Doctor Vincent: Starting from a Son-in-law

Chapter 7: Advertisement Again

“Deal!” Chairman Martin nodded in relief and looked at Vincent again.

“Might I ask you, however, you… ‘failed’ your internship, what is your plan? If you are interested, I would like to offer you a job.” Chairman Martin asked in concern.

“Thank you, but no.” Vincent waved his hand.

Chairman Martin was surprised. “Why do you say no? You just did me a big favor, but you refuse to accept mine even though I am helping you? What, you are just doing good things for free?” Chairman Martin joked.

“Well, that’s not true. I…I plan to send my resume to other hospitals to give it a try, maybe...” Vincent replied.

“Forget it, man!” Chairman Martin shook his head. “You didn’t pass the internship in this small hospital, let alone the big hospitals requiring more connections. Without any background, you won’t even make it to be accepted by a small walk-in clinic.”

“I’ll have to wait and see.” Vincent smiled optimistically even though what Chairman Martin said was true. After all, he was no longer the one he used to be.

“Speaking of which!” Chairman Martin suddenly remembered something, poked again in his wallet, took out a business card, and handed it to Vincent.

Vincent was shocked into silence when he saw it, “Huh? This is...”

It was the same advertisement that had literally hit him a night ago.

Advertisement for A Son-in-law indeed.

Only this time, Chairman Martin held it along with a business card.

“Vincent! It just occurred to me that this might be a suitable job for you!” Chairman Martin said, “This is from a friend of mine. Unfortunately, his daughter has some illness and he is desperate to find her a spouse, preferably a doctor!”

Weird disease? A doctor? Vincent was confused, pointed to the paper in his hand. “Isn’t this... about recruiting a son-in-law?”

“Yes! Well, that’s the same!” Chairman Martin nodded, “The girl’s grandfather even came to my father and I and pleaded with us to introduce them to some eligible doctor. Don’t worry about the money. Now that you got time and are lacking money as well, why don’t you give it a try?”

“Well…” Vincent rubbed his head, “Why didn’t they go to the hospital?”

“Of course, they did. Not just Fairfax, they went to the hospitals in the capital and almost all the big cities for treatment as well. But all their efforts were in vain!”

Chairman Martin paused, “Some said that something evil has got into her. I don’t buy it, but home remedies might help. Since you are good at medicine and acupuncture, maybe...”

Before Vincent replied, Chairman Martin’s father patted him on the shoulder, “Vincent, just go and try it out. I am familiar with the girl’s grandfather. He is very anxious to help his granddaughter. You should also know that the girl will inherit the company of her family! Her grandpa even promised that anyone who could cure his granddaughter could marry her as well!”

“So, the advertisement is for real?” Vincent scratched his head helplessly, “But I have no intention to be a son-in-law.”

“They just said that to show their sincerity! If you are able to cure her, regardless of her grandfather, the girl herself might fall for you, a handsome and capable man that you are. The girl is beautiful too, just so you know,” the old man winked at Vincent.

Chairman Martin nodded in agreement with a smile.

“Oh, I see.” Vincent nodded and put the card into his pocket, “Well then, I’ll go and check it out tomorrow morning.” Even though Vincent was skeptical of this being real, he thought he would try it out. It would not hurt to try, would it? After all, he was without a job right now and he needed to pay the damn rent Mrs. Brown was yapping on about.

“Do your best! Show them your skills! I will also call them later so that you can get to them directly without waiting! The address is on the card.”

“Okay, thanks.”

Chairman Martin was happy, seeming like he was glad to do something for Vincent. Then he looked at his father, “Dad, shall we... go home?”

“Yeah, sure! Let’s go home! What a mess today. Hospitals are not a good place to stay.” The old man also got out of bed slowly, moved a bit, and finally walked out of the ward with Chairman Martin’s help.

“You are not leaving? Can I drive you home?” Chairman Martin looked back at Vincent.

“That won’t be necessary! I can go back by myself. Chairman Martin, just take care of your father!”

Chairman Martin nodded and looked at Vincent with admiration before walking out.

There was a 7-series BMW parked in front of the hospital. Vincent watched through the window as a driver and a secretary hurriedly opened the door for Chairman Martin and his father. Chairman Martin seemed to be a big figure in the city, Vincent thought. It is good I have his contact!

Vincent shook his head and started to pack up his belongings, not that there were much actually. Since the medical expenses were offset with his salary, he had nothing more to deal with. He simply changed his clothes, walked out of the hospital, and returned home.

______

It had been an hour of constant yelling before the dean finished his rebuking of Mr. Johnson. He then ran back to the ward to look for Vincent. When the nurse told him that Vincent had discharged himself, the dean was pissed off and continued to scold Mr. Johnson once more. All because of him, his hospital’s reputation was down the drain and he had lost such a bright student! From the angry voices inside, people outside were all aware that Mr. Johnson would have to forgo his performance bonuses for three months if not resign!

______

When Vincent went back to the alley and passed his building, he looked up at his balcony and then the spot where he had fallen. Even though the height was low, some things were smashed. He winced; this should have hurt a lot more than what it hurt like. Was there a reason he did not feel much pain?

Was it possible that the light had transformed his body?

Vincent shook his head. Seeing from his phone that it was already 2:00 am, he went upstairs, unlocked his apartment, and went straight to bed before barely washing.

Going to sleep? However, his body thought otherwise. Even though he felt so tired, Vincent had more interest to study the newfound strength and power in his body!

Focusing his attention on his mind, somehow that same scene he had seen before appeared magically.

The void he had dreamed of in the hospital bed appeared again, but this time it was simpler: the particle-like things merged and separated in front of him, leading his thoughts and the meridian power in his body to work together.

As if finishing a round of expiration and inspiration, Vincent felt himself brand-new and more energetic. Before Vincent realized it, he fell into a dreamless sleep.

Early the next morning, Vincent got up to a strange smell. He blearily opened his eyes and found a thin layer of green stains on his body, which was pungent smelling. He frowned in disgust and confusion and hesitantly touched it slightly but it was too disgusting to bear, so he ran to the bathroom to take a bath.

After showering and dressing up for the day, he felt much better. While styling his hair, Vincent felt he had a different temperament after his ‘transformation.’ He was more confident of himself, despite how low he had been feeling because Lora had left him.  

He walked downstairs and ran into Mrs. Brown and the two guys he had seen last night. They widened their eyes when they saw him and quickly ran over.

Ugh great, Vincent thought. What the hell do they want now?

Vincent shook his head, greeted them simply, and then walked out of the foyer before they could say another word. He did not want to deal with their bullshit right now.

He walked to the bus station and waited for the bus that would take him to Chairman Martin’s friend’s house.