Worldwide Awakening: My Soul Kinds Are Lost-Chapter 414: The Opportunity Presented by a Gift_1
"You’re too kind. What I did was a small effort. I will accept these medical books. As for anything else, please don’t worry about it; I don’t have any further expectations," Wang Linchi said, accepting the books from Liu Ling’er and thanking her.
"It’s only right. Without Doctor Wang’s help, it wouldn’t have been easy for me to return." Liu Ling’er smiled, then deftly changed the subject. "Does Doctor Wang happen to know anything about Bai Changsheng’s whereabouts?"
"Bai Changsheng? Didn’t he leave with you?" Wang Linchi feigned confusion.
"He went missing three days ago and still hasn’t been found." Liu Ling’er sounded worried.
Wang Linchi’s expression turned serious. "Miss Liu, to be able to produce such valuable items, you must not be from an ordinary family. If you genuinely wish to find Brother Bai, I suggest you investigate the Cheng Family."
Hearing the name ’Cheng Family,’ a cold glint flashed in Liu Ling’er’s eyes. "The Cheng Family is incredibly tight-lipped. We haven’t managed to pry any information from them yet."
"Then I’m not sure. As you know, I rarely leave the clinic." Wang Linchi chuckled at this. After all, he and the Cheng Family were not on good terms, so he had to show some reaction.
"True. My apologies for taking up your time, Doctor Wang. I have other matters to attend to, so I must be going," Liu Ling’er said. She had come to deliver a gift and, incidentally, to make inquiries.
As for suspecting Wang Linchi? Even if she’d been kicked in the head by a donkey, she wouldn’t entertain such a thought. There was absolutely no connection between the two of them. Besides, Wang Linchi’s small clinic couldn’t possibly hide anyone. Furthermore, even if Wang Linchi were somehow involved, with his physique, how could he have silently taken down both her and Bai Changsheng? The idea was simply preposterous.
Liu Ling’er soon left. Wang Linchi remained impassive.
The Liu Family in Zhenhai City held tight control over the Cheng Family, which was a trivial matter for them. In terms of power, the Liu Family could crush the Cheng Family more easily than squashing an ant.
In Zhenhai City, the Liu Family was a top-tier Great Family. Compared to them, the Cheng Family couldn’t even be considered nouveau riche. Furthermore, the family had weakened recently and had been forced to hand over both Huichun Hall and Shunmin Hall.
Both Wang Linchi and the Liu Family could recognize the value of the Nourishing Spirit Pill. Naturally, they were willing to expend resources and connections to find its creator. If new formulas could be produced in the future, that would be ideal. Even if they couldn’t find him, they would consider it a worthy investment in their reputation.
The reason they were searching for Bai Changsheng wasn’t overtly because of the Nourishing Spirit Pill—that needed to be kept secret. Instead, they used the pretext of searching for Liu Ling’er’s lifesaver.
However, they had found nothing so far. How could they, when he was locked away in Wang Linchi’s basement?
It was fortunate that Wang Linchi had managed to assimilate one-third of Bai Changsheng’s Destiny over the past three days. Otherwise, he might not have been able to keep him hidden.
Who knows what might lead to his discovery?
His Destiny having dropped by one-third, coupled with Wang Linchi’s own superior luck, allowed Wang Linchi to directly suppress him.
However, Wang Linchi also discovered that as Bai Changsheng’s Destiny gradually decreased, the Spiritual Talent linked to his Spiritual Bone and Spiritual Meridian seemed to be developing issues.
It had been very stable before, but now it was becoming highly unstable, as if it couldn’t bear the load.
Evidently, such a miracle truly depends on luck.
Wang Linchi wouldn’t deny that he had relied on a good deal of luck to get this far, but the abilities he possessed wouldn’t simply crumble and vanish if his luck ran out.
"Closing up so early today?" a middle-aged man asked curiously.
"No one’s coming in, so of course, I’m going out to gather some medicinal herbs to supplement my income. What, are you here for treatment?" Wang Linchi grumbled. With business this dead, I can’t just survive on air.
"No, no." The man shook his head. "I’m not sick."
"Then mind your own business. There are plenty of clinics in the county; they won’t miss mine," Wang Linchi rolled his eyes and continued boarding up the door.
The man gave a sheepish smile and then asked, "I saw the Liu Family’s eldest young miss give you some books earlier. Are those books for sale?"
So you were after these things all along. No wonder you showed up right after she left. Wang Linchi found this fellow suspicious and then said, "Not for sale. But I can let you make a copy."
"Not for sale, huh? Oh well." The middle-aged man sounded regretful. "What kind of books are they? For elementary learning?"
"They’re medical books. Why would she give me beginner’s texts? I only helped treat an injury, it’s not like I saved her life," Wang Linchi retorted. Does this guy even have a brain?
"Then can I take a look?" the man pressed, pushing his luck.
"Who do you think you are, being so rude?" Wang Linchi asked. This fellow was completely clueless about himself, asking one thing after another.
"Wu Yi, from the Wu Family on North Street," the middle-aged man said, cupping his hands.
Wang Linchi immediately knew who this was.
"Oh, so it’s you, Wu San. You’d better head back before Old Mr. Wu gives you another beating," Wang Linchi teased.
The Wu Family, like the Cheng Family, was one of the Great Families of Baihe County. The difference was that they had always been overshadowed by the Cheng Family. The Wu Family had only one Spirit Master, Old Mr. Wu, who was over seventy and held no official title. Surprisingly, Old Mr. Wu had not only outlived Cheng Xun’s grandfather but his father as well.
As for Wu Yi, the Wu Family’s third son, he was of the same generation as Cheng Xun’s uncles. He had accomplished little and spent his days in idleness, eating, drinking, and seeking pleasure.
The good news was that despite his lack of achievement, he wasn’t malicious. He often spoke without a filter but usually managed to avoid any serious trouble. It was just that Old Mr. Wu couldn’t stand his behavior and frequently found excuses to beat him.
His reputation was mixed. He could chat with anyone and, being thick-skinned, sometimes came off as annoying.
Wang Linchi’s predecessor had known some of this. Additionally, before the owner of the neighboring shop moved away, Wu Yi himself had been the source of many rumors and amusing tidbits, so Wang Linchi was well-informed.
"Don’t be so unfriendly. Let me take a look. If they’re really medical books, I’ll treat you to a jug of fine wine as an apology," Wu Yi wheedled, sidling up shamelessly. He was hoping to make his old man proud.
Wang Linchi stepped back in disgust. This fellow is nearly my actual age, yet he acts so shamelessly! He himself still looked like a youth but was, in fact, approaching middle age.
"I don’t drink, so what would I do with your wine?" Wang Linchi said.
"Then what do you want? As long as this brother of yours can get it for you, just ask," Wu Yi said, being careful not to overpromise.
"There’s nothing I want," Wang Linchi said, a headache coming on. This guy was a bit of a weirdo but seemed harmless, so he wouldn’t go out of his way to make things difficult for him.
"Alright, alright, I’ll let you see them. But you have to leave immediately after."
Wang Linchi allowed the man inside, then pointed to the counter. "The books are there. Be careful with them; I haven’t even read them yet. Don’t you dare damage them."
"If you damage them, I’ll go complain to your Wu Family."
Hearing this, Wu Yi brightened. "Don’t worry! If even a corner of a book is harmed, you can beat me to death, and I won’t make a sound!"
"Stop spouting nonsense," Wang Linchi said, somewhat exasperated.
The man, however, skipped gleefully to the counter, picked up the bundle of books, and began to flip through them.
The result, naturally, was extreme disappointment.
"So, they really are all medical books," Wu Yi said, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "One glance at the titles tells you that."
"What else would they be? Do you think people just hand out family heirlooms? Your Wu Family has books for elementary learning too; I haven’t seen you giving those away," Wang Linchi said curtly.
Seeing this, Wu Yi could only sigh and put the books down. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶
"I admit, I was wrong, brother. I’ll treat Doctor Wang to a meal another day to make amends." Wu Yi apologized readily, showing no airs of a Great Family member. Had it been Cheng Xun from the Cheng Family, he certainly would have been too proud to do so. Of course, other members of the Wu Family would likely have maintained such airs as well; after all, they belonged to a Great Family and were expected to uphold that image.
"Right, now hurry up and leave. I have things to do," Wang Linchi said impatiently.
At this, Wu Yi didn’t dare say more and quickly scurried away.
"It takes all sorts to make a world," Wang Linchi muttered to himself, shaking his head as he went to put away the medical books. He noticed they were somewhat disarranged where Wu Yi had handled them. Just as he was about to grumble under his breath, he suddenly spotted something unusual about the page left open.
"Is this... a fortuitous opportunity sent specially for me?" Wang Linchi stared at the page, momentarily stunned. So it can work like this? No wonder he suddenly showed up, and so coincidentally too.
I really need to pay more attention to my luck sometimes, Wang Linchi thought. Otherwise, I might miss even opportunities that land right in my lap. Opportunities, even if destined for you, must be seized. As for having them hand-delivered and spoon-fed to me, my current Destiny isn’t strong enough for that yet.
