Fu Cheng looked at his master in disbelief and said with his voice trembling, “M-Master, what do you mean?”


  If he got kicked out of the society, it was over for him.

  Deputy Chairman Qin flicked his fingers and answered nonchalantly. “Considering your situation, it’s pointless for you to continue staying in the association. It would be a waste of your talent. Moreover, you would turn into a laughing stock.”


  “I…” Fu Cheng staggered and felt completely sapped. It was completely hopeless for him.

  Deputy Chairman Qin glanced at Fu Cheng and shook his head. He said, “The Apothecaries’ Association has been around for a century. Even though it is powerful in the capital, this is not the only place you can be an apothecary.”


  Fu Cheng felt miserable when he heard his master telling him to leave the association. After some time, he finally snapped out of his daze and raised his head. “What do you mean?”


  Deputy Chairman Qin picked up his phone unhurriedly. He tapped on his phone book and sent a number to Fu Cheng. “You are a talented apothecary, so I think the association isn’t the only place you can shine in.”


  Fu Cheng heard his phone chiming with a text message notification, so he quickly took it out for a glance.

  “If you want to be better, you can contact this person. Just tell him you came with my recommendation,” said Deputy Chairman Qin calmly.

  Fu Cheng looked at the business card on his phone and went into a brief shock. His lips parted wanting to speak. He wanted to ask more about this number, but forcibly suppressed is curiosity. “Okay. I will call this person.”


  “Uh huh,” acknowledged Deputy Chairman Qin without speaking further. He waved his hand and gestured for Fu Cheng to leave.

  Fu Cheng nodded respectfully and turned to leave the office.

  The moment he left the office, he saw Pei Rong leaning against the wall nearby. Fu Cheng nodded as he headed over to Pei Rong.

  Pei Rong stood up straight when he saw Fu Cheng coming over. He asked in a soft tone. “Are you alright?”


  Fu Cheng shook his head sadly. He was on pretty decent terms with Pei Rong, so he knew that the latter was not here to mock him. “I’m fine. Thanks for asking.”


  Pei Rong patted Fu Cheng on the shoulder and told him to take it easy on himself. He asked the same question as Deputy Chairman Qin. “How did you know Huo Yao?”


  “Huo Yao?” Fu Cheng looked at him quizzically.

  “I mean the new deputy chairman,” explained Pei Rong.

  Fu Cheng asked rhetorically. “Do you know her?”


  Pei Rong went quiet briefly before he nodded. “I suppose so. She helped my father treat an important patient last year.”


  Fu Cheng promptly connected the dots and recalled that the unrivalled doctor recommended by Chairman Wang also went by Huo as well. Since his mind was on the Apothecaries’ exam earlier, it did not dawn on him previously.

  “Is she very good?” asked Fu Cheng with his eyes narrowed.

  Even Pei Rong’s father was unable to treat the patient, but the young woman managed to cure the gentleman in just a few sessions. He nodded. “She’s a brilliant doctor.”


  “What about her apothecary skills?” This was Fu Cheng’s biggest concern.

  “I’m not sure myself. Since the chairman invited her to become an honorary deputy chairman, I suppose she must be equally good,” said Pei Rong.

  Fu Cheng instantly thought about the conversation he had just had with his master. He narrowed his eyes as he pondered. If the new honorary deputy chairman was as good as Pei Rong mentioned, she could pose a threat to his master’s career at the association.

  He looked at Pei Rong and said, “My master is very curious about the new honorary deputy chairman. Do you mind telling him what you know about her?”