After reluctantly agreeing to become the president of the Chinese Medicine Association, Jiang Fei bid farewell to the revered Elder Cui and the three sect leaders, leaving the treasure-filled office behind.
There was no reason to stay. As for preparing against the Poison King’s interference, that task could be left to the three sect leaders. Though they weren’t suited to participate in the younger generation’s exchange, they were more than capable of handling the groundwork. Now that they knew the old sorcerer might cause trouble, guarding against him would be much easier.
As he pushed the door open and stepped out, Jiang Fei glanced back. Soon, this office would become his domain. Barring any surprises, after the upcoming East-West medical exchange, he would officially take the helm of the Chinese Medicine Association.
Seeing Jiang Fei emerge, Cui Xiuping—who had been sitting bored on a bench—immediately perked up. His expression was a mix of tension and curiosity as he asked, “How did it go? Did you agree to join the association?”
Jiang Fei smirked. So, he knew his grandfather and the sect leaders’ plan all along. “I did,” he replied.
“You actually agreed?!” Cui Xiuping was stunned. Given Jiang Fei’s free-spirited and unpredictable nature, he had assumed Jiang Fei would refuse.
As they walked side by side toward the exit, Jiang Fei sighed. “Honestly, I didn’t want to. I never even considered joining. But when your grandfather and the others offered me the presidency, refusing would’ve been a bit too much.”
“What?!” Cui Xiuping’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head.
“Why are you staring at me like that? If you want to stare at something, check out that woman in the qipao over there,” Jiang Fei quipped, nudging him.
Cui Xiuping took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. “My grandfather… and the three sect leaders… they really decided to make you the president?”
Jiang Fei nodded, looking somewhat resigned. “As long as I can secure a victory for traditional Chinese medicine in the upcoming exchange—outperforming Western medicine—the position is mine.”
“That’s impossible!” Though Jiang Fei’s expression confirmed he wasn’t lying, Cui Xiuping still couldn’t believe it.
He did respect Jiang Fei’s medical skills. He had come to acknowledge the successor of the Divine Needle Technique, believing Jiang Fei might one day reach the heights of legendary physicians.
What impressed him even more was Jiang Fei’s dedication to Chinese medicine—something that made Cui Xiuping feel ashamed of his own shortcomings.
Like Jiang Fei, he had always dreamed of restoring Chinese medicine to its former glory, elevating it to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Western medicine.
But he had forgotten one crucial thing: true revival meant serving the people and uniting all practitioners.
Someone like Jiang Fei was rare. Failing to recruit him would have been a tremendous loss for the association.
But that still doesn’t justify making him president!
The president of the Chinese Medicine Association held absolute authority, with every member bound to follow their orders. The position had been vacant for over a decade—and now, it was being handed to Jiang Fei?
Jiang Fei ignored Cui Xiuping’s shock. His own emotions were complicated. While he had resolved one matter, he had also inherited a major headache.
Only after they got into Cui Xiuping’s car did the latter finally manage to steady his voice. “There were many things I disliked about the old association,” he admitted. “But for the three sect leaders to unanimously agree to make you president… they’re sacrificing a lot.”
“Yeah,” Jiang Fei sighed. “If they hadn’t shown such sincerity, I wouldn’t have agreed.”
Cui Xiuping’s face darkened. “Must you make it sound so forced?”
Jiang Fei shrugged. “I was pressured into accepting. It was reluctant.”
“……”
“How terrible for you,” Cui Xiuping deadpanned.
Jiang Fei smirked.
Deep down, he knew today’s events weren’t as simple as they seemed. The offer to make him president was likely a long-planned “trap” by Elder Cui.
Yet, he had played along.
Not out of fear of offending them—he had already trampled their pride in that office. He had no qualms about being blunt.
The real reason he accepted was that he understood how difficult this decision had been for the three sect leaders. They had paid a steep price, possibly even “cutting their own flesh” to make it happen.
Even if this was a scheme, it was a mutually destructive one.
And that told him one thing: they genuinely wanted to revive Chinese medicine.
So, for that… he could reluctantly agree.
Even if it meant more work and less free time, he’d bear it.
Peking University
Peking University, also known as Yanjing University, consistently ranked as China’s top institution, surpassing even its rival, Tsinghua University.
The campus was steeped in history and culture, its scenery so picturesque that students often found solace in its beauty between studies.
From the Minghe Garden and the Bell Tower to the serene lawns and Boya Pagoda, every corner was worthy of a photograph.
“Remember how we dreamed of getting into Peking University back in high school?” Jiang Fei mused as he and Bai Ruoxi strolled through the campus gates, taking in the sprawling grounds.
For millions of Chinese students, Peking and Tsinghua were the ultimate aspirations. Admission wasn’t just a personal triumph—it brought pride to one’s entire school.
Yet Jiang Fei had never imagined he’d one day step onto this campus not as a student, but as a guest speaker.
Today’s East-West medical exchange wasn’t being held at the Chinese Medicine Association’s headquarters, nor at renowned clinics like Jishitang or Tongrentang—it was taking place at Peking University’s Medical School.
Though surprised by the venue, Jiang Fei didn’t mind. In fact, he had arrived early, opting to have Bai Ruoxi—who had the day off—drop him off instead of waiting for Cui Xiuping.
Bai Ruoxi wasn’t particularly interested in the exchange itself. She had come mainly to see the campus.
As Jiang Fei said, Peking University was every student’s dream.
Back in high school, Jiang Fei’s grades had made Peking University an impossible fantasy. Bai Ruoxi, however, had been near the top of her class—close, but not close enough.
And yet, that “failure” had been a blessing.
Had she gotten in, she would have left their hometown. And Jiang Fei would never have had the chance to win her over.
The exchange was set for 9:30 AM.
With over an hour to spare, the two walked hand in hand along Weiming Lake, admiring the clear reflections in the water, the morning breeze, and the distant murmurs of students reciting in various languages.
Though years out of university, they could still pass for graduate students. The only oddity was Jiang Fei’s attire.
Today, he wore a traditional long robe—a uniform specially tailored by the Chinese Medicine Association.
All participating young masters of Chinese medicine would be dressed similarly, their usual sect insignias replaced by a single golden emblem: the character for “medicine” (医) encircled in gold.
This outfit symbolized the unity of the association.
After a leisurely stroll, they settled on a stone bench in a pavilion, taking in the tranquil scenery.
“Feels like we’ve stepped back into the Republican era, doesn’t it?” Jiang Fei joked.
His robe paired with Bai Ruoxi’s elegant white dress gave them an almost classical air.
Then, with playful theatrics, he began reciting poetry:
“Quietly I leave, as quietly as I came;
I wave my sleeves, not taking a single cloud…”
Bai Ruoxi burst out laughing. “What kind of mashup is that?”
“Just setting the mood,” he grinned.
“The exchange is about to start,” she said, eyeing him. “Aren’t you nervous at all?”
Jiang Fei smirked. “Why would I be? With you here cheering me on, no opponent stands a chance.”
She rolled her eyes. She knew his confidence came not from her presence, but from his own skill.
“Just don’t embarrass me,” she teased. “My colleagues from the newspaper are covering this. I’d like to keep my reputation intact.”
“Don’t worry,” he declared. “I’ll make sure everyone knows the most beautiful reporter in town also has the best taste in men!”
“Oh, shut up.”
