Chapter 609 Treating Ulysses' Illness

Chapter 609 Treating Ulysses' Illness

Ulysses's scheme was something James knew nothing about. After bringing Valentin back to JZL Medical Clinic, he told Troy and the others to keep a close eye on things.

Then he found a room and got Valentin settled in.

James had originally planned to send him back to the nursing home, but Valentin said he wanted to spend the night at JZL Medical Clinic.

James didn't argue. He took him in, simple as that.

Early the next morning, James practiced the Shadowless Heart Sutra in his room, then freshened up and headed out for breakfast.

When he stepped outside, he found Valentin already up, sweeping the courtyard with a broom.

Dressed in grey with gloves on, he was carefully cleaning every corner, looking just like an ordinary street cleaner.

"Uncle Valentin, what are you doing?"

James was surprised to see him hiding his edge like this. He rushed over and grabbed Valentin's hand:

"We can handle this kind of work. You're an elder and a guest — if you're doing chores at JZL Medical Clinic, that's embarrassing for me."

"Besides, you're still recovering. You really shouldn't be doing this."

James tried to reason with him: "Go sit in the lobby, have a cup of coffee, and we'll have breakfast together in a bit."

"I've been sitting in that wheelchair for twenty years. I don't want to be idle anymore."

Valentin smiled, his words carrying a double meaning: "And you saved my life — sweeping the floor is the least I can do."

"Uncle Valentin, don't talk like that. Saving you or not — there's no need to be so formal between us."

James reached for the broom: "And you've helped me plenty of times too. You really shouldn't be doing this."

"James, let me ask you something."

Valentin held James's hand back, his eyes soft and gentle: "I want to stay at JZL Medical Clinic."

"It's not about repaying you for saving my life. It's just that being alone at the nursing home is too lonely."

"I feel like we click well. I want to keep you company and live a simple, happy life for a while."

"See if there's anything here I can help with."

"If I can't be useful up front, I can sweep and keep the door."

"Don't worry, I don't need a salary. Just room and board is fine."

Valentin looked at James sincerely: "Bottom line — Uncle Valentin is planning to stick around here for a year or so."

Valentin wanted to stay at JZL Medical Clinic and do odd jobs?

James was caught completely off guard.

This was the Dragon's Breath King East. He didn't know much about Valentin's past, but from those two times he'd stepped in, James could tell this was someone at the very top.

Valentin smiled at James's stunned expression: "What, not welcome?"

"No, no, that's not it."

James shook his head quickly: "I just feel it's not right. Uncle Valentin is someone of real standing — staying at JZL Medical Clinic like this..."

Valentin cut him off:

"I've been away from that world for twenty years. I'm nobody special anymore. And honestly, I prefer a quieter life now."

"Just tell me — am I welcome or not?"

He put on a mock-serious face: "Are you worried I'll bring trouble to your door? If so, I'll leave right after breakfast."

"Not at all. Having Uncle Valentin here — I couldn't ask for more."

James didn't say another word. He reached out his hand with a smile: "Uncle Valentin, welcome to JZL Medical Clinic."

"Now that's what I like to hear."

Valentin laughed heartily and shook James's hand firmly.

After breakfast, James introduced Valentin to Daniel and the others, and set him up at the medicine cabinet to help dispense herbs.

Valentin had survived battlefields soaked in blood. He'd patched himself up and others countless times, and had a solid foundation in medicine.

In less than half a day, he had the hang of it and was working away with real energy.

Watching Valentin settle into the JZL Medical Clinic family, James felt the worry he'd been carrying slowly ease away. He even found himself thinking he'd struck gold.

---

Around three in the afternoon, James saw the patient flow was light and left Calla and the others to handle things. He picked up a book and started preparing for the Eleanor Cup city competition three days away.

Just then, an Audi pulled up. The door opened and a middle-aged man in a wool coat stepped out.

He was carrying a gift box and walked into the clinic with broad strides and a warm smile on his face.

James looked up and froze: Ulysses.

"Dr. Williams, good afternoon. Seeing patients in person — truly the heart of a healer."

Ulysses flashed James a friendly smile, as casual and warm as a neighbor dropping by, and set the gift box on the counter:

"First visit, just a small token — please accept it, Dr. Williams."

Through the clear box, you could see several stalks of he shou wu — aged well, in excellent condition.

If not for the memory still fresh in James's mind of Granny Nether's ambush and the confrontation at Glowing Oasis hotel, he might have almost been won over by Ulysses.

"Mr. Gonzalez, I don't think we know each other that well."

James looked straight at Ulysses and got to the point: "Just say what you came to say. Neither of us has time to beat around the bush."

"Straight to it — I like that."

Ulysses dropped the small talk and replied with the same warmth:

"I came today for three reasons. First, to explain what happened last night — that was all Granny Nether's doing, acting on their own. I've already dealt with them."

"Second, to offer three century-old he shou wu stalks as compensation to Dr. Williams, and to personally apologize to you and King East."

"Third — I've heard Dr. Williams has remarkable medical skill. I've been having trouble sleeping lately and would like you to take a look."

There was no denying it — when Ulysses turned on the charm, he was airtight. The kind of person who could quietly dissolve your guard without you even noticing.

James reminded himself to be careful with this smiling fox, then let a smile of his own appear:

"Mr. Gonzalez, the explanation and apology — neither is necessary. Whether I forgive you, I haven't decided yet."

"If I let you off too easily, won't that just invite more people to push me around in the future?"

"And besides, that's ultimately up to Uncle Valentin."

"He's been busy all morning and is taking a rest now. You probably won't get to see him today."

James didn't even offer Ulysses a cup of coffee. He slid the he shou wu back across the counter: "Please take these back, Mr. Gonzalez."

"Dr. Williams, it does no one good to make enemies — I'm genuinely here to bury the hatchet."

Ulysses didn't get angry, and didn't take back the gift. Instead, he let out a warm laugh:

"Be the bigger person and give me a chance."

"Or if you feel my sincerity isn't enough, just say the word — what would it take to put all this behind us?"

His gaze was steady, his expression earnest, and he made himself come across as genuinely humble.

"You'd be better off coming back tomorrow to speak with Uncle Valentin. This is his call to make."

James sat up slightly straighter: "But if Mr. Gonzalez is here for medical care, that I can handle."

Ulysses was eager to see Valentin, but he could see James wanted to make him work for it a little, so he let go of trying to resolve everything today.

He sat down across from James and smiled, extending his hand:

"Alright. No talk of the other matter today — let's just look at what's going on with me."

Coming in as a patient was just a cover. He had a full checkup every six months and was in fine health. But if James wanted to show off his skills, Ulysses was happy to give him that opening.

James reached out and took Ulysses's pulse.

"Mr. Gonzalez's sleep trouble is from carrying too much on his mind. Three doses of a calming formula will take care of that."

"But what's more serious — and more dangerous — is a stab wound you took to the abdomen at some point. A triangular military blade. The meridians in that area were badly damaged."

"The surface healed over, but it never fully closed underneath."

"Under the skin, that wound has been breaking open and closing again, over and over, all these years."

"When you were younger, your body could handle it — you bounced back quickly. But now that you're older, if that wound isn't treated properly..."

"It could kill you."