Xiao Ming became a shareholder of the Huo Corporation Bank. Although he was a minor shareholder, he was the only non-family shareholder.
As they were leaving, Huo Tianyi wanted to give Long Xiao money, but he refused. So, she gave the three of them many gifts instead.
Long Xiao’s gifts were women's bags, clothes, and cosmetics. Huo Tianyi knew that Long Xiao cared a lot about his wife, so giving him gifts was less impactful than giving his wife gifts.
Xiao Ming’s gifts were specialty snacks and local delicacies, filling over a dozen large boxes that took up half a truck.
Huo Tianyi bought Yu Qi (jadeware), jewelry, and cosmetics for Ye Mei. Women understood women best, and she knew that regardless of their background, women were naturally drawn to jewelry, jadeware, and cosmetics.
As soon as the three returned to Donghai, Li Yizhen found them. He informed Long Xiao that the Donghai Pharmaceutical Association was organizing preliminary competitions in three days. Any traditional Chinese medicine practitioner with a license to practice could participate.
The preliminary competition would last for three days. The first day would consist of a written test in the morning, with papers graded and scored on the spot. A score of sixty or above would qualify participants for the next round.
In the afternoon, participants would identify medicinal herbs. Those who passed the written test would have to identify over a hundred types of herbs on the spot, stating their main components, medicinal properties, indications, and contraindications.
The second day would involve the compatibility and processing of medicinal herbs in the morning, followed by diagnosis in the afternoon.
The third day would be dedicated to medical treatment for the entire day. Patients with similar conditions would be selected from major hospitals across the city for on-site treatment, with the results observed.
After listening to Li Yizhen's explanation, Long Xiao said, "Except for the composition of the medicines, nothing else is a problem."
Li Yizhen sighed and said, "Master, the discourse power in traditional Chinese medicine has been taken over by Western medicine. Our TCM emphasizes the coordination of Qi, while Western medicine focuses on chemical composition."
Long Xiao nodded and said, "You are right. I will give up on the part about medicinal composition; it shouldn't have a significant impact on the results."
"We should be able to pass. Master, I think that during the competition in Donghai, you shouldn't appear too extraordinary. Just passing would be sufficient."
Long Xiao nodded and said, "You're right. The nail that sticks out gets hammered. The medical community in Donghai is a barometer for the entire Huaxia. Many new developments in medicine in Huaxia start in Donghai, and the entire Huaxia medical community is watching Donghai."
Long Xiao didn't need to worry about the registration; Li Yizhen was the person in charge of traditional Chinese medicine at the Donghai Pharmaceutical Association and had already registered Long Xiao.
Long Xiao was confident in his knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine and didn't need to prepare.
In the evening, Long Xiao and Xiao Ming returned to Mangshan No. 1. The Lin family was surprised to see Xiao Ming's stretched limousine; no one had expected Xiao Ming to buy such a vehicle.
"Xiao Ming, why did you buy such a long car?" Lin Hao asked curiously.
Xiao Ming chuckled, explained the advantages of the stretched limousine, and then he and Long Xiao unloaded the gifts Huo Tianyi had given to Lin Xuan.
Seeing the mountain of gifts piled on the coffee table, Lin Xuan asked, "Long Xiao, why did Tianyi buy so many gifts for me?"
Long Xiao smiled and said, "Wife, there are many ladies at Xuan Xiao Company. If you can't use them all yourself, you can give them away."
Lin Hao quickly said, "Sister, brother-in-law is right. If you can't use them, you can give them away. I'll pick a few first."
Lin Xuan glared at Lin Hao and said, "You're a grown man, what do you need these for?"
"Sister, you can't use so many either. I'll take a few to give to Xiaoqing," Lin Hao said, smiling as he started picking out gifts.
Lin Hao picked out three items and was about to pick more when Lin Xuan stopped him. Lin Xuan said, "That's enough. There are many ladies at our Xuan Xiao Company, and besides, your brother-in-law has some female acquaintances to give gifts to. If you take too many, they won't be enough."
Long Xiao felt the conversation was going astray and quickly said, "Wife, I belong only to you. I absolutely have no female acquaintances."
"Stop joking. Doesn't Luan Jiping count as one of your female acquaintances?"
"No, I don't have any female acquaintances. She is just an ordinary friend."
"Who would believe you? Would you risk your life for an ordinary friend?"
Long Xiao's relationship with Luan Jiping was indeed special, closer than ordinary friends but not romantic. Long Xiao cared about Luan Jiping and everything about her. Luan Jiping also liked Long Xiao, but Long Xiao couldn't let go of Lin Xuan.
This situation was difficult to explain, and Long Xiao chose to escape. He secretly signaled Xiao Ming. Xiao Ming said, "Brother Long, didn't we agree to go see Director Lu? Let's hurry, or it will be impolite to keep them waiting."
Long Xiao nodded and said, "Okay, let's go right away."
Long Xiao and Xiao Ming drove away from Mangshan No. 1. Xiao Ming asked, "Brother Long, where are we going?"
Long Xiao thought for a moment and said, "Let's go see Sister Luan. I haven't seen her for a few days; I wonder how she's doing."
Xiao Ming chuckled and said, "Brother Long, it seems like Sister-in-law was right. You do have female acquaintances."
"What does a child like you know about female acquaintances? Drive properly," Long Xiao said.
The stretched limousine entered the Luan family villa. The Luan family members were surprised. When they saw it was Long Xiao, they all gathered around.
Luan Jiping was not at home. Xiao Ming was familiar with the cooks and servants of Luan Jiping's family. He took out many specialty products and snacks from Hong Kong to give to them.
After everyone had received their gifts, Long Xiao inquired about Luan Jiping's whereabouts.
The Luan family told Long Xiao that Luan Jiping had gone out in the morning and had not returned since. She was very busy every day, and no one knew exactly where she was.
Unable to find Luan Jiping, Long Xiao and Xiao Ming prepared to leave. Before they could get into the car, a Wrangler stopped in front of the Luan family villa.
The car door opened, and a young man with greasy, powdered hair got out. He looked up at the Luan family villa and swaggered in.
"Is this Luan Jiping's villa?" the young man asked.
Long Xiao found the young man increasingly disagreeable. He closed the car door he had just opened and asked, "Who are you? Whose villa is this, and what business is it of yours?"
The young man smiled and said, "Of course, it's my business. I am Luan Jiping's fiancé. After we get married, everything she owns will be mine. I'm just here to see my property."
Long Xiao looked at the young man in surprise. He didn't know when Luan Jiping had acquired a fiancé.
"Are you sure you're not mistaken? When did Sister Luan get a fiancé?" Xiao Ming asked.
The young man looked at Xiao Ming and smiled. "No mistake. We are getting married on the tenth of next month. The wedding date is set. I'm here to deliver betrothal gifts in Jingcheng and decided to stop by to take a look."
Long Xiao found this suspicious. If Luan Jiping were preparing for marriage, she would surely have told Long Xiao.
Long Xiao took out his phone and called Luan Jiping.
Luan Jiping was in a meeting at her company. Hearing Long Xiao mention that she had an extra fiancé, she was also very surprised.
"Long Xiao, ask that guy who he is. How would I not know if I had a fiancé?"
After ending the call, Long Xiao asked, "Sister Luan said she doesn't have a fiancé. Who exactly are you, and what is your purpose here?"
The young man looked around nonchalantly and smiled. "She probably doesn't know about this yet. My family arranged it for her. Have her call her family, and everything will be clear."
The young man didn't elaborate on his situation, and Long Xiao was too lazy to ask further. He called Luan Jiping again and told her the situation.