Taming The Hidden Bigshot By Kissing Him
Chapter 504: Taking Advantage and Acting Cute

Chapter 504: Chapter 504: Taking Advantage and Acting Cute

Huo Xingzhou stood up and left, in the direction that seemed to be the restroom.

After a while, Zhong Yi walked off from another side.

Their paths of departure were completely different, and Lu Yan who sat in the wheelchair in the back row glanced over but was not suspicious.

The most Young Master Zhong had with Tianyuan Group was a conflict of interests, whereas their Lu Family was the Zhong Family’s most steadfast partner.

In high society, what relationship could be more solid than an alliance through marriage?

Prosperity for one is prosperity for all; loss for one is loss for all!

Lu Yan snorted coldly and continued to watch the match, not believing that the little wretch from Haicheng could make it to the end amidst the siege of so many masters!

His uncle, Lu Bannong, was personally serving as a judge after all!

...

Zhong Yi found Huo Xingzhou in the small garden behind the Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic; his brows slightly furrowed as he asked, "President Huo, is there something you had to say that couldn’t be said inside?"

Huo Xingzhou glanced at him lightly, with a deep voice: "Young Master Zhong said he would take care of the judges, but he never told me that Lu Bannong would serve as a judge. Since he has put out the position of vice president as bait, this indicates that the Lu Family is determined to win the title of the top contender at the needle trial conference."

Lu Bannong was set on pushing Lu Yingxue to the top!

Zhong Yi’s expression was complex: "The initially designated judge was Wu Yaoshan, the vice president of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association. At first, Lu Bannong said he’d recuse himself to avoid suspicion. But last night, Wu Yaoshan had a car accident, suffered a heart attack due to excessive shock. With his grievous illness, the positions of vice president and judge were vacated at the same time, and Lu Bannong stepped in amidst the crisis."

Lu Bannong seemed to have lucked out and played coy simultaneously.

By initially refusing to be a judge, he avoided any gossip about favoring Lu Yingxue.

Now, stepping in amidst crisis seemed reluctant and enforced.

Truly sinister and cunning!

Zhong Yi suspected that the car accident was also man-made.

Huo Xingzhou said indifferently: "Chinese medicine evaluations have a degree of subjectivity. If he wants to trip her up, Qiao Xi might not even get first place on her own merit. We must find someone to replace Lu Bannong; since he cited dignity as his reason for stepping in amidst crisis, let’s find someone more formidable than he is, someone he can’t refuse!"

Zhong Yi, looking grave, said: "Of course, I’ve considered this problem, but the respected seniors in the Chinese Medicine Community have all been invited already. Either they are too old or they are confined to bed, only those four on stage are available to attend. To find a fifth person who can replace Lu Bannong at the last minute, someone who can gain everyone’s approval... it’s virtually impossible!"

It’s too hard!

Such a person must possess extremely high prestige.

And impeccable skills.

Moreover, they cannot belong to Lu Bannong’s faction – they must be fair and impartial!

Zhong Yi thought of National Doctor Cheng Han, but quickly rejected the idea.

Lu Bannong and Cheng Han were at odds, and even if Cheng Han could be found, Lu Bannong would try to prevent him from serving.

"Huo Xingzhou, do you have any insights?"

Huo Xingzhou’s eyes were dark, and he said somberly: "The only person who meets all criteria and can be invited by Young Master Zhong is..."

Zhong Yi pressed, "Who is it?"

"The heir of the Gold Needle Technique, Grandmaster Huang."

Zhong Yi frowned with difficulty: "Grandmaster Huang has already retired to seclusion. He even auctioned off his last set of gold needles, why would he come to a Chinese medicine festival? Besides, where could we find him?"

In such a noisy occasion, the grandmaster would likely detest it the most.

Huo Xingzhou smiled cryptically: "As far as I know, the Old Master of the Zhong Family and Grandmaster Huang are best of friends. Young Master Zhong could perhaps ask the Old Master at home if he could invite Grandmaster Huang out of retirement to serve as a judge."

Grandmaster Huang Bingyi, the inheritor of the Gold Needle Technique, had a reputation far greater than that of Cheng Han in his heyday; back then, Lu Bannong probably didn’t even know where to dig for mud.

Even National Doctor Cheng Han once said, "In terms of extracting toxins and curing sores with gold needles, I am far inferior to Grandmaster Huang."

Zhong Yi lifted his gaze and looked deeply at him: "President Huo has made preparations well in advance, you even know our Zhong Family’s affairs so clearly. But whether Grandmaster Huang can be invited is yet uncertain."

Huo Xingzhou’s voice was steady and calm: "Do what we can and leave the rest to fate. As long as Grandmaster Huang can be invited, I will gift the Future City project in Haicheng to Young Master Zhong."

"That’s a grand gesture!"

Zhong Yi thought Huo Xingzhou was not deeply invested in Qiao Xi, but to think that he would give away a project worth tens of billions like Future City just like that!

A sourness welled up in his heart.

Zhong Yi’s hand resting by his side suddenly clenched as he said, "No need for your gift. If there’s a chance, I want Qiao Xi to thank me in person and invite me to dinner alone."

Huo Xingzhou’s tone was devoid of any emotion: "I’m afraid there won’t be such an opportunity."

"President Huo, there will be that day."

Zhong Yi was sure, "There are no impermeable walls in the world. Once the situation in the Imperial Capital is stable, I won’t always just be Zhong Yi in her eyes."

Huo Xingzhou spoke slowly: "Then when we hold our wedding ceremony, we will surely invite Young Master Zhong to be the best man."

Zhong Yi narrowed his eyes slightly, staring at him.

That gaze could have been as sharp as a knife, landing on Huo Xingzhou.

In a battle of words between men, enough is as good as a feast.

Huo Xingzhou’s chest rose and fell slowly, and his Adam’s apple rolled: "The Lu Family is determined to win, Young Master Zhong better keep a tight leash on Xiang Mingzhu. Don’t let her become a stepping stone for the Lu Family, otherwise, all your efforts will have been in vain."

"I know. But without Xiang Mingzhu, there could be someone else. It’s hard to guard against... This battle must be fought by Qiao Xi herself; we can only prepare for the rest."

"That’s enough."

Huo Xingzhou’s voice was melodious with a hint of tenderness, "She is a very resilient girl."

Seeing him so composed, Zhong Yi couldn’t help but propound: "And what if she loses? Lu Yingxue’s medical skills are also not bad. Haven’t you thought about what to do if Qiao Xi loses?"

"I have thought about it, Young Master Zhong need not worry. By the way, I heard that Young Master Zhong gave a set of Grandmaster Huang’s gold needles to Miss Lu. Perhaps you should start thinking of an excuse to get through."

How could Huo Xingzhou allow those people to lay hands on Qiao Xi – what dreams they had of crippling her hands and ending her medical career for life!

Zhong Yi, upon hearing this, felt greatly relieved.

Huo Xingzhou was annoying to deal with, but he was indeed reliable.

"The matter of Grandmaster Huang lies with you, Young Master Zhong. There are three days until the first round ends. I hope that by the start of the second round, Grandmaster Huang has already appeared at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic."

Zhong Yi spoke with a touch of resentment: "You don’t need to worry about the gold needles. You should pray that Qiao Xi safely gets through the first round. If the Lu father and daughter are so malevolent as to eliminate her in the first round, it would be a complete disaster!"

Having said that, he turned and left, his departing figure looked somewhat displeased.

Huo Xingzhou’s lips slowly curved upwards as he slightly bowed his head and rolled up his light grey sleeves to check the time on his watch.

The Lu father and daughter loved to save face; there wouldn’t be an issue in the first round!

When it comes to manipulating people, Huo Xingzhou beats them all!

He strode with long steps towards the Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic, and on the return path, he passed Xie Xubai who was sitting by Quchi Pond feeding fish, appearing very leisurely.

The two left past each other as if they were unrelated strangers, completely concealing any sign of their several meals together in Haicheng.

The moment Huo Xingzhou walked into the Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic.

Inside the clinic, the ancient and solid bell tolled thrice.

The first round.

Ended!