"Chairman Gu, it must be that Liu Yong!"
Niu Qingfeng said, "He specifically approached my grandfather before, saying he wanted to buy our family's ancestral secret recipe, but we refused."
"He definitely reported us to the drug administration for not having a medical license and for illegally manufacturing and selling proprietary Chinese medicines. This sixty million fine must have been his idea, just to force us to hand over the secret recipe!"
This statement made Wan Yunting and Gu Yuanbai raise their eyebrows, asking, "Do you have proof?"
Niu Qingfeng shook his head, but he gritted his teeth and said with absolute certainty, "Although I don't have proof, it's definitely him colluding with the drug administration to impose such a hefty fine."
Wan Yunting and Gu Yuanbai exchanged glances. Seeing that it was after work and the association members were gradually leaving, they felt it was not convenient to talk at the entrance…
So Wan Yunting said, "How about this, you come to my Xiu Yuan Tang clinic on Heping Street tomorrow, and we can discuss this matter in detail then, alright?"
"Yes, yes, yes." Niu Qingfeng nodded excitedly. Wan Yunting said, "Then you two should go back first."
Niu Qingfeng and his grandson nodded and turned to leave.
Wan Yunting also took Gu Yuanbai to his car. The two directly got into the car and left the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association office, heading towards Elder Gu's house. Driving, Wan Yunting sighed, "It seems we need to get rid of those people as soon as possible. Otherwise, if this continues, the impact will only grow."
Gu Yuanbai, sitting in the passenger seat, nodded and said, "When we go to see Elder Gu later, let's not reveal our stance immediately!"
Wan Yunting, driving, glanced at him and nodded.
Soon, the two arrived at the Gu residence. It reminded them of the time they first came to the capital, when they had stayed at the Gu residence.
Now, thinking that Gu Shiren might be the backing behind those people, Gu Yuanbai and Wan Yunting felt a mixture of emotions, very complex.
The butler saw Wan Yunting carrying a medicine box and a paper bag containing two bottles of good wine. He greeted the butler with Gu Yuanbai and was led into the Gu residence by the butler. "The master knows you are coming and has specifically prepared a banquet. He is waiting in the main hall."
The butler said as he led Wan Yunting and Gu Yuanbai towards the reception area…
Upon arriving at a large courtyard, they saw Gu Shiren playing with two young children, clearly his great-grandchildren. Besides Gu Zichen and Gu Sinuo, there were also two middle-aged men and several women. The family was enjoying themselves, chatting and laughing harmoniously.
"Little Wan, Yuanbai, you're here."
Gu Shiren turned his head as the butler led Wan Yunting and Gu Yuanbai in, his old face showing a kindly smile.
"Elder Gu, thank you for the hospitality."
Wan Yunting and Gu Yuanbai went up, smiled, and bowed respectfully.
"Haha, what hospitality? You two haven't been here for a long time, please sit down…"
Gu Shiren picked up his great-grandson, who was several years old, and invited Wan Yunting and Gu Yuanbai to sit on the casual stools in the courtyard.
His second son, Gu Zhongtang, and his eldest grandson, Gu Zhengqing, were sizing up Wan Yunting. They had heard about him long ago but had never interacted with him.
"Zhongtang is back too." Gu Yuanbai smiled and greeted Gu Shiren's second son, Gu Zhongtang.
"Brother Yuanbai, long time no see."
Although younger than Gu Yuanbai, Gu Zhongtang, belonging to the same generation, cupped his fist and returned the smile.
Gu Yuanbai nodded with a smile and then looked at the unfamiliar Gu Zhengqing, asking, "And who is this?"
Gu Zhongtang smiled, "This is Gu Zhengqing, my elder brother's son."
Gu Zhengqing, now middle-aged and distinguished-looking, politely smiled and nodded at Gu Yuanbai, "I should call you Uncle Yuanbai."
"As you should."
Gu Shiren, sitting with his great-grandson in his arms, smiled.
Wan Yunting's eyes narrowed slightly as he observed Gu Zhengqing. He noticed a slight Japanese accent in his speech and asked with a smile, "By seniority, he and I are of the same generation, so I should call him Brother Zhengqing."
Gu Zhengqing looked at Wan Yunting and smiled, "You are the famous Wan Yunting, aren't you?"
Wan Yunting cupped his fist, nodded, and smiled, "Just a false reputation. Brother Zhengqing, why do you have a Japanese accent when you speak? Do you live in Japan often?"
Gu Zhengqing nodded and smiled, "Yes, I do business in Japan and live there most of the time, so my speech has an accent."
"I see."
Wan Yunting smiled and nodded. Then he heard Gu Shiren's two great-grandchildren speaking directly in Japanese.
"Master, the banquet is ready," the butler said, coming out of the living room.
"Good, then let's sit down for dinner."
Gu Shiren, holding his great-grandson, stood up and turned to smile at Wan Yunting and Gu Yuanbai, "Yuanbai, Little Wan, you two must drink with me tonight."
Wan Yunting also stood up, carrying the wine. Gu Shiren's medicine box had already been handed to Gu Zichen. He smiled, "Elder Gu, I brought two bottles of good wine today, specifically to have a good drink with you."
"Haha, good, good, let's go…"
Saying this, the group moved into the living room. A large round dining table was already filled with colorful and fragrant dishes. Under the warm welcome of the Gu family, Wan Yunting and Gu Yuanbai sat to Gu Shiren's left…
Gu Zhongtang, Gu Zhengqing, Gu Sinuo, and Gu Zichen, along with other Gu family members, sat around the table. Gu Shiren smiled and said, "Little Wan, Yuanbai, since we're all family, don't be shy. Eat up."
"Okay…"
Wan Yunting smiled and nodded. The servants also opened the two bottles of aged Maotai wine he brought and poured them for everyone. Wan Yunting raised his glass and smiled at Gu Shiren, "Elder Gu, I must propose a toast to you. Last night at the hospital, I hope you won't hold it against me."
"Oh dear, what are you saying?"
Gu Shiren also raised his glass, waved his hand at Wan Yunting, and said with a relieved smile, "Last night, you saved that foreign ambassador with your Qimen Qiankun needle technique. It truly amazed me."
"But it also proves that your acupuncture skills have reached the realm of perfection and mastery. I am delighted, how could I blame you?"
Wan Yunting nodded repeatedly and smiled, "I was overthinking it. Elder Gu, I'll drink this, you take your time."
He then finished his drink in one gulp. Gu Shiren smiled and also drank his in one gulp. His old eyes lit up, and he raised his glass, saying, "This wine must be thirty years old, right?"
Wan Yunting nodded and smiled, "It's Elder Gu who knows wine. My grandfather only gave it to me after I asked him."
"Haha, good wine! Pour me another one."
Gu Shiren was in high spirits and quickly asked a servant to pour another glass, also gesturing for Wan Yunting and the others to eat.
Wan Yunting and Gu Yuanbai no longer stood on ceremony with the Gu family, and neither did Gu Zhongtang and Gu Zhengqing. They each ate their own meals. Wan Yunting politely toasted Gu Zhongtang and Gu Zhengqing, and then the conversation turned to Elder Gu.
"Alas, it's truly a pity that Little Wan had to step down because of those matters." Gu Shiren then brought up the matter. Wan Yunting smiled without responding.
Gu Shiren said, "Little Wan, don't be discouraged. After a while, when everyone has forgotten about this matter, we will try again and strive to have you continue as the chairman of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association."
"Okay, Elder Gu, I'll listen to you."
Wan Yunting held his wine glass and continued to toast Gu Shiren, but was stopped by Gu Zhongtang, who smiled and said, "Alright Yunting, don't let the old man drink any more. His health hasn't been very good lately, and he can't drink too much. Let me drink this glass for him."
"What nonsense, my health is excellent…"
"Grandpa, you should drink less," Gu Sinuo even chimed in.
Seeing this, Wan Yunting also said, "Alright, then I'll have a drink with Uncle Zhongtang."
Saying this, the two raised their glasses and toasted each other, finishing their drinks in one gulp.
Then Wan Yunting curiously asked, "Uncle Zhongtang, do you usually stay abroad as well?"
Gu Zhongtang nodded, "We have several clinics abroad, so we rarely come back."
"I see, no wonder I haven't seen Uncle Zhongtang and the others at home before," Wan Yunting said with a chuckle.
At this moment, Gu Shiren changed the subject and asked Gu Yuanbai, "Yuanbai, I heard that the education bureau is planning to suspend TCM courses. Is that true?"
Gu Yuanbai put down his wine glass and nodded, "Currently, many parents have jointly complained and petitioned the Ministry of Education to suspend TCM courses, believing that primary school children do not need to learn TCM."
This remark caused Gu Zhongtang and Gu Zhengqing to stop their chopsticks and look at Gu Yuanbai. Gu Shiren sighed and said, "The public doesn't recognize and support us. The path towards the revival of TCM is fraught with difficulties…"
Wan Yunting nodded without speaking.
Gu Shiren looked at Gu Yuanbai and said worriedly, "I'm afraid this matter will affect your position!"
Gu Yuanbai said, "Someone is trying to use this incident to force me out!"
This statement made Gu Shiren's old face falter, and his expression immediately turned grim. He let out a cold snort, "This is simply unreasonable. Besides you, who else can manage the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association and shoulder such a heavy responsibility?"
Wan Yunting's narrowed eyes cast a slight sideways glance at Gu Shiren, but from his angry old face, one could not discern his ulterior motive!
"Yuanbai, don't worry. If those people want you to step down, I will be the first to disagree!" Gu Shiren immediately slammed the table and promised.
Gu Yuanbai nodded and raised his wine glass, "Thank you, Teacher."
Gu Shiren waved his hand and urged them, "Eat your food, don't let it go to waste…"
After eating and drinking their fill, Wan Yunting and Gu Yuanbai accompanied Gu Shiren to the tea pavilion in the courtyard, where they drank tea and chatted. It wasn't until half-past nine in the evening that the two got up to take their leave.
"Zhongtang, see Yuanbai and the others out."
"Yes, Father."
Gu Zhongtang nodded. Wan Yunting and Gu Yuanbai bid farewell to Gu Shiren and were escorted out of the Gu residence by Gu Zhongtang.
Gu Zhengqing came out from inside and happened to see Wan Yunting and Gu Yuanbai leaving. He went straight to Gu Shiren and sat down, saying, "Grandpa, these two came tonight clearly not just to drink and chat with you!"
Gu Shiren, who was lying on the lounge chair with his eyes closed, smiled slightly at the corners of his mouth, revealing a cold smirk…