Chapter 96: The Village Doctor, a Hidden Tycoon

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"Making good money out there, brother?"

A bald man dressed in designer labels, with a gold watch glinting on his wrist, wore a faint trace of contempt at the corner of his mouth. He deliberately flicked his sleeves, as if trying to illuminate everything around him with that dazzling gleam—including Li Chao, who stood across from him.

Li Chao was a young doctor from a remote village. Though his clothes were not flashy, they were neat and presentable, and his eyes revealed a calm and resolve that belied his years. Facing this sudden "greeting," he furrowed his brow slightly. Though displeased, he maintained his composure.

"Not exactly making money," he said flatly, without the slightest hint of inferiority in his tone. "I just run a small clinic back in the village. It's enough to get by."

He had expected respect or understanding in return, but instead was met with a jarring burst of laughter. The bald man's laughter rang especially harsh in the gilded hall, and the mockery on his face was like a sharp blade, trying to slice through Li Chao's self-esteem.

"Dressed up all fancy, but after all that, you're just a village doctor!" His tone was dripping with contempt, as if being a village doctor was something inherently inferior. He paused, adding a note of provocation, "You do know this is Jiangnanchun Restaurant, and today is the grand launch event for their new medicinal cuisine. With your status, isn't it a bit inappropriate for you to be here?"

Li Chao's face showed no sign of panic or anger. He simply smiled—a smile that carried both a quiet acceptance of the world's fickleness and a steadfast confidence in the future.

"A village doctor may be small, but I guard the health of my community. As for tonight, I'm not here for the spectacle. I've been invited to attend this medicinal cuisine launch, hoping to combine the herbal wisdom of our village with modern medicine, and bring health to more people."

Li Chao's expression had darkened slightly, clearly displeased by the remarks.

Seeing this, Gao Yan felt the atmosphere grow unbearably awkward. She gently tugged at her husband Ming Qiang's sleeve, trying to ease the tension.

But Ming Qiang remained unmoved, keeping his haughty posture as he continued: "I'm just stating the facts. Honest advice grates on the ear! Some people, with no real talent, insist on putting on airs like successful businessmen. How ridiculous. They probably just came here today to snap a few photos and show off on their social media later, fooling those who don't know any better into thinking they're somebody."

As he spoke, he deliberately glanced at Yu Xin several times, his eyes filled with undisguised greed.

Ming Qiang calculated inwardly. He had seen countless women in his time, but a woman like Yu Xin was truly rare—especially her innocence and simplicity, which stirred something in him. He was confident that with his wealth and experience, winning Yu Xin's favor would be no difficult task.

"Hmph, I may not be as handsome as this kid," Ming Qiang said, shooting Li Chao a contemptuous look, "but I've got money! All I need to do is flash my wealth a little, and I'm sure no woman can resist the temptation. Just like those women I met at past banquets—which one didn't I win over with ease?"

His words were full of confidence and smugness, as if he had already claimed Yu Xin as his prize.

The bald man curled his lips into a self-satisfied smile, as though he had seen through the hearts of all women in the world. He rubbed his thinning scalp and deliberately let the gold watch on his wrist catch the light, a symbol of his wealth. Turning to Li Chao, he said in a condescending manner, "Young man, don't go relying on superficial things to keep up appearances. These days, taking a few photos and attending a few banquets proves nothing. True wealth comes from actually making money."

He paused deliberately, his gaze carrying a hint of disdain. "You say you're a village doctor—how much can you make in a month? Probably barely enough to support your family."

Then he shifted his tone, appearing magnanimous as he offered: "But, seeing as we're old classmates, I can't just stand by and watch you struggle. Tell you what—my factory just happens to need a security guard. If you're willing, I can arrange it. I'll pay you five thousand a month. How about it? My factory's a big operation with several hundred workers; taking on one extra idle hand is no problem at all."

The bald man spoke with self-righteous pomp, flaunting his wealth and superiority. But his words made everyone present deeply uncomfortable.

Lv Yan finally couldn't hold back and interrupted: "Ming Qiang, that's enough! What you're saying is really disrespectful."

"I'm just speaking the truth. Others would beg for such an offer!"

The bald man remained in his haughty posture, as if his words were golden wisdom that everyone should accept with gratitude.

Li Chao gently shook his head, a mix of emotions churning in his chest. He had thought meeting an old classmate might lead to pleasant reminiscing, but instead it had turned into an awkward exchange. He felt keenly the reality and coldness of the world, where money seemed to have become the measure of all things.

Since they had nothing in common to talk about, he didn't want to linger. He was just about to turn and leave when an unexpected figure drew everyone's attention.

A woman in a black evening gown slowly stepped into the venue. Her very presence seemed to make the air around her come alive.

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Liu Lele, the heiress of the Liu Group in Huaxi City, was renowned for her striking beauty, elegant bearing, and formidable background. Tonight, her hair flowed like a waterfall, lightly touched with makeup, adding a hint of allure and confidence. Her eyes sparkled with intelligence and light, as if they could see into people's hearts. Her figure was graceful, like a poppy swaying in the wind—irresistible yet commanding reverence.

Liu Lele's arrival immediately made her the center of attention. All eyes fixed on her. Even the bald man, who had been strutting just moments before, was instantly captivated by her charm, his eyes widening in disbelief.

The bald man's self-satisfaction came crashing down in an instant. He watched in disbelief as Liu Lele—the formidable woman who commanded the business world of Huaxi City—walked deliberately toward him and Li Chao, and ultimately stopped beside Li Chao.

At that moment, it felt like a bucket of cold water had been dumped over him, chilling him from head to toe.

"Could it be... could I be seeing things?" The bald man muttered inwardly, trying to convince himself it was all a mistake. But Liu Lele's gentle, genuine smile forced him to face reality.

"I waited for you for ages and you didn't show. What are you doing standing here?" Liu Lele's voice was crisp and pleasant, carrying a hint of playful reproach, but more than that, concern for Li Chao. Her eyes were filled with warmth and expectation, as if the whole world had narrowed down to just him.

To the bald man, this was a devastating blow. He had believed himself to be the center of this gathering, the likely target of Liu Lele's attention. But reality had slapped him hard across the face. He began to doubt his own judgment, even starting to envy Li Chao.

"How could a village doctor have any connection with a female CEO like Liu Lele?" The bald man's heart churned with resentment and confusion, but he dared not show it. He could only stand silently to the side, watching Li Chao and Liu Lele converse, his emotions tangled beyond words.

As for Li Chao, Liu Lele's sudden appearance surprised him, though pleasantly. But he quickly regained his composure and replied with a smile: "Sorry, I ran into some old friends and got caught up in conversation."

His tone was easy and natural, as though he was long accustomed to such occasions and to Liu Lele's closeness.

As Li Chao's smooth words settled in the air, the atmosphere in the banquet hall shifted subtly. The bald man stood frozen, his expression moving from shock to astonishment and then to utter disbelief, as though he had just woken from an impossible dream. His mouth hung open, unable to close, his eyes fixed on Li Chao's retreating figure, his mind filled with questions.

Lv Yan stood nearby, equally dumbfounded. She had assumed Li Chao was just an ordinary village doctor, never imagining he had such deep ties to Jiangnanchun Restaurant—to the point of holding shares. This sudden reversal made her re-evaluate the humble, unassuming man she had known.

Liu Lele, meanwhile, shook her head with a wry smile, both exasperated and amused by Li Chao's "forgetfulness." She let out a helpless sigh, then adopted a gentle yet firm expression, reminding him softly: "Li Chao, you're one of the shareholders here. From now on, treat this place like your own home. Why would you need an invitation?"

With that, she gave him a light push, signaling him to head inside.

Li Chao nodded with a smile, casting a grateful glance at Liu Lele, then turning back to give Lv Yan a reassuring smile. That smile was full of warmth and understanding, as if to say, "Don't worry, everything is under control."

Then, under everyone's gaze, Li Chao led Yu Xin, accompanied by Liu Lele, and walked toward the interior of the restaurant with light, easy steps. Their silhouettes stretched long under the lights, looking remarkably harmonious and warm.

The bald man watched the scene, the shock in his heart beyond words. He could never have imagined that this seemingly ordinary village doctor was hiding such an astonishing identity.

His mind was in turmoil. He kept replaying what had just happened, filled with regret and shock. Li Chao—the man he had dismissed as a "little village doctor"—possessed an extraordinary status. For him, this was a tremendous blow.

"He's just a village doctor, isn't he? Why would Liu Lele personally and ceremoniously invite him inside?"

He turned the question over and over in his mind but found no answer. He realized how shallow and mistaken his earlier judgment had been.

And what shocked him even more was Liu Lele saying that Li Chao held shares in Jiangnanchun. That meant Li Chao wasn't just a regular patron—he was a business partner of the restaurant!

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This realization sent a pang of dread through his heart. He knew full well the weight of partnering with the Liu family, and he understood that anyone chosen by them was no ordinary fish in a shallow pond.

"I'm a businessman too. I know exactly what this means," he muttered to himself, his emotions a tangled mess.

He began to regret his earlier rashness and ignorance. Especially when he thought of his absurd suggestion—offering Li Chao a job as a security guard at his factory—he felt utterly mortified.

He glanced at Lv Yan and saw the same bewilderment on her face. He knew her feelings must be even more complicated than his. She had once had dreams and aspirations, but reality had forced her to compromise, marrying a man she didn't truly love. And now, she might be beginning to realize she had missed something.

"Let's go," the bald man said quietly to Gao Yan, his tone carrying an unyielding finality. He didn't dare stay a second longer, afraid of being seen in his embarrassment and disgrace.

Lv Yan didn't ask questions. She simply followed silently behind him. As she stepped out of Jiangnanchun, she took a deep breath of the outside air, as if trying to exhale all her confusion and uncertainty with that single breath. She looked up at the stars in the night sky, and a sudden impulse surged within her—perhaps she really should start over, and go find the future that truly belonged to her.

Li Chao led Yu Xin to their carefully arranged seats and settled in, while Liu Lele stood gracefully at his side, offering her company. Yu Xin, though she might not usually stand out or rival someone of Liu Lele's extraordinary elegance, had undergone careful preparation tonight and revealed a rare and captivating charm of her own—a distinctive appeal.

Flanked by these two women, Li Chao seemed to naturally become the centerpiece of this corner of Jiangnanchun, drawing the gazes of everyone around.

As time passed, the attendees arrived one by one, and the hall gradually filled to capacity. When all eyes converged toward the front, many couldn't help but show traces of surprise, whispering among themselves, trying to uncover the identity of this young man of exceptional promise.

What he hadn't anticipated was that this launch event would, invisibly, pave a path toward greater recognition for Li Chao, quietly elevating his influence far beyond his expectations.

After a moment of calm, the launch officially began.

Liu Lele gently smoothed her attire and stepped lightly onto the stage. Her voice was warm yet composed: "I've invited all of you distinguished guests here today for two purposes. First, to foster exchange and mutual learning among us. Second, our Jiangnanchun Restaurant has recently developed several new health-preserving medicinal dishes, and I look forward to sharing this achievement with you all."

"For the ingredients of our medicinal cuisine, we provide strict quality inspection reports, and every dish is carefully prepared according to ancient secret recipes. In the short term, they nourish the body and mind; with long-term consumption, they hold the promise of extending one's years and delivering remarkable health benefits!"

"However, the quality of our products cannot be determined by my word alone. Their true efficacy can only be witnessed through your personal experience."

At this moment, Liu Lele wore a gentle smile, her tone calm yet radiating an unshakable confidence—neither ostentatious nor arrogant, yet it inexplicably stirred a sense of admiration and desire in the men present. But that allure was powerful, and it also commanded reverence. Though many men harbored private longings and fantasies, they kept them buried deep, none daring to make a move.

As she finished speaking, Liu Lele clapped her hands elegantly. A procession of servers in refined cheongsams filed in, their trays bearing the carefully prepared medicinal delicacies. A portion was set before each guest, and in a thoughtful touch, the dishes had been individually tailored according to each guest's age, gender, and even constitution.

The clay pots were antique and simple, exuding a subtle rustic elegance, while the wisps of aroma drifting from within were positively tantalizing, stirring the appetite and filling one with eager anticipation before even taking a single bite.

Li Chao's gaze likewise fell upon the exquisite clay pot before him, and he couldn't help but inwardly admire it. The texture and craftsmanship of the pot testified to its value, and he felt a growing respect for Bai Weiwei's marketing acumen. In this age of information overload, quality alone was no longer enough to capture everyone's attention. As he himself knew well, no matter how superb one's medical skills, without proper publicity, few would ever know of them.

And Liu Lele's promotion of the medicinal cuisine had been extraordinary from the very start. She had not only created a great stir through bold publicity, but she had also paid meticulous attention to every detail—from packaging to marketing to the very miraculous benefits the cuisine promised. Every element was carefully orchestrated.

Such a strategy had undoubtedly laid a solid foundation for the cuisine's success in the market.

"Xiao Chao, did you really develop this?" Yu Xin's question interrupted Li Chao's thoughts, her tone full of surprise and curiosity.

Though Li Chao had mentioned his investment in Jiangnanchun and the medicinal cuisine yesterday, Yu Xin hadn't expected it to be so grand and momentous.

Li Chao smiled and nodded, explaining, "Yes, Yu Xin. But the development of the medicinal cuisine wasn't my work alone—it was the result of teamwork. As for the difference in our clay pots, it's probably because each one was customized according to individual constitution and needs."

Yu Xin's eyes lit up with sudden understanding, and she laughed. "I see. It seems I really underestimated you, Xiao Chao. With this medicinal cuisine, Jiangnanchun is bound to become even more popular!"

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