"What… what's going on, Wuming?" Su Yuanshan, snapping out of his shock, couldn't help but break the brief silence in the Su family's ancestral courtyard and voice the confusion of everyone present except Su Shiyun.
"Grandpa, today is your eightieth birthday, and Wuming has prepared three gifts for you. First, the Qin family will protect the Su family from now on! Second, the Su Group and Longteng Pharmaceuticals will jointly produce and sell the Blood Vitality Pills! Third, Miss Li Lianyi will treat your lung condition!" Su Shiyun excitedly interjected, casting a glance at Su Wu's family of four. "Didn't you say my brother didn't prepare a gift for Grandpa?"
Sensing Su Shiyun's gaze, Su Shiwei, Xia Hong, Su Wu, and Su Li felt their faces burn. Compared to the three gifts Jiang Wuming had prepared for Su Yuanshan, their own offerings were less than trash!
"Wuming…" Su Yuanshan looked at Jiang Wuming, his face filled with emotion, his voice choked. While the Su Shiwei, Su Shijie, and Su Shiying families were unaware of Jiang Wuming's background, Su Yuanshan knew. Jiang Wuming was not a true member of the Su family, yet he had done more for the Su family than Su Shiwei, Su Wu, and others combined! Moreover, during this time, the families of Su Shiwei and Su Wu had targeted Jiang Wuming more than once, even trying to drive him out of the Su family!
"Grandpa, I wish you a long life. I will accompany you to witness the prosperity of the Su family!" Jiang Wuming stepped forward, supporting Su Yuanshan's trembling body, and gently interrupted Su Yuanshan. After Su Yuanshan personally went to the Liu family to find them and resolve the misunderstandings from years ago, Jiang Wuming had decided to go all out to build a prosperous Su family! This was not only because the Su family had raised him for eight years, but also because he strongly suspected that the death of his adoptive father, Su Shirong, was related to his biological parents!
"Good…" This time, Su Yuanshan only managed to utter one word before tears streamed down his face. They were tears of joy and emotion.
"Miss Li is very thoughtful." Jiang Wuming turned his gaze to Li Lianyi, who was dressed in a Tang-style long gown, and said. He knew that Li Lianyi highlighting her say in the cooperation between Su Group and Longteng Pharmaceuticals for the Blood Vitality Pills indicated that she was treating Su Yuanshan because of him, which was meant to enhance his authority within the Su family. Although he didn't need it, Su Shiyun did!
"Mr. Wuming, you are too kind. We each get what we need," Li Lianyi said calmly. Just as Jiang Wuming had predicted, after analyzing the Su family's information, she had identified a crucial piece of information: Jiang Wuming was doing so much behind the scenes not only to help the Su family but also to ensure Su Shiyun would lead the Su family and the Su Group. Therefore, she was giving Jiang Wuming a favor. In doing so, she believed that when Jiang Wuming reciprocated as agreed, he would do so with even more dedication!
Jiang Wuming understood Li Lianyi's intentions and, while marveling at Li Lianyi's astuteness once more, said to Su Yuanshan, "Grandpa, let's go inside."
"Alright." Su Yuanshan wiped his tears and was then helped inside by Jiang Wuming. Li Lianyi, Li Shanglai, and Yun Yan followed behind them. Liu Guifang, Su Shiyun, and Qin Xiaozhi walked at the very end.
However, the families of Su Shiwei, Su Shijie, and Su Shiying remained motionless. They seemed to still be in shock from the earlier events, staring blankly at Jiang Wuming's retreating figure, a single question filling their minds: What could he offer the heir of the Li family? There was no answer. Given their status and position, they could not possibly imagine what a proud figure like Li Lianyi would need, nor could they fathom what Jiang Wuming could provide. Perhaps due to overwhelming curiosity, this time, not only Su Shiying and his wife, but also the families of Su Shiwei and Su Shijie, pushed past their reservations and followed them inside.
"Minister Qin." As Li Lianyi followed Jiang Wuming and Su Yuanshan into the living room, she greeted Qin Linhai proactively.
"Lianyi, I remember when I saw you and Divine Doctor Li in the ancient city of Loulan, you were less than ten years old. You've grown so much now." Qin Linhai's expression turned slightly somber as he recalled the past. Twelve years ago, he and his father, Qin Yuanzheng, had met Li Lianyi in the ancient city of Loulan. That day, Longguo had experienced its most tragic battle! Jiang Zhan, considered the future of the Martial Department, had died on the battlefield along with three other War Gods, and several Martial Department powerhouses, including Qi Wufu, were injured. On that day, Li Guyi had brought Li Lianyi to the ancient city of Loulan and personally treated the injured powerhouses like Qi Wufu, with Li Lianyi observing by his side. No one knew what Li Lianyi had truly witnessed that day, but after returning from the ancient city of Loulan, she had stayed in the Divine Doctor Valley, dedicating herself to the study of medicine until she emerged for this occasion. After that battle, retired members who had served under the Dragon's Tooth Special Forces with Jiang Zhan and Ye Jinmei, including Su Shirong, had successively met with fatal accidents. The mysterious person wearing a ghost-faced mask appeared at the Su family's residence, and Su Yuanshan, under pressure and to protect Jiang Wuming and his family, heartlessly drove them out of the Su family!
"Yes, Minister Qin." Li Lianyi nodded softly. For her, that was an extremely significant day. Because of what she had seen and heard that day, she vowed to become the best doctor on this planet!
"Wuming, since you have business to discuss with the Li family, and Lianyi is also going to treat Elder Su, we won't disturb you." After a brief conversation with Li Lianyi, Qin Linhai nodded to Li Shanglai and Yun Yan, then stood up and said to Jiang Wuming.
"Okay, Uncle Qin, I'll come see you later." Jiang Wuming released Su Yuanshan and prepared to see Qin Linhai and Chen Yong off.
"Dad, you and Uncle Chen can go back to the hotel first. I'll join Boss later." Qin Xiaozhi did not want to leave.
"Alright." Qin Linhai agreed to Qin Xiaozhi's request and said to Jiang Wuming, "Wuming, you do your thing, don't mind me and Chen Yong. Elder Su, we're leaving now. I'll come visit you again when I have time."
"Thank you, Minister Qin." Su Yuanshan quickly expressed his gratitude. At the same time, the people of the Su family understood that Qin Linhai's words confirmed the first gift Jiang Wuming had presented to Su Yuanshan – the Qin family would protect the Su family in the future!
Seeing Qin Linhai and Chen Yong leave, Su Wu instinctively moved to follow them, but he was stopped by a cold glance from Chen Yong – unless Jiang Wuming gave the word, he would not allow Su Wu to continue serving in the Martial Department!
"Mr. Wuming, should I treat Elder Su first, or should Uncle Shanglai and Miss Su Shiyun discuss the cooperation? Or should both proceed simultaneously?" After Qin Linhai and Chen Yong left, Li Lianyi proactively asked, getting straight to the point.
"Proceed simultaneously." After a moment's thought, Jiang Wuming made his decision. He then said to Liu Guifang, "Mom, please escort Grandpa back to his room and let Miss Li treat Grandpa."
"Mhm." Liu Guifang nodded, got up, and helped Su Yuanshan leave. Yun Yan, carrying Li Lianyi's medical bag, accompanied Li Lianyi and followed Su Yuanshan and Liu Guifang.
"Sister, you go to the study and discuss the cooperation regarding the Blood Vitality Pills with Mr. Li," Jiang Wuming then said to Su Shiyun.
"Okay." Su Shiyun first nodded to Jiang Wuming, then made a gesture of invitation to Li Shanglai. "Mr. Li, please!" Li Shanglai stood up and followed Su Shiyun to the study.
Watching the retreating figures of Su Shiyun and Li Shanglai, the families of Su Shiwei and Su Shijie were both surprised and hesitant. They were surprised that Jiang Wuming was not participating in the cooperation negotiations. They were hesitant whether to follow them, as it concerned their interests!
"Su Shiwei, Su Shijie, you are not qualified to participate or overhear the cooperation talks between my sister and Mr. Li." Jiang Wuming, well aware of Su Shiwei's thoughts, directly exposed them and then changed the subject, saying, "However, I can talk with you."
"Talk about what?" Su Shijie asked reflexively.
"Talk about your withdrawal from the Su Group!" Jiang Wuming said sternly.