Zheng Ming, Liao Changwei, and Qin Guomin were called away by Elder Huang shortly after arriving at the villa.
Elder Huang and Elder Li had no intention of leaving that night.
Logically speaking, with Elder Huang and Elder Li's presence, security should have been paramount, and they shouldn't have stayed at someone else's home.
However, Xia Feng's presence made this the safest place.
Within the villa were Xia Feng and Long Aotian, while outside stood over a hundred internal guards.
Staying at Xia Feng's place was a great show of respect towards him, and Zheng Ming, Liao Changwei, and the others were secretly astonished, realizing they had underestimated Xia Feng's status.
They now felt an urge to place Xia Feng above all others.
Liao Changwei remained silent for the entire journey back. The events of the day were too horrifying for him to process immediately.
From this day forward, it was as if such a terrifying figure would permanently exist in Modu.
"Elder Luo, hello."
Liao Changwei made a call to Luo Youkang on the way back.
"Mayor Liao, what is it?" Luo Youkang asked politely.
"Nothing much, just calling to check in. Han Xiang is your successor and the future focus for cultivating traditional Chinese medicine. You must ensure she studies diligently," Liao Changwei said earnestly.
He knew that leveraging someone like Xia Feng wasn't something one could simply do at will; Qin Guomin's ability to do so was entirely thanks to his nephew and daughter, a matter of opportunity.
He believed he lacked such an opportunity, so he turned his attention towards Luo Han Xiang.
Luo Han Xiang was Xia Feng's student, and as her teacher, Xia Feng would likely show some consideration or favor.
Although this hadn't manifested yet, building a good relationship with Luo Han Xiang now would undoubtedly be beneficial.
These were all astute individuals, capable of sensing the slightest change and acting proactively with foresight and planning.
Could Liao Changwei have risen to the extremely powerful position of Mayor of Modu if he were ordinary?
After all, the position of Mayor of Modu was no ordinary mayorship; he wouldn't trade it for the position of Party Secretary in many other provinces.
The events he witnessed in the villa that day were vivid in his mind, yet he couldn't speak of them publicly. Therefore, he had to pave his own path to success.
"Thank you for your concern, Mayor Liao. I will certainly instruct Han Xiang to study diligently under Professor Xia. Professor Xia's exceptionally high level of medical skill at such a young age means Han Xiang will surely benefit from following him," Luo Youkang replied.
Luo Youkang had always held Xia Feng's medical skills in high regard and had long wished to meet him in person.
He wanted to seek his guidance or perhaps engage in a discussion of experiences.
After all, he was an experienced traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, with decades of practice; surely his experience surpassed that of the young Professor Xia.
However, after his granddaughter's invitation was rejected once, Luo Youkang couldn't find a suitable excuse to invite him again.
"It is our duty. Han Xiang is the future of Chinese traditional medicine, and it is part of our responsibility to show concern for her," Liao Changwei said politely.
"Haha... Thank you for your concern, Mayor Liao. Mayor Liao, are you planning to invite Professor Xia? If you do, could you perhaps include me? I also wish to meet Professor Xia and seek some guidance."
Luo Youkang recalled something Liao Changwei had said during their meal and directly asked.
Liao Changwei was startled and quickly replied, "Elder Luo, please don't speak carelessly. What qualifications do I have to invite Professor Xia for a meal? Please don't make such jokes in the future."
If not for the events of today, Liao Changwei would have readily agreed and admitted his desire to invite Xia Feng for a meal.
But things were different now; forget inviting him for a meal, simply being able to dine at the same table as Xia Feng would be a blessing from past generations.
Luo Youkang was somewhat surprised by Liao Changwei's reaction. Weren't things fine during their meal?
Why was he speaking so agitatedly now?
Luo Youkang didn't overthink it, assuming that Liao Changwei's statement was a display of respect towards Xia Feng for bringing honor to China at the American Medical Exchange Conference.
"Alright, we'll talk about it if there's an opportunity in the future," Luo Youkang said.
"Elder Luo, if you have a chance to see Xia Feng in the future, please help me." Liao Changwei's words left Luo Youkang somewhat bewildered.
What opportunity did he have?
Apart from his granddaughter being Professor Xia's student, there were no other connections.
"Mayor Liao, I don't have any opportunities either," Luo Youkang stated truthfully.
He wished he had opportunities, but Xia Feng had refused.
Besides inviting him through Luo Han Xiang, he had no other avenues.
"There will be."
Liao Changwei said with great certainty.
"Ah? I hope so. If it truly happens as Mayor Liao says, I will certainly not forget you," Luo Youkang said, feeling confused. Big Wind Novel
"Alright, alright, then I thank you in advance, Elder Luo," Liao Changwei said gratefully, his heart content.
With Luo Youkang's words, he no longer worried about Luo Youkang going back on his word in the future.
"Mayor Liao, you are too polite."
After a brief casual chat, the two hung up.
Even now, Luo Youkang hadn't fully recovered. The way Liao Changwei spoke to him today was somewhat different, and he felt that Liao Changwei's words had hidden meanings.
On the way back, Zheng Ming also made a phone call, informing Li Chaoren to meet Elder Huang and Elder Li at Xia Feng's villa tomorrow.
Li Chaoren was extremely excited upon receiving this news.
It wasn't that he was thrilled about meeting Elder Huang; at his age and status, he had met all sorts of important leaders before.
Apart from happiness and pride, there was no excitement.
The true reason for his excitement was that the meeting location was Xia Feng's villa.
It was the villa where Old Wang resided daily, a place he yearned for.
He had also revised his perception of Xia Feng. After extensive investigation, he had already deduced that Xia Feng was a formidable figure.
He hadn't expected Xia Feng to have such good relationships with Elder Huang and the others. The fact that Elder Huang chose Xia Feng's villa as the meeting place spoke volumes.
In short, there were two words for it: incredibly awesome.
"Dad, the meeting with Elder Huang and Elder Li is a major event!" Li Zegui also exclaimed with excitement.
He was genuinely excited. How could he not be excited about his father being received by Elder Huang?
"This is indeed a major event. My nationality has been changed back, and my business focus will now shift entirely to the domestic market. This way, after I'm gone, I can confidently hand over the family business to you."
Li Chaoren was already of advanced age. His decision to redirect his assets back to China in his later years was because he knew that Li Zegui could not manage the overseas ventures.
"Dad, don't say that. We are still counting on you to lead the family to even greater heights," Li Zegui said, suddenly feeling a touch of melancholy.
Seeing his father's health declining year by year, he was also worried.
After all, he was over ninety years old, and everyone worried about his health.
Although many family affairs had already been handed over to his and his brother's hands, their father was still the helmsman, and they couldn't do without him.