Chapter 32

Chapter Thirty-Two: The Arrival of Dr. Bai

The Mingshi Group is a nationwide giant enterprise, headquartered in Rongcheng, with its main business in jewelry and accessories, as well as hotels and real estate. It owns seven five-star hotels, ten commercial plazas, and its brand jewelry retail stores cover most cities in the country. In the same industry, it ranks in the top three.

The Mingshi Building is located in the heart of Rongcheng, facing the provincial government office building. The building is solemn and majestic, with an extraordinary presence.

When Zeng Yi and Director Wang arrived, the executive vice president of the Mingshi Group, Huashan, was already waiting downstairs.

"Old friend, this time I've brought you a real expert!" After getting out of the car, Director Wang greeted Huashan warmly, saying, "Let me introduce you. This is Director Zeng, a standing director of our Traditional Chinese Medicine Association. He is also the health doctor for Secretary Fang of the Provincial Party Committee. It's not easy to get someone like him!"

"Pleased to meet you, pleased to meet you!" Huashan extended his hand, but only lightly touched Zeng Yi's before sliding away. His face showed no smile, and he even frowned slightly, his eyes filled with doubt. Is this young TCM practitioner even capable of taking a pulse?

The way he looked at Director Wang was clearly displeased. I considered you an old friend and asked you to help find some famous experts and doctors, but what kind of people did you bring? The seven or eight who came before were all show and no substance, none of them could cure the chairman's illness. This time, it's even worse, bringing such a young doctor. Did you just grab a college student from some TCM school?

And he even claims to be Secretary Fang's health doctor. Who does he think he's fooling? Secretary Fang would only use him if everyone in the health bureau had gone mad.

"Old friend, now that I've brought the expert, shall we go in?" Director Wang reminded Huashan, who stood there motionless.

"What's the rush?" Huashan stood with his hands on his hips, calm and composed, holding a cigarette and puffing away. "Dr. Bai from Qianzhou City is on his way. Let's wait for him and go up together."

Zeng Yi could tell that Director Wang's status in his old friend's eyes was not very high. How could anyone treat a friend who had gone to the trouble of finding a doctor like this? Not only was there no warm welcome, but not even a smile.

Director Wang looked embarrassed. He turned to Zeng Yi, his face full of apology: "Director Zeng, I'm really sorry. What do you think...?"

"Let's wait for Dr. Bai then!" Zeng Yi put down his bag and stood there admiring the view. "This Mingshi Building is quite impressive..." He shook his head.

Huashan was immediately annoyed. What did he mean by that? Was he saying the people inside were not impressive? "Pah, I'm impressive, but it depends on who I'm dealing with. Why should I be impressive to a kid who hasn't even grown a beard? It's already a stroke of luck for you to meet our chairman today. If it weren't for needing Director Wang to find more experts, I would have had the security guard kick you out. There's no place for you in this impressive building."

Director Wang, seeing Huashan not inviting Zeng Yi, quickly took out a cigarette and offered it to Zeng Yi, "Director Zeng, have a smoke!"

Zeng Yi shook his head, "No, I never touch it."

"Then I'll treat you to dinner tonight, and you can have a few drinks then." Director Wang put away the cigarette and chatted with Zeng Yi to avoid making him feel neglected.

After a few minutes, a black Mercedes-Benz minivan drove up and parked steadily at the building. The license plate was from the neighboring province of Qianzhou.

Huashan threw away his cigarette, stepped on it, and then put on a warm smile, raising his hands in welcome, "Welcome, welcome, Dr. Bai, we've been looking forward to your arrival."

Dr. Bai was not very tall, about 1.6 meters, with a very round face that looked very cheerful. He was in his early forties but had dyed his hair white. He got out of the car and bowed, "Sorry, sorry, there was traffic, and I was delayed. I hope it didn't affect your schedule."

Huashan shook Dr. Bai's hand, "Not at all! All our arrangements are to make things convenient for Dr. Bai."

"That's good, that's good." Dr. Bai's face became even rounder when he smiled.

"Dr. Bai, please come in, please come in!" Huashan stepped aside, bending over and extending his hand, "Everything is arranged. Please go in and rest, and I'll inform the chairman."

Huashan seemed to forget about Zeng Yi and led Dr. Bai into the building. Only when he stepped inside did he pat his head and turn back, "Old Wang, quickly, quickly, let this... this director in!" He didn't mention Zeng Yi's surname, either forgetting it or deliberately omitting it. Then he escorted Dr. Bai into the building.

Director Wang finally lost his temper. He felt Huashan was deliberately being rude. He grabbed Zeng Yi, "Director Zeng, this is too much. Are you not an expert? I think we should just leave and let them regret it." Director Wang was indeed angry. He didn't mind losing face, but he felt very guilty that Zeng Yi, whom he had invited, was being treated this way.

"Since we're here, let's take a look!" Zeng Yi watched Dr. Bai's entourage with interest. A luxurious Mercedes-Benz minivan, a dedicated driver, a dedicated assistant, and even someone carrying Dr. Bai's medical bag. The lineup was even more impressive than Li Zhengkun's visit to the provincial hospital, and it could rival a celebrity's entrance on TV.

Zeng Yi had heard of Dr. Bai. He was indeed a celebrity, having written several books on TCM and hosted a health program on multiple TV stations. He was very popular, and his medical skills were said to be excellent. Zeng Yi wanted to see him in person.

Director Wang felt deeply ashamed, "Director Zeng, this is all my fault. I'm sorry you had to suffer... "

"Stop saying such nonsense!" Zeng Yi picked up his bag from the ground, "Let's go up and take a look!"

"I'll carry it, I'll carry it!" Director Wang snatched the bag from Zeng Yi and led the way, "This way, Director Zeng!"

The two entered the lobby. Huashan had just led Dr. Bai into the elevator. Seeing them approach, he didn't wait but pressed the close button, "Old Wang, sorry, the elevator is full. Why don't you and Director Zeng take the next one?"

As the elevator doors closed, Director Wang's face turned green with anger. "Huashan, you're really pushing it. I've helped you find so many experts over the past year. Even if I didn't do a great job, I at least tried. You not only don't thank me, but you also treat me like this. Do you think I'm made of clay?"

Zeng Yi saw through the situation. Director Wang was at least the head of the TCM Association, a semi-official position. Huashan was just a department head in a company. How could he dare to be so disrespectful? What was he relying on?

"This Huashan is quite arrogant!" Zeng Yi said.

Director Wang gritted his teeth, "Huashan is nothing, just a lackey. If he weren't the executive vice president of Mingshi, he would have been dealt with long ago!"

"It seems the chairman of Mingshi has a strong background!" Zeng Yi smiled.

Director Wang explained, "The chairman of Mingshi is Gu Mingzhu, the daughter of the former provincial party secretary of Nanjiang. Many people in Nanjiang are still her father's disciples and old friends."

"Gu Zheng?"

Director Wang nodded, "Yes."

Zeng Yi had heard of Gu Zheng from the old man's notebook. He was a founding hero and had served two terms as the provincial party secretary of Nanjiang. He was known for his straightforward character and domineering personality. However, it was surprising to learn that Gu Zheng's daughter was a prominent figure in the business world.

When the elevator arrived, Director Wang led Zeng Yi inside and pressed the button for the 28th floor.

The 28th floor had a luxurious reception hall with gilded wall carvings, a red carpet, and golden leather sofas. On the outer side was a full-length glass window, offering a panoramic view of Nanjiang.

"Old Wang, Director Zeng, please sit down!" Huashan, sitting on the sofa, didn't move an inch, pointing in the air, "Would you like something to drink? Don't be shy here!"

Director Wang ignored him and invited Zeng Yi to sit down.

Huashan felt even more contempt. He had already embarrassed himself, but this kid not only didn't back down but had the nerve to come up. He must not be very capable. A truly capable expert would have left long ago. People who offer themselves up are usually not good.

"Chairman Gu will be here soon. Please wait a moment!" Huashan's face showed no contempt.

Dr. Bai, sitting on the inner side, greeted Zeng Yi, "I heard from Mr. Hu that you are a director of the Nanjiang TCM Association. Impressive! I am Bai Mutong. It's a great honor to meet a young talent like you today!" He signaled his assistant, who handed a business card to Zeng Yi.

Zeng Yi politely accepted the card, "I'm flattered! With Dr. Bai here, Chairman Gu's illness will surely be cured. I'm here mainly to learn."

"Director Zeng is too modest!"

Bai Mutong smiled and nodded. He was a folk doctor, and he looked down on Zeng Yi, whom he considered a court doctor, thinking they were all sycophants who only knew how to prescribe safe but ineffective prescriptions, ruining the reputation of TCM.

After a few minutes of chatting, someone knocked on the door, and a young man with a commanding presence walked in.

Huashan, as if propelled by a rocket, shot up from the sofa. He walked a few steps forward, his laugh sounding overly sweet, "Chairman Gu, you came in person!"

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