"I actually think this alchemy furnace is pretty good!" Lu Fan narrowed his eyes. "I cured the patient, so this alchemy furnace should belong to me!"
"It's reassuring to know that you fancy it, young man," the old woman said with a smile, quickly handing the alchemy furnace to Lu Fan.
Gu Wen felt a bit awkward. He had been trying to decline earlier, and Lu Fan had accepted it in the blink of an eye, leaving him unsure how to act.
"Everyone, our family is poor and doesn't have much to offer," Uncle Zhang said, getting out of bed. "This alchemy furnace has been passed down from our ancestors. It's of no use to me now. If it's useful to you, it would be making the best of it!"
"No wonder there's such a strong medicinal aroma," Lu Fan chuckled. "It's a family heirloom? Your ancestors must have been quite capable, Uncle Zhang."
"Indeed, it's quite good!" Uncle Zhang nodded. "My ancestors included some renowned physicians, even imperial physicians. Unfortunately, we've declined now, and this alchemy furnace is useless!"
"Then it's perfect, as it's useless here," Lu Fan nodded with a smile. "I won't be polite then!"
"Ahem..." Gu Wen coughed lightly. "Master, isn't this inappropriate?"
"What's inappropriate about it?" Lu Fan glanced at him. "I saved Uncle Zhang. Besides, this alchemy furnace is useless here, but it's of great use to me."
Gu Wen rolled his eyes and didn't say anything further. He had originally agreed to a free clinic for this trip.
As they were leaving, Lu Fan took out one hundred thousand yuan and placed it in Uncle Zhang's home, as if he had bought the alchemy furnace.
Upon learning this, Gu Wen felt a bit of respect for Lu Fan. He had initially thought Lu Fan was greedy for small gains, but now he realized he had misjudged him.
"What exactly is Mr. Lu's background? He spends thirty thousand on medicinal ingredients and then pays out a hundred thousand for a consultation. Isn't that too much?" Shen Xiaoxiao asked, bewildered.
"What's so exaggerated about it?"
Lu Fan shrugged. "This alchemy furnace would fetch much more than a hundred thousand at auction. I've actually made a small profit today!"
"Just a broken alchemy furnace," Shen Xiaoxiao said, disbelieving.
Lu Fan didn't offer much explanation. However, Shen Xiaoxiao's stomach suddenly rumbled, and everyone looked at her with strange expressions.
"Ahem... I'm suddenly a bit hungry!" Shen Xiaoxiao said. "Why don't we go for a meal!"
"To the Famous Chefs' Restaurant?" Lu Fan chuckled. "The food there is good."
"Then let's go there!" Shen Xiaoxiao nodded. "But this time, he'll be treating. After all, successfully becoming a disciple and treating one's master to a meal shouldn't be a big deal, right."
"No problem!" Gu Wen nodded, smiling.
Money was not something the Gu family lacked. He was more than happy to treat Lu Fan to a meal.
A short while later, they arrived at the Famous Chefs' Restaurant. The moment they stepped inside, Shen Xiaoxiao's expression changed. Directly in front of them sat two men she knew quite well.
"Perhaps we should find another place!" Shen Xiaoxiao quickly said.
The two men in front were her father, Shen Guofeng, and another man. Shen Guofeng was always very strict with her. If he found out that his daughter was always with a group of men, she didn't know what he would think.
After all, she had almost been kidnapped not long ago.
Just as she was about to hide, Shen Guofeng saw her. "Xiaoxiao, why are you here?"
Following this voice, Boss Qian also looked towards Shen Xiaoxiao, smiling. "I didn't expect Miss Shen to be here as well!"
"Hello, Uncle Qian!" Shen Xiaoxiao quickly bowed. The man in glasses was Boss Qian, a seasoned individual who collaborated with many influential figures in Jiangnan and had made a name for himself in Chuzhou.
"You've grown so tall in just a few years," Boss Qian said with a smile.
"What's gotten into you?" Shen Guofeng said coldly. "Associating with all sorts of disreputable people every day. How can I trust you with the Shen family in the future!"
"They are not disreputable people!" Shen Xiaoxiao quickly introduced. "This is Mr. Lu. He saved me on the bus before!"
"It's him?" Shen Guofeng glanced over and then said softly, "Thank you for saving my daughter."
"It was just a small matter," Lu Fan said indifferently.
However, when Boss Qian looked at Lu Fan, his neck instantly went cold, and his face changed dramatically.
Lu Fan's familiar silhouette, how could he not recognize it? Lord Lu of Jiangnan, who controlled many businesses in Jiangnan and had even killed a master-level expert. These accomplishments were unforgettable.
Boss Qian, who had close ties with many influential figures in Jiangnan, naturally knew Lord Lu's appearance. The first moment he saw Lu Fan, he had recognized him.
"Brother Qian, what's wrong?" Shen Guofeng asked. "Is the hospitality not up to par?"
"Of course not!" Boss Qian waved his hand and quickly looked at Lu Fan. "So it's Mr. Lu. Meeting you is like meeting a friend. Why don't we have a meal together?"
Boss Qian's words were full of flattery, and his gaze was attentive, not daring to show any disrespect.
"Brother Qian, don't joke. We are in the middle of discussing a collaboration," Shen Guofeng glared at Shen Xiaoxiao. "Hurry up and take your friends to another table."
Shen Xiaoxiao looked embarrassed and led Lu Fan and the others to another table. "Please don't mind them. My father is just like this; he can't stand me being with men. He's being quite polite today."
"Of course, we don't mind," Lu Fan said directly. "And you don't need to feel too much pressure; you still have to accompany me to Niutou Mountain tomorrow!"
Shen Xiaoxiao nodded, but a bitter smile appeared on her face. Niutou Mountain was extremely dangerous. If she hadn't promised Lu Fan, she wouldn't have been willing to go.
Meanwhile, Han Yunhai frowned, looking back at Boss Qian. He felt that this person looked familiar, and more importantly, Boss Qian's gaze towards Lu Fan was clearly unusual.
"Brother Qian, let's have this drink," Shen Guofeng raised his wine glass. "Don't let those few people spoil our mood!"
Boss Qian looked wary and then came before Shen Guofeng. "My dear brother, you've probably gotten yourself into big trouble today!"
"What nonsense are you talking about!" Shen Guofeng glared. "My Shen family has some standing in Chuzhou. When have we ever gotten into trouble?"
"That Mr. Lu just now is Lord Lu of Jiangnan," Boss Qian stated directly. "You were speaking so brashly just now. If he holds a grudge, won't your Shen family be in great trouble?"
"Lord Lu of Jiangnan?" Shen Guofeng frowned. "How is that possible? Lord Lu is extremely busy, and he's in Jiangnan. How could he be in Chuzhou?"
"I don't know the specifics!" Boss Qian said with a wry smile. "But one thing is certain: that person is the renowned Lord Lu of Jiangnan."
Shen Guofeng instantly panicked. Boss Qian wouldn't joke with him about such a matter. This was most likely true. If it were, his attitude just now could cause immense trouble for the Shen family if Lu Fan held a grudge, potentially leading to disaster.
"No, I must go and apologize!" Shen Guofeng stood up abruptly.