At this moment, Sima Xuanyu and his father, Sima Wentang, wearing masks, were in the villa of Ouyang Zhixin's daughter. The foul stench of dead fish filled their nostrils, making them gag. However, Sima Xuanyu and his son persevered, directing two maids to boil a large pot of medicinal soup in a huge iron wok. Sima Xuanyu stood beside it, holding a cloth bag and continuously adding medicinal herbs to the wok.
Sima Wentang, holding a clean wooden stick, stirred the boiling medicinal soup in the large iron wok. The unique aroma of Chinese medicinal herbs faintly masked the overpowering stench of dead fish.
"I didn't expect Gu Yuanbai and Wan Yunting to come and treat President Ouyang's daughter!"
After adding one bag of Chinese medicine, Sima Xuanyu picked up another bag of precious medicinal herbs and continued to add them to the large iron wok. Sima Wentang, who was stirring nearby, nodded and replied, "I heard that President Ouyang had Gu Yuanbai treat his daughter a few days ago. He must have asked Wan Yunting to come to the capital in advance, all for this!"
Sima Xuanyu nodded and said, "Fortunately, we arrived a step earlier. But it's fine, with Wan Yunting's abilities, he won't be able to cure President Ouyang's daughter's illness."
Sima Wentang turned to look at his confident son and nodded with a smile, "Xuanyu, are you sure this medicinal bath can cure President Ouyang's daughter's illness?"
Sima Xuanyu continued to add medicinal herbs to the large iron wok and said, "I encountered a patient with the 'rotten fish syndrome' abroad. Although his condition was not as severe as President Ouyang's daughter, that patient was cured with this medicinal bath. So, I am confident that this medicinal bath will be effective for President Ouyang's daughter."
"Good."
Sima Wentang was pleased and smiled, "Xuanyu, you are your grandfather's most valued successor. In terms of medical skills and talent, I, your old father, am not as good as you. As long as you cure President Ouyang's daughter's illness this time, and I create some sensational news, I can legitimately pass on my position as chairman of the association to you at the National Traditional Chinese Medicine Conference."
Sima Xuanyu finished adding the Chinese medicine from the bag in his hand, folded the cloth bag, and placed it on the table beside him. He smiled and nodded, "Don't worry, Dad. Even if those people are unconvinced, I'll find a way to make them submit!"
"Good, if you have this confidence, I'm relieved."
Sima Wentang patted him on the shoulder with joy. The father and son continued to boil the medicinal soup in the large iron wok. It needed to be boiled for an hour and a half before it could be used for President Ouyang's daughter's medicinal bath.
At this time, Wan Yunting and Wan Yunting, along with Gu Sinuo and her cousin Gu Zichen, drove back to the Gu residence. They happened to see Gu Shiren coming out. He asked curiously, "Why are you back so early? Did something happen?"
"Grandfather, don't mention it."
Gu Zichen waved his hand and said, "We were a step too late. Sima Wentang and his son got ahead of us in treating Ouyang Zhixin's daughter."
"Oh."
Gu Shiren's old face showed surprise as he looked at Wan Yunting and Gu Yuanbai, saying, "Did the Sima family know you were going to the Ouyang residence to see the patient today?"
"No."
Wan Yunting shook his head and said, "It must have been a coincidence."
Gu Shiren's old brows furrowed slightly, "What an unfortunate coincidence. The illness of the Ouyang family's daughter is well-known throughout the capital's traditional Chinese medicine circles. Everyone knows how difficult this strange disease is to treat, and it has stumped everyone. If the Sima family cures the girl's illness at this time, the Sima family will definitely publicize it widely, which will not be beneficial to us."
"Yes, we are also concerned about this matter."
Gu Yuanbai nodded, also worried in his heart, and sighed, "But there's nothing we can do now. They got there first."
Gu Shiren asked, "What method are they using to treat the Ouyang family's daughter?"
Gu Sinuo said, "I heard they plan to use a medicinal bath!"
Gu Zichen added, "Several doctors have used medicinal baths to treat her before, but they couldn't cure her. I suspect that Sima Xuanyu is just overconfident and definitely won't be able to cure Ouyang Zhixin's daughter."
Gu Shiren nodded, then waved his hand, "Forget it, it's useless to talk about this now. The National Traditional Chinese Medicine Conference is in two days. Let's think of a way to deal with it."
Wan Yunting and Gu Yuanbai nodded, then asked, "Elder Gu, where are you going?"
"Oh, I'm going to visit an old friend. Since Yuanbai is here, why don't you come with me," Gu Shiren said.
"Okay."
Gu Yuanbai nodded and looked at Wan Yunting. Wan Yunting shook his head, "I have something to do later, so I won't accompany you."
Gu Shiren nodded and said, "Then you stay at home. If you need anything, Sinuo can arrange it for you."
"Okay."
Wan Yunting nodded. He and Gu Sinuo stood at the door, watching Gu Shiren and Gu Yuanbai get into Gu Zichen's car with the butler Lü Hong, who was acting as the driver, and drive away.
Wan Yunting turned his head, intending to ask Gu Sinuo for a car. Just then, a sedan car roared towards them. Gu Sinuo recognized who it was as soon as she saw the car. As the car stopped at the entrance, the door opened, and a woman wearing a snow-white long down jacket emerged. Her long, black hair was elegantly draped over the fluffy collar of her down jacket, and her ears were adorned with fluffy earmuffs.
Because the weather was so cold, the white down jacket covered her down to her calves, revealing the hem of a white gauze skirt. She wore white boots and gloves. As she turned around, her fair, rosy face with delicate features and a pair of beautiful, peach blossom eyes that were bright and lively was revealed. Her slightly chubby face was adorable, with a cute, upturned nose and tempting cherry lips. Seeing Gu Sinuo at the door, she waved happily and called out, "Sinuo..."
"Shuyuan..."
Gu Sinuo smiled and greeted her. She descended two steps, and Fan Shuyuan ran over. The two girls embraced immediately, and Fan Shuyuan laughed happily, "Sinuo, why are you at the door? I'm freezing to death."
"Yes, I just got back and was about to go inside when you arrived."
Gu Sinuo released her and smiled, "You're back from your trip. Was it fun?"
"Of course, it was fun."
Fan Shuyuan's peach blossom eyes curved like two crescent moons when she smiled, looking very lively and beautiful. She gave Gu Sinuo a white glance and pouted, "It's no fun that you wouldn't accompany me. It's so boring."
Gu Sinuo held her small hand and rubbed it, smiling, "I was busy. Alright, after the New Year, I'll go with you. Just the two of us, how about that?"
"Okay, you said it. No matter what happens, you can't back out. If you don't go, I'll spread the word about you watching adult movies..." Fan Shuyuan's peach blossom eyes showed a mischievous glint as she smirked.
"Tsk, Shuyuan, what are you talking about."
Gu Sinuo's pretty face immediately flushed red. She quickly covered Fan Shuyuan's mouth and gestured with her eyes that someone was behind her.
"Who is he?"
Fan Shuyuan only then noticed Wan Yunting, who had been standing behind Gu Sinuo. Her peach blossom eyes lit up, and she smiled, "Good for you, Sinuo. You didn't go on the trip with me because of this handsome guy, did you? You ungrateful pervert..."
"Shuyuan, what nonsense are you talking about? Take a good look at who he is."
Gu Sinuo was speechless by the girl's rambling. She turned and pulled her, urging Fan Shuyuan to take a good look at Wan Yunting.
"Huh, he looks so familiar, like I've seen him somewhere before!"
Fan Shuyuan's peach blossom eyes stared intently at Wan Yunting's face, but she couldn't recall who he was for a moment.
"Hi..."
Wan Yunting looked at Fan Shuyuan and naturally didn't recognize the beautiful woman. He offered a polite smile and a greeting.
Gu Sinuo whispered to her, "Wan Yunting from the Lanting Award!"
"Oh, so it's you!"
Fan Shuyuan, who instantly remembered, widened her peach blossom eyes and exclaimed, pointing at Wan Yunting. Then, she circled him, examining him up and down, and said, "He's quite handsome, but I don't agree that you're a young calligraphy master!"
Wan Yunting's expression faltered at her words. He habitually touched his nose, assuming this beautiful woman, like Gu Sinuo, was a calligraphy enthusiast.
After all, he had won first place in the Lanting Award calligraphy competition and was praised by Fan Liren in public, becoming famous overnight. Most people in the art circle had heard of his reputation. Wan Yunting humbly smiled and said, "It's just a false reputation, not worth mentioning."
"Hmph, quite humble indeed."
Fan Shuyuan gave him a white glance with her peach blossom eyes and asked, tucking her arm into Gu Sinuo's, "Why is he here with you? You must have known him for a while, right?"
Gu Sinuo gave her a speechless white glance and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? He knows my grandfather and is here to attend the National Traditional Chinese Medicine Conference."
"Oh."
Fan Shuyuan turned and glanced sideways at Wan Yunting, "Are you really a traditional Chinese medicine doctor?"
Wan Yunting nodded and smiled, remaining silent. After all, he didn't know this beautiful woman, and seeing her disdainful attitude towards him, he couldn't be bothered to strike up a conversation. He said, "Miss Sinuo, could I borrow a car? I need to visit an elder."
"Hey, you can't leave!"
Fan Shuyuan nodded, her peach blossom eyes fixed on Wan Yunting, and said directly, "Since I've met you, you have to compete in calligraphy with me!"
Wan Yunting's expression was surprised. He looked at this beautiful woman with lively peach blossom eyes and an arrogant demeanor, and smiled, "I'm sorry, I don't have time right now. Perhaps another day when there's an opportunity."
"Heh, you're afraid to compete with me, aren't you?"
Seeing his refusal, Fan Shuyuan couldn't help but sneer. Her peach blossom eyes glanced at him with utter disdain, "If you don't want to compete with me, then publicly claim that you lost to me!"
Now Wan Yunting's expression was peculiar. He looked at her with confusion and smiled, "Beautiful lady, I'm not in your art circle. Why do you care about these things?"
"You don't care, but I do!"
Fan Shuyuan's peach blossom eyes widened. She took a step closer to Wan Yunting, staring at him, and said arrogantly, "Because I am the number one young calligrapher!"
"Heh heh."
Wan Yunting chuckled, shaking his head. "I never claimed to be a young calligraphy master; it's all external fame. If you want it, you can just have the media hype it up for you."
This seemed to enrage Fan Shuyuan. She put her hands on her hips, glared at Wan Yunting, and said furiously, "Hey, I, Fan Shuyuan, don't need to rely on media hype to gain fame. If you don't dare to compete with me, then admit defeat publicly. Don't think that just because you won the Lanting Award calligraphy competition and got praised by some old man, you're a calligraphy deity."
"In the capital, I, Fan Shuyuan, am the number one calligrapher. Therefore, either you compete with me and make me concede defeat wholeheartedly, or you lose to me fairly and squarely, and give me this title!"
Wan Yunting raised an eyebrow. He didn't care that she mentioned his name, but he was displeased to hear her call Elder Fan an "old man" and show such disrespect to an elder.
Seeing the girl's arrogant and aggressively provocative demeanor, Wan Yunting nodded, "Alright, I'll compete with you!"