Earth – Junhi Country – Star City.
Serenity Park.
Reaching the crowd, Gu Zhangchen saw an old man lying on the floor, with a young, beautiful woman sitting beside him. The old man was clutching his chest and appeared to be in serious pain. The young woman looked at him with a worried and panicked expression, repeatedly asking if he was okay.
Seeing the scene, Gu Zhangchen smirked. The old man and the young woman were the opportunity that Gu Zhangchen had come here to seize.
The old man was Su Dingfang, the patriarch of the Su family, and the young woman was his granddaughter, Su Qingxue.
The Su family was the second-richest family in the city after the Gu family. They were also the owners of the only other company in the city that ranked among the top companies in the country. The rest of the companies in the city didn't even come close.
The protagonist, while walking in the park, would have come across this scene. Xiao Yan, upon seeing the old man, would have immediately gone to treat him.
The protagonist may have had many flaws, but he had one admirable quality: he was truly a good doctor. He would treat anyone without any motive for personal gain. This had been drilled into him by his master since he was young.
Su Dingfang was someone who repaid favors tenfold. So, after Xiao Yan treated him, he would gain Su Dingfang's unwavering support for saving his life.
This support would allow Xiao Yan to get away with doing many things that would otherwise be very troublesome for him.
However, this time, Xiao Yan wouldn't get the opportunity. Gu Zhangchen had already made arrangements to ensure Xiao Yan wouldn't arrive here.
Gu Zhangchen approached Su Dingfang and Su Qingxue and said with a small smile on his face, "Miss Su, you seem to be in a worrying predicament. Do you need any help?"
Hearing the voice, Su Qingxue turned toward Gu Zhangchen and said with shock in her voice, "Gu Zhangchen?"
Su Qingxue, of course, knew Gu Zhangchen. They were familiar with each other, as both came from rich and influential families and had met at numerous social events.
Seeing Gu Zhangchen suddenly appear before them, Su Qingxue was curious about why he was here.
However, once his words registered in her mind, she immediately forgot her curiosity and asked in a hurried manner, "Can you help him? If you know how to treat him, then please help us. If you help him, I will do anything you say."
Su Qingxue loved her grandfather deeply. So, without a single thought, she pleaded for help. She was willing to do anything as long as her grandfather could be saved.
Hearing this, Gu Zhangchen, still smiling, stepped forward and knelt beside Su Dingfang. Then he brought out a gold-colored pill.
He held out his hand toward Su Qingxue and said, "Take the pill and feed it to him. It will help."
The pill in Gu Zhangchen's hand was part of the Qi Royal Family's inheritance, which he had taken from Yin City.
Su Dingfang was in this condition because of a serious illness, and only someone of the protagonist's level could treat him. However, Gu Zhangchen didn't have even the slightest bit of medical knowledge and certainly wouldn't have been able to help Su Dingfang on his own.
So, Gu Zhangchen had only one option if he wanted to help: this pill. It was a very valuable healing pill—capable of healing even an injured Core Formation realm martial artist to full health. So, treating Su Dingfang with it would be easy. It might even fully cure him.
Seeing the pill in Gu Zhangchen's hand, Su Qingxue took it without hesitation and immediately fed it to her grandfather.
She didn't doubt Gu Zhangchen's words. After all, he had nothing to gain by lying to her.
As soon as Su Qingxue fed Su Dingfang the pill, his pained expression relaxed. The pain seemed to vanish.
After a few minutes, Su Dingfang was completely cured. He sat up and looked around. Seeing his granddaughter, he asked with a puzzled face, "Qingxue, what happened? Why do I feel so energetic?"
Earlier, due to the pain, Su Dingfang hadn't known what was happening around him, so he didn't realize that Gu Zhangchen had helped him.
Seeing that her grandfather was okay, Su Qingxue relaxed. She then asked with worry in her voice and face, "Grandpa, are you okay? Do you feel any pain?"
Su Dingfang looked at his own body and said in an astonished voice, "Okay? I'm more than okay. I feel so energetic, and the pain is completely gone. Qingxue, what did you do?"
Su Qingxue looked at Gu Zhangchen and said, "I didn't do anything, Grandpa. Gu Zhangchen was the one who helped you."
Hearing that, Su Dingfang finally noticed Gu Zhangchen. At first, he was confused about why Gu Zhangchen would help him.
However, seeing that Gu Zhangchen had saved him, he put those thoughts aside and said with gratitude, "Young man, thank you for saving my life."
Just as Su Dingfang was about to continue, Gu Zhangchen interrupted him and said, "Mr. Su, you don't have to thank me. It was my duty as Su Qingxue's friend to help you. However, you may still be unwell, so let's go somewhere private and call a doctor to make sure you're alright."
Hearing that, both Su Dingfang and Su Qingxue were confused. They didn't know why Gu Zhangchen called Su Qingxue his friend.
However, seeing the growing crowd around them, both understood that he wanted to talk in private. So, they didn't ask any questions and nodded in agreement.
After that, the three of them stood up and left.
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Linson Hotel – Private Room
After leaving the park, they went to the nearest place with a private room.
They sat opposite each other.
Su Dingfang coughed to break the silence and said, "Young man, once again, thank you for saving my life. If you need anything from me, just say the word, and I'll do anything in my power to help you."
Su Qingxue nodded in agreement after Su Dingfang finished speaking.
Hearing this, Gu Zhangchen smiled. Of course, he didn't help them just to stop the protagonist from gaining their support. He had a clear goal in mind.
He said, "You're welcome. As for repaying the favor, I do have something I need from you."
Hearing that, both Su Dingfang and Su Qingxue nodded. They had no illusions that Gu Zhangchen had helped without expecting something in return. They were curious about what he would ask for.
Seeing their expectant expressions, Gu Zhangchen continued, "What I want is simple. I want a marriage alliance between our two families. The groom will be me, and the bride will be Miss Su Qingxue."
Both of them were shocked upon hearing that. It was common knowledge among the city's upper echelon that Gu Zhangchen and Xu Xialing were engaged and that Gu Zhangchen loved her.
Su Qingxue raised an eyebrow and asked, "Aren't you in love with Xu Xialing? Aren't you two engaged? I heard you were going to get married soon."
Gu Zhangchen replied in a cold voice, "Yes, I am currently engaged to Xu Xialing. That was decided by our parents. However, the patriarch of the Xu family has different plans."
Hearing that, Su Dingfang and Su Qingxue understood why Gu Zhangchen was proposing a marriage alliance. They were smart people and quickly realized that the patriarch of the Xu family likely wanted to break the engagement.
Paying their realization no mind, Gu Zhangchen continued, "As for me loving her—if you had asked me a few months ago, I would have said yes. But after years of trying to win her love and getting only cold responses, I don't anymore. I would much rather marry someone who can benefit my family."
Hearing him say that, both Su Dingfang and Su Qingxue nodded. After all, if he still loved her, Gu Zhangchen would simply be a fool.
Su Dingfang then asked, "So, you want to form a marriage alliance between our families after the Xu family breaks the engagement?"
Gu Zhangchen nodded and said, "Yes. I know Miss Su Qingxue doesn't have much support within the Su family. Marrying me would solidify her position in the family, and it would be beneficial for both of our families."
Su Dingfang nodded. After all, a union between the two richest families would indeed strengthen both sides.
Su Dingfang smiled for the first time and said, "Gu Zhangchen, you are an interesting young man. Very well, I have no problem with this marriage. If Qingxue agrees, we can move forward with the alliance."
Hearing that, Gu Zhangchen looked at Su Qingxue and asked, "Do you agree, Miss Su?"
Su Qingxue put on a thoughtful expression. She was considering whether she should agree or not.
After a few minutes, she nodded and said, "Very well. I agree. The alliance will be very beneficial for me anyway."
Hearing that, Gu Zhangchen smiled and said, "Then let's have a very happy cooperation."
Su Qingxue and Su Dingfang both nodded, also smiling.
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That's it for this chapter. Hope you liked it. If you see any mistakes, tell me. See you on the next one. Bye.