Chapters One, Two, and Three: The First President!

Since the conflict at the socialite club that night, Qin Luo had not seen Guan Xu once. Guan Xu had never gone to the school or home to look for Lin Wanxi either, as if the relationship between the two had grown completely indifferent.

Could it be that, after breaking up, a man and a woman can truly only become strangers?

Qin Luo had never expected to run into Guan Xu here, and the other party was clearly thinking the same thing. He could see a flash of surprise pass across Guan Xu’s face.

Neither side spoke; or perhaps, under the circumstances, there was nothing left to say.

Just as the elevator doors were about to close, Li Lingxi reached out to stop them. Guan Xu smiled at Qin Luo, stepped out of the elevator, and walked toward the China Famous Doctors Hall.

Qin Luo pulled Wang Jiujiu’s hand and stepped into the elevator, watching the numbers on the indicator light descend.

From start to finish, not a single word was exchanged.

Once inside his office, Guan Xu collapsed onto the sofa. He took a cigarette from the case on the coffee table but did not light it immediately. He lay back with his eyes closed, lost in thought.

A while later, Li Lingxi entered. After closing the door, he sat down beside Guan Xu and said with a smile, "I asked the front desk. They said that when the kid came in, he wanted to see the manager. The receptionist said the manager wasn't in and asked him to leave a phone number, but he didn't. He just said he would visit again next time."

Guan Xu picked up his lighter, lit the cigarette, took a drag, and said, "Competitors are enemies. We really are natural-born enemies."

"So what now? We don't even know his purpose for coming," Li Lingxi said, lighting a cigarette of his own. The two sat together, shrouded in a cloud of smoke.

"Our China Famous Doctors Hall has been such a hot topic lately, he must have seen the news. He’s a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and I heard he’s planning to start some kind of TCM Association—it’s only natural for him to come and take a look," Guan Xu said with a smile.

"Heh, his trip was for nothing. So what if he came? Not a single cent of what we’re supposed to make will be lost. I’ve spoken with the TV station, and we’re planning to launch a wellness tutoring program in the joint name of both parties and the China Famous Doctors Hall. It will be divided into beginner and advanced courses. We can discuss the pricing later, but I estimate we can make a killing. People with money these days are terrified of dying. Young Master Guan, only now do I realize that there is real money to be made in TCM."

"You two can handle that. I still have a few more famous doctors to visit. The current China Famous Doctors Group is only in its infancy; what we are doing... is a massive medical revolution. When this storm hits, every Chinese person will be our loyal customer," Guan Xu said, laughing. "I believe that quote by Bill Gates is correct. In the future, the only people whose wealth can surpass his will come from genetic technology and the health industry."

Yet, deep down, he sighed. If it were just about making money, things would be easy, and he wouldn't have to bear such immense pressure.

Unfortunately, he was walking a path of no return.

TCM, oh TCM. For anything that doesn't fit the current trend of the times, it is better to accelerate its elimination.

I hope that kid didn't suspect anything. No one can stop what I have to do.

***

"Teacher Qin, why did they appear here?" Influenced by the atmosphere earlier, Wang Jiujiu didn't speak until they were outside the Southern Building.

"I'm not sure," Qin Luo replied, though his mind was racing at high speed.

Wang Jiujiu’s question was exactly what he was pondering.

Why would Guan Xu appear at the China Famous Doctors Hall? What kind of relationship did he have with it?

He remembered that during the last TCM seminar, he had also seen Guan Xu and Li Lingxi active in the crowd at Yanyuan. What was his goal?

Could it be that he was interested in TCM? Or did he have some serious illness, like AIDS, that couldn't be cured in the United States, so he ran back to the country to visit famous doctors?

No, he had to remind Lin Wanxi about this when he got back. They say AIDS can be transmitted through saliva; he should tell her not to eat with Guan Xu anymore.

A man without relationship experience is truly pathetic; this pure, innocent virgin was worrying about things that were entirely superfluous.

***

"Why would they show up at the China Famous Doctors Hall? I think they’re acting suspicious," Wang Jiujiu said.

Qin Luo smiled and said, "Perhaps they were just there for a check-up."

"Teacher Qin, do you want me to look into it for you?" Wang Jiujiu asked.

Qin Luo hesitated for a moment but then nodded in agreement. Given Wang Jiujiu’s network, handling such matters was indeed much more convenient than doing it himself.

They could investigate the legal representative, registration information, and account details of the China Famous Doctors Hall quietly and without raising any alarms. If he tried to do it himself, he might just alert the enemy.

The reason he hesitated was that he already owed Wang Jiujiu too much. To use the words of Guo Haizao, "This debt of favor can only be repaid with one's body."

The phone in his pocket rang. Qin Luo took it out and saw an unfamiliar number on the display.

"Hello. Hello, who is this?" Qin Luo asked as he answered.

"Brother Qin, have you forgotten me so soon?" a man’s voice came through the phone.

"I don't have your number saved..." Qin Luo really couldn't recall who it was. If it had been a woman’s voice, he might have been able to tell. But a man’s voice—he couldn't distinguish it.

"It’s Ming Hao," the man said with a laugh.

"Brother Ming, hello. I’m so sorry, it’s a bit noisy here. I didn't recognize your voice," Qin Luo said apologetically. The person calling was Ming Hao, the secretary to Cai Gongmin.

"Haha, no worries. Where are you, Brother Qin? Do you have time tonight?" Ming Hao asked.

"Is something up?" Qin Luo asked.

"It’s like this. Minister Cai has some time this evening and would like to have a casual meal with you to discuss the TCM Association," Ming Hao said.

Qin Luo’s face lit up, and he asked, "Is there progress on the matter?"

For the past few days, he had been waiting for news from Cai Gongmin. Establishing a national-level TCM Association would be a pipe dream without government support. It might even be banned as an illegal organization the moment it was formed.

"Better wait for Minister Cai to tell you himself," Ming Hao said. As a secretary, he understood the importance of keeping his mouth shut.

"Alright. What time tonight, and where shall we meet?" Qin Luo asked.

"Seven o'clock at the Golden Star Hotel. It’s the ministry’s guest hotel. Just call my mobile when you arrive," Ming Hao said.

"Understood. Sorry for the trouble."

"Don't be so formal with me. Alright, I won't disturb you further. Get to work."

After hanging up, Qin Luo looked radiant.

Wang Jiujiu asked with a smile, "Teacher Qin, what’s making you so happy?"

"It truly is something worth celebrating," Qin Luo said with a smile. "If it succeeds, this might just be a milestone for the development of TCM."

***

At 6:50 PM, Qin Luo arrived at the Golden Star Hotel by car.

The Golden Star Hotel was built to quasi-five-star standards and was the dedicated hotel for the Ministry of Health to host foreign guests and hold conferences. Although it hadn't been officially awarded five-star status, its service and decor were second to none.

Standing at the magnificent entrance of the hotel, Qin Luo dialed Ming Hao’s number. Soon, Ming Hao walked over quickly, shook hands with Qin Luo, and said with a smile, "You’re very punctual. Minister Cai just arrived as well."

"How could I be late for a meal with an elder?" Qin Luo said with a smile. He didn't use the Minister's official title, choosing to treat him as an elder instead, which felt more intimate and casual.

Ming Hao patted Qin Luo on the shoulder and led him to the VIP elevator to head upstairs.

In a spacious and luxurious private room, Qin Luo met Minister Cai Gongmin.

Today, he wasn't wearing a traditional robe but a black suit with a dark-toned tie. He was dressed formally and looked spirited and imposing.

Seeing Qin Luo enter, the Minister said with a smile, "Qin Luo, I have two pieces of good news for you. Which one do you want to hear first?"

"Every time I see Minister Cai, I hear good news," Qin Luo flattered him slightly, then added with a smile, "Since both are good news, it doesn't matter which one comes first."

"Haha, then I'll tell you one by one. The first piece of good news is that your proposal to establish the China TCM Association has been approved," Cai Gongmin said, beaming. It seemed this news put him in a very good mood as well.

"Thank you, Minister," Qin Luo said, pleasantly surprised. Although he had guessed this possibility, he had still been worried until he received official word.

Now that the Minister had told him personally, it meant the matter was settled. Unless there was a major upheaval, it shouldn't change; otherwise, given the Minister's caution, he wouldn't have told him in advance.

"What are you thanking me for? We’re all working for the development of TCM. It’s not just you who’s anxious; the comrades in the ministry are also worried. Constantly being pushed back step by step by Western medicine, TCM is almost on the verge of being eliminated. None of us feel good about that. If TCM were to die out on our watch, wouldn't that be a crime against future generations?" Cai Gongmin waved his hand and said sternly.

"TCM will not be eliminated," Qin Luo said firmly.

"Indeed. I think so too," Cai Gongmin nodded. "The second piece of good news is the reason I have that confidence."

"What is the second piece of good news?" Qin Luo asked with a smile.

"Following my proposal and the organization’s review and approval, we have decided to appoint you as the first President of the TCM Association. Furthermore, you will be given full authority over the establishment, organization, and management of the association."

The first President of the TCM Association?

Qin Luo was stunned. He then waved his hands repeatedly and said, "Minister Cai, I’m afraid that’s not appropriate. I’m young and lack seniority; I’m afraid I won't be able to command respect."

Cai Gongmin furrowed his brows, his expression turning serious. "Qin Luo, do you know why I have so much confidence in you?"

"I don't," Qin Luo shook his head.

"Because of the rebellious streak in your bones. Your style of doing things outside the box. We are facing a very dire situation, and only extraordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things," Cai Gongmin said. "If I were to promote some old man with enough seniority, what point would there be in establishing this TCM Association? And how could he save the cause of TCM?"

"You are the person I favor. Young, clever, and driven. I have entrusted the hope of TCM’s rise to you; you must not let me down."

Qin Luo thought about it seriously and realized that apart from himself, no one else could necessarily get this done. He nodded and said, "Very well. I will certainly live up to Minister Cai’s trust."