From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Xie Boxiang holds a considerable status in the antique circle, but his reputation isn’t great, which is why collector Huang Wanglin always kept a certain distance from him.

Xie Boxiang had interacted with Xu Chunliang a few times in the past, each time through Huang Wanglin, but tonight’s dinner invitation excluded the middleman Huang Wanglin, and directly invited Xu Chunliang.

Xie Boxiang hosted the dinner at a place called Great Stone Sect, where the owner is his student Zeng Yuanqing. The decor here exudes the opulence of a wealthy family, and business is quite good, with private rooms generally needing to be booked three days in advance.

When Xu Chunliang and his two companions arrived, Xie Boxiang was chatting and drinking tea with Zeng Yuanqing. As soon as he saw them come in, he stood up cheerfully: "Today’s invitation is somewhat presumptuous, I hope Director Xu won’t mind my abruptness."

Xu Chunliang smiled and shook hands with Xie Boxiang: "Master Xie is giving me such a great honor, I’m too pleased to be upset. If you need anything, just let me know, there’s no need to specially invite me for a meal."

"No big deal, just a gathering."

Xie Boxiang invited them to sit down, Zeng Yuanqing sought his opinion, and Xie Boxiang indicated there’s no rush since an important guest hadn’t arrived yet.

Xu Chunliang initially thought he was the main guest, but judging by the current situation, someone else was the main guest, and the three of them were here to accompany. Xie Boxiang wasn’t just suddenly inspired to invite him for dinner; it must be that he invited someone else who mentioned him, hence Xie Boxiang extended the invitation through Pu Jian.

Xu Chunliang glanced at Pu Jian, who also felt embarrassed, thinking Master Xie is really not straightforward, actually making us the attendants.

Xu Chunliang took a sip of tea and deliberately asked: "Master Xie, would I know the guest you invited?"

Xie Boxiang chuckled: "You know them, you do. You’ll know when you meet them later."

Chen Qianfan thought to himself that this old fellow was being mysterious; both he and Xu Chunliang came because of Pu Jian’s request. Given the current circumstances, the arriving guest must be very important to Xie Boxiang, and Xu Chunliang must know them — but who could it be? Based on Chen Qianfan’s understanding of Xu Chunliang, the guest was highly likely female. Don’t ask how he knows, it’s just a feeling.

Could it be Mo Han? The more Chen Qianfan thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. After all, Xie Boxiang operates in the gray areas of this field, whereas Mo Han happens to be a dragon bone collector. After introducing themselves through Huang Wanglin, it is highly possible the two might engage in separate transactions without Master Huang San, the reasoning being — why else would they invite both him and Xu Chunliang?

After waiting twenty minutes, the guest still hadn’t arrived, prompting Pu Jian to ask: "Is the guest stuck in traffic?"

Xie Boxiang replied: "They are coming from out of town; it takes time, but they’re close."

Chen Qianfan became more convinced of his judgment; it must be Mo Han, considering she doesn’t ordinarily stay in the Capital City. He noticed a pattern — whenever Xu Chunliang visits the Capital City, Mo Han usually follows him, and this time should be no exception.

Half an hour later, the honored guest finally arrived, and everyone’s gaze turned toward the door. Pu Jian’s eyes lit up; the figure and face were stunning, the outfit—cool—like a charming rebel.

Upon seeing the guest, Chen Qianfan realized it wasn’t Mo Han, though he knew her from previous business engagements.

Xu Chunliang blinked; he had thought along the same lines as Chen Qianfan, placing more likelihood on Mo Han, so Xiahou Mulan’s appearance took him by surprise.

It was then he realized Xiahou Mulan and Xie Boxiang were acquainted, which explained why Xie Boxiang organized such a meeting.

Xie Boxiang was all smiles: "Allow me to introduce, this is Miss Xiahou, Chairwoman of Mulan Group."

Xiahou Mulan smiled lightly: "Hello everyone, sorry to keep you waiting."

Xie Boxiang had reserved a seat next to him, Xiahou Mulan glanced around, gesturing for Xu Chunliang to sit further in, she then took a seat right beside him, publicly showing her willingness to let Xu Chunliang take the spotlight.

This made Xie Boxiang somewhat embarrassed, he knew they acquainted, but not the extent of their close relationship.

Chen Qianfan and Pu Jian exchanged a glance, simultaneously struck by a thought: I knew it! Any beautiful woman seems to connect with Xu Chunliang somehow. Does he emit some invisible pheromone only perceptible to the opposite sex? At any rate, neither of them could detect it, being male.

Pu Jian pondered over the fact that Mei Ru Xue, Mo Han, Su Qing, Ye Qingya are all top-tier beauties. Is this lineup heading toward five damsels celebrating longevity? Now there’s Xiahou Mulan, and from Xie Boxiang’s attitude, it’s clear she is no ordinary character either, given Xie Boxiang would wait so long for a young person, he had never heard of such before.

Pu Jian lacked knowledge about Xiahou Mulan, but Chen Qianfan knew well; he briefed Pu Jian about Mulan Group.

After reviewing it, Pu Jian felt money and beauty clashing in an unimaginable way. Women who are wealthy and beautiful; he knows a few — yet nearly each is Xu Chunliang’s girlfriend. When they say drought kills through deprivation while floods lead to surplus, he is the former.

Pu Jian recalled servicing foreigners recently and being asked if he had an English name, considering Hans for himself. Looking at Xu Chunliang, he pondered — he seemed decent in appearance but not overly striking; how does he attract modern young women so successfully? It must be due to particular talents; should Xu Chunliang’s English name be Robert Dadd?

Pu Jian could not help but chuckle at the thought.

Just as the waiter started serving the dishes, Xu Chunliang glanced at him: "Brother Pu, you must be hungry."

Xiahou Mulan said: "I got caught in a bit of traffic, and I’ve delayed everyone’s time."

Pu Jian said: "Miss Xiahou, no need to be so formal. Waiting for a beauty like you is a pleasure; the waiting process itself is accumulating good karma."

Xiahou Mulan laughed: "You certainly know how to speak well. I’ve heard about you, Pu Jian, the good friend of Chunliang."

Upon hearing how Xiahou Mulan addressed Xu Chunliang, Pu Jian became more convinced that there was something between them. Xu Chunliang is skilled indeed, advancing with hidden moves and keeping such a stunning beauty thoroughly concealed.

Chen Qianfan said: "Miss Xiahou, we have met before."

Xiahou Mulan nodded: "I remember, you are President Chen of Qianfan Group. We’ve collaborated in the past."

Chen Qianfan smiled so much that his eyes formed slits: "You have a great memory."

Xie Boxiang inwardly sighed; everyone has a love for beauty, and meeting a beautiful woman when he was young would have been just the same. But how did Xu Chunliang meet Xiahou Mulan? Does he know about Xiahou Mulan’s background? This girl is not easy to deal with, being the current head of the Tianmen.

When pouring wine, Xiahou Mulan expressed that she doesn’t drink alcohol and prefers mineral water.

Seeing her being this cautious, Xu Chunliang estimated she was concerned that drinking might affect her body. From this, he inferred that her period might not have arrived this month.

Pu Jian chimed in: "Then let Chunliang drink for you."

Xiahou Mulan glanced at Xu Chunliang, who replied: "Alright!"

While drinking, Xu Chunliang asked how Xie Boxiang came to know Xiahou Mulan, and Xie Boxiang told him that he has known Xiahou Mulan’s father, Xiahou Zun, for many years.

Xu Chunliang pondered for a moment and understood the reason behind it. Xie Boxiang is in the business of antiques, while Xiahou Zun has been digging holes for decades, likely unearthing quite a few valuable items from the troop supply routes. These items can’t be publicly shown, so he needed a way to convert them into cash, and thus, he and Xie Boxiang hit it off.

Xie Boxiang was also curious about how Xu Chunliang and Xiahou Mulan came to know each other. Xiahou Mulan didn’t elaborate, as their encounter would be considered off-limits, and she’d already harmonized it in her mind.

Xu Chunliang naturally couldn’t be honest either, but finding an excuse wasn’t difficult. He told everyone he met Xiahou Mulan while representing the hospital in purchasing from Mulan Group, and they became friends over time.

Xiahou Mulan thought to herself, his lies come so easily, without showing any embarrassment or hesitation; such a man must be watched closely. Who knows, he might sell her out one day and even help him count the money. But then she realized that she couldn’t outsmart him in their battles of wits; fooling her now might not even give him a sense of accomplishment. She felt a bit dejected at this thought—here she was, a smart person, yet completely under his control.

Chen Qianfan found Xu Chunliang’s explanation not very credible. He was very familiar with the level of Dongzhou Infectious Disease Hospital, considering its purchasing volume insignificant enough that Mulan Group wouldn’t even look at them. How could Xiahou Mulan personally welcome them and sign a strategic cooperation agreement?

Qianfan Group tried to secure a deal but didn’t succeed, which proves that Xu Chunliang was lying. It also proves one thing: Xiahou Mulan lowered the conditions for him, indicating that a woman was willing to take losses for a man, showing she had feelings for him.

Pu Jian was curious about the strategic partnership. Isn’t this usually in the military field? Is it also applicable in business? Do they discuss missile research issues between them?

Pu Jian asked more directly: "Miss Xiahou, did you come this time to find Chunliang?"

Xiahou Mulan shook her head: "To discuss business and meet new and old friends. I’ve been discussing cooperation on a new hospital with Chunliang recently."

Chen Qianfan, who heard some of this while having dinner with Xu Chunliang, realized that among the female investors starting at ten billion, Xiahou Mulan was one of them. He blinked and said: "Mulan Group plans to invest ten billion in the new hospital for Infectious Disease Hospital?"

Xiahou Mulan nodded: "Phase one investment. If necessary, we can add more."

Pu Jian felt an urge to slap himself; while he racked his brains and forced smiles to earn tens of thousands or a few hundred thousand by lowering his dignity, Xu Chunliang was already laughing and chatting as billions of investments rolled in. Comparing oneself to others is exasperating; comparing goods makes one want to throw them away. He won’t ever reach even a small goal in his life.

Xie Boxiang said: "Any investment project that Miss Xiahou fancies must have great prospects."

Xiahou Mulan glanced at Xu Chunliang, saying faintly: "I’ve been swayed by him; hopefully, I haven’t boarded a thief ship."

On November first, here’s an update. Recently, Octopus has been suffering from poor sleep and frequent insomnia, leading to a somewhat bad mental state and currently trying to adjust, with no stockpile of drafts. If anyone has guaranteed monthly votes, please support, thank you!