"Now let's discuss and decide on the elder members of our Lingnan Traditional Chinese Medicine Association," Gu Yuanbai steered the conversation, looking at Jiang Yichun, Ding Huixiang, and others present. "I forgot to mention, Old Jiang and I have decided to appoint Wan Yunting as the Vice Chairman of our Lingnan Traditional Chinese Medicine Association!"
"What?" Ding Huixiang was the first to exclaim, pointing at Wan Yunting. "Old Gu, you want him to be our Vice Chairman?"
Wei Datong, Zhang Fenglin, Song Chengqi, Sun Yutang, and others sitting nearby also frowned. This decision was completely unexpected. They had all assumed that with Gu Yuanbai as the new Chairman of the Lingnan Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, Jiang Yichun would naturally be the Vice Chairman. Even if it were Song Chengqi's turn, there was no way Wan Yunting would be considered.
At the next table, apart from Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao who knew about this, Song Sinan, Wei Renxin, and Zhang Xiaoyu also showed expressions of surprise upon hearing the outcome. Song Sinan, in particular, raised her delicate eyebrows. While she admitted Wan Yunting's medical skills were exceptional, she believed she herself was not inferior to him.
"Old Gu, I must object to this decision," Ding Huixiang was the first to stand up, pointing at Wan Yunting, who was calmly eating vegetables, and speaking loudly to Gu Yuanbai. "Even if you chose Old Jiang, or perhaps Elder Song, as Vice Chairman, we wouldn't have any objections. But why appoint a young person as Vice Chairman?"
"Exactly, it shouldn't be a junior who gets this position," Kong Yi and others chimed in. Perhaps being from outside the province, they were unaware of Wan Yunting's exploits in Huadu. Even if they were, they wouldn't agree to a junior holding the Vice Chairman position.
"Everyone, please listen to me," Gu Yuanbai gestured, signaling Ding Huixiang to sit down. He smiled and said, "I know you are all from various provinces and cities, so it's understandable you're not familiar with Little Wan's medical proficiency. However, Old Jiang and I made this decision because we believe the Lingnan Traditional Chinese Medicine Association's path lies in the future, and the future belongs to young people!"
"Little Wan's medical skills are superb, and he has also recently received the Outstanding Hero of Anti-Drug Efforts medal from the people of Huadu. In terms of both wisdom and courage, I believe he is a standout among the younger generation and a leader for the future of Chinese medicine."
"That's why Old Jiang and I decided to appoint him as Vice Chairman. We want him to quickly take on responsibilities and lead the younger generation of Chinese medicine practitioners as their leader!"
Song Chengqi and Wei Datong nodded in agreement. However, Zhang Fenglin said, "I admit he is excellent, but we also have many outstanding young people among our juniors."
"Yes, my grandson is quite good," Ding Huixiang's loud voice boomed again. Although he hadn't brought his grandson today, he pointed to Song Sinan and Wei Renxin at the next table. "Even if my grandson isn't up to par, what about Elder Song's granddaughter, Song Sinan, and Datong's son, Wei Renxin? Aren't they also outstanding figures among the younger generation?"
"Now, if you choose him as Vice Chairman, Old Gu, do you think those young people will respect him?"
This question caught Gu Yuanbai and Jiang Yichun off guard. They hadn't considered this aspect. Having witnessed Wan Yunting's exceptional medical skills and understanding his character, they believed he was the most outstanding among the younger generation and expected other young people to respect him and accept his position as Vice Chairman.
"My little grandson is also very good, he can recite the Treatise on Cold Damage backwards..."
At this point, Sun Yutang, Kong Yi, and others began praising their grandsons and junior relatives, causing Gu Yuanbai and Jiang Yichun to wear expressions of helplessness. Wan Yunting, quietly eating beside them, could only smile wryly. He had initially disagreed with Gu Yuanbai and Jiang Yichun appointing him as Vice Chairman because he anticipated that these older physicians would inevitably object!
"How about this, let the young people compete!" Gu Yuanbai suddenly had an idea and said to Ding Huixiang, Meng Kang, and the others present, "We'll hold a medical competition. All the young people you believe are capable of being Vice Chairman can participate. Whoever wins will take the Vice Chairman position. What do you say?"
"I think that's a good idea." Ding Huixiang lightly slapped the table. Meng Kang, Wei Datong, Song Chengqi, Sun Yutang, and others also nodded, agreeing that this method was the fairest and most just.
"Little Wan, what do you think?" Gu Yuanbai turned to Wan Yunting. Since Ding Huixiang and the others were not convinced, he couldn't make the decision alone and had to go with the consensus.
"I have no problem with it." Wan Yunting certainly had no objection to deciding the position through a medical competition.
At the next table, Song Sinan, Wei Renxin, and the others heard that the Vice Chairman position would be decided by a medical competition. Some of them were excited, already eager to participate.
"We will discuss this matter tomorrow. For now, let's confirm our association elders." Having made that decision, Gu Yuanbai continued to deliberate on the elder members. Looking at Jiang Yichun, Song Chengqi, Sun Yutang, Kong Yi, Wei Datong, Zhang Fenglin, Ding Huixiang, and Meng Kang, he said, "The eight of you shall serve as the elders of our Lingnan Traditional Chinese Medicine Association."
"Yes, we have no objections..." Li Chengde and the others nodded, stating they had no issues. Gu Luotang, Qi Miaomiao, Song Sinan, and others at the next table also nodded in agreement.
"Good, then let's discuss recruiting members. As our association is just starting, we need to inject new blood..." Gu Yuanbai, Jiang Yichun, and Ding Huixiang then began discussing the association's membership. They were primarily focused on the younger generation, hoping for more young people to join the association and develop future talent.
Wan Yunting sat nearby, listening attentively to their discussions. At the next table, Song Sinan, Wei Renxin, Zhang Xiaoyu, and Liu Qianqi were also listening intently. Gu Luotang, however, kept glancing at Wan Yunting. From her perspective, she could only see Wan Yunting's handsome profile, which made her heart flutter.
Sensing Gu Luotang's gaze, Wan Yunting turned and smiled gently at her. This caused Gu Luotang's pretty face to blush, and she quickly lowered her head, her heart inexplicably pounding.
Just then, Wan Yunting's phone rang. Seeing it was Fang Yanxi, he excused himself from Jiang Yichun and the others and stepped aside to answer. "Yanxi, miss me already?" he said with a smile.
At that moment, at the reception hosted by Chaoting Group at the Tianyu Garden Hotel in Huadu, Fang Yanxi was wearing a long purple evening gown with a small jacket draped over her shoulders. She had styled her hair for the evening, with shoulder-length, slightly curly chestnut hair cascading elegantly. A valuable and exquisite necklace adorned her beautiful swan-like neck, exuding an air of grace, nobility, and elegance. The reception had been underway for over an hour. Prominent figures from Huadu's entire business community had been invited. One could see Kang Hongwen and his wife, as well as General Wei Renxin of Baoli Group, chatting and laughing with Jiang Wenhao and Eric. Fang Yanxi was standing outside the main entrance of the reception, listening to the man's voice on the phone, which made her playfully annoyed. "Who's missing you? Where are you now? Have you forgotten what you're supposed to do tonight?"
Wan Yunting was startled, then remembered Fang Yanxi's message at noon asking him to accompany her to the reception tonight. "Oh, I'm sorry, Yanxi. There were many unexpected issues during the meeting this afternoon, and I got delayed. I'll come find you right now."
"Then hurry up and come over," Fang Yanxi urged impatiently.
"Okay, I'm heading over now..." Wan Yunting was anxious. He didn't want to stand her up tonight, especially after just starting a relationship with her, lest Fang Yanxi deny him intimacy.