Chapter 99

Yebufan's face instantly darkened. He was all too familiar with this loose-leaf old black tea, which only cost a dozen or so yuan per pack, and it was completely incomparable to the West Lake Longjing tea in the box.

Originally, he didn't care about the value of gifts, but this was clearly a case of treating people differently based on their status, dividing people into different classes.

He angrily asked, "Aunt, what do you mean by this?"

Ouyang Hui said, "What's wrong? Your mother drinking this old black tea is already quite good. Does she want to drink my West Lake Longjing? Is that something you can afford?"

Yebufan angrily retorted, "Why isn't my mother worthy of drinking Longjing?"

Kang Zhijun mocked, "Yebufan, you really dare to say anything. Don't you know who you are? This West Lake Longjing costs ten thousand yuan per box. Do you, a poor guy, deserve to drink it? Don't you fear losing your tongue?"

His words were extremely harsh, but Ouyang Hui didn't stop him at all. In her eyes, her sister's family was the lowest of the low, and treating them differently was entirely appropriate.

"Xiao Fan, say less. Aunt is a guest, and besides, Mother has a weak stomach and likes to drink black tea."

Ouyang Lan quickly held back the enraged Yebufan, took the old black tea, and asked Ouyang Hui, "Xiao Hui, are you here in Jiangnan City to handle some business?"

Ouyang Hui's superior expression instantly darkened. She sighed and said, "Yes, I brought Xiao Jun to see a doctor."

Ouyang Lan was surprised and said, "See a doctor? Xiao Jun seems fine, what's wrong with him?"

"Ah! A month ago, Xiao Jun suddenly got a strange illness. He gets severe headaches at midnight, but during the day, he's fine.

Recently, I haven't been to work, and I've been taking him to see doctors everywhere. We even went to the best hospitals in the capital, but they couldn't find anything wrong.

With no other choice, I brought him to see a traditional Chinese medicine doctor.

I heard that Mr. Cao from Bai Cao Tang is the best TCM expert, so I wanted to bring Xiao Jun to see him. But recently, Mr. Cao seems to be learning some acupuncture techniques and isn't seeing patients.

With no other choice, I had to find Secretary Wang from the Health Bureau through connections, hoping he could speak to Mr. Cao to help Xiao Jun. This tea is for him."

At this point, Ouyang Hui seemed to realize she had said too much and shook her head, saying, "It's no use telling you these things; you can't help anyway."

"We can help." Hearing about Kang Zhijun's strange illness, Ouyang Lan said with concern, "Xiao Fan has some connections in Jiangnan City. Why don't you let him help you?"

She was kind, not foolish, and was very smart inside.

Yebufan had been doing well recently, and he had even received a hotel from a high-ranking official and found a beautiful and extraordinary girlfriend like Qin Chuchu. She had seen all of this and knew that her son was no longer an ordinary person.

Ouyang Lan sincerely wanted to help, but to Ouyang Hui, it was a joke.

She laughed and said with disdain, "You two, one sells buns and can't afford the next meal, and the other can't pay tuition. You actually have the nerve to say you can help us. I wonder who gave you the courage."

Ouyang Lan said, "Why don't you believe me? Xiao Fan is very capable now. He cured my illness, and he has cured many important people recently..."

Kang Zhijun said, "Aunt, stop praising him. A medical student who hasn't even graduated, how skilled can he be? Keep your abilities to yourself."

Ouyang Hui said sarcastically, "Yes, our Xiao Jun is delicate and can't be used as a guinea pig."

Ouyang Lan said urgently, "Xiao Hui, I'm telling the truth. Xiao Fan has indeed cured many important people. This hotel..."

Before she could finish, Ouyang Hui rudely interrupted her.

"Enough, Sister. I work at the Health Bureau and have basic medical knowledge. Don't try to fool me.

Besides, the important people you know are either selling noodles or meat. How high can their status be?"

Kang Zhijun said arrogantly, "The person we're seeing this time is the secretary to the bureau chief. You've never even seen such a high-ranking official, let alone asked for their help.

If it weren't for being old classmates with my father, he wouldn't help us."

Ouyang Hui added, "Yes, Secretary Wang is Chief Zhou's secretary. I'm sure Mr. Cao will give him some face and treat our Xiao Jun."

Ouyang Lan wanted to say more but was pulled back by Yebufan: "Mom, if Aunt doesn't appreciate it, why force it?"

"Alright, let's eat."

A look of loneliness flashed across Ouyang Lan's face, and she didn't say anything more.

The meal was simple, with only four dishes, and everyone quickly finished eating.

Originally, Ouyang Lan had planned a more elaborate meal, but Yebufan had secretly removed the extra dishes.

He didn't mind the food, but he didn't want to give it to such ungrateful people. He just wanted to save face for his mother.

After the meal, Ouyang Hui and her son left the hotel without even saying goodbye, carrying their things and turning to leave.

Their main purpose this time was to get money. Since they had already gotten what they wanted, they didn't want to have any further contact with this poor relative. They were afraid of being asked for more money if they talked too much.

Ouyang Lan saw them to the hotel entrance and wanted to help them get a taxi, but Yebufan pulled her back.

"Mom, didn't you see? They're avoiding you. Why should we keep trying to please them?"

Ouyang Lan said, "No matter what, she's your aunt, and Xiao Jun is sick. Don't take it personally."

"You treat them like family, but they don't even consider you."

Yebufan grabbed the old black tea and threw it in the trash, "Mom, it's best not to deal with such people in the future."

"Your grandfather passed away early, and your grandmother is not in good health. I raised Xiao Hui myself. Even if she has faults, it's because I didn't teach her well. For your grandmother's sake, don't hold it against her, okay?"

Ouyang Lan spoke from the heart. Although she felt uncomfortable, she had raised her younger siblings, especially the youngest, Ouyang Hui, who she saw as a child.

No matter how overboard Ouyang Hui went, she blamed herself and felt a bit guilty, which was why she had always been unconditionally tolerant.

Yebufan sighed and said, "Forget it, Mom. Let's not talk about these unpleasant things.

Don't think about the future. Didn't you see that they came here just to collect a debt? They won't come back."

Ouyang Lan opened her mouth but didn't say anything. She wasn't stupid and knew her son was right.

At this moment, Yebufan's phone rang. He looked and saw it was Cao Xinghua calling.

He answered, and Cao Xinghua respectfully said, "Senior Brother, I'm too dull. I've been practicing the Thirteen Needles for驱煞 for many days but still can't grasp the essence. Could you spare some time to guide me?"

Since taking Cao Xinghua as a disciple, Yebufan had started teaching him medical skills. The Nine Needles of Revival required qi to operate, which the old man couldn't learn, so he taught him the Thirteen Needles for驱煞.

This set of needle techniques was also a secret skill of the ancient medical school, highly effective for treating illnesses caused by yin and sha qi.

Cao Xinghua treasured the needle techniques and had been practicing at home, but he couldn't grasp the essence, so he called for help today.

Yebufan said, "Alright, wait for me at home. I'll be there soon."

"Great, thank you, Senior Brother."

Cao Xinghua hung up happily, and Yebufan said goodbye to his mother and left for Bai Cao Tang.