Chapter 149: Spirit Poison

Seeing how decisive Zhao Feng was, Chen Erbao wasted no more time and got straight to the point:

"I've started my own cosmetics company and am partnering with Medicine King Hall. They're helping me sell the product, and they take a ten-percent cut of the profits. We just launched a couple of days ago, and the results have been incredible. I can say with confidence that this product will revolutionize the entire cosmetics market!"

Hearing Chen Erbao's words and the mention of Medicine King Hall, Zhao Feng's expression grew serious.

"For a bloodsucking company like Medicine King Hall to settle for just a ten-percent cut, you must be quite something, Divine Doctor Chen. So, tell me, what do you need from me?"

Zhao Feng knew Medicine King Hall all too well. While they had no conflicts with each other, they were frequent business partners. And he knew they were the kind of people who would devour a man whole and not even spit out the bones.

Then again, there were no pushovers in the world of business. To build a massive commercial empire, one either had to have their finger on the pulse of the era or climb their way up over the bodies of others.

"I'd like to offer you, Uncle Zhao, a ten-percent stake in exchange for your help expanding my production facilities within the province. I also hope to receive your guidance when it comes time to expand beyond it!"

Hearing Chen Erbao's proposal, Zhao Feng immediately slapped the table.

"Don't you worry. The factories, equipment, staff, managers, technicians—I'll handle all of it for you. When you're ready to expand beyond the province, my companies nationwide can help you with promotions and establishing new branches. I have only one condition: I can't accept that profit share!"

Chen Erbao was taken aback and immediately felt awkward.

"Uncle Zhao, if you won't accept a share of the profits, how can I possibly impose on you like this..."

"Divine Doctor Chen, it's not that I'm scoffing at your profits. This is my way of repaying you. If I were to accept payment for it, what kind of person would that make me?"

Zhao Feng was adamant, resolutely refusing the ten-percent profit share.

The two went back and forth for some time before Chen Erbao finally, reluctantly, conceded:

"Then I'll have to impose on you, Uncle Zhao!"

"It's a small thing, no trouble at all. My only fear was that you wouldn't ask for anything!"

Zhao Feng was overjoyed, not just because he was newly recovered from a grave illness, but because he had successfully forged a good relationship with Chen Erbao.

For wealthy people like him, the greatest fear wasn't business warfare or market volatility, but threats to their own health and safety!

Birth, aging, sickness, and death are all part of the natural order.

As the saying goes, illness strikes like a landslide. No matter how rich he was, he still had to go to a hospital when he got sick. And if the hospital couldn't help, all his money would be as good as worthless paper.

But Chen Erbao... he was his lifeline!

He was willing to pay any price to ensure his safety for the rest of his days!

Who doesn't want to live a little longer!

Seeing that Chen Erbao had finished making his request, Zhao Feng took a bank card from a nearby drawer and handed it to him.

"Divine Doctor Chen, there are three hundred million in this card. Please accept it!"

Chen Erbao was shocked and shot to his feet.

"Uncle Zhao, you've already solved a huge problem for my company. I can't possibly take your money!"

"Divine Doctor Chen, isn't my life, Zhao Feng's life, worth three hundred million? This is just a small token of my gratitude. You must accept it!"

The two went back and forth, and Song Rui, watching from the sidelines, felt his eyes burn with envy.

'He'd risked his own neck for a piece of Zhao Feng's fortune!'

'And it wasn't even certain if he'd end up with three hundred million in the end.'

'Yet here was Chen Erbao, endlessly refusing three hundred million that was being handed to him on a silver platter. The sight was driving him insane!'

'If you don't want it, give it to me!'

He roared internally.

"Divine Doctor Chen, please, just accept it. It's a token of my father-in-law's feelings. The amount isn't important; what matters is that it represents our family's sincere gratitude!"

Song Rui stood up and chimed in.

Chen Erbao glanced at him, accepted the bank card, and the smile on his face slowly faded.

Zhao Feng glanced between the two men, his eyes narrowing slightly as he settled back in his chair.

The atmosphere in the room instantly grew awkward.

Song Rui was left standing there, not knowing whether he should sit or remain on his feet.

"Mr. Song, why don't you step out for a moment? Mr. Zhao and I need to discuss his condition."

"..."

The smile on Song Rui's face froze, and a vein throbbed on his forehead.

'What do you mean, I have to leave so you can discuss his condition?'

'Am I an outsider here?'

His stiff smile instantly softened, and he gave a dry cough.

"Divine Doctor Chen, he's my father-in-law... I'll just listen in. Please, go on with your discussion. I won't disturb you in the slightest."

He said with a slight bow and a fawning smile.

Without even looking at him, Chen Erbao took a drag from his cigarette.

"You should still leave."

"..."

The tea room fell silent, the only sound being the SIZZLE of burning tobacco.

Wisps of smoke rose from the tip of Chen Erbao's cigarette, swirling in front of Song Rui before slowly dissipating.

A peculiar glint flashed in Zhao Feng's eyes, but he remained silent.

He was old and shrewd; there was little he couldn't see. He had already noticed during dinner that Chen Erbao disliked Song Rui, not even sparing him a single word.

Combined with what Han Yi had told him about being poisoned right after he woke up, a flicker of murderous intent passed through Zhao Feng's mind. He sat there, expressionless and silent.

Song Rui stood hunched over for a moment before turning to Zhao Feng, his expression somewhat rigid.

"Dad... what do you think..."

Without a word, Zhao Feng just waved his hand, gesturing for him to leave.

A corner of Song Rui's mouth twitched. The fist hidden in his sleeve clenched tightly, then relaxed.

He took a deep breath. Though he was seething with hatred internally, he forced a smile.

"Alright. Dad, you and Divine Doctor Chen talk then. I'll go check on things outside."

As the door clicked shut, Chen Erbao finally stubbed out his cigarette and looked at Zhao Feng.

He had sensed long ago that Zhao Feng wasn't particularly fond of his son-in-law, which was why he had dared to speak so bluntly.

It seemed he was right. Judging from Zhao Feng's attitude toward Song Rui, his assessment had been perfectly accurate.

"What is it you wanted to say, Divine Doctor Chen?"

Zhao Feng asked, sizing up Chen Erbao with a knowing look.

Chen Erbao took a sip of his tea.

"Uncle Zhao, with your vast wealth and influence, I imagine your son-in-law's family must be quite distinguished as well. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to marry your daughter."

Zhao Feng was noncommittal.

"The Song Family has some connections and influence in the Capital City. However, they had a bit of a setback last year, and Song Rui's branch of the family lost its standing, completely falling out of the city's circles of power... As for Song Rui himself, he's too materialistic and overambitious. I don't like him."

Chen Erbao nodded.

"I see. That explains it..."

"Explains what?"

Zhao Feng asked.

Chen Erbao didn't answer directly, instead continuing as if speaking his own thoughts aloud:

"Mr. Song went to great expense to bring Divine Doctor Fang from the Capital City to treat you, Uncle Zhao. A great display of 'filial piety.' If you had merely contracted some strange illness, Divine Doctor Fang might have actually been able to cure you. Unfortunately, you were in a coma because of poison. It's perfectly normal that an ordinary doctor wouldn't be able to tell."

Zhao Feng leaned forward, looking at Chen Erbao intently.

"Divine Doctor Chen, what kind of poison was I given?"

"Spirit Poison!"

Chen Erbao paused for a moment, having just coined a name he felt was most fitting.

"Spirit Poison?"

In all his years, Zhao Feng had seen and heard many things, but he had never heard of Spirit Poison.

Chen Erbao nodded and explained seriously:

"You don't need to trouble yourself with the origin of this toxin, Uncle Zhao. You just need to know that Spirit Poison can exist on any object and is absolutely undetectable by modern medical science. It is a potent and insidious poison. A mild dose will leave you with not long to live; a severe one will kill you on the spot."