"It’s just a title. Call me whatever you like. For the past three years, at the very least, you’ve been like family to me," Joseph said with a nod."Really?" Heidi’s eyes glistened with sudden emotion, her voice trembling slightly."Of course. Why would I lie about something like this? You asked me this once before, and my answer hasn’t changed. It never will. Now, why are you crying? You’re already eighteen—an adult! In a couple of years, you’ll probably be married, so why get all teary-eyed over this?" Joseph teased gently, handing her a tissue when he noticed her misty eyes."It’s your fault for always saying such sentimental things! You know how easily I cry," Heidi sniffled as she wiped her tears, her tone defiant yet tinged with joy. "And who says I’m getting married? I’m not leaving—I’m staying with you, brother-in-law, no matter what!""Stay with me if you like. As long as it makes you happy," Joseph said with a resigned smile."Hehe… brother-in-law, I’ve realized something—yo
"That’s true, but his injury wasn’t nearly as severe as something requiring surgery—at least, not from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine. It just needed manual realignment. The procedure is highly technical but doesn’t take much time—just a few minutes, really," Joseph said with a faint smile."Wait, you made thirty grand in just a few minutes? That’s insane!" Heidi’s opinion of the situation shifted instantly."If it weren’t for the ‘special circumstances’ surrounding the injury, thirty thousand would hardly be enough. My consultation fees are notoriously high, and even with money, it’s not guaranteed I’d take the case," Joseph said, a hint of pride in his voice."Brother-in-law, you’ve got to teach me how to treat patients someday," Heidi said with a mix of admiration and envy."You’re not exactly short on money. Even though the Cooper family doesn’t give you a huge allowance, you’ve probably saved up quite a bit over the years," Joseph said knowingly.Hearing this, He
Seeing the commotion, Joseph could only gesture for everyone to quiet down."Everyone, if you genuinely have academic questions you’d like to ask, feel free to add my contact information. I’ll approve your requests when I have the time.""But as for those inviting me out to dinner or saying things like ‘my parents aren’t home, why don’t you come over and play games with me’—" Joseph’s voice rose slightly as he continued, "I’m afraid I can’t entertain those requests. I’m very busy.""Fuck, who’s so shameless? ‘My parents aren’t home’? Inviting the professor over to play games? Seriously?""If you’re not here to study, don’t bother adding Professor Wilson. What’s wrong with you people?""Exactly! Girls, can’t you show a little restraint?"Amid the crowd, voices of complaints and indignation rose."Ugh, shut up, you boring straight men. What’s it to you if we invite Professor Wilson over?""Yeah, it’s not that you’re upset we’re being bold—it’s that we’re not being bold with you!""Exact
"I heard Professor Wilson is going to demonstrate a high-difficulty bone realignment technique today. It’s a rare chance to see such a procedure in action, so even grad students from the medical school have come to watch.""Professor Wilson is incredible. His classes are so popular!""Of course they are! I’ve been saying it all along—having Professor Wilson teach Orthopedic Surgery is the best thing that’s ever happened to us."The students buzzed with excitement, their voices filled with admiration and anticipation."Good morning, esteemed professors and fellow students," Joseph began as he stepped onto the podium. His calm, confident demeanor immediately captured the room’s attention. "Many of you attended yesterday’s lecture, so you should already be familiar with me. For those who aren’t, allow me to introduce myself again." He paused, scanning the room with a faint smile. His poised, charismatic presence made it clear he was ready to deliver a memorable lesson."Mr. Wilson, let’
Meanwhile, another round of applause erupted in the classroom. Joseph had just finished questioning over a dozen students and proceeded to offer a detailed analysis of Charles Martin’s injuries.Time flew by amidst the engaging lecture. The students, engrossed in Joseph’s explanations, were surprised when the bell rang, signaling the end of class."Class is over already? That felt so fast!""Mr. Wilson’s lectures are always so captivating. No wonder time flew by.""Every time I attend his class, I feel like I’m opening the door to a whole new world.""At least this semester, we’ll get to attend his lectures regularly!"The students chattered excitedly, their praise for Joseph ringing through the room.But Charles Martin, sitting off to the side, was far less enthusiastic. After enduring an entire class of Joseph’s antics, he finally couldn’t hold back any longer."What’s with this nonsense? You spent most of the class asking students questions, then went on about theory for another tw
“Ventilation, huh? Is that really the reason?” Heidi asked with a knowing smirk.Joseph cleared his throat, trying to change the subject. “Heidi, you’re not even a medical student. Could you even understand my lecture?”“Of course not! I didn’t come here to learn,” she replied matter-of-factly.“Then why are you here?” Joseph asked, taking a sip of water to mask his discomfort.“Obviously, I came to see *you*! And to witness Charles Martin make a fool of himself. I’ve already seen you in action—gotta say, you looked pretty dashing up there, brother-in-law. Why didn’t I notice before how charismatic you are?”Heidi’s words flowed effortlessly, her tone both playful and sincere.“Alright, enough of that. I need to head back. Charles Martin’s hand still needs fixing—if I don’t treat it soon, it might end up permanently damaged,” Joseph said, glancing at the clock.“Why bother? That guy’s been out to get you from the start. Let his hand stay ruined—it’d serve him right,” Heidi huffed, cle
“Let’s get a chair for Professor Martin. He’ll need to sit for this,” Joseph instructed, his voice steady and commanding. The students quickly followed his directions, and soon everything was prepared.An eerie silence settled over the room. The atmosphere grew tense, and even Charles Martin, now seated, felt an inexplicable chill.“Does anyone have something for Professor Martin to bite on? I’m worried he might bite his tongue,” Joseph said suddenly, breaking the silence.“Wait, hold on, Professor Wilson—will it really hurt that much? Enough for me to bite my tongue?” Martin asked, his voice trembling slightly.“Professor Martin, your hand is severely swollen. To restore it through manual adjustment, there’s only one way,” Joseph said, pausing deliberately as if to build suspense.“What… what way?” Martin’s voice wavered, his growing dread evident.“Strength brings miracles,” Joseph declared, his tone calm and matter-of-fact. “Since strength is involved, the pain is inevitable.”With
“Young and fearless—that’s what I see in you. It reminds me of my own younger days. As we age, it’s not that our skills diminish, but our courage does.”“I can already feel the fresh energy Professor Wilson has brought to our department. Our field of traditional Chinese medicine sorely needs more talented young doctors like him.” The professors from the TCM department clapped and spoke with admiration, showering Joseph with praise.“Professor Wilson, today you’ve truly opened my eyes,” Leonard Sanchez said as he approached Joseph, extending his hand for a firm handshake. This lecture was undoubtedly a moment of pride for the TCM department, especially with so many attendees from other disciplines and modern medical institutions.“Your courage is remarkable, Professor Wilson. Faced with such a complex case, many of us wouldn’t dare to act,” Geoffrey Harris said as he stepped forward, shaking Joseph’s hand warmly. His tone carried genuine admiration for Joseph’s ability to resolve the
Nova City, Greenfield Villa Heidi stepped out of her car and walked toward her house. But as she opened the front door, she was startled to see a man mopping the floor inside. "Charles Martin? What are you doing here? Why are you in my house?" Heidi asked, her face full of confusion."Heidi, you’re back," Charles Martin greeted her with a fawning smile the moment he saw her. "Mom, Dad, what is he doing in our house?" Heidi frowned as she stepped inside. At that moment, Maria Long and Geoffrey Harris were lounging in the living room, watching TV. "I invited Charles over for dinner today! He’s so diligent—not only did he mop the floor, but he’s also going to cook for us later. Honestly, he’s so much better than that Joseph," Maria said with a beaming smile. "Exactly! Charles’s cooking skills must be leagues ahead of Joseph’s," Stephen Cooper chimed in, equally pleased. Hearing the word "cooking," Charles Martin’s heart sank. He had only intended to wash some vegetables and mop t
"Think about it. Over the years, so many renowned doctors have examined your grandfather, yet none of them have attempted aggressive treatments. That suggests they didn’t have enough confidence—they wouldn’t dare act rashly without fully understanding the cause of his condition." "But Charles Martin is different. He’s overly ambitious and too focused on success and recognition. He might take dangerous risks just to prove himself," Joseph analyzed, his voice calm yet firm. "You’re absolutely right, brother-in-law! I’ve always felt that Charles Martin is someone with questionable intentions," Heidi said emphatically, fully agreeing with his judgment. "Maybe we can take this opportunity for me to personally check on your grandfather. The old man has been asleep for so many years—it’s about time he woke up," Joseph said, his tone carrying a deeper meaning. "I think so too. Tomorrow, I’ll talk to my grandmother and see if she’ll let you take a look at him," Heidi said with a nod. "The
Thrill Amusement Park – Inside a Hot Pot Restaurant In a cozy booth, Joseph and Alice sat side by side as the steaming aroma of hot pot filled the air. Alice busied herself dipping slices of lamb into the bubbling broth. Once cooked, she carefully blew on the piece to cool it down before placing it into Joseph’s bowl. "Here, Joseph, eat this," Alice said with a bright smile. "I can do it myself. I’m not a kid. You should eat your own food," Joseph replied, chuckling at her earnest expression. "My grandpa told me to take good care of you. But, honestly, you’re the one always looking after me at home. Let me use this chance to return the favor," Alice said seriously, a hint of stubbornness in her tone. "I’m a grown man. I can take care of myself just fine." Joseph shook his head with a smile. "That won’t do! Taking care of you makes me happy. You wouldn’t want to take away my happiness, would you?" Alice retorted with a playful yet determined look. "Alright, alright," Joseph said
At that moment, a tall, sharply dressed woman hurried over. "Hey, where did you run off to? One second you're here, and the next you're gone. You’re unbelievable!" she said, half-scolding, her tone a mix of annoyance and concern. "Mandy, do you remember me telling you about that mission I once took on the northwest battlefield? The one where we had to escort a high-profile individual?" The man pulled the woman aside to a quieter corner and lowered his voice. "Of course, I remember. What about it? I was supposed to go with you on that mission, but I got reassigned at the last minute. Honestly, I still regret not being there with you to witness that moment you said changed your life." "Not to mention, you nearly didn’t make it back from that mission. You were this close to dying a hero’s death," the woman replied, her expression darkening as she recalled the harrowing memory. "That mission... our objective was to escort an incredibly important individual across the border and back
"Thank you, big brother!" The little girl’s voice was sweet and filled with joy."You’re welcome. Happy birthday," Joseph replied warmly, his expression softening."Thanks again, brother. We’ll head off now—my wife’s waiting at home with a big meal prepared for us," the man said as he hoisted the little girl onto his shoulders and disappeared into the crowd.Watching them leave, Joseph suddenly fell silent. His gaze grew distant, as if lost in thought."Joseph, what are you thinking about?" Alice noticed the change in his expression and asked softly, concern evident in her tone."Nothing much… I was just wondering what it must feel like to have parents. I’ve never met mine. From the moment I was born, I was raised by my mentor." "He was strict, teaching me everything I know. My childhood was… very different from most kids’," Joseph said, his voice tinged with faint melancholy."Joseph, you have me and Grandpa. We’re your family. You’re not alone in this world," Alice said gently, w
"Yes! I really want it!" The little girl nodded eagerly, her face lighting up with hope."Consider it yours," Joseph said with a kind smile before raising the rifle again. "Bang!" Another balloon popped—the one marked “23.” "You hit it! You hit it! You’re amazing, big brother!" The little girl squealed with delight, jumping up and down in excitement. "Say thank you to him!" Her guardian nudged her, and the girl immediately turned back to Joseph with a bright smile. "Thank you, big brother! Thank you so much!""Alice, could you help her grab the prize?" Joseph asked, glancing at Alice with a playful grin."On it! Joseph, you’re seriously my hero!" Alice laughed as she helped the little girl collect her Barbie doll."Hey, man! Can you go for the Lego set on balloon 42?" A voice called out from the crowd."Sure," Joseph replied casually, taking aim again. Another shot—a perfect hit. "Holy crap! He’s a sharpshooter!" "One shot, one hit—this guy’s a legend!" "That booth owner i
"Don’t fall for it, man. That air rifle can’t even reach balloon number 99. I tried for the Barbie doll on balloon 23 and spent $300 without hitting it. I could’ve bought three Barbies for that price!" "You think $300 is bad? I spent $700 trying to win the limited-edition Lego set on balloon 42 and still didn’t get it. I’m sick just thinking about it!""This booth is a total scam. Don’t waste your money!" The surrounding crowd chimed in, offering Joseph well-meaning advice to walk away.Joseph simply smiled. He had already observed others playing and quickly deduced that while the rifle’s accuracy left much to be desired, its range was sufficient. For someone without proper training, hitting the target was nearly impossible—but for him, it was another story. "Mind your business! You’re just bitter because you lack skill!" The owner snapped at the onlookers, clearly irritated by their comments."Joseph, maybe we should forget it. It’s not about the money—I just don’t want you to ge
The people still waiting in line looked on with envy, their thoughts unanimous: Why couldn’t something like that happen to me? Three thousand dollars—a sum that, for many, equaled a month’s salary—was handed over so easily. "You’re really something," Joseph remarked, watching Alice as she stood in line. His tone was half-amazed, half-admiring. "It’s just a fair trade!" Alice stuck out her tongue playfully, flashing him a cheeky grin.Thanks to Alice’s bold maneuvering, the two of them managed to buy their tickets in under ten minutes. Not only that, but Alice’s extravagance didn’t end there—she purchased tickets for almost every major attraction in the park. Watching her spend money so carelessly, Joseph couldn’t help but feel a fleeting thought cross his mind: Being a kept man doesn’t seem so bad after all."Let’s go! Come on!" Alice grabbed Joseph’s hand and led him into the amusement park, her excitement palpable.Meanwhile, the young man who had just pocketed $3,000 lingered
"How about this—let’s skip lunch since we just had breakfast. We can eat out around three instead," Alice suggested, pausing to think. "Let’s go to the amusement park first. I want to ride roller coasters, the drop tower, the Ferris wheel… there’s so much I want to do! It’s been ages since I’ve gone out to play." She began counting off her desired activities on her fingers, her tone completely serious. "Why are they all such thrilling rides?" Joseph chuckled softly. "What? Are you scared?" Alice raised an eyebrow, smirking mischievously. "Not at all. You can do whatever you like—I’ll go along with it," Joseph replied calmly. "Great! I’ll go change now. Wait for me," Alice said, hopping up and heading to her room. It wasn’t long before she returned, stepping out with a twirl in front of Joseph. "Joseph, how do I look in this outfit? Isn’t it cute?" She smiled brightly. Joseph glanced her over. "What kind of outfit is this? It’s cute and quite unique," he remarked. "It’s L