From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor

Chapter 676 - 646: Paying a Visit

Xu Chunliang originally planned to return to Dongzhou tomorrow, but after giving it some thought, he decided he should visit Elder Qiao.The reason he didn’t go to the Qiao Family this time was mainly because Qiao Rulong had met with him privately and asked him to treat Elder Ye. The Ye Family didn’t want to publicize this matter, and Qiao Rulong also kept it from his family, so everyone tacitly understood.

Before going to the Qiao Family, Xu Chunliang contacted Qiao Rulong, who told him he was currently on a business trip in Xiangjiang and that Xu should just go directly.

Qiao Rulong was very confident in Xu Chunliang’s handling of things. Although this future brother-in-law was young, he had a great sense of propriety and knew exactly what to say and what not to say.

Xu Chunliang also called Mei Ru Xue, who told him that both of her aunts were in the Capital City these days, so it was a good opportunity for him to meet them.

Hearing that there were so many people at the Qiao Family, Xu Chunliang hesitated. He intended to have a private conversation with Elder Qiao and wasn’t eager to face a family’s scrutiny. The thought of a group of people surrounding him with questions made him anxious.

Mei Ru Xue could sense his hesitation even over the phone and laughed, "What’s there to be afraid of? Both my aunts are very kind to me."

Xu Chunliang said, "The nicer they are to you, the more critical they’ll be of me. I’ll wait until my next visit to the Capital City to visit."

Mei Ru Xue said, "I thought you were fearless."

Xu Chunliang replied, "I care about you, so I care about their opinions."

Mei Ru Xue said, "You’re always full of excuses."

Xu Chunliang thought that would be the end of it, but just after he booked tonight’s ticket back to Dongzhou, Ye Qingya called, inviting him to dinner at the Qiao Family. It turned out Qiao Rulong had informed her, and she had told Elder Qiao.

Since Elder Qiao himself had issued the invitation, Xu Chunliang had to reschedule his ticket. Even an ugly bride must meet her in-laws, and sooner or later he would have to meet Mei Ru Xue’s two aunts.

Xu Chunliang had heard from Mei Ru Xue that Aunt Qiao Yuanhong and Uncle Wang Zhenjiang were both national academicians.

Her younger aunt, Qiao Yuanlan, was a renowned jewelry designer, currently focusing her career overseas. She was the chief designer for the luxury brand Bulgari; her husband was the president of Huaguang Technology, headquartered in New Family Slope.

It could be said that the children of the Qiao Family have all become leaders in their fields, reaching heights that ordinary people would struggle to attain in a lifetime. Yet Elder Qiao remained unsatisfied, as none of his children had surpassed him.

Among them, Qiao Rulong and Mei Ru Xue’s father, Qiao Yuanshan, were once the ones he had the highest hopes for. Unfortunately, Qiao Yuanshan couldn’t overcome emotional obstacles, and when he left back then, it was like a crane flying away; there had been no news for twenty years, and his life or death remains unknown.

His eldest son, Qiao Yuanjiang, though in politics, didn’t quite match Qiao Yuanshan’s qualities in many aspects. His current position was his limit, with no further advancement possible.

Luckily, Qiao Rulong chose politics over business, and now all the Qiao Family’s hopes were pinned on him.

Xu Chunliang specifically brought some local specialties to the Qiao Family. It’s always impolite to visit empty-handed, but bringing overly expensive gifts seemed insincere. Fortunately, the Dongzhou Beijing Office had plenty of local specialties. Xu Chunliang bought some, and although Li Xiumei didn’t want to accept money, Xu was extremely cautious about such matters. Taking small advantages like this could be used against him by those with intentions.

Just as he was ready with the gifts, he received a call from Ye Qingya. Elder Qiao had thoughtfully arranged for Ye Qingya to pick him up.

Seeing Xu Chunliang moving stuff into the car, Ye Qingya came over to help, but Xu Chunliang told her to rest, that carrying things was men’s work.

Ye Qingya couldn’t help but say, "You’re quite the chauvinist. Why bring so many things when you’re just coming for a meal?"

Xu Chunliang replied, "These are local specialties for Elder Qiao to try." He closed the trunk and went to sit in the back.

Ye Qingya started the car, glanced at him through the rearview mirror, and said, "These days you haven’t mentioned it, and Rulong and I haven’t told Grandpa you’re in the Capital City."

Xu Chunliang understood her meaning, reminding him to keep it a secret that he was treating Elder Ye. He smiled, "I didn’t intend to disturb the elder, but Ru Xue insisted on me visiting on her behalf."

Ye Qingya smiled and said, "We’re going to be one family someday, why talk of disturbance?"

"Are there many people at home today?"

Ye Qingya replied, "Both aunts have returned, but their children didn’t come along."

Xu Chunliang felt slightly relieved, as there wouldn’t be too many people to deal with.

Ye Qingya asked, "Have you created any new works recently?"

Xu Chunliang was taken aback for a moment, but he quickly realized she was referring to his calligraphy.

"No, I’ve been busy with work and studies lately, haven’t had time to write."

Ye Qingya said, "Your calligraphy is so superb, with dedicated practice, you could become a grandmaster."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "Please don’t say that, I know my level. My writing is just copying without my own style."

Ye Qingya had seen his calligraphy works before and sighed inwardly. Even at this level, Xu Chunliang remained humble. She had always considered her calligraphy to be outstanding among the younger generation, but after meeting Xu Chunliang, she realized the truth of the saying that there’s always someone better out there.

Ye Qingya’s earlier remarks were genuine; she believed Xu Chunliang’s calligraphy was good enough to start an exhibition. She suggested, "Why don’t you provide some pieces, and I’ll help you enter a contest? I’m sure you’ll achieve excellent results."

Xu Chunliang laughed, "I’m not interested in such competitions."

Ye Qingya said, "This is an opportunity to join the calligraphy association."

"Why would I join the calligraphy association?"

Ye Qingya was stumped by his question. In her view, isn’t joining the calligraphy association a natural step when one’s calligraphy reaches a certain level? After thinking for a while, she responded, "You can communicate with other calligraphers."

Xu Chunliang had already experienced the pretentiousness of those in the calligraphy association when he first met Ye Qingya. He had no interest in mingling with such a hypocritical and flattering circle. He shook his head and said, "I never thought about developing in that direction. There’s a saying that goes, ’If it’s not your circle, don’t try to squeeze into it. Even if you squeeze in, you’ll feel out of place.’

Ye Qingya said, "Haven’t you already entered this circle? One of the responsibilities of the Cultural Tourism Bureau is cultural activities. If we want to hold art exhibitions or calligraphy exhibitions, we must first obtain approval from the cultural tourism department. You’ll inevitably have to interact with the calligraphy association in the future."

Ye Qingya didn’t say it outright, but Xu Chunliang realized how much the Cultural Tourism Bureau managed.

Ye Qingya smoothly drove through the gate.

Xu Chunliang thought that if he were to come alone, someone would probably have to come out to get him. Meeting Elder Qiao is not so easy for the average person.

Xu Chunliang asked Ye Qingya for advice on how to address the two aunts later.

Ye Qingya laughed and said, "Just call them Aunt."

Xu Chunliang said, "I might dare to call them that, but they might not agree."

Ye Qingya said, "Then just refer to them as ’you.’ I’m not really well-versed in social etiquette myself."

She parked the car, and Xu Chunliang quickly got out to grab the items. At that moment, Mei Ru Xue’s eldest uncle, Wang Zhenjiang, came out.

Ye Qingya said, "Eldest Uncle! This is Xiaoxu."

Wang Zhenjiang came over to help and said to Xu Chunliang with a smile, "My surname is Wang."

Xu Chunliang called him Uncle Wang. Although he and Mei Ru Xue were dating, they hadn’t married yet, so calling him eldest uncle right away would be too forward.

Wang Zhenjiang said, "Why did you buy so many gifts?"

Xu Chunliang said, "They’re just local specialties, and Grandpa Qiao loves them." Actually, Elder Qiao didn’t particularly like eating those things; he was just saying it casually.

Ye Qingya went inside first, and Wang Zhenjiang walked in with Xu Chunliang, occasionally sizing him up. "I heard you work in Dongzhou?" He wasn’t very good at social interactions, being in research himself.

Xu Chunliang said, "I’m a local from Dongzhou; I haven’t worked for long. I came to Capital City for study purposes."

Wang Zhenjiang nodded repeatedly, "It’s good for young people to love studying; it shows ambition."

Xu Chunliang said, "Uncle Wang, I heard you’re an academician at the Academy of Sciences?"

Wang Zhenjiang responded with a relaxed smile, "Just a bookworm."

"You have great knowledge. I deeply respect people like you with such an academic background."

The flattery made Wang Zhenjiang feel quite comfortable.

They entered the living room, and Xu Chunliang, not feeling shy at all, called out, "Grandpa Qiao, I’m here."

Elder Qiao walked over with his hands behind his back, surprisingly without a smile on his face, "You little rascal, been in Capital City for so many days and haven’t come to see me?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Please don’t hold it against me. I’ve been busy with studying. Finally got some time today, and I hurriedly asked Brother Long to schedule a time."

"You need to schedule a time to come see me?"

"I was afraid I’d disturb your rest."

Elder Qiao saw all the items he brought, "I invited you for a meal, why bring so many things?"

"They’re all Dongzhou specialties for you to taste. There’s nothing valuable, just grains, duck eggs, goose eggs, all pure green foods."

Elder Qiao asked Wang Zhenjiang to take the items inside and let Xu Chunliang sit in the living room.

At that moment, a glamorous beauty walked over. She was Mei Ru Xue’s younger aunt, Qiao Yuanlan. She hadn’t even reached them yet, but she already spoke, "Who is this? Quite the talker."

Xu Chunliang greeted her, "Hello, sister!"

Though Qiao Yuanlan took good care of herself, she was still forty. Upon hearing him call her sister, she couldn’t help but laugh, "Are you mistaken, calling me sister? I’m Mei Ru Xue’s younger aunt."

Xu Chunliang was stunned, his mouth agape, which could fit a large goose egg. He brazenly lied, "You must be Xiaoxue’s aunt. She never told me her younger aunt is so young, just always said her little aunt is particularly beautiful."

Qiao Yuanlan laughed, narrowing her charming Danfeng eyes into slits. Elder Qiao shook his head; this youngster had a knack for flattering women, saying such things with ease because women love to hear them.