Chapter 29

Tang Xiaofei didn't quite believe that Wang Xiaoqiang had saved her father. After paying the taxi driver, she couldn't help but ask, "Driver, may I ask, was it that young man who helped my father when he had a heart attack just now?"

The driver was a straightforward person, but like Tang Xiaofei, he found it hard to believe that Wang Xiaoqiang, dressed like a farmer, knew medical skills. However, he had indeed seen Wang Xiaoqiang place his hand on the old man's chest. After a moment's thought, he said, "There was no one else here at the time, so I think it was him. But to be sure, you should ask your father when you get home; he knows best."

Tang Xiaofei frowned, thinking that this was a waste of time. However, as the general manager of a well-known national chain pharmacy, she maintained her composure. She thanked the driver and hurried home. As soon as she entered, she saw her father on the balcony, comparing vases.

Tang Xiaofei mistakenly thought her father was busy with his flowers and plants. Without even changing her shoes, she ran to the balcony and gently scolded him, "Dad, you just had a heart attack, why aren't you resting? Why are you fussing with these things again!"

"Your dad is fine, ha ha..." Tang Mingyuan put the vase on the ground and pointed to it, saying, "Xiaofei, today your dad was really lucky. I finally managed to get this pair of blue-and-white cloud-dragon neck vases..."

As a daughter, Tang Xiaofei knew her father's wish. Upon hearing this, she carefully examined the vase and compared it with the one her father had bought. She was pleasantly surprised and exclaimed, "Oh, Dad, these two vases really are a pair!"

"Ha ha, yes, but I have to thank Wang Xiaoqiang..." Tang Mingyuan said, standing up and turning to Wang Xiaoqiang in the living room, "He sold me this vase, even though it was hard for him to part with it."

"Uh..." Tang Xiaofei's gaze fell on Wang Xiaoqiang again. His dark complexion and cheap clothes made him look like a farmer from the countryside, and she couldn't help but feel even more puzzled. However, she didn't show it on her face.

Tang Mingyuan walked into the living room and introduced his daughter to Wang Xiaoqiang. Only then did Wang Xiaoqiang learn that Tang Xiaofei was the sales general manager of the well-known pharmacy, Baicao Fang, in Huagui County.

After the introduction, Tang Xiaofei quickly took a watermelon from the fridge, cut it, and offered it to Wang Xiaoqiang and Liu Juyi.

Wang Xiaoqiang politely declined, but Tang Mingyuan personally picked up two pieces of watermelon and handed them to Wang Xiaoqiang and Liu Juyi, saying, "Xiaoqiang, don't be so formal with me. You not only fulfilled my wish but also saved my life. How can I ever repay you?"

Seeing this, Tang Xiaofei's face showed a strange smile. The only person her father had ever personally served with food and drink in all of Huagui County was her late grandfather.

Wang Xiaoqiang felt that being too polite would make him seem petty, so he took the watermelon and said, "Mr. Tang, you're too kind. It's nothing, really. Anyone else would have done the same..."

The old man shook his head, clearly disagreeing with Wang Xiaoqiang's words, but he didn't say more. Instead, he turned to his daughter and said, "Xiaofei, prepare 120,000 yuan, and also book a table at Hongbin Tower..."

At this point, the old man paused and asked Wang Xiaoqiang, "Xiaoqiang, do you have a bank card?"

Wang Xiaoqiang knew the old man wanted to pay him. Without hesitation, he said, "Yes, it's an Agricultural Bank card."

Wang Xiaoqiang took the card out of his pocket and placed it on the coffee table.

"Uh, this makes things easier," the old man said, picking up the card and handing it to his daughter, Tang Xiaofei, "Xiaofei, go to the bank now and transfer 120,000 yuan to Xiaoqiang's card. That's the money for the vase..."

"Okay, Dad!" Tang Xiaofei took the card and was about to leave when the old man added, "Oh, and call your brother. Tell him that Dad has two distinguished guests tonight and ask him to come and keep us company..."

"Dad, the police are conducting a strict crackdown on public security recently. My brother is very busy. I'm afraid he can't make it..." Tang Xiaofei hesitated.

"Even if he's busy, he has to make time. I can't drink, so should Xiaoqiang drink alone?" the old man said firmly, his voice carrying an unyielding authority.

At first, Wang Xiaoqiang had guessed that the old man wanted to treat him, but since the old man hadn't explicitly said so, he hadn't dared to ask. Now, seeing that the old man really wanted to invite him to dinner and even wanted his son to accompany them, he waved his hands and said, "Mr. Tang, please don't trouble yourself. We need to get back home tonight. If we stay too late, we'll miss our ride..."

But before Wang Xiaoqiang could finish, the old man waved his hand and said, "No problem, no problem. After dinner, I'll have someone drive you. If it's too late, you can stay here. There's plenty of room..."

Wang Xiaoqiang naturally didn't want to stay, as he had come to the city with his sister-in-law, Liu Juyi. If they didn't return home that night, the villagers would talk, and the gossip could drown them. He also didn't want the old man to send a car, as that would be too much trouble. So, before the old man finished speaking, Wang Xiaoqiang stood up and said, "Mr. Tang, we appreciate your kindness, but we really don't need to eat. My sister-in-law and I must get back before dark..."

Mr. Tang, being a wise man, immediately understood Wang Xiaoqiang's concern. If the uncle and sister-in-law returned too late, people would talk. Seeing this, the old man didn't insist and said to his daughter, "Alright, Xiaofei, cancel the dinner. But when you come back, bring them some food to eat on the way..."

Before Mr. Tang finished speaking, Wang Xiaoqiang waved his hands and said, "No, no, don't buy anything..."

But Tang Xiaofei ignored Wang Xiaoqiang's refusal and walked out, saying, "Dad, I understand."

After Tang Xiaofei left, Mr. Tang began chatting with Wang Xiaoqiang. With no one else around, Mr. Tang couldn't help but ask, "Xiaoqiang, have you studied medicine?"

Wang Xiaoqiang had anticipated this question. After a moment's thought, he said, "I haven't studied medicine, but I have learned a bit of qigong..."

This surprised Liu Juyi, who had been puzzled about how Wang Xiaoqiang had saved Mr. Tang. In this situation, she couldn't ask for the truth, and now Wang Xiaoqiang's mention of qigong only made her more suspicious. She had only been married to the Wang family for a little over a year and didn't know Wang Xiaoqiang well, so she wasn't sure if he really knew qigong.

Liu Juyi wasn't the only one surprised. Mr. Tang's eyes lit up when he heard Wang Xiaoqiang's words. "Xiaoqiang, you know qigong? That's quite impressive!"

Qigong has a long history in China and is known for its health benefits and ability to prevent and treat diseases. It is a popular form of exercise among the elderly. After his heart condition, Mr. Tang had tried to learn qigong from some masters but had only learned the basics. Now, hearing that Wang Xiaoqiang had used qigong to save him, he immediately believed that qigong could treat diseases.

In fact, Wang Xiaoqiang didn't really know qigong. He was just using it as a reasonable explanation for his "special ability."

"Ah, Mr. Tang, don't mention it. I only know a little bit," Wang Xiaoqiang said, feeling a bit uneasy at the old man's praise. He lowered his head slightly, not wanting to discuss it further, for fear that the old man would ask about specific techniques.

Fortunately, the old man didn't ask. He just said with a hint of regret, "Xiaoqiang, will we meet again?"

Mr. Tang wasn't foolish. Although Wang Xiaoqiang had downplayed his skills, he didn't believe that Wang Xiaoqiang only knew a little. To be able to use qigong to treat diseases, one had to be a master, and there were very few such masters in the country. Moreover, Wang Xiaoqiang's qigong could treat heart disease.

More importantly, after Wang Xiaoqiang's "treatment," Mr. Tang felt much better. He had more energy and felt more spirited. His intermittent chest tightness and shortness of breath had disappeared.

Mr. Tang had already had a stent implanted in his heart, but the stent only maintained his life and didn't cure his condition. He was like a flickering candle in the wind, and he had given up hope. However, Wang Xiaoqiang's appearance gave him hope. He believed that if Wang Xiaoqiang used his "qigong" to treat him regularly, he could recover.

Wang Xiaoqiang understood Mr. Tang's meaning and said, "Mr. Tang, of course we will meet again. When I come to the city, I'll visit you. I just don't want to disturb your peace."

Mr. Tang was immediately excited. "No, no, Xiaoqiang, that's too formal. I would be delighted if you came... Wait a moment..."

The old man walked into a bedroom and came out with a piece of paper. He handed it to Wang Xiaoqiang and said sincerely, "Xiaoqiang, this is my phone number. When you come to the city again, call me, and I'll send a car to pick you up. If you encounter any trouble or need help in the city, you can also call this number. Although I'm retired, I still have some connections in Huagui County..."

Anyone who lived in the county party committee's family compound must have some influence. Wang Xiaoqiang had heard from Tang Xiaofei that Mr. Tang's son worked at the county police station, so he didn't directly ask about Mr. Tang's former position. He just thanked the old man and put the phone number in his pocket.