These past few days, Lin Moli had been tirelessly gathering all sorts of materials, frequently driving her newly purchased blue Excelle (worth over 100,000 yuan) around to conduct market research.
Her primary targets were large pharmaceutical chains like Jishi Tang and Tongren Tang, studying their business models, the main medicines they sold, their efficacy, target demographics, sales performance, and profit margins.
Only by completing these preparations would she and Jiang Fei have a clear direction when establishing their traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) company and developing their own medicines. This way, they wouldn’t blindly produce drugs with no market demand.
“Why have you been so diligent lately? Showing up at the clinic every day—are you cramming last-minute for the upcoming TCM-Western Medicine Exchange?” Lin Moli teased as she returned around noon, watching Jiang Fei finish with his last patient before following him into the office.
“What, do you think this is like cramming for a college final?” Jiang Fei stretched his stiff body. “Besides, even if this exchange were an exam, do you really think I’d need to cram? Are you underestimating me? Do you think my title of ‘Acupuncture King’ is just for show?”
In the past, Jiang Fei’s “Acupuncture King” title, while not entirely undeserved, lacked official recognition. But after his trip to Beijing and his victory in the TCM Association’s medical competition, the title was now firmly his. No one like Qin Zhengming could challenge him anymore.
Jiang Fei even considered renaming his future TCM company from “Jiang’s Clinic” to “Acupuncture King Clinic.”
Though… wouldn’t that be a bit too flashy?
Eh, he could live with it.
“Then why have you been so unusually hardworking lately?” Lin Moli pressed curiously.
Jiang Fei couldn’t tell her the real reason—that he was grinding to raise his medical skill proficiency to Level 8.
Lin Moli chuckled. “Still, it’d be great if you kept this up. Ever since word got out that you’ve been here, our clinic’s revenue has doubled. I even heard some patients are bribing staff to skip the line—some offering tens of thousands just to see you!”
Jiang Fei sighed, unsure whether to feel proud or exasperated.
This was just how society worked—patients bypassing proper channels, assuming money or connections could fast-track them.
But they didn’t need to.
If their condition wasn’t urgent, they could wait their turn. If it was life-threatening, they could request priority treatment—no bribes necessary.
Yet many still chose underhanded methods.
A common problem in hospitals—no, in all bureaucratic systems.
A knock interrupted them.
“Come in,” Lin Moli called.
A stern-looking woman in black-framed glasses entered, holding a file. Unlike the clinic staff, she wore office attire—sharp, professional, and utterly indifferent to Jiang Fei’s presence.
“Manager Lin, the reports you requested. This one lists high-profit, high-demand medicines; this one covers reputation-building, mass-market options.”
Lin Moli nodded. “Leave them here. At 2 PM, accompany me to Jishi Tang’s Jincheng branch for fieldwork.”
The assistant left without sparing Jiang Fei a glance.
“Your new assistant?” Jiang Fei asked.
Lin Moli nodded. “Top-tier graduate from Southwest University of Finance and Economics. Highly capable.”
Jiang Fei smiled. Lin Moli was evolving into a full-fledged businesswoman—much like Bai Ruoxi, though their motivations differed.
Bai Ruoxi pursued ideals over profits; Lin Moli was a natural CEO, excelling in management.
Were these two destined rivals in a past life?
“Jincheng has a Jishi Tang branch?” Jiang Fei asked, surprised.
“Yes. They’re headquartered in Beijing but have branches in major cities. Only smaller cities rely on distributors.”
“Want me to call Cui Xuping? He can arrange cooperation from their Jincheng branch.”
Lin Moli’s eyes lit up. “Perfect! Having their young master’s backing means more accurate data for our future plans.”
Jiang Fei called Cui Xuping, who—now fully deferential to Jiang Fei—readily agreed, even offering to fax additional materials and handle bureaucratic hurdles.
With the TCM Association’s approval secured (a near-impossible feat for most), their biggest obstacle was cleared.
…
Lin Moli tapped her desk. “At this rate, our company could launch right after your medical exchange. But—where are those miracle formulas you promised? Sales and management matter, but without effective medicines, even your ‘Acupuncture King’ reputation won’t save us.”
Jiang Fei smirked. “Relax. The formulas will come—and they’ll outperform anything on the market.”
After days of grinding, his medical skill was at 7th Level, 99% proficiency. Three more days, max, until Level 8.
At that stage, his system’s ability to analyze and improve existing medicines would let him reverse-engineer top-selling drugs—then release superior versions.
Unethical? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely.
A week after returning to Jincheng, Jiang Fei finally heard the sweet chime:
“Ding! Congratulations! Medical Skill has reached 8th Level!”
Suddenly, knowledge flooded his mind—like the wuxia novels enlightenment.
Most crucially, he now unlocked two more techniques of the Divine Needle Eight Methods.
Previously, he only knew four:
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Qi-Retaining Method
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Qi-Guiding Method
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Qi-Lifting Method
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Central Qi Method
Now, two more revealed themselves…
