From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Pu Jian said, "Actually, it doesn’t matter which boat you board, the most important thing is that it can carry you through the wind and waves to your destination."

Xiahou Mulan smiled calmly, "Investment is all about stability. I don’t want to encounter any rough seas. I can’t handle the jolts; I get seasick."

Xu Chunliang said meaningfully, "The bigger the waves, the bigger the fish."

Xiahou Mulan was momentarily stunned; she didn’t know how to respond.

Seeing her hesitation, Xu Chunliang realized she grasped his underlying meaning. He raised his wine glass and clinked it with hers, "Here’s to our successful collaboration."

Xiahou Mulan quickly clinked her glass with his, not knowing how to continue the conversation, as it would be awkward if someone else noticed.

Chen Qianfan said, "I don’t even have the chance to board the pirate ship. Chunliang doesn’t value my small investment and doesn’t take me fishing."

Xu Chunliang replied, "I didn’t stop you."

Xie Boxiang inquired about Xiahou Zun’s situation, and Xiahou Mulan thanked him for his concern, saying her father’s health wasn’t well and he had become reclusive, severing contact with the outside world.

Xie Boxiang sighed, "Our generation is getting old. It’s time for us to step down."

Zeng Yuanqing complimented, "Master is highly regarded in the industry. You can’t retire."

Pu Jian flattered along, "Yes, Master Xie is the guiding light of our antique industry. If you retire, we’ll be lost."

Xie Boxiang laughed, "Being regarded as highly esteemed is proof of being old. Becoming the industry’s beacon means you’re at the forefront, and I understand the idea of shooting the first bird."

Zeng Yuanqing and Pu Jian exchanged glances; they didn’t mean it that way.

Pu Jian laughed, "Master Xie is joking with us."

Xie Boxiang replied, "I’m not joking. I really plan to retire. I’ll have plenty of time to visit old friends since we don’t have much time left." He said to Xiahou Mulan, "I plan to visit your father in Qiaocheng soon."

Xiahou Mulan smiled, "You are most welcome."

After the dinner ended, Xu Chunliang let Chen Qianfan and Pu Jian leave first and got into Xiahou Mulan’s car.

Xiahou Mulan hadn’t drunk any alcohol, while Xu Chunliang had quite a bit, and she softly asked, "Where are you staying?"

Xu Chunliang gave her the hotel address and asked where she was staying, only to find out she hadn’t booked a hotel yet. He immediately called the front desk and booked a suite for her.

Xiahou Mulan was about to say something but hesitated.

Xu Chunliang asked, "Have you known Xie Boxiang for a long time?"

Xiahou Mulan nodded, "He’s old friends with Old Cao. They did a lot of business together in the past, but after Mulan Group was established, they stopped interacting."

Xu Chunliang nodded; Cao Xinwei went into seclusion a few years ago, and after that, Xiahou Mulan took over the business. Mulan Group made a fortune solely from herbal medicine and naturally stopped risky underground dealings.

As long as such dealings don’t cause issues, it’s fine, but if they do, tracing might even expose the transportation routes.

Xu Chunliang asked, "Did you come here specifically to see him?"

Xiahou Mulan replied, "Xie Boxiang plans to wash his hands of the trade. Two years ago, he urgently needed money and found us. Cao Xinwei’s retreat made it inconvenient for him to appear, so I lent him ten million. Now he’s repaying it and also gave me some interest. I didn’t take his interest."

Xu Chunliang said, "Nowadays, there aren’t many who pay back loans, especially with interest. It seems Old Xie is quite a principled person."

Xiahou Mulan said, "Xie Boxiang belongs to the old school. These people value integrity. Besides, the Traditional Chinese Medicine Administration asked us to supplement some materials. I thought I’d better come personally."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "It’s just procedural; don’t worry, Mulan Group will be fine."

The car drove into the hotel’s parking lot. Xiahou Mulan parked the car and looked at him, "Thank you."

Xu Chunliang said, "You drove over too; you’ve had a long day. Go rest, and we can talk tomorrow."

Xiahou Mulan nodded. Xu Chunliang helped her with her suitcase, and she checked into the hotel to find out they were staying next door.

They both bid each other good night. Xiahou Mulan returned to her room, her heart pounding. She looked at herself in the mirror, her cheeks flushed as if drunk. She thought Xu Chunliang must have seen her shy manner, but thankfully she was finally in her room.

Xiahou Mulan assessed the room and felt satisfied with the environment. While showering, she couldn’t help but wonder if he might come looking for her. If he did, should she open the door and let him in?

After showering, she didn’t hear the doorbell, which she found odd. Could he have come by while she was in the shower and she didn’t hear?

It was already half past ten. She figured Xu Chunliang must have had quite a bit to drink and probably was asleep.

Xiahou Mulan picked up her phone and glanced at it; there was no call from him. Xiahou Mulan realized she was feeling somewhat anxious and uncertain, truly bewitched by this guy.

She planned to sleep and talk about it tomorrow when Xu Chunliang’s message came—How have you been recently?

Xiahou Mulan hesitated for a moment; she could eat and sleep like normal and seemed unaffected, but she hadn’t had her period yet. Should she tell him?

Xiahou Mulan thought for a while before replying with a simple "Hmm."

Xu Chunliang sent another message—I wanted to discuss some collaboration matters with you, but I was worried about disturbing your rest.

Xiahou Mulan typed "I’m not tired..." but considered before deleting it. If she sent it, would Xu Chunliang think she’s hinting at something?

Xiahou Mulan waited for a while but didn’t see Xu Chunliang send another message, probably because of her lack of response, he also decided to stop.

Sitting on her bed, Xiahou Mulan sighed inwardly, realizing she was completely disturbed by him. She kept thinking of him unintentionally recently—it’s like she’s boarded his pirate ship.

Just as Xiahou Mulan was preparing for sleep, the doorbell rang.

Deep down, Xiahou Mulan had been somewhat expecting the doorbell, but when it really rang, she felt a bit scared. She walked to the door and glanced outside; Xu Chunliang seemed freshly showered, dressed smartly.

Xiahou Mulan bit her lip; what was there to be scared of? Would he eat her? She opened the door.

Xu Chunliang smiled: "I wanted to chat about something; it won’t disturb your rest, will it?"

Xiahou Mulan stepped aside to let Xu Chunliang in, closed the door, and Xu Chunliang was struck by Xiahou Mulan’s fresh beauty, abandoning his prepared justification and suddenly grabbing Xiahou Mulan’s hand, pulling her close.

Xiahou Mulan symbolically struggled for a bit and then fell into his embrace. If the first time was out of choice, the second time was semi-consensual, then the third time seemed like mutual pursuit.

That night, Xiahou Mulan was even more sure she’s boarded Xu Chunliang’s pirate ship, and deeply understood the saying "The stronger the storm, the bigger the fish." Such an experience was stimulating and pleasurable; she enjoyed being on the pirate ship, feeling like the one controlling its direction. During this, she had a thought that not everyone on board was a passenger; there were also helmsmen. As long as she adapted to this ship, she could still steer his direction.

By dawn, as the first ray of sunlight broke through the morning mist, Xiahou Mulan almost gave up the idea of being the helmsman. The pirate ship wasn’t easy to steer; gaining control on the ship was too difficult. Better to be an ordinary sailor and leave the steering to Xu Chunliang, focusing on fishing.

Xu Chunliang beamed with a satisfied smile looking at Xiahou Mulan nestling like a gentle lamb.

Precisely at this moment, Xiahou Mulan opened her beautiful eyes, caught his mischievous smile, and reached out to cover his mouth: "No laughing allowed."

Xu Chunliang kissed her long, snow-white fingers and only then remembered: "Did you wash your hands?"

Xiahou Mulan laughed gaily, slapping Xu Chunliang’s firm chest: "You’re so annoying."

Xu Chunliang said: "You forgot everything you said last night?"

Xiahou Mulan embarrassedly buried her face in his chest.

Xu Chunliang said: "Want me to help you remember?"

Xiahou Mulan said: "No more, I... I still have to go to the Traditional Chinese Medicine Administration later." She recalled something and whispered to Xu Chunliang, "I still haven’t had my period."

Xu Chunliang, feigning ignorance: "What?"

"I haven’t had my period yet. Do you think I might..."

Xu Chunliang said: "I couldn’t say for sure; maybe I should get you a test kit."

Xiahou Mulan spat: "As if I can’t do it myself." Suddenly feeling something amiss, she dressed and ran to the bathroom.

Xu Chunliang watched her leave, and Xiahou Mulan seemed to have eyes at the back of her head: "Don’t look," grabbing a pillow to throw at Xu Chunliang.

Xu Chunliang caught it with a smile.

Xiahou Mulan’s worry was unnecessary; what needed to come would eventually come, just two days late. This proved that Xu Chunliang’s efforts didn’t bear fruit during this period.

During breakfast together, Xiahou Mulan informed Xu Chunliang that Che Shixiong and Jin Xin Hui had been arranged at the base, temporarily given jobs. Since they won’t mention their identities, no one will question them. The planting base is large enough with ample space for activities.

Xu Chunliang asked if Monk Yuanrong had troubled her recently; Xiahou Mulan shook her head. After meeting Yuanrong once in Dongzhou, he hadn’t come to bother her again. Xiahou Mulan specifically sent people to Jinguang Temple to check his whereabouts, learning Yuanrong had gone traveling.

Xu Chunliang advised Xiahou Mulan to be cautious about internal situations within the gate, as Yuanrong and Wu Yuanyi might have grown suspicious about Xiahou Zun’s disappearance, suggesting she make Xiahou Zun’s disappearance public early to seize the opportunity as the best strategy.

Xiahou Mulan glanced around, saying softly: "Actually, I’m here in the Capital City this time because of matters within the gate. The four elders of the gate will come to my house tomorrow..." Realizing she had misspoken.

Xu Chunliang, looking at Xiahou Mulan’s blushing face, immediately understood. She had a place in the Capital City and could have gone home last night, but she chose to go to the hotel with him, without a doubt, this girl had feelings for him.

It’s the first day of the month, asking for monthly ticket support.