Xu Xiangbei glanced at his watch, just in time for his appointment with Shen Congru.

With a thunderous roar of an engine, a fiery red Ferrari pulled up beside Xu Xiangbei, and Shen Congru stepped out.

Dressed in a Prada blue striped suit, his hair impeccably styled, with an elegant orange silk tie adorning his chest, he smiled gracefully, "Dr. Xu, you’re so punctual."

Xu Xiangbei chuckled, "When am I not punctual?"

Seeing the beautiful Ah Rong following behind Xu Xiangbei, she appeared with a clean and pretty face, her hair smooth and short like an advertisement for shampoo, exuding a distinct elegance.

Shen Congru’s eyes lit up, "This lady, it’s my first time meeting you. May I ask your name?"

Ah Rong smiled faintly and extended her slender, fair hand generously, "Hello, I’m Ah Rong. I just rented Brother Xu’s apartment. You must be Young Master Shen, I’ve heard Brother Xu mention you."

Shen Congru gently shook Ah Rong’s soft, warm hand with a look of admiration.

"Another beautiful sister, Dr. Xu, you really have no shortage of charming tenants. I’m tempted to rent out my villa now."

Xu Xiangbei grinned cheekily, "You don’t get it, I’m renting out more than just a place, I’m renting out my connections. If you rent out your villa, I’m afraid there won’t be any takers. Besides, as the vice president of Earth Sea Commercial Bank with assets in the billions, do you really need rental income?"

Shen Congru laughed heartily, took out a box of high-end cigarettes from his small handbag, and offered one to Xu Xiangbei.

Seeing the large cross sign of the hospital, Xu Xiangbei recalled Ding Keke’s beautiful yet stern face, as if glaring at him, forbidding smoking in the hospital.

As Xu Xiangbei was about to reach for the cigarette, he withdrew his hand and smiled, "It’s better not to smoke in the hospital. Which ward is your friend with President Lei in?"

"The special ward on the 20th floor."

Xu Xiangbei knew that the special ward on the 20th floor was reserved for special patients; Mr. Calia from Italy once stayed there.

"President Lei is a prisoner, yet his status is so high that he can be admitted to a special ward?"

Seeing Xu Xiangbei not taking the cigarette, Shen Congru lost interest in smoking too, putting the cigarette back into his handbag, and walked into the inpatient building with Xu Xiangbei, "A dying camel is still bigger than a horse. Even though Lei Zhenrong committed a crime and became a prisoner, he still has assets worth nearly a billion dollars and holds 60% of Thunderbird Group shares. He’s fully qualified to enjoy a special ward." 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Xu Xiangbei’s eyes shone brightly, "That old man has more than a billion in assets, seems like it’s time to chop a nice bit off him."

Ding, the elevator arrived on the 20th floor. Lawyer Lei Jiade was waiting for Shen Congru at the elevator entrance. The friends exchanged a warm hug.

Shen Congru introduced, "This is Lawyer Lei Jiade, and this is Dr. Xu Xiangbei, and his assistant Ah Rong."

Lei Jiade looked to be in his thirties, with a blue-tinged stubble and sharp eyes. Upon seeing Xu Xiangbei, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, fleeting.

He shook hands with Xu Xiangbei and spoke straightforwardly, "Dr. Xu, I didn’t expect you to be so young. I thought you were an old Chinese medicine doctor."

Xu Xiangbei feigned an air of seniority, "Looks like next time I need to stick some white beard on my chin, otherwise no one will believe me."

The three laughed heartily, the atmosphere very congenial, and they entered the ward together. Ah Rong stayed outside on the sofa.

In the ward, only Lei Zhenrong lay weakly on the bed, deeply tormented by pain emanating from his organs, his complexion deathly pale.

Seeing Xu Xiangbei, Lei Zhenrong’s expression was complex, filled with both hatred and delight, but mostly anticipation in his eyes.

"Cough cough, Dr. Xu, you’re here. It’s all your fault I’m in this state."

Xu Xiangbei remained indifferent, walked to the window to admire the view, and said calmly, "Heaven’s sins are forgivable, man’s sins are not. I didn’t harm you; you dug your own grave."

Lei Zhenrong asked in a trembling voice, "So is there any hope for me?"

Xu Xiangbei’s voice dragged leisurely, "To others, there’s no hope. But..."

Lei Zhenrong was thrilled, "But what?"

Xu Xiangbei walked to Lei Zhenrong’s bedside and with an unyielding tone looked at the terminally ill Lei Zhenrong, "I think there’s hope, but it requires your cooperation."

Hearing that there was hope, a glimmer of delight flashed in Lei Zhenrong’s despondent eyes, "How should I cooperate?"

Xu Xiangbei grinned mischievously, "It’s simple, pay money for your life."

Lei Zhenrong gritted his teeth, glanced at Lei Jiade, who nodded. They had anticipated such an outcome.

Xu Xiangbei would never treat Lei Zhenrong’s illness for free; everything came at a cost.

Lei Jiade smiled and chimed in, "Dr. Xu is straightforward, just name your price, as long as it’s reasonable, I’m sure President Lei will agree."

Xu Xiangbei sneered, "Of course it’s reasonable, you have to know his life is priceless. No amount would be too much, but don’t worry, I’m not a greedy person, in deference to Lawyer Lei and Young Master Shen, I only want 30% of Thunderbird Company’s shares. That’s not too much, is it?"

The ward suddenly fell silent, with only the beeping of electronic instruments echoing. Lei Zhenrong snorted coldly, "Not much, that’s half of my shares."

"It’s half your shares; do you want Zhao Changheng to manage Thunderbird Group for you?"

Mentioning Zhao Changheng brought a look of anger to Lei Zhenrong’s face. Although he was displeased with Xu Xiangbei’s demand for 30% of the shares, he couldn’t tolerate Zhao Changheng managing his company.

He suddenly slapped the bedside, his eyes fogging, "Fine, deal, but can you really cure me?"

"Of course, I can not only cure you but let you live like a normal person. However, you know, you’ve already overdrawn much of your life force. I’ll give you two Taiqing Pills made from thousand-year-old ginseng kings and clear your blocked meridians, ensuring you another ten years of life."

Hearing he could only live another ten years, Lei Zhenrong’s face showed pain and reluctance, tears streaming down his face.

Xu Xiangbei sneered contemptuously, "What’s there to cry about? You should be laughing. Another ten years of life is something money can’t buy. Some people can’t even get an extra second. You’ve snatched your life back from King Yama. Be content, given your current health, you might not last until next week.

Lei Zhenrong knew Xu Xiangbei wasn’t exaggerating and sighed helplessly.

Lei Jiade gently patted his uncle Lei Zhenrong’s shoulder, comforting him not to get too agitated and asked Xu Xiangbei, "Dr. Xu, when can we start the treatment?"

Xu Xiangbei glanced at Lei Zhenrong’s complexion, "The sooner, the better."