Chapter Thirty-Three: Three Masters

“Big Sis, you’re such a wet blanket.”

Xiao Yuru looked at the two of them listlessly, her usually bold and carefree demeanor now tinged with melancholy, making her all the more pitiable.

“You both really can’t wait to get rid of me, can you? Just want to send me off to the capital so I won’t be in your way, isn’t that right?”

“Don’t talk nonsense,” Liu Yiran gently stroked Xiao Yuru’s hair and spoke softly, “Hasn’t it always been your dream to practice medicine? Now you have such a good opportunity. Yezi is thinking of what’s best for you. Even I, an outsider, know what it means to become a disciple of the three titans of medicine—especially Master Xuanyuan Datang. Becoming his student is like stepping into the inner circle. From then on, not only in the medical world but in any field, a smooth path awaits you.”

“I know.” Xiao Yuru glanced at Ye Qiu as she spoke. “But you just got back, and I can’t bear to leave you both.”

“Second Sis, why are you taking this so seriously? You can agree to become a disciple first and head to the capital later. Besides, Fourth Sis is also in the capital. When the time comes, we can go together and visit her as well.”

Xiao Yuru rolled her eyes. “You idiot, you just don’t get how girls feel.”

Ye Qiu was truly at a loss.

He looked at Liu Yiran, puzzled.

“Alright, you go out for a bit. Let me talk to your second sister.”

Ye Qiu looked at Liu Yiran, then at Xiao Yuru, feeling as if the two of them now had secrets of their own, and he was no longer needed.

“Mr. Ye, this…”

As Ye Qiu stepped out of the office, Zhao Lei hurried over. He opened his mouth but struggled to find the right words. At any other time it wouldn’t have been so hard, but seeing so many medical heavyweights, members of top families from Linhai, even a CEO worth billions from overseas, Zhao Lei felt anxious.

He’d only intended to find a powerful backer, but this was more than he’d bargained for; the stakes were too high for his nerves.

Ye Qiu glanced at Xuanyuan Datang and the others. The old men were still glaring at each other, as if Xiao Yuru’s hesitation didn’t concern them. He relaxed a bit before turning to Zhao Lei. “Are you worried that once my second sister leaves for the capital, there won’t be any doctors left at your hospital?”

Zhao Lei nodded.

If he hadn’t offended Duan Jijin, he could have asked him to cover, but now he was stuck. He’d made enemies of his peers in Linhai. Even if the hospital was renowned, it needed skilled surgeons to make money. Despite being at the bottom of the prestige chain, finding a competent cosmetic surgeon was no easy task; talent was rare, and even if cultivated, most would leave for bigger platforms once established.

Ye Qiu thought for a moment and said, “My second sister will stay for a few months. During that time, I’ll help you recruit a few qualified doctors. Also, calculate your hospital’s valuation. My second sister will take a 49% stake.”

Zhao Lei was stunned, staring unblinkingly at Ye Qiu.

Given Ye Qiu’s demonstrated wealth and connections, plus Xiao Yuru’s current fame, even if they wanted to acquire his hospital outright, Zhao Lei wouldn’t dare object. But Ye Qiu was not only helping him solve the staffing problem, he was only taking a 49% share—enough to expand the hospital, but leaving Zhao Lei in control.

This was truly the support of a benefactor.

Zhao Lei had been in business for a decade and seen the highs and lows of human nature. At his lowest, he’d had to split a single bun to last two meals. He’d scraped together everything to open a cosmetic surgery clinic, believing the world was already thoroughly corrupted by money, that only profit mattered. He never expected to meet someone like Ye Qiu, a man of true character.

“Mr… Ye…” Zhao Lei was so moved he stammered.

“Boss Zhao, let me be clear. I’m doing this partly to secure a future for my second sister, and partly because you were the only one bold enough to stand up to Duan Jijin. I’m no saint. In the course of normal business, my sister won’t interfere, but if you try anything underhanded…”

Ye Qiu leaned in and whispered in his ear, “Diluting your shares and kicking you out would be the least of it. If I wanted to make you disappear without a trace, it would take no effort at all.”

“Rest assured, Mr. Ye, I’m not that sort of ungrateful scoundrel.” Zhao Lei nodded vigorously. Far from resenting Ye Qiu’s warning, he was elated.

If Ye Qiu had simply invested and ignored the rest, it would mean the hospital was just a toy to him. But this warning showed that Zhao Lei still had value in Ye Qiu’s eyes. Today, it might just be a cosmetic clinic, but with such a backer, it could become the largest in Linhai. With Xiao Yuru’s reputation and skill, it might even become the biggest in the country.

This was a true enterprise.

Zhao Lei was genuinely grateful to Ye Qiu.

For the rich, money was plentiful; handing out cash could just mean keeping you as a pet. But to support your business—that meant true recognition. How could he not be moved? How could he not pledge himself wholeheartedly to Ye Qiu?

He’d heard the Zhang family had announced they were ending their advertising partnership with the Ye-Liu Group. Though his hospital was small, he could still contribute.

As Zhao Lei considered how best to hand over his advertising business to the Ye-Liu Group, Yunyan’s voice came through Ye Qiu’s earpiece, informing him that someone was maliciously short-selling Ye-Liu Group’s stock.

“Master, someone is dumping Ye-Liu Group shares. Earlier, some buyers drove up the price, but now even more shares are being released onto the market. Not only that, Zhang Jun is pressuring the association to remove Ye-Liu Group’s credentials, and paying internet trolls to slander your company.”

Courting death.

Ye Qiu’s brows knitted tightly.

He had returned to China to protect his sisters—anyone who opposed them was his enemy.

And Ye Qiu had never shown mercy to his enemies.

“George.”

Ye Qiu beckoned to George.

“How may I assist you?”

With so many people present, George didn’t dare address Ye Qiu as ‘Master’—that would draw too much attention, just as Ye Qiu had instructed.

As Ye Qiu was about to give his orders, Yunyan continued, “Master, someone in the group is inciting reports that you embezzled company funds and leaked customer information. Investigators are already looking into the matter. If this news leaks tomorrow, the stock will certainly hit the limit down again. Also, someone in the tech department is copying the AI code. I’ve traced the backdoor and can hack his computer now if you wish.”

“Hack his computer immediately. Don’t let the code be stolen—”

As Ye Qiu was instructing Yunyan, Liu Yiran hurried out of the office.

“Yezi, something’s come up at the company. I need to head back. Your second sister has agreed.”

Xiao Yuru walked straight up to the three old masters, knelt down with a thud, and declared, “Masters, your disciple Xiao Yuru pays her respects to all three of you.”