Chapter 19

Zeng Yi is a man of action. In the following days, he searched for a suitable storefront while also starting to order items like signs, medicine cabinets, and mortars.

While wandering around the streets, he received a call from Tang Haoran, "Zeng Yi, where are you?"

Zeng Yi replied, "Brother Tang, is there something you need?"

"Are you free tonight?" Tang Haoran asked.

Zeng Yi thought Tang Haoran was inviting him for drinks again and smiled, "I don't have any plans for now, but I'm about to go to the Provincial People's Hospital to see my senior brother."

Hearing this, Tang Haoran said, "That's perfect. Call Doctor Shao, and I'll come to pick you up to give Director Feng a follow-up examination. Don't make any plans for tonight; Director Feng might invite you to dinner." Tang Haoran's call was skillfully made. He didn't mention the dinner invitation first but asked if Zeng Yi had any plans. Although no one would refuse an invitation from Feng Yuqin, if it were rejected, it would be embarrassing for the leader. This is all part of the art of dealing with people.

When Zeng Yi heard the word "dinner," he knew Feng Yuqin must have recovered. He smiled and said, "That's a lot of trouble for you, Brother Tang. We'll wait for you at the Provincial People's Hospital."

"Alright, see you soon."

Tang Haoran hung up, tidied himself up, and quietly went to the second-floor study. Feng Yuqin was sitting by the floor-to-ceiling window, reading a book on traditional Chinese medicine. Since Zeng Yi had cured her with one dose, she had developed an interest in TCM.

"Director Feng, I've contacted Zeng Yi. I also called Director Shao from the Provincial People's Hospital to come and give you a follow-up examination."

Feng Yuqin's eyes never left the book. She remembered Shao Haibo, the doctor who had helped massage her and relieve her pain alongside Zeng Yi. They seemed to have a good relationship. She nodded and gently waved her hand.

Tang Haoran knew this meant she agreed, so he quietly left the study and went downstairs to pick them up.

"Give Director Feng a follow-up examination?" Shao Haibo jumped up from his chair when he heard the news. "You mean Secretary Tang specifically asked me to come?"

Zeng Yi nodded, "You should get ready. Secretary Tang will be here soon. Director Feng might invite us to dinner tonight."

"I'll get ready right away!" Shao Haibo was excited. He bumped into his desk, pushing it a bit, but he didn't feel the pain. He straightened the desk and quickly walked to the office door. Just as he reached the door, he suddenly turned around, "What did you say... Director Feng is inviting us to dinner?"

"Maybe, just maybe!" Zeng Yi didn't want to make any promises.

"I need to... I need to prepare well." Shao Haibo turned and bumped into the door, stumbling out. He shouted from outside, "Xiao Wang, quickly prepare a medical kit for me, with a sphygmomanometer and a thermometer. Use the best ones!"

Zeng Yi smiled and shook his head, surprised by his usually calm senior brother's nervousness.

Half an hour later, Tang Haoran arrived at the Provincial People's Hospital. Zeng Yi and Shao Haibo were already waiting downstairs. Shao Haibo was carrying two large boxes in each hand. Zeng Yi offered to help, but Shao Haibo refused, saying he was afraid Zeng Yi might be too careless and damage the equipment, which would affect the follow-up examination for Director Feng.

The driver came down to help Shao Haobo with the boxes, while Tang Haoran stood close to Zeng Yi and said, "Zeng, to be honest, I'm a bit jealous of you. I've been with Secretary Fang for many years, but I've never seen Director Feng invite anyone to dinner."

Zeng Yi waved his hand, "You know better than anyone else. We who serve the leaders seem to have an advantage, but in reality, we walk on thin ice. Think about it, if I had made Director Feng worse a few days ago, what would have happened to me?"

This hit Tang Haoran's heart. As the secretary of the provincial party committee, he was always in the spotlight, but no one saw the hard work he put in. Just the other day, Zeng Yi's arrival almost caused him trouble.

"Zeng, you're a smart guy," Tang Haoran sighed.

"Do we need to flatter each other?" Zeng Yi smiled. "Let's go, so we don't keep Director Feng waiting."

"Right, business first!" Tang Haoran patted Zeng Yi's shoulder. These few words made him respect Zeng Yi even more. If Zeng Yi had remained calm during the police station incident, this time he showed composure in the face of favor. Even someone with years of experience in the political arena might not have such a mindset.

Shao Haibo was also surprised. In just a few days, his junior brother had become close with the secretary of the provincial party committee. It seemed his previous worries were unnecessary. Zeng Yi's future achievements would surely surpass his own.

The provincial party committee compound is located in the center of Rongcheng, on Liberation Avenue. It is not only the geographical center but also the political and power center of Nanjiang, governing the fate of over 80 million people.

As the car entered Liberation Avenue, the solemn atmosphere was immediately felt. All vehicles on the road slowed down, refrained from honking, and did not change lanes, quietly moving forward.

On both sides of the road were rows of elegant magnolia trees. Police officers patrolled the shaded paths, and several police cars were parked, with officers inside holding walkie-talkies, vigilantly watching the passing vehicles and pedestrians.

The car stopped steadily in front of a gate guarded by four armed police officers. A young lieutenant with a pistol on his hip quickly approached, glanced at the license plate, and saw it was from the provincial party committee. However, he still carefully examined the special pass on the windshield.

"Snap!" The lieutenant saluted the driver.

The driver, who often came here, knew the rules and lowered the window, allowing the lieutenant to clearly see inside the car.

After confirming there were no abnormalities, the lieutenant waved to let them pass. The gate's barrier lifted, and the car entered the compound.

Seeing Shao Haibo's nervousness, Tang Haoran said, "This is a routine check. It's the same for everyone."

As the car drove through, they encountered a squad of police officers just finishing their shift, marching in a neat line toward the side of the compound, looking majestic and powerful.

After a few turns in the compound, the car arrived in front of a simple yet dignified building, the No. 1 Building of the Nanjiang Provincial Party Committee, where Fang Nanguo lived.

Zeng Yi remained calm. After getting out of the car, he glanced at the building, stood there silently, and smiled faintly.

Shao Haibo, on the other hand, was clearly nervous and almost fell when he got out of the car.