Chapter 52: The Snuff Bottle

“Hahahahaha!” Zheng Youwei and his companions burst into mocking laughter. “Him? Just a country bumpkin who’s come down from the mountains, and he can save Master Song? There are plenty of excellent hospitals in Jiangning, not to mention the University of Traditional Medicine. Why would anyone choose him?”

Suddenly, a commotion stirred at the entrance, and everyone’s gaze snapped toward the source. In that instant, the banquet hall’s lights blazed to life. Song Boyuan slowly pushed a wheelchair into the hall, seated upon it was the Jiangning King—Song Jinlong—who had recovered from his illness for the most part. Though he still could not stand or walk, his mind had returned to clarity.

Everyone present rose to their feet, voices of greeting rippling through the hall. Zheng Changhai hurried forward and bowed respectfully to Song Jinlong. “Master Song, I’ve long admired your reputation. I am Zheng Changhai.”

But Song Jinlong’s expression was stern, ignoring him entirely. His gaze went straight to his son, Song Boyuan, and he spoke in a deep voice, “Take me to meet my benefactor. I wish to thank him in person.”

Though Zheng Changhai was snubbed, he dared not show any resentment. The atmosphere in the hall instantly grew tense. Everyone was curious—who was the benefactor of the King of Jiangning?

They watched as Song Boyuan pushed the wheelchair toward Table One. Eyes followed the wheelchair, speculating on the identity of this mysterious savior. Could it be Wang Jinquan? He held a pivotal position in the business world, after all.

Wang Jinquan hurriedly greeted Song Jinlong, but the wheelchair did not stop before him. It rolled onward, finally halting before Gu Xiangnan.

It was him!

Astonishment flashed across every face in the hall. No one could have guessed that this young man was the King of Jiangning’s benefactor.

Song Jinlong smiled at Gu Xiangnan. “My benefactor, please accept these earrings. There’s no need to mention money again.”

Eight million! The King of Jiangning was gifting Gu Xiangnan such a treasure without a second thought?

Seeing Gu Xiangnan silent, Song Jinlong continued, “If not for you saving my life, these old bones of mine would have already gone to meet the King of Hell.”

Song Boyuan also urged, “It’s just a token of our gratitude. We hope Master Gu will accept it with a smile.”

Zheng Youwei’s face was full of disbelief. “What? He’s really a master healer? So the black card wasn’t stolen?”

“No! Impossible! He’s a fraud!” Zheng Youwei shouted, pointing at Gu Xiangnan.

Song Jinlong slammed his hand on the armrest of his wheelchair, his voice thundering, “Insolence! How dare you insult my benefactor!”

Song Boyuan strode angrily to Zheng Youwei and, without hesitation, slapped him across the face.

Zheng Youwei, caught off guard, turned with a look of grievance to his father for help. “Dad, he’s a fraud, you have to believe me.”

Zheng Changhai looked at his son’s swollen cheek, his heart conflicted. He felt sorry that his son had been struck in public—not just for the pain, but most of all for the loss of face. But he remembered the Zheng family’s hopes to use this auction to strengthen ties with the Song family. Now his son had offended the Song family’s benefactor so badly.

Useless wretch!

Anger surged within Zheng Changhai. He gritted his teeth and, steeling himself, slapped his son as well.

After being slapped twice, Zheng Youwei was dizzy and finally collapsed to the ground, unable to get up.

Zheng Changhai pointed at his son and cursed, “You fool! How could you speak so carelessly about Master Gu?”

Seeing his father truly angry, Zheng Youwei lowered his head and dared not make a sound, feeling he’d committed a grave offense.

Zheng Changhai could only try to make amends. He sensibly approached Gu Xiangnan, knelt down, and pressed his hands together in supplication. “Master Gu, it’s my failure to raise him properly. Please forgive us.”

Gu Xiangnan merely lowered his gaze coldly, saying nothing.

Song Jinlong’s icy voice rang out, “If you wish to seek forgiveness, you must show some sincerity.”

“Yes, yes!” Zheng Changhai looked up at Gu Xiangnan and said, “Master Gu, I’m willing to give you the item I won at tonight’s auction, if you’ll forgive my useless son.”

He nudged the dazed Zheng Youwei lying nearby.

Someone in the crowd asked, “Mr. Zheng, what are you offering?”

Zheng Changhai quickly called for the staff to bring it over.

The tray presented by the staff held only an unremarkable snuff bottle.

People began to laugh. “He’s trying to fool the master healer with that?”

“Honestly, is he offering it to a beggar?”

“That thing can’t be worth more than a few thousand, right?”

Song Jinlong’s expression darkened menacingly, and he glared at Zheng Changhai.

Frightened, Zheng Changhai hastily added, “I didn’t think it through. Master Gu, the Zheng family is willing to give half our assets for your mercy.”

Gu Xiangnan looked at the snuff bottle.

It was semi-transparent, apparently made of some kind of glass, its surface smooth as a mirror. Exquisite patterns were painted on its body.

He glanced at it carelessly, but suddenly noticed that the once motionless patterns were slowly writhing.

They were alive!

His heart began to race.

When he moved closer to inspect, he found the patterns hadn’t moved at all. Was it just an illusion?

Gu Xiangnan sensed something odd about the snuff bottle and decided to accept it.

“I’ll take the snuff bottle, then,” he said to Zheng Changhai.

This surprised everyone.

Was he truly so ignorant?

Could such a worthless trinket satisfy him?

The surrounding magnates dared not speak, but inwardly, they looked down on Gu Xiangnan.

“As for half of your family’s assets, give them to my senior sister,” Gu Xiangnan said offhandedly.

Su Hanyan’s heart leapt with joy. The Zheng family had amassed considerable wealth over generations of business. If she could acquire half their assets, her company’s financial woes would be instantly resolved. She herself might even rise to become the wealthiest woman in Jiangning.

Zheng Changhai, having agreed, had no choice but to fulfill his promise. He immediately called his company’s finance department.

“Is that accounting? Liquidate all the Zheng family’s assets and transfer half of them to Yisheng Company’s account.”

Song Jinlong’s expression finally eased. He announced to everyone, “This is my benefactor. Anyone who dares to trouble him in the future is an enemy of Song Jinlong!”

His words were authoritative. Who in Jiangning would dare provoke Gu Xiangnan now?

Everyone bowed and responded in unison, “Yes!”

Suddenly, someone collapsed on the floor, unconscious.

One by one, the whole room’s occupants dropped to the ground.

Gu Xiangnan also collapsed.

Only Song Jinlong and Song Boyuan remained standing.

“What’s happening?” Song Boyuan’s voice was tinged with panic.

“Why panic?” Song Jinlong rebuked his son sharply. “How can you be so unsettled if you’re to become the head of the family?”

Song Boyuan lowered his head in apology. “You’re right, Father.”

Song Jinlong raised his voice and declared, “Friend, please show yourself!”

From among the fallen guests, one person slowly stood.

Song Jinlong felt a surge of doubt.

“May I ask who you are?”