Chapter 438: I Want This Place

Zhao Xiao’an had to work the next day.

Wang Chenning woke up very early. After giving her about fifteen minutes of morning bliss, he followed up with an acupuncture session.

By the time she had freshened up and was ready to join Wang Chenning for breakfast, Zhao Xiao’an’s face was so radiant and supple it looked like it was glowing.

Gazing at her radiant reflection in the mirror, Zhao Xiao’an couldn’t have been happier.

“I’m sleeping here again tonight, so you can come over later!” As she was about to leave, Zhao Xiao’an pulled Wang Chenning into a gentle embrace and kissed him. “I know you have a lot to do today and many people to see,” she said affectionately. “I won’t bother you. I’ll just wait for you tonight!”

“Alright, I’ll definitely be here!” With Zhao Xiao’an being so considerate, Wang Chenning had no intention of letting her down.

After saying goodbye to Zhao Xiao’an, Wang Chenning went to the university first to officially end his leave of absence. He planned to resume teaching his classes the next day.

After taking care of that, he gathered his disciples and asked how their studies and personal lives had been recently.

He also told them he would be traveling again soon. He was planning a trip to Chang’an to personally search for medicinal herbs in the Qinling Mountain Range.

He was already very familiar with the Mount Zhongnan area and had some knowledge of other parts of the Qinling range. He promised to explain the relevant details to everyone when the time came.

When they heard Wang Chenning say that everyone except for two people—who would stay behind to teach—would accompany him to Chang’an, they were instantly thrilled.

However, when it came to discussing which two people would stay, everyone fell silent.

“I’ll stay!” Wu Jingyi raised her hand, volunteering. “I’ve gained so much experience and broadened my horizons by traveling with you, Master. This kind of opportunity should be shared with the others.”

“Good!” Wang Chenning gave her an approving look.

‘There are indeed many things after this trip that I’ll need Wu Jingyi to help Lv Qinglan with. For her to volunteer to stay in Yandu… that was a very wise decision on her part.’

After a moment’s hesitation, Zhang Manxin also stood up and raised her hand. She said she was also willing to stay behind to help Wu Jingyi with teaching and to draft Wang Chenning’s graduate student recruitment plan for the next semester.

“Then it’ll be you two who stay behind!” Wang Chenning agreed to Zhang Manxin’s offer and praised both of them in front of the group. He then announced to everyone that for the time being, the management of the disciples would be handed over to Wu Jingyi and Zhang Manxin. He also tasked Chang Qingfeng and Lin Qingyan with helping him collect and organize materials related to the Qinling Mountain Range. They would then lead the other disciples to Chang’an ahead of the main group to prepare for the herb-gathering expedition.

He added that he would take them on a tour of his various enterprises in Chang’an, including his pharmaceutical production and research facilities.

As for Wu Jingyi and Zhang Manxin, who were staying in Yandu, he would find a suitable time to take them on a separate private tour.

Wu Jingyi and Zhang Manxin, who had been feeling a little disappointed, were suddenly overjoyed.

Wang Chenning was always clear with his rewards and punishments. Disciples who showed initiative would definitely earn his special regard.

This was something that not only Wu Jingyi and Zhang Manxin understood, but the other disciples were also slowly coming to realize.

Many of them were already regretting not stepping forward to volunteer to stay. Chang Qingfeng and Lin Qingyan, in particular, were incredibly frustrated.

Chang Qingfeng had originally assumed that management duties would fall to him. ‘I’m his senior disciple, after all. I’ve always lived in Yandu, I’m older than the others, and I knew him first.’

He never expected Wang Chenning to show more trust in Wu Jingyi than in him. This gave him a strong sense of insecurity.

Lin Qingyan had originally been on roughly equal footing with Zhang Manxin and Wu Jingyi, but now she felt she had fallen far behind them.

‘I have to find another way,’ she thought. ‘On this trip to Chang’an with Master, I have to perform exceptionally well and strive to surpass everyone else in every way.’

After settling these arrangements, Wang Chenning had lunch with Lu Yuanshan.

While the two were eating in the cafeteria, Wang Chenning asked about the approval status of the national-level laboratory.

Lu Yuanshan, beaming, told Wang Chenning that all the procedures were complete. If Wang Chenning hadn’t been away, the official approval documents would have already arrived.

He asked Wang Chenning to accompany him the next day to the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Development and Reform Commission to pick up the official papers.

Once they had the official approval, they could secure the initial funding as quickly as possible, and then construction on the laboratory could begin.

Lu Yuanshan asked Wang Chenning which building on campus he planned to convert into the laboratory.

He had previously assumed Wang Chenning intended to build an entirely new laboratory from the ground up, building and all.

To his surprise, Wang Chenning’s requirements were modest. He only asked for one or two buildings, five stories or taller with basements, totaling around 20,000 square meters.

Yandu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine had several buildings that fit that description.

“How about those two buildings by the lake,” Wang Chenning said, pointing out the window at a small but very scenic lake. “Just give me thirty million for the renovation costs. The university can use the rest of the approved funds for whatever it wants.”

“What the hell!” Lu Yuanshan nearly jumped out of his seat as he looked where Wang Chenning was pointing. “That’s the international student dorm! You want them to move out?”

The international student apartment building Wang Chenning wanted was one of the nicest on the University of Traditional Chinese Medicine campus. It was seven stories tall, equipped with an elevator, and even had its own small, enclosed athletic field. While the small lake wasn’t part of its grounds, most of the people strolling by the water were international students.

The fact that Wang Chenning actually wanted this location gave Lu Yuanshan a massive headache.

“I’m sick of the special treatment these foreigners get,” Wang Chenning said to Lu Yuanshan, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. “I want this place. As for everything else, you’re President Lu. You figure it out.”