Unknowingly, it was already six in the evening. Gu Shiren sat before Gongsun Xiuliang's tombstone, muttering to himself for about an hour before descending the mountain with Wan Yunting.
"Yunting, for Mr. Gongsun to take you as a personal disciple proves you have exceptional qualities. I believe his judgment is sound..."
Gu Shiren, his thin body leading the way, walked ahead. Wan Yunting followed a step behind, showing his respect for him.
"However, if you ever need my help in the future, don't hesitate to ask."
Gu Shiren turned to look at Wan Yunting and said, "Also, I will support you and the Lingnan Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Association that Gu Yuanbai is establishing."
Wan Yunting nodded, but then said, "Elder Gu, I believe you should maintain a neutral stance!"
Gu Shiren paused, stopped, and turned to look at him, asking in confusion, "Why?"
Wan Yunting chuckled, "If you support our establishment of the association, the Sima family will be all over me!"
Gu Shiren narrowed his old eyes and immediately understood Wan Yunting's words. He realized that his unusual behavior today had drawn the attention of those around him. If he were to fully support Wan Yunting and Gu Yuanbai in establishing the Lingnan Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, the Sima family would definitely take notice of Wan Yunting!
"I understand."
Gu Shiren continued his descent, saying, "Then, as you wish. I will neither oppose nor support. I will continue to live in seclusion, like a carefree crane."
Wan Yunting nodded and continued to follow him down the mountain. Gu Shiren then said, "But if you encounter any difficulties or need my assistance, please do not hesitate to ask."
"Seeking justice for Mr. Gongsun is not just your responsibility, but mine as well. Do you understand?"
"Understood."
Wan Yunting nodded with a smile and said, "If I truly need your help, Elder Gu, I will definitely ask you to act."
"That's good."
Gu Shiren nodded and saw his grandson, Gu Zichen, sitting on the steps below, idly amusing himself by using a blade of grass to tease ants that were moving house on the ground. He muttered, "It's going to rain."
Rumble...
Indeed, the already overcast sky rumbled with thunder. Wan Yunting and Gu Shiren quickened their pace. Gu Zichen immediately turned around, saw his grandfather and the others finally coming down, stood up, and shouted, "Grandpa, you're finally here! It's about to rain, let's hurry!"
"Alright..."
The three of them sped up their descent, leaving the cemetery. Wan Yunting drove his car over. Gu Zichen opened the car door but saw Gu Shiren looking back at the cemetery, his old eyes gazing deeply in the direction of Mr. Gongsun's resting place. Only when large raindrops began to fall did Gu Zichen tug him into the car.
This scene was witnessed by Wan Yunting in the car, who understood that Gu Shiren's bond with his master was far deeper than he had imagined.
The downpour began suddenly and heavily, forcing Wan Yunting to slow down as he headed back towards the city.
Meanwhile, at the Huadu Traditional Chinese Medicine Association office building.
After deliberation by Gu Yuanbai, Jiang Yichun, and others, it was finally decided to establish the Lingnan Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Association. Ding Huixiang, Meng Kang, Song Chengqi, Wei Datong, Sun Yutang, and Zhang Fenglin, among others, also expressed their support and joined.
As for the more than one hundred people present, approximately sixty physicians from Lingnan Province raised their hands to indicate their intention to join the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association founded by Gu Yuanbai. Simultaneously, a small portion of them adopted a wait-and-see attitude, while some explicitly refused to leave.
Overall, the meeting that day was considered a success.
Gu Yuanbai also invited Song Chengqi, Ding Huixiang, Meng Kang, Wei Datong, and Zhang Fenglin to his home for dinner that evening to finalize matters such as the association's elders and member recruitment.
Then, at a later time, a general assembly of the new Traditional Chinese Medicine Association members would be convened to formally announce the establishment of the Lingnan Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Association to the public.
In Yuexiu District, at Gu Yuanbai's private residence, several ordinary cars and taxis arrived, carrying Jiang Yichun, Song Chengqi, Ding Huixiang, Meng Kang, and about a dozen other members who had been invited for dinner.
Concurrently, Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao had also invited Song Sinan, Wei Renxin, Zhang Xiaoyu, and He Yan, along with a group of young TCM teachers, and were currently showing them around the house...
"Old Gu, is it confirmed that Elder Gu will be coming tonight?"
Jiang Yichun, Song Chengqi, Ding Huixiang, and the others were seated in the reception hall, sipping tea, their gazes all fixed on Gu Yuanbai. He nodded and said, "When Teacher left this afternoon, he said he would come tonight."
At this moment, the old butler entered, "Master, the food and drinks are ready."
Gu Yuanbai nodded and said, "Old Hong, please wait outside the door. If Teacher Gu arrives, report to me immediately."
"Understood."
Lu Hong nodded and turned to leave.
"Everyone, it's getting late. Let's move to the backyard for dinner," Gu Yuanbai said with a smile, looking at Jiang Yichun and Song Chengqi seated on either side.
"Let's wait for Elder Gu a bit longer," Jiang Yichun suggested.
"Yes, if Elder Gu doesn't give us a definite answer, we'll still be uneasy," Wei Datong added.
Clearly, the scene in the conference room that afternoon, where Gu Shiren had dropped a sentence and left with Wan Yunting, had left everyone feeling puzzled and uncertain.
"Master, Elder Gu and his party have arrived," Lu Hong quickly entered and announced.
"Excellent."
Gu Yuanbai was excited. Jiang Yichun, Song Chengqi, Ding Huixiang, Meng Kang, and the others present also rose, "Let's go out to welcome Elder Gu..."
Meanwhile, in Gu Luotang's courtyard room, Gu Luotang was with Song Sinan and Zhang Xiaoyu. Qi Miaomiao ran in and called out, "Senior Sister, Brother Yunting and Mr. Gu have arrived."
Gu Luotang's heart leaped with joy, but in front of Song Sinan and the others, she managed to restrain herself and smiled gently, "Sinan, let's go out to welcome Mr. Gu as well."
"Alright..."
Song Sinan nodded, and everyone followed Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao out...
At the main entrance of the courtyard, Gu Zichen helped his grandfather, Gu Shiren, cross the threshold. Wan Yunting followed closely to his left.
"Teacher..."
Gu Yuanbai, Jiang Yichun, Ding Huixiang, Meng Kang, and a group of others hurried forward. Gu Yuanbai glanced at Wan Yunting and said respectfully to Gu Shiren, "Teacher, you're back."
Seeing Jiang Yichun and Ding Huixiang, Wan Yunting gave them a polite nod.
However, everyone was extremely curious as to where exactly Wan Yunting had taken Gu Shiren that afternoon and what they had done.
"Senior Sister, Brother Yunting..."
On the other side, Qi Miaomiao pulled Gu Luotang, while Song Sinan, Zhang Xiaoyu, and Wei Renxin followed. However, seeing Gu Yuanbai and the others welcoming Elder Gu, the younger generation naturally dared not step forward.
Noticing Qi Miaomiao waving to him, Wan Yunting also smiled at them and nodded in greeting.
"Teacher, dinner is ready. Let's go to the table and eat."
Gu Yuanbai did not ask further questions and first invited Gu Shiren and his party to eat, intending to inquire about the details later.
"Okay."
Gu Shiren nodded, then turned to Wan Yunting and said, "Yunting, keep up."
"Yes."
Wan Yunting lowered his body and nodded.
Ever since seeing Gu Shiren weeping profusely before his master's grave that afternoon, Wan Yunting felt a great deal of respect for him.
Gu Yuanbai glanced at Wan Yunting, said nothing, and helped Gu Shiren inside, heading towards the backyard of the residence where several tables of food and drinks had already been prepared in the small garden...