Chapter 137: Qin Zhengde’s Illness

“Has Mr. Qin started eating at Wanhua again?” Lin Sangqian asked.

“Yes,” Yang Shi replied. “Ever since you taught us the recipes, he’s been coming here regularly. But after Wanhua introduced new dishes, Manager Bao invited him to try them. He didn’t want to lose face, so he went. After that, for some reason, he’s been coming here less often.”

Lin Sangqian’s eyes flickered slightly, as if she had an idea.

“But so many people eat at Wanhua. Why do they say he got sick from eating there?” Lin Wenyan asked, puzzled.

“Could it be that he poisoned Manager Qin?” Lin Beitao speculated.

“That’s unlikely. He and Manager Qin used to be on good terms. Even if they drifted apart later, they had no deep grudges. Would he really go that far?” Yang Shi said.

Then he shot a glare at the shop assistant who had just interrupted. “Don’t talk nonsense. If others overhear, they’ll think we’re just jealous of Wanhua’s business!”

The assistant sneered, “What’s there to be jealous of? Our business isn’t bad.”

“Do you have proof to back that up?”

The assistant was momentarily stumped and fell silent. He had spoken carelessly just now, considering the two restaurants had always been rivals.

However, Lin Sangqian didn’t dismiss his words entirely. She had already suspected something was wrong with Wanhua’s dishes.

She had checked but found nothing.

Then again, this was the ancient world, not the one they originally came from. Perhaps some strange, unknown substance was involved.

“Brother Yang, do you still buy food from Wanhua now?” Lin Sangqian asked.

“Of course not!” Yang Shi waved his hand. “I ate there once before, and I did consider it again later, but there was no way I’d contribute to Wanhua’s business. So I held back, and gradually I lost the desire to eat there.”

Lin Sangqian nodded.

After leaving Fuman Tavern, she saw that even early in the morning, people were heading to Wanhua Tavern to eat.

Business was really good.

…

Inside Wanhua Tavern, Bao Mingzhi was sitting in a room, reviewing the latest accounts.

The income had increased considerably recently, bringing a broad smile to his face.

Hmph. Fuman Tavern, Maiken Chicken — none of them would be his match from now on!

Let Lu Chengren and Lin Sangqian just wait and weep!

“Boss, are we really okay doing this?” A worried assistant named A Qian, Bao Mingzhi’s trusted aide, asked.

“What problem could there be?” Bao Mingzhi shot him a glare. “As long as you keep your mouth shut, no one will find out!”

“But Manager Qin is already ill,” A Qian frowned. “What if they trace it back to us...”

“They won’t!” Bao Mingzhi slammed the account book shut. “Does he only eat at Wanhua? Has he gone to Fuman or Maiken? Why blame our tavern?”

Seeing Bao Mingzhi’s irritation, A Qian fell silent.

“How are the watermelons doing?” Bao Mingzhi asked.

“They don’t seem to be growing well,” A Qian answered honestly. “Boss, maybe that land isn’t suitable for growing watermelons...”

“Impossible! They just didn’t take care of it properly! Tell them to be more diligent. It won’t cost them much!”

“Yes, I’ll tell them.”

A greedy gleam shone in Bao Mingzhi’s eyes.

All the money was his and should go into his pocket. Lu Chengren, Lin Sangqian — they should never think of opposing him!

…

After Maiken Chicken closed in the afternoon, Lin Sangqian went to the Qin residence.

She wanted to see Qin Zhengde.

Qin Zhengde’s wife, Mrs. Chen, received her. Mrs. Chen was kind and had heard a lot about Lin Sangqian from her husband. She took Lin Sangqian’s hand warmly.

“Old Qin is sleeping now, probably will wake soon. Please sit for a while,” Mrs. Chen said, bringing her some tea.

“Thank you, Mrs. Qin,” Lin Sangqian replied. “How is Mr. Qin’s illness?”

At the mention, Mrs. Chen’s face clouded with worry. “Oh, don’t bring it up. We’ve consulted several doctors, but none know what’s causing this illness.”

“What are his symptoms?”

“He feels dizzy, weak all over, sometimes suffers nightmares, can’t eat well, and sleeps poorly,” Mrs. Chen explained. “Fortunately, the doctors say his life isn’t in danger. Oh, another doctor is coming today. Even if it’s not life-threatening, being like this is no good.”

Just then, a maid rushed in. “Madam, the master has awakened.”

“Awake? Come, I’ll take you to see him.”

Mrs. Chen took Lin Sangqian’s hand and led her to the inner room.

Qin Zhengde lay in bed, covered with a quilt. His eyes were dull, his face haggard, and he looked much older.

“Old Qin, guess who’s here?”

Surprised to see Lin Sangqian, Qin Zhengde said, “Miss Lin? What brings you here?”

“I heard you were ill and came to check on you,” Lin Sangqian said.

“Thank you for your concern,” Qin Zhengde smiled faintly. “Sigh, I don’t know what happened. I’ve never been sick before, and now this strange illness hits me.”

“You’re just being greedy,” Mrs. Chen scolded, poking his forehead.

“I only eat proper food,” Qin Zhengde protested.

Just as Lin Sangqian was about to check his pulse, a maid outside announced, “Master, Madam, Doctor Ge has arrived.”

Doctor Ge?

Lin Sangqian wondered if it was the same Doctor Ge she knew.

“Please come in,” Mrs. Chen said quickly.

Then she told Qin Zhengde, “Doctor Ge is reputed to be very skilled. Maybe he can cure your illness.”

“Sigh, we’ll see what fate decides.”

Soon, Doctor Ge entered, followed by a medicine boy carrying a medical box. He was stroking his beard with a dignified air, but upon seeing Lin Sangqian, his eyes lit up. “Miss Lin!”

“Doctor Ge.”

“Miss Lin, I didn’t expect you to be here. That’s great! With you here, there’s no illness that can’t be cured!” Doctor Ge said cheerfully.

Lin Sangqian blushed slightly and waved her hand. “Doctor Ge, you flatter me.”

“You two know each other?” Mrs. Chen asked, puzzled.

“It’s my honor to know a healer like Miss Lin,” Doctor Ge said with a smile.

“A healer?” Qin Zhengde and Mrs. Chen were both surprised.

They only knew Lin Sangqian as a great cook, not that she had such skills.

“What, didn’t you invite Miss Lin to see the illness?” Doctor Ge asked.

“No, I’m a friend of Mr. Qin’s. I heard he was ill and came to visit,” Lin Sangqian explained.

Qin Zhengde exclaimed, “Miss Lin, you’re so young and yet so capable!”

Others praised Doctor Ge’s skills, but even Doctor Ge called Lin Sangqian a divine healer — that spoke volumes about her medical talent!