Merchant and doctor

Chapter 2210 Welcoming the New Year!
There's a local proverb in Lijin that goes, "People change their nature as they get older." It means that as people age, most of them experience changes to varying degrees in their temperament, values, life goals, and self-perception.

Sima Kui was no exception. Since his recovery, he has become much gentler in his dealings with others. He runs a clinic and a pharmacy with great care, thinking about how to accumulate more good karma, save more money, and live a few more years... earnestly leaving something for his children.

Nowadays, Bian Mu is actually at the forefront of modern Chinese medicine. No one dares to predict how far he can develop in the future. Sima Kui has suggested more than once that his second brother should cooperate with Bian Mu honestly and do his part for the development of modern Chinese medicine. At the same time, they can also make some money so that if they become partially disabled in the future, they will not become a burden to their children and grandchildren.

The second senior brother, Liang Xiangyin, seemed somewhat negative, and he remained ambiguous about whether it was good or bad.

Seeing that his second senior brother's attitude was somewhat ambiguous, Sima Kui didn't say anything more. However, he had already made up his mind that if Bian Mu really needed his help, he definitely couldn't stand idly by.

Last time, Bian Mu deliberately arranged for Nurse Sun to "shift the blame," indirectly sending that doting father to Sima Kui's small clinic. This put Sima Kui in a difficult position, unsure whether to intervene or not. Although he knew it was Bian Mu's little trick, Sima Kui didn't mind. While he was extremely annoyed, he repeatedly warned the father that the time was not yet ripe and urged him to wait patiently.

At the same time, Sima Kui solemnly warned that good father to remain calm and not to play the kind of ridiculous tricks that only a three-year-old would take seriously with Bian Da Guanzhu. He should just stay home and wait patiently.

As a result, the good father who had been hoping that the shocking scar on his beloved daughter's hand would be completely removed finally gave up and never went to the "New Concept" Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic to cause trouble again.

Bian Mu claimed that he wasn't good at dealing with scoundrels, which made Sima Kui laugh.

"That talkative guy we ran into at the restaurant last time, the one whose daughter has a scar on her hand, you wouldn't believe it, the other day he was coming to my place every day asking for medical advice and medicine, I couldn't get rid of him, he was so annoying, I don't believe he wasn't giving me advice behind the scenes. We're talking about this now! If we can really get our hands on that 'Kuiwu Fangding' and some mineral medicine, his little girl might actually see some improvement..." While chatting, Sima Kui nodded at Bian Mu, implying that he wasn't exactly a moral gentleman either, and that he occasionally did the same kind of underhanded things as others.

"Oh dear! He's really persistent! He actually went to cause trouble at your place! He shouldn't have done that! I'll have to give him a good talking to next time I see him! Mineral medicine?! Then... according to your idea, what medicine should we use to reactivate it?" Bian Mu replied with a smile.

Sima Kui had a slight, cold smile on his lips, but he didn't say anything for the time being.

"You're firmly in the top position now, even Nie Yixiong treats you with respect, so getting the activation drug is a piece of cake for you!" Sima Kui teased Bian Mu without making a sound.

"Senior is joking. As for those kinds of scars... I've only ever heard of some unorthodox remedies. For example, there's an animal-based medicine similar to a ground beetle that's produced on the southern slope of Jinniu Bay in Nanjin. It has a strong astringent effect. When combined with mineral medicines like Glauber's salt, it can activate a long-dormant bloodline. It's just hearsay. I've never dared to try it in the clinical field. The relevant departments can handle it. At most, I'll try it on myself first!" Bian Mu casually probed a few times, wanting to see how the gradually changing senior Sima would respond.

"Hmph! Hearsay?! You make it sound so easy, is it really true?! Don't you have enough 'Golden Beetles' on hand?!" Sima Kui, his temper flaring, couldn't help but question Bian Mu.

"I have some of those 'initiating medicines' prepared, but I haven't been able to fully comprehend their full medicinal properties yet. I would appreciate your guidance sometime, senior." "Master, you are too modest! By the way, speaking of Pan Shaojie, I remembered a little incident. I overheard a few things, but I can't tell if they're true or not. Just take it as gossip. Doesn't that kid like racing? The closer he gets to the crucial moment, I don't know if it's from being too nervous or if he has some kind of congenital problem, but his legs suddenly won't obey him. Sometimes it's his left leg, sometimes his right. Several times he almost lost his life on the track. Now, due to his parents' strict orders and the close watch on him by his hangers-on, he's probably a little afraid of death deep down. He's been well-behaved for two years, but... as far as I know, his little 'fiery racing chariot' desire is still burning brightly in his heart!" These words were quite subtle. Sima Kui secretly handed Bian Mu a "soft knife," and who knows when Bian Mu might actually use it.

Bian Mu nodded slightly but didn't say anything.

Some things are meant to be prepared but never used; you should never be caught unprepared when the time comes.

Amidst laughter and conversation, the two had almost finished eating. Sima Kui nodded and called over a waiter, then scanned a code on the waiter's iPad to pay the bill.

……

New Year's Day 2026 is just around the corner. Bian Mu, together with Nurse Ye, "Striped Face" and others, carefully prepared some New Year's gifts, first inside the venue and then outside, the gift list is quite long, and they tried their best to deliver to all aspects.

The relevant departments are kind and righteous, and Professor Mi will not be formally scheduled to retire before the sixteenth day of the first lunar month. Fearing that the old lady's door would be "sparsely visited," Bian Mu specially prepared a decent New Year's gift and, accompanied by Dian Shuhua and Teng Daili, formally visited the old lady.

Professor Mi was very pleased and took a group photo with the three of them in his courtyard. In addition, Professor Mi also invited his wife to meet Bian Mu. The old gentleman looked elegant and dignified, and was obviously a big figure in a certain field. The group sat together and talked about the New Year's vision for 2026. In their conversation, everyone was optimistic about Bian Mu's future.

On the last night of 2025, Bian Mu brought New Year's gifts and surprisingly spent the night with Zhao Xicheng.

Qi Yuewei had to attend a high-level welcome business party. She originally planned to invite Bian Mu to go with her, but Bian Mu said that he was not used to such glamorous occasions. Besides, he had worked hard all year and owed a lot of favors to many friends. He felt that he should at least express his gratitude during the welcome party, so he did not accompany Qi Yuewei to such a place to celebrate the welcome carnival together.

Su Linwen wanted to accompany Bian Mu to visit Teacher Zhao Xicheng, but her status was not quite up to par. Since Bian Mu didn't mention it, she didn't say anything more, claiming that she had to go home to accompany her parents to the pedestrian street to watch the fireworks to welcome the new year. In the end, she made an appointment with Xiao Ying and her new boyfriend to go to the pedestrian street together.

Bian Yue, accompanied by Nana, went back to her hometown to help her parents celebrate the New Year. Bian Mu felt that her younger sister seemed to be more sensible than before.

……

When Zhao Xicheng received Bian Mu's appointment call, he seemed a little flattered and was particularly polite on the phone, which made Bian Mu on the other end of the line feel a little uncomfortable.