Chapter 55 I want a cell phone? No, the system is about to pee its pants!

Time flies like an arrow... Well, actually, Yun Zhan just ate and slept, and slept and ate, and drifted through two months in a daze.

In the past two months, he has thoroughly mastered the "Beijing Entertainment Guide," eating his way from the east to the west of the city, hanging out in theaters and teahouses, living a very comfortable life, and even his chin has become rounder. Eunuch Gao dotes on him like the apple of his eye, giving him whatever he wants, spoiling him into a lazy, good-for-nothing... happy good-for-nothing.

That afternoon, Yun Zhan was sprawled on a recliner in the courtyard, holding a storybook from this era, yawning as he read.

"Sigh, how boring." He tossed aside the storybook, gazing listlessly at the sky. "The entertainment of the ancients was so limited. It was always the same few things: listening to storytelling or watching plays. There wasn't even a short video to watch..."

He smacked his lips, then suddenly a brilliant idea struck him. He tried to do a somersault... but failed. In his mind, he excitedly chanted:

"Xiao Qi! Xiao Qizi! Come out quickly!"

[Host, what are your instructions?] Xiao Qi's electronic voice carried a hint of wariness.

"Can I ask you for a favor?" Yun Zhan rubbed his hands together, a fawning smile plastered on his face. "Look, I've transmigrated here, and even if I haven't done anything particularly meritorious, I've still put in a lot of effort, and even if I haven't put in a lot of effort, I'm still exhausted... This ancient life is just so boring! Could you... hehe, could you take out a loan from your system shop for me to play with a phone? It doesn't have to be the latest model, just something that can connect to the internet and browse Douyin, like watching pretty girls and handsome guys dance! I'll definitely pay you back with the points later! Double the amount!"

Yun Zhan's imagination ran wild: "Then, I can roast a leg of lamb in my left hand and scroll through my phone in my right—that's the life of a god!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he felt the system light cluster in his mind tremble violently, as if he had been struck by a high-voltage electric shock!

【No! No way! Absolutely not!!!】 Xiao Qi's electronic voice instantly rose, filled with unprecedented terror and determination. 【Host! Don't even think about this request! Old debts unpaid, new debts undisputed! No way! Not even a door! The windows are welded shut!】

Yun Zhan was startled by its overreaction: "Hey! Is it really that serious? It's just a phone! With such a big system, you can't even handle something this simple? Stingy!"

Xiaoqi: [...] It's not stingy! It's afraid of dying!

It's "live streaming" right now! That big shot in the Imperial Study forced it to enable real-time video sharing! Now every move Yun Zhan makes is being transmitted to that big shot in sync!

If Xiao Qi were to agree to the host's request and get him a phone so he could watch "beautiful women and handsome men dancing" in front of the big boss... Xiao Qi felt that he would be crushed into electronic dust by the big boss's terrifying luck in the next second for "leading the host to behave improperly"!

Inside the Imperial Study.

Yan Linye was indeed watching the "live stream".

He had just finished dealing with a batch of urgent official business and was looking to see what Yun Zhan was doing to relax. But what he saw was that heartless little brat lounging in a chair, doing absolutely nothing, and then... he actually wanted to ask that "system" for a "phone"? To watch "beautiful women and handsome men dancing"?

Yan Linye's fingers tightened slightly as he held the vermilion brush, his knuckles turning white.

The air around him seemed to freeze instantly, the temperature plummeting. A storm was brewing in those deep eyes. Good, very good. You've been out having fun for two months, and you've grown bold? You even dare to watch others dance?

Although he didn't know exactly what "cell phone" or "shake" meant, he could guess that they weren't anything "proper"!

Even through the "live stream" signal, Xiao Qi could feel the terrifyingly low pressure and jealousy, which scared her so much that her data stream went crazy. Her survival instinct kicked in instantly, and she gave Yun Zhan another righteous and stern rejection.

Yun Zhan was a little confused and embarrassed. He touched his nose and muttered softly, "If you don't want to give it, then don't give it. In novels, aren't all systems incredibly accommodating to their hosts, with more points than they can spend? How come I'm so unlucky to have such a stingy system like you, and I'm even in debt..."

He became increasingly guilty as he spoke, his voice growing softer and softer. Sigh, it's all tears now; he's probably the most miserable transmigrator in history. Think of all those system novels he read in modern times—which protagonist didn't dominate the world with their system, accumulating endless points? But he, from the very beginning, was in hell mode. Even after finally escaping the palace, he still had to worry about making a living.

"Sigh, life is tough..." Yun Zhan sighed, feeling that he had utterly disgraced all transmigrators.

To ease the awkwardness, and also because of his increasingly thin wallet, Yun Zhan decided to change the subject and talk about something serious.

"Ahem, well... Xiao Qi," he cleared his throat, adopting a serious expression, "you see, we've been playing... uh, researching the market for two months now. It's time to get down to business. Can you help me analyze what I can do now that can both make money and, on the side, earn some points to pay off my debts?"

Seeing that its host had finally stopped being fixated on the dangerous "cell phone," Xiao Qi secretly breathed a sigh of relief and quickly followed suit, eager to prove itself:

[Analysis in progress... Based on the host's current financial situation and potential risks, the following highly feasible options have been selected:]

[Option 1: Establish a primary school. Utilize the host's historical knowledge and advanced educational concepts to enroll school-age children, spread knowledge, and improve public literacy. Stable income, high social benefits, and a small amount of points can be earned.]

[Option Two: Establish a small newspaper. Collect local anecdotes and publish serialized stories (the host can draw inspiration from later novels), guide public opinion, and enrich the cultural life of the people. There is a certain risk associated with this; rewards and points depend on the level of influence.]

Option 3: Open a medical clinic.

Upon seeing the words "medical clinic," Yun Zhan's eyes lit up!

"A clinic! That's great!" He sat bolt upright in his recliner. "Healing the sick and saving lives is such a great act of merit! And it's sure to make money! Medical conditions were so poor in ancient times; even a headache or fever could be fatal. With you here, it'll be a piece of cake!"

The more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed: "Eunuch Gao has been in the palace for so long, he must know a thing or two about common ailments! And for difficult cases, aren't you there? You can scan someone, write a prescription, it'll be a piece of cake! Let's open 'Yun'an Hall,' specializing in treating all kinds of... uh, I mean, all kinds of difficult cases! The price can be a little higher, after all, our technology is advanced!"

Yun Zhan could almost see the piles of silver and glittering points beckoning to him. He even started imagining himself being gratefully called "Dr. Yun" by his patients—that's how it's portrayed in short dramas, isn't it?

[Host, I must remind you that this system is not omnipotent, and using advanced medical functions requires points. Also, practicing medicine requires caution; it involves human life and should not be taken lightly.] Xiao Qi dutifully reminded him, while secretly glancing at the "live broadcast" screen. Seeing that the big shot in the Imperial Study seemed to have softened his expression, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"I know, I know! We know what we're doing!" Yun Zhan waved his hand confidently. "For minor illnesses, Eunuch Gao will handle it; for serious illnesses, you can take care of them; for terminal illnesses... for terminal illnesses, we'll just advise them to prepare for their funerals. That's more than enough! It's settled then! We'll open a clinic!"

Without further ado, Yun Zhan immediately summoned Eunuch Gao and explained his "grand plan."

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Gao naturally offered his unconditional support: "Young master, you are truly kind! Opening a clinic to help people is a great act of kindness and virtue! Although my medical skills are rudimentary, I can still identify medicinal herbs and treat minor injuries and pains! I will go and find a suitable shop right away!"

With the help of Gao Gonggong's money, a small clinic called "Yun'an Hall" quietly opened in their neighborhood a few days later.

The clinic was small and unassuming, with no firecrackers set off at the entrance. A kind-faced elderly man sat in the clinic, while behind the scenes was a mysterious "Doctor Yun" (as Yun Zhan called himself). In the first few days after opening, business was slow; he mainly treated local residents for minor ailments, and the income wasn't even enough to cover the rent. But he managed to earn some points to repay his loan. Yun Zhan wasn't in a hurry. Every beginning is difficult. He even started fantasizing about slowly building his reputation and wealth through the clinic, perhaps even becoming a renowned doctor, and then… hehe, continuing his easy life.

However, Yun Zhan never expected that less than ten days after his clinic opened, he, who was always incredibly unlucky and plagued by bad luck, would actually... be blessed with good fortune this time!

No, it's not about being blessed by a lucky koi fish.

It's a damn plague!

On a sweltering afternoon, several anxious people carried a patient who was vomiting incessantly, had a persistent high fever, and whose body was covered with faint red rashes into "Yun'an Hall," crying and begging the doctor to save his life.

"Doctor! Please, please save my husband! He's been vomiting and has a high fever since yesterday, he's covered in rashes, and he's completely delirious!"

When Eunuch Gao saw the patient's symptoms, his expression changed instantly. These symptoms... were exactly like the epidemic described in medical books!

He forced himself to remain calm and settled the patient in an isolation room in the backyard, while carefully inquiring about the patient's family situation.

Where do you live? Have you been in contact with anyone experiencing similar symptoms recently?

"We...we live in Willow Lane in the south of the city...several households in the lane have had members fall ill in the past few days, with similar symptoms! The government...the government sealed off the lane this morning, saying no one can enter or leave! We haven't returned since we left last night, so it's almost certainly a plague. Eunuch Gao, hurry and report to Yun Zhan."

Yun Zhan, who was drinking tea in the backyard, was startled when he heard Eunuch Gao's solemn report.

"Plague?" He nearly dropped his teacup. "Xiao Qi! Scan it quickly! What kind of plague is this? Is there any hope?"

[Scanning in progress... Preliminary assessment indicates a mutated strain of 'plague,' and considering current medical conditions, the estimated mortality rate is... high. Existing medicinal materials have limited effectiveness.] Xiao Qi's voice was also serious.

Yun Zhan's heart sank. The plague? In ancient times, that was a weapon of mass destruction!

But then, an idea popped into my head uncontrollably—

Holy crap! A chance to make a fortune... no, a chance to save lives and help others, and here it is!

His luck... could it be that two negatives made a positive? Why did this plague have to come right after he opened his clinic? Isn't this just handing him fame, points... and money along the way?

"Eunuch Gao!" Yun Zhan immediately perked up and rushed to the front hall. "Quick! Bring out all our heat-clearing and detoxifying herbs! Send someone to buy more! Also, immediately brew 'epidemic prevention soup' according to... according to my ancestral recipe! Distribute it to the neighbors for free!"

He didn't have any ancestral recipes; he simply had Xiao Qi combine the available medicinal herbs to create a formula that could enhance immunity and have a certain effect in resisting and defending against the plague.

"Young Master, this...this plague is dangerous. Should we close the museum first?" Eunuch Gao looked at Yun Zhan with concern.

"Close the facility? That won't do!" Yun Zhan declared righteously (inner monologue: My points! My money!), "Doctors have the hearts of parents! Especially in times like these, we can't back down! Don't worry, I'm here, everything will be alright!"

He patted his chest, looking confident. In reality, he was panicking, only holding on with his meager trust in Xiao Qi.

Soon, news spread that "Yun'an Hall" not only did not close down, but also began distributing "epidemic prevention soup" for free. In the panic-stricken southern city, this small clinic seemed to become a beacon of light in the darkness, faint yet giving people a glimmer of hope in their despair.

Yun Zhan was overjoyed as he looked at the points in his mind that were slowly increasing due to "helping patients" and "stabilizing public sentiment," as well as the income brought by wealthy households being willing to spend a lot of money to have "Dr. Yun" see him because of his growing reputation.

Meanwhile, Yan Linye, who was watching the "live broadcast," saw his cowardly yet money-grubbing expression and a helpless yet indulgent smile curved his lips.

This greedy and cowardly little swindler... accidentally did a good deed.

However, this plague was far more complex and dangerous than he had imagined. How long could Yun Zhan's "lucky charm" last?