From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Chunliang laughed and said, "But the two of you have quite different tempers." Lin Sijin is efficient and decisive in her work, with a strong personality, while Ye Qingya gives the impression of being gentle and introverted.

Lin Sijin said, "Are you saying I have a bad temper?"

Chunliang said, "No, I meant one of you is introverted and the other extroverted."

Lin Sijin couldn’t help but laugh, "That’s why the two of us always clash. Qingya has been obedient since childhood, doing whatever the family arranged. Men fear starting the wrong career, women fear marrying the wrong man. Her marriage to Qiao Rulong was a mistake from the start."

Chunliang thought to himself, gauging the timeline from when Lin Sijin and Ye Changyuan started living apart, it’s very possible that the conflict between them was triggered by Ye Qingya and Qiao Rulong’s marriage. It’s likely that Lin Sijin opposed the union from the beginning.

Chunliang said, "Aunt Lin, marriage is a matter between two people, even parents don’t have much say."

Lin Sijin said, "It would be great if they really didn’t have a say. From ancient times to now, it’s always been about obeying parents and matchmaker’s words. This has harmed countless people."

At that moment, the waiter came to serve the dishes—pine mushroom sashimi, steamed white ling mushrooms, and black truffle roasted bran, each exquisite dish full of color, aroma, and taste.

Lin Sijin said, "You better not help others bully her."

"Aunt Lin, what are you talking about? I’m busy protecting her, how could I help others bully her?"

Lin Sijin said, "Don’t think I don’t know about your relationship with the Qiao family. Qiao Rulong will eventually be your brother-in-law, and your heart is surely with the Qiao family."

Chunliang said, "Ye Qingya is still my god-sister."

Lin Sijin was satisfied with his answer and, after savoring the meal for a moment, said softly, "You’ve put in so much effort, you surely have something to ask for. Go ahead."

Chunliang laughed, "Aunt Lin, it’s still about that matter I spoke to you about. I’ve learned some information, so I wanted to discuss it with you in person."

Lin Sijin told him to go on.

Chunliang started with Chen Jianxin leaking Enheng Pharmaceutical’s trade secrets, then spoke about how Qu Chuanfu and his group deliberately spread rumors online that Chinese medicine is useless, attacking traditional medicine. All these incidents trace back to being orchestrated by Mingde Group.

After hearing him out, Lin Sijin couldn’t help but furrow her brows and said, "According to you, the issue with Huiren Hall is a conspiracy?"

Chunliang nodded, "Mingde Group once proposed acquiring Huiren Hall, but Huang Gongxian, the person responsible there, refused. I think they’re holding a grudge over this and thus plotted against Huiren Hall."

Lin Sijin said, "Don’t speak casually about things without concrete evidence, especially when it involves foreign businesses, it might escalate to a diplomatic incident."

Chunliang said, "Isn’t it as clear as fleas on a bald man’s head? Do you really think they’re so kind as to help our country develop the healthcare industry?"

Lin Sijin said, "Xiaoxu, the issues you see can’t escape the notice of higher-ups. In terms of healthcare, we aim to invite in and reach out."

Chunliang said, "Pardon my bluntness, I haven’t seen our Chinese medicine reaching out, only a bunch of ill-intentioned people being invited in. Aren’t you afraid of inviting wolves into the house?"

Lin Sijin laughed, "You should have heard the phrase ’lock the door and beat the dog.’ As for why you haven’t seen Chinese medicine going out, it’s because it’s still lacking recognition overseas, though the country encourages its expansion abroad."

Chunliang said, "Take Mingde Group for instance, they acquire Chinese medicine shops, collect traditional secret recipes, buy out TCM factories, and suppress ethnic enterprises. Isn’t anyone addressing this?"

Lin Sijin said, "It’s not that no one is addressing it. There are a few possibilities: either there’s no substantial evidence, or it’s not yet the right time to address them."

"By the time you’ve gathered evidence and it’s time to address the issue, they will have stolen all our things. What haven’t those blockheads stolen?"

Lin Sijin laughed.

At that moment, Chunliang’s phone rang, it was a call from Liang Wenjing. Chunliang informed Lin Sijin and got up to take the call in the next room.

As soon as Chunliang left, Jiajia sneaked in. Chunliang had initially sent her away, but her curiosity got the better of her. She wanted to see who Chunliang had gone to such lengths to dine with, only to find an older woman.

Though Lin Sijin was still charming, Jiajia thought the woman was a bit too old. His mentor sure has an appetite, both young and old alike.

Jiajia unabashedly sized up Lin Sijin, who smiled and said, "Young lady, when did you come in?"

Jiajia rolled her eyes, "None of your business."

Lin Sijin frowned; this little girl was truly impolite and didn’t even use honorifics towards elders.

Jiajia said, "What’s your relationship with Chunliang?"

Lin Sijin was amused and said, "Young lady, I don’t think I need to explain anything to you, do I?"

Jiajia said, "You’re not young, are you?"

Lin Sijin nodded, "Almost fifty."

Jiajia said, "You don’t look it."

Lin Sijin smiled, "Should I take that as a compliment?"

"Consider it so. Fifty years old and still living life with such gusto," Jiajia said sarcastically.

Lin Sijin said, "Child, I advise you to be kind."

Ji Jiajia angrily replied, "How am I not kind?"

"Jiajia!" Xu Chunliang returned after finishing a call. Seeing Ji Jiajia brimming with hostility, he immediately realized something was amiss. Who knows what kind of spectacle this little girl would make. If she said something improper and upset Lin Sijin, today’s meal would be a wasted effort.

Xu Chunliang said, "Who told you to come back?"

Ji Jiajia replied, "Can’t I return to my own home? Master, if I didn’t come back, I wouldn’t have known you had such unique tastes."

Xu Chunliang really wanted to grab her by the ear and throw her out. This girl lacked proper upbringing, daring to say anything that came to her mouth. It was also his fault; he shouldn’t have borrowed her place to put on airs.

He was just about to scold Ji Jiajia when Lin Sijin smiled and said, "She calls you Master?"

Xu Chunliang replied with a face full of embarrassment, "Yes, my apprentice!"

Ji Jiajia glared at Lin Sijin, "Is that not allowed?"

"Jiajia, don’t be rude."

Lin Sijin said, "This courtyard is hers, no wonder she speaks so boldly. Little girl, your Master is my godson. So? Who says he can’t invite me, his godmother, for a meal?"

Now it was Ji Jiajia’s turn to be embarrassed. She didn’t think the situation could turn out okay, only now realizing Lin Sijin was Xu Chunliang’s godmother. She was really mortified, her face blushing red with shame, wishing she could find a hole to crawl into, "Ah... ah... godmother... I was just joking with you earlier, hahaha..."

But only she was laughing, which made it even more awkward.

Xu Chunliang said, "You call her godmother? No manners! Call her grandma!"

Ji Jiajia snapped back to her senses and quickly called her grandma.

Lin Sijin laughed, "Don’t call me that, I’m not ready to be a grandma so soon. This girl is quite clever, you can call me Aunt."

Xu Chunliang said, "But that’s a generation off."

Ji Jiajia didn’t care about generational gaps, quickly calling her Aunt.

Lin Sijin said, "Join us for a meal?"

Ji Jiajia shook her head like a rattle drum, "I’m full, I won’t disturb your conversation, I was just joking with you earlier, don’t think I’m impolite." She turned and hastily fled.

After she left, Xu Chunliang looked at Lin Sijin and smiled wryly, "Aunt Lin, don’t blame her, this child grew up wild."

Lin Sijin said, "You’re still calling me Aunt Lin?"

Xu Chunliang paused, what did Lin Sijin mean? It seemed today she’d recognize him as her godson.

Lin Sijin said, "Call me godmother, my father-in-law is your god-grandfather, so I am your godmother."

Xu Chunliang definitely couldn’t refuse, especially when he needed help now, "Godmother!"

Lin Sijin smiled warmly and gently said, "Chunliang, I’ve understood what you told me, don’t worry, our protection of national enterprises has always been consistent, we won’t let external forces succeed."

Xu Chunliang said, "Hearing that from you, I’m relieved."

He raised his teacup and used tea instead of wine to toast Lin Sijin, and they both sipped their tea.

Lin Sijin said, "There are now many foreign investments entering the country, buying out traditional medicine halls and pharmaceutical factories. We are not blind to their intentions, but we cannot deny that they proceed through legal channels. Without evidence, any administrative intervention from us could lead to external doubts, or they might even preemptively accuse us, given that we are a part of the World Trade Organization."

Xu Chunliang said, "So are we to watch them plunder with impunity?"

Lin Sijin said, "Although in essence it’s plundering, they acquire through legal investment methods. You must also see that many undutiful compatriots are willing to do business with them, willing to sell ancestral secrets to them, a willing deal fitting market rules."

Xu Chunliang said, "If we don’t promptly introduce relevant policies, these dishonorable people will eventually sell off everything from our ancestors."

Lin Sijin said, "Unless there’s concrete evidence proving their practices threaten national security, authorities won’t take action lightly. The best solution is to respond through market mechanisms, do you understand?"

Xu Chunliang nodded, he understood. Lin Sijin was obviously thinking more comprehensively. In her position, she had to consider the issues from a higher perspective.

"What did you understand? Tell me."

"Godmother means, don’t use a butcher’s knife to kill a chicken!"

Lin Sijin silently praised him, truly a clever young man, no wonder her father-in-law appreciated him so.

Lin Sijin said, "You should also notice that many national entrepreneurs have begun to awaken. They are consciously protecting and developing national brands and culture. We will provide maximum support. The situation with Huiren Hall has already garnered significant attention from our office. We will fully investigate and announce our findings to the public when the time comes."

Xu Chunliang said, "Hearing that from you, I’m relieved."