Chapter -18
Might Make a Huge Profit
Outside the small village clinic.
When Shao Jinghe heard what the doctor said, she immediately pulled Yu Zhi along to leave.
She knew full well that Zhao Dequan was just making excuses—he clearly didn’t want to deal with them anymore.
But what could she do? This was the only clinic in the village. She’d been taking medicine on credit here for years; the doctor was already sick of her. The fact that he hadn’t chased them out with a broom was mercy enough.
Seeing that her mother wanted to go, Yu Zhi instead pulled her toward a bench and made her sit down. Then she grabbed Zhao Dequan by the sleeve and dragged him into the consulting room.
“Hey, hey—Yu Zhi! What are you doing dragging me like that? Didn’t you hear me say I’m closing up?” Zhao Dequan frowned in irritation.
Yu Zhi calmly shut the door, set her schoolbag down, and took out a thick wad of cash. She slapped it on the desk with a crisp smack.
“Cut the crap and count it.”
Zhao Dequan’s eyes instantly lit up. He looked at Yu Zhi, then at the money, and his gaze stuck there, unwilling to move.
“Ah, Little Zhi…” he sighed dramatically. “It’s not that Uncle doesn’t want to treat your mother, but your family’s owed me so much for so long…”
Yu Zhi raised a brow. “Mm. And then?”
Zhao Dequan blinked, then began his practiced lament.
“Think about it, Little Zhi—how many times has your mom come here for treatment over the years? Every time she asked to buy on credit. But you know, running this little clinic isn’t easy either. I’ve got a family to feed too. Honestly, I’ve already been more than kind to you people.”
Yu Zhi listened quietly, nodding as if in sympathy.
“I understand. So you can deduct what we owe from this.”
Zhao Dequan’s eyes gleamed. He began counting quickly, his fingers flying.
Eight thousand six hundred in total. After subtracting the old debt, less than three thousand yuan remained.
When he finished, Yu Zhi nodded.
“Uncle Zhao, sorry for the trouble all these years. Don’t take it to heart. We’re neighbors, after all. My mom’s health isn’t good—please continue looking after her. As for the remaining money, I’ll leave it with you.”
She took a deep breath and added firmly:
“But this money is only to be used for my mom’s treatment. Please keep a clear record of every expense—I’ll check the account at the end of each month.”
Zhao Dequan nodded eagerly. “Of course, no problem!”
Yu Zhi glanced toward her mother outside on the bench, then lowered her voice.
“And please—don’t let my parents know about this. Especially my dad. If he finds out I left money with you, he’ll come here and make a scene. You know what kind of person Yu Jianhui is—a total scoundrel.”
“Don’t worry!” Zhao Dequan patted his chest. “I know all about that drunkard. I won’t say a word.”
Yu Zhi’s mouth curved into a small smile. “Good. So—can you see my mom now?”
“Of course, of course!” Zhao Dequan hurried to put the money away. “But your mother’s body… sigh, these are all long-term problems. She’ll need steady treatment. I’ll prepare some herbal medicine for her.”
Just then, a fit of coughing came from outside.
Yu Zhi and Zhao Dequan stepped out to see Shao Jinghe sitting awkwardly on the bench, fingers nervously twisting the hem of her blouse.
When she saw her daughter come out, she quickly stood up. “Zhi, l-let’s just go home…”
“After the checkup,” Yu Zhi said firmly, pushing her mother toward the consulting room.
“But…” Shao Jinghe’s feet froze. She glanced timidly at Zhao Dequan.
“Doctor Zhao’s kind,” Yu Zhi said, shooting the man a meaningful look. “He agreed to let us owe it again.”
Instantly, tears welled up in Shao Jinghe’s clouded eyes. “Really? Thank you, Doctor Zhao!”
Zhao Dequan coughed, putting on his benevolent face.
“No problem, no problem. We’re neighbors, after all. Come in—I’ll take your pulse again.”
Twenty minutes later, Shao Jinghe came out clutching several bundles of herbs, neatly wrapped in oil paper and tied with hemp string.
As the two walked home, Yu Zhi could tell her mother’s steps were a bit lighter.
“Mom,” Yu Zhi said, turning to look at her, “I told Doctor Zhao already. When you finish these, just go get more. Don’t worry about money.”
Shao Jinghe opened her mouth as if to speak, but in the end, she only nodded.
Back home.
Yu Jianhui, of course, was still alive.
When the mother and daughter came in, he started cursing again. But under Yu Zhi’s cold glare, he finally shut up and stomped into his room, slamming the door so hard the house shook.
Yu Zhi ignored him entirely and went to her room.
After washing up, she lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
Who knew how many years—or decades—it would take to pay off over ten million yuan!
[System]: Don’t lose heart, host! You’re already earning faster than most people!
The little system’s cheerful voice popped up again.
[System]: Sure, you can’t use the money yet, but once your debts are paid, your future will be limitless!
Yu Zhi sighed. True enough. No use crying over the eighty thousand that had vanished overnight—better to rest up and keep hustling tomorrow.
The system nodded furiously in agreement.
[System]: By the way, why didn’t you just give the money directly to your mom? Why bother leaving it with the doctor?
Yu Zhi smirked.
[Yu Zhi]: You’re still too young. If I gave it to my mom, do you believe she’d still have a single cent left by tomorrow morning?
[System]: Really? She doesn’t seem like someone who wastes money.
Drowsiness started to pull her under. Yu Zhi mumbled in half-sleep:
[Yu Zhi]: She doesn’t—but my dad does. With that bastard around, my mom couldn’t hide money if her life depended on it.
The system didn’t understand, but respected its host’s decision.
…
Early the next morning.
When Yu Zhi opened her door to wash up, she saw Yu Jianhui sitting at the table—a rare sight. The wound on his head had scabbed over, and he was smoking silently.
Yu Zhi glanced at him once, then looked away. She had no intention of wasting breath on a man like him.
As she finished washing, the bitter smell of boiled medicine drifted from the kitchen.
Shao Jinghe came out with the steaming bowl just as Yu Zhi slung on her schoolbag, ready to leave. “Be careful on the road,” she called softly.
“Mm.” Yu Zhi replied while changing her shoes by the door.
Behind her, Yu Jianhui sat in silence, his gaze fixed on her back.
For once, he didn’t shout or curse—but the look in his eyes was greasy and vile.
How to describe it? Like a sticky spiderweb clinging to your skin—disgusting and impossible to shake off.
Yu Zhi felt it too.
Annoyed, she turned around—and met his eyes.
Their gazes locked.
Yu Jianhui’s eyes flickered with surprise and something darker.
Before him stood the daughter he’d always called a useless burden. But now… now she’d grown into a striking young woman—white T-shirt, jeans, hair tied back neatly, her features bright and clear, radiating life.
He narrowed his eyes, thoughts turning filthy.
This girl’s getting too defiant to control. Can’t keep her around much longer.
If I sold her to Old Li, the contractor from the west end of the village… with that face and figure, I could make a damn fortune…
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