I Became a Medical Genius in the 80s

Chapter 143: Chapter 142: Evenly Matched Opponents

Zhou Jiren took the opportunity of looking for medicine to ask a few more questions, but then had no excuse to continue. Although he and Beisitian had gotten closer after several chats before the New Year, they still lacked a foundation, so it was difficult for her to trust him.

”Is your father in a serious condition?” Zhou Jiren took several types of medicine, then asked another question.

”It’s not too serious, but I still hope to use good medicine.” Beisitian took a few types of medicine from his hand, all for relaxing muscles and improving circulation.

Zhou Jiren was relieved when he heard this and picked out a box of Great Circulation Pills, saying, ”Then take this one.”

Beisitian nodded, ”How much is it?”

”One yuan and fifty cents per box.”

Ma Xiaoling paused in her writing, looked up at Zhou Jiren. The Great Circulation Pills cost three yuan and twenty cents per box!

Seeing Zhou Jiren glance at her indifferently, she silently lowered her head, wondering how to account for this. A special discount today?

As she thought this, she quietly glanced at Zhou Jiren and Beisitian.

Mr. Zhou was usually not one to smile or talk lightly. Of course, as a small clerk, she barely spoke a word to Mr. Zhou all day, hearing these things from Assistant Ma during idle chat.

Most of Ma Xiaoling’s impressions of Zhou Jiren came from the beginning, when Beisitian had taught her a lesson, and it was Zhou Jiren who stepped in. Even though Assistant Ma later said it was likely due to his own curiosity, Ma Xiaoling still felt very grateful to Zhou Jiren.

At this moment, seeing Zhou Jiren speak so kindly with Beisitian, Ma Xiaoling felt that Assistant Ma had exaggerated things.

If it’s not an exaggeration, there could be another possibility!

Ma Xiaoling’s eyes gradually lit up, but then she thought again and felt this was unlikely. Although Beisitian was becoming prettier, she was still from the countryside, and at her age, she probably already had children.

In places like Beijing and Shanghai, aren’t there plenty of beautiful girls? How could someone of Mr. Zhou’s stature be interested in Beisitian?

With this thought, Ma Xiaoling’s curiosity was extinguished again.

After taking the Great Circulation Pills, Beisitian looked at other medicines. In this regard, she trusted Zhou Jiren, but just wanted to know more.

”Miss Bei always comes to town alone; how can your family be so at ease?” Zhou Jiren pretended to ask casually, afraid that Beisitian might say something that would be difficult for him to speculate on, so he directly said, ”I’ve always been curious, as you are indeed a young lady.”

”I come to town to make money. Does it matter if there are more people or fewer people?”

”You came alone both times to buy medicine, and it was clear you were in a hurry last time.” Zhou Jiren seemed determined to get to the bottom of it.

Beisitian looked at him, showing a puzzled expression, ”It’s my family’s business. Doesn’t matter who comes. I’m old enough and it’s not far, what’s there to worry about?”

Hearing her say ’my family’s business’, a warmth passed through Zhou Jiren’s eyes, and his gaze towards Beisitian became even more gentle.

Although he still gained no intelligence about her family from Beisitian’s words, it nonetheless gave him a sense of ease.

”But Mr. Zhou, you’ve repeatedly probed into my family affairs, what’s that about?” Beisitian asked with a half-smile, looking directly at Zhou Jiren.

Since you straightforwardly asked, I might as well straightforwardly ask back.

Zhou Jiren’s expression remained unchanged, meeting her gaze, ”I’m just curious about you. Your knowledge and insights are different from most girls.”

He tossed the ball back to her. Beisitian was too clever; if he didn’t redirect the question, he’d risk revealing a flaw.

He watched Beisitian, curious how she would explain this issue.

Unfortunately, he underestimated her.

”In your eyes, what kind of girl should have knowledge and insight?” Beisitian cleverly retorted.

Zhou Jiren was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter.

Behind the counter, Ma Xiaoling looked baffled, and Ma Jian Country, who had just walked in, was even more astounded. When had Zhou Jiren ever laughed like this?

Ma Jian Country’s gaze fell on Beisitian, seeing her indifferent expression, unsure what was really going on between these two.

This time, in their secret exchange, the two remained evenly matched, neither gaining any information about the other.

After Beisitian left, Ma Jian Country’s gaze occasionally fell on Zhou Jiren.

After finishing with the information Ma Jian Country brought over, Zhou Jiren suddenly looked up and asked, ”What do you think of that girl?”

Ma Jian Country was taken aback, showing a surprised expression, ”You’re not thinking of...”

Zhou Jiren just smiled and said nothing.

”She looks nice enough, but... given your status, it might be...”

Ma Jian Country’s eyes flickered, unsure whether Zhou Jiren was serious or joking. Rumors said he stayed away from women, being unmarried in his thirties had led many to gossip that he liked men...

And now, suddenly showing great interest in a village girl, it truly was astonishing.

”So... should I investigate her a bit?” Ma Jian Country asked.

”Investigate what?”

”Her background and identity, perhaps?”

Zhou Jiren looked up, ”You can’t seriously think I plan to marry her, right?”

Ma Jian Country froze, unsure what his boss meant. Showing interest yet speaking in this manner!

Zhou Jiren picked up the newspaper again, his familiar cold and aloof demeanor returning, ”Just a village girl to toy with, that’s all.”

Ma Jian Country felt relieved, thinking this was more reasonable.

”Chongren has already begun taking action. Since headquarters entrusted this task to me, it must be completed. Starting today, disperse everyone under your command. For those who have come to Qingzhou, their every move must be reported to me daily,” Zhou Jiren instructed.

”Yes!” Ma Jian Country took his orders and left.

After Ma Jian Country left, Zhou Jiren put down the newspaper, looking lost in thought at his departing back. Here, he could trust no one.

Beisitian did not go straight home but took a side path to the courtyard.

She was greeted by Li Xuejun, who still looked at her with caution, evidently fearing she was here to deliver medicine again today.

”Comrade Xiao Li, has the chief doctor reviewed the medicine?” Beisitian asked.

”Not yet. The doctor is a legendary figure, with a status not lesser than the senior chief’s. It’s not so easy to make an appointment; even the chief has to wait!” Li Xuejun explained.

Beisitian was momentarily surprised, recalling the person she saw last time. A man in his fifties, with such a status and reputation, he must indeed be highly skilled in medicine.

”Is he a practitioner of Chinese medicine or Western medicine?” Beisitian asked out of curiosity.

Li Xuejun thought for a moment, then shook his head, ”Every time he comes, he carries a box. Occasionally, you can smell the scent of Chinese medicine, but what the old man drinks isn’t traditional decoction.”