Qiu Yingxun’s muxiao grass ultimately died.
He began to act like a madman, spreading rumors about Cheng You everywhere, inciting everyone to force Cheng You to hand over her method for propagating muxiao grass.
Very few people paid him any mind. Even if they desired it, they would only think about it in their hearts and not take action.
Firstly, Cheng You had good connections and her character was evident to all.
Secondly, this was the fruit of her own research. Whether she was willing to share it was her own business.
A minority harbored jealousy, but it remained only that – jealousy, and they dared not act.
When Qiu Yingxun failed to achieve his goal, he went to find Cheng Tao.
He had been fully immersed in muxiao grass during this time and had not returned to the military compound. Cheng Tao was surprised to see him and ran out excitedly.
“Are you back to pick me up?”
Qiu Yingxun said, “You go and ask Cheng You for muxiao grass again.”
Cheng Tao’s smile faded, and indeed, she had been thinking too much.
“Didn’t I just give you some before? Why do you need more?”
Qiu Yingxun said, “The two plants I had before both died, and the exchange meeting isn't for a few more days.”
Cheng Tao’s grip loosened, and her hand slipped.
She had overestimated her standing in Qiu Yingxun’s heart.
Cheng Tao suddenly laughed, “What about me? When will you come to pick me up?”
Qiu Yingxun felt uneasy. He cupped her face and soothed her, “Didn’t I say I’d pick you up after the exchange meeting?”
Cheng Tao lowered her eyes and remained silent, meaning in a few days.
“I can help you ask Cheng You, but whether she’s willing is not something I can control.”
Qiu Yingxun was certain that if she asked, Cheng You would definitely agree.
He urged, “Then go now!”
Cheng Tao was a little displeased, “Why the rush?”
“It’s not me who’s rushing, it’s the exchange meeting.”
After being urged several times, Cheng Tao finally left.
She admitted she had a thick skin, otherwise, she wouldn’t have lowered herself to beg Cheng You repeatedly.
But this time, Cheng You refused.
“Don’t I need to remind you of our relationship? Giving it to you once was my generosity. Do you expect me to give it to you a second or third time? Cheng Tao, you’re dreaming!”
Cheng Tao turned her face away in embarrassment and pleaded, “This is the last time.”
“Whether it’s the last time or not, I’m not planning to give it to you,” Cheng You refused outright, and then closed the door, blocking Cheng Tao’s sight.
Cheng Tao returned disappointed, which was the expected outcome.
But Qiu Yingxun could not accept it. With the exchange meeting drawing near, how could he participate without muxiao grass!
He panted furiously, pacing back and forth in the yard.
“Why wouldn’t she give it to you? Did you even ask her properly! Cheng Tao, you are sisters, go and beg her again, she will surely agree!”
The words “sisters” struck a chord in Cheng Tao’s heart.
She could no longer bear it. She pushed Qiu Yingxun’s hand away and shouted, “She is not my sister! Why don’t you go and find out, my mother and her father divorced, we are from a blended family and have no blood relation! The person I hate the most in this world is Cheng You!”
It was only because Cheng You was better than her in every way.
Qiu Yingxun’s bloodshot eyes widened, his eyeballs almost bursting.
Anger filled his chest and gut, driving his actions.
He seemed not to hear Cheng Tao, only seeing her lips move.
His reason was devoured at that moment. He suddenly reached out and tightly gripped Cheng Tao’s neck, his fingers clenching.
“You lied to me! How dare you lie to me!”
Cheng Tao choked, her face turning red, then purple. She made a “hoarse” sound and desperately tried to pry his hands off.
Just as she felt one foot stepping into the abyss, someone suddenly reached out and pulled her back.
Qiu Yingxun released his grip.
He stared blankly at his hands, unmoving for a long time.
The glaring purple marks on Cheng Tao’s neck reminded him of what he had done.
He had almost choked Cheng Tao to death!
A wave of fear washed over Qiu Yingxun, and he rushed out the door.
Cheng Tao sat in the yard. After a long while, her soul returned, and she sobbed hoarsely.
…
In the end, Qiu Yingxun did not manage to bring muxiao grass to the exchange meeting.
Teacher Yang had already boasted about his matters before realizing that muxiao grass was grown by Cheng You.
He had not spoken to Qiu Yingxun for several days.
Su Jinwen, following the prior arrangement, took Qiu Yingxun to the exchange meeting.
Many people had heard about muxiao grass and inquired with Su Jinwen.
She responded with a smile, “I’m not very clear about Qiu Yingxun’s matters. You’ll have to ask Teacher Yang to know.”
Her gentle tone was like a dull knife, slicing into Qiu Yingxun’s face bit by bit, yet he could not utter a single word of rebuttal.
The exchange meeting was held in the auditorium of Yan University. The space had been cleared in advance, and the large auditorium was furnished with tables and chairs, each bearing the name of an attendee or a representative of a pharmacy.
Chen Qin, accompanied by Han Shaohua, arrived and immediately spotted the location for Zhenshan Tang.
They walked over, and in front of their seats were various medicinal products from Zhenshan Tang.
This was also the purpose of the exchange; if the medicines were favored, it could lead to large orders.
Zhenshan Tang’s location was towards the back, separated by several other pharmacies from Huichun Tang, indicating a significant difference in their status.
Chen Qin happily took his invitation and sat down, content just to be able to enter.
Han Shaohua appeared somewhat constrained and unable to relax.
He had seen many of the people present in newspapers.
Since coming to Zhenshan Tang, Chen Qin made them read newspapers every day to stay informed about the developments in traditional Chinese medicine.
He was well aware of who developed new medicines each day and who was featured in the news.
Today, he felt as though he was getting a chance to interact with his idols up close.
“Director Chen, I’m a little nervous.”
The method of propagating muxiao grass had been submitted under the name of Zhenshan Tang, thus they received an invitation to the exchange meeting.
However, in essence, this was Cheng You’s achievement.
But soon, Han Shaohua would have to go on stage to explain the method of propagating muxiao grass to everyone.
With so many prominent figures watching, he was so nervous his palms were sweating.
Chen Qin was much calmer. He patted Han Shaohua on the shoulder and soothed him, “Look, Cheng You will be here too. What are you afraid of? Just go up and present, and if there’s anything you can’t answer, your sister Cheng You will naturally step in.”
Cheng You had not arrived yet, but her nameplate was placed at her seat.
Seeing this, Han Shaohua felt a little relieved.
A while later, Pei Kesheng arrived with his entourage.
The person in front of him was the head of Huichun Tang, Pei Kesheng’s uncle, Pei Huiying.
Pei Huiying passed by them with a blank expression, not sparing them a glance.
However, Pei Kesheng was greatly alarmed, “How can you be here!”
Pei Huiying paused and glanced sideways, “You know them?”
“Uncle, they are from Zhenshan Tang! How are they qualified to attend the exchange meeting? A small, unknown pharmacy, why should they be on equal footing with us!”