From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor-Chapter 385 - 360: Opportunities Must Be Seized

He let go of Xu Chunliang and said with a smile, "Brother, thank you."

Xu Chunliang said, "It was nothing. How did you get involved with this group of people?"

Pu Jian explained the situation to Xu Chunliang. It was an unintended mistake. Liu Kui and his group often engage in this business, using fake products to pass off as genuine ones. Three months ago, someone asked Pu Jian to appraise a Yuan Dynasty vase. Pu Jian recognized it as a fake and helped the customer avoid a loss, but he didn’t realize that the seller behind it was Liu Kui.

Fraud and selling fakes are usually organized crimes, and Pu Jian inadvertently disrupted their business. However, the customer didn’t show gratitude and leaked the fact that Pu Jian had helped. That’s why Liu Kui wanted to teach him a lesson, and their meeting just now was a coincidence.

Xu Chunliang worried that these people would continue to cause trouble for Pu Jian in the future. Pu Jian told him not to worry. Having worked in this industry for years, he had connections with some influential people who could help mediate the situation.

Because of Xu Chunliang’s brave assistance, Pu Jian’s regard for his newfound younger brother increased significantly. He reminded Xu Chunliang, "Don’t worry about me. You should be more concerned about yourself. Wang Jiancheng is not easy to deal with. You embarrassed him today, so he’ll definitely look to settle the score."

Xu Chunliang replied with a calm smile, "I’m only afraid he won’t come."

Wang Jiancheng walked into Qiao Rulong’s office, smiling, "Brother Long, your new office is tastefully decorated." The two were only five months apart in age, with Qiao Rulong being one year senior to Wang Jiancheng.

Qiao Rulong came over to shake his hand and said, "It’s all thanks to your sister-in-law’s guidance; I don’t have much aesthetic sense."

He invited Wang Jiancheng to sit and went to the liquor cabinet, pouring two glasses of whiskey, handing one to Wang Jiancheng.

Wang Jiancheng sipped his drink and remembered something. He took out three concert tickets and handed them to Qiao Rulong, "I have three tickets to Adele’s concert. You and your sister-in-law can take her."

Qiao Rulong glanced at the tickets, understanding Wang Jiancheng’s intention. This was a hint for the couple to take his sister along.

Qiao Rulong asked, "Why not give them directly to her?"

Wang Jiancheng smiled wryly, "You know how she is. Ru Xue would definitely refuse."

Qiao Rulong nodded, "Alright, I’ll help you this time but I might not have the time, so I’ll leave it to your sister-in-law."

Wang Jiancheng didn’t care whether he went or not; the key was that Mei Ru Xue would attend. He particularly instructed them not to inform her of his attendance beforehand.

Qiao Rulong said, "I heard the ’Tears of the Star’ necklace was auctioned off to a stranger?"

Wang Jiancheng showed a hint of embarrassment. The auction information for the ’Tears of the Star’ had been provided to him by Qiao Rulong.

The necklace was designed by Qiao Rulong’s aunt, Qiao Yuanlan, and Qiao Rulong had even mentioned that Mei Ru Xue particularly liked it. Hence, before the auction, Wang Jiancheng spread the word, which was essentially a subtle declaration of love for Mei Ru Xue and a warning to other potential bidders, hoping they’d back off.

Qiao Rulong saw through Wang Jiancheng’s intentions clearly. Had Wang Jiancheng successfully secured the necklace, it would have been fine, but he lost the bid, so he shouldn’t have been so outspoken or high-profile. Qiao Rulong was displeased by this.

He knew the Wang family’s strength very well. Three million, or even thirty million, was nothing to them. Wang Jiancheng’s actions made it clear that in his view, that was all the worth of the Qiao family’s daughter. Having known Wang Jiancheng for a long time, almost like seeing him grow up, Qiao Rulong found him capable but overly calculating and unwilling to take a loss. In a favorable light, it meant tenacity; unfavorably, it indicated a lack of broader perspective.

The Qiao family and Wang family had been close for generations. When Wang Jiancheng and Mei Ru Xue were young, the patriarchs had already arranged the marriage. Even though it’s now a new era, and childhood marriages are no longer a norm, both families held prestige, and the patriarchs were true to their word.

Of course, the patriarchs’ decision wasn’t just out of friendship but also for political reasons. The higher the social class, the more complex the considerations, and marriages are often not self-determined. Qiao Rulong’s own marriage was a classic example; for the family’s benefit, he had to comply.

In the last decade, as Elder Qiao withdrew from the public sphere, the Qiao family’s influence waned, while the Wang family rose in prominence.

Elder Qiao no longer valued the previously arranged marriage, but Elder Wang was very fond of Mei Ru Xue and took the initiative to propose for his grandson, Wang Jiancheng. Naturally, Elder Qiao couldn’t refuse.

Qiao Rulong cherished his half-sister Mei Ru Xue deeply. Mei Ru Xue was gentle on the outside but strong-willed. Her decision to work in Hu Shan Town, Weishan County, was a silent protest against the family’s arrangements.

Qiao Rulong viewed her current position as a leisurely escape and even arranged for his old college friend, Zhang Yiben, to support her. He didn’t expect her to have any romantic encounters in such a remote area, but unexpectedly, she met a young herbalist with just a high school education.

Qiao Rulong was the only male of his generation in the Qiao family and its biggest hope. Due to his father’s decline, he had to shoulder family responsibilities early, and in reality, he had assumed his father’s role in the family.

Wang Jiancheng had always held reverence for Qiao Rulong, linked to a childhood brawl involving them. Wang and ten other partner attacked Qiao Rulong’s two friends. However, when Qiao Rulong arrived with reinforcements, the tide turned immediately. Wang Jiancheng stealthily attacked Qiao Rulong with a brick to his forehead, leaving a scar till this day.

Qiao Rulong was bleeding profusely at the time, but instead of retreating, he was like an enraged beast, relentlessly pursuing Wang Jiancheng. Everyone was frightened by his madness; if his family hadn’t rushed over upon hearing the news, Wang Jiancheng might have been beaten to death by Qiao Rulong that time.

Since then, Qiao Rulong had become a shadow in Wang Jiancheng’s heart. Even if he believed that his current strength and status were now on par with Qiao Rulong’s, he still didn’t dare to show any arrogance in front of him.

Wang Jiancheng said, "I found out that the woman who won the bid for ’Star’s Tear’ is called Mo Han, and she’s the marketing director of Equatorial Capital. It was probably Luan Yuchuan who instructed her to do so."

Qiao Rulong took a sip of his drink and said nonchalantly, "Is there a grudge?"

Wang Jiancheng said, "Not too deep of a grudge. Previously, Equatorial Capital wanted to target Da Heng, and I helped Xu Guozhang with a small favor."

Qiao Rulong laughed. Wang Jiancheng spoke lightly of it, having sabotaged Equatorial Capital’s acquisition. This is blocking someone’s financial path, and there are rules in their line of work. For people of their class, they try to avoid getting involved in private capital struggles, because once they intervene, the nature of the issue changes.

Wang Jiancheng said, "Luan Yuchuan, with the money he has, has truly forgotten himself. The reason I choose to back off is to avoid becoming a laughingstock."

Qiao Rulong secretly laughed to himself. Really good at finding excuses for himself. This incident already shows that his way of thinking isn’t thorough enough. Putting aside his family background, just from a personal perspective, he isn’t worthy of my sister.

Qiao Rulong picked up his phone and sent a photo to Wang Jiancheng.

Wang Jiancheng took a look. The photo showed a young man, and he immediately remembered it was the man who helped Mo Han raise the bid at the auction.

"His name is Xu Chunliang, the director of the Weishan Lake Branch of Dongzhou Changxing Hospital, and he’s Xiaoxue’s friend." Qiao Rulong didn’t make his words too clear, thinking Wang Jiancheng would understand.

Before the Wang Family decided to unite by marriage with their family, they certainly would investigate Mei Ru Xue’s current situation, and they have the means to do so.

Wang Jiancheng had heard that someone in Dongzhou was pursuing Mei Ru Xue, but he didn’t take it to heart, as he simply didn’t believe Mei Ru Xue’s standards would sink to favoring a commoner.

Wang Jiancheng’s face flushed slightly. The photo Qiao Rulong sent was clearly telling him that the auction wasn’t just about Equatorial Capital retaliating against him—it also involved a potential love rival challenging him.

Qiao Rulong said, "Xiaoxue decided to come back also because of him."

Wang Jiancheng tightened his lips, an inextinguishable anger burning in his heart. If he had known Xu Chunliang’s identity at the Bao Li auction site, he would have spared no expense to secure that necklace. His father’s words were right about him; he couldn’t distinguish the gravity of this matter.

Qiao Rulong said, "I’ll handle the concert arrangements. Jiancheng, opportunities require grasping."

On his way back to the Dongzhou Beijing Office, Xu Chunliang received a message from Yan Jingsong. Because there was an urgent matter in the district, he returned with the leadership, agreeing to meet again when Xu returned to Dongzhou.

Xu Chunliang found that although Yan Jingsong liked to speculate and specialize, he wasn’t entirely worthless. He replied to the message, saying he would arrange a get-together once back in Dongzhou.

The entrance to Dongzhou Restaurant was newly adorned with two large red lanterns to joyfully welcome the New Year. The vibrant color added a festive cheer to the gray walls and black tiles of the Dongzhou Restaurant.

Hotel manager Li Xiumei was in front sending people off. Upon seeing Xu Chunliang, she smiled, as Xu Chunliang had been close to Secretary Zhou recently, making everyone at the Beijing Office look up to him.

Xu Chunliang greeted, "Sister Li."

Li Xiumei said, "Xiaoxu, I was just looking for you."

Xu Chunliang found it quite interesting. They weren’t exactly familiar; in the past, they would just nod and move on. Now, people were starting to come to him with matters. Could it be that Li Xiumei wanted him to treat her too? After all, there was a precedent where Qian Aijun feigned illness to get close to him—an upward and downward emulation is possible.

Li Xiumei said, "Here’s the thing, someone sent something today, insisting I hand it to you personally."

Xu Chunliang followed her to the office, where Li Xiumei took out a paper box and handed it to him.

Xu Chunliang returned to his room with the box. Unwrapping it, inside was a jewelry box. He had already guessed what it was, and upon opening it, it indeed was the ’Star’s Tear’ that Mo Han had won for twenty-nine million.

Such an expensive item, she casually placed it in a paper box for someone to pass along, without fearing it might get lost. Having money really makes one willful.

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