From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Chapter 675 - 645: Closer Than Close

Xu Chunliang finally realized that the Bureau of Culture and Tourism was not just a department for eating, drinking, and having fun. In this era, it also bore the responsibility of revitalizing Chinese culture and defending traditions.Mo Han said, "Actually, this kind of thing wasn’t pioneered by Mingde. Over the past five years, the pharmaceutical giant Neon Jin Village Pharmaceutical has acquired nearly ten traditional Chinese medicine companies. Just last month, they fully acquired the Shengshi Baicao Group. Compared to them, Mingde Group focuses on grassroots units of traditional Chinese medicine, devoted to acquiring old medical clinics and traditional secret recipes, which is not as eye-catching."

Xu Chunliang said, "This is an all-encompassing pace of seizing our traditional culture."

Mo Han sighed softly, "There’s a saying that Tang Dynasty culture is in Neon, and Ming Dynasty culture is on the Peninsula. But once culture spreads and undergoes localization and transformation, it forms their own cultural characteristics, which are fundamentally different from our traditional culture. They are best at passing off fish eyes as pearls, swapping beams and pillars, deceiving many uninformed people."

Xu Chunliang felt that this situation couldn’t be allowed to continue, but he couldn’t reverse the situation with his power alone. It required one or a few influential figures to speak out.

Xu Chunliang thought of Elder Qiao and Elder Ye. He needed to find an opportunity to have a good talk with them. If these two elders were willing to speak up for traditional Chinese medicine, perhaps the phenomenon of foreign acquisitions of national pharmaceutical companies could be curbed. National treasures have always been exclusive and Xu Chunliang doesn’t think his perspective is narrow-minded. When faced with thieves eyeing your valuables, you can’t just open the safe and show them your treasures.

Mo Han looked at the rubbings, seemingly lost in thought.

Xu Chunliang intentionally said, "Do you recognize the characters on it?"

Mo Han shook her head, immediately on alert. Xu Chunliang had been observing her every move; her excessive attention to the rubbings had aroused his suspicion. She folded the rubbings and returned them to Xu Chunliang.

Xu Chunliang didn’t reach out to take them, smiling, "It’s a gift for you."

Mo Han was taken aback, incredulous, "A gift for me? Why?" If Xu Chunliang said he was selling them to her, she might believe it a bit. Nothing is obtained for free; is this guy setting another trap for her?

Xu Chunliang said, "Didn’t you lose some oracle bones? I’m giving this to you as some consolation."

Mo Han said, "I’m quite flattered. How much do you want?"

Xu Chunliang said, "You should know I’m not greedy for money. Although you approached me with another motive, I’ve always considered you my friend."

Mo Han started to murmur to herself. His sudden change today was too drastic; why would he give such a big gift without reason? Could there be some deceit involved? But she had just seen them, and these twelve oracle bones evidently related to the Inner Canon of Huangdi, too tempting for her to decline.

Xu Chunliang noticed her suspicion and said with a smile, "These were a gift from Huang Youlong. Passing them to you is a beautiful favor as well."

Mo Han said, "In that case, I humbly accept."

Xu Chunliang laughed inwardly; when Huang Youlong gave him the rubbings, he said the same words. Giving them to Mo Han meant little to him; besides, he also wanted to test the sharpness of Mo Han’s group, to see if they could detect the flaws in the rubbings.

It was evident that Equatorial Capital and Mingde Group were not collaborators. With similar goals, a clash between the two was inevitable, just like two dogs eyeing the same bone.

No matter how strong Xu Chunliang was individually, making two strong enemies at the same time wasn’t wise. Compared to Huang Youlong, who came with a purpose of revenge, his alliance with Equatorial Capital was more pragmatic. There’s no rush to act; let them fight each other first.

After meeting Huang Youlong, Xu Chunliang had basically figured out his strategy: to tackle Huang Youlong’s plots and dismantle his entire setup in the Chinese District through both political and commercial angles.

Then the doorbell rang, Xu Chunliang got up to check, and outside stood Ji Jiajia, followed by four bodyguards.

As soon as Xu Chunliang opened the door, Ji Jiajia stormed in, fuming, "Master, I’ve had enough. That woman is too extreme, treating me like a prisoner..."

Ji Jiajia paused midway when she saw Mo Han sitting on the sofa, stunned, "Master, you have a woman hidden in your room!"

Before Xu Chunliang could respond, Mo Han had already glared at Ji Jiajia fiercely, "Little girl, you better watch your mouth."

Ji Jiajia laughed, "She’s quite pretty. Is she your girlfriend?" She casually placed a hand on Xu Chunliang’s shoulder.

Xu Chunliang removed her hand, "This kid has no manners; she’s my friend. You should call her..."

Not waiting for Xu Chunliang to finish, Ji Jiajia loudly said, "Hello, Auntie!"

Mo Han looked at the clueless little girl in front of her, frowned, and said, "I’ll leave for now. You should take the time to chat with this young lady first."

Xu Chunliang said, "Let me walk you out."

Ji Jiajia said, "No need!"

Mo Han was about to leave, but upon hearing this, she sat back down and smiled at Ji Jiajia, "You’re Ji Buyao’s daughter, right?"

Ji Jiajia said, "None of your business."

Mo Han said, "No wonder you’re so rude."

Ji Jiajia angrily said, "Why should I be polite to you?"

Mo Han smiled warmly, "The person you care about the most is Sister Maria, your favorite sport is skateboarding, your first love was Qin Fang, and you have a dog named Adam, currently cared for by Sister Maria..."

As Mo Han gently spoke, Ji Jiajia’s expression changed, "How dare you investigate me..."

Mo Han sighed, "I have no interest in a little girl’s affairs, but I despise rude children. If you behave like this again, I promise you’ll never see your dog again."

Mo Han gracefully demonstrated using a gentle voice to deliver the harshest words. Xu Chunliang watched with great interest; Ji Jiajia’s arrogant demeanor had vanished, shattered by Mo Han’s psychological tactics.

Mo Han said, "Do you have any other business now?"

Ji Jiajia pouted and shook her head.

Mo Han pointed at the door.

Ji Jiajia glanced at Xu Chunliang. He obviously had no intention of defending her.

Ji Jiajia pouted, "Master, I’m leaving."

Mo Han said, "Shouldn’t you bow before leaving?"

Ji Jiajia grudgingly bowed to Xu Chunliang before retreating. Her original intent was just to vent her grievances about Hua Zhuyue anyway.

After Ji Jiajia left, Xu Chunliang gave Mo Han a thumbs-up, "You’re really good at this." He recalled Mo Han’s words; clearly, she had conducted a thorough investigation concerning Ji Jiajia’s situation and pinpointed her vulnerabilities. Rarely had he seen Ji Jiajia submit to others like this.

Mo Han said, "You still don’t understand women enough. Even a young girl is a woman; she’s already fifteen. I believe I advised you to stay out of the Orchid Sect’s matters?"

Xu Chunliang poured two glasses of wine, handing one to Mo Han. She indeed had warned him before, having seemingly discerned the truth from the beginning.

Mo Han said, "To be honest, your actions this time disappointed me. The Xu Chunliang I know is rational and cold-hearted."

Xu Chunliang sipped some wine, "Perhaps I save all my coldness for you."

Mo Han took a sip of wine too, softly saying, "I think so too. I don’t like gossiping about others. The Orchid Sect’s matters don’t concern me, but despite your intelligence, you insist on getting involved in their internal affairs. Hua Zhuyue’s charm must be something else."

Xu Chunliang said, "She helped me."

"I’ve helped you too!" Mo Han’s voice startled even herself. She realized her slip, her cheeks heating.

Xu Chunliang grinned shamelessly at Mo Han, "I’m not one to like owing favors, so I feel compelled to repay my debt to Hua Zhuyue promptly. Maybe it’s because we’re closer emotionally, so no matter what you do for me, I always feel it’s only natural. We’re very close."

Mo Han internally cursed him for being shameless. His words were full of tricks and sophistry, yet she couldn’t deny the reasonableness of his explanation, which sounded so pleasing, suddenly sparking a sense of danger deep within.

Mo Han put down the wine glass, "Between us, there are only shared interests. If you’re looking to talk emotions, go find Mei Ru Xue."

Before leaving, she remembered something else, "By the way, all the transfer procedures are complete. The funds you were overseeing can be transferred to Hua Nian."

If Mo Han hadn’t mentioned it, Xu Chunliang might have forgotten the matter entirely. He laughed, "They say those who owe money are in charge; I’ve never seen someone eager to hand over money like you."

Mo Han said, "Hua Nian has been prompting several times. At Equatorial Capital, we value integrity. Of course, that money must be paid eventually. The Hu Shan Town Government really doesn’t need to create obstacles over this."

Xu Chunliang nodded, "Alright, I’ll handle it when I go back."

Mo Han said, "When are you going back?"