“You’re going to Beijing for some Sino-Western medical exchange?” Ye Yuanyuan stood behind Jiang Fei, watching him tend to his plants.
After hearing Jiang Fei had returned to Jincheng, she finally found time to visit him. Lately, she’d been swamped with work. Given the recent assassination attempt, she’d considered assigning bodyguards for his safety, but Jiang Fei had refused.
And honestly, she understood why. Two top-tier assassins had tried to kill him—not only did they fail, but one died, and the other was severely injured. The gruesome fate of the gunman made it clear: anyone targeting Jiang Fei would have a hard time succeeding.
Ye Yuanyuan knew Jiang Fei’s secrets better than anyone—even Lin Moli or Bai Ruoxi.
For instance, Lin Moli had seen Jiang Fei fight a couple of times, but those were minor scuffles. She had no idea just how strong he really was.
Ye Yuanyuan, on the other hand, had sparred with Jiang Fei multiple times. She knew his true capabilities.
“Yeah. How’d you know?” Jiang Fei replied absently.
“This medical exchange has been making waves before it’s even started. Plenty of people are paying attention—including to you, the star representative of traditional Chinese medicine.” She crossed her arms, her tone indifferent.
Jiang Fei stood up, dusted off his hands, and set aside his pruning shears. Eyeing her thoughtfully, he asked, “But you’re not one to care about trivial matters. What’s the real reason you’re here?”
Ye Yuanyuan wasn’t what anyone would call “girly.” Neither her flat chest nor her personality fit the stereotype. Around friends, she could almost pass for normal—maybe even slightly feminine. But with strangers or people she disliked? Ice-cold. And violent.
Yet, she was straightforward. No games, no pretenses. Once you got to know her, she was an open book.
Jiang Fei had already figured her out.
Ye Yuanyuan nodded, her expression grim. “When you go to Beijing in two days, I’m coming with you.”
“You? Why?” Jiang Fei blinked.
Her eyes turned frosty. “Because there’s intel that the Poison King—the one who tried to kill my grandfather—has been spotted in Beijing. He might target the medical exchange.”
That caught Jiang Fei off guard.
The Sino-Western Medical Exchange was a pivotal event for the future of traditional Chinese medicine. Why would the Poison King, who’d fled Jincheng, risk exposure to sabotage it?
Was there more to this?
Frowning, Jiang Fei realized the situation was serious. He’d need to consult with the senior members of the Chinese Medical Association, like Elder Cui. The Poison King’s toxins were no joke—without the antidote Jiang Fei had bought from the system shop, Old Man Ye Zhengnan would’ve died.
If the Poison King planned to disrupt the event, the stakes were high. Even with Jiang Fei’s Level 8 medical skills and mastery of the Divine Needle Eight Techniques, caution was essential.
Failure wasn’t an option—not when the reward was the Nine Swords of Dugu.
“Any progress on your grandfather’s poisoning case? Found the mastermind?” Jiang Fei asked.
The details were top-secret. Even Ye Yuanyuan’s closest friends were kept in the dark. But with Jiang Fei, she held nothing back.
“Some leads, but nothing concrete. But now that they’ve slipped up, this trip to Beijing might crack the case wide open.”
“So you suspect someone but lack proof?”
She nodded.
Jiang Fei laughed. “Since when do you care about evidence? The Ye family runs Jincheng. If you suspect someone, just arrest them. What’s stopping you?”
Ye Yuanyuan glared. “This isn’t the feudal era. We can’t just arrest people without proof!”
“Oh really? Then why’d you send two soldiers with submachine guns to ‘invite’ me to treat your grandfather? Hypocrite much?” Jiang Fei shot back.
Her face flushed. “That was different! We didn’t actually arrest you!”
“Semantics.” Jiang Fei waved her off. “Anyway, in Beijing, do you need my help? Just know—I’m winning that medical exchange. No compromises.”
“Since when do you care so much about honor?” Ye Yuanyuan smirked. “You’re not even part of the Chinese Medical Association.”
Jiang Fei puffed out his chest. “Honor is my life! As a practitioner of Chinese medicine, I will defend its reputation!”
“Please. I know you. If honor were your life, you wouldn’t have caved so fast to those submachine guns.”
“Keep talking, and I’ll reconsider helping you,” Jiang Fei grumbled.
“…”
Noon.
Despite her usual aloofness, Ye Yuanyuan shamelessly stayed for lunch—and even demanded Jiang Fei cook something special. They took his pets, Simba the Tibetan Mastiff and the golden eagle, hunting in the mountains.
Wild game like pheasants and rabbits didn’t necessarily have higher nutritional value than farm-raised meat, but their texture and flavor were unmatched. Paired with foraged herbs and mushrooms, the meal was a feast no five-star restaurant could replicate.
“Hunting with you beats going with Lin Moli or Qiao Yiyi,” Jiang Fei remarked as Ye Yuanyuan navigated the rugged terrain effortlessly.
“Obviously. They’re no match for me,” she said flatly.
“Someone’s confident.” He grinned. “What do you think of my pets? Great hunters, right?” He held up their haul.
“That eagle is abnormally large—more like a falcon. And this mastiff? Most Tibetan Mastiffs are overrated, but yours is exceptional in strength and intelligence.” She eyed the animals enviously. “These two could sell for millions. Why keep them if you’re short on cash?”
“Money’s tight, but I’m not selling them. What’s the point of a countryside villa without a good hunt?” Jiang Fei smirked. Impressing Ye Yuanyuan wasn’t easy.
“Hey, isn’t there an elite hunting ground near Jincheng? After we wrap things up in Beijing, let’s go.”
She shook her head. “That place is boring. The wild boars there are tiny. If you want a real challenge, I’ll take you to Changbai Mountain or Beijing’s international hunting grounds.”
Typical Ye Yuanyuan—always craving danger.
“Or,” she teased, *”if you’re brave enough, we could skip the hunting grounds and head straight to the Xiaoxing’anling primeval forest. They’ve got bears and 800-pound boars. Of course, you might die.”*
Jiang Fei laughed. “Try me. With Simba, my eagle, and a good sword, I’d take on the African savanna.”
