Chapter 979 - 944: Allergy

Chen Yuan laughed, "Although it’s very cruel to you, I have to say this is reality."

Xu Chunliang said, "Do you know why Zhou Yiwen doesn’t dare to stand up and go to court with me?"

Chen Yuan said, "You threatened him. I’ll ask him if he wants to sue you for intimidation. I’m interested in taking on such a sure-win case."

Xu Chunliang said, "You’ve set up quite a few law firms in the Jianghai region, proving you have considerable ability. Since you have the ability, why not use it on the righteous path? Upholding justice should be your duty. Don’t just serve whoever pays the most; lacking virtue will bring retribution."

Chen Yuan laughed heartily, "I’m upholding the law. Everything I do is within the legal boundaries, Mr. Xu. Everyone’s moral standards differ. The world doesn’t revolve around you, nor does everyone have to serve you."

Xu Chunliang said, "You make me very unhappy."

Chen Yuan said, "There’s nothing I can do. My principle is to satisfy my employer, not to make the defendant happy." He stood up, issuing an eviction order: "Regrettably, it seems we can’t reach a settlement. We’ll have to meet in court."

Xu Chunliang said, "I will definitely appear in court, but you may not. You’d better not cross paths with me in the future."

Chen Yuan watched Xu Chunliang leave, shaking his head with a cold smile. To play the legal game well, one must understand the rules. He had investigated Xu Chunliang and had to admit that this young man had some capability, but in the legal field, he was just an idiot, far from qualified to challenge him. How did he think he could win this lawsuit without evidence?

Chen Yuan felt an itch on his neck, slapped it, and killed a small bug, staining his palm with some blood. Staring at the tiny black bug, he frowned; it wasn’t a mosquito—could it be a flea?

The bitten area itched uncomfortably. Chen Yuan scratched it twice, feeling he couldn’t relieve the itch, so he opened the drawer, took out a bottle of floral water, and sprayed it twice on his neck.

But then his leg started itching. Chen Yuan went to scratch the leg, pulled up the pant leg, and saw several small black bugs crawling on it. He was somewhat frightened now, slapping those bugs and shouting, "Where did so many bugs come from? What are you all up to?"

Without evidence, it’s hard to win a lawsuit. However, if the plaintiff doesn’t appear in court and the lawyer can’t appear, it’s typically treated as an automatic withdrawal. Xu Chunliang couldn’t find the plaintiff, Zhao Hengyi, so he chose to target Chen Yuan first.

Since Chen Yuan and his people used underhanded tactics initially, why should I play by the rules?

Xu Chunliang had never met with Cao Bingyi of Shennong Pharmaceutical Group. There was no deep-seated hatred between the two, but Cao Bingyi aimed to control Renhe Hall by acquiring its shares. Even after Sect Leader Xiahou Mulan stepped in, Cao Bingyi, as a subordinate, showed no sincerity and completely shirked responsibility.

Xu Chunliang decided on diplomacy before war. After obtaining Cao Bingyi’s contact information from Xiahou Mulan, he called him directly.

Cao Bingyi, upon hearing Xu Chunliang introduce himself, acted very politely, "President Xu, I’ve heard great things about you."

Xu Chunliang got straight to the point, "President Cao, I’m not a fan of beating around the bush, so I’ll say it directly: the trademark of Renhe Hall is now in my possession. Since you’ve acquired shares from the Zhou Brothers, we’re now partners. I can authorize you to continue using the Renhe Hall trademark, but besides the fixed annual dividends, you also need to pay me five million as a trademark usage fee."

Cao Bingyi chuckled, "The reasoning is sound, I have no issues, but as far as I know, there’s a dispute over Renhe Hall’s trademark ownership. I can pay the usage fee, but only after this matter is clarified."

Xu Chunliang said, "That sounds reasonable, but I must say upfront, if you don’t agree to my compromise now, after the lawsuit is over, no matter how much you offer, I won’t authorize Shennong Group to continue using the Renhe Hall trademark."

Cao Bingyi’s heart sank. He clearly understood what Xu Chunliang’s words meant. If such a situation occurred, the shares he purchased from the Zhou Brothers would significantly devalue.

Cao Bingyi was engaged in a fierce internal debate on the other end of the call. Five million wasn’t a lot, but if he gave the money to Xu Chunliang before the lawsuit’s outcome was known, wouldn’t he just be a fool?

Cao Bingyi wasn’t as clueless about the lawsuit as he claimed. He not only knew but understood clearly that Xu Chunliang had almost no chance of winning. A trap had been set during the drafting of the will, with Xu Chunliang’s lawyer, Fang Wenzheng, cooperating with the Xu Family’s opponent.

Even Zhou Renhe’s will had no legal effect. What evidence could Xu Chunliang produce?

Cao Bingyi said, "President Xu, I suggest you think carefully about how to win this lawsuit. We’ll discuss the authorization fee later."

Xu Chunliang said, "It seems President Cao has little faith in me, thinking I’m bound to lose. Well, since you’re unwilling to cooperate, I won’t force it. In the coming half month, you’re in for a series of unexpected events, so be prepared."

Cao Bingyi soon understood what unexpected events Xu Chunliang was referring to. First, Shennong Pharmaceutical Group’s application for national subsidies was rejected. Shortly after, the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine sent an inspection team to Shennong Traditional Chinese Medicine Group for a quality check, finding multiple non-compliance issues, and issued a fine to Shennong Group promptly.

Meanwhile, the relevant department in Jizhou has also received instructions from higher authorities, emphasizing the need to strengthen the protection and conditions review of heritage Traditional Chinese Medicine brands, especially highlighting issues with Renhe Hall regarding whether the share transfer complies with regulations. Transfers of such heritage brands must be handled with caution.

After encountering one problem after another, Cao Bingyi began to realize that someone must be driving this issue behind the scenes, and that person is likely Xu Chunliang.

Having initially felt Xu Chunliang’s influence, Cao Bingyi started to worry about what might happen if issues arise during the lawsuit process. If that were the case, he wouldn’t have any way out.

Cao Bingyi contacted lawyer Chen Yuan, hoping he could offer advice. After calling him, he learned that the prominent lawyer Chen Yuan had been hospitalized, supposedly due to complications from an insect bite. It was said that Chen Yuan was covered with splotches the size of beans, presumably an allergic reaction, and had been in pain and discomfort for days, struggling to eat and sleep, making it uncertain whether he’d be able to attend court as planned.

Chen Yuan is already preparing to have his deputy represent him in court for this lawsuit.

Chen Yuan is staying in the dermatology department of Changxing Hospital. Since the day he was bitten, he hasn’t closed his eyes for three consecutive days and nights, unable to sleep. The agonizing itch makes him restless, and multiple wounds on his body have been scratched open. The hospital has tried every possible remedy to alleviate the itch, but the symptoms haven’t improved at all.

Chen Yuan has a wide network; he didn’t choose Changxing Hospital because Xu Chunliang once worked there, but because he has an old friend, Zhao Yongsheng, who works there.

Zhao Yongsheng came over specifically to visit his old friend and almost didn’t recognize Chen Yuan when he saw him.

Chen Yuan was so swollen from the allergies that his face looked completely unrecognizable. If it weren’t for the identification card at the head of the bed, Zhao Yongsheng wouldn’t have believed this pig-headed looking guy was the charismatic lawyer Chen Yuan.

Chen Yuan lamented: "Director Zhao, what kind of expert did you introduce to me? I’ve been treated for two days now and there’s no improvement, absolutely no improvement."

Zhao Yongsheng replied: "Director Liu in our hospital’s dermatology department is a highly paid PhD."

Chen Yuan endured the itch: "PhDs... don’t necessarily know how to treat patients." There are quite a few impostors among the medical PhDs, and even more who engage in empty talk. Having the title of PhD does not equate to high medical expertise, only academic achievement. Currently, major hospitals support a batch of thesis PhDs because they need SCI papers to bolster the hospital’s overall level.

Seeing Chen Yuan’s condition, Zhao Yongsheng suddenly flashed back to the time when Pei Lin was running a beauty enhancement program, and a group of beauty-loving women experienced inexplicable itching. However, they were later treated by Huichun Hall using a particular ointment. What was its name?

Straining to remember, Zhao Yongsheng finally recalled it was called Qingliang Ointment, and he told Chen Yuan: "I know an ointment that’s particularly effective for relieving itch."

Chen Yuan asked: "What ointment? I won’t use anything hormonal."

Inwardly, Zhao Yongsheng thought that he was in such a dire state and still being picky: "It doesn’t contain hormonal ingredients, it’s purely herbal, this Qingliang Ointment is a secret recipe of Huichun Hall."

Chen Yuan had a sliver of hope in his heart, but hearing the name Huichun Hall, he was immediately deflated: "Are you referring to the Huichun Hall run by Xu Changshan?"

Zhao Yongsheng said: "There isn’t another Huichun Hall in Dongzhou; this is a long story, and I experienced it myself."

After Zhao Yongsheng briefly recounted the incident, what he said inadvertently planted seeds of doubt in Chen Yuan’s mind. His allergic symptoms occurred after meeting with Xu Chunliang. Could it be that Xu Chunliang tampered with him? But that’s not right. He was clearly bitten by an insect. No matter how powerful Xu Chunliang was, he couldn’t possibly command insects to bite him.

Zhao Yongsheng said: "However, Huichun Hall is now closed; Mr. Xu has retired."

Chen Yuan responded: "That’s not useful then."

Zhao Yongsheng said: "I have some connections with Xu Chunliang; I’ll ask if there’s any Qingliang Ointment available."

Chen Yuan urged: "Whatever you do, don’t mention me." He recalled Xu Chunliang’s words advising him to avoid getting into trouble with him in the future. The more he thought about it, the more suspicious he became. Why did he fall ill after meeting Xu Chunliang? Why did Xu Chunliang say that when leaving? Could he have foreseen that Chen Yuan would get into trouble with him?

Noticing something was off, Zhao Yongsheng asked: "Why can’t I mention you?"

Chen Yuan said: "I’m currently handling a lawsuit against him."

Shocked, Zhao Yongsheng stared at Chen Yuan: "And you dare to sue him?"