Folk rumors say that the most authentic local dishes are often hidden in narrow streets and old alleys. To savor their favorite "chopped chili fish head" and "farmer's stir-fried pork," Han Lang and Luo Jiaying drove to this Xiang cuisine restaurant named "Wisps of Smoke."
Although the street was dilapidated, the popularity was exceptionally bustling.
Just as the two were about to enter, muffled screams from the nearby corner caught their attention.
Following the sound, they saw three or four young men with dyed hair in various colors, wearing non-mainstream clothes from the 1980s, fiercely beating a ragged, unshaven beggar.
The beggar was defenseless and could only curl up, covering his head, enduring the rain of fists and kicks.
Even so, his forehead and the corners of his mouth were oozing bright red blood.
"Stop!"
Luo Jiaying stepped forward without hesitation to stop them.
It wasn't that she was overflowing with a sense of justice or liked to meddle in such affairs, nor that she couldn't bear to see others bullying the weak. It was simply that the kindness ingrained in her DNA made it impossible for her to stand by and watch others suffer.
Whenever she encountered such situations, she was willing to help within her capabilities. Just like the down-on-his-luck youth her parents had helped ten years ago, it was purely out of instinctive kindness.
Seeing Luo Jiaying step forward, Han Lang quickly followed. The group of thugs heard the commotion and saw the approaching man and woman. They immediately stopped beating the beggar and instead, with a menacing air, walked towards Han Lang and Luo Jiaying.
"Who are you, to dare to meddle in my business..."
"Slap!"
Before the "yellow-haired" could finish speaking, Han Lang slapped him, knocking out a tooth.
The "yellow-haired" had never expected the other party to be so dishonorable and act so directly. He stared at Han Lang with disbelief, his words slurring due to the missing tooth.
"You dare to hit me?"
The remaining "red-haired" and "green-haired" quickly reacted. They unconsciously jutted out their lower jaws, their eyes cast downwards, adopting a fierce underbite posture, and charged at Han Lang.
"Slap, slap, slap!"
Same recipe, same taste.
All four were stunned. They huddled together timidly, not daring to advance further.
"Damn it, we're not skilled enough!"
"What should we do?"
"What else can we do? Run!"
"Okay, let's run!"
In just a few breaths, the four young men with missing teeth had decided on a strategy and, thinking they had caught Han Lang off guard, slipped away.
After the thugs left, Luo Jiaying hurried to help the beggar up and asked with concern.
"Are you alright?"
The beggar leaned against the wall, carelessly wiping the blood from his mouth with his filthy sleeve. Without looking up, he said.
"I didn't ask for your help. You yourselves chose to meddle! Don't think I owe you anything!"
Hearing this, Han Lang was immediately angered, but Luo Jiaying stopped him.
"You don't owe us anything. We did it willingly. Is your forehead okay? He's a doctor, do you need him to take a look?"
"No need, I'm fine!"
Seeing that he refused help, Luo Jiaying quickly took out several hundred-yuan bills from her pocket.
"I only have this much cash on me. Since you don't want to accept our help, take this money and buy some medicine yourself!"
The beggar suddenly looked up, revealing his deep, cold eyes filled with murderous intent, staring intently at the two.
Luo Jiaying stumbled back in fright. As Han Lang supported her, he himself was deeply shaken by the beggar's gaze, even feeling a chill run down his spine.
He instinctively shielded Luo Jiaying behind him while adopting a defensive stance.
"Take away your pity. I, Ma Long, don't need anyone's pity!"
The beggar said coldly as he struggled to stand up.
Only then did Han Lang and Luo Jiaying realize that this disheveled and stubborn beggar was actually lame!
Before they could recover from their shock, Ma Long dragged his disabled left leg and limped towards the depths of the alley.
"He must have an incredible story!"
Recalling Ma Long's gaze, combined with his pride and stubbornness, Han Lang was convinced that this disheveled beggar was definitely not an ordinary person in the past. At the same time, he developed a slight liking for this fallen yet still stubborn beggar.
"Yes! For someone like him to be bullied by street thugs, he must feel extremely wronged."
Luo Jiaying not only agreed with Han Lang's guess but also empathized with his inner helplessness.
"Forget it! Nowadays, even anti-Japanese war veterans can be killed by street thugs, let alone a disabled beggar. We've done what we could, let's not let this affect our mood."
"Okay! Let's go eat! I can already smell the chopped chili fish head!"
In this world, only food and love are not to be let down. Moreover, Luo Jiaying was an absolute foodie.
Thus, Ma Long's brief appearance was quickly forgotten by the two, and they enjoyed their meal as happily as ever.
The next day,
Sun Liansheng called, asking if the relevant documents should be delivered directly to Han Lang's home or given to him at the banquet that evening.
Reminded by this, Han Lang finally remembered that today was the day Cao Jian was holding a banquet to celebrate Old Master Cao's recovery.
So, he arranged with Sun Liansheng to meet at the banquet and have the items brought over, saving Sun Liansheng an extra trip.
Soon, it was evening, and Han Lang and Luo Jiaying had already changed into their formal attire and headed to the banquet venue—Le City Jiru Grand Hotel.
In the hotel parking lot,
Sun Liansheng handed all the documents to Han Lang while introducing them.
"The small bag is your appointment certificate from the Chinese Medicine Association. The large bag contains the relevant documents you need. Heh heh... When do you plan to open for business, young sir? I'll be sure to attend!"
Han Lang took the items, threw them into the car without looking, and said.
"Tomorrow!"
"Tomorrow?"
Sun Liansheng was somewhat surprised.
Han Lang closed the car door and turned back with a serious expression.
"Aren't we attending a banquet tonight? When would I have time? Besides, isn't it already past working hours at this time?"
Sun Liansheng was speechless, thinking, is this the question I'm confused about?
However, he dared not say so.
"What time tomorrow? Young sir, please send me the address!"
"Ten o'clock tomorrow! The address isn't necessary. It's directly opposite the main entrance of Qingtian Hospital, called Tianyi Pavilion. You know the name!"
"Opposite Qingtian Hospital?"
Sun Liansheng was even more shocked upon hearing this. He completely failed to understand Han Lang's approach.
Businesses usually try to avoid direct competition from peers to ensure they are the first to tap into the market. But Han Lang, on the other hand, was opening his clinic directly opposite a hospital. Could he still get any business?
"Young sir, you truly live up to your reputation of being skilled and bold. This old man is impressed!"
Han Lang, however, paid it no mind.
"Alright, it's about time. Let's go up."
With that, they all entered the elevator to the banquet hall together.