Chapter 9: Let the Bullets Fly for a While

If it weren’t for Lin Feng at her side, Su Qingxue might have already given up on leaving at this moment. She steadied herself and spoke again.

“President Zhou, in fact, the Su family has always had partnerships across various industries. Please believe that we truly have the capability.”

“Capability?” Zhou Liran suddenly lifted his head, looking at her with a mocking smile. “Then tell me, what remarkable prescription does your Su family possess?”

This question left Su Qingxue speechless. She stood there, bewildered and at a loss. If the Su family had such resources, they would have gone solo long ago—why would they bother coming here to curry favor with Zhou Liran?

“You see, you can’t even answer a single question. How can we talk about cooperation?” Zhou pressed.

“I…” Su Qingxue looked helplessly at Lin Feng, her resolve wavering once again.

Just then, a man in a white coat rushed in, his face alight with excitement.

“Boss, Director Zhang has agreed to help refine the prescription—this time, we’re saved!”

“Really?” Zhou Liran leapt to his feet. “Excellent! With Director Zhang’s help, the prescription is as good as done!”

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Lin Feng suddenly interjected calmly.

From the moment he entered, he had already caught sight of the prescription in Zhou Liran’s hand. His keen eyesight allowed him to take in every detail. He wasn’t being arrogant, but the method to improve this prescription was neither so simple nor beyond reach—definitely not something an average practitioner of traditional medicine could achieve.

“And who are you?” Zhou Liran turned his gaze, annoyed. “Such bold words for someone so young. Do you even know who Director Zhang is?”

The medical staff beside him couldn’t help but chime in, “That’s right! Director Zhang Yuanqing is a legendary figure in Jiangcheng, known to all practitioners of traditional medicine!”

“Originally, I might have hesitated, but since it’s him, then I’m certain he won’t be able to help you,” Lin Feng said, smiling.

He might not know others, but he was certainly familiar with Zhang Yuanqing’s true abilities.

“Insolence!” Zhou Liran slammed his palm on the table, his voice booming. “Miss Su, is this the caliber of the Su family?”

“You refuse to cooperate, and then let your people speak so recklessly here!”

“I may just be a medicine merchant, but I still have some standing in Jiangcheng. Just a few words from this young man, and I can make Su’s Bank as despised as a rat in the street—believe it or not?”

Hearing this, Su Qingxue hurried forward to appease him.

“President Zhou, please don’t be angry. My friend didn’t mean it that way. He’s a practitioner of traditional medicine himself, so seeing the prescription, he couldn’t help but make a professional comment. He had no intention of disrespecting Director Zhang or you!”

Zhou Liran’s eyes grew even more mocking as he glanced toward Lin Feng. “So you’re a practitioner as well? Then tell me—how would you improve my prescription? If you’re right, I’ll sign a contract with the Su family. If you’re wrong, you’ll kneel and kowtow twice, then get out and never come back!”

“President Zhou!” Su Qingxue’s brows knitted together in displeasure. “We’re here to discuss business, but please show some respect to my friend!”

With that, she turned to signal Lin Feng to leave.

To her surprise, Lin Feng simply kept his hands in his pockets and said quietly, “Just swap the gastrodia and motherwort.”

“That’s it?” Zhou Liran was startled. “And then?”

Lin Feng smiled. “That’s all there is to the problem with the prescription.”

For a brief moment, the room fell silent before Zhou Liran and the medical staff burst out laughing, the sound sharp and mocking. Even Su Qingxue’s expression turned odd.

She couldn’t help but tug at Lin Feng’s sleeve. “Is this really the time for jokes?”

“It’s not a joke,” Lin Feng shrugged. “The issue with the prescription is that the toxicity overwhelms the desired medicinal effect. Simply switching the two herbs I mentioned will neutralize the toxicity and resolve the problem perfectly. Otherwise, no matter how many antidotes you add, you’ll only end up damaging the potency, unable to achieve both goals.”

The laughter gradually faded.

The medical staff stared at Zhou Liran, mouth agape. “President Zhou, is this…”

He assumed Zhou had tipped Lin Feng off, but judging by Zhou’s reaction, that didn’t seem to be the case.

Zhou Liran studied Lin Feng seriously, but after half a minute, he shook his head.

“You do have some insight, but your solution is impossible. I’ve met countless renowned doctors who were all stumped by this prescription. To think the answer is as simple as swapping the order of two herbs—that’s laughable.”

With that, he waved his hand, signaling Lin Feng and Su Qingxue to leave. He didn’t mention the kneeling and kowtowing again.

Su Qingxue’s eyes lit up. “President Zhou, please, give Lin Feng another chance—and as for Director Zhang…”

“Out!” Zhou Liran’s tone grew instantly harsher, giving no second chances.

Helpless, Su Qingxue had no choice but to leave with Lin Feng.

Back in the car, her delicate face was filled with regret.

“We were so close. President Zhou clearly acknowledged your medical skills.”

Lin Feng just smiled calmly. “Don’t worry—let the bullets fly a while longer.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“You’ll see soon enough.” He didn’t explain further, but simply reclined his seat and closed his eyes to rest, as if everything was within his grasp.

Su Qingxue glanced at him, then looked back at the Liran Group building, her mind swirling with questions.

Not long after, Zhang Yuanqing finally arrived in a hurry.

“Director Zhang, I’ve been waiting for you!” Zhou Liran greeted him warmly. “This prescription has troubled my team for three years—I’m at my wit’s end.”

“You flatter me, President Zhou,” Zhang Yuanqing replied with a smile, waving his hand. “I can’t make any promises—let me take a look first.”

“With you overseeing it, the prescription is halfway to success already. If it still doesn’t work, perhaps fate just isn’t on my side,” Zhou said, quickly handing over the prescription.

Zhang Yuanqing studied it for a long time, his tightly knit brows making the atmosphere in the room tense.

Finally, he spoke. “The prescription is innovative, but unfortunately, the toxicity is too strong. I can only try adding a few herbs to moderate it, but I can’t guarantee how much of the toxicity I can suppress.”

“It’s fine, just do your best. As long as it’s within reasonable limits, the prescription will be good enough,” Zhou Liran said, finally breathing a sigh of relief.

He couldn’t help but mutter, “I knew Director Zhang would have a solution. Not like that young brat!”

Zhang Yuanqing paused. “Who are you talking about, President Zhou?”

Zhou Liran chuckled and recounted what had just happened as if it were a joke.

But as soon as he finished, Zhang Yuanqing’s face changed dramatically.

“You managed to invite Mr. Lin, and yet you didn’t listen to him?”

“He’s a true master!”

“You—you—you’re being utterly foolish!”

As Zhang Yuanqing scolded him, both Zhou Liran and the medical staff stood there, utterly dumbfounded.