Chapter Forty-Four: The Miao Landers

The next day.

Qin Feng woke up early and saw that Lan Fang’s bedroom door was still closed, so he headed to the hospital for work.

Come to think of it, he hadn’t been to the hospital for quite some time.

If others knew, they might have mistaken him for the hospital director.

As soon as he arrived at his workstation, Xu Banxia had already arranged his tasks clearly: from important surgical discussions to running errands delivering documents, he had almost taken on the entire department’s workload alone.

“Damn it!” Qin Feng couldn’t help but vent after a busy day. “Is she even human?”

Just then, Xu Banxia walked in, looking at him. “Why, you seem to have quite a grudge against me?”

“Uh…” Qin Feng stammered. “Director Xu, I’m not badmouthing you, I’m complaining about someone else.”

Only Heaven knows how much more work this she-devil would pile on him if she held a grudge.

“Director Xu, is there something you need at my humble workstation?” Qin Feng asked.

Xu Banxia replied calmly, “Miss Gu called me just now. To thank you for your help last time, the city mayor of Gu has arranged a family dinner tonight and invited us both.”

“Saving lives is a doctor’s duty. Tell her the mayor needn’t be so formal. I won’t be going tonight,” Qin Feng said.

All he wanted now was to go home and sleep.

“Coincidentally, that’s what I said too. But the mayor personally called again, insisting we must attend.”

“To repay a life-saving favor in person,” Xu Banxia shrugged.

“Alright then. Since they insist, shall we go now?” Qin Feng blinked.

“Yes.” Xu Banxia nodded lightly and tossed the car keys to Qin Feng. “I’m tired. You drive.”

Qin Feng felt as if ten thousand alpacas had trampled his heart.

So, you’re tired? Am I not?

But fearing Xu Banxia would give him more trouble otherwise, Qin Feng reluctantly took on the role of designated driver.

...

By six in the evening.

Qin Feng drove to an old residential area, following the location sent by Gu Qing.

It was hard to imagine the city mayor lived in such surroundings.

“The mayor of Gu has been in office for over ten years. My mother said he’s a rare honest official who transformed Yunhai City from a backward small town into what it is today.”

“The city’s GDP ranks among the top three in the province.”

Hearing Xu Banxia say this, Qin Feng nodded silently.

This man could indeed be considered incorruptible.

What piqued his curiosity, however, was the distinguished guest apparently at the mayor’s home. A luxury car worth millions was parked downstairs.

“When we go in, speak little and eat well. Don’t embarrass us, got it?”

“We represent the hospital’s reputation.”

Xu Banxia said solemnly.

Qin Feng: “...”

Did I look that unreliable?

He rang the doorbell, and soon a middle-aged woman wearing an apron opened. She was Li Hui, wife of Gu Qingyun.

“Mrs. Gu, I’m Xu Banxia, and this is Qin Feng.”

Xu Banxia greeted warmly, carrying some health supplements. “We’ve been invited by the mayor to attend the dinner.”

“Hello, hello! Please come in. Old Gu owes his life to you both. You are great benefactors to our whole family.”

Li Hui was enthusiastic, quickly ushering them inside. “And you even brought gifts—how can we accept this?”

Qin Feng observed Li Hui, surprised that the mayor’s wife was so modest.

Truly rare.

“Don’t worry, Mrs. Gu, these health supplements cost only a few hundred yuan. They won’t trouble the mayor at all,” Xu Banxia added.

Gu Qingyun had an unwritten rule that he would never accept gifts worth more than eight hundred yuan, no matter the reason.

Qin Feng hadn’t realized Xu Banxia was so meticulous as to know this.

“Please have a seat,” Li Hui took the gifts. “Old Gu is still negotiating with some investors from Miaojiang. He’ll be here shortly.”

“I’ll go get Qing’er to pour you some tea.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Gu.”

Before long.

Hearing Qin Feng had arrived, Gu Qing’s daughter, barefoot, ran out of the room excitedly. “Qin Feng, you’re here!”

“You’d better put on your socks properly, no decent manners,” Li Hui said with a helpless smile.

Gu Qing’er made a funny face, put on her socks, and poured tea for Qin Feng and Xu Banxia. While pouring, she said, “Good thing you came, or I’d be suffocating alone in my room.”

“Why’s that?” Qin Feng asked curiously.

“It’s those strange people. I don’t like them.”

Gu Qing’er pouted toward her father’s study. “Every time they come, they have a big fight with Dad. Today’s a rare exception.”

“Oh?”

Qin Feng’s curiosity was piqued.

“What exactly is their background?”

“I don’t know, but their presence makes me very uncomfortable.”

As Gu Qing’er spoke, the study door opened.

Four figures stepped out. The leader was about fifty, wearing glasses, thin and dressed in black, exuding a sinister aura.

The other three looked different but all wore black with a unique skull insignia behind their ears.

This mark made Qin Feng frown.

He felt it was familiar—he had seen it somewhere before.

“Mayor Gu, we hope you’ll seriously consider our proposal. Our Miaojiang capital is abundant. If you give us the northern city land, we guarantee within five years to build a large amusement park comparable to Disneyland.”

“This way, we make money, you have achievements, and you can be promoted. Why not?”

The bespectacled leader said.

“Sorry, this matter is off the table. I won’t agree.”

“As mayor, I must consider not only my achievements but also the interests of every citizen. I won’t trade the people’s livelihood for my future.”

Gu Qingyun said firmly, clearly displeased.

“Oh?”

“That’s a pity!”

The leader’s eyes darkened, voice low. “We’re leaving.”

It was clear the meeting ended without agreement.

As the man turned to leave, a black energy surged from the sleeve of his black robe into Gu Qingyun’s body. The latter staggered slightly but did not notice.

Qin Feng saw the entire scene clearly.

The man seemed to sense something and glanced at Qin Feng. Perhaps due to Qin Feng’s youth, he didn’t care and left with his men.

“This really infuriates me!” Gu Qingyun turned back, sipping his tea with a gloomy expression.

“Mayor Gu, there’s no need to stoop to their level. Calm down—anger is bad for your health,” Xu Banxia advised.

Only then did Gu Qingyun suddenly realize the distinguished guests had arrived. He quickly apologized, “Sorry for the neglect. What a scatterbrained head I have to forget your arrival.”

“Mayor, no need for formalities. We understand your busy public duties.”

“Please, take your seats. Let’s eat.”

As Gu Qingyun spoke, his vision suddenly darkened, and he collapsed to the ground...