"But Master Lin's medicine is truly effective," Zheng Ke said in a low voice, "I'd like to buy some more to take back."
Lin Fan chuckled proudly. Fortunately, there was someone present who knew its value, otherwise, it would have been difficult to explain to this pampered Fifth Miss.
"Ahem," Lin Fan cleared his throat. "Once Borun Pharmaceutical is under my name, I will immediately invest in researching and producing two types of special traditional Chinese medicine. One is what you see now, and the other can leave no scars after wound healing, targeting the medical aesthetics market."
Before Zheng Yue could speak, Lin Fan added to Zheng Ke, "I'll give you a bottle later, it absolutely won't leave a scar."
"Thank you," Zheng Ke said shyly, appearing embarrassed.
"Hmph!" Zheng Yue snorted, causing Zheng Ke's smile to vanish instantly. He quickly lowered his head.
"Miss Zheng," Lin Fan, unable to stand Zheng Yue's haughty demeanor, teased, "Borun Pharmaceutical was previously valued at one hundred million. Coupled with the two special medicines I've formulated, you want half the shares for an investment of ten million? Do you think your US dollars are too valuable, or do you look down on my medical skills?"
"I didn't mean that," Zheng Yue realized then that this man was not to be trifled with. He always seemed to have trump cards that left her flustered, and she could never fathom his true capabilities.
"I take back what I said." Zheng Yue couldn't understand why he was willing to calculate the fate of the Siamese royal family just for a company's name. Yet, he haggled over trivial matters.
Lin Fan wondered, "Why do you keep looking at me? If there's nothing else, I'm going home for lunch." It was almost lunchtime, and Lin Fan was thinking about going back to eat chicken with Tian Mengyao.
"Mr. Lin, if I agree to let you use the Zheng family's name, will what you promised earlier still count?" Zheng Yue asked, not entirely reassured.
"This..." Lin Fan pondered. After all, Li Yurou had helped broker this arrangement. As much as he disliked Zheng Yue, he couldn't go back on his word. "It counts."
"That's good." Zheng Yue breathed a sigh of relief. She could feel the pressure from the elder branches of the family who were eager to see her downfall. Sabotaging her father's mission now would be unwise. "I will also do as I promised, increasing my investment to ten million."
"Mm, on behalf of my fellow villagers, thank you," Lin Fan nodded calmly.
"If..." Zheng Yue hesitated, swallowing the words she was about to utter. She had intended to offer five million US dollars for Lin Fan to protect her for a period, but on second thought, she realized it would likely only offend him and achieve little else. Lin Fan was unlike anyone she had ever met. He seemed indifferent to power and status, and money and wealth appeared to be secondary. Was this what they called arrogance born of talent? Zheng Yue mused, at least he was truly capable!
"Mr. Lin, let's be friends," Zheng Yue extended a delicate hand straightforwardly.
"What?" Lin Fan couldn't help but laugh. What was this? Money didn't work, so now she was resorting to charm?
"It's always good to have more friends," Zheng Yue tilted her head, her attitude exceedingly friendly.
"Alright." Lin Fan reluctantly shook her hand.
"Uh, you've accumulated some evil energy in your body from prolonged wear of Buddhist amulets. It's best to expel it soon, or it will harm your health." Lin Fan's professional habit kicked in, and he couldn't help but assess her physical condition. At the same time, he marveled at her impressive physique.
Zheng Yue, who had initially been annoyed by Lin Fan's lingering grip on her hand, felt a surge of guilt upon hearing his words. "Mr. Lin, I'll trouble you."
"A small matter," Lin Fan smiled. Just then, a sharp screech of brakes was heard from outside.
"Xiao Fan," Tian Mengyao's sweet voice was filled with joy. Lin Fan quickly withdrew his hand and sat back in his chair. He then moved his chair back a bit further, feeling uneasy. Zheng Yue found it both amusing and exasperating. What was the big deal?
Tian Mengyao burst into the clinic, her mouth watering at the thought of the tender stewed chicken. As she was about to speak, she noticed two outsiders present.
"Hello," she said stiffly.
"Hello, Miss Tian," Zheng Yue replied, her gaze complex and her mind filled with questions. This young woman before her, despite her unusual background, was willing to stay in this small mountain village. Was there some hidden benefit? A mist enveloped Zheng Yue's vision, and within it, she vaguely saw Lin Fan's face, thinking, "I'll find out eventually."
Lin Fan whispered a few words to Tian Mengyao and then began treating Zheng Yue.
It was nearing noon. Zheng Yue sat upright on a chair, her back to the door. Her face flushed as she gently lifted the hem of her clothes. Lin Fan took out his acupuncture needles and sat opposite her, his eyes fixed on her abdomen. "Don't move," he warned, "it'll be troublesome if I miss."
Ordinarily, this wouldn't have been so complicated. There were dedicated patient rooms, and a bedroom and sofa on the second floor where she could have lain down. But Tian Mengyao was holding a large apple and glaring fiercely at him! With a crunch, she bit into the apple as if breaking Lin Fan's bones.
"Don't be tense. Tighten your muscles, it makes it harder to insert the needle," Lin Fan said, feeling uncomfortable and forcing himself to concentrate on the acupoints. He hadn't expected that a young lady like her, who surely didn't do manual labor, would have such firm muscles. Coupled with her proud features, it created an indescribable allure. In fact, she was an avid fitness enthusiast, and she never imagined that the long-worked-on mermaid line would be first appreciated by Lin Fan.
"Who are you?" A pleasant voice sounded from the outer door. Xia Xue, having finished stewing the chicken, had come looking for Lin Fan when he hadn't returned. Seeing a dark-skinned man with a sharp gaze guarding the door, her heart skipped a beat.
"Sister-in-law, I'm treating a patient," Lin Fan said, glancing up. Upon hearing it was Lin Fan's sister-in-law, Zheng Ke quickly made way and apologized, "Excuse me, hello, please come in."
"Thank you," Xia Xue wondered, this person's accent was peculiar, not from the north, and perhaps not even Chinese. Zheng Yue wanted to turn around and greet Lin Fan's sister-in-law, but with several acupuncture needles in her abdomen, it was inconvenient.
"Xiao Fan, how much longer?" Xia Xue asked as she entered the room.
"Almost done, it will be finished soon." In reality, if Tian Mengyao hadn't been causing trouble, Zheng Yue could have found a place to lie down, and Lin Fan could have used massage therapy, which would have been completed by now.
"Sister Xue'er," Tian Mengyao shyly approached and greeted her.