The Gu mansion's grand reception hall was now set with three tables of food and wine, each seating over a dozen people. They were all renowned TCM practitioners from the capital, including Gu Shiren and Xue Dongshan, the four esteemed national doctors, as well as figures like Chen Ru and Lin Zhihua, who were newly appointed vice deans of the Capital University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Seated at these tables, apart from Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao, were Gu Zichen, Gu Sinuo, and several other young men and women who had accompanied their elders to gain experience.
Among them was a young man named Liu He, around the same age as Wan Yunting, who was the biological grandson of Liu Pingyi. A strikingly beautiful woman with a gentle and elegant demeanor was Xue Xialan, the biological granddaughter of Xue Dongshan.
Another woman, though not as stunning as Xue Xialan, possessed a captivating and enduring beauty. Her name was Li Siyi, the youngest daughter of Li Tiangui, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. She shared a passion for ancient Chinese clothing and styles. Upon seeing the sisters Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao, Li Siyi was drawn to them, and they engaged in a lively conversation about Hanfu.
It was evident that Old Man Li doted on his late-blooming daughter, who was reportedly still unmarried, much to his anxiety. Tonight, he had brought his daughter with the intention of introducing her to some promising young men.
Additionally, there were three young men named Li Haiwen, Sun Wenhao, and Lu Dashun, all from the same cohort as Wan Yunting, gathered at a table engaged in animated conversation.
"The dishes are here, the dishes are here..."
Following that, two aunts entered, carrying platters of food. They first served the elders' table, occupied by Gu Shiren and Gu Yuanbai, before moving on to the younger generation's table. Wan Yunting naturally sat to the left of Gu Shiren. As the elder gentleman stood with his wine glass, he said with a smile, "Come, let us raise our glasses and offer a toast in advance for a smooth new year, and also to the revival and flourishing of our Traditional Chinese Medicine Association."
"Revival and flourishing..."
Everyone echoed the sentiment with happy shouts before downing the wine in their glasses.
Wan Yunting helped Gu Shiren to his seat. He himself remained standing, filling his wine glass, and then raising it to Xue Dongshan, Liu Pingyi, and other key committee and board members of the association. He said sincerely, "Everyone, the stability of our Traditional Chinese Medicine Association in such a short time is all thanks to your tireless efforts and selfless dedication. It is through your hard work that our association has gradually become stable. Therefore, I must propose a toast to all of you, to thank you for your support."
After speaking, Wan Yunting emptied his glass in one gulp, prompting applause from everyone. Liu Pingyi chuckled, "Chairman Wan, there's no need for such formality. We old bones also wish to contribute something to the future of TCM before we depart from this world."
"Indeed, the future still relies on you young people."
Li Tiangui pointed at Wan Yunting, then turned to the younger generation at the adjacent table, including Gu Luotang and Gu Zichen, saying, "The revival and flourishing of TCM depend on your generation."
"Old Man Li, please rest assured, we will not fail you."
Gu Zichen raised his wine glass and called out, "Come, let us young ones toast to our elders."
"Come..."
Liu He, Li Tianyi, Li Haiwen, and others raised their wine glasses and stood up. Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao also quickly rose. Wan Yunting poured himself another glass of wine, and they all raised their glasses to toast the elders and offer New Year greetings, creating a warm and joyous atmosphere.
After drinking with the elders like Gu Shiren and Gu Yuanbai for a while, Wan Yunting got up and headed to the young people's table. He pulled out a chair, squeezing past Qi Miaomiao, and sat to Gu Luotang's right. Looking at Liu He, Xue Xialan, and Sun Wenhao, whom he hadn't met before, he smiled and said, "It's much more fun drinking with our generation."
"Hahaha..."
His words made all the young men and women at the table laugh. Wan Yunting poured himself wine, raised his glass, and said, "Come, I'll toast everyone."
"No, Chairman Wan, it should be us who toast you first."
Lu Dashun said, holding his wine glass, and Li Wenhai and Sun Wenhao also nodded and poured wine. Wan Yunting waved his hand and said with a deliberate whisper, "We young people don't have as many formalities as the older generation. Don't call me Chairman Wan; I'm not used to it. Just call me Old Wan in private; it's much more familiar."
"Hehe, I didn't expect Chairman Wan to be so approachable."
Li Siyi covered her mouth and giggled coquettishly, casting a charming glance at Wan Yunting. She and Xue Xialan had been chatting privately earlier and had thought that Wan Yunting, as the chairman of the TCM Association, would be quite haughty.
"You are Old Li's daughter, Li Tianyi, aren't you?" Wan Yunting turned to Li Siyi, who was sitting beside Qi Miaomiao, and said with a smile, "Just call me Old Wan."
"Okay, okay, Old Wan."
Li Tianyi raised her wine glass and clinked it with his. She couldn't help but giggle again. She seemed quite lively and had been chattering non-stop with Qi Miaomiao earlier.
"You are Old Liu's grandson, Liu He, and you are Old Xue's granddaughter, Xue Xialan..."
Wan Yunting identified the new faces among the young men and women one by one. Although it was their first meeting, he had heard their elders' introductions and thus remembered them. Liu He was handsome and exuded an air of scholarly refinement. Holding his wine glass, he smiled and said, "Come, we toast you, Chairman Wan."
"Come..."
Seeing that Liu He still called him Chairman Wan, Wan Yunting smiled without saying anything further. He clinked his glass with his and gestured to the others with his cup, and they all finished their wine together.
Next, Wan Yunting engaged in lively conversation and drinking with Li Wenhai, Sun Wenhao, Gu Zichen, and others. He even taught them to play dice and, thanks to his incredible tolerance for alcohol, managed to get Lu Dashun and several others completely drunk.
The only one who spoke little with Wan Yunting was Liu He. He seemed to get along better with the quiet Xue Xialan and Gu Sinuo, seemingly intentionally showcasing a different style from Wan Yunting and his group.
Wan Yunting also noticed that Liu He was different. Especially his seemingly amiable demeanor, but the underlying arrogance in his eyes did not escape Wan Yunting. Since the other man didn't seem interested in interacting with him, Wan Yunting was too lazy to seek him out.
The dinner naturally concluded around ten in the evening. Most guests left with assistance, while Wan Yunting, as if unaffected, saw off Li Tiangui, Chen Ru, and others before feeling at ease.
"Brother Yunting, are you going back now?"
Gu Luotang asked Wan Yunting at the main entrance of the Gu mansion.
After seeing everyone off, Qi Miaomiao and Gu Sinuo had helped Gu Yuanbai and Gu Shiren inside to rest.
"Yes, why don't you come back with me?"
Seeing no one else at the entrance, Wan Yunting walked up and put his arm around the woman's slender and soft waist. Slightly tipsy, he smiled mischievously again, causing Gu Luotang to give him a playful glare, her eyes sparkling. She gently pushed his chest with her hand, saying, "You smell of alcohol, you're so naughty."
Wan Yunting chuckled. Seeing the designated driver arrive, he stopped joking with the woman. "Go inside quickly. I'll come to pick you up tomorrow morning."
"Okay, drive carefully."
Gu Luotang, knowing the man's alcohol tolerance, watched him get into his car from the doorway before turning to go inside.
Upon returning home, Wan Yunting found his father, Ouyang Zhixin, and Xia Xiangyun still awake and chatting in the living room. Seeing Wan Yunting return, they smiled and said, "Xiao Wan is back."
"Yes, why aren't you two asleep yet?"
Wan Yunting walked over. Ouyang Zhixin smiled and said, "We were waiting for you to come back to confirm if you'll be staying in the capital for the New Year."
Looking at their expectant gazes, Wan Yunting nodded with a smile.
"That's wonderful."
Xia Xiangyun happily got up, took Wan Yunting's arm, and said with a smile, "Our family is finally reunited this year."
"Yes."
Ouyang Zhixin was so moved that his eyes turned red. Xia Xiangyun, thinking of the cold and lonely scenes at home in previous years, also shed tears. This left Wan Yunting somewhat at a loss, and he quickly comforted her, "Mom, why are you crying?"
Xia Xiangyun's expression froze. She looked up at Wan Yunting with tear-filled eyes, her eyes wide. She exclaimed in disbelief, "You, what did you call me?"
Ouyang Zhixin also stood up. Hearing his son address his wife as "Mom" for the first time, he felt a surge of emotion.
"Mom..."
Wan Yunting's eyes also turned red as he smiled and called out to Xia Xiangyun again.
"Wuwu, my son..."
Xia Xiangyun lost control of her emotions, hugged Wan Yunting, and cried with joy, "You finally called me Mom..."
For over twenty years, Ouyang Zhixin and Xia Xiangyun had endured countless days and nights, often plagued by nightmares, believing their lost son was no longer alive.
Hugging his mother, Wan Yunting turned his red-eyed gaze towards Ouyang Zhixin and called out with a smile, "Dad..."
"Yes..."
Ouyang Zhixin's face trembled with emotion, and a tear rolled down his cheek. He quickly turned his head to wipe it away before smiling and patting Wan Yunting's back. His heart was overwhelmed with excitement, and he didn't know what to say.