Just as he was about to make a move, Tang Xuewu stopped him.
"You useless cripple, what are you doing back here?" Zhang Meilan glared at Qin Long, cursing him through clenched teeth. "For Grandfather's birthday, you actually gifted poisoned wine! Huarong Dao, the Zhao Family's chief elder and a Divine Doctor, saw through your trick on the spot. You're trying to get us all killed!"
"That's because he's an ignorant fool who can't recognize a true treasure," Qin Long replied, giving Zhang Meilan a cold smirk.
Even Tang Xuewu found this hard to believe. After all, Huarong Dao's reputation was immense; if he said the wine was poisoned, it was almost certainly true.
"Qin Long, did you really try to poison Grandfather?" Tang Xuewu's expression was filled with disappointment and astonishment.
"It's not like that," Qin Long said, raising an eyebrow.
"Hmph! He's truly heartless and ungrateful," Zhang Meilan spat. "Who knows, one day he might even harm you, my precious girl. It's better to kick him out now to prevent future trouble." Zhang Meilan had made up her mind. She would lie if she had to, just to get rid of this foolish cripple.
"The words of Divine Doctor Huarong Dao are absolutely trustworthy. A-Long, this is the last time I'll call you that. Even if Grandpa was being unreasonable, you can't plot to take his life! He's my family! I won't allow anyone to harm my family. I am so disappointed in you!" Tang Xuewu glared at him coldly, finally screaming, "Leave the Tang Family!"
"Xuewu, you don't believe me?" Qin Long shook his head helplessly and sighed.
"The evidence is right in front of my eyes. How am I supposed to believe you?" Tang Xuewu sobbed, biting her lip.
Seeing that her plan had succeeded, Zhang Meilan watched Qin Long with a sneer on her face. Haha, this damned cripple is finally leaving.
"Xuewu, the reason I stayed with the Tang Family after regaining my memory was to repay your kindness," Qin Long said, his gaze intensely serious. "If I leave now, I might never return to Jiangzhong."
"I took care of you because I wanted to. You don't owe me anything. Get out! Get out right now!" Tang Xuewu's delicate frame trembled with anger as tears streamed down her beautiful face.
Over the years, Tang Xuewu had grown used to having the foolish A-Long around, gradually developing a familial affection for him. At this moment, she didn't understand the ache in her heart. But he never, ever should have tried to harm her grandfather with poisoned wine. That was her bottom line!
RUMBLE! RUMBLE!
At that moment, the sound of an airplane echoed from the sky. A white private jet, emblazoned with the massive Yaolong Group logo, flew swiftly toward the open ground near the Tang family's courtyard.
The jet door opened, and more than a dozen bodyguards in black suits appeared in perfect formation at the entrance.
"Medical Immortal Qin, please forgive our sudden intrusion!" a curvaceous, middle-aged woman in a purple evening gown walked slowly toward Qin Long. The bodyguards behind her bowed in unison.
"Greetings, Medical Immortal Qin!"
Zhang Meilan was petrified on the spot. Tang Xuewu was also instantly stunned.
This is… These people seem incredibly influential! A private jet like that must cost several hundred million, right? And they're being so respectful to Qin Long? The shock was immense for both Zhang Meilan and Tang Xuewu. How could Qin Long, a foolish cripple, know such important people?
Qin Long himself was somewhat puzzled. He didn't know any prestigious families in Jiangzhong.
"Medical Immortal Qin, I am Zhao Ruoying of the Yaolong Group," the woman in the purple gown said with the utmost respect as she descended from the private jet. "I heard of Young Master Qin's exceptional medical skills and came especially to pay you a visit."
"Oh my, it's Mrs. Zhao!" Tang Xuewu couldn't help but widen her eyes.
Zhao Ruoying's prestige in Jiangzhong was exceedingly high. She was the second-largest shareholder of the Yaolong Group and possessed immense influence. The Tang Family was nothing compared to the Zhao Family; they were worlds apart. And this was Zhao Ruoying, the famous "Iron Lady," taking the initiative to visit Qin Long?
Furthermore, hadn't the Zhao Family's own chief elder just exposed Qin Long's poisoned wine trick? Why was she showing him such respect now? Tang Xuewu was plunged into confusion, while Zhang Meilan stood by nervously, terrified her lie was about to be exposed.
Qin Long glanced at Zhao Ruoying indifferently, showing no reaction. No matter how noble her status, it meant nothing to him. He was once the commander of the Southern Heavenly Dragon Army, granted the title of Nine-Star Dragon Marshal at the tender age of eighteen. Power and money were his for the taking.
"Medical Immortal Qin, I beg you, please help me." Seeing Qin Long's attitude, Zhao Ruoying felt a flash of annoyance, but for the sake of her precious one's illness, she maintained her smile.
"A-Long, you should help Mrs. Zhao," Tang Xuewu whispered to Qin Long, worried about offending her.
"Fine. If you say I should help, then I will," Qin Long said, picking up his crutch and hobbling toward Zhao Ruoying. A shapely female assistant immediately moved forward to support him.
"Mrs. Zhao, what help do you need from Qin Long? Please speak freely," Tang Xuewu said, taking a deep breath and eyeing Mrs. Zhao with suspicion.
"It's merely a private family matter that requires Medical Immortal Qin's intervention," Zhao Ruoying replied with a faint smile. "Miss Xuewu is a very understanding wife. Medical Immortal Qin is a fortunate man indeed! Rest assured, I will not forget Miss Tang's kindness, and I hope to cooperate with the Tang Family in the future."
With that, she began to board the plane.
"He has trouble walking, so please be careful with him," Tang Xuewu shouted toward the plane, her face etched with worry. "If anything unexpected happens, notify me immediately! He has a sachet with my phone number on it in his pocket."
"You can rest assured, Miss Xuewu," Zhao Ruoying called back, nodding firmly. "With me here, Medical Immortal Qin will be perfectly safe." She then personally helped Qin Long onto the plane.
The jet quickly disappeared into the sky.
Tang Xuewu turned, her expression dark as she glared at Zhang Meilan.
"Mom, how could you frame A-Long?" she demanded coldly, her pretty face flushed with anger. She hadn't believed it at first, but seeing Zhao Ruoying's attitude toward Qin Long proved her mother was hiding something.
"What did I frame him for?" Zhang Meilan's face turned red, but she replied with shameless defiance.
"If the wine A-Long sent was really poisoned, why would the renowned Iron Lady come to invite him personally? When has Mrs. Zhao ever been so polite to anyone!" Tang Xuewu trembled with anger, her teeth clenched.
"I… How would I know!" Zhang Meilan retorted stubbornly. "Maybe the Yaolong Group is developing toxic wines for… pest control?"
Looking at her mother with utter frustration and disappointment, Tang Xuewu stormed off. "Fine then! I'll call Mrs. Zhao myself and ask her!" she yelled back before slamming her bedroom door.
Zhang Meilan stomped her feet in fury, cursing Qin Long through clenched teeth. It seems that medicinal wine of his really is something special. But what does that even matter? How can a small bottle of medicinal wine compare to the Wang Family, one of Jiangzhong's most powerful families? In my eyes, Wang Ming is the one and only choice for a perfect, wealthy son-in-law.
「Aboard the plane」
Just as Zhao Ruoying was about to speak, she was startled by Qin Long's next move.