Chapter 67: Mockery!
On the top floor of the Four Seas Hotel, people came and went inside the luxuriously decorated lobby. Although this gathering was to meet the legendary Master Sun, for those present, it was also an opportunity to find resources within the business community. Acquaintances greeted each other and conversed lightly, and there were also influential figures, normally difficult to meet, whose appearance drew countless greetings.
However, as the time neared eight-thirty, the noise in the lobby gradually quieted down. The gathering was about to begin, and the legendary Master Sun would soon appear, leaving many looking on in eager anticipation.
"I wonder who will get to ask Master Sun for a consultation this time," someone whispered.
"That’s not even the most crucial part. The important thing is who Master Sun will accept as a disciple."
All eyes turned to a particular spot, where what seemed to be an exclusive clique had formed. It was mostly composed of young people who were well-known in River City. All of them shared the same profession: they were doctors or worked in related medical fields.
"Qin Yan, I hear you’re about to be promoted to attending physician? Congratulations," a young man said, his eyes flashing with admiration as he looked at a woman in a red dress.
The woman was of average height and her features weren’t particularly striking, but her demeanor set her apart. She was like a fully ripened peach, exuding a unique aura just by standing there. She was Qin Hongshu’s daughter, Qin Yan, and also a doctor at a Class-II A hospital in River City. From what the young man said, it seemed she was on the verge of being promoted to attending physician.
Unlike in other fields, doctors couldn’t be promoted based on connections alone. In medicine, a strong background was not enough; outstanding medical skills were crucial. At twenty-seven, Qin Yan had already been working at the hospital for three years. By normal standards, it would be impossible for her to be selected as an attending physician so quickly. However, very few people in her hospital studied traditional Chinese medicine, and the ones who did were not as skilled as she was.
Regardless, as everyone looked at Qin Yan, their eyes were tinged with envy and jealousy. A woman so capable and attractive was bound to draw the attention of the opposite sex and the envy of her peers.
"Whether I get the position is still up in the air. I’ll just follow the hospital’s arrangements," Qin Yan said, brushing her hair aside and smiling demurely. Despite her modest words, a flash of pride appeared in her eyes.
She had been interested in traditional Chinese medicine since she was young. Her mother, Lady Xue, was also in the medical field and knew many medical teachers and professors. Influenced by this environment from an early age, Qin Yan’s understanding of traditional Chinese medicine was indeed deeper than most. Coupled with her genuine talent, she had been called a prodigy in school and was even hailed as the "Goddess of Chinese Medicine" at her hospital.
She had fought hard for the opportunity to attend this gathering, hoping to meet her idol, Master Sun. Becoming his disciple was a distant dream; she would be content just to listen to his teachings.
"Dr. Qin, you’re being too modest. I heard the hospital recommended you. It’s not easy for just anyone to attend this gathering," another young woman commented.
The young people in this circle all came from influential families, but they still fell short when compared to the Luo Family. They had all paid a steep price for the chance to be here. After all, an audience with Master Sun was no simple matter.
"Qin Yan, isn’t Qin Luoli your cousin?" a young woman suddenly asked.
"Yes. What about it?" Hearing the name, the smile in Qin Yan’s eyes faded slightly. Her parents had mentioned Qin Luoli would be here and planned to ask Master Sun to treat their grandfather, but she hadn’t taken it seriously. After all, if just anyone could get an appointment with Master Sun, the title of Divine Doctor wouldn’t be worth much. Even she wouldn’t dare to dream of it.
The young woman raised her voice. "When I was coming in just now, I saw Qin Luoli with some man. It looked like they were being blocked at the door. They probably don’t have an invitation." Her tone was amused, but everyone could hear the mockery in her voice.
"Oh, that must be Qin Luoli’s husband," Qin Yan said, her tone perfectly placid, as if discussing a complete stranger. As a member of the Qin Family, she bore no ill will toward Qin Luoli, but thanks to their parents, she felt no particular fondness for her either. Theirs was the relationship of ordinary, distant relatives.
"What? Qin Luoli is married?" someone exclaimed, clearly surprised by the news.
"You didn’t know?" another person leaned in and chuckled. "Our River City’s number one beauty has been a married woman for a while now."
"No way! How could we not know about something that big? Qin Luoli is famous in River City, not to mention the Qin Corporation. Her wedding should have been a major event, something announced in magazines or by the media, but none of us heard a thing."
"They didn’t hold a wedding. Even many people in our own family only found out later," Qin Yan said nonchalantly.
Someone else asked with a playful grin, "Hey, Qin Yan, let me ask you something. What does Qin Luoli’s husband do? Is he one of River City’s rising stars? He must be, to have captured the heart of our city’s number one beauty."
Qin Yan smiled slightly and was about to speak when a sneer came from the side. "Rising star? He’s just a live-in son-in-law."
The crowd turned, and their expressions changed. "Young Master Luo!"
The newcomer was none other than Luo Jinping. He was dressed in a well-fitting suit, but his face was still a bit pale and he walked with a strange gait, a clear sign that his injuries hadn’t fully healed.
"Young Master Luo, did you just say Qin Luoli’s husband is a live-in son-in-law?" someone asked, surprised.
Luo Jinping smiled. "That’s right. He’s just some freeloader. Not worth anyone’s attention." But as he spoke, a dark glint flickered in the depths of his eyes.
He had already instructed the staff to give Qin Luoli and Lin Mu a hard time if they showed up. He wanted Qin Luoli to call him personally and beg. He would make them understand that he, Luo Jinping, was not to be trifled with! To humiliate Lin Mu even further, he had even arranged for a distant uncle from a branch of his family to deal with him.
"I’d also heard a rumor that Qin Luoli found herself a live-in son-in-law—a weak, useless man who is deeply disliked by the Qin Family. I can’t believe it’s actually true."
"Tsk, what a waste."
"It really is. To think that River City’s number one beauty would marry such a loser. I can’t imagine how many of the city’s finest young men are heartbroken over this."
The crowd began to murmur amongst themselves, all feeling it was a pity for Qin Luoli.
Hearing their words, Qin Yan’s face burned with humiliation. It was all Qin Luoli’s and that Lin Mu’s fault, shaming her in front of all these people.