"However, could you please stay for a couple more days, until that person who returned from America meets with you before you leave?" Qi Yannian pleaded.
“Mr. Qi, this matter really baffles me. Mr. Gu said that you knew my grandfather and were his friend, but I don’t know you, Mr. Qi. So what could you possibly need me for?” Song Hao shook his head.
“I do know Mr. Song Zihe, and he has been very kind to me, which I have never had the chance to repay. Later, I heard about your situation, so I tried my best to help you, as a way of repaying Mr. Song Zihe,” Qi Yannian said.
"So that's how it is!" Song Hao said happily upon hearing this. "I never imagined that Grandpa had dealings with Mr. Qi, the chairman of the famous Tianyi Group. I also want to thank you. Mr. Qi asked Mr. Gu Xiaofeng of the Life and Death Gate to protect me and helped me escape danger several times."
"If that's the case, are you still leaving tomorrow?" Qi Yannian asked tentatively.
"Let's go!" Song Hao said in an unquestionable tone, "Seeing Grandpa is the most important thing to me right now. I will convey Mr. Qi's wishes to Grandpa."
Chapter Sixty-Six: Confusion
Qi Yannian looked disappointed upon hearing this. He smiled and said, "Very well, I won't force you. When you get back, please tell Mr. Song that the couple he helped fifteen years ago have returned. Mr. Song should understand."
"I will pass it on," Song Hao replied. But inwardly he wondered, "Grandpa might have cured their illness fifteen years ago. But why would he choose this method to help me?" Song Hao sensed something was amiss.
A servant came and reported, "Master, is dinner ready?"
Qi Yannian nodded, then led Song Hao to the dining room. A table was already set with a sumptuous meal.
"Mr. Gu, aren't you coming to have dinner with us?" Song Hao asked.
“He has other things to take care of, so he won’t be coming over. Let’s eat together.” Qi Yannian gestured for Song Hao to sit down and then personally set out the tableware. The servants were all surprised, as Qi Yannian had never treated a guest like this before, especially one who was only a young man in his early twenties.
Qi Yannian's excessive enthusiasm made Song Hao uneasy, and he asked Gu Xiaofeng to summon him, but there was no specific reason for the meeting; it seemed to be just a casual farewell. Clearly, it wasn't simply because his grandfather had once shown them kindness; there must be something else involved. He should go back and ask his grandfather about it.
Song Hao initially wanted to refuse and leave immediately, but doing so would not only offend the other party's kindness but also seem unreasonable. However, one thing was certain: there was no ill will towards him. Qi Yannian's enthusiasm made Song Hao feel extremely uncomfortable. Knowing he had to leave tomorrow, and if that person who returned from America treated him the same way, it wouldn't be a feeling of being "flattered" but rather one of trepidation. Gu Xiaofeng had seen through his master's deception, and Qi Yannian must also know it, perhaps even plotting to steal the precious medical treasure, the Song Tiansheng Acupuncture Bronze Figure. Behind the seemingly harmless facade might lie great evil.
However, Song Hao secretly shook his head, denying his private speculation, because he felt that Qi Yannian's attitude towards him was sincere, especially since he had a strange fondness for this person, and even a strange sense of intimacy.
"Song Hao!" Qi Yannian interrupted Song Hao's thoughts and asked, "You have inherited the Song family's hereditary medical skills and have also studied under a famous teacher. Your medical skills must be quite impressive. What are your plans for the future?"
Song Hao replied, "Studying medicine is for the purpose of healing the sick and saving lives. I plan to open a pharmacy in the future. While treating patients, I will also study medicine in order to promote traditional Chinese medicine. This is also what my grandfather and master expect of me."
"That's ambitious!" Qi Yannian said excitedly, "I can lend you a hand then, and I will fully support you financially. We can start by establishing a large hospital, where medical treatment and medical research can be carried out simultaneously. Alternatively, we can establish a separate medical research institute to conduct comprehensive development and research in the field of traditional Chinese medicine. If you wish, you can also directly take on a leadership position at a medical institution under the Tianyi Group, which will allow you to realize your ambitions in the same way."
Qi Yannian raised his wine glass, gestured to Song Hao, took a sip, and continued, "Now you know that the Tianyi Sect is the predecessor of the Tianyi Group. It's no longer the old-fashioned sect of the martial arts world; it has transformed into a corporate entity. The Tianyi Sect has been established for over five hundred years, its medical skills are unparalleled, and it has accumulated rich medical experience and achievements. Based on this, the Tianyi Group produces effective, time-honored secret formulas into medicines to benefit society. It not only inherits the principles of medicine and helping the world, but also creates enormous wealth. Today, the Tianyi Group has subsidiaries all over the world, contributing to the global spread of traditional Chinese medicine. Therefore…"
Qi Yannian paused for a moment and said, "I sincerely hope and invite you to work at Tianyi Group, to showcase your strengths and realize your aspirations. Tianyi Group will provide you with all the necessary conveniences so that you can develop and research traditional Chinese medicine in your own way and according to your own wishes, without having to take a roundabout path to start your own business. You can treat Tianyi Group as your own business and expand it, because we urgently need the addition of medical professionals with genuine talent and knowledge like you."
"You're being a little too nice to me!" Song Hao thought to himself in surprise. Qi Yannian's series of actions had truly surprised Song Hao, as if he had been sent to heaven in one fell swoop, like a dream. But why would the other party do this to him? What exactly did his grandfather do back then that made the Tianyi Sect so grateful to him, almost handing over the entire Tianyi Group?
Song Hao secretly pinched his thigh, and it still hurt, so he knew he wasn't dreaming. It was just that the other party's actions had progressed too quickly, presenting everything to him without any warning.
Song Hao calmed himself down, knowing there must be something fishy going on. The mysterious Heavenly Doctor Sect had suddenly opened its doors to him, and he wondered what they were up to.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Qi!" Song Hao said quietly. "Thank you for your kindness. However, I am still inexperienced and have not yet achieved much in medicine. I cannot shoulder any heavy responsibilities. I still need to study further. Moreover, I hope to create my own success through my own abilities. Therefore, I cannot accept your request. Please forgive me!"
"Oh!" Upon hearing this, Qi Yannian's eyes showed a mixture of disappointment and admiration.
“Very well! Everyone has their own ambitions, and we can’t force you. However, Tianyi Group welcomes you anytime. Also, please don’t misunderstand, everything I’ve done is not for any personal gain. It’s simply to repay the kindness that Mr. Song showed us back then. We at Tianyi Group will never forget such kindness.” Qi Yannian nodded helplessly.
Qi Yannian asked Song Hao about his life, mostly about his past experiences, to which Song Hao answered honestly. Qi Yannian nodded and sighed repeatedly, seemingly with mixed feelings. The dinner went fairly well.
After dinner, Qi Yannian accompanied Song Hao for a while to drink tea, and then arranged for him to go to the guest room.
Qi Yannian then returned to his study, made a phone call, and, suppressing his excitement, said calmly, "I saw him..."
At this moment, Song Hao lay on the large, comfortable bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. His trip to the Heavenly Medicine Sect had made everything shrouded in mystery. He vaguely sensed a special, inexplicable connection between himself and the Heavenly Medicine Sect, and between himself and Qi Yannian. But he couldn't ask about it now; it seemed only his grandfather knew the answer.
Chapter Sixty-Seven: Background
The next day, when Song Hao got up, Qi Yannian was already waiting for him in the living room. They greeted each other and had breakfast together.
Taking the opportunity, Song Hao suggested leaving after the meal. Qi Yannian pleaded with Song Hao to wait a couple more days, but Song Hao refused. Qi Yannian had no choice but to agree, seemingly unwilling to go against Song Hao's wishes at this moment.
"I'll have my driver take you home in a bit. Please convey my greetings to Mr. Song when you get home. I'll visit him personally in a few days," Qi Yannian said.
"Thank you! Just take me to the station in the city later," Song Hao replied.
"No need for that trouble. Let the car take you straight home. That way, I'll feel more at ease," Qi Yannian said.
Upon hearing this, Song Hao tried to decline again. Qi Yannian said, "Since you want to leave, I can't stop you. Let me do my part. It's nothing. Besides, let my men know your house so I can find my way when I visit Mr. Song in the future."
Song Hao had no choice but to give up. The other party's enthusiasm was somewhat overwhelming for him, but as long as he could leave, he would let the other party make arrangements.
Song Hao couldn't find Gu Xiaofeng anywhere, so he said to Qi Yannian, "Please convey my greetings to Mr. Gu and thank him for his help several times."
Qi Yannian nodded and said, "I will, you can go without worry." As he spoke, he reached out to take something from beside him to give to Song Hao, but hesitated for a moment and then put it down.
After breakfast, Qi Yannian saw Song Hao to the door and introduced him to a driver named Zhang Ping. Song Hao then shook hands with Qi Yannian to say goodbye, got into a Mercedes-Benz, left the villa, and drove off along the road.
Qi Yannian watched the car disappear into the distance, stood in front of the door for a long time without moving, and sighed with his eyes closed.
Zhang Ping drove his Mercedes-Benz towards Penglai, Shandong, as Song Hao had indicated. At that moment, Song Hao noticed two black cars following behind. Startled, he was about to warn Zhang Ping when Zhang Ping quickly replied, "It's alright, these are security personnel sent by General Manager Qi, they're one of us."
"Oh!" Upon hearing this, Song Hao felt somewhat relieved. He felt that the Heavenly Medicine Sect was truly providing him with excellent service!
It has been almost a year since he was kidnapped by the Tang family in Penglai. During this time, he has encountered many dangers and unexpected events. Today, he is finally back safely and will see his grandfather. Song Hao is excited and full of emotion.
After a smooth journey of more than ten hours, the three cars entered Penglai at dusk. Following Song Hao's directions, they arrived directly at the gate of the old house.
"We're home!" Song Hao exclaimed as soon as the car stopped.
"Everyone, get off the bus and go inside to rest," Song Haofu said to Zhang Ping.
"No, we have to get back." Zhang Ping smiled and said. He casually handed a sealed envelope from the car and said, "This is what President Qi asked me to give to Mr. Song. You can open it when you get home."