Old Mr. Pei took the initiative to ask Tong Yu for his phone number.
After Tong Yu left, the hospital president looked at Old Mr. Pei rather solemnly and said, “Pei, do you think someone in the Apothecaries’ Association made this medicine?”
Old Mr. Pei sat back on the couch. He picked up a cup of tea from the centre table and took a sip. “I don’t think so.”
“Even He Shu can’t create S+ medicine like this. I happened to see such medicine once because a friend of mine had some. It was a pity that he purchased the medicine from an online auction website. No such medicine has been sold in the last two years.” Old Mr. Pei’s gaze drifted into the distance.
Ancient prescriptions were difficult to refine. Even if any apothecary could produce them, only a small number of them could make them at an S+ grade level!
A look of shock emerged on the hospital president’s face again. He Shu was an advanced apothecary in the Apothecaries’ Association and an ultimate master. If even he was incapable of making this medicine… then what kind of genius was this mysterious person?
No wonder Old Mr. Pei asked Tong Yu for his phone number earlier.
“I thought all talented apothecaries were in the Apothecaries’ Association. I didn’t think there were geniuses existing like this one outside,” sighed the hospital president, moments later.
Old Mr. Pei stroked his grey beard and said profoundly, “There are always stronger people out there, so we shouldn’t be complacent. The Apothecaries’ Association is nothing compared to the hidden families.”
The hospital president went into complete silence. Some things were inconceivable to him and out of his reach.
**
After Huo Yao got home, she ate quickly before heading to her room.
Huo Yao took out her phone after taking a bath and made a video call to Old Madam Yang. Before long, the woman picked up.
The old lady’s familiar face appeared on the screen. Huo Yao was drying her hair with the dryer in one hand. With a tiny smile on her face, she said, “You look a lot better.”
The old lady held the phone, looking like a gleeful child waiting to be praised. She beamed and replied in a joyful tone. “I’ve been taking your meds regularly.”
“Good. Did the Lu family force you to go back to them again?” asked Huo Yao casually.
“No, they haven’t. Everything’s okay, so don’t worry.” Old Madam Yang reassured her.
Suddenly, she recalled something and said, “Yaoyao, I heard our neighbors saying that someone has been asking around about a highly-skilled doctor.”
Huo Yao’s hands paused. Her eyes had narrowed into slits.
“I recall you saying that the master you knew was a Chinese physician, as well. Could they be looking for him?” continued Old Madam Yang.
“Probably not,” said Huo Yao calmly.
“Oh, okay then. Also, I helped you pack the stuff in your room since I had nothing much to do.”
Huo Yao pursed her lips and distractedly said, “Mhm.”
Huo Yao ended the video call with her grandmother 20 minutes later. and stood up to remove the piece of paper which Yi Lianfan had given her from her jacket’s pocket.
She looked at the physics question on it in a resigned manner.
She picked up her pen and started working on it.
**
Lu Xia had just gotten home after meeting up with her bandmates.
Her parents and Lu Ziming were sitting in the living room. Her parents looked upset, and she could sense the undercurrents in the atmosphere.
Lu Xia frowned. She looked at Lu Ziming’s smirking face and could guess why her parents were angry.
She composed herself and walked over to greet them as usual.
“Dad, Mom.”
He Xiaoman looked up and could not help asking her. “Why was your National Quiz Contest result so lousy this time?”
