In the bedroom, on the waterbed, Zhao Hongyu was completely naked. Even that thin gauze had disappeared.
The Ice Silk Gauze had obstructed the needling, so Chen Dong had been forced to remove it.
Halfway through the procedure, Zhao Hongyu had already regained consciousness. Through hazy eyes, she gazed at Chen Dong's sharp brows, star-like eyes, and chiseled features, and her heart began to stir.
As the needling concluded, the image of Chen Dong in her eyes grew clearer. Her cheeks flushed crimson with bashfulness, yet she continued to feign unconsciousness. The situation was simply too embarrassing.
She could see it in his eyes—he harbored no improper thoughts whatsoever.
Chen Dong had known for some time that Zhao Hongyu was awake, but he didn't call her out on it.
After collecting the Silver Needles, Chen Dong walked out of the bedroom, his expression calm.
A short while later, Zhao Hongyu entered the main hall barefoot, dressed in a long gown.
Overcome with joy, Zhao Wenxuan tearfully grabbed Chen Dong and shook him. "Hongyu! You nearly worried your Second Grand-uncle to death! I was so afraid we were going to lose you!"
Chen Dong was speechless. 'Old man, you're hugging the wrong person!'
Zhao Hongyu smiled radiantly. "I'm sorry for making you worry, Second Grand-uncle!"
Then she saw Chen Dong, and a blush instantly crept across her cheeks.
Amid Zhao Wenxuan's profuse thanks, Chen Dong received the check for one hundred million.
He also warmly invited Chen Dong to attend Zhao Hongyu's birthday banquet the next day, which would double as a follow-up consultation to check on her condition.
Chen Dong naturally agreed. After all, the fee they had paid was a testament to their sincerity.
They also agreed that he would come with Divine Doctor Xue the next day.
After Chen Dong's group left, Zhao Wenxuan spoke privately with Zhao Hongyu, explaining the incredible opportunity that had befallen her.
But Zhao Hongyu wasn't paying attention; her mind was filled with images of Chen Dong.
Zhao Wenxuan sighed wistfully. "To think we'd encounter such a talented young man in a place like Jiangzhou! It seems the family's decision to invest here was sound after all!"
What Zhao Wenxuan didn't know was that Zhao Hongyu had already chosen names for her and Chen Dong's future children.
Noticing Zhao Hongyu spacing out, Zhao Wenxuan asked, "Hongyu, what's on your mind?"
Zhao Hongyu mumbled in reply, "Second Grand-uncle, Chen Dong… he… he saw my entire body!"
Zhao Wenxuan froze. He was very fond of Chen Dong; the young man gave him a natural feeling of affinity. His capabilities were outstanding, and his medical skills were superb.
It would be a terrible shame if he had to lose his life over seeing his granddaughter naked.
He quickly said, "Hongyu! A doctor's only concern is for his patient; seeing you isn't a problem. Besides, from what I've seen, that young man Chen Dong is a person of integrity. I'm sure he harbors no wicked or improper thoughts!"
Zhao Hongyu stomped her foot in frustration. "Second Grand-uncle, what are you even thinking?"
Realizing she had said something odd, she summoned her courage and declared, "I want to take him as my husband!"
After speaking, she covered her beet-red face with her delicate hands.
And just like that, Zhao Wenxuan's troubles returned. It wasn't about killing Chen Dong anymore; it was about her wanting to marry him, a prospect he found equally vexing.
Hongyu had the potential of a Grandmaster and was certain to reach that realm within two years. The importance of a Grandmaster to the family was self-evident. But from the looks of it, she didn't want to become a Grandmaster; she just wanted to fall in love. That was simply unacceptable!
He quickly devised a plan. "Hongyu," he began, "your Second Grand-uncle is also extremely fond of this young man, Chen Dong. If he were willing to marry into our family, I'm sure the Zhao Clan would agree."
"However, men of his genius are typically proud and arrogant. If you propose this to him directly, you'll likely face a heartless rejection. But if you become a Grandmaster, things will be different. You can marry anyone you choose, and no one in the family will dare to object. Then, when you propose to him… just imagine it…"
Zhao Hongyu followed his train of thought, and as she began to imagine it, she got completely carried away.
Her face flushed bright red as she grabbed Zhao Wenxuan's hand. "Second Grand-uncle, I will become a Grandmaster! I'm going to propose to him!"
Zhao Wenxuan roared with laughter. "Excellent! Excellent! My good granddaughter!"
"We were supposed to return to the capital for your birthday, but we were held up in Jiangzhou. Still, even though we're here, your Second Grand-uncle will make sure to throw a grand celebration for you."
Instantly, countless young, talented men in Jiangzhou were abuzz with excitement. The direct-line granddaughter of the prestigious Zhao Clan was holding her birthday banquet in Jiangzhou.
This was an opportunity so rare you couldn't get it even if you traded your life!
If one could catch the eye of the Zhao Family's direct-line granddaughter and become their fortunate son-in-law, it would be a shortcut that saves lifetimes of struggle.
Even if one couldn't become the son-in-law, securing even a small investment would be a giant leap toward fame and success.
But invitations to the banquet were nearly impossible to obtain; only a few prominent and powerful families received one.
Chen Dong was oblivious to all this. He had just made off with a large haul of medicinal herbs from Hundred Herbs Hall, as Xue Tianxiang had absolutely refused to take his money.
He even had Xue Lele drive Chen Dong back to the company.
Seeing it was nearly the end of the workday, he went directly to Li Huiran's car to wait for her, since she had messaged him saying they would go home together today.
He had only waited a few minutes when he saw Li Huiran and Wu Haichao approaching together.
In truth, Chen Dong had already overheard their conversation. Wu Haichao had tried to ask Li Huiran to dinner, but she had refused.
But as they drew closer, Chen Dong's expression suddenly changed.
He caught a peculiar yet familiar scent, though he couldn't quite place it at first.
Wu Haichao, not giving up, tried again. "If President Li would do me the honor of having dinner with me, I can procure an invitation for the Li Family!"
This was an offer Li Huiran found difficult to refuse. She knew her father had been racking his brain for the past two days trying to get close to Zhao Wenxuan. Many of the great families in Jiangzhou had already received their invitations from the Zhao Family, and quite a few were even flaunting them on social media.
But the Li Family, once the number one family in Jiangzhou, still hadn't received one, which had driven her father to despair. It felt as if the Zhao Family was deliberately excluding the Li Clan from their banquet.
This was precisely why she had asked Chen Dong to go home with her today—so they could discuss a strategy.
Now that Wu Haichao was claiming he could get an invitation, there was no longer a need to discuss it. An invitation would solve everything.
She knew Wu Haichao had designs on her, but seeing Chen Dong waiting by the car, she made up her mind.
"Director Wu, can you really get the invitation?"
Li Huiran asked, wanting to be absolutely sure.
Wu Haichao said confidently, "Of course. My Nanhai Wu Family has some business dealings with the Zhao Family. A couple of invitations are a trivial matter. I can get them easily."
Of course, Wu Haichao was just blowing smoke. He didn't have that much clout. But he had a secret weapon, and by the time he used it, Li Huiran wouldn't even be thinking about any invitation.
And even if she did remember, he could just play dumb and say he couldn't get it. He was an old hand at such shameless tactics.
Li Huiran nodded. "Dinner is fine, but he has to come with us," she said, pointing to Chen Dong by the car.
'With Chen Dong here,' she thought, 'Wu Haichao won't dare to try anything.'
Wu Haichao asked, "Who is he?"
"A relative of mine. He works at the corporation now," Li Huiran answered offhandedly.
Wu Haichao thought for a moment, then said, "Of course. I've already booked a table." He put on a gentlemanly air. If not for his secret weapon, he never would have agreed. He had finally managed to ask the beauty to dinner, only to get stuck with a third wheel!
Li Huiran drove her Ferrari with Chen Dong, following Wu Haichao's Maserati all the way to a private club.
The food was quite distinctive, and Wu Haichao behaved like a perfect gentleman throughout, making no inappropriate moves.
The meal was peaceful and uneventful.
After dinner, as Li Huiran was driving Chen Dong back to the Li Manor, he noticed that the familiar yet strange scent was still present. It had come from Wu Haichao at first, but now it was on Li Huiran as well.
'Li Huiran sat beside me the entire meal,' he mused. 'She didn't even get up to use the restroom. How did it get on her?'
'This method is even more ingenious than the old man's tricks.'
The thought of the old man made it click, and Chen Dong finally remembered what the scent was.
One of the water-carrying widows the old man was fond of had this same scent.
The scent of Gu poison.
Once he knew what it was, how the Gu had been administered also became clear.
He took a stalk of Gentiana from the herbs he had gotten at Hundred Herbs Hall.
All things in creation have their natural counters. This Gu poison was a Unity Gu, something extremely rare. If he hadn't encountered it once as a child at the home of that water-carrying widow the old man was fond of, he would never have recognized it.
This Gentiana just so happened to be the natural counter to the Unity Gu. He used his True Qi to crush the herb, allowing its fragrance to fill the car.
A moment later, a tiny, mosquito-like insect crawled out of Li Huiran's nostril. Feeling a sudden tickle, Li Huiran let out a sneeze.
The tiny insect was sent flying, and Chen Dong snatched it out of the air.
He immediately shouted, "Stop the car!"
Li Huiran frowned. "Chen Dong, what is it now?"
Chen Dong grinned. "Someone has designs on my wife. I need to send him a little gift."
Li Huiran flushed. "What nonsense are you spouting?"
Chen Dong said, "You head back on your own. I'll be back in a little while."
After Li Huiran drove off, Chen Dong, holding the Unity Gu, finally managed to find a pigsty. Inside was a massive sow weighing over five hundred pounds.
Once he had dealt with the Unity Gu, Chen Dong left, finally at ease.