117 To Deliberately Provoke, Start from People Close By (1/2)
He Qisheng left in disappointment. When he was down the hill, he turned to look at the hill and sighed. He knew that if the young man was willing, based on his capabilities, he could become the honored guest of high ranking officials and nobles. It was a pity that he did not possess such ambition. However, this trip was not without some gain, at the very least he could tell that the young man's strange rules had started to loosen.
Shortly after He Qisheng left, another person came up the hill.
”Eh, when did you plant so many trees?” Wang Mingbao was taken aback upon seeing the newly planted trees on the hill.
”During the past few days. Come inside and have a seat.”
When inside the cottage, Wang Mingbao skipped formalities and dove straight into the reason for making this visit.
”My old man at home has been drinking quite heavily recently and is not feeling well. Do you have any medicine that could help condition his body?”
”Is he taking any other medication?” Wang Yao queried while making tea.
”He's taken some western medicine, and the effects are alright. It's just that he has a dull pain in his stomach. I am a little worried, so here I am, checking to see if you have any other way to help,” Wang Mingbao said.
”Where is your dad now?” Wang Yao asked after hearing Wang Mingbao.
”In town.”
”I happen to be free now, shall I go take a look and then let's see what to do next?” Wang Yao suggested.
”Okay.”
He went down the hill with Wang Mingbao and went to the town's mayor office where Wang Mingbao's father was having a meeting. They had to wait for a bit; both of them waited in his office.
”Seems your dad has been busy lately?” Wang Yao questioned.
”He is. There are plans for two roads to route through the town, so he has been busy with this project.”
The two of them waited for around 20 minutes before Wang Mingbao's father came back to the office after his meeting ended.
”Yao, why are you here?” Seeing Wang Yao, Wang Mingbao's father was astonished, but he was also beaming.
”Quick, have a seat.” He personally poured Wang Yao a cup of water.
This demonstration of familiarity gave the staff that accompanied him into the office a shock, as they had never seen the mayor behave so politely with the younger generation before. Furthermore, the mayor had been very authoritative lately; they could not help but stare at Wang Yao even more than usual.
Who was this young man?
”Mayor, what about this afternoon's meeting?”
”I'll come back later,” Wang Mingbao's father told the staff who waited in the office.
”Okay, I will go out now.” The staff left quietly and closed the door on his way out.
”How is your father's health?” Wang Mingbao's father's tone was genial.
”Not bad,” Wang Yao smiled and said. ”Mingbao mentioned that you are not feeling well recently. I came here to take a look.”
”You specially came here for such a small matter? It's alright; I am much better already.”
”Since we are already here, let him take a look?” Wang Mingbao interjected.
”Yes,” Wang Yao agreed.
”Okay, you can have a look.”
Wang Yao felt his pulse.
The pulse condition felt feeble. The stomach and liver were damaged due to excessive drinking; his breaths were hurried, short gasps. His body was heaty, and he looked exhausted, likely due to busyness at work, unstable daily life and insufficient rest. Fortunately, this was not too big of an issue. Mingbao's father's voice was resonant, had vigor and although he was obviously exhausted, his eyes were bright and still had energy. In summary, his body was still healthy.
”Nothing major,” Wang Yao commented after the examination. ”Two points you need to take note of.”
”Go ahead,” Wang Mingbao's father smiled and said.
”First, limit your drinking and avoid excessive drinking. Second, remember to rest; do not overwork. Additionally, let me make you a formula.”
”Okay, I will try my best to take note of these two points. Thank you.” He laughed and patted Wang Yao's shoulders.
Wang Yao heard him and smiled. He knew that for a man in his position, socialization was inevitable. It would be impossible to quit. It was unheard of for a person in official circles to not drink, but an appropriate limit of drinking should be do-able, and it was also possible to decline certain drinking invitations.
People say it was great to have power and influence. However, this was not necessarily the case. Having power and influence was like mounting on a tiger—once on it, one had no command over it.
”Uncle Wang, I'll go now. You carry on.”
Since the matter was done, Wang Mingbao's father being the mayor had a lot of publicity matters to handle. He did not stay and left quickly.
Wang Mingbao's father saw them off all the way downstairs and only left when he saw them get in the car.
”My god, who are those two people for the mayor to personally see them all the way till downstairs?” The staff at the mayor's office who observed the scene were surprised and were secretly discussing animatedly.
”I recognize one of them—he's the mayor's son. The other person, I don't know.”
”Definitely someone of status, otherwise he would not have personally seen him off. He must be the son of an official.”
”Yes, wealthy and respectable.”
While the mayor's office was wondering about Wang Yao's status, he had already gone back to the village with Wang Mingbao. ”I will go back to prepare a decoction for your dad. When it's done, I'll let you know, and you can come collect it.”
”Okay, I'll go home now.”