Having crossed back to the modern world, Lu Zheng stretched luxuriously.
He changed clothes, took a shower, picked up his phone, and was greeted by another flood of ninety-nine-plus unread messages.
There were notifications from the 【Martial Alliance】 group, the full-armour fighting group, his mum, dorm mates like Tong Muxuan, plus greetings from Xie Feng and Duan Yukai.
Lu Zheng replied to everyone one by one, then checked Lin Wan’s status.
She had already returned from her business trip, but instead of Haicheng she had gone straight to the northeast.
Scrolling through the 【Martial Alliance】 chat, he learned that a news report had shown traces of a wild Northeast tiger near a town in Heilongjiang Province. It just so happened that both Zhao Xiaodao and Lin Wan were free, so the two girls discussed it, packed their bags, met up in Beidu, and headed north to try their luck.
Lu Zheng rubbed his chin and decided not to interfere. Even without him, it was questionable whether they could find the tiger. And even if they did, a mere tiger was no match for Lin Wan. Nothing to worry about.
On the other side, Xie Feng must have seen that Lu Zheng was online and immediately replied.
Lu Zheng remembered promising to bring Xie Feng some wild medicinal herbs, so he had kept an eye out during this trip.
Both Guanglin Province and Chuandong Province were covered in vast forests. The places he could reach were far deeper than ordinary herb gatherers could manage. As long as he did not demand spiritual herbs, ordinary wild medicinal materials were available in limitless supply.
After all, in ancient times spiritual qi was abundant. Even common wild herbs had far greater age and potency than their actual years of growth would suggest.
“This time I collected another batch. I have ginseng, polygonatum, poria, and reishi, all over a hundred years old with outstanding efficacy. Let me know when you’re free to come and choose what you want.”
Lu Zheng was not particularly concerned about the money, but considering the flood relief last time, staying on good terms with Xie Feng was useful. Who knew when he might need the man’s help again?
Besides, it only meant occasionally bringing some wild herbs from the ancient world. Hardly a big deal.
“I’m free, I’m free!” Xie Feng laughed over the phone. “I’m just an idle director with nothing to do. I’m always available. If Mr Lu isn’t busy today, I can come this afternoon and we can have a small gathering tonight?”
“Sounds good,” Lu Zheng agreed. “Just give me a call when you arrive.”
After hanging up, a message from Duan Yukai arrived almost instantly.
Duan Yukai: Mr Lu, do you have a moment for a call?
Lu Zheng: Sure.
Less than ten seconds later, Duan Yukai rang.
“Mr Lu!”
“Mr Duan!”
“I dare not accept such a formal address. Just Old Duan is fine.”
Duan Yukai was now extremely humble, because he knew quality when he saw it.
Whether it was Lu Zheng’s peerless medical skill, the miraculous pills he refined, or his ability to obtain wild herb kings, none of these were things ordinary people could achieve.
At the very least, the chairman of a top-tier pharmaceutical group like himself could not do it.
“Mr Duan is too polite. That would be disrespectful,” Lu Zheng laughed. “I’m also friends with Mr Xie and Mr Liu. It’s only a form of address. Please don’t mind it.”
Calling someone “Mr Duan” sounded respectful, but it actually created distance. Not just anyone could get Lu Zheng to call them “Old Duan”.
Since Lu Zheng refused to take the bait, Duan Yukai did not dare push too hard. “All right, whatever you prefer!”
After a brief pause, Duan Yukai continued, “Mr Lu, you’ve just returned from outside? Do you have time? My father and I would like to invite you for a small meal to express our gratitude.”
He had already sent the examination results to Lu Zheng earlier, thanked him, and invited him to dinner.
But at the time Lu Zheng was in a hurry to return to the ancient world, so he used the excuse of going out to purchase stock and politely declined, saying they could do it another time.
Afterwards, Duan Yukai would occasionally send greetings, but never received a reply. The moment he finally got one, he immediately renewed the invitation.
Before Lu Zheng could politely refuse again, Duan Yukai pressed on. “Last time I was too rash and extremely rude. Please give me a chance to apologise in person!”
Lu Zheng really did not mind. “You already apologised last time.”
“But I still feel guilty. And that day we rushed straight to the hospital afterwards, so I never even toasted you properly,” Duan Yukai said. “When I told my father about it later, he scolded me severely and was also stunned by your medical skill. He would like to meet you in person and seek some guidance.”
Lu Zheng gave a faint smile. “I wouldn’t dare. Elder Duan is a grandmaster of Chinese medicine. What could I possibly discuss with him?”
Duan Yukai replied, “There is no seniority in learning; the accomplished is the teacher. Besides, even my father cannot perform that silver-needle blood-guiding technique of yours.”
“Come to think of it, when Father heard my description, he knocked over his brush holder in shock. Quite undignified of him,” Duan Yukai laughed.
Sharing a little family embarrassment and poking fun at himself helped close the distance.
“Very well,” Lu Zheng agreed. “I should be free these next few days. Oh, but not tonight. Mr Xie is coming over tonight…”
“Mr Xie is coming because you’ve brought in another batch of wild herbs?” Duan Yukai asked.
“Mm,” Lu Zheng confirmed.
“Could I come and broaden my horizons?” Duan Yukai laughed. “I’ve met Mr Xie a couple of times since the last incident. We’re on familiar terms.”
“That’s fine. Let’s all meet together then.”
It would save Lu Zheng the trouble of two separate meals.
…
There was no need for Lu Zheng to call Xie Feng again. Duan Yukai rang him directly, took charge of the arrangements, and booked a private cuisine restaurant, telling Xie Feng to head straight there.
Xie Feng, who had already left Nandu and was on the expressway, put down the phone and grumbled to the secretary beside him, “This Duan Yukai really knows how to climb the pole the moment he grabs the snake. He latched onto Mr Lu through that life-saving favour, and now he’s eyeing our herbs!”
The beautiful secretary silently rolled her eyes, thinking, Those are Mr Lu’s herbs, not ours. But on the surface she naturally stood united with her boss.
“I heard that Mr Duan once offended Mr Lu. He’s trying to make amends now. Mr Xie, your relationship with Mr Lu is so good and our cooperation has always been smooth. We never delay payments. What do we have to fear from him?
“Besides, didn’t you say you helped Mr Lu out of a tight spot last time? As long as we maintain this relationship and make sure Mr Lu never loses out in business, he won’t suddenly cut ties with us.
“What’s more, with medical skill like Mr Lu’s, becoming famous or rich would be effortless if he wanted to, yet he clearly doesn’t care about those things. He values feelings above all.”
After analysing the situation thoroughly for Xie Feng, the secretary concluded, “So as long as we treat him sincerely, we can continue cooperating with Mr Lu.”
Xie Feng stared blankly at his secretary for a moment, then nodded. “That actually makes a lot of sense!”
“As Pregnent Hall’s major client, of course I have to analyse our partners carefully,” the beautiful secretary replied with a smile, accepting the praise while hiding her true thoughts. She quietly pressed her thighs together.
