Taming The Hidden Bigshot By Kissing Him-Chapter 646: Eyelids Twitching, Something Big is About to Happen

Chapter 646: Chapter 646: Eyelids Twitching, Something Big is About to Happen

Huo Xingzhou finished speaking and placed the documents on the other side of the table.

"Old Chen, go find out Lu Yutong’s residence and everyone she’s been in contact with. That competition between Cheng Han and Lu Bannong years ago definitely had something shady behind it. I refuse to believe that a National Doctor devoted to mastering medical skills could lose to a sinister and venomous schemer."

The Lu father-daughter pair both wear a mask of hypocrisy and enjoy an outstanding reputation in the Imperial Capital.

But if we’re really talking about medical skills, that’s another story.

After hearing his words, Old Chen quickly nodded. "I’ll start by connecting with the housekeepers and neighborhood security personnel around her to get an initial understanding of the situation."

"Get to it."

"Got it."

Old Chen left the room and shut the door behind him.

Huo Xingzhou looked over the Future City project in Haicheng. After all this time, the project had finally outlined its general framework.

It had made significant progress.

The phone beside him buzzed with vibrations.

He glanced at it but didn’t pick up.

The caller was relentless, as though determined to keep dialing until he answered.

Only after approving a document did Huo Xingzhou slowly pick up the phone, "Hello?"

On the other end of the line came Zhong Yi’s mocking tone. "President Huo really has his hands full, too busy to even answer calls."

Adjusting his posture with the phone in hand, Huo Xingzhou said, "I’m indeed quite busy, so I suggest you keep it brief and avoid wasting time."

"The seal you gave me belongs to the Qian Family’s herbal medicine factory. That factory, I presume, is already under your control? Xu Yunye seems rather capable, yet you handed me a useless shell. Quite the clever move, Huo Xingzhou," Zhong Yi accused, his tone laced with resentment.

Huo Xingzhou smiled faintly. "I was merely thinking of your best interests. The Lu Family had been too occupied to take over the Qian herbal medicine factory. Now, with the shifting dynamics between Lu Bannong and Zhao Chang, they’re bound to recall the conditions you promised them. They have their hands on that formal agreement, but haven’t had time to act on it yet."

Zhong Yi retorted angrily, "So I suppose I should thank you?"

"You’re most welcome."

"Huo Xingzhou, you’re utterly deceitful."

"Right back at you."

Zhong Yi took a deep breath. "With the Qian Family’s herbal medicine factory compromised under your meddling, it’s only a matter of time before they realize it can no longer supply Lu Family’s Traditional Chinese Medicine Hall properly."

Long prepared for such accusations, Huo Xingzhou offered a ready excuse. "That would only mean Young Master Zhong is incompetent in the medical trade and poorly managed the factory. Besides, the Qian Family is a parasite; that factory was barely operational long before now. The Lu Family needs you, as the future heir of the Zhong Family, to rise through the ranks. They won’t dare sever ties with you."

"You certainly planned this well. In the end, I take the blame, the Lu Family suffers losses, and you’ve managed to keep yourself clean from the fallout."

"Are you quite finished? I still have matters to attend to tonight."

Huo Xingzhou showed no interest in dragging out the conversation.

"What business could you possibly have at night?" Scoffing, Zhong Yi dismissed his claim.

Huo Xingzhou chuckled. "You’re engaged, aren’t you? Surely you know better than I do—besides, didn’t you bring Ye Ying home tonight? Even if it’s just the three of you playing cards, you have a full house. I can’t believe you still have time to be this idle."

"Huo Xingzhou, what the hell are you insinuating? Don’t think for a second that Qiao Xi—"

"Enough."

Huo Xingzhou hung up immediately. If circumstances hadn’t forced him, he wouldn’t have had so much interaction with Zhong Yi.

He could sense Zhong Yi’s jealousy toward him.

But he was equally keenly aware of his own jealousy toward Zhong Yi.

Huo Xingzhou slowly opened a drawer and took out the old, yellowed photo hidden at the very bottom.

In the photo, a young girl looked bright and lively, her smile pure and radiant.

The boy standing beside her was utterly annoying.

Huo Xingzhou was jealous. Zhong Yi had once witnessed her most beautiful years—something he could never regain.

He laughed softly to himself.

The photo had been gone for so long.

Qiao Xi hadn’t noticed anything out of the ordinary.

So did she truly not care? Or was she pretending not to care? Or had she completely forgotten about the photo once tucked inside the medical book?

Huo Xingzhou flipped the photo over and ran his hand over the words on the back.

What an eyesore.

He returned the photo to the drawer.

...

Two days later.

The monthly meeting of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association convened, bringing together the thirteen mid- to senior-level administrators.

One president, two vice-presidents.

Below them were ten directors.

Day-to-day decisions were voted on by these individuals, who wielded supreme authority. The Association held governance over local branches and retained absolute leadership power.

Not to mention the president and vice-presidents’ positions.

However, matters concerning the Association’s development or vital aspects of the Chinese Medicine Community required the Inspection Team to step in and participate.

Members of the Inspection Team were the Taishan Beidou of the Chinese Medicine Community, rivaling Cheng Han in their heyday.

This was why Qiao Xi’s appointment as vice-president during the Trial of Needles event had caused the Lu father-daughter pair to lose composure.

At nine in the morning.

The characteristic ancient-style doors of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association slowly opened.

Thirteen members gathered in the Association’s Bell Tower.

This was the venue for routine meetings, and everyone ascended step by step.

When Qiao Xi arrived, she caught sight of Shen Xuanzhi’s figure.

Surprise flashed in her eyes, as Shen Xuanzhi had previously mentioned applying to become a member of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association. Yet she hadn’t expected to see him at the meeting.

This meeting was restricted to directors and those above them.

Had he... become a director?

What an unexpected turn.

As Qiao Xi approached the Bell Tower’s entrance, she was stopped at the security checkpoint.

The security staff informed her, "Vice-President Qiao, please have your bodyguard wait outside. This is a rule of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association—no weapons and no bodyguards allowed."

Qiao Xi paused, turning toward Old Chen behind her. "You’ll stay outside and wait for me, then."

"Young Madam, I must follow you."

The place didn’t appear too different from a den of dragons and tigers.

Old Chen was visibly uneasy; this task had been explicitly assigned to him by the Young Master.

"Don’t worry, Old Chen. Nothing will happen today. Rest assured..." She rolled up her sleeve to reveal long silver needles. "I have these."

She directed her gaze toward the staff for confirmation. "I’m a Chinese doctor. Carrying these needles shouldn’t be an issue, correct?"

"Correct, it’s not against the rules."

Qiao Xi nodded and continued forward, leaving Old Chen outside, his posture brimming with vigilance. Should any abnormality occur, he was determined to storm in!

His eyelids twitched uneasily.

Something felt off—something catastrophic seemed imminent!

His hunches had never been wrong; last time, the Young Master’s car accident had been preceded by the very same unsettling sensation.

And indeed, something terrible had occurred.

Would it be Young Madam’s turn this time?

Old Chen inspected the Bell Tower’s exterior. Since the main entrance wasn’t an option, perhaps he could find another way in.

Even if he had to climb walls, he’d find a way.

While Old Chen was brainstorming ideas to sneak into the Bell Tower, Qiao Xi had already entered the meeting room.

Inside, a heavy, history-laden rectangular table stood, accompanied by thirteen leather-backed chairs.

She took her seat.