Sitting on the sofa, Xu Hongzhuo was getting increasingly angry. Ever since Zhong Xuanling picked up the "Compendium of Materia Medica" and started reading it, he had completely ignored him.

That would have been fine, but what's outrageous is that while he was watching, he suddenly ran back to his study, leaving him in the living room without a care.

The smell of Chinese medicine in the room was so strong it was nauseating. Xu Hongzhuo had no choice but to move the tea tray to the courtyard. He saw a girl of about thirteen or fourteen years old fanning a dozen medicine stoves with a palm leaf fan in the distance. The air was filled with the strong, pungent smell of Chinese medicine. Xu Hongzhuo really regretted not having a good time and instead coming to this place to suffer.

As night fell, Xu Hongzhuo glanced at the study from time to time. Seeing that Zhong Xuanling showed no intention of coming out, and even ignored the tea and food laid out in the living room, he frowned. Could this medical book called "Compendium of Materia Medica" really be a treasure?

His knowledge of medicine was almost zero, so naturally he couldn't understand the value of the "Compendium of Materia Medica".

Zhong Xuanling was different. As the president of the Medical Association, he realized after reading for a while that the knowledge recorded in the Compendium of Materia Medica was by no means simple. As he read more and more, Zhong Xuanling gradually changed from being perfunctory to being thoughtful. In the end, he couldn't help but ponder and deliberate before continuing to turn the page.

"Let's go!"

It was almost nine o'clock, and Zhong Xuanling still showed no sign of leaving. Xu Hongzhuo could no longer sit still.

In his eyes, Zhong Xuanling had already been grouped with the bookworms of Huazhou.

These guys are all the type who get excited at the sight of something and then lose their appetite!

"Grandpa Xu, are you going back?"

The little girl, who was still decocting the medicine, quickly put down her palm-leaf fan: "Grandpa often does this, please don't mind."

"Xiaomei is still the most sensible."

"It's getting late, I'll go back to the hotel to rest first, and come back tomorrow morning."

"Alright, Grandpa Xu, I'll take you there."

The young girl had just seen Xu Hongzhuo to the door when Zhong Xuanling called out from behind, "Old Xu! Where is he?!"

"That guy!"

Xu Hongzhuo almost laughed in anger. He had been ignored all day, and only remembered him when he was about to leave.

Xu Hongzhuo, who was about to say goodbye, returned to the courtyard.

"Old Xu!"

"Hurry up, what about the rest of the content?"

Zhong Xuanling looked on with anticipation.

"I've given it all to you."

"Don't look at me with such suspicion. I brought a manuscript of 200,000 words this time."

"If you want it, I'll send you the file later."

Xu Hongzhuo said with a half-smile, "Tell me, can this 'Compendium of Materia Medica' be promoted?"

"Based on what we have seen so far, the overview of the medicinal materials is quite rigorous, and some of the understandings of the medicinal properties are so impressive that I can't help but applaud them."

"If the quality of the content remains the same, I can give you a definite answer right now: it will definitely be promoted throughout Yunzhou."

Zhong Xuanling looked somewhat anxious: "Now that we've come this far, when will the rest of the manuscript be sent?"

"Look at how impatient you are, at least let me get back to Xiazhou first..."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's hurry!"

Xu Hongzhuo's face completely lost its composure.

no.

I finally made it to Yunzhou, and you stingy guy not only didn't provide food or lodging, but when I tried to freeload a meal at your place, you just left me standing there smelling Chinese medicine all afternoon.

Now it's even more amazing!

They haven't even had a chance to warm up their backsides, and they're already hoping I'll pack up and get out of here?

How can you act like this?

Zhong Xuanling seemed to realize his mistake and said with a forced smile, "That's not what I meant. How about this, I'll go to Xia Prefecture with you?"

What are you going to Xiazhou for?

Xu Hongzhuo looked wary.

Is this stingy guy trying to freeload in Xiazhou?

"I can't wait to read this Dr. Li's works. You said they are a full two million words long. I'm so eager to read them, especially since I've only read a tenth of them."

After hearing this, Xu Hongzhuo felt a little relieved.

I was about to agree, but then I thought it was inappropriate.

The original manuscript is in Lin Rui's hands. If Zhong Xuanling really goes to Xiazhou with him, he will naturally have to go through Lin Rui.

It's a sensitive time right now, and Lin Rui is probably very busy these days dealing with the combined efforts of the Third and Fourth Regions.

Zhong Xuanling, that old geezer, is hardly a good guy. If he says something like "it's more interesting to copy it down," and that kid, with his old habit, takes it to heart, then there's no point in talking about preparing for war; he might as well just stick his neck out and let the other side chop him up.

"We must keep this old man under control!"

Xu Hongzhuo thought for a moment and then came up with an idea: "Old Zhong, your personal opinion can't fully represent the Medical Association, right? You also said that medicine should be rigorous. I think it would be better to hold a meeting to discuss this matter."

"Didn't you say it was in a hurry?"

Zhong Xuanling had no doubts and also showed a thoughtful expression.

“You’re absolutely right. I should organize a medical delegation to accompany you to Xiazhou.”

"Wait a moment, I'll call for help right away."

As he spoke, Zhong Xuanling took out his phone, leaving Xu Hongzhuo standing aside once again.

Xu Hongzhuo, on the other hand, was completely stunned.

no.

I just wanted to suggest that you stay in Yunzhou and don't go anywhere else!

You, on the other hand, decided to send a delegation to Xiazhou in just a few words?

Xu Hongzhuo's eyes rolled around, his face flushed red, and he suddenly wanted to break off his friendship with Zhong Xuanling!

Such a stubborn person with absolutely no emotional intelligence shouldn't have any friends at all!

While Xu Hongzhuo was still brooding over shooting himself in the foot, Lin Rui was already sitting in front of the computer, frantically typing away.

He has now written nearly 300,000 words of manuscript. Since handing over the sheet music for "Not Yet Lovers" to Zheng Jing yesterday, he has sent over several audio clips.

Unfortunately, Lin Rui really couldn't say anything good about the singing skills of these singers.

I was just about to step away from the keyboard for a bit to do some important life tasks like washing melons and cutting fruit when my phone rang, as if it were the worst thing ever.

"Lin Rui, when do you have some free time to come back to school? Your graduation certificate is ready."

The call was from Ren Hetai.

In fact, Lin Rui's graduation certificate had already been made a few days ago.

"Tomorrow, I'll go back to my dorm and pack my things there too."

"Do we need assistance from the student council?"

"I don't have much luggage, I can manage on my own."

"Okay, I'll wait for you in my office tomorrow."

To be honest, almost three months have passed since the start of the semester.

In those three months, he spent no more than a week at school in total.

thump thump thump…

"Please come in."

Zheng Jing gently pushed the door open and entered, holding four or five USB drives in her hand, her face showing a hint of helplessness.

"Xiao Rui, this is the last batch. If all else fails, we'll have to select people from outside."

At first, Zheng Jing thought the job wouldn't be difficult.

But it turned out that she was too optimistic.

The fact that they can't be under twenty years old alone has eliminated nearly 90% of the company's female artists, which explains why many female artists complain about it in private.

These days, female artists who can sign with Tianrui Entertainment must be at least third-tier celebrities, right?

But as for the hurdle of being a third-tier artist, putting aside freaks and prodigies, how many normal people can reach this level before the age of twenty?

It should be noted that girls of this age are almost all students in art schools. Unless they are exceptionally outstanding, Zheng Jing and Luo Qi, with their current perspective, would never even consider signing a contract.

"Xiao Rui, regarding the age limit, could you perhaps relax it a little?"

Lin Rui neither agreed nor refused, but simply took the USB drive from Zheng Jing and said, "I'll listen to these people's auditions first. We'll talk about relaxing the age limit later."