Chapter 52: Poverty as a Disease

"Mr. Gu, you really know how to joke!" Zeng Yi laughed, thinking that Gu Di was no simple character. In terms of great wisdom, he might not match Gu Xiankun, but in some small matters, he was more astute. This single sentence, Gu Xiankun would never have said. It sounded like a joke, but it instantly brought them closer, and it was done so subtly. Treating patients is a doctor's duty, after all. In this aspect, Gu Xiankun was inferior to Gu Di; his courteous demeanor made him seem somewhat distant. Each official's child has their own way of surviving, but they all have their own wisdom.

"Is poverty not a kind of disease?" Gu Di was somewhat surprised.

Zeng Yi nodded with a smile, "It is! Poverty can make people uncomfortable, so it should be considered a disease. It's just that my skills are not up to the task, and I can't prescribe a remedy for it."

"Don't worry, let me know when you think of something!"

Cui Shiyi was somewhat exasperated, saying, "Look at you, always talking nonsense. Who has ever heard of a doctor treating poverty? If you stopped chasing after women, you'd have enough money to spend!"

"Uncle, that's not chasing after women; it's just normal socializing."

What Gu Di found most frustrating was being lectured by Cui Shiyi. He thought Cui Shiyi was just a scholar who didn't understand the rules of the official's children. If everyone else wears Armani and you wear Nike, you'll be naturally excluded without even opening your mouth. If everyone else drives a Lamborghini and you drive a Japanese car, you won't even feel comfortable parking. In the end, the meat and the girls will all be theirs, and what's the point of being an official's child then?

Cui Shiyi was very dissatisfied with Gu Di's attitude and scolded him a few more times, telling him to be mindful of his behavior and not to disgrace the elders at home.

Just as they were talking, a friendly voice from outside the private room said, "Chairman Gu, hello!"

Gu Mingzhu stepped in and, seeing Zeng Yi, smiled and said, "Doctor Zeng, I'm really sorry for making you wait."

"No, no, I just arrived myself!"

Behind Gu Mingzhu, a well-preserved woman in her forties followed. Gu Mingzhu introduced her, "This is my sister-in-law, Mrs. Hua Shujin."

"Mrs. Hua, hello, it's a great honor to meet you!" Zeng Yi greeted her, thinking that this must be Gu Di's mother, Gu Mingfu's wife.

Hua Shujin only glanced at Zeng Yi and nodded, which was her way of greeting. She then went over to talk to Cui Shiyi.

Zeng Yi, seeing her coldness, thought to himself that he hadn't offended this vice-provincial official's wife. He then realized that the Hua Shan downstairs and this Mrs. Hua had the same surname, and he understood that he had offended her relative.

Zeng Yi's guess was correct. Hua Shan was a distant cousin of Hua Shujin, previously a manager of a state-owned enterprise. He was later dismissed for embezzlement and sexual harassment, and Hua Shujin arranged for him to do some administrative work at the Ming Shi Group. Recently, Hua Shan had been complaining to Hua Shujin about his demotion and had said a few bad things about Zeng Yi.

Hua Shujin was not very willing to attend this banquet, which was meant to thank Zeng Yi, but she didn't want to lose face with Gu Mingzhu, so she came reluctantly.

"Everyone is here, let's take our seats!" Gu Mingzhu raised her hand, indicating that Zeng Yi should sit first. The theme of today's banquet was gratitude, and the main guest was, of course, Zeng Yi.

In China, the seating arrangement at a meal is a very delicate matter. Many people have become estranged or even enemies over seat disputes. This is also a reflection of the culture of officialdom and hierarchy, where people in the political arena vie for positions.

Zeng Yi understood this and said, "Please, Chairman Gu, Mr. Cui, you go first!"

The restaurant manager, standing nearby, took out a walkie-talkie and quietly informed the kitchen to start serving the dishes.

Gu Mingzhu politely insisted once more, but seeing Zeng Yi's firm attitude, she gave up, as everyone else was older than him.

"Today, there are no outsiders, so everyone can sit wherever they like!" After saying this, Gu Mingzhu took a seat in a middle position.

Seeing Gu Mingzhu sit down, the others followed, with Cui Shiyi, Hua Shujin, Gu Xiankun, and Gu Di sitting to her left.

Zeng Yi followed, intending to sit at the end, but Gu Mingzhu raised her left hand and said, "Doctor Zeng, come, sit here next to me!"

"I'll sit here," Zeng Yi smiled, "We young people get along well, and I want to chat more."

Gu Mingzhu, hearing Zeng Yi's reason, couldn't object and gave a nod to the restaurant manager, who understood and stood by Zeng Yi, determined to serve the Chairman Gu's guest well.

When the dishes were served, Gu Mingzhu raised her glass, "The first toast is to Doctor Zeng, for his miraculous skills and effective medicine, which cured my long-standing illness."

Zeng Yi raised his glass and said, "Many people contributed to this, such as Director Wang from the Chinese Medicine Association. I can't take all the credit. This toast is for Chairman Gu and everyone here's health!"

Gu Mingzhu nodded slightly, thinking that although Doctor Zeng Yi was young, he was not arrogant. At this moment, he still remembered Director Wang, whom she almost forgot about. This person was very good, with feelings and principles, and such young people are rare nowadays. She raised her glass and said, "Let's all drink to our health!"

With no outsiders present, the atmosphere became more relaxed after the opening toast. Gu Di, in particular, frequently invited Zeng Yi to drink.

Halfway through the meal, Zeng Yi suddenly stopped and sat there, listening intently to something.

Gu Di, seeing his strange expression, asked, "Doctor Zeng, why aren't you eating?"

Zeng Yi raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Nothing, I just heard a familiar song."

"Song? I didn't hear anything!" Gu Di turned to the restaurant manager and asked, "Did you hear a song?"

The restaurant manager smiled and said, "When someone has a birthday or a wedding, they often hire singers to perform. The song might be coming from downstairs."

Gu Di, hearing this, immediately said, "What's the point of just eating here? Go get the singers to perform a couple of songs." He glanced at Gu Mingzhu's face, seeing that she didn't object, and added, "Go quickly, go quickly."