Chapter 65: Would You Like to Be My Maid?

Chen Yun figured that if he really said that, Shen Qiang would definitely give him a slap, and it was very likely he’d get beaten every time they met in the future.

He glanced at the clock—twenty minutes had already passed. Chen Yun was consumed with anxiety. What on earth could he do to complete this task?

“Chen Yun, take a look at Shen Qi,” Director Jiang said. He had already explained Chen Yun’s identity to Shen Qiang and his family, adding that Chen Yun possessed medical skills, so the family had no objections.

“Oh, all right.” Chen Yun snapped out of his thoughts, took Shen Qi’s small hand, and, while pretending to feel her pulse, racked his brain for a solution.

Ten more minutes slipped by, and Chen Yun was still at a loss. The task was simply too preposterous.

“How is it, Chen Yun?” Jiang Shan asked, seeing the deep furrow in Chen Yun’s brow.

“It’s both easy and not easy to cure,” Chen Yun replied after some thought, his words deliberately ambiguous.

At those words, Shen Qiang and his wife’s eyes widened. For years, every doctor—be it from home or abroad—had said the same thing about this illness: it was extremely difficult. Yet today, from this young man’s lips, they heard the two words “easy to cure,” words they had longed for day and night. Their hearts, which had been steeped in despair, now surged with hope.

“Master Chen, do you really know how to cure this illness? Rest assured, whatever medicine or materials you need, as long as they exist in this world, I’ll get them for you. I just want my Qi to be free from pain and live like a normal person,” Shen Qiang said earnestly, his eyes shining with emotion.

“That’s right, young man. As long as you can let Qi live a normal life, whatever you ask, we will agree,” added Shen Yun’s mother, even more agitated than her husband, her eyes red with tears.

And Shen Qi, the protagonist, endured the pain and lifted her head to look at Ye Ming, her gaze brimming with hope and pleading.

“Tell us quickly, how can she be cured?” Jiang Shan asked, unable to contain his excitement. He never imagined Chen Yun would actually have a way to cure this strange disease that no one else in the world could handle.

“I need to treat Miss Shen alone. I give you my word—I will not do anything inappropriate to her,” Chen Yun said after a brief pause.

He knew that if he suggested in front of Shen Qiang, his wife, and Director Jiang that Shen Yun serve as his attendant, there would be no chance at all. But if he narrowed his focus and spoke to Shen Qi alone, then—judging by the system’s quirks—as long as Shen Qi agreed, her strange illness would be cured in an instant.

“Very well! You come recommended by Director Jiang, and both Qi’s mother and I trust your character. A-Li, take Qi to the back room. Master Chen, we entrust our daughter to you. If you can cure her, we’ll agree to any request you make!” Shen Qiang made his decision on the spot.

“Thank you for your trust.” Chen Yun smiled slightly and walked toward the back room.

“Director Jiang, do you really think Master Chen can cure my daughter?” Shen Qiang asked as his wife led their daughter away and closed the door behind her. He was still uneasy—Chen Yun was so young, and no doctor in the world had managed to cure his daughter’s illness. He had agreed partly because he trusted Jiang Shan’s judgment, but also because he was gambling—gambling on this young man to work a miracle.

“I…I believe in him,” Director Jiang replied, and said no more. In truth, he wasn’t confident himself, but Chen Yun had given him so many surprises already.

A master chef who could create dishes of grandmaster level—unparalleled in the world!
He had solved the unsolvable Heart-Eating Poison—unparalleled in the world!
If he could even cure this strange illness, then Jiang Shan had truly found a rare treasure!

Shen Qiang and his wife fell silent, their eyes fixed intently on the tightly shut door of the back room, hearts full of hope—hoping that, when the door opened, they would see their healthy daughter emerge.

“Miss Shen, what I’m about to say may offend you, but I mean no harm. I hope you’ll understand,” Chen Yun said after composing his words.

Shen Qi nodded silently. Most of her energy was spent battling the pain. Before that incident, she had been fine—so long as she avoided water and didn’t go to the restroom, she was just like anyone else.

But after witnessing the deaths of those seven people and the blood that stained the floor, she had been traumatized, her mind stretched to the breaking point, and her strange illness had been triggered with far greater intensity than ever before. She had endured pain for years and built up a high tolerance, but this time, the agony was so extreme she’d almost passed out several times from sheer torment.

“Miss Shen, forgive my boldness, but if you agree with a nod to what I’m about to say, I can tell you with absolute sincerity and certainty that your illness will be cured. Do you believe me?” Chen Yun looked into her eyes, his tone serious.

For a moment, Shen Qi was at a loss.

What did he say?
You’re telling me that if I just nod to what you say, my illness will be cured?

Isn’t it enough that I’m already so pitiful? Must you still joke at my expense?

Anger flared on Shen Qi’s face. She glared at Chen Yun and shook her head firmly, thinking, If I weren’t in such pain that I can’t speak or move, I’d give you a piece of my mind!

Seeing her refusal, Chen Yun forced a wry smile. He’d expected this. Who would believe something so absurd—not just Shen Qi, but anyone?

“Look, just treat it as a joke and humor me for a moment. After I say my piece, just nod. Who knows, maybe a miracle will happen, right?” Chen Yun tried to coax her, playing the part of the big bad wolf fooling Little Red Riding Hood.

Shen Qi didn’t hesitate—she still shook her head resolutely.

Good grief! Why is this girl so stubborn? Chen Yun was about to lose his mind. He had no experience dealing with girls and had no idea how to persuade one to agree. He would have preferred to go out and single-handedly take on a level 100 boss than to endure this frustration here.

“Miss Shen, I have no ill intentions. Truly, I’m only moved by compassion for all the pain you’ve suffered over the years. I can’t bear to see you in such agony any longer.”

Chen Yun crouched down in front of her, looking into her eyes with the utmost sincerity.

“Miss Shen, look into my eyes. I swear on my conscience, on my parents, on my life, on my honesty, sincerity, and earnestness—if you just nod after I say a single sentence, your illness will be cured. If you agree, please nod. If you still don’t believe me and refuse, I’ll help you out right away and you can pretend I was never here. Is that all right?”

Shen Qi gazed into Chen Yun’s eyes for a full minute. Gritting her teeth, she thought, Isn’t it just a nod? What’s the harm? Even if there’s some risk, it’s better than enduring this inhuman suffering every day. Having made up her mind, Shen Qi nodded.

“Excellent! Thank you for your trust.” Chen Yun was overjoyed and immediately said to her, “Shen Yun, are you willing to be my maid?”