Chapter 14: The Banquet

Staring at the luxury car before him, Qin Yu glanced curiously at the people inside.

"Sir, do you remember me?"

A young girl stepped out of the car, her face beaming with a bright smile at Qin Yu.

He recognized her at once—it was the girl who had suffered from a venous thrombosis. Now, it seemed she had fully recovered.

"So, it’s you. Your leg is healed already?"

"Yes, sir. I came to ask for your help with something, if you’re willing."

Qin Yu looked intrigued.

"I’d like you to come home with me. I am Han Yingying, the heir of the Han family, but people keep trying to harm me. Last time, I fell into a trap, so I’d like to ask you to protect me until the banquet is over."

"Protect you? I’m not a bodyguard, you know," Qin Yu replied with a helpless smile.

"I know, but your medical skills are exceptional. I hope you can serve as my private doctor, just for half a day. Would that be possible?"

"My fee is quite high, you know."

He thought to himself that half a day was reasonable and wouldn’t interfere with his plans. Besides, he found it easier to move about at night.

"Deal."

"Then, sir, please get in the car."

The luxury car drove straight to the Four Seas Hotel, a five-star establishment in Haishi.

As soon as they got out, a man approached them. When he saw Qin Yu by Han Yingying’s side, his expression changed instantly.

"Yingying, why did you bring some country bumpkin here? This is hardly appropriate," the man said, glancing at Qin Yu with obvious disdain.

"Watch what you say, Chu Jiang. Let me make it clear: this is my friend. He has nothing to do with the Chu family, and I have nothing to do with your family either."

Chu family, Chu Jiang—wasn’t this the man who had once sought to marry Sun Qian? Now he was targeting the Han family?

Understanding dawned on Qin Yu and he couldn’t help but chuckle.

Seeing Qin Yu laugh, Chu Jiang, already fuming, found a target for his anger. He cursed, "You country bumpkin, what are you laughing at? Go back to wherever you came from—don’t get in my way."

Qin Yu sneered, "You are an eyesore indeed. For a member of the Chu family, you think only of climbing the social ladder. Whenever you see someone attractive or influential, you try to cozy up to them. You really bring shame to your family name."

"What did you say?" Chu Jiang jabbed a finger at Qin Yu, clearly agitated.

Han Yingying, though she agreed with Qin Yu, couldn’t say so aloud. She stifled her laughter, coughed twice, and quickly interjected, "Enough! Stop arguing. The banquet is about to begin."

They entered the restaurant.

Han Yingying led Qin Yu straight to the front. As the heir of the Han family, it was only natural for her to take the seat of honor.

But Qin Yu felt rather uncomfortable; all eyes were on Han Yingying and him, with people around them whispering and pointing.

Just then, an elderly man approached Han Yingying and asked with a smile, "Yingying, who is this young man by your side?"

"Grandfather, this is my friend, Qin Yu."

"Oh, a friend, is it? Pleased to meet you, young man. I am Han Qi, the head of the Han family. You may call me Old Han."

"Old Han," Qin Yu replied respectfully. After all, Han Qi was much older than him, so it was only polite to address him so.

But at that moment, a voice rose from the crowd.

"Grandfather Han, today is the family banquet as well as your birthday. We’ve all prepared gifts for you."

As the voice fell, a young man stepped forward and opened a gift box, revealing a root of what was claimed to be a century-old polygonum.

Qin Yu only glanced at it and immediately saw it was a fake. A true hundred-year-old root would be far too large to fit in such a box—someone had been duped. He kept his observation to himself.

As Qin Yu prepared to enjoy the unfolding drama, a middle-aged man approached Han Yingying, smiling, "Yingying, I heard you’ve recovered. As one of your uncles, I’m truly happy for you. Come, your Fifth Uncle offers you a toast to celebrate."

Han Yingying took the glass from her uncle but did not drink. Instead, she handed it to Qin Yu.

As Qin Yu examined the glass, Han Yingying quickly said, "Uncle, you are my elder. I should be the one to toast you."

Qin Yu sniffed the wine, smiled faintly, and quietly told Han Yingying, "It’s poisoned."

Upon hearing this, Han Yingying returned the glass to her uncle with a smile, "Uncle, I appreciate your kindness, but the wine isn’t to my taste. I’ll pass."

"Niece, this..."

"You know what’s in that wine. I’m giving you one chance, and you should give yourself one as well."

Fifth Uncle’s face darkened. He shot a glare at Qin Yu and turned to leave.

By now, many of the younger guests had already presented their gifts.

Chu Jiang stepped forward, pride evident on his face. "Everyone, the gift I’ve prepared for Grandfather Han today is extraordinary. Legend has it that it’s over a thousand years old."

The crowd turned to Chu Jiang with curiosity.

"Very well, young Chu. Let’s see what could possibly be a thousand years old," Han Qi said with a smile.

Chu Jiang slowly opened the box in his hands. But as soon as everyone saw its contents, their expressions changed, some showing barely suppressed anger.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is a thousand-year-old Putuo herb. I had it brought all the way from the Western Regions..." Chu Jiang began his introduction, but seeing the looks on everyone’s faces, he quickly fell silent.

Qin Yu also realized something was wrong, especially when he saw Han Yingying on the verge of tears.

"What’s going on? It’s a fake, but there’s no need for such a big reaction," he thought.

Indeed, the Putuo herb in Chu Jiang’s hands was also counterfeit.

"My parents disappeared while searching for the thousand-year-old Putuo herb. To this day, there’s been no word from them. That is a scar for everyone in the Han family."

Hearing this, Qin Yu nearly burst out laughing—what a way to flatter someone, only to hit a sore spot instead.

"Grandfather, Grandfather!"

Just as everyone struggled to contain their anger, a cry came from the side.

Unable to withstand his grief, Han Qi collapsed and fainted.

Qin Yu hurried to take out his silver needles, intending to revive Han Qi.

But Chu Jiang immediately blocked him, mocking, "What do you think you’re doing, coming at him with needles? Do you even have a medical license? If you mess up, can you take responsibility? Look at you, dressed in rags, pretending to be something you’re not. Silver needles? Do you even know how to spell the word ‘acupuncture’?"

"Yes, yes, you mustn’t act recklessly," Fifth Uncle chimed in, jealous of Qin Yu.

"What are you talking about? Mr. Qin Yu is a miracle doctor. He’s the one who saved me."