"Really? That's wonderful! Thank you so much, sir." The flight attendant was startled at first, then imdiately thrilled as she rushed off to get a pen and paper. Tongzhou City, located in the Jiangnan Basin of Huaxia, is abundant in rainfall and enjoys a spring-like climate year-round, earning it the nickna "Spring City." It is the capital of Jiangnan Province, its political, economic, and cultural center, as well as an important hub for tourism and trade in the southwestern region of Huaxia Land.
The airport in Tongzhou City is located outside the city proper. By the ti the flight from Northern Mountain City arrived, it was nearly ten in the morning.
"You big scoundrel, thanks for today. But is that prescription you wrote for us actually going to work? What if it still hurts after we take the traditional dicine you prescribed? You're not just fooling us, are you, you big quack?"
As the passengers were gradually disembarking, Chu Yan squeezed next to Chen Fei and muttered with distrust.
"Hey, you chatterbox… if you don't trust it, then don't take it. Save yourself the cost of the dicine. I should've known better than to save an ingrate like you. I'm done talking. Goodbye, and let's never et again!" Chen Fei retorted, visibly annoyed, and walked away with a look of displeasure.
"Hmph! What's with the attitude? If this dicine doesn't work, I'll find you and settle the score!" Miss Chu Yan huffed again, her fair cheeks puffing up like little stead buns.
...
Upon exiting the Tongzhou City Airport, a Rolls-Royce ca speeding over and pulled to a smooth stop before them. Two burly n in black suits, their muscles straining against the fabric, stepped out and respectfully opened the car doors for Gao Zhinan and Chen Fei.
"Director Gao, shall we head over now?" Chen Fei asked without any formality, settling into his seat.
"Or, Doctor Chen, should we grab a bite to eat first?" Gao Zhinan offered imdiately, thinking Chen Fei might not want to rush.
"Get sothing to eat? Let's skip it. Didn't we just eat on the plane? Oh, right, where does the Xiao Family live? If it's on the way, let's drive through the city first and see the sights. To tell you the truth, Director Gao, this is my first ti ever visiting Tongzhou," Chen Fei said, first shaking his head and then speaking with great excitent.
No matter who it is, arriving in a modern tropolis for the first ti is bound to stir an irresistible sense of excitent and anticipation. This was especially true for Tongzhou City, which was one of the country's top economic powerhouses, ranking in the top five or ten. The impression it gave was on a completely different level, far surpassing what Northern Mountain City could offer.
"Director Gao, I know a route that cuts through the city center. We can see many of Tongzhou City's iconic landmarks and industries along the way. What do you think?" the driver cleverly suggested.
"Let's take that route, then. I haven't been to Tongzhou City in a while myself, so it'll be good to see what's new," Gao Zhinan imdiately decided. Of course, he only said this to accommodate Chen Fei's wishes.
And so, Chen Fei, feeling like a country bumpkin in a Rolls-Royce, rode into the city, slowly entering the provincial capital of Jiangnan.
It had to be said that although Northern Mountain City was known as the second-largest city in Jiangnan Province after the capital, Tongzhou, the gap between them was imnse. The broad, eight-lane roads, the magnificent skyscrapers that shot up from the ground, the bustling shopping malls filled with a dazzling array of goods, the central business districts spanning dozens of city blocks, the world-renowned luxury brand stores, and the endless streams of people—all of it showcased the irresistible charm of the provincial capital, filling one with a sense of wonder.
After they had their fill of the novel experience, the Rolls-Royce carrying Chen Fei and Gao Zhinan finally headed toward the most elite residential area in the southern part of Tongzhou City—Phoenix Mountain.
This was the city's most valuable real estate, where almost the entire mountainside was occupied by private estates. It was a gathering place for the mansions of wealthy and influential figures from within and outside the province, hailed as a symbol of status. Outsiders could only admire the beautiful scenery of Phoenix Mountain from afar, as entry was strictly forbidden.
In fact, this was not a place where just anyone could live. This was due to the sky-high property prices, which were unattainable for most, as well as the unspoken rules regarding the status and social standing of prospective residents. For instance, a wealthy man with a fortune of tens of millions once offered more than half his net worth to purchase a private estate on Phoenix Mountain, only to be rejected because the community deed his status insufficient.
This alone showed what an exclusive and high-class residential area it was. One probably needed a net worth of at least a hundred million or significant personal influence to even qualify for residency.
Moreover, the security patrol for the Phoenix Mountain villa area was astonishingly stringent. It was filled with professional bodyguards, many of whom carried firearms with live ammunition. With guards posted every few steps and sentries around every corner, the security was nearly on par with that of a national leader.
It seed Gao Zhinan owned property in this villa area, as their Rolls-Royce was registered and not subjected to any inspection, driving straight toward the mountainside. Shortly after, they arrived before an extrely luxurious private estate. The manor was situated at the very top of the mountain, its commanding position making it particularly eye-catching.
"This Phoenix Mountain villa area was single-handedly developed by the Xiao Family, so naturally, they kept the best property for themselves," Gao Zhinan suddenly explained.
"This place belongs to them? They must really have so clout!" Chen Fei couldn't help but mutter.
Even a layman like him understood. A private villa district of this caliber, arguably the most exclusive in the entire province, couldn't be established with money alone. It required favors from many powerful people and imnse personal strength. Anything less would be a joke. The fact that the Xiao Family had accomplished this on their own was proof enough that their title as Jiangnan Province's leading enterprise was well-deserved, not just an empty boast.
"Mr. Gao, may I ask your purpose for visiting today?"
As Gao Zhinan led Chen Fei toward the Xiao Family Manor, their driver and bodyguards were all made to wait outside, forbidden from entering. Even Gao Zhinan himself was stopped by a man in his thirties who looked like a butler and questioned him with an air of indifference. The man wore a typical Western-style butler's uniform, stood over one-eighty in height, and wore a pair of gold-rimd glasses. A faint trace of arrogance lingered in his features. With his darker skin, he didn't look Chinese; he looked more like he was from the Philippines.
"Mr. Li, here's the situation. I heard that President Xiao has been unwell recently, afflicted with a strange illness. I've specially invited Doctor Chen, a highly skilled physician from Northern Mountain City, to co and take a look," Gao Zhinan said, gesturing to Chen Fei.
"A doctor? Him?" The man Gao Zhinan called Mr. Li glanced at Chen Fei in surprise, then gave a slight nod. "Very well, please co in." Clearly, if not for Gao Zhinan's reputation, Chen Fei likely wouldn't have been allowed past the gate. After all, he looked far too young to be a doctor of great dical expertise.
The Xiao Family of Jiangnan Province, with four generations living under one roof, was known as a titan of southwestern Huaxia Land and a true Red Family. Even Elder Mr. Xiao, who had participated in that historic war, was still alive and well, revered as a Pillar of the Sky. Thus, while the Xiao Family might not be on the sa level as the top-tier families in the Capital City, in the eyes of ordinary people, they were unapproachably powerful and highly respected.
Furthermore, the Xiao Family also controlled the Xiao Group, the foremost enterprise in Jiangnan Province. Elder Mr. Xiao's eldest son—Xiao Qianrang's paternal grand-uncle—was the current commander of the Jiangnan Province Military Region. Additionally, Xiao Qianrang's third paternal uncle served as a minister in the provincial Organization Departnt.
The power wielded by such a massive family was naturally astonishing. It was by riding this wave that Xiao Qianrang had firmly secured his position as the wealthiest man in Jiangnan Province, unshakable by any challenger. As for soone like Gao Zhinan, a CEO with assets over a billion, while he might seem impressive to outsiders, he was still out of his league when compared to Xiao Qianrang and the Xiao Group.
Although it was called the Xiao Family Manor, not all Xiao Family mbers lived on Phoenix Mountain. It was rely the private villa of Xiao Qianrang and his wife.
On the third floor of the Xiao Family Manor, inside an exceptionally luxurious room, Chen Fei finally t the renowned wealthiest man in Jiangnan Province—Xiao Qianrang.
He was a middle-aged man approaching forty, with a robust build and a vibrant spirit. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes from ti to ti, exuding an intense pressure. However, his expression was poor at the mont, giving the impression that he was extrely irritable.
"President Xiao, it's been a long ti. I hope you've been well," Gao Zhinan said as he walked forward to shake his hand. Though he did his best to act neither servile nor overbearing, in Chen Fei's eyes, he still seed a bit too deferential, a detail he noted.
So there really is a difference between billionaires. It was obvious Xiao Qianrang was on a higher level.
"Well? I've been anything but. Director Gao, you have no idea how this strange illness has been torturing lately, damn it!" Xiao Qianrang couldn't help but curse, his face etched with frustration.
Hearing this, Gao Zhinan imdiately spoke up. "President Xiao, allow to introduce you. This is Doctor Chen from Northern Mountain City. His dical skills are so profound, calling them peerless is no exaggeration. Perhaps he can help you."
"Him?" Xiao Qianrang's expression froze, and a strange look appeared on his face.
If Gao Zhinan hadn't introduced him, I'd have thought he was just so kid from Gao's family, soone barely worth noticing. And now he's telling this boy is a doctor?
"Hello, President Xiao. My na is Chen Fei," Chen Fei said with a nod, seeing it was his turn to speak.
"Hello." Xiao Qianrang nodded curtly, then scrutinized Chen Fei with a sharp gaze for a mont before suddenly chuckling. "Doctor Chen, if I'm not mistaken, you're quite young, aren't you? May I ask from which prestigious dical school, dostic or foreign, you graduated?"
Hearing the obvious condescension in his tone, Chen Fei frowned slightly and replied coolly, "To be frank, President Xiao, I didn't graduate from any famous dical school. I am a practitioner of traditional Chinese dicine."
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