Chapter 113: What Does That Have to Do With Me?

At the Xie family residence.

Today’s events at the White Emperor City had been a disaster. Xie Donglin had originally planned to utterly crush Qin Mu, then manipulate the media to ensure they only reported on the scandals surrounding White Emperor City while downplaying his own disgraceful actions. Instead, he had been outmaneuvered by Qin Mu, who even forced him to hang that plaque inscribed with "Everlasting Infamy" at the entrance of the Xie estate.

After leaving White Emperor City, Xie Donglin had naturally ordered the rotten wooden sign to be tossed into the trash. The mere sight of it reminded him of the twenty slaps Qin Mu had delivered to his face, forcing him to apologize publicly to that wretched woman. To think that he, a dignified deputy official of the city, had been so thoroughly humiliated by a mere youth! It was a disgrace of the highest order.

However, Xie Donglin had not earned his reputation for ruthlessness without cause. On the way back, he had immediately devised a plan for retaliation. If he couldn't destroy Qin Mu in the open, he would strike from the shadows. No matter how capable the man was, or who he knew—even if he was acquainted with Fu Yuantu—so what? White Emperor City stood right there; how could it possibly be protected from every angle?

Feeling much better now, Xie Donglin raised a glass of wine with a smile. "Dr. Shen, this toast is for you. Thank you for treating my wounds." His face, having been treated, now bore only a few shallow cuts, making him at least presentable enough to be seen. He was hosting a banquet at his own home, and sitting across from him was a man in white robes, a surgical mask hanging around his neck, looking every bit the professional doctor.

"Deputy Xie, what are you saying? Treating patients and alleviating their suffering is the sacred duty of us doctors," Dr. Shen said, patting his chest with an air of righteous indignation. This man, Shen Qingliu, was a well-known figure in Jiangcheng's medical circles.

Xie Donglin glanced around. Aside from his sister, Xie Tingting, everyone else was stationed outside the room. He whispered, "Tell me, Dr. Shen, will this plan of yours against White Emperor City actually be effective?"

After the confrontation earlier that morning, Xie Donglin had a vague sense that Qin Mu was by no means simple. He knew people like Fu Yuantu and Zhang Feng, had forced the Chu family to back down, secured White Emperor City, and possessed a mysterious ten-year gap in his official records. It now seemed he had underestimated his opponent.

"Deputy Xie, you can rest assured. I’ve already had people investigate. White Emperor City lacks all the necessary registration certificates, yet they intend to open both a pharmacy and a clinic. It’s nothing but a pipe dream!" Shen Qingliu laughed, gesturing dismissively with his right hand. "Bringing him down is as easy as lifting a finger. I’ve already sent dozens of people to purchase medicine from their pharmacy, only to return and claim they’ve suffered adverse reactions, staging a medical protest at his doorstep."

Xie Tingting asked curiously, "Won't that be found out?"

"Found out? And how would he prove it?" Shen Qingliu chuckled. "I’ve instructed all of them to refuse any medical examination and only cause a scene at the entrance. No matter how arrogant that man surnamed Qin is, he can't force people into a hospital, nor can he assault patients in public. Once we do this, White Emperor City's reputation will be ruined, and the Lin Group will never get off the ground." Shen Qingliu tapped the table, speaking with immense confidence. He had used this tactic too many times; countless pharmacies and clinics in Jiangcheng had been destroyed by his hand.

Xie Donglin nodded in secret, satisfied with Shen Qingliu’s efficiency. Once White Emperor City’s reputation was tarnished and a "tragedy" occurred right at its opening, public opinion would shift instantly. Who would care what Xie Donglin had done then? Perhaps, by that point, people would even think that his attempts to shut down White Emperor City during its opening were the right thing to do.

"Donglin, why didn't you tell me Dr. Shen was coming?" A woman emerged from the main room, supported by a sixteen or seventeen-year-old maid.

The woman was in her fifties or sixties, her face twisted into a fierce expression. Her features were tightly drawn, and her skin was covered in wrinkles and age spots, looking quite sickly. Fortunately, her affluent background allowed for careful grooming, preventing her from looking too ghastly.

"Mother," Xie Tingting said as soon as she saw the woman. This was Zhang Shuhua, the mother of the Xie siblings.

Zhang Shuhua was about to respond when she lost her footing on a stone, stumbling toward the side. Fortunately, the young maid was quick-witted and grabbed her just in time to prevent a tragedy; otherwise, the fall could have left her bloodied and broken.

Regaining her composure, Zhang Shuhua flew into a rage and viciously pinched the maid’s shoulder with two fingers. "Useless thing! You can't even hold me steady? Was the rice you ate at my expense fed to the dogs?!"

The maid let out a cry of pain and instinctively flinched, leaving purple and blue bruises on her fair arm. This reaction only fueled Zhang Shuhua’s fury, and she vented it entirely on the girl. "You dare to pull away?" Zhang Shuhua barked, striking the maid repeatedly with her cane!

"Ma'am, please, I won't do it again, I won't..." The maid pleaded, but Zhang Shuhua was too strong. After a few strikes, the girl was silenced, nearly fainting from the pain.

Only when she felt she had vented enough did Zhang Shuhua stop. "Mother, your health isn't fully recovered yet. Why bother with a servant? If you're not satisfied, just replace her. There are plenty of others hoping to work for our Xie family," Xie Tingting said, waving her hand to calm her mother down.