Not overthinking it, Wan Yunting drove directly to the residential complex where Old Master Ma Jianguo lived. After parking his car, he carried some fruits he bought along the way and a bottle of good wine from his second brother's place, then headed upstairs to the building where the old master resided. He knocked twice at the door...
Soon, the door opened. Appearing before him was a woman wearing a knitted short-sleeved top and an A-line plaid skirt, revealing a pair of straight, long legs. However, her knees had some scars that affected her appearance. Paired with black flat ankle boots, she stood tall and graceful, possessing an air of delicate beauty.
Her ear-length short hair was neat and elegant. Her almond-shaped eyes were bright and sparkling, complemented by a delicate, refined nose and softly pink cherry lips. Without much emphasis on makeup, her natural beauty outshone countless ordinary women.
"You're here too?"
Seeing Niu Qiuling opening the door for him, Wan Yunting asked in confusion.
"If you can come, why can't I?"
Niu Qiuling shot him a fierce glare, puffed out her proud bosom, turned, and ignored Wan Yunting.
"Xiao Wan, you're here."
Huang Xiue, wearing an apron, immediately came out from the kitchen, warmly pulling Wan Yunting to inspect him from head to toe. "You've lost weight again since I last saw you?"
Wan Yunting smiled and said, "I've been too busy lately, no time to eat. That's why I'm here today, specifically to enjoy your cooking."
"Heh heh, you always have such a sweet tongue."
Huang Xiue laughed happily, causing Niu Qiuling, who was sitting on the sofa in the living room with her arms crossed, accentuating her proud assets, to glance resentfully at Wan Yunting before turning her gaze back to the television.
"Haha, General..."
At this moment, in the living room, at the chess table, Old Master Ma Jianguo was playing chess with Pang Yuan. Having finally won a game, he turned and happily called out to the approaching Wan Yunting, "Xiao Wan, come over and play with me quickly. This kid Pang Yuan's skill is too terrible; he's no match for me at all."
"Hey, Old Master, you say that, but I'm no match for Xiao Wan."
Pang Yuan immediately glared. Wan Yunting placed the bags of fruit and wine on a nearby table and couldn't help but chuckle.
"Whether you're a match or not, you know that in your heart. Hurry up and get up, let Xiao Wan play a game with me." Ma Jianguo gave Pang Yuan a look and waved him away. Wan Yunting also went over and teased Pang Yuan, "Not convinced? After you finish with the Old Master, I'll play a game with you."
"Alright."
Pang Yuan was naturally unconvinced and stood by, watching Wan Yunting play chess with Ma Jianguo. Then, Ma Zhendong came out of the restroom. Wan Yunting greeted him, "Old Ma."
"You're here."
Ma Zhendong smiled and went over, also standing by to watch Wan Yunting and Ma Jianguo play chess. Pang Yuan then said, "Xiao Wan, I heard you recently established the Lingnan Traditional Chinese Medicine Association. It's become quite well-known. Are you also the Vice Chairman of the association?"
"Mm."
Wan Yunting nodded with a smile while playing chess.
Although this was a matter within the traditional Chinese medicine community, Pang Yuan and Ma Zhendong had also heard about it. Pang Yuan asked in confusion, "Don't you already have the Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Association? Why did you suddenly create another one?"
Wan Yunting smiled and replied, "Because we are not satisfied with the Sima family in the current Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Association. They are corrupt and power-hungry, causing the status of traditional Chinese medicine in society to decline continuously, leaving us without a future. That's why we established the Lingnan Traditional Chinese Medicine Association to revive our traditional Chinese medicine and benefit the region."
"Mm, the scandal involving Sima Hongyun in our Huadu City last time did have a significant impact." Pang Yuan and Ma Zhendong nodded, understanding Wan Yunting's actions to some extent.
Ma Jianguo placed a chess piece on the board with a click and expressed his support for Wan Yunting, saying, "Xiao Wan, I believe your choice is the right one. So, go ahead and do it!"
Wan Yunting looked up at the Old Master, nodded, and smiled, "Thank you for your support, Uncle Ma..."
Just then, there was another knock at the door. Niu Qiuling got up to open it and saw Hu Yaqing, dressed in a black formal suit, standing at the doorway with her secretary. Niu Qiuling quickly greeted her, "Hello, Mayor Hu."
"You are Qiuling, I remember you."
Hu Yaqing looked at Niu Qiuling, as she had presented her with an honorary medal at a previous commendation ceremony.
Niu Qiuling smiled nervously and let Hu Yaqing and her secretary into the living room. Wan Yunting turned around and exclaimed in surprise, "Mayor Hu?"
"Yunting, you're here too."
Hu Yaqing also looked at Wan Yunting with surprise. Ma Jianguo then smiled and said, "Yaqing, I heard Xiao Wan also cured your illness."
"Yes, Old Ma," Hu Yaqing nodded and smiled, also greeting Ma Zhendong and Pang Yuan.
Ma Jianguo chuckled, "I invited you all to dinner at my place today just to catch up. No need for formalities."
Hu Yaqing nodded and smiled, "I'll go and see Mother-in-law."
Wan Yunting nodded and continued playing chess with Ma Jianguo. Hu Yaqing went into the kitchen to greet Huang Xiue and Ma Zhendong's wife, Liu Yajie, and after chatting for a while, she came out. Seeing Wan Yunting and Ma Jianguo still playing chess, Hu Yaqing also stood by, watching their game nearing its end.
"Old Ma, you're about to lose."
Watching the fierce battle on the chessboard, Hu Yaqing laughed. At the same time, she was surprised. Ma Jianguo was very skilled at chess, and she had never won against him before. She didn't expect Wan Yunting to gain the upper hand.
Moreover, he actually dared to win against Ma Jianguo!
"Ah, I lost again."
Ma Jianguo slapped his thigh and huffed at Wan Yunting indignantly, "Xiao Wan, can't you go easy on me a little?"
"The chessboard is a battlefield; you can't go easy," Wan Yunting said with a smile as he arranged the pieces.
"Haha, you kid, I like this spirit of yours. Let's go again."
Ma Jianguo pointed at him and laughed heartily, starting to set up the pieces again. This made Hu Yaqing, who was watching, astonished. She had heard before that Wan Yunting had a good relationship with his teacher, Ma Jianguo, but she hadn't expected their relationship to be this close.
"Old Master, let me and Xiao Wan play this round," Pang Yuan immediately called out.
"Go, go, go. At your skill level, you can't even beat me, yet you want to beat Xiao Wan? Go back and practice more."
Ma Jianguo waved his hand, setting up the pieces like a playful old man, showing no regard for Pang Yuan, who could only offer a bitter smile.
Hu Yaqing and Ma Zhendong found it amusing. Even Niu Qiuling couldn't sit still and quietly stood behind Wan Yunting's left side, watching the man play chess. Although she didn't understand the game, seeing him win against Grandpa Ma made her feel that her man was very impressive.
"Yunting, the Lingnan Traditional Chinese Medicine Association you established has caused quite a stir."
Suddenly, Hu Yaqing smiled at Wan Yunting and said, "Someone from Beijing called me today!"
Wan Yunting paused and looked up at Hu Yaqing, who was standing to Ma Jianguo's right. She smiled and said, "I won't beat around the bush. Beijing's intention is for me not to support your establishment of the Lingnan Traditional Chinese Medicine Association!"
*Bang!*
Ma Jianguo immediately slammed a chess piece onto the board and turned to Hu Yaqing, asking fiercely, "Who called you?"
Hu Yaqing was taken aback, not expecting such a strong reaction from Old Ma. "It was Old Chen!"
"Hmph, so it was that old immortal Chen Heyuan."
Ma Jianguo immediately scoffed and waved his hand, saying, "Tell him to call me personally later. I'll give that old immortal a good scolding."
Hu Yaqing couldn't help but exchange glances with Pang Yuan and Ma Zhendong. Wan Yunting, however, was confused. He naturally didn't know who Chen Heyuan was, but the fact that he could call Hu Yaqing indicated he was a powerful figure from Beijing.
Among them, it was naturally related to Sima Wentang. Wan Yunting hadn't expected them to act so quickly and start exerting pressure here!
"Yaqing, let me tell you, what Xiao Wan and the others are doing by establishing the Lingnan Traditional Chinese Medicine Association is for the revival of traditional Chinese medicine throughout China. Therefore, we must support him, understand?" Ma Jianguo then turned to Hu Yaqing and said solemnly.
"Yes, I understand what needs to be done." Hu Yaqing's expression became serious, and she nodded.
Earlier, Chen Heyuan had called her in the morning, and Hu Yaqing had intended to discuss it with Wan Yunting. However, seeing how strongly Old Ma supported and valued Wan Yunting now, all her previous concerns were instantly dispelled...