Dare to shirk responsibility? This adorable little one will tear down your military district!

Before dawn the next day, the main room, converted from an abandoned warehouse, was already bustling with activity.

Lin Wanrou changed into a faded blue floral top, her hair was neatly combed and clipped behind her ears with black clips.

She walked around the room eight times, sometimes touching the teacups to see if they were too hot, sometimes checking if the incense table was set up properly.

"Mom, stop spinning! You're making the Black Wind throw up."

Meng Yaya sat on a high stool, her two short legs swinging back and forth.

In the main room, the incense table has already been set up.

There are no gods or Buddhas on it, only a blank redwood tablet, which is a symbol of the ancestors of the Sun family.

Sun Shouzhen sat in a grand master's chair.

The effects of the spiritual spring water became apparent overnight. Although the old man was still thin, his sallow face regained color, his back straightened, and his eyes shone brightly. He no longer showed any trace of the decadent look he had developed from the labor camp.

He changed into a Zhongshan suit that Lin Wanrou had altered overnight, buttoning it all the way up to the top, exuding the majesty of a grandmaster.

"Has the auspicious time arrived yet?" Sun Shouzhen asked in a deep voice.

"One quarter to go." Gu Changfeng glanced at his watch and stood at the door like a guardian deity.

Just then, a muffled engine sound came from outside the yard, followed by the sound of brakes.

"They're here." Meng Yaya stuffed the last bite of her steamed bun into her mouth, jumped off the stool, and said, "I'll go greet them."

At the main gate, Lei Zhentian stepped out of his personal "001" jeep. He didn't bring any guards, only a bottle of specially supplied Moutai and two boxes of pastries sent from Haicheng.

"Old man Sun!" As soon as Lei Zhentian entered the room, he saw Sun Shouzhen sitting upright in the grand chair. The commander-in-chief who never frowned in front of thousands of troops was now somewhat reserved.

Sun Shouzhen didn't get up, but merely raised his eyelids slightly: "Lei Laohu, you're still not dead?"

"Hahaha! You old codger, you're still alive, how dare I die?" Lei Zhentian laughed loudly, not holding back at all. He slammed his wine on the table, pulled up a chair, and sat down next to him. "I heard you're going to take on a disciple, so I've come to ask for a drink and, by the way, to be a witness."

One is the top leader of the military region, and the other is a leading figure in the field of traditional Chinese medicine.

The moment those two large Buddha statues sat there, the small hall instantly shone with splendor.

Lin Wanrou's palms were sweaty.

Gu Changfeng walked over and gently squeezed her hand. Her large, calloused hand was dry and warm, conveying a silent strength.

"Let's begin," Sun Shouzhen said.

Lin Wanrou took a deep breath, walked to the incense table, knelt down, and performed the most solemn three-bow and nine-kowtow ceremony.

This kneeling was a gesture of gratitude to her teacher, and also a testament to Lin Wanrou's determination to leave the past behind and be reborn.

"Disciple Lin Wanrou humbly requests that my esteemed master accept me as his disciple. I am willing to carry on his mission of healing the sick and saving lives, uphold the virtues of a physician's benevolence, diligently study my skills, and never disgrace my master's school!"

Although his voice trembled slightly, every word was firm and resounding.

Meng Yaya walked over carrying a tray with a cup of hot tea on it.

Lin Wanrou raised the cup with both hands above her head: "Master, please have some tea."

Sun Shouzhen looked at the woman kneeling on the ground before him. He had witnessed her transformation from a timid young wife in Xiahe Village to a doctor who dared to support her family.

The old man took the tea, took a sip, his eyes slightly red, but he quickly suppressed it.

"Those who enter my Sun family have only one rule: those who fail to rescue those in distress will be expelled; those who are greedy and forget righteousness will be expelled; those who deceive the world and steal fame will be expelled."

"This disciple has remembered."

Sun Shouzhen put down his teacup and took out a long, narrow box made of sandalwood from his pocket.

The box was opened, and inside lay nine silver needles of varying lengths. These were not ordinary steel needles; their handles were wrapped with gold wire, and their bodies shimmered with a subtle light.

"This is the Nine Dragon Needle." Sun Shouzhen stroked the needle box as if caressing a lover's hand. "It has been passed down in the Sun family for three hundred years. I went to great lengths to protect it when our family was raided. Now, it's yours."

Lei Zhentian watched with envy: "Good heavens, is this the legendary Nine Dragon Needle that can snatch people from the clutches of the King of Hell? Old Sun, you've really gone all out this time."

Lin Wanrou took the needle box with both hands, feeling its immense weight.

"The ceremony is complete!" Gu Changfeng shouted, his voice filled with pride.

Just as the family was preparing to close the door for a celebratory feast, a commotion suddenly broke out at the front door.

"Oh dear, Old Sun! Where is Old Sun?"

A middle-aged man wearing a white coat and gold-rimmed glasses barged in, surrounded by a group of people.

Gu Changfeng frowned, but before he could stop the man, he had already rushed into the main room.

"Mr. Sun! It really is you!"

Upon seeing Sun Shouzhen, the visitor's face flushed with excitement. He rushed forward to shake hands, exclaiming, "I am Liu Dezhi, the director of the Military Region General Hospital! I've long heard that you've been exonerated and returned, and I've always wanted to visit you. I never expected you to be hiding in this little temple!"

As Liu Dezhi spoke, he looked around with an extremely critical eye.

This clinic, converted from a dilapidated warehouse, still has freshly painted walls and a strong smell of lime. The medicine cabinet is an old item, but it's nothing special.

"Old Sun, why are you doing this?" Liu Dezhi said, heartbroken. "With your status, how can you be holed up in a small, unlicensed clinic like this? Isn't that a waste of your talent?"

Lin Wanrou tightened her grip on the needle case.

Sun Shouzhen sat in his chair, not even lifting his eyelids: "Dean Liu, is that right? If you have something to say, say it; if not, get lost. Don't delay my apprentice from cooking."

Liu Dezhi was momentarily speechless, but remembering Sun Shouzhen's abilities, he still forced a smile and said, "Here's the thing, our hospital has specially prepared a specialist consultation room for you, with the待遇 (treatment/benefits) of a vice president! A monthly salary of 180 yuan, plus a car and an apartment! If you agree, you can start work tomorrow!"

One hundred and eighty!

This is an astronomical figure in this day and age.

Gu Changfeng stood to the side, expressionless, but the atmosphere around him seemed to have become a bit more oppressive.

Meng Yaya laughed. She pulled a handful of sunflower seeds from her pocket and looked at Dean Liu as if he were a monkey show.

"One hundred and eighty?" Sun Shouzhen sneered, finally looking Liu Dezhi in the eye. "Dean Liu, do you think my life is only worth one hundred and eighty?"

"This..." Liu Dezhi was stunned. "This is already the highest treatment you can get! And how much money can you make in this shabby little place? Who is this woman? She looks like a country bumpkin. What kind of medical skills could she possibly know? Don't be fooled!"

He pointed at Lin Wanrou with a look of disdain.

"Snapped!"

A crisp sound.

It wasn't the sound of a slap, but the sound of Lei Zhentian slamming his wine glass heavily on the table.

Liu Dezhi shuddered in fright, and only then did he notice Commander Lei sitting in the corner.

"Commander... what are you doing here?"

Lei Zhentian ignored him, poured himself a glass of wine, and said slowly, "Liu Dezhi, have you lost your mind about being the dean? This country bumpkin you're talking about is my goddaughter's mother, the wife of Regiment Commander Gu Changfeng, and Sun Guoshou's last disciple."

Liu Dezhi broke out in a cold sweat instantly.

Sun Shouzhen stood up, walked to Lin Wanrou's side, and put his hand on his apprentice's shoulder.

"Dean Liu, listen carefully."

The old man's deep voice carried throughout the entire courtyard.

"In my life, I, Sun Shouzhen, have never sought official position or wealth. This main hall may be small, but it is where I will retire. My apprentice may be slow-witted, but he is the only heir of the Sun family."

"Don't even mention giving me the treatment of a vice dean, even if you gave me the position of dean, this old man wouldn't want it."

"If you want to see a doctor in the future, you'll have to queue up and register. Want to poach your staff? Get lost!"

Liu Dezhi's face turned pale and then red. He wanted to get angry but didn't dare, so he could only slink away with his men.

As she reached the door, Meng Yaya suddenly called out in a clear voice, "Hey, Grandpa Liu!"

Liu Dezhi turned around subconsciously.

"There's a trash can to the left after you go out. Remember to clean your eyes before you leave next time!"

The little girl smiled innocently, holding a wooden toy gun and making a gesture, "Bang!"

Black Wind rushed over perfectly, barking twice, which startled Liu Dezhi so much that he almost lost his shoes.

The courtyard erupted in laughter.

"Alright, the formalities are complete, and the authority has been established." Gu Changfeng glanced at his watch. "Wife, let's hang up the sign. Today, our main hall will officially open for business!"

Just as the family was joyfully preparing to hang the red silk, Meng Yaya felt a chill on the back of her neck.

Gu Changfeng, carrying a small military green canvas backpack, walked towards her with that sly smile typical of a "kind father."

"Ya Ya, Dad wants to talk to you about something..."

Meng Yaya took a step back warily: "I don't eat candy! I don't want new clothes! Just say what you mean, don't smile so creepily!"

Gu Changfeng waved the little schoolbag in front of her: "Your mom is busy with the clinic, and your grandpa Sun is on duty, so there's no one to look after you. Dad has enrolled you in a great place; it's full of kids, and there's even a slide to play on."

Meng Yaya was stunned, and an ominous premonition arose within her.

"A childcare center run by government agencies?"