Chapter 690: Introducing a Patient

Chapter 690: Chapter 690: Introducing a Patient

In years past, the Ding Group and Guangshun Group had business dealings. It was during that time that a clerical worker for the Ding Clan, a distant relative, came into contact with Shen Wen. Although their business interactions later became less frequent, they maintained their personal friendship.

Just then, Ding Kaifang’s private cell phone suddenly rang.

It was an unfamiliar number. The caller ID showed it was from the provincial capital.

Ding Kaifang answered the call.

"Hello, may I ask who’s calling?"

"President Ding, hello. I’m Cui Guanghui from the Guangshun Group."

A young male voice came from the other end of the line.

Ding Kaifang was startled.

Cui Guanghui was Shen Wen’s only son and future successor.

"Well now, Young Master Cui! This is a surprise. What brings you to call me?"

Ding Kaifang asked enthusiastically.

After a round of pleasantries, Cui Guanghui explained the reason for his call.

"President Ding, I’ll be frank. I’m calling to ask for a favor. I’ve heard there’s a Doctor Li Xu in Feng City who is an exceptionally skilled physician. I also heard that you two are quite close?"

"Yes, yes, Doctor Li is a major shareholder in our pharmaceutical factory, and also a good friend of mine,"

Ding Kaifang said.

"That’s wonderful." Cui Guanghui breathed a sigh of relief. "Could I trouble you to act as an intermediary and help me arrange a meeting with Doctor Li? I’d like to treat him to a meal, and then... ask him to treat my mother."

"My mother’s health has been very poor recently. We’ve seen many famous doctors, but there’s been no improvement. And... she’s a bit prejudiced against traditional Chinese medicine. She knows all the famous old TCM doctors in the province, so as soon as she hears their names, she just shakes her head and absolutely refuses to go."

"I heard Doctor Li is very young, and his reputation has only just emerged in the last couple of years, so my mother probably doesn’t know him. I was thinking, could we perhaps ask Doctor Li to first take a look at my mother in the capacity of a ’friend’?"

When Ding Kaifang heard this, he realized it was a golden opportunity to build a connection with the Guangshun Group.

But he didn’t agree immediately. After all, he couldn’t make decisions on Li Xu’s behalf, especially for a job that required "acting."

"Young Master Cui, I understand your situation. But Doctor Li is a very busy man. I’ll have to ask for his opinion first and see if he has time."

"Okay, I’ll have to trouble you then, President Ding. Whether it works out or not, I’ll owe you a favor."

After hanging up, Ding Kaifang immediately called Li Xu.

"Doctor Li, I have to trouble you with something again."

Ding Kaifang explained Cui Guanghui’s request in detail, emphasizing his background: "This Cui Guanghui, his family is no ordinary one. The Guangshun Group is one of the top in the province. Not only are they powerful in the business world, but they also have many connections in official circles. If you can cure Shen Wen’s illness, it will definitely be beneficial for our future development."

After listening, Li Xu didn’t particularly care about the other party’s status.

In his eyes, a patient was a patient. Whether they were the richest man or a beggar, it was all the same.

However, out of respect for Ding Kaifang, and because he was also quite interested in stubborn patients who didn’t trust traditional Chinese medicine, he agreed. ’Putting skeptics in their place is my specialty,’ he thought.

"Alright, let’s meet them. When?"

"Excellent," Ding Kaifang said, overjoyed. "Then tonight, at the Feng City Hotel."

...

「Evening.」

"Doctor Li!"

As soon as Li Xu got out of the car at the hotel entrance, he saw Ding Kaifang and a young man standing at the door waiting for him.

The young man was dressed in a well-tailored casual suit. He was handsome, with a sharp, dashing air about him.

"Dr. Li, I’ve heard so much about you."

The young man smiled and walked up to greet him, his attitude extremely modest.

"Doctor Li, this is Young Master Cui Guanghui of the Guangshun Group."

Ding Kaifang introduced him to Li Xu with a smile, "Young Master Cui is the crown prince of the Guangshun Group, so young and accomplished!"

"A pleasure, Young Master Cui."

Li Xu greeted him politely.

"Dr. Li, don’t listen to President Ding’s nonsense. What’s all this about a crown prince? Just call me Guanghui."

Cui Guanghui smiled and waved his hand dismissively, without the slightest air of arrogance. "It’s true what they say: meeting someone is better than just hearing about them. Dr. Li, you really are young. It seems we’re about the same age?" ℴℴ𝘮

"I’m twenty-eight," Li Xu stated honestly.

"Western age?"

Cui Guanghui asked.

"Yes, Western age."

"Then I’m a year younger than you. I’ll just call you Brother Li."

Cui Guanghui seized the opportunity to get closer.

"You’re too kind, Young Master Cui," Li Xu said with a smile. "I’m just a humble doctor. How could I compare to someone as young and accomplished as you, managing such a large corporation."

He sighed to himself. ’I’ve only achieved so much in two years because I have a System helping me. It’s like using a cheat code.’

’This guy was born with a golden spoon in his mouth—born right in Rome. His starting line is a finish line that most people couldn’t reach in several lifetimes.’

"Still calling me Young Master Cui? That’s too formal, isn’t it?"

Cui Guanghui feigned displeasure. "Just call me Guanghui."

"Alright, Guanghui." Li Xu wasn’t one for pointless formalities.

"Come on, let’s go inside and talk. No need to keep standing at the entrance."

Ding Kaifang chimed in from the side.

Chatting, the three of them entered the hotel together.

Feng City Hotel was a long-established five-star hotel in the city, and it was by no means low-class.

Inside the entrance was a spacious lobby with a glittering crystal chandelier. Although there were quite a few guests, it was quiet, exuding an air of understated luxury.

Cui Guanghui had booked a medium-sized private room.

Upon entering the private room, even Li Xu felt it was a bit extravagant.

A private room this large wasn’t just for three people eating; it was more than enough to hold a small banquet for thirty or forty people.

"Brother Ding, Brother Li, have a seat."

Once inside the room, Cui Guanghui offered a warm welcome, and an observant waiter brought in freshly brewed Mingqian Longjing tea.

"Brother Li, do you drink?"

Cui Guanghui asked.

"I can’t. I’m a terrible drinker, and I have consultations tomorrow, so I can’t drink."

Li Xu waved his hand, refusing.

For a doctor, staying clear-headed at all times was essential; drinking was a major taboo.

"Then let’s just drink tea. We’ll toast with tea instead of wine."

Cui Guanghui instructed the waiter, "The signature dishes I arranged for earlier—have your executive chef prepare them personally. If the food isn’t up to par, I’ll be having words with you."

"Rest assured, Young Master Cui, we know. The head chef has been on standby."

The waiter obviously knew Cui Guanghui, and his attitude was incredibly respectful.

"There’s no need to go to such lengths. A simple meal would have been fine," Li Xu said.

Seeing the grand reception laid out for him, Li Xu understood the situation perfectly.

’The patient Cui Guanghui wants me to see must have a very troublesome condition. Otherwise, there would be no need to get so friendly and put on such a grand display. After all, President Ding already hinted on the phone that the Guangshun Group has connections that reach the heavens. They could have their pick of famous doctors, yet they specifically sought me out. There must be some unspoken difficulty.’

"It’s mainly because I don’t know what you like to eat, Brother Li, so I just had them prepare all their signature dishes for us to try."

Cui Guanghui said with a smile, "If you have any dietary restrictions, Brother Li, please let me know."

"I don’t have any," Li Xu said with a smile. "I’ve been here a few times before. The food is always quite good."

"Doctor Li is a great friend to have, isn’t he?" Ding Kaifang said to Cui Guanghui with a smile. "His medical skills are superb, but he doesn’t put on any airs at all. He’s quite humorous, too."