Chapter 323: Making Friends

Just the border area between the two countries has so much raw jade, and Zhang Ping'an felt a few more points of longing for the jade-producing regions of Myanmar.

"Little brother, pack up later; we're heading back this morning. I've prepared some local specialties for you; take them back for your colleagues to taste later."

Zhang Yadong had truly felt that sense of high spirits these past few days, and his attitude toward Zhang Ping'an had become even friendlier.

"Alright, then thank you, brother." There were only two cars in the motorcade now; the others had all returned fully loaded.

"It's your brother who should thank you. Actually, Lin Dashan is my brother-in-law, the friend I mentioned. When we get back, I'll have to trouble you to give him a couple of acupuncture treatments too."

"His family only has two daughters now. My sister isn't well-regarded by her in-laws there, and even if they want a child now, my brother-in-law is currently unable to do what he wishes."

Zhang Yadong and Lin Dashan were junior high classmates and also "bad friends"; they had no psychological burden when it came to betraying each other's shortcomings.

"Ahem." Zhang Ping'an coughed lightly. Was it really okay for him to be told about such private matters?

"Little brother, I'm only telling you this because I truly treat you like a younger brother."

Zhang Yadong also realized he seemed to have said a bit too much, but since he had already opened his mouth, he might as well say it all.

"Don't worry, little brother, I know the rules. I'll reimburse all your expenses for purchasing jade on this trip." Zhang Yadong looked magnanimous.

As a veteran purchaser, he wasn't short on money. Although his official salary wasn't high, the money he made from smuggling private goods every year was much higher than his salary.

The key was that Zhang Ping'an's acupuncture really had miraculous effects on him, and he also wanted to cure his brother-in-law so his sister could give birth to a son; that way, she could at least hold her head high in front of her in-laws.

"This... since you've brought it up, brother, Factory Director Lin's condition is similar to yours. The problem of having children shouldn't be too big, but no one can guarantee whether it will be a boy or a girl."

"That's natural. Being able to have children at all means there's hope, right?"

"That's fine. I'll write you a prescription when we get back, but regarding Factory Director Lin..."

"Just come to my place then; I'll drag him over." Zhang Yadong and Lin Dashan both lived in the Steel Mill's Family Building, not far from each other.

"That works."

It was already six in the evening when the group returned to the Steel Mill. Zhang Ping'an wrote out the prescription and handed it to Zhang Yadong; he was a local snake here, so it would be convenient for him to buy anything.

"Brother, if possible, please buy me some medicinal herb seeds. I've also noted them on the back of the prescription. I'll pay you separately for these."

There were quite a few high-quality medicinal herbs here in Yun Province, such as Notoginseng, Paris Polyphylla, Dendrobium, Gastrodia Elata, Yun Poria, and so on. Since he didn't have the chance to collect seedlings, getting some seeds to plant wouldn't make the trip in vain.

"Eh~ it's just some seeds, leave it to me." Zhang Yadong waved his hand, looking indifferent.

That night, Zhang Yadong followed the instructions on the prescription to decoct the medicine. Fifty minutes later, after downing a bowl of the decoction, Zhang Yadong shivered, feeling as if the cold air in his body had been forced out, and his whole body felt indescribably refreshed.

Meanwhile, at the Reception House, Zhang Ping'an was called to Li Huaide's room the moment he returned.

"Ping'an, that Lin Dashan might have some, um, male-related hidden ailments. I intentionally told him you are an expert in treating this aspect. He might come to you for help in the next two days."

"Remember to give him a good check-up. Maybe this study trip will have unexpected gains. You know, even exchange studies have evaluation standards. An excellent review from a Deputy Factory Director will undoubtedly give you a bigger bargaining chip."

Li Huaide said he was promoting Zhang Ping'an to Deputy Director, but he was also facing significant pressure. If he received unanimous praise here, then it would truly be a done deal.

"Alright, Li Ge. Actually..." Zhang Ping'an told Li Huaide about the relationship between Zhang Yadong and Lin Dashan.

"Hahaha, good! Then your position as Deputy Director is absolutely secure when you go back this time."

Early the next morning, Zhang Yadong had a long-lost, vigorous "flag-raising" that only someone of that age should have; he almost wanted to turn over and press down on his wife.

However, thinking of the taboos during the period of taking the medicine, he forcibly stopped his impulse.

"Yadong, what kind of potent tonic did you take?" Lin Dashan looked at his brother-in-law in surprise. He was usually in a sluggish, sleepy state, but today he was glowing with health.

"Hehe, you guessed right. I came to find you this time to talk about this."

Zhang Yadong didn't hide it and immediately told Lin Dashan about Zhang Ping'an's miraculous medical skills.

"Really?"

Lin Dashan had become familiar with Li Huaide over the past few days. While drinking, he learned that Zhang Ping'an knew how to brew medicinal wine, and it was "macho wine" at that. Now that he had his brother-in-law's personal experience, he also wanted to try it.

"Ahem, that..."

"I'm hosting Zhang for a meal at home at noon. You come over then, and I'll introduce you two."

Actually, he couldn't drink while taking the medicine, and he also needed to have Zhang Ping'an check Lin Dashan, so he just happened to pull him over to keep him company while drinking.

"Good, good, good."

At noon, under Zhang Yadong's warm invitation, Zhang Ping'an followed him home. Upon entering, he saw that the scale of the banquet was no less than the welcome banquet from a few days ago.

"This, brother, you are too polite. Let's just eat something simple."

"Eh~ this is just a home-cooked meal, and it's also the way we treat guests in Yun Province. Sit down quickly."

"Knock, knock, knock."

Before the two had even sat down, a knocking sound came from outside the door.

"That should be Dashan. Little brother, you sit first."

Since the host hadn't sat down, how could Zhang Ping'an be embarrassed to sit? He followed Zhang Yadong to welcome Lin Dashan. After exchanging pleasantries, the three of them sat down.

"Little brother, I'm taking medicine so I won't drink. Let Dashan keep you company."

"Don't, don't. How could I let Factory Director Lin keep me company? Let's drink tea instead. Besides, we still have to work in the afternoon, and drinking has a bad influence. The key is that I still have to check Factory Director Lin later."

"Eh~ don't call me Factory Director, just call me Brother Lin. But what you said makes sense, little brother. Then let's use tea instead of wine to toast you."

"Done, Brother Lin, I toast you."

Regardless of age or rank, both were above Zhang Ping'an, so he naturally wouldn't act arrogant.

Eating without drinking was fast. Both sides had the intention to build a friendship, so this meal was naturally enjoyed by both host and guest.

The three chatted for another half hour before returning to the main topic under Zhang Yadong's guidance. Zhang Ping'an also took Lin Dashan's pulse.

"Hmm... the symptoms are similar to Brother Zhang's, but the situation is better." Zhang Ping'an also wrote a prescription for him.

"Look, I almost forgot." Zhang Yadong slapped his forehead, went into the inner room, and brought out dozens of paper bags of various sizes, all with the names of medicinal herbs on them.

"Ping'an, these are the medicinal herb seeds you wanted. I saw there were quite a few seeds left in the pharmacy, so I packed them all up for you."

"Good, thank you, Brother Zhang. How much money is it in total?"

"Eh~ I already said, what's with the money? You're treating your brother like an outsider. Just take them."

"That's right, little brother Zhang. These few medicinal seeds aren't worth much money, just take them."

"Alright then, many thanks, brother," Zhang Ping'an found it hard to refuse the kind offer, so he had no choice but to accept it.

"The time is about right, let's head back to work."

"Brother Lin, I'll come find you this afternoon..." Zhang Ping'an explained to him once more the taboos regarding acupuncture after a meal.

"Good, then I'll be waiting for you in the office, brother."

"Done."

At two o'clock in the afternoon, Zhang Ping'an knocked on Lin Dashan's office door; Zhang Yadong was also there at the time.

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Come in. You've arrived, brother, sit down first. Let me finish processing these documents; Yadong, you go ahead and pour some tea for our brother."

"Done. Hehe, Brother Zhang, do you think I need to consolidate my progress?"

"..." Lin Dashan

"..." Zhang Ping'an