Chapter 1229 - 1229: Absolutely Not

Wei Lan's promise was nothing if not tempting.

But out of rationality, Xiao Feng still didn't rush to talk terms. He just imitated Sun Shijie's tone and said, "Treating illness and saving people is simply a doctor's duty. I'll naturally do my best."

"I'll have to trouble you then, young friend!" Wei Lan stood up and gave Xiao Feng a deep bow.

Xiao Feng hurriedly helped him up, saying over and over that there was no need for this.

Wei Lan raised his glass and toasted Xiao Feng again before saying, "You're so young, yet your medical skills are already this brilliant. Does your family come from a long line of doctors?"

Xiao Feng watched his expression and eyes, unable to tell for a moment whether this was a test or just a casual question.

However, for this sort of situation, he had already prepared long before he decided to reveal his medical skills, so his answer flowed out smoothly.

"My family is not a medical clan, but my master is from one."

"Oh?" Wei Lan grew interested. "May I ask your master's honored name?"

"My master has long since passed away and was not very famous.

He lived in seclusion for years in a small village near Jiuyou Town. His surname is Sun, given name Shijie. Old Master Wei probably hasn't heard of him."

"How could I not have heard of him!" Wei Lan's eyes widened at once. "To tell you the truth, young friend, I met your master a few times when I was younger and know full well how outstanding his medical skills were.

Because of my grandson, I even sent people to Jiuyou Town to look for him for a while, but we never managed to find any trace of your master.

I didn't expect he'd already taken his leave ahead of us."

The corner of Xiao Feng's mouth twitched twice. So the old man Sun had such a wide circle of acquaintances?

Right after, Wei Lan started asking more about Sun Shijie.

For Xiao Feng, answering was simplicity itself, and after a round of conversation, Wei Lan was already thoroughly convinced of Xiao Feng's identity as "Sun Shijie's disciple."

Gradually, the topic naturally shifted onto Xiao Feng himself…

Wei Lan said, "This young man Xiao Feng is really something. He may be in Jiangcheng, but his name has already reached Kyoto.

To have the chance to meet you, young friend, is all thanks to Xiao Feng…"

These words were still a test, only this time he was testing "Xiao Bajia's" attitude toward Xiao Feng.

What could Xiao Feng say?

He could only maintain an objective and fair stance and agree sincerely, "Brother Xiao has great abilities, and the way he conducts himself commands admiration. He's a truly loyal and righteous man. Following him, you'll never have to worry about your next meal."

The three generations of the Wei Family exchanged glances, each secretly thinking, as expected, it still all circles back to Xiao Feng.

Wei Lan followed up, "A young man like that is exactly the sort of person my Wei Family should be on good terms with. I heard his situation in Jiangcheng isn't too optimistic.

I've decided!

We'll publicly announce that Xiao Feng is a friend of my Wei Family. Anyone who makes an enemy of him is making an enemy of my Wei Family!"

Xiao Feng's eyes went wide and he blurted, "That mustn't happen!"

The three generations of the Wei Family were stunned at the same time. They clearly hadn't expected Xiao Feng to refuse.

This kind of good thing should be something one could only wish for. What reason was there to refuse?

Xiao Feng explained, "Old Master Wei, you may not know this, but what Brother Xiao hates most is dragging his friends down.

To be frank, the Wang Family and the Chen Family in Kyoto have both expressed that they could openly speak out for him and ease the pressure on him in Jiangcheng, but Brother Xiao turned them both down."

The implication was that if he wanted people to take sides, the Wang Family and Chen Family would have stepped out long ago. It wouldn't be the Wei Family's turn.

Wei Lan's silver brows furrowed slightly, then he slowly nodded. "I'd heard before that the Wang and Chen Families have a good relationship with Xiao Feng. Seems not all the rumors are false.

But since they're friends, why wouldn't Xiao Feng accept the goodwill of the Wang and Chen Families?

It can't be just because he doesn't want to implicate them, can it?"

"That's right." Xiao Feng nodded in admission. "Apart from that, Brother Xiao naturally has other considerations."

Wei Lan probed, "Is it convenient to share them?"

"There's nothing that can't be said." Xiao Feng smiled. "Brother Xiao's take is that everything in this world has its own rules. A certain amount of interference is fine, but too much is as bad as too little.

The situation in Jiangcheng may look tense right now, but it's still far from the point where he can't handle it.

If he's the first to make a move and pull people in to take a stand and cheer for him, it'll be like pouring fuel on the fire, and things will become even harder to clean up when it all blows up."

This, of course, was just a reason he made up on the spot.

Anyway, it didn't matter how; as long as he killed off the Wei Family's idea of openly backing him, that was enough.

The real reason was that he didn't want to get too close to the Kyoto power blocs.

Wei Lan mulled it over for a while, then nodded. "With that kind of mindset, no wonder he's achieved what he has at such a young age!

Jianhua."

"Grandpa!" Wei Jianhua stood up in response.

Wei Lan said solemnly, "Once the upheaval in Jiangcheng is over, you'll go to Jiangcheng in person and thank young friend Xiao Feng on behalf of the Wei Family."

"Yes!" Wei Jianhua nodded in agreement.

In a sense, this was something both Wei Lan and Wei Xiongwei were very happy to see.

After all, openly speaking out was like jumping into a quagmire. Once you went in, how things would end was anyone's guess.

But one thing was certain: you wouldn't get out without at least one foot covered in mud.

If they could stay out of it, that was naturally the best outcome!

Because of that, father and son felt greatly relieved and kept toasting Xiao Feng. Wei Jianhua didn't stop for a second, refilling all three people's cups and glasses, barely touching his chopsticks.

When they'd drunk about enough, Xiao Feng stood up and said, "Thank you, Old Master Wei and Mr. Wei, and of course Brother Wei as well, for your generous hospitality. It's getting late, so I won't impose any longer."

As expected, the three generations tried to keep him a while longer.

After a round of back-and-forth, Wei Lan shot Wei Xiongwei a meaningful look.

Wei Xiongwei immediately took a bank card from his inner pocket and stuffed it straight into Xiao Feng's hand. "Just a little token of our gratitude, Mister Xiao must accept it!"

Xiao Feng hesitated. "Is this card to thank me for helping Brother Wei?"

Hearing this, Wei Xiongwei couldn't help pausing, then he laughed. "We can't just let Mister Xiao put in all that effort for nothing, can we?"

"Now that sounds a bit too distant." Xiao Feng frowned slightly, displeased. "Brother Wei and I hit it off at first sight. On top of that, my master often warned me while he was alive that a doctor must stick to his duty and not be tempted by profit. I can't take this card!"

Wei Xiongwei continued to persuade him, "How is this being tempted by profit? It's just a small token of appreciation. Mister Xiao, please don't refuse anymore."

For a while, the two pushed the card back and forth, neither willing to give in.

In the end, it was Wei Jianhua who stepped in. He directly shoved the card into Xiao Feng's pocket and said seriously, "Brother Xiao, if you don't accept this, then you're looking down on me, Wei Jianhua, and not treating me as a friend."

"This…" Xiao Feng suddenly seemed at a loss for words. After struggling for a while, he gritted his teeth and said, "Alright, then I'll just shamelessly accept it.

But I won't take the money for nothing."

As he spoke, he took out the bottle containing the Antitoxic Pills and handed it over. "Leave these Qi Smoothing Pills with Old Master Wei. Taking one once in a while will be good for his health.

But remember, don't take too many. One pill every two weeks is enough."

"Hahaha, young friend, your way of doing things truly opens this old man's eyes. Then I won't be polite—I'll accept them." Wei Lan stroked his beard with a laugh.