The Cao family banquet hall.
Old Master Cao, holding a wine glass, was chatting happily with the people in front of him.
"Old Cao, I must say you have a great life. After being in a coma for over half a year, you actually woke up!"
"That's right! I had already prepared myself to attend your funeral. Well, now I guess I owe you a gift for surviving!"
"Haha..."
Facing the unreserved teasing of his two old friends, Old Master Cao not only wasn't angry but joined them in hearty laughter.
"Heh heh, let me tell you, Old Zhang, it's not certain who will attend whose funeral yet! My brother Han said my physique can last another twenty to thirty years without any problem!"
"Pfft! You're just bragging!"
Old Zhang looked unconvinced.
"It's already a miracle that the doctor could wake you up. You want to live another twenty to thirty years? What, does that doctor also refine elixirs?"
Old Master Cao looked displeased at his words.
"What kind of talk is that! Let me tell you, Old Zhang, you really shouldn't doubt me. My brother Han is truly miraculous! Have you ever heard of a doctor who can enter a patient's dream to treat them? I'd say, you and sister-in-law have been trying to have a child for so many years, you could also ask him to take a look. Perhaps he can really send one to you in a dream."
The other refined man heard this and immediately "tsk-ed," looking at Old Master Cao with a hint of resentment.
"Old Cao, why are you bringing me into this? Besides, after so many years of trying, we've seen so many famous doctors and tried so many methods. Old Cao, don't tease me!"
Although Old Liu said this, a flicker of hope flashed in his eyes, indicating he still harbored some desire.
"Hey, Old Liu! Do I look like I'm joking? Never mind anything else, Old Sun from the Chinese Medicine Association, Sun Liansheng! He respectfully calls my brother Han 'Young Master'!"
"Really?"
"Of course. I wouldn't lie to you two. We've known each other for so many years!"
Seeing Old Master Cao's earnest demeanor, Old Liu began to waver.
He had some understanding of Sun Liansheng's character and medical skills, and had sought him out for this matter in the past. If Sun Liansheng truly felt inferior to this Han brother, as Old Master Cao claimed, then perhaps there was indeed some hope.
"Why don't you ask Old Cao to introduce us, and we can give it a try?"
The well-dressed woman, who had been holding Old Liu's arm, said cautiously.
Old Liu was also tempted, but after so many failures, he still hesitated.
"But... we're both so old now, how can..."
Before Old Liu could finish speaking, Old Master Cao reprimanded him with displeasure.
"Old Liu, you're too moderate in your actions. Can't you be more open-minded for once? You've been disappointed so many times, what's one more time?"
Old Zhang also enjoyed stirring the pot.
"If he doesn't try, I will! Old Cao, you must introduce me. I really want to see if this 'Brother Han' is truly that miraculous. Coincidentally, this back problem of mine is getting worse and worse."
Old Master Cao completely ignored Old Zhang's discomfort and retorted with a teasing smirk.
"Give it a rest! Old Zhang. If your kidneys are weak, they're weak. Why talk about a back problem! You're already old, what are you still embarrassed about?"
Old Zhang was shamed into silence and could only helplessly point at Old Master Cao and mutter with a smile.
"You, you, you."
Just then, Han Lang and Luo Jiaying entered the venue with Sun Liansheng. From afar, they saw Old Master Cao gesticulating animatedly. The group hurried forward to greet them.
Old Master Cao was also very excited to see them and immediately pulled Han Lang forward.
"Ah, Brother Han, you're finally here. We were just looking for you!"
"Looking for me?"
Han Lang was perplexed. He didn't know these people.
"I..." Old Master Cao hesitated, "Let me introduce you first. This is Liu Xiangdong, the Party Secretary of Le City, and his wife, Xiang Hongyun; and this is Zhang Jianguo, the general manager of Le City Urban and Rural Construction Group."
Old Master Cao's introduction was perfunctory. Before Han Lang could shake hands and greet everyone, he put his hand on Han Lang's shoulder and said with great seriousness.
"Let me tell you, these two old geezers don't believe you saved me by entering my dream. You must help me explain it properly."
Before he could finish speaking, Zhang Jianguo objected.
"Hey, hey, Old Cao, what are you saying behind our backs? Who's an old geezer? Besides you, none of us are sixty yet."
"Exactly! You've been to the gates of hell and back, and you still dare to call us old geezers!"
If Han Lang had heard this conversation before knowing their identities, he would have merely thought these two were as playful as Old Master Cao. However, after learning their identities, he was too stunned to speak.
Who would have thought that the dignified Party Secretary and the Construction Group General Manager would be so devoid of authority in private.
"Hey, hey, can you guys watch what you're saying? Look how scared you've made the young master!"
Sun Liansheng, who was an old acquaintance of the two, quickly stepped in to mediate. However, his use of 'Young Master' perfectly corroborated Old Master Cao's earlier statement.
"Old Sun, you can't fool me. This young man is so young, is his medical skill truly better than yours?"
Upon hearing this, Sun Liansheng wished he could rush forward and cover his mouth.
"Old Zhang, my apologies! Heroes emerge from youth! The Young Master's medical skills are far beyond mine!"
Hearing this, Liu Xiangdong and Zhang Jianguo fell silent.
If Old Master Cao's ramblings were hard to believe, then Sun Liansheng, who was always upright, would never lie.
Therefore, Zhang Jianguo quickly put on a fawning expression and grasped Han Lang's hand.
"Young Master, it's truly a pity we didn't meet sooner! My back has always been bothering me. Can you take a look?"
Old Master Cao glanced at Zhang Jianguo's obsequious demeanor and continued to tease him.
"Your kidneys are completely depleted, there's no cure! Let my Brother Han examine Old Liu and his wife first."
Zhang Jianguo not only didn't get angry but smiled broadly.
"Yes, yes, Old Liu is a hero of the people and the Party, and my superior. He should go first! Old Liu, please!"
Liu Xiangdong, knowing full well Zhang Jianguo was just teasing him, pretended to be angry and said.
"Comrade Zhang Jianguo, you've gone too far!"
The banter between the three had already made Luo Jiaying laugh uncontrollably. To prevent them from continuing their endless back-and-forth, Han Lang quickly stepped forward and said.
"I am deeply honored by your regard. I am humbled! Today is a joyous occasion. If any of you have any discomforts, I am willing to offer my humble assistance! However, this is not a place for conversation. Should we perhaps..."
Before Han Lang could finish speaking, Old Master Cao immediately reacted.
"There are private rooms upstairs, which would be more convenient!"
Although Old Master Cao enjoyed joking, he understood at that moment how rare an opportunity it was for Han Lang to be willing to help. Perhaps it was largely due to his and Sun Liansheng's influence. Thus, he ignored the banquet and immediately led the group upstairs to the private rooms.
Luo Jiaying did not follow. While these elders were quite amusing, she preferred to find her good sisters for a private chat.
Shortly after Han Lang and his group left, the head of the Gou family, Gou Feng, entered with Gou Xingzhi and Gou Tuizhi. They thus narrowly avoided an unpleasant encounter between enemies.