The next two days saw Wan Yunting once again thrust into the spotlight due to the Ambassador Will affair. Countless people flocked to him for medical treatment, and the entrance to Xiuyuantang was a scene of bustling activity, packed with visitors.
Wan Yunting couldn't manage alone, so Gu Luotang returned to assist with consultations, along with Li Yuxiu and two others. Even with their combined efforts, they were overwhelmed by the sheer number of patients, leaving them no time to even drink water.
Regarding the Niu Qingfeng incident, Wan Yunting had also sent people to the Drug Administration Bureau to inquire about the situation, but there were no results yet.
As for the counterfeit drug issue involving Zhenghai Pharmaceutical Group, news reports had emerged over the past two days about counterfeit versions of Zhenghai Pharmaceutical's Sanfeng Huoluo Pills and several other proprietary Chinese medicines entering the market.
Ma Qisheng had also posted clarifications on his personal Weibo and Douyin accounts, stating that counterfeit and inferior drugs were being illegally sold in the market and that the police were cracking down on these counterfeit dens, which had garnered widespread attention from the industry.
Whether these counterfeit drugs were indeed imitations by others or a case of Ma Qisheng crying wolf remained under investigation. However, due to the overwhelming busyness of the past two days, even Du Hua had no time to attend to this matter, causing the progress to slow considerably.
Concurrently, Wan Yunting had asked Jiang Wenhao to send people to the Island Country to gather information about Gu Shiren's second son, Gu Zhongtang, opening a medical clinic there. This operation was also underway.
During this period, Gu Yuanbai faced numerous complaints from parents, and his call on the internet for the cancellation of additional Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) courses in primary schools had caused a significant stir and attracted much attention from netizens.
On the Douyin platform, some people supported the integration of TCM culture into primary school curricula, while others opposed it, arguing that TCM should not be studied systematically and would only add to the academic pressure on primary school students. They believed that since everyone now went to hospitals for treatment, there was no need to learn TCM.
Even more outrageously, some claimed that TCM was feudal superstition and should be eliminated!
The parents' complaints to the Ministry of Education had created considerable trouble for Gu Yuanbai. During this time, the Chinese Medicine Association, in conjunction with many leaders from the Ministry of Education, had been holding meetings to resolve this issue.
However, Wan Yunting's successful treatment of Ambassador Will had given TCM a much-needed boost in credibility. Now, many people supported TCM and recognized the cultural heritage passed down by their ancestors, which somewhat alleviated Gu Yuanbai's pressure.
Nevertheless, it was evident that some individuals were orchestrating the parents' persistent demands for the Ministry of Education to cancel the TCM curriculum.
These matters could not be resolved overnight. Wan Yunting was currently so swamped with patients seeking his treatment that he was unable to extricate himself to deal with other issues.
One day, after a long day of work that extended to nine in the evening, he finally saw off the last batch of patients. Wan Yunting leaned back in his chair, sighing with exhaustion. Li Yuxiu beside him also looked visibly tired, having barely eaten lunch and now her stomach growled with hunger.
"I'm so hungry."
Qi Miaomiao, who was assisting, cried out in hunger. Su Ke'er lay her head on the table, exhausted, and said weakly, "I feel like I could eat a roast duck."
"Hmph, I could eat a roast goose," Qi Miaomiao retorted, rolling her eyes at Su Ke'er. Su Ke'er weakly lifted her head and glanced back, wanting to retort further, but then Wan Yunting stood up and said, "Alright, you two. If you still have the energy to bicker, hurry up and get ready to go downstairs for dinner."
"Oh yeah, we're finally off work..."
Qi Miaomiao and Su Ke'er immediately jumped up with delight. Realizing something, they exchanged glances, let out huffs, and headed downstairs.
Watching them, Wan Yunting shook his head with a helpless smile, then turned to Li Yuxiu and said, "Dr. Li, thank you for your hard work these past two days. Let's go downstairs for dinner."
Li Yuxiu nodded as she tidied the desk, not feeling particularly overworked. She stood up and followed Wan Yunting downstairs. Then, she asked, "The Qimen Qiankun Needle technique has been lost for a long time. How did you obtain it?"
Wan Yunting glanced at her and chuckled, "What, do you want to learn?"
Li Yuxiu paused for a moment and turned her phoenix eyes towards him, asking, "If I want to learn, can you teach me?"
"Sure."
Wan Yunting grinned playfully and teased, "But you'll have to call me Master."
Li Yuxiu immediately lost interest and quickened her pace downstairs.
Wan Yunting's expression faltered, and he quickly followed her down to the first-floor lobby, about to call everyone to go out for dinner.
Just then, a man and a woman entered. They were dressed in casual clothing. The woman had a shoulder-length bob haircut, a standard oval face, and well-defined, bright features. Her sharp, intelligent eyes and tanned skin exuded a unique beauty.
Moreover, the aura of righteousness she exuded, along with her heroic demeanor, clearly indicated a military background.
Upon seeing this woman, Wan Yunting's eyes widened in surprise. "Officer Nie?"
This woman was the Captain Nie Xiaoyu he had encountered during the disaster relief efforts in Lingyun County. She gave him a military salute and said in a serious tone, "Hello, Mr. Wan. It's been a long time."
"It really is you."
Wan Yunting looked at Nie Xiaoyu with surprise and stepped forward to extend his hand. Nie Xiaoyu lowered her hand and shook his as well.
"Wow, it really is Officer Nie," Qi Miaomiao exclaimed, also recognizing Nie Xiaoyu.
Nie Xiaoyu also recognized her and nodded in greeting.
However, Su Ke'er, Li Yuxiu, Du Hua, and Wang Zhuyu stared at Nie Xiaoyu curiously. Her standard military salute indicated she was a soldier, and the young man accompanying her, along with the jeep parked outside, were definitely military accoutrements.
"Officer Nie, why are you here?"
Wan Yunting looked at Nie Xiaoyu with surprise and confusion. This was their second meeting since they parted ways in Lingyun County. He asked, "Are you perhaps here to see me as a patient?"
"Yes," Nie Xiaoyu nodded. "But not for myself, rather for my grandfather."
Wan Yunting asked, "What's wrong with your grandfather's health? Is it serious?"
Nie Xiaoyu nodded gravely. "It's quite serious. I've had many TCM doctors see him, but he hasn't recovered. Now that I'm back in the capital and know you have a clinic here, I was hoping you could come and see my grandfather."
Nie Xiaoyu had learned about Wan Yunting's successful treatment of the British Ambassador through the news, which was why she had specifically come late at night to ask him to see her grandfather.
"Alright, I'll go with you to take a look now."
Hearing her say it was quite serious, Wan Yunting didn't want to delay. He turned and asked Qi Miaomiao to fetch his travel medical bag, then said to Su Ke'er and Li Yuxiu, "You all go have dinner. I'll go with Officer Nie to see her grandfather."
"Brother Yunting, I'll go with you," Su Ke'er and Qi Miaomiao called out simultaneously.
Wan Yunting waved his hand and smiled, "No need, I'll go alone. You all go eat quickly."
He then beckoned Nie Xiaoyu to go with him. She said, "Let's go in my car. I'll drive you back later."
"That would be good."
Wan Yunting nodded. The young soldier opened the car door for him. Nie Xiaoyu sat in the passenger seat, and the young soldier returned to the driver's seat. The jeep slowly drove away, heading out of Heping Street.
Liu Yuan from the opposite Liu Ping Hall, who was just closing up to go home, happened to see Wan Yunting carrying his medical bag into Nie Xiaoyu's jeep. He was perplexed. Seeing the license plate of the jeep, he knew it was no ordinary vehicle and wondered which important person Wan Yunting was going to see now.
In the Haiding District of the capital, this was a very special district. Every household residing there was of military background; upon retirement, they were arranged to reside within Haiding District. Nie Xiaoyu had grown up in the military compound since childhood.
As for her grandfather's identity, it was not convenient to elaborate further here.
The entrance to Haiding District was guarded by soldiers. Upon seeing Nie Xiaoyu's jeep, the sentry soldiers immediately saluted and opened the barrier, allowing the car to enter slowly. The young soldier driving was Nie Xiaoyu's subordinate. He quickly drove the car to the entrance of the courtyard at No. 15, Block B, Yuquan Mountain Road in Haiding District.
The two-story Chinese-style villa had a grand entrance design, with a plaque hanging above it that read "Home of a Soldier." To the right of the entrance, the wall was adorned with dozens of honor plaques awarded to the family by the military over the years.
Wan Yunting couldn't help but exclaim in awe, looking at Nie Xiaoyu beside him. No wonder she had achieved so much at such a young age. Her entire family were soldiers and had received so many honorific titles; it was difficult not to be outstanding.
"Mr. Wan, please."
The gate was open. Nie Xiaoyu made a gesture of invitation, and Wan Yunting, carrying his medical bag, nodded with a smile and stepped over the high threshold with her into a not-too-large courtyard. The Chinese design style, although the courtyard was small, was very well laid out.
There was a gourd vine trellis specifically for tea, a small fish pond built next to it, and a rock garden with Taihu stones. Water flowed over the stones into the pond, where a school of plump-headed ornamental fish swam. Water plants floated on the surface of the pond, and the fish swam freely within, unaware of the vastness of the world outside.
In the west courtyard, a small garden had been created, along with two children's toy cars. It was clear that the family had children around three to four years old, and the small garden was their playground, making it look very cozy.
The lights in the two-story Chinese villa were all on. Hearing the sound of someone returning, a middle-aged woman came out. Upon seeing Nie Xiaoyu, she greeted, "Xiaoyu, you're back."
"Mm, Uncle and Auntie," Nie Xiaoyu politely greeted her Uncle Nie Jianhua and Auntie. They also saw Wan Yunting accompanying her. Nie Jianhua stepped forward and asked, "Is this Wan Yunting, the eldest son of the Ouyang family patriarch?"
Wan Yunting looked at him. Although not tall, his posture was straight, and he exuded an aura of iron discipline and integrity, clearly indicating a military background. Wan Yunting politely smiled and said, "Hello."
"Hello." Nie Jianhua proactively extended his hand to shake Wan Yunting's. "Although I haven't met you, I've heard about many of your exploits. You were awarded the title of People's Anti-Drug Hero by the Huadu City police, and you participated in disaster relief with Xiaoyu. Furthermore, you are a TCM doctor who saved the life of the British Ambassador a few days ago, solving a major problem for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I must say, you are truly a celebrity."
Wan Yunting released his firm hand and smiled, "You flatter me."
"Uncle, how is Grandpa?" Nie Xiaoyu then asked.
Nie Jianhua replied, "His condition is not very good. Director Huang and the others are currently treating your grandfather inside."
Nie Xiaoyu nodded and turned to Wan Yunting, saying, "Dr. Wan, please come in."
Nie Jianhua immediately gestured, "Please come in..."