Chapter 130: This Young Man Is No Ordinary Person

Jiang Yiyao gestured toward Hong Chen and said with a touch of playfulness, "I am several years older than your father-in-law. Calling me 'Uncle Jiang' doesn't seem quite right, does it?"

Hong Chen muttered to himself, *If my foster father were still alive, he would be several years older than you.* However, he changed his address aloud: "Uncle Jiang."

Jiang Yiyao nodded, satisfied, while Jiang Yidong and his wife looked on in astonishment. They turned in unison toward Jiang Ying, their eyes filled with interrogation. Jiang Ying dared not meet her parents' gaze; instead, she stared wide-eyed at Hong Chen. Hong Chen gave her a dry, awkward smile, feeling the bitterness of being unable to speak his mind. From the moment Jiang Yiyao had recognized him, he knew he was in trouble; his cover had been blown.

Sensing the shift in atmosphere, Jiang Yiyao’s eyes flickered with suspicion. He looked at Jiang Yidong, who hesitated to speak. Finally, Shi Jie broke the silence: "Big brother, young Hong is a friend of Ying’er. He is here for dinner today."

Jiang Yiyao was a sharp man. Upon hearing this, his expression became rather intrigued. When a girl brings a young man home for dinner, does one really need to ask what their relationship is?

"Uncle Jiang, Uncle, Aunt, I’ve had my fill. I just remembered I have something to attend to this evening, so I shall take my leave." Hong Chen wanted to slip away; staying any longer would only increase the awkwardness. But Jiang Ying had no intention of letting him go. If he left, she would be left alone to face her parents and her uncle’s interrogation!

"Mom, Dad, Uncle, Hong Chen and the Lin family only have a three-year marriage contract. In less than a year, it will expire and be automatically dissolved." Jiang Ying didn't know where she found the courage, but she suddenly reached out, took Hong Chen's hand, and stood beside him with a serious and determined expression.

"Nonsense!" Anger flared on Jiang Yidong’s face. His daughter was the eldest lady of the Jiang family; how could she be dating a married man? If word got out, the shame to his daughter, to himself, and to the Jiang family would be immense!

"Ying’er, enough of this!" Shi Jie’s face also darkened. She never dreamed her daughter would choose a married man. Even if they waited for the contract to expire, he would still be a divorcee.

"I’m not being nonsensical. Hong Chen saved my life, and I love him. His marriage into the Lin family is just a piece of paper; it doesn't count." Jiang Ying remained unswayed, her tone resolute.

"Uh, but that’s my livelihood. The contract explicitly states I can be a stay-at-home husband in peace." A weak voice came from beside her. Jiang Ying turned to glare at him, blurting out, "I didn't say you couldn't keep being a stay-at-home husband! Our Jiang family is a hundred times stronger than the Lin family!"

Pure dominance!

Hong Chen broke into a cold sweat, his mouth twitching as he felt a sharp pain—Jiang Ying was gripping his hand so hard her nails were digging into his skin.

Jiang Yidong and his wife were livid, their faces turning a shade of blue.

Jiang Yiyao coughed twice, stepping in to smooth things over: "We’re still eating. Everyone sit down; let’s finish the meal first."

Jiang Yiyao’s authority had to be respected. Everyone sat back in their places, though only Hong Chen picked up his bowl and continued to eat. Jiang Yiyao’s gaze wandered for a moment before he shifted the conversation abruptly: "Yidong, I came specifically to discuss our cooperation with Baojian Tang."

The Jiang family had many businesses, and the pharmaceutical division was under Jiang Yidong’s management. He nodded, stood up, and said, "Brother, let’s go to the study."

Jiang Yiyao waved his hand: "Eat first. We can take a walk outside afterward to digest. Hong Chen, you should come along and offer your insight as well." As he spoke, he gave Hong Chen a meaningful look.

Hong Chen’s heart skipped a beat. He instinctively glanced at Jiang Ying, who understood and shook her head firmly.

Jiang Yidong was confused by the suggestion, but he didn't object.

After the meal, Hong Chen followed the two men outside. Jiang Ying wanted to follow, but a glare from her mother sent her off to her room.

***

Garden path lights glowed, making the garden look slightly less exquisite than in the daylight, but adding a sense of seclusion. The night breeze was cool, and the air was crisp.

Hong Chen hesitated, then pulled out a pack of cigarettes. Seeing that the others didn't object, he lit one and listened silently to their conversation.

"What terms did you offer Baojian Tang previously?"

"A valuation of 150 million. We proposed investing 60 million for a 40% stake."

"That was then. Since they didn't accept, it means our offer was too low. What do you think now?"

"In terms of market betting, Baojian Tang has dropped to 1 to 1.2, while Zhongbao Tang has risen to 1 to 2.3. Our Jiang Pharmacy is at 1 to 3.1. The Lu family won't sit still, and families from other cities will likely get involved. Baojian Tang is holding out for the highest bidder, and we are at the peak. There will be a result within two or three days. I estimate the Lu family’s valuation will have a floor of 200 million and a ceiling of no more than 500 million..."

The two exchanged thoughts without avoiding Hong Chen, despite the sensitive commercial nature of the discussion. After about ten minutes, Jiang Yiyao suddenly turned to Hong Chen: "The Jiang family recognizes a 750 million valuation for Baojian Tang. How does 300 million for a 40% stake sound to you?"

Hong Chen was stunned. Jiang Yiyao said deeply, "Young Tao doesn't have many true friends, and you are one of them. Business is business, but all things being equal, one naturally prefers to work with someone they know."

Hong Chen understood the subtext perfectly—he was hinting that he knew he was the "Miracle Doctor Hong," just without saying it outright. It wasn't surprising; he had witnessed the entire process when Hong Chen pulled Jiang Tao back from the brink of death. Now, with the doctor also surnamed Hong and both being twenty-five, it wasn't hard to piece together.

*Well, if they know, they know.* Besides, with the conditions being similar, he had intended to bring the Jiang family onto his ship anyway.

After a moment of contemplation, Hong Chen said, "300 million for 40% is high, especially with the additional investment required for expansion. I think an investment of 200 million for a 20% stake would be more appropriate."

Seeing Jiang Yiyao frown slightly, Hong Chen added, "We are currently in the preliminaries. Even if we take first place in Qing City, it only qualifies us for the provincial semifinals. If we reach the top three in the provincial round, we enter the national finals. By then, Baojian Tang’s valuation will likely be in the billions."

Hearing this, Jiang Yiyao’s eyes lit up. Jiang Yidong wanted to interject, but a wave of his brother’s hand stopped him. After ten seconds of silence, Jiang Yiyao nodded slowly: "Very well. 200 million for a 20% stake."

Hong Chen smiled and checked his watch: "Uncle Jiang, Uncle, I really have something to attend to tonight. My apologies, I must be going."

Jiang Yiyao made no move to keep him, and Jiang Yidong was even less inclined to. After watching Hong Chen leave through the iron gate, Jiang Yidong asked, "Brother, what is his relationship with Baojian Tang?"

Jiang Yiyao glanced at him: "He is surnamed Hong, and he is twenty-five."

Jiang Yidong pondered for three seconds before realization dawned on him, his expression one of shock: "He is the Miracle Doctor Hong?"

Jiang Yiyao nodded: "I was 70% sure before, now I'm 100%."

Jiang Yidong’s eyes flickered, his brow furrowing: "A 200 million injection for 20% is a steep price, and the stake is a bit small. Brother, his final comment just now clearly implied he is certain about reaching the top three in the provincials. Do you think that’s reliable?"

Jiang Yiyao said slowly, "Yidong, you know I used to be a skeptic of traditional Chinese medicine, and Jiang Pharmacy never prioritized clinical consultations. But my views have changed. To be honest, it’s because of him. A month ago, after Tao’s car accident, he was sent to the Qing City First Hospital. Every expert and department head came, and they confirmed damage to his cerebellum. No one dared to perform the surgery. That expert Qi even stated that even if we hired the best brain surgeon in the province, there was a 90% chance Tao would lose his memory or become a vegetable. In the end, it was Hong Chen who stepped in. I witnessed it myself—he inserted twenty-some needles, and Tao fully recovered. He was discharged that same night. His medical skills, if I had to describe them in four words: miraculous and divine."

Jiang Yidong was shaken. If his brother held such a high opinion, he could no longer doubt it. He couldn't help but curse, "Damn it, the kid lied to me before, claiming he was a jockey."

***

Jiang Yiyao looked at him with a strange glint in his eyes: "He didn't exactly lie. The week before last, when Tao won 100 million from the Lu family in horse racing, it was Hong Chen who rode. And the Lu family had hired a top provincial jockey."

This news stunned Jiang Yidong once more: "Then how can he be the Lin family’s son-in-law? There’s only one Lin family in Qing City. They were barely quasi-first-tier in the past, and after the old man passed away, they dropped to quasi-second-tier. If he were their son-in-law, how could the Lin family have fallen so far?"

Jiang Yiyao shook his head: "I don't know the specifics, but it is a fact that he is their son-in-law. Ying’er said he signed a three-year marriage contract. There must be a reason for it. In any case, this young man is not simple."

Jiang Yidong nodded, narrowing his eyes, lost in thought.

...

Once Hong Chen got into his BMW, he realized he had left his cape at the Jiang residence. He thought about it, but there was nothing important in the pockets, so he didn't bother turning back.

As he drove back toward his villa, a few minutes away from his destination, an unfamiliar number called his phone.

"Can you come pick me up at the mountain road on the western outskirts?" As soon as Hong Chen answered, he heard a woman’s slightly urgent voice. He immediately recognized it as Mo Fei.

Hong Chen replied simply: "Okay."

"Call this number when you arrive at the location. Remember, if it’s turned off, pretend I never made this call and leave immediately."

She hung up abruptly. Hong Chen made a U-turn at the intersection and headed toward the western outskirts.

There used to be two racing spots in Qing City: Xifeng Mountain and the mountain on the western outskirts. Now, almost no one went to the latter. It wasn't high, maybe three or four hundred meters, and a loop around it was only four or five kilometers.

The mountain was lush with greenery, and there were some historical ruins at the summit, making it a modest scenic spot. Few tourists visited, but the mountain had another reputation in the city: it was a perfect place for lovers to sneak away!

Every night, one could see lone cars winding up the mountain, turning into a quiet side path or driving directly into the small woods. After the headlights turned off, they would stay for anywhere from ten minutes to several hours before turning around and heading back down.

Young people today were open-minded, and many sought excitement. They also liked to connect everything with nature—a form of returning to simplicity, perhaps!

Twenty minutes later, Hong Chen reached the foot of the mountain and called the number back. It rang seven or eight times with no answer. He tried again, with the same result.

Hong Chen didn't wait like a fool; he drove slowly up the mountain road. A Mazda whizzed past him. Glancing over, Hong Chen caught a glimpse of the man in the driver's seat with one hand on the steering wheel and the other on a certain part of the woman in the passenger seat. The excitement on his face and the wicked, deep-curved smile formed a vivid tableau.

Unbidden, Mo Fei’s stunning face and impeccable figure appeared in Hong Chen’s mind. He scanned the environment outside the car and a strange thought occurred to him: *Why would this woman ask me to meet her in a place like this? Could she be looking to... with me?*