Qi Hui’s office door was closed when Liu Qian got there. He hesitated briefly before knocking on the door.

  After waiting for roughly two minutes, Liu Qian did not hear any answer from inside the room. So, he went to the office next door. This time, there was someone in the room.

  “Mr. Qi, is probably giving a lecture now,” answered someone in the office.

  “Thanks.” Liu Qian left the place after hearing this.

  He did not wait for Qi Hui to return.

  Liu Qian felt that there was probably no point trying to get Qi Hui to cough out the funding. After all, he was on good terms with Prof Liu, so there was almost zero chance of recovering the funds.

  Liu Qian went home with the documents from Prof Zhao.

  **

  Meanwhile, on the other end.

  Fang Chen had told Lin Shuwen to buy the Chinese herbs which Huo Yao required. Most of the Chinese herbs in the prescription were ready, and only a few rare items were unavailable in the market.

  Lin Shuwen had a lot of trouble getting his hands on the remaining herbs, so he made a list of the ones which he was unable to obtain and showed it to Fang Chen.

  “Oh yes. I forgot to tell you. Some of the herbs might only be available at the Apothecaries’ Association.” Fang Chen put down his pen and looked at Lin Shuwen when he finally recalled Huo Yao bringing it up.

  “The Apothecaries’ Association?” The frown on Lin Shuwen’s face eased up slightly. “Pei Rong is a member of the Apothecaries’ Association, so we can probably get the stuff we need with his help.”


  Fang Chen nodded.

  “I recall Pei Rong was made an advanced apothecary last year. We did not reach out to him ever since the promotion. I wonder if he will refuse to see us.” Lin Shuwen pondered briefly before raising his concerns.

  Fang Chen had distanced himself from the Pei family ever since seeking treatment from Huo Yao. Although Fang Chen had gotten transferred to the capital, the Apothecaries’ Association remained very prestigious.

  Moreover, Pei Rong was not as approachable as Old Mr. Pei.

  Fang Chen narrowed his eyes. “No matter what, my teacher needs the herbs. Even if he doesn’t want to see you, you must find him.”


  “Uh huh. How about this? Shall I call Old Mr. Pei and get him to talk to Pei Rong?” asked Lin Shuwen.

  If it were for anything else, Fang Chen would probably avoid disturbing Old Mr. Pei. Since these were special times, he acknowledged him and said, “Okay. Do your best to gather all the Chinese medicine as soon as possible.”


  Fang Chen paused as a thought crossed his mind, so he continued. “If Pei Rong asks why we want the medication, don’t let him know about my teacher’s condition. Just tell him I am helping someone to buy the herbs.”


  Lin Shuwen said, “Pei Rong is an advanced apothecary. Also, he has the backing of the Apothecaries’ Association. If Miss Huo is unable to treat Mr. Li, we can at least have a backup plan.”


  Lin Shuwen trusted Huo Yao’s medical skills, but he was accustomed to having an alternate path.

  Fang Chen raised his head and looked at Lin Shuwen sternly. “There’s no need. If Huo Yao is unable to treat him, then there is no chance Pei Rong will succeed.”


  Lin Shuwen opened his mouth briefly. Since Fang Chen trusted Huo Yao’s medical skills and was so persistent, he did not keep harping on the subject. “Fine. I will get in touch with him now.”


  “Uh huh,” acknowledged Fang Chen mildly before he lowered his head and continued working.

  **

  After Lin Shuwen got in touch with Old Mr. Pei, he heard back from the old man shortly after and proceeded to give Pei Rong a call.

  Thanks to Old Mr. Pei speaking on behalf of him, Pei Rong agreed to meet without hesitation.

  The two of them arranged to meet at a members-only restaurant in the capital.