting were seething with anger. They were outraged on Chiang Hao's behalf, with some even gearing up to jump in and help. However, their fear of the rich kids' status and the imposing figure of the blonde man left them feeling helpless, forced to stand by and watch as the situation escalated.

The man, nearly 1.9 meters tall, thought he could easily overpower Chiang Hao. Yet, before his hand could even reach Chiang Hao's shoulder, Chiang Hao's fingers formed a blade and thrust directly into his solar plexus.

Crack!

The sound of ribs breaking echoed through the air as the blonde man howled in pain, his balance lost, and he toppled backward.

In that instant, the students gathered around could only gape in astonishment.

They were utterly incredulous that Chiang Hao, who was always so quiet and unassuming, could possess such impressive martial arts skills.

His strike was swift as the wind, his finger unyielding as steel!

"Ding! A single finger fractures ribs. Exclamation Point +100."

"This guy's got some moves, yet he's been playing weak, trying to be a wolf in sheep's clothing. Well, he won't fool me! I, Yuen Dongpo, will show him what's what."

With those words, the man in the duckbill cap unleashed a mantis kick, sweeping it across.

"Yuen Dongpo's martial arts were honed by his brother, a retired special forces operative. He's bound to take this kid down..."