Chapter 2 The Results
After the results of the second round of the appraisal competition were out, Yan Yuhe and I both advanced.
Out of the ten total spots, the four major families occupied eight.
I wasn't surprised by this outcome at all. Yan Yuhe told me that the first two rounds were just appetizers, and starting tomorrow, the competition would become even more intense. That would also be when the four major families officially began their head-to-head battles.
The third round was structured as one-on-one duels, with opponents determined by drawing lots. Two people would form a group and compete against each other.
The rules for the competition were simple: the winner would advance to the finals.
This meant there would only be five spots in the final.
Judging by Yan Yuhe's demeanor, the Yan family seemed to place great importance on this appraisal competition. I had a feeling the Yan family wasn't telling me everything.
As we left the venue, Yan Yuhe said, "The competition venue for tomorrow won't be here. I'll come pick you up then." 138 Reading Network
I nodded, "Alright."
"By the way, Mr. Xiang, where is Mr. Chun who was with you?" Yan Yuhe asked.
"He wasn't feeling well and went back to rest," I replied.
"I was planning to treat you both to a meal later..."
Before she could finish, I said, "No need, Miss Yan. I'm tired today and would like to go back and rest. Perhaps we could get together after tomorrow's competition?"
"That's fine too. Shall I give you a ride?"
"No, it's more convenient for me to take a taxi."
After hastily bidding farewell to Yan Yuhe, I quickly called Fatty and asked him where he was.
On the other end of the line, he said, "Master Xiang, I don't know where I am... Wait for me a moment..."
Soon, Fatty's voice came through the phone, asking, "Excuse me, where is this place?"
"Ganxi Lu la..."
"Ganxi Lu?"
"You're not from around here, are you? I'm saying Gangxi Road..."
Fatty quickly replied, "Master Xiang, I'm on Gangxi Road."
"Alright, I got it. Wait for me there, I'm coming over now."
"Okay."
...
I hailed a taxi and when I reached Fatty, he was squatting by the roadside, smoking.
Seeing me arrive, he led me to the entrance of a traditional Chinese medicine shop and said, "After that man went in here, he hasn't come out."
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"Positive."
I pondered for a moment. "Let's go in and take a look."
The Chinese medicine shop was quite large. As soon as I entered, the scent of medicinal herbs hit my nostrils.
There were quite a few people inside. I scanned the room but couldn't see the man in the Tang suit.
Fatty and I looked around and soon came to a "Staff Wall" with many photos of the shop's employees.
As I looked up, I spotted the photo of the man in the Tang suit.
His photo was displayed at the very top, with his name and some basic information written below it.
Tang Chenru?
From the introduction, I learned that this man was the proprietor.
Why would an old Chinese medicine practitioner go to an appraisal competition?
And what was his relationship with Sister Ying?
"Are you two here to buy medicine?" a voice sounded.
Turning, I saw a young man in his twenties looking at Fatty and me.
I smiled and said, "We're here to find someone."
"Find someone? Who?"
"Is the proprietor, Director Tang, here?" I asked.
"What do you need Director Tang for?" the young man asked.
I thought for a moment and said, "I previously had Director Tang prescribe a medicinal formula for me. It hasn't had much effect recently, so I wanted to ask him if there's anything I should pay attention to."
"Did you bring the prescription?"
"I left in too much of a hurry; I didn't bring it."
"Then please wait a moment."
As the man spoke, he went into the inner room. A moment later, I saw Tang Chenru walking out with him.
Upon seeing me, Tang Chenru looked puzzled. "Did I prescribe medicine for you before?"
I smiled and said, "Director Tang, Miss Zheng sent me..."
Hearing this, Tang Chenru froze, his brow furrowed, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes, though it vanished in an instant.
He then said flatly, "Follow me."
Fatty looked at me, utterly bewildered, clearly wanting to ask a lot of questions. I gave him a look to calm down.
Following Tang Chenru, we arrived at a room.
After Tang Chenru closed the door, he sat down on a chair and, before I could speak, asked, "Who exactly sent you here?"
I was taken aback. He continued, "Miss Zheng wouldn't possibly send someone to find me. Speak, what do you know? Who sent you?"
I hadn't expected him to see through my charade, and for a moment, I didn't know what to say.
After thinking, I said, "As far as I know, Miss Zheng knows nothing about appraisal..."
As I said this, I deliberately paused. Upon seeing Tang Chenru's reaction, I confirmed something!
I had been wondering how Sister Ying, after her "rebirth," could have acquired appraisal skills and participate in the appraisal competition. There had to be something fishy going on.
Although I hadn't figured out how Sister Ying was cheating, I suspected it had a lot to do with this Tang Chenru.
Tang Chenru narrowed his eyes, staring at me, and smiled, "It seems you know Ms. Zheng very well."
"I've interacted with her a few times before," I replied.
"Is that so?" Tang Chenru asked, "Did Yan Hongguang send you?"
My brow furrowed. He continued, "If he sent you, then go back and tell him that some matters are not his to meddle in. I don't interfere with the affairs of the four major families, nor do I wish for him to interfere in mine."
This statement contained a lot of information. I realized at that moment that the Tang Chenru before me was no simple traditional Chinese medicine practitioner.
Seeing my silence, he said, "If there's nothing else, you may leave."
After leaving the Chinese medicine shop, Fatty kept scratching his head and then looked like he had something to say but hesitated.
I glanced at him. "We'll talk about it when we get back."
Upon returning to our lodgings, the house had been cleaned spotlessly. This had been happening every day; as soon as Fatty and I went out, someone would come in to clean.
I had to admit that Liu Jiangmin had arranged everything very thoughtfully.
Sitting on the sofa, Fatty began bombarding me with questions.
I thought for a moment and then looked at Fatty. "Do you really want to know?"
Fatty nodded. "Master Xiang, we're practically brothers, aren't we? Hurry up and tell me. Did you know that woman named Zheng before? Do you have other business in Guangbei?"
I sighed. "Fatty, all I can tell you is that this matter is not as simple as you think. If you want to know, I can tell you, but once you know this, you might be in danger..."
Fatty's brow furrowed, and his small eyes narrowed. "Master Xiang, then perhaps you shouldn't tell me... I'm a timid person; I can't handle scares..."
I gave him an exasperated look. "Go wherever it's cool and stay there!"
"Alright!" Fatty chuckled. "Then I'll go take a bath first."