Chairman Wang responded in concern. “Is it serious? What are the symptoms? I am a physician, so I can check to see if we have the right medication for the patient. If we do, you are welcome to take it home for treatment.”


  Mi Wei gave his thanks and turned down Chairman Wang’s medication. “Someone in my family is suffering from an old ailment. It is impossible to treat the condition at the root.”


  Chairman Wang recalled Mi Wei saying he was from a small village in the South. Since remote villages tended to have poorer medical facilities, it was probably no good for the patient.

  He said, “Why don’t you bring your family over to the capital next time? Perhaps there is a higher chance of finding treatment here.”


  Mi Wei knew Chairman Wang meant well. He shook his head and sighed gently. “It’s no use.”


  Chairman Wang recalled that Huo Yao was coming over to the association. Since she was reaching soon, perhaps she could help. He said, “I happen to know an excellent doctor with incredible skills. I will introduce the doctor to you in a minute.”


  Mi Wei took out his phone and checked the time and saw it was nearly 5:00 pm. He looked at Chairman Wang and said, “Maybe next time. I really have to go.”


  His flight was at 7:00 pm and he still had to head back to the hotel to collect his luggage. If he did not leave now, he would never catch the flight.

  “Sure thing. We can talk about it when you get back,” replied Chairman Wang.

  Mi Wei acknowledged softly and stood up.

  Chairman Wang told the assistant to walk him out. Mi Wei did not say no. Before long, he left with the assistant.

  *

  Meanwhile, Huo Yao walked over to a black car parked by the roadside after leaving campus.

  “All done with your exams?” asked Min Yu as he started the engine.

  “Nope. I still have a few more subjects to go. The exams will be over in a couple of days.” Huo Yao shrugged. She turned on her phone and blew up the GPS location Chairman Wang had sent her. “Oh yes. I can’t go home yet. Can you take me here?”


  Min Yu took her phone and glanced in surprise. “Are you going to the Apothecaries’ Association?”


  “Uh huh.” Huo Yao nodded.

  “Why are you going to the Apothecaries’ Association?” asked Min Yu after returning her phone.

  Huo Yao leaned into the seat backrest lazily and said softly, “I have to go settle a little problem.”


  Min Yu raised his brow.

  Huo Yao smiled. She took out her phone and opened her WeChat. She scrolled down to Fu Ya’s chat group and sent her a text message.

  Fu Ya was still at work.

  The moment she saw the text message, she replied swiftly: [How did you know? I gave the pills to someone from the Apothecaries’ Association.]

  Huo Yao rubbed her fingers on the edge of the phone before she replied: [I did not guess it. Your friend is in trouble.]

  Fu Ya was caught by surprise. She knew the Apothecaries’ exam was taking place today. She felt Fu Cheng would probably use those medicinal pills for the exam. However, he was in some kind of trouble now. After connecting the dots, a bold notion emerged in her mind.

  Fu Ya asked promptly: [Don’t tell me you are from the Apothecaries’ Association as well?]

  Huo Yao raised her brow when she realized Fu Ya was from the association too. She replied: [Uh huh.]

  Fu Ya scratched her head. Just last year, she had sent Huo Yao equipment for making medicine. She recalled Huo Yao did not live in the capital. How did Huo Yao suddenly become a member of the Apothecaries’ Association?

  Also, Fu Ya had been a member of the association for two years, but she did not know of any other apothecary in her early 20s.

  As Fu Ya contemplated, Huo Yao sent her another text message: [Your friend cheated during the Apothecaries’ exam by using my pills and got caught.]

  Fu Ya’s lips twitched on seeing the message: [There is no such thing as a shortcut. Since he decided to cheat, he does not deserve any pity from me.]