Chapter 48: A Cordial Invitation

Divine Doctor Zhao let out a long sigh of relief. At least his livelihood was secure.

A glance at the time confirmed it was dinnertime.

Perfect for a meal.

Divine Doctor Zhao added, "Old Qiao, our Divine Doctor Mu comes from the mountains. He's probably had every delicacy imaginable. We need something new, but it can't be low-class. You figure it out!"

Qiao Canhua narrowed his eyes in thought. "How about imperial cuisine? I know a private kitchen in Anhua. In ancient times, they cooked for the imperial court. Their family has served royalty for two or three thousand years."

'There's a family like that?' Divine Doctor Zhao's eyes lit up. This was the first he'd ever heard of it. But then he thought, 'If there are families who pass down medical skills through generations, it's not impossible for one to pass down culinary arts.'

Divine Doctor Zhao rubbed his hands together. "Then I absolutely must try it!"

Qiao Canhua smiled. "My relationship with the owner is pretty good. I'll just introduce you to him. Wealthy families, after all, should always know a few doctors."

Divine Doctor Zhao's eyes brightened. 'Looks like I'll be eating well from now on,' he thought.

Mu Lin's expression was placid, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.

"Since there's a chance to try it, of course I'll go. Let me just make a call and tell my family I won't be home for dinner."

Divine Doctor Zhao had always wholeheartedly viewed Mu Lin as his future grandson-in-law. Seeing Mu Lin needing to make a call, he was reminded that, in name, Mu Lin was actually someone else's son-in-law.

He said sourly, "Young friend Mu Lin, you really are a model husband. Even when you're eating out, you still think to report back home."

Zhao Ling'Er also looked aggrieved. 'I'm so wonderful, but you're still thinking about the one at home.'

Mu Lin chuckled. "I'm living under someone else's roof; it can't be helped. If Divine Doctor Zhao wants to laugh at me, I have nothing to say."

Everyone laughed, treating it as a joke and moving on.

Qiao Canhua helped his wife into the car and was about to invite Mu Lin and the others in, but Divine Doctor Zhao said that Zhao Ling'Er could drive, so she should.

Following Qiao Canhua's directions, Zhao Ling'Er drove to an area that resembled an urban village. Copying Qiao Canhua, she paid a villager some money to borrow a spot to park.

Urban villages were chaotic; you never knew when someone might come and scratch your car.

If you gave them some money, the villagers, wanting to do right by you, would diligently watch your car and chase away any mischievous kids.

A problem that can be solved with money isn't really a problem.

Seeing Qiao Canhua arrive, the chef pushed the door open to greet them. "Mr. Qiao, welcome! As per your reservation, I've already cleared the table. We can serve the food anytime."

Qiao Canhua smiled. "No rush. First, let me introduce two Divine Doctors to you. This is Zhao Yang, a top-tier Divine Doctor who runs the Holy Medicine Hall in Anhua City. He was very interested when he heard about your imperial cuisine and wanted to come try it."

When Chef Huang Wenjie heard Zhao Yang's name, his eyes lit up. That name was known by practically everyone in Anhua City. He was famous for treating difficult and rare diseases and had saved many patients suffering from painful illnesses.

Even though he was healthy now, people inevitably get old. Who knew when his body might start to decline?

So, it made sense to build up some connections.

He excitedly lunged forward, grabbed Zhao Yang's arm, and shook it repeatedly.

"I've long heard that Divine Doctor Zhao is the best doctor in Anhua. I've always wanted to meet you!"

Chef Huang shook his arm again and again, gripping it so tightly that it started to ache. 'Chef Huang certainly isn't just being polite,' Zhao Yang thought. 'He's genuinely excited.'

"I don't deserve such praise. This young friend here is the real Divine Doctor. As far as I know, he has yet to fail."

Chef Huang grew even more excited. "Oh? Is that so? Then I must learn from you!"

Mu Lin said politely, "I don't have much experience. Unlike Divine Doctor Zhao, I don't see patients every day. I've just been lucky. A doctor like Divine Doctor Zhao, who has been treating the common people for so long, is the one I should be learning from."

Qiao Canhua, helping his wife walk, added, "Divine Doctor Zhao, Divine Doctor Mu, it's so formal standing out here. Let's go inside and sit!"

They entered Chef Huang's house together. It was an ordinary residence, without any special decorations—just the typical living room of a self-built commoner's house.

Qiao Canhua leaned against the table and poured water for his wife. Seeing this display of mutual devotion made Zhao Ling'Er's heart flutter, and her eyes kept darting toward Mu Lin.

"Brother Mu, could you pour me a glass of water?"

Mu Lin didn't understand her intention. He casually poured a glass and placed it steadily in front of her.

Zhao Ling'Er sipped the water, secretly delighted and immersed in her own joy.

After a busy round, Chef Huang returned and asked, "Shall I serve the food now?"

Qiao Canhua waved him over. "Yes, bring it out. We've been waiting for a bit."

The reason it was called a private kitchen was that it only served one group of guests at a time.

So, in theory, the food should be served very quickly.

And indeed, a dozen or so young women in cheongsams with exquisite makeup came walking over.

Qiao Canhua looked at Chef Huang. "You're keeping a dozen or so girls here as hostesses? That must be quite an expense!"

Chef Huang said, "It doesn't cost much. Some are village girls I hired locally; their wages are low. The others are hoping to marry a rich man, so they're willing to work for cheap."

Mu Lin nodded, a look of sudden understanding on his face.

'So there's a whole system to it. The idea that some of them would work here for cheap just to marry into a good family is a bit hard to imagine.'

But the world is a vast place full of strange things. How could you arbitrarily decide something like this couldn't happen?

Madam Qiao coughed, which made Qiao Canhua extremely nervous. He rushed over to ask if she was alright.

Madam Qiao waved her hand. "I'm fine. I just choked on some water!"

Qiao Canhua wiped the sweat from his forehead. Even though it was a false alarm, it had given him quite a scare.

'Thinking about the future... it's just too much.'

'If only I could have Mu Lin all to myself, treating only my wife. How great would that be?'

Once this idea occurred to Qiao Canhua, he couldn't get it out of his head.

"Young friend Mu Lin, I have an idea. Why don't you become our family's private doctor? I'll pay you a high salary, and I'll even bring your family over and arrange suitable jobs for them in Anhua City."

Mu Lin said, "I'm honored by your generous offer, but I actually have a job right now, so I can't accept your invitation."

"If anything happens with Madam Qiao, you can just call me directly. As long as the consultation fee is sufficient, I guarantee I'll be there whenever you need me."

To be rejected so quickly... 'I've offered such generous terms, and you're still turning me down?' Qiao Canhua thought.

"Then may I be so bold as to ask, where is young friend Mu Lin making his fortune?"

Mu Lin said, "You're too kind. I wouldn't say I'm making a fortune. I just do odd jobs at a small construction company. The pay is average, but the workload isn't heavy. It's quite laid-back, you could say."

'Doesn't that give you all the more reason to quit and come work for me?' Qiao Canhua thought.

"The workload here wouldn't be heavy either. Why don't you give it serious consideration, young friend Mu Lin?"

Mu Lin shook his head, firmly refusing.

"It's a construction company, too. We just don't typically build the houses ourselves. We prefer to subcontract the work to lower-tier companies, so the workload is very light and the hours are flexible. If you want to leave early, you can just go."

Mu Lin recalled what Chen Xi had explained to him. Companies like this could typically skim more than half of the project funds, with the rest of the chain getting to divide what was left.

The management was lax, but the profits were extremely lucrative. This was the kind of thing everyone at the Li Group dreamed of doing.

But they didn't have the connections, so they could only do the grunt work.

Mu Lin remained silent. Qiao Canhua knew Mu Lin had made up his mind, so he didn't press the issue.

It was a shame, a real pity.

Seeing the heavy atmosphere in the room, Zhao Yang quickly changed the subject, sharing some city gossip.

This brought the mood back up a bit.

Qiao Canhua glanced at his phone from time to time, tapping it a couple of times to assign some tasks.

This had been his work style these past few days while accompanying his wife to her medical treatments—his subordinates handled the details, and he, the boss, made the final decisions.

After a while, Chef Huang came in to offer a toast.

After making his rounds, he said, "Boss Qiao, there's someone here who says he's your employee. Should I bring him in?"

Qiao Canhua said, "I'm the one who called him. The contract for South City Lot 6 needs to be signed. Let him in!"

"South City Lot 6." Those four words exploded in Mu Lin's ears.

"Mr. Qiao, is the South City Lot 6 project yours?" Mu Lin asked abruptly.

Qiao Canhua frowned. From the way Mu Lin spoke, he seemed to be very familiar with this plot of land.

But he didn't overthink it and said, "Yes, I'm the one who secured it."