He Shu promptly rejected the call when he saw the name flashing on the phone.
“Who was that?” Chairman Wang failed to detect He Shu’s actions and asked.
He Shu raised the phone in mid-air. “I think it was a scammer.”
“Then just ignore it,” replied Chairman Wang without a second thought.
“Uh huh. I already rejected the call.” He Shu replaced the phone.
Chairman Wang nodded. He thought about the Apothecaries’ Association and asked. “Oh yes. How are things going at the association?”
He Shu felt relieved when the phone did not continue ringing. He poured Chairman Wang a glass of water and said, “Why don’t you just focus on recovery and stop worrying about other things?”
Chairman Wang smiled as he shook his head. “I feel a lot better after taking Huo Yao’s meds. I plan on going to the association tomorrow.”
“Why do you suddenly want to go to the association?” He Shu instantly became worried.
Huo Yao had told him clearly that Chairman Wang could not afford to get agitated. The association was voting for a new chairman in a couple of days. If Chairman Wang learned what Qin Zheng had done, he would have trouble accepting it.
“To work.” Chairman Wang narrowed his eyes. He was an old man and did not have much time left, so he could not leave the Apothecaries’ Association in Qin Zheng’s hands.
He Shu was not a good liar. After pausing briefly, he said, “If you have work to settle, you can call the other leaders of the association and get them to handle it. Why do you have to go to the association and do it personally?”
Chairman Wang finally detected something amiss with He Shu. He asked quizzically. “Are you hiding something from me?”
He Shu shook his head immediately. “Of course not. Why would I do that?”
Chairman Wang knew his disciple well. He quickly stood up and walked over to his phone.
He Shu was about to speak, but Chairman Wang had already swiped down to his assistant’s phone number and dialed it.
In a few seconds, the call got through.
“Hi, Chairman Wang.” Assistant Wang sounded surprised when he answered the phone.
“Uh huh,” answered Chairman Wang before he asked. “Has anything happened at the association recently?”
Assistant Wang tightened his grip on the phone and hesitated.
He Shu had already warned him not to mention the upcoming voting event to Chairman Wang, but it was impossible to hide it from him. It was just a matter of time before he found out.
Assistant Wang contemplated for some time before he decided to be honest with the chairman and told him about the voting.
Assistant Wang knew how things worked in society. Since Chairman Wang was getting old, he had gradually lost value in the association. Even though Deputy Chairman Qin had offered Assistant Wang a job, he knew Deputy Chairman Qin would probably kick him aside the moment Chairman Wang’s days at the association were over.
Rather than wait for Deputy Chairman Qin to get what he wanted, it was far wiser to fix the problem at its root now.
Even though Chairman Wang hardly reacted on hearing the news, he simply suppressed his emotions. He thanked Assistant Wang before hanging up the phone.
Chairman Wang stood where he was motionless after hanging up the phone. He Shu looked at Chairman Wang worriedly as he walked over and helped support him. “Are you okay?”
Chairman Wang raised his hand. “I’m fine. Qin Zheng wants to elect a new chairman. You should not have hidden it from me.”
He Shu helped Chairman Wang to the couch and said, “I know they are choosing a new chairman, but I’m more concerned about your health.”
Chairman Wang sighed softly. “It’s my responsibility to do something about it.”
He Shu did not know what to say. He paused briefly before he answered. “Qin Zheng is determined to take over your job. Even if you want to do something about it, it might not work out well for you.”
