Chapter 24: Hemp Ropes Break at the Thinnest Points, and Misfortune Only Finds the Unfortunate

In the hotel buffet, Qin Hao and Zhao Qiping were both stuffing themselves to replenish the energy spent the previous night.

Zhao Qiping suddenly asked, "By the way, you still haven't told me why you're helping me."

"Actually, I am a savior, specifically sent to rescue lost lambs like you," Qin Hao teased.

"Forget it then," Zhao Qiping said indignantly.

Qin Hao set down an empty oyster shell, wiped his hands, and said seriously, "It's rare to encounter a doctor whose conscience hasn't been eroded. I have to do something, lest the world gains another black-hearted doctor who treats patients like money-making machines."

"How do you know my conscience isn't eroded? For all you know, I might be the black-hearted doctor you're talking about." Zhao Qiping put down his chopsticks and stared at Qin Hao.

Qin Hao smiled and shrugged. "Black-hearted doctors don't act like that. They only care about their wallets and whether they'll get their professional titles at the end of the year."

Zhao Qiping gave a self-deprecating laugh. After a long silence, he spoke softly.

"I met a patient. She had high-level paralysis due to myelitis. She came to our hospital for surgery four years ago. She was very optimistic, had loving parents, and caring friends. After long-term treatment and recuperation, we all thought she could live like a normal person. Then, just yesterday, she was diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer..."

Qin Hao couldn't help but sigh. Misfortune seems to find those who are already suffering. The medical profession is one that faces pain—all kinds of pain. Doctors in top-tier hospitals in big cities, in particular, often deal with complex and difficult cases from all over the country.

"Full? Rest for half an hour, and I'll take you somewhere in a bit."

"Where to now? Don't tell me it's another nightclub. It's only noon; they aren't even open yet."

"You'll see when we get there."

Inside a boxing gym, Zhao Qiping stared blankly at Qin Hao, who was putting on his boxing gloves. "You brought me here just to box?"

"What else? Hurry up and put on your protective gear, otherwise you'll show up to work tomorrow with a bruised and swollen face." Qin Hao made a punching motion with both hands.

Looking at Qin Hao's muscular physique, Zhao Qiping swallowed hard. "Can I just not play?"

"Scared?" Qin Hao provoked him.

Zhao Qiping silently put on his headgear and boxing gloves.

In the ring, Qin Hao said to Zhao Qiping, "Come on, don't be afraid. I'll only use half my strength against you."

"Cut it out. You can even control that?" Zhao Qiping curled his lip.

Qin Hao smiled. With the presence of AlphaGo, controlling his strength was a trivial matter.

However, despite his verbal disdain, Zhao Qiping's movements were quick; he threw a direct right hook at Qin Hao.

Qin Hao blocked the attack with his right hand and laughed. "You're quite sneaky, kid, throwing a punch without even giving a warning."

"Nonsense. One look at your build and I know I'm at a disadvantage. If I want to win, I have to use some tricks," Zhao Qiping argued.

"You've got quite a competitive streak, but you won't win against me with just that."

"I'll have to try to find out."

Zhao Qiping continued his offensive, but his speed was far too slow in Qin Hao's eyes.

The two soon became embroiled in combat—or more accurately, it was a one-sided beating by Qin Hao on Zhao Qiping. Whether in terms of reaction speed or physical fitness, the gap between them was too vast. If Qin Hao hadn't been using only half his strength, Zhao Qiping would have been knocked out in the first exchange.

Even so, Zhao Qiping was quickly knocked to the ground.

"Your fitness is lacking. You need to train properly," Qin Hao said, unruffled and breathing steadily.

Zhao Qiping felt like his lungs were about to explode. Although it was only three minutes of combat, for someone who had never touched boxing before, the exhaustion was immense.

"You think everyone is a freak like you? By the way, are you a professional boxer?"

Qin Hao shrugged. "Not really, just train occasionally. So, want to learn? I'll teach you."

"You won't charge tuition, will you?"

"You treat me to dinner."

"Deal!"

Afterward, Qin Hao began instructing Zhao Qiping on boxing training: how to throw a punch, how to use core strength, and how to judge distance.

It wasn't until five in the afternoon that Zhao Qiping and Qin Hao left the gym. After dinner, Zhao Qiping asked for Qin Hao's phone number.

"Let's continue next weekend."

It wasn't that Zhao Qiping liked boxing that much, but he felt that boxing was a great way to vent; at least he felt much better now.

"No problem, I'm free anytime," Qin Hao shrugged.

Curious, Zhao Qiping asked, "What exactly do you do? You seem so free."

"Right now, I'm arguably financially independent. I don't plan on being the richest man, so there's no need to work that hard."

"Damn, I shouldn't have asked. You're showing off again." Zhao Qiping couldn't help but curse, then walked away.

"Haha~~~" Qin Hao laughed at Zhao Qiping's retreating figure. This guy was quite interesting.

Driving back to Ode Demos, Qin Hao took a shower and began contemplating how to treat Xiao Ming.

In fact, there was a problem in the original plot that puzzled Qin Hao. After Andy found Xiao Ming, she only gave Dean Xiuyan ten thousand yuan every month but never actually took Xiao Ming for medical treatment. Regardless of whether it could be cured, one should at least hold onto a glimmer of hope, right?

Furthermore, when Xiao Ming was later found by his biological father's family, even if he didn't want to be extorted, he should have used more proactive methods to resolve the issue instead of trying to out-tough them. To that family, Xiao Ming was an insignificant person; as long as he didn't die, it had nothing to do with them.

Andy was not a member of a vulnerable group; she had Tan Zongming backing her. For a common family like Xiao Ming's father's, Tan Zongming could crush them with a flick of his finger.

Since he had accepted the mission, Qin Hao naturally would not allow events to unfold according to the original plot.

"Hey, Old Liu. If you have time recently, go to Daishan again. See if you can persuade Dean Xiuyan to bring Xiao Ming to Shanghai for treatment. I'll cover the expenses."

Old Liu teased, "No way? Have you changed careers to become a living Bodhisattva?"

"Shut up. Just tell me if you can do it or not," Qin Hao laughed and scolded.

"Of course I can. As long as the money is there, why not do something to save lives? Consider it my way of accumulating merit."

Old Liu was very efficient. Three days later, he arrived in Shanghai with Dean Xiuyan and Xiao Ming.

"Dean Xiuyan, this is Mr. Qiu. He is sponsoring all of Xiao Ming's medical expenses for this entire process," Old Liu introduced.

Dean Xiuyan shook Qin Hao's hand gratefully. "Mr. Qiu, thank you so much."

Qin Hao smiled gently. "You're welcome. Actually, I am acting on behalf of someone else. Let's go inside; I've already made an appointment with a specialist."

"Alright, Xiao Ming, let's go."

Looking at the panicked Xiao Ming in this unfamiliar environment, Qin Hao couldn't help but sigh.

Fortunately, with Dean Xiuyan there, Xiao Ming completed a series of examinations relatively smoothly. It was the same senior expert who had received Qin Hao last time, and he spoke with a heavy expression.

"In addition to mental illness, the patient's symptoms are accompanied by autism. Currently, there are no immediate medical treatments available internationally. We can only use a combination of medication and psychological counseling to alleviate his condition. Furthermore, he shows symptoms of intellectual decline; his current intelligence is only equivalent to that of an eight-year-old. You must be mentally prepared."