ant, with the fetus being male, according to an ultrasound test. That's why Liu Chang’s parents agreed to their engagement.As Wei Jun and Xiao Yu walked along chatting, Jiang Ling and Yun Xi were also...Chapter 111: Preparations

"He Absolutely not!" Upon thinking of Chen Jinghai's tooth, Fangyuan revealed a sinister smile and said.

Xiao Yu was someone who acted without delay. He got straight to work because the paperwork for the clinic was notoriously difficult to handle. Xiao Yu thought about Wei Jun; since Wei Jun’s family was influential in Shenzhen, he should be able to help with the paperwork.

When Xiao Yu returned to his residence and looked at the small rented room, it dawned on him that he had been living there for a year now. He no longer lacked money and it was time to buy a house. Furthermore, he needed to own a car because every time he went out, he either took a taxi or borrowed Wei Jun's car.

While the storefront wasn't ready yet, Xiao Yu decided to handle the paperwork first! Although Xiao Yu didn’t know what was required for the paperwork, it probably included his ID card, household registration book, and medical license. He put these documents in a bag and called Wei Jun to explain everything.

Soon after, Wei Jun came over to pick up Xiao Yu’s documents and rushed off again. Xiao Yu shouldered his backpack and headed towards the antique market. Fortunately, he lived close to the market; otherwise, he would have spent too much time traveling.

In the antique market, there was a store that had been making plaques for over a hundred years. Xiao Yu knew of this place but hadn’t visited before. After some walking and stopping, he spotted an old shop called "Peng Family Plaque Shop". It was only around 9:30 AM in the morning; therefore, there weren't many people in the store. A seventy-year-old man was sitting inside, using a small engraving tool to work on a wooden board.

"Isn’t this Dr Xiao What’s up" The elderly craftsman felt someone enter and put down his tools when he saw it was Xiao Yu. He greeted him with a warm smile.

"Yes! Uncle, I want to make a plaque!" Xiao Yu couldn't believe the old man recognized him and smiled back.

"A plaque Great! What kind of plaque do you want Do you have any specific requirements" The elderly craftsman asked when he heard that Xiao Yu wanted to commission a plaque.

"Ah... I’m thinking about making an entrance sign for my TCM clinic. It should be around the size of this sample here. But I insist on using the best wood!" After some thought, Xiao Yu pointed at one of the samples inside the store and said.

"The best wood That can get quite expensive." The elderly craftsman remarked when he heard that Xiao Yu wanted to use premium materials.

This was a tradition in their family for over a century: all requirements had to be discussed upfront. If clients agreed, the work would proceed; otherwise, it wouldn’t move forward. They couldn’t say after completion that certain parts were made with expensive wood and hence cost extra.

The elderly craftsman took out a piece of paper and jotted down every requirement Xiao Yu mentioned.

"How are you going to proceed Will you draw the design and our master craftsman will do it for you, or will you find someone to write the characters on a board, and we will carve according to your writing" The elderly man looked at Xiao Yu and said. Carving the text was the most crucial part of making signboards; everything depended on how good the carver's skills were in this aspect.

"I'll prepare my own words," Xiao Yu replied.

Xiao Yu glanced around left and right. On the left side against the wall, there was a big table with four treasures of the study (writing brush, ink stick, paper, and inkstone) on it; this seemed to be where guests were expected to write characters for signboards. Xiao Yu slowly walked over.

Currently, the business of making signboards usually fell into two categories: one was asking someone else for calligraphy and getting them carved, which accounted for most cases; the other was telling the signboard shop what kind of board you wanted, and they would make it directly. This second category catered to small stores or businesses with limited budgets.

The elderly man initially thought that Xiao Yu had already obtained calligraphy from elsewhere but was surprised when he saw him going towards the table with writing materials. Could this young doctor, Xiao, also write Chinese characters with a brush

Xiao Yu walked up to the desk and put down his bag; then, he took out his large brush. He had already grown very familiar with using this brush. Xiao Yu spread out the paper, used a weight to press it down firmly, picked up his brush, and started writing. First, he wrote "Xiao Family" vertically in the upper left corner, followed by "Wansheng Hall" horizontally in large characters. After the ink dried, he told the elderly man that this was how they should carve.

The elderly man looked shocked at Xiao Yu’s handwriting. They had been making signboards for over a hundred years and had seen plenty of good calligraphy, but even this old craftsman had developed decent brush skills due to frequent requests to write characters on boards. Initially, he thought it was beneath him when Xiao Yu wanted to prepare his own writing, but now that he saw the quality of the handwriting, he realized why others would want to do so themselves.

He picked up Xiao Yu’s writing and went to stand in front of a signboard of designated size, measuring it. He nodded while comparing sizes; the characters were just right—no need for enlargement or reduction.

"Because of my limited energy, I haven’t done any carving myself for many years. But this board you asked for, I’ll do it personally. Otherwise, I’d feel guilty for such fine calligraphy!" The elderly man looked at Xiao Yu’s handwriting and said with a sense of admiration.

After saying that, the old craftsman no longer paid attention to Xiao Yu. He started measuring wood pieces needed for the board. Seeing his focused work, Xiao Yu didn’t want to disturb him and thus said: "Master Zhang, I’ll come back in ten days to collect it. You trouble yourself."

Upon hearing this, the old craftsman did not even turn around but waved a hand at Xiao Yu, indicating that he should leave without disturbing him anymore. Shaking his head helplessly, Xiao Yu left the signboard shop.

The following days, Xiao Yu ran back and forth between furniture stores to order medicine cabinets and display cases, keeping himself very busy indeed. He hadn’t expected opening a small clinic would be so complicated. For medicinal herbs, he planned to buy them from Renhe Hall after setting up his storefront because the quality of their herbs was more reliable.

One day while Xiao Yu was aimlessly wandering in town, Wei Jun called him: "Xiao Yu, where are you"

Xiao Yu responded: "Brother Jun, do you need something

"You don't need to come pick me up in the evening; I'll go to you. The clinic's procedures are stuck at a new director of the district health bureau who is being very difficult, saying that the clinic doesn't meet regulations and cannot be established. I have a friend at the health bureau whom I've invited out for dinner tonight. We're going together!" Wei Jun explained everything over the phone.

"Alright, you'll come pick me up in the evening then," Xiao Yu realized from Wei Jun's tone that this matter might be tricky; otherwise, Wei Jun wouldn't have called him.

After hanging up with Wei Jun, Xiao Yu withdrew some cash just in case and returned to his residence. He knew he needed to seriously consider buying a house and getting a car soon.

In the evening, Wei Jun arrived at Xiao Yu's place by car. Seeing Xiao Yu's current living situation, he said, "Xiao Yu, you should buy a house now. You're not short of money; why are you still staying here"

"Yes! I've already decided to buy a house and get a car," Xiao Yu nodded.

Soon after, Xiao Yu and Wei Jun drove to a famous restaurant in Shenzhen called 'Wan Xiang Lou.'

"May I ask if you have a reservation" A hotel manager greeted them at the entrance.

"Room 318," Wei Jun replied.

The manager led Xiao Yu and Wei Jun up to the third floor where they entered Room 318. The room wasn't large but was elegantly decorated, exuding a sense of traditional charm. Xiao Yu walked over to the window and opened it; outside he saw an artificial lake in an ecological park, with water shimmering under the setting sun's rays, casting red hues that added a unique beauty.

Far away, the entire ecological park was bathed in the rosy glow of sunset, like a bride dressed in red, while the bustling crowds in the park brought life to the scene between the lake and greenery.

"Xiao Yu, my friend will be here soon!" Wei Jun looked at his watch after welcoming Xiao Yu.

Time passed minute by minute. Wei Jun's friend still hadn't arrived, making Wei Jun, who was originally calm, increasingly impatient. How could an old friend be so inconsiderate He had said he would come at seven; it was now 7:15 and his friend still wasn't there.

"Junzi, sorry for being late!" As Wei Jun was about to call someone, a man around twenty-seven or eight pushed open the door.

"Brother Chen, what's going on I thought you weren't coming," Wei Jun frowned and said with an unhappy expression.

"Ah, Junzi, do you think I want to be late! Just now I went to the district health bureau to wait for the new Director Huang. Unexpectedly, although I met him, he has other arrangements and can't come over!" The young man in his mid-20s who had just entered sighed with a helpless expression.

Wei Jun was taken aback when he heard this and shouted: "Brother Chen, who is this person He doesn’t even give you face"

The young man helplessly shook his head and said: "This person came from the capital city to鍍金 (鍍金 needs translation or removal), with a big background. It's normal that he doesn't care about me!"

Upon hearing this, Wei Jun didn’t say anything either. If even this person couldn’t help him, he wouldn’t think about it anymore. Although his family’s business was quite substantial, there was still a considerable gap between them and these people at the top of power.

Seeing that both were in low spirits, Xiao Yu hurriedly said from the side: "Jun哥, Brother Chen, whether he comes or not is fine; if necessary, we can just not open the clinic. Have the waiters serve us food and let’s eat! I’m starving!"

"Right, right, it doesn’t matter whether he comes to eat or not. As long as you come, Brother Chen, let's eat!" Upon hearing Xiao Yu's words, Wei Jun also quickly said.

After listening to Xiao Yu’s words, this young man named Chen brightened up and silently praised him for being smart. He knew that this person was Wei Jun’s friend. Although he himself might not be able to accomplish it, if even a person couldn’t invite someone over, he would feel bad about it too. But the young man didn't change his expression upon hearing this.

"Junzi, who is this" The young man asked Wei Jun.

"Look at me, I forgot to introduce you!" Hearing what the man said, Wei Jun slapped his forehead and said.

"Xiao Yu, this is Brother Chen Qing, a friend from childhood and also the head of the Materials Department in the City Health Bureau. He’s truly accomplished and talented!"

"Brother Chen, this is Xiao Yu, my classmate and brother," Wei Jun introduced them.

Through Wei Jun's introduction, Xiao Yu learned that this Brother Chen Qing had a father who was an influential leader in the Provincial Health Department. He grew up together with Wei Jun since childhood as they lived in the same neighborhood, so Wei Jun could be quite casual towards him. Otherwise, if you ask someone to help you and they are late or don’t come at all, would you dare to look down on them

...e wall that read 'Wansheng Hall Disabled Children Medical Fund'. Below these characters was a reception desk where two women in their twenties, dressed in uniforms, were smiling and standing there."We...