"Teacher, please take the head seat…"
Gu Yuanbai helped the thin Gu Shiren to the main seat, and also invited Jiang Yichun and Song Chengqi, Ding Huixiang and Meng Kang, Wei Datong and Zhang Fenglin and others to be seated.
Wan Yunting naturally headed towards the table for young people next door. Unexpectedly, Gu Shiren called out, "Yunting, come sit here. Zichen, you go over there."
"Oh."
Gu Zichen could only get up helplessly. Wan Yunting, who had originally wanted to sit next to Gu Luotang, was taken aback. He smiled at Song Sinan and the others, walked over to switch seats with Gu Zichen, and sat down to Gu Shiren's left.
Gu Yuanbai naturally said nothing, but Ding Huixiang, Meng Kang, and Song Chengqi exchanged confused glances. They felt that after Gu Shiren went out with Wan Yunting in the afternoon, why was he showing more care towards Wan Yunting than his own grandson, Gu Zichen?
"Teacher, we toast you…"
As Gu Yuanbai raised his wine glass, Jiang Yichun and Wan Yunting also raised theirs. Gu Shiren, who had been maintaining a stern expression with raised eyebrows, also lifted his glass, gestured to everyone, and then downed it in one gulp.
He then placed the wine glass on the table with a slight force, causing Gu Yuanbai, seated to his right, to freeze. Jiang Yichun and Deng Hongsheng exchanged glances…
"Yuanbai, I know why you founded the Lingnan Traditional Chinese Medicine Association."
Gu Shiren's old face darkened slightly. He turned to look at Gu Yuanbai, who was pouring him wine, and said, "You believe that the Sima family has deviated from the path and cannot lead Chinese medicine towards revival, right?"
"Yes."
Gu Yuanbai put down the wine bottle and sighed, "Teacher, you've been in seclusion for over ten years. You probably don't know how many shameless things the Chinese Medicine Association has done under the control of the Sima family. Not only have they harmed everyone's interests, but they have also completely severed the future path of Chinese medicine. That's why I had to make this choice!"
"Teacher, please…"
"No need for pleasantries," Gu Shiren interrupted him, raising his hand. His old eyes were sharp. "After Sima Boyong stepped down and his son Sima Wentang took over the Chinese Medicine Association, I knew this day would come!"
This statement caused Jiang Yichun and Ding Huixiang to exchange glances and look at the grim-faced Gu Shiren. He said, "I am old, and I have been retired for over ten years. Therefore, regarding your founding of the Lingnan Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, I neither oppose nor support it. So, you all continue with it. Don't mind me, just pretend I wasn't here today. Let's eat…"
After speaking, Gu Shiren picked up his chopsticks and began to eat without further comment.
This made Gu Yuanbai and Jiang Yichun freeze, and they couldn't help but look at Wan Yunting. They were truly curious about where he had taken Gu Shiren that afternoon and what he had said to make him maintain a neutral stance!
However, since Gu Shiren wouldn't say, Gu Yuanbai and the others couldn't ask Wan Yunting directly. So, everyone continued to eat in silence, the atmosphere extremely oppressive. This caused Gu Luotang, Song Sinan, Qi Miaomiao, and Zhang Xiaoyu at the next table to dare not speak and eat quietly…
Fortunately, Gu Shiren ate quickly. He put down his chopsticks, picked up his wine glass, and after drinking it all, said, "I'm finished eating. You all continue at your own pace. Zichen, let's go back."
"Grandpa, I'm not finished eating yet…"
Gu Zichen, who had only eaten half his meal, looked wronged when he heard his grandfather's words.
"Hurry up."
Gu Shiren glared at his grandson displementally. Gu Zichen reluctantly stood up, grabbed a chicken drumstick, and said, "I'm coming…"
"Teacher, I'll see you out."
Gu Yuanbai stood up to see Gu Shiren out. Jiang Yichun and the others also stood up, but Gu Yuanbai told them to sit down and continue eating, saying he would handle the farewell.
Jiang Yichun and the others nodded, and Gu Yuanbai helped Gu Shiren out.
As soon as they left, Jiang Yichun, Deng Hongsheng, Ding Huixiang, and Meng Kang all focused their attention on Wan Yunting. Feeling their intense gazes, he was stunned and quickly picked up his wine glass, chuckling, "Senior everyone, I toast you all…"
"Little Wan, don't drink yet. Tell us, what exactly is going on?" Jiang Yichun placed his hand on Wan Yunting's arm holding the wine glass and asked sternly.
Everyone had been holding back their curiosity all afternoon.
Gu Luotang, Song Sinan, and the others at the next table also turned their heads. Everyone stared intently at Wan Yunting, making him feel a bit embarrassed. He put down his wine glass and said to Jiang Yichun and the others with a wry smile, "Elder Jiang, senior everyone, it's not that I don't want to say, but this matter is inconvenient to discuss!"
"Hey, you kid, what's inconvenient to talk about?" Ding Huixiang, with his fiery temper, flared up.
"Yes, where did you take Old Gu in the afternoon, and what did you do to make him suddenly change his mind and neither oppose nor support our Lingnan Traditional Chinese Medicine Association? You have to tell us." Wei Datong said.
Wan Yunting was pressed with questions and smiled helplessly, "Senior everyone, I can only say that Old Mr. Gu and I have some connections, which is why he changed his mind!"
"As for anything else, please forgive me, because Old Mr. Gu said that some things are not yet convenient to discuss!"
These words left Ding Huixiang speechless. He pointed at Wan Yunting and said angrily, "You're just passing the blame to Old Gu."
Meng Kang and Wei Datong also exchanged glances. Seeing that the young man was deflecting responsibility to Gu Shiren, they didn't press further…
Meanwhile, Gu Yuanbai helped Gu Shiren across the doorstep. "Teacher, mind the threshold…"
"Alright."
Gu Shiren waved his hand, turned to look at Gu Yuanbai, and said, "I know what you want to ask, but it's inconvenient for me to tell you for now. As for your founding of the Lingnan Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, I will maintain a neutral stance in front of outsiders, but I support you in private!"
Gu Yuanbai's old face stiffened, and he raised his eyebrows to ask, "Teacher, is it because of Wan Yunting?"
Gu Shiren shook his head and said, "Whether it's him or that I suddenly changed my mind, all you need to do now is to do your current work well. Establishing a Chinese medicine association is not as simple as you think. With the Sima family around, it won't be smooth sailing for you."
Gu Yuanbai nodded. Although Gu Shiren didn't say it, he had actually understood the issue was with Wan Yunting!
"Grandpa, the car is here."
Gu Zichen called for the car, gnawing on a chicken drumstick as he opened the rear door.
Gu Yuanbai quickly went up to help Gu Shiren into the car and said to Gu Zichen, "Zichen, tell the driver to drive slowly."
"Okay, Grandpa Gu. We're leaving."
Gu Zichen, after finishing his chicken drumstick, tossed the bone towards a distant roadside trash can, smiled at Gu Yuanbai, and then got into the car, telling the driver to drive away.
Gu Yuanbai waved his old hand, watching the car disappear from sight before lowering it. He frowned and turned to go back…
"Old Gu is back…"
Everyone was still eating when they saw Gu Yuanbai return. Ding Huixiang pointed at Wan Yunting and said, "This kid just refuses to say."
"Old Gu, did you find out anything from Old Gu?" Meng Kang asked.
Gu Yuanbai sat down, smiled slightly, and shook his head, "You all know my teacher's temper. If he doesn't want to say something, he won't say it even if we all kneel down and beg him."
"Then let this kid say it!"
Ding Huixiang pointed at Wan Yunting again. With his rough features, he looked fierce, and his voice was loud.
"Alright, let's not trouble Little Wan anymore."
Gu Yuanbai raised his hand to stop Ding Huixiang, then glanced at Wan Yunting sitting beside him. In fact, he had already vaguely guessed it!