Lu Feng only now noticed a signboard hanging at the far end of the street. Stepping closer, he saw bold ink-brushed characters: Renhe Clinic.

The sign was framed in an ornate border—clearly expensive.

Disaster! His own clinic barely had patients. Now this lavish new rival? His competitive edge was utterly crushed. Would all his customers just vanish?

This was an unprecedented crisis.

Lu Feng smoothed his hair, coughed twice, and shuffled inside feigning illness.

Know your enemy, know yourself—victory follows. Time for recon.

Inside Renhe Clinic: spotless reception desk, bright lights, neatly lined beds, cutting-edge gear. And—damn it!—actual nurses assisting!

True, none as cute or capable as his own diligent little nurse… but still, a twinge of envy.

Master of acting? Absolutely. Slightly hunched, coughing lightly, Lu Feng scanned the room while "sick."

"How may I help you?" A nurse approached.

Professional service, too.

"Uh… feeling a bit overheated. Just chrysanthemum tea," Lu Feng muttered between coughs, eyes darting around.

"Certainly, please wait," the nurse smiled warmly.

"Tsk tsk. Well, if it isn’t my old classmate Lu Feng?" A mocking voice cut in.

Lu Feng turned. Out stepped a young man—gold-rimmed glasses, slightly plump, smirking.

Wu Yuezhe. University classmate. Their relationship? Let’s just say… complicated.

"No wonder I couldn’t reach you. Hiding in this backwater? Careful—your outdated gear might lose signal," Wu Yuezhe said with fake warmth, mockery dripping beneath.

He knew Lu Feng ran a clinic here. Opening one right across the street? Pure provocation.

"Oh," Lu Feng replied flatly.

"Scouting intel, huh?" Wu Yuezhe sized him up.

"Yep," Lu Feng said bluntly.

Wu Yuezhe laughed, clapping his shoulder. "Still brutally honest. No wonder the campus belle ditched you back then."

*Campus belle…* Lu Feng winced inwardly. University days—trapped in the "three great illusions of life," that cringey blunder the whole class mocked.

Too painful to revisit.

"Look all you want. I don’t care," Wu Yuezhe shrugged with a smirk. "Your clinic survives on subsidies. Equipment? Staff? Tech? Medicine quality? You can’t hold a candle to me."

"Even as a doctor—you’re no match. Your half-baked self-taught psychology? Empty motivational fluff. I’ll crush you in minutes with real skill." He poked Lu Feng’s chest.

Lu Feng pursed his lips. Sadly true. Most of his patients came from silver-tongued charm alone.

"Fine. You’re impressive," Lu Feng shrugged, glancing outside. Paused. "But… this is a remote town. Fancy setup or not—who here can afford it?"

"Heh. Don’t worry. I came prepared. Few customers? No problem. I’m targeting high-end clientele." Wu Yuezhe adjusted his glasses; lenses glinted with calculation.

"High-end?" Lu Feng frowned.

"You wouldn’t get it. Took serious time and connections to uncover this." Wu Yuezhe smirked. "Shen Zhan, president of the Nanzhou Heroic Guild—he visited this street incognito."

"Oh," Lu Feng murmured indifferently.

"Wang Sha—key executive of the Azure Feather Society, alias ‘Mr. Black’—also walked this street."

"And?"

"Situ Qingxue, newly promoted S-rank hero? She’s been here too."

"Mm."

"Even forces beyond the Eastern Empire—the Demon Emperor, a Blood Clan princess from afar—all passed through." Wu Yuezhe’s eyes gleamed. "Spot the pattern?"

*Pattern? I barely know Situ Qingxue—and she doesn’t know me,* Lu Feng thought dryly.

"These are elite clients. Their recent appearances signal a trend: more high-net-worth visitors will gather here." A sly smile curled Wu Yuezhe’s lips. "I’ll elevate this clinic to the top. They’ll come begging for treatment. Your low-tier clinic? No chance." He smirked, radiating *‘I knew you couldn’t afford this.’*

"Ah… well, good luck," Lu Feng said with a lip-smack and shrug.

"Heh heh. This intel cost me sweat, cash, and connections. If I don’t strike gold, it’d insult my effort!" Wu Yuezhe declared proudly.

Their university rapport had been frosty. Now rivals? Lu Feng had nothing left to say.

Just as he stepped out, Wu Yuezhe called after him.

"Class reunion next week—discussing internships. Monitor said: drag everyone here. You’ll come, right?" Wu Yuezhe grinned. "You’ve got no business anyway."

*A reunion? Just men flexing wealth, women flexing men. Better to go home and pet my cat.*

"Drinks are on us," Wu Yuezhe added, patting his shoulder.

"I’ll go. Definitely," Lu Feng turned back instantly.

Passing up free booze? That’s against the laws of heaven!