From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Ji Jiajia put on a stern face. She originally wanted to play a prank on her master today, but ended up shooting herself in the foot, losing face completely and feeling like she became a joke to Shuren.

Xu Chunliang laughed and said, "Are you angry? If you can’t take a joke, then don’t play."

Ji Jiajia responded, "Who says I can’t take a joke?"

A group of girls gathered around, each proactively asking to add Xu Chunliang’s contact information. This teacher was not only handsome but also extremely charming. Girls these days are very forward.

Ji Jiajia pouted, unable to stand this group of coquettish and flirtatious female classmates, and hurriedly went to wash her face. She couldn’t let anyone see her with her face covered in dirt.

Xu Chunliang politely declined the girls’ requests, telling them there’s a school policy and if they wanted to contact him, it should be through the school. He finally managed to break free from the circle of girls.

Principal Chen was waiting for him outside the classroom, happily saying, "Teacher Xu, that class was a great success."

Xu Chunliang said, "It’s my first time, I hope I didn’t disappoint Principal Chen’s expectations."

Principal Chen said, "Teacher Xu’s teaching style is very innovative, and there are many aspects we can learn from."

Xu Chunliang quietly laughed, knowing they couldn’t learn his style.

Xu Chunliang didn’t want to stay at the school any longer, so he said a few polite words and was about to leave, but before he could exit the campus, Ji Jiajia caught up from behind, "Master, wait for me."

Xu Chunliang stopped and said, "If it’s something important, let’s talk after school. You should hurry back to class."

Ji Jiajia said, "Master, I want to tell you something."

Xu Chunliang nodded.

"I’m planning to leave."

Xu Chunliang was taken aback, "Where are you going?"

Ji Jiajia replied, "Somewhere no one’s watching over me."

Xu Chunliang could understand; everyone yearns for freedom, and Ji Jiajia’s personality is even more so. Although she returned to inherit a billion-dollar fortune, she also lost her freedom. Wherever she went, bodyguards followed, and every move was under someone else’s watch. No one would be happy in her situation.

Xu Chunliang said, "It’s safer for you to stay in the country."

Ji Jiajia replied, "It’s the same everywhere. At least abroad, I don’t have so many people watching over me, using me. I know Hua Zhuyue means well, but I don’t need it. If I must choose between life and freedom, I’d rather choose the latter."

Xu Chunliang nodded, "Jiajia, freedom is always relative. Unrestrained freedom is essentially indulgence."

Xu Chunliang knew Ji Jiajia’s rebellious behavior was just a façade. She had far more pain than her peers. Her father vanished without a word, and with the company in turmoil, if Hua Zhuyue hadn’t taken charge, she wouldn’t have been able to cope. In the eyes of others, inheriting such a massive estate at her age and becoming the leader of the Orchid Sect seemed like having everything.

But Ji Jiajia never felt she had anything. She felt she was always pushed by invisible hands and had no control over anything. She wanted to draw attention to herself, to prove her existence. She didn’t want to live like this; she wasn’t happy at all.

Ji Jiajia asked, "Could you tell Hua Zhuyue to let me go? Please?" Her eyes were filled with pleading, a side Xu Chunliang had never seen from her.

Whether Ji Jiajia stayed or left wasn’t up to her. She was well aware that if she wanted to leave and be free, Hua Zhuyue had to agree. Hua Zhuyue wouldn’t easily let her go.

Xu Chunliang reached out to brush away the chalk dust left on her head, smiling, "Just focus on your classes. I promise you I’ll have a good talk with her."

Ji Jiajia said, "Master, I don’t have much time left. While I can still walk, I want to see more. Even if I can’t leave anything behind in this world, I would like to see more of it."

Xu Chunliang nodded, "I understand, but don’t be so pessimistic. As long as I’m here, nothing will happen to you. As for your condition, others may not have a way, but I do. Just follow my instructions and practice diligently, and I assure you you’ll live a healthy life."

Ji Jiajia said, "The meaning of a person’s existence in this world isn’t about time; it’s about how you live."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "What’s with you today? Are you trying to lecture me?"

Ji Jiajia replied, "I wouldn’t dare. I’ve read a book that says the closer someone is to death, the clearer they see the world. I was never a normal person to begin with. Master, thank you for tolerating me for so long."

Xu Chunliang said, "I can barely tolerate it anymore."

"I believe in you. Hua Zhuyue should listen to you the most."

Xu Chunliang thought to himself, maybe not. Hua Zhuyue probably listens to Ji Buyao the most. Xu Chunliang always believed Hua Zhuyue should know Ji Buyao’s whereabouts. Ji Buyao didn’t really choose to vanish; he chose to hide in the shadows and watch the world silently.

He believed Ji Buyao would eventually show up. A tiger, no matter how cruel, doesn’t eat its own cubs, and Ji Buyao wouldn’t harm his own daughter. Everything Ji Jiajia was going through wasn’t arranged by Hua Zhuyue; it was likely under Ji Buyao’s instruction.

Xu Chunliang didn’t want to get too involved in the internal affairs of the Orchid Sect. But since he had taken Ji Jiajia as his apprentice and promised to heal her condition, Xu Chunliang wouldn’t go back on his word.

On his way back to the hotel, Ye Qingya sent him a message, asking if his class went smoothly today.

Xu Chunliang told her everything was very satisfactory. The students were satisfied, and the principal was also very pleased. Before leaving, Principal Chen even shook his hand, hoping he could visit a few more times. He was not exaggerating at all.

Ye Qingya had already returned to Dongzhou. After returning from Du Yun Temple yesterday, she thought it over for a whole night and still decided to go back. Even if she planned to divorce Qiao Rulong, it would have to wait until he was discharged and recovered his health.

As long as they were not divorced, she was still Qiao Rulong’s wife and should fulfill a wife’s obligations.

Ye Qingya had made everything clear before returning this time. Although her mother-in-law, Wang Siqi, had some opinions about her leaving without saying goodbye, she couldn’t say much in person. She just told Ye Qingya that Qiao Rulong was doing very well now and that if she wanted to visit, she could put on a gown and enter the ward.

Ye Qingya had no intention of visiting Qiao Rulong. Even looking at him through the glass was just a formality.

There was not much deep affection between them as husband and wife. They had been married for five years, with long periods of separation. Qiao Rulong’s car accident had destroyed their last bit of trust and severed all of Ye Qingya’s ties.

When Qiao Rulong saw Ye Qingya outside the window, he smiled at her. He noticed that she hadn’t come yesterday and found it very strange. When he was fine, he wouldn’t have thought of Ye Qingya even if he hadn’t seen her for months. But yesterday, just one day without seeing her made him think of her, and he even asked his mother about it.

Learning from his mother that Ye Qingya had returned to Beijing, Qiao Rulong’s first reaction to this news was that something was wrong. He suspected that Ye Qingya had found out about his relationship with Qi Shuang. Despite lying in the ward, he was always attentive to the outside world.

Qiao Rulong waved at Ye Qingya, meaning for her to come in as there was something he wanted to tell her face-to-face.

Ye Qingya shook her head. She didn’t want to go in; it was best to maintain some distance between them as husband and wife.

Qiao Rulong picked up his phone. He had actually wanted to call Ye Qingya yesterday to ask her why she went back.

Although Ye Qingya was reluctant to talk to Qiao Rulong, she reluctantly answered the call.

"How are you feeling today?"

"Much better. The doctor said I’ve been recovering well."

"Congratulations!"

Qiao Rulong was momentarily stunned. Ye Qingya’s words felt unfamiliar, as if they weren’t a married couple talking but rather two strangers. This made Qiao Rulong all the more certain that Ye Qingya must have discovered something.

"Qingya, there’s something I want to discuss with you. I plan to accept Zhao Feiyang’s son as my godson. What do you think?"

Ye Qingya said, "That’s for you to decide."

Ye Qingya knew very well why Qiao Rulong wanted to do this, and she was a bit curious as to how he had learned Zhao Feiyang’s wife had donated her heart to him. Just as she had this thought, she felt there was no need to worry about such things. It wasn’t really a secret, after all.

Qiao Rulong sensed Ye Qingya’s indifference and probed, "Then you would be the child’s godmother."

Ye Qingya replied, "I’m not prepared for that."

Qiao Rulong nodded, and they gazed at each other through the glass for a long while before Qiao Rulong said, "Qingya, let’s get a divorce."

Ye Qingya said, "Focus on getting better."

Qiao Rulong said, "I’m serious. I have let you down." Finishing his words, he hung up the phone and pressed the remote to draw the curtains, completely blocking Ye Qingya’s view.

Qiao Rulong lay down, but what he thought about the most weren’t Ye Qingya’s feelings. It was the impact of his car accident on the Qiao family. He realized that the matter with Qi Shuang couldn’t be hidden. Even if Ye Qingya didn’t mention it now, the first thing facing him after recovery would likely be a divorce.

His grandfather’s sudden return to Beijing was probably related to his situation. Qiao Rulong silently blamed himself for causing so much trouble for his grandfather.

He thought he should call his grandfather, but he didn’t know where to begin.

Qiao Rulong really wanted to talk to someone, but only then did he realize he didn’t have a true friend in the world.

Picking up his phone, he inadvertently scrolled to Zhao Feiyang’s number and made a call.

Zhao Feiyang was also very surprised to receive a call from Qiao Rulong: "Mr. Qiao, is there something you need? Are you feeling unwell?"

Qiao Rulong said, "I’m fine, just wanted to ask, how... how is my godson doing?"

Zhao Feiyang replied, "He’s doing well, I’m right next to him. Hold on, I’ll switch to video so you can see."

Zhao Feiyang switched to a video call.

Looking at the thin, small child on the phone screen, Qiao Rulong suddenly felt a sharp pang in his heart. He let out a breath, "What a cute child."

Zhao Feiyang said, "He’s very strong."

Qiao Rulong said, "He will have a wonderful future." His words sounded more like a promise.