"Really!" Song Hao was shocked upon hearing this. Things had become complicated. The Heavenly Medicine Sect was indeed after the bronze acupuncture statue of Song Tiansheng. It turned out that Qi Yannian's flattery wasn't out of gratitude, but for some other purpose.
"His treatment of me was clearly motivated by ulterior motives! It seems that after his attempts to forcibly seize us by some martial arts forces failed, they inadvertently learned of my and my identities and then resorted to this so-called act of repaying a debt of gratitude. Yes, the Heavenly Saint Acupuncture Bronze Man is a priceless treasure in medicine, and every medical practitioner would want to possess it. But why did my grandfather believe in his so-called act of repaying a debt of gratitude? It's truly baffling!" Song Hao was bewildered once again.
"Song Hao, don't worry. Although my Tang family is also striving for this item, and regardless of whether it's still in your hands, I will do everything in my power to protect you and it. I've made up my mind. I will no longer covet it for the sake of the Tang family, because you are the most important person, and you are its true owner," Tang Yu said sincerely. As she spoke, her face flushed slightly.
"Tang Yu, it's best if you think this way! We both have a responsibility to protect it," Song Hao said with a sigh, his eyes closed.
Upon hearing this, Tang Yu was startled, realizing that the bronze acupuncture figure of Song Tiansheng was still in Song Hao's hands. While secretly pleased that the treasure had not disappeared, she also began to worry about Song Hao's safety.
"Thank you for your trust in me!" Tang Yu said, somewhat excitedly.
“In this world, besides Grandpa, you are the only one I trust,” Song Hao said earnestly.
Upon hearing this, Tang Yu felt immense joy. Ever since Song Hao cured those patients in Tang Village, Tang Yu had inexplicably developed feelings for him, though she was unaware of his true feelings.
Song Hao then told Tang Yu that the purpose of his trip was to visit a master of pulse diagnosis. He also briefly mentioned his future plans: to establish Tianyitang Pharmacy and pursue a truly unique path for the development of traditional Chinese medicine.
"I support you! My Tang family currently owns several hospitals, and I have some management experience in this area," Tang Yu said with admiration and excitement.
“Great! I just don’t know if the Tang family will allow you to come and lend me a hand,” Song Hao said.
“I’m in charge of my own affairs, and no one can interfere. Besides, what we’re doing is a real cause—helping people and practicing medicine, promoting the medical profession. This is our duty as doctors,” Tang Yu said with a smile.
“Yes! A doctor’s duty, besides treating the sick and saving lives, also includes an important aspect: promoting the medical profession,” Song Hao nodded.
Penglai, the old residence of the Song family.
A row of over a dozen luxury cars was parked outside the courtyard gate, filling an entire alley. Inside the living room, Qi Yannian and a beautiful, anxious-looking middle-aged woman stood respectfully. She was Qi Yannian's wife, Du Qingmiao. Opposite them, Song Zihe sat excitedly in a chair. Although he had long been prepared to meet the couple, he couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion upon seeing them. Fifteen years ago, this mysterious couple abandoned their young child and disappeared without a trace. Their sudden reappearance now seemed to transport them back to that night fifteen years ago, only the child, now grown into a young adult, was gone.
"Mr. Song, we are so sorry! We are only now coming to see you." Qi Yannian looked ashamed and bowed to Song Zihe together with Du Qingmiao.
"Sit down and let's talk!" Song Zihe said calmly.
Qi Yannian and his wife remained standing. Qi Yannian bowed again and said, "At this moment, before Mr. Song, my wife and I dare not sit. Let us speak standing up." He sensed the reproach in Song Zihe's coldness. Although they were the head of the Tianyi Sect and the chairman of the Tianyi Group, they couldn't help but feel apprehensive. They felt ashamed before the old man before them.
As soon as Du Qingmiao entered the courtyard, she began to look around for something, but the scene she had hoped for did not appear.
Finally, she couldn't hold back any longer and asked urgently, "Mr. Song, where is Hao'er? Can you let him come out and see me?" As she spoke, tears streamed down her face.
"Didn't we agree before we came that you shouldn't get excited? You'll see Hao'er." Qi Yanshen gently patted his wife's back to comfort her.
“Song Hao isn’t home; he’s gone to another place to study under a master,” Song Zihe said, shaking his head.
"Please, Mr. Song, understand a mother's feelings and don't hide Hao'er. Although you have the right to do so, he is, after all, our own flesh and blood!" Du Qingmiao choked up, unable to contain her emotions.
"Alas! If you love your child so much, why did you abandon him and leave him with an old man who has ignored him for fifteen years? Is this the way of being a parent?" Song Zihe lamented, naturally blaming him.
"Mr. Song, I'm so sorry for the suffering you've endured over the years. Due to an emergency, I couldn't return to take our young son. Then, an unfortunate accident forced my wife and me to flee to a foreign land. We faced many hardships during that time and never had the chance to return home. It wasn't until a year ago that I finally had the opportunity to come back, but when I arrived in Baihe Town, Mr. Song had already disappeared, and we couldn't find him. Later, some events stemming from that acupuncture bronze figure led us to unexpectedly discover the whereabouts of Song Hao and Mr. Song, which is how we found him. I've already met him before; he's handsome and strong, truly a promising young man! This is all thanks to Mr. Song's painstaking cultivation and careful guidance, which has allowed him to grow into adulthood. We've really caused you trouble!" Qi Yannian finished speaking and bowed again.
Seeing that Qi Yannian's attitude was sincere and his words made sense, Song Zihe could only nod and say, "Since that's the case, there must have been a reason, so you can't be blamed. Otherwise, who would be willing to abandon their own flesh and blood? But there's something I don't understand, so please enlighten me."
"I wouldn't dare! Please speak freely, Mr. Song, I will tell you everything I know!" Qi Yannian hurriedly replied.
"With the skills of the Heavenly Physician Sect, Song Hao was actually not in serious danger back then, even though he was in a coma. Why didn't you use your skills to save him yourself, but instead sought treatment from me?" Song Zihe looked at Qi Yannian and said slowly.
Upon hearing this, Du Qingmiao, who was standing nearby, quickly lowered her head, as if trying to hide something.
Upon hearing this, Qi Yannian's eye muscles twitched slightly, and a strange glint flashed in his eyes. He quickly regained his composure and calmly replied, "That's because I encountered an emergency back then. I was traveling by carriage and didn't have any medicine with me, so I sought treatment from Mr. Song. Of course, there was also the reason that I was too anxious to treat myself, and that the doctor was either unable or unwilling to treat me."
"Hmm!" Song Zihe nodded, seeing that Qi Yannian's words made sense. "Everyone has times when they are in a hurry, but yours are even more special. On the other hand, I also want to thank you for sending me such a good child. Song Hao is naturally intelligent, perhaps because he lives with me. He was interested in medicine from a young age, and as he grew up, he gained even more insights and inherited all of my Song family's medical skills. For this, I really should thank you."
Upon hearing this, Qi Yannian's face relaxed, revealing a peculiar excitement. He quickly concealed it and said, "It is all thanks to Mr. Song's excellent teaching that my son has become so successful."
"Alright, you should sit down and talk. There are some things we need to discuss together," Song Zihe said, gesturing for them to sit down.
"Thank you!" Qi Yannian then helped his wife to sit down.
Du Qingmiao asked anxiously, "Mr. Song, is Hao'er really not home? Where did he go? I heard he was found, so I rushed back from the United States."
Song Zihe said, “This is exactly what I wanted to discuss with you. Because of the acupuncture bronze figure, Song Hao was unintentionally drawn into this trouble. While wandering around the world, he was fortunate enough to meet a Taoist master with profound cultivation, who taught him the true methods of medicine. He also instructed him to seek out masters throughout the world to learn from various schools of thought, so that after he has mastered the art of medicine, he can establish the Tianyi Hall to practice medicine and help the world.”
"Tianyi Hall!" Qi Yannian and his wife exclaimed in surprise upon hearing the name.
"Yes! He chose the name himself, and it even coincides with the name of the Heavenly Doctor Sect. He really is a member of your Qi family!" Song Zihe said with emotion.
Qi Yannian and Du Qingmiao looked at each other with delight upon hearing this.
Chapter Seventy Tiger Bones
“Song Hao is unaware of all this yet. I’m afraid that if he finds out, he won’t be able to accept the fact immediately, which will disrupt his mental state and be detrimental to his medical cultivation. So I wanted to discuss with you whether we should not rush to acknowledge him as our son, but wait until he has completed his studies and returned, and then find a suitable opportunity to explain everything and let him be recognized as our ancestor,” Song Zihe said.
Upon hearing this, Qi Yannian was deeply moved and stood up respectfully, saying, "Mr. Song, you have thought this through so thoroughly! We will do as you say."
"It just took a little longer for you and your son to reunite," Song Zihe said to Du Qingmiao.
"As long as it's for Hao'er's good, I can endure it for a while longer. I just don't know where Hao'er is studying now. I want to find him there, even if it's just to catch a glimpse of him!" Du Qingmiao said emotionally.
"I don't know either. He's traveling and studying as instructed by his master, and he doesn't have a fixed place to stay. Let's wait until he returns before discussing it further," Song Zihe said. It wasn't that Song Zihe didn't know where Song Hao was, but he was afraid that a meeting between him and his mother would disrupt Song Hao's studies.
"Things have come to this, and this is the only way," Du Qingmiao said helplessly, tears streaming down her face again. Qi Yannian quickly tried to comfort her.
"I've already told Song Hao to accept the one million you gave him. As for whether he establishes the Heavenly Medicine Hall or returns to your Heavenly Medicine Sect or Heavenly Medicine Group in the future, I hope you can respect his opinion," Song Zihe said.
"Don't worry, Mr. Song, we will respect his choice," Qi Yannian replied hastily.
Song Zihe nodded and said, "Song Hao is an honest and straightforward boy. Everything should be discussed with him. Otherwise, if you force him to do anything, even something that will make him rise to the top in one step, he may not agree. If he acts according to his own wishes and follows his interests, he may achieve great things. I am very pleased that you are not in a hurry to acknowledge him and are afraid of interfering with his studies."
“It is only right. Mr. Song holds a greater place in my son's heart than we do, and your relationship is already closer than that of family. Therefore, I hope that Mr. Song will continue to stay by my son's side and continue to teach him. This will not only allow him to adapt after understanding the truth, but also so that we can become a family. We have no way to repay the fifteen years of nurturing kindness. We wish to support Mr. Song together with my son in the future, without any distinction between us. I don't want to say anything about making amends, as that would be disrespectful to you. It is only for my son's sake that we hope Mr. Song will continue to stay by his side. At the same time, it will also give my husband and me the opportunity to be filial to you and support you in your old age!” Qi Yannian said sincerely.