Chapter Twenty-Two: The Platinum Card

"Young Master Zhang, are you really planning to let that wretched woman, Liu Yiran, go?" Chu Shu nestled in Zhang Jun's arms, her eyes seductive and languid.

Zhang Jun toyed with her ample charms, his gaze fierce. "It's just a small company. I've already got people working on it. It won't be long before you become CEO of the Ye Liu Group. Besides, that name is awful."

Chu Shu ingratiated herself, pressing closer into Zhang Jun's embrace, her voice soft and sweet. "Young Master Zhang, what name do you think sounds better?"

"As long as you serve me well, you can choose whatever name you like."

"Really?" Chu Shu's eyes sparkled, and suddenly her camisole and hotpants seemed a terrible hindrance. If things didn't progress, how could Young Master Zhang truly hear the stirrings of her heart?

...

"Second Sister, the new medicine is already on its way. You haven't contacted any colleagues these past couple days, have you?" Ye Qiu had received a call from George, learned that Mary would be coming along with him, but didn't pay it much mind. What caught his attention was that his second sister had spent these days practicing bone restoration on printed models of the skull, showing no intention of seeking outside help.

They had agreed from the start that both sides would call in renowned experts for support. If the lineup wasn't impressive enough, people like Duan Jijin wouldn't be willing to acknowledge them. After all, fame is a matter of perspective.

Xiao Yuru was absorbed in her restoration work, not even raising her head as she said, "I'll leave it to you."

What in the world?

Ye Qiu understood her, but Xiao Yuru's unwavering trust—her expression that conveyed she'd hand everything over to him—still left him a bit perplexed.

What a little brother I am.

Fortunately, most of the experts he could invite were from America, especially those who had published academic papers on Liu Ye Dao's field.

Hmm?

Old John from the Berkeley Laboratory seemed quite famous in the medical world. Many Chinese experts and scholars referenced his research, even held a kind of blind admiration for him.

Snake Biological Research Institute was also quite popular domestically. Those who had studied abroad regarded it as the oracle, showing contempt for graduates from Chinese medical schools. If old Snake himself came to China, the Koreans would have nothing to say.

And...

Ye Qiu was counting on his fingers which top experts he could bring in, when someone gently knocked at the door.

Since moving to Zhao Lei's plastic surgery hospital, the receptionist had become much more polite.

In truth, Ye Qiu didn't know that after Zhao Lei joined him, he'd repeatedly instructed everyone at the hospital: during Xiao Yuru's surgical preparation period, anyone who upset her would be dismissed immediately. If Xiao Yuru managed to defeat Duan Jijin and his ilk, everyone—including janitors—would receive a year's bonus.

"Mr. Ye, someone from Xuanyuan Datang wishes to see Doctor Xiao," the receptionist said, handing over Xuanyuan Datang's business card.

A platinum card.

Just seven simple words.

Shennong Clan.

Xuanyuan Datang.

It was said in certain circles that whether it was a gold card or a gold business card, it was best to treat such people with utmost respect.

Ye Qiu wasn't sure what kind of background Xuanyuan Datang had, but considering his own gold card, and this old man's platinum card, it was clear he was extraordinary. Moreover, though he'd been abroad for ten years, the title "Shennong Clan" sounded intimidating. Ye Qiu thought it best to be courteous.

"Master, Xuanyuan Datang is very well known among America's top medical figures. He is the only one allowed to practice medicine and even prescribe traditional Chinese medicine without passing the American medical exam. Snake and John have both endorsed his medical credentials, and he once saved the former Second Lady of America," Yun Yan explained with a sigh. "Unfortunately, all this is more than ten years old. Xuanyuan Datang hasn't returned to America in the past decade, so there's no recent information."

Ye Qiu glanced at Yun Yan. "It's not that I don't trust you, but America's network is under 001's surveillance. If I grant you permission to return there, 001 will surely spot any trace. Fortresses are always breached from within."

"I understand," Yun Yan nodded sadly, then looked at Ye Qiu with determined eyes, waving her fist with resolve. "Don't worry, Master, I'll definitely defeat 001!"

The receptionist watched the exchange between the man and his AI with dreamy fascination. Even though she'd seen plenty in the past few days, she still felt the urge to snap a photo for her social feed.

Unfortunately, not only did Zhao Lei forbid it, Ye Qiu was also extremely vigilant about such matters.

Ye Qiu followed the receptionist to the hospital lobby, where a robust, energetic old man was examining the surroundings with keen interest. Compared to his curiosity, the young woman following him seemed unimpressed by the opulent plastic surgery hospital.

"Times have really changed. Back when we practiced medicine, there weren't such fine places. Sometimes we went to remote areas without even a shelter, working from sunrise to sunset under the blazing sun," Xuanyuan Datang's eyes seemed filled with nostalgia.

"Master, you've been to so many places—even the imperial palace. Why..." Lin Wan'er began.

Xuanyuan Datang glanced at her, "That's not the same. If we’d had such good facilities back then, many people would have refused to go to villages to treat the sick."

"Master, this is just a plastic surgery hospital. They're in it for the money. As long as there's profit, they'll do anything," Lin Wan'er remarked carelessly, her tone dripping with disdain.

"You..." Xuanyuan Datang began, but then spotted the receptionist leading a young man over.

Upon seeing Ye Qiu, Xuanyuan Datang was momentarily stunned.

That face.

Traditional Chinese medicine values observation, listening, questioning, and pulse-taking, and some practitioners also dabble in physiognomy—leading many to conflate Chinese medicine with fortune-telling charlatans.

"Mr. Xuanyuan, my second sister is preparing for a restoration surgery; she'll be available in a while," Ye Qiu explained.

Before Xuanyuan Datang could respond, Lin Wan'er snorted coldly, her expression sour with displeasure. "Do you know who we are? My master has deigned to come to this dump, and you dare make us wait?"

Ye Qiu raised an eyebrow. Were all attractive women this abrasive?

Xuanyuan Datang waved his hand. "Oh? May I have a look?"

"Well..." Ye Qiu hesitated.

Not because he was unwilling to let them observe the medical procedure, but because integrating artificial intelligence into medicine was so advanced—it was Xiao Yuru's trump card. If Duan Jijin learned about it ahead of time, the old fox might retreat. And if the Korean professor found out, he'd surely claim AI was invented in Korea.

Xuanyuan Datang joked, "What, afraid I'll learn your medical techniques?"

Lin Wan'er sneered, "Some people may have eyes, but they're only for venting steam. Many seek my master's guidance, yet some are so arrogant they don't even know their own limits."