Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Clarence went back to Thirteen Hall alone. Even though Felix and his men had smashed up the place, all they smashed were some furniture and decorations in the hall.
After more than a day of renovation, Thirteen Hall had long since been restored to its original state.
Clarence checked again and found nothing wrong. He should be able to open for business tomorrow.
At 6 AM, Clarence got up to take a cold shower and change into clean clothes.
At 6.30 AM, he opened Thirteen Hallâs doors.
As soon as he opened the door, he saw an old man and a young man standing like logs at Thirteen Hallâs entrance. They were glaring at him as if someone owed them a lot of money..
Clarence was startled. âYou really came?â
âIâm willing to admit my defeat. I, Trevor Hughes, isnât someone who goes back on their word.â Trevor snorted coldly.
Greyson looked gloomy. He did not want to be here, but he was working on a medical research project and needed Trevorâs help.
Once the research was successful, Greyson would be able to study at a major hospital in Beth City.
Greyson came even though he was reluctant.
Clarence chuckled. âAlright, as we said yesterday, go behind the counter and fill the prescriptions.â
âBe the pharmacist.â
His eyes turned and rested on Greyson. âAs for you, do the chores and sweep the floor.â
âItâs early morning. Sweep the floor clean first.â
âYou...â
Greyson was furious and glared at Clarence. âClarence, just so you know, Iâm a top medical student.â
âIâm also Mediterranean City Champion Hospitalâs chief surgeon, yet youâre asking me to do such things?â
âYou can go if youâre unwilling. Nobodyâs stopping you.â Clarence looked at Greyson indifferently.
Trevor shook his head, and Greyson shut his mouth and stopped talking.
âClarence, though Iâm here to keep my promise, we have to set some rules.â Trevorâs voice deepened.
Clarence was intrigued. âOh? What rules?â
Trevor sneered. âNow that Iâve agreed to fill prescriptions for you, Iâll do nothing but fill them.â
âDonât expect me to consult or give advice to your patients.â
âIâll stay at your clinic for a limited timeâone month.â
Clarence curled his lip. âOnly one month?â
Greyson was furious. âClarence, donât be ungrateful. Do you know who Professor Hughes is?â
âIs a tiny clinic good enough for the leading light?â
âDo you know how many local and foreign hospitals and universities are trying to hire Professor Hughes?â
âSome hospitals even offer a whopping annual salary of one hundred million dollars. Professor Hughes loses at least tens of millions of dollars a month in your clinic. How can you be ungrateful?â
Clarence glanced at Greyson. âWhy do you talk so much? Hurry and sweep the floor.â
âYou...â
Greyson felt like his lungs were about to explode from anger. He flung his sleeves. âIâm just casting pearls before swine.â
With that said, he obediently picked up a broom and dustpan and swept Thirteen Hallâs floor.
âHmph!â
Trevor snorted coldly and silently went behind the counter and stood still.
Clarence smiled lightly. âWould you like some breakfast? My treat.â
âNo thanks!â
Trevor and Greyson shouted almost at the same time.
Clarence shrugged and strolled out of Thirteen Hall. He returned after having breakfast, and it was seven oâclock.
The Humanity Hall across from them was not open yet.
Clarence knew that Humanity Hall did not officially open until 8 AM.
There were already a dozen patients lining up at Humanity Hallâs entrance while Thirteen Hall was very quietâthere was not a single patient.
âGrandma, thereâs a clinic across from here too. Why donât we go there?â a little boy in the crowd asked.
His grandmother slapped him on the hand. âThe clinic across the street is decorated so lavishly. Who dared go in there?â
âCan you take it if you were charged thousands of dollars for treatment?â
âHumanity Hallâs better. Itâs been around for decades, and patients can be reassured.â
Clarence could not hear them. He stood at the door of the Thirteen Hall, puzzled.
âEven if my clinicâs new, itâs not like no one will walk in, is it?â
It was already eight o âclock came, and patients streamed in when Humanity Hall had opened for business.
There was still no one here at Thirteen Hall.
Humanity Hall was full of people by 11 AM, yet Thirteen Hall was still empty.
Even if patients hesitated as they stood in front of Thirteen Hall and Humanity Hall, they ended up going to Humanity Hall.
âWhy doesnât anyone come?â mumbled Clarence.
Trevor chuckled. âYou want to know why?â
âYes.â
Clarence nodded. Of course, he wanted to know why.
âBeg me for it.â Trevor looked smug.
Clarence did not argue and bowed to Trevor. âProfessor Hughes, please tell me why.â
Trevor was slightly surprised. He thought Clarence was going to use his position as Thirteen Hallâs owner to pressure him.
He did not expect Clarence to ask for advice modestly, and that improved his opinion of Clarence.
Trevor replied lightly, âYour furnishing is too lavish. Itâs unlike a clinic but a palace.â
âYour Thirteen Hall is so lavishly furnished that patients would think itâs expensive.â
âOn the other hand, the Humanity Hall across from here had simple furnishing and was also a reassuring warm tone.â
âIf Humanity Hallâs a tame white rabbit, your Thirteen Hallâs a fierce tiger.â
âThe patients are already suffering from pain, and theyâre also at their most defensive at this time. Do you think they would choose a tiger or a rabbit?â
Clarence smacked his head. âI see!â
The clinic was a gift from Jackson, and the decor was as lavish as could be.
The dragon and golden pillars archway at the entrance alone was enough to scare off a group of people.
However, the renovation had already been completed. He could not tear it down, could he?
Clarence had an idea. He rushed to the back, took out a pen and paper, and wrote several words: [Treatment today is free of charge.]
Trevor frowned. âGood idea, but the writingâs...â
âUgly.â
Clarence chuckled and brazenly approached him. âWhy donât you help me write some words, Professor Hughes?â
âHmph! I only fill the prescriptions.â Trevor kept a straight face.
Clarence had no choice but to stick his calligraphy on the huge archway outside.
Sure enough, only free of charge could attract people. It had only been a few minutes, and there were already several patients standing under the archway.
âFree treatment?â
âReally?â
âItâs not a setup, is it? Consultation may be free, but maybe the medical bills are expensive?â
âItâs all a setup!â
The patients discussed.
Clarence stood at Thirteen Hallâs entrance and shouted: âCome in and have a look. Everythingâs free. Thereâs also free tea and free medicine.â
âYo...â
A surly voice rang. âYou have no patients, so you give out free treatments?â
âClarence, I didnât expect you to be so cunning!â
âWhy didnât I see that when you joined the Murphy family?â Belle walked out of Humanity Hall.