Chapter 5 No need to ask! Dad!

"Experts have personalities, huh? Haha, haha."

Jack hadn't anticipated that Ryan would reject his offer so bluntly, without even entertaining a negotiation. The refusal stung Jack was used to people bending over backward for his money, especially in the underground fighting scene. To mask his embarrassment, he let out a few awkward chuckles, his fingers twitching slightly as he adjusted his cufflinks.

Glancing at Ms. Taylor beside him, he forced a smile. "Ms. Taylor, you're the biggest winner tonight. Even as the house, I didn't earn as much as you did."

The surrounding spectators turned their envious gazes toward Ms. Taylor. With one wager multiplied by ten and another by twenty, she had transformed two million into a staggering thirty million. For many, this sum exceeded their entire net worth. Even for someone like Ms. Taylor, who moved in elite circles, thirty million was no small figure.

Yet, she paid no attention to the admiring eyes. As soon as she noticed Ryan leaving, she hurriedly followed, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor. "Ryan!" she called out, her voice carrying a mix of urgency and curiosity.

A flicker of surprise crossed her striking eyes. She hadn't expected the young man she had randomly brought along to possess such remarkable skills. He had moved with the precision of a seasoned fighter, yet there was something almost effortless about the way he dispatched his opponents.

However, in her haste, and with her high heels hindering her movement, she misjudged a step. A sharp gasp escaped her lips as her ankle twisted, sending a jolt of pain up her leg.

"Ah!" Ms. Taylor exclaimed as she lost her balance and lurched forward. Just as she braced for impact, a firm grip caught her mid-fall, steadying her with surprising strength.

"Ms. Taylor, are you alright?" Ryan's steady voice reassured her.

She exhaled in relief but rolled her eyes at him. "Do I look okay? I twisted my ankle! Why were you walking so fast?" Pain flickered across her face as she spoke, her fingers tightening around his arm for support.

Ryan let out a wry smile. "Which foot?"

"The right one," she replied, wincing as she shifted her weight.

Without hesitation, Ryan crouched down, his fingers gently probing the delicate curve of her ankle. Ms. Taylor's face turned slightly pink-her ankle was a sensitive area, and no man other than her father had ever touched it. Before she could dwell on the thought, a strange warmth spread through her foot, and the pain vanished almost instantly.

"Wow!" Ms. Taylor gasped in amazement. "What did you just do?"

"It's just a minor technique," Ryan said with a casual smile. "A simple application of Qi. Anyone who has trained in inner strength can do it."

Ms. Taylor gave him a skeptical glance but decided not to press further. The way he had fought earlier, the way he healed her ankle-none of it aligned with the image of an ordinary young man. There was something mysterious about him, something that intrigued her.

Ryan, noticing her curiosity, changed the subject. "Did you chase after me for something specific?"

"Of course!" Ms. Taylor grinned, her earlier discomfort forgotten. "You helped me win a fortune tonight. I have to show my gratitude. How about we split the thirty million I won?"

Ryan hesitated. Ms. Taylor was undoubtedly generous, offering him fifteen million without a second thought. However, he quickly shook his head. "That won't be necessary."

He understood her intentions-she was trying to keep him within her circle. But Ryan had no plans to stay in the underground fighting scene. He had only fought tonight because he urgently needed money. Now, he had enough. Two million wasn't a massive amount, but it was sufficient for the time being.

Ms. Taylor didn't push the matter. "Alright, but since you helped me win so much, you at least have to let me treat you to a meal another day. You won't turn me down, will you?"

Ryan hesitated but relented. "Give me your number, and I'll contact you."

Ms. Taylor smiled, handing him her phone. After exchanging numbers, Ryan quickly hailed a taxi and headed to the hospital.

Meanwhile, at New Cloud's Medical Centre

A frail middle-aged woman lay on a hospital bed, her face pale and weary. Beside her sat a tired-looking man, tending to her needs with gentle hands. They were Ryan's parents, David Ashford and his wife, Jane.

A crowd of relatives had also gathered in the room, ostensibly visiting Jane but mostly there to exchange gossip and compare their own successes.

"Ethan, I heard you started your own business in college, and now you're a big boss. That's really impressive," David said, admiration in his voice.

David was the second eldest among five brothers. Ethan, his nephew, was a few months older than Ryan and had always been compared to him-especially since Ryan had once been the golden child of the family, excelling in academics and martial arts.

"That's right! Ethan makes four to five hundred thousand a year now," one of the younger relatives chimed in.

"If he's earning that much as a sophomore, he'll be making millions once he graduates," another added.

"Millions? You're underestimating Ethan. He'll be pulling in tens of millions soon!" The flattery grew more exaggerated with each passing comment.

Ethan's father, Endrick, chuckled. "David, don't praise this kid too much, or he'll get a big head."

Despite his words, pride shone in his expression. Ethan himself wore a smug look but remained modest-at least on the surface. "Uncle, you're exaggerating. Ryan is doing well too. I heard he's been learning some impressive skills these past few years."

Since childhood, Ethan had been jealous of Ryan's superior achievements. Now, he finally had the upper hand-or so he thought.

"Haha, impressive indeed," one of the younger relatives sneered. "We saw Ryan recently-thin, dark, and looking like he came out of a coal mine. How could he compare to Ethan?"

David felt a pang of discomfort at the sharp words but remained silent. He still needed Ethan's help.

"Ethan," David hesitated before continuing, "I know this is a difficult request, but your aunt's medical bills are overwhelming. Could you lend us some money? We'll pay you back as soon as we can."

Ethan frowned. Loaning money wasn't something he was eager to do. His aunt's treatment could cost hundreds of thousands. Even if he got the money back, David's salary-and even Ryan's contributions-would take years to repay him. Lending to struggling relatives was always a risk.

Sensing Ethan's reluctance, the other relatives smirked. "David, didn't Ryan master some amazing skills? Ask him for the money."

"Yeah, if Ryan has really learned so much, surely he can come up with a few hundred thousand?"

Their words dripped with sarcasm. David sighed inwardly.

Then-

"No need to ask! Dad!" A firm voice interrupted.

At that moment, Ryan strode into the room. Seeing the large group gathered, he briefly paused before greeting everyone. "Uncle, Aunt, everyone."

"Yes, we were just talking about you," one of the younger relatives smirked. "Wondering what groundbreaking skills you've picked up."

Ryan smiled, unbothered. "Nothing special."

Ethan and the others were momentarily stunned. Was he oblivious to their mocking?

But then, Ryan walked directly to David and handed him a bank card.

"Dad, I've already paid 500,000 in medical bills for Mom. There's another 1.5 million on this card. Use it as needed."

Silence filled the hospital room.

You could hear a pin drop.

The relatives stared in shock, their earlier smugness evaporating. Ethan's face darkened, his fingers tightening around his phone.