Merchant and doctor

Chapter 2281 Feeling Like Sitting on Pins and Needles
Thinking that he was just an unknown nobody, and that he didn't know anyone around except for Teacher Meng Shulan, and that Teacher Meng was far away from him at the moment, with her head covering her shoulders, so she couldn't see him.

Hehehe... Bian Mu couldn't help but make a few self-deprecating jokes in his heart. He rummaged through the large gift bag for a long time. There were still three empty seats on the left. Bian Mu used the empty seats as a table and began to examine the items one by one, which caused the surrounding guests to cast strange glances.

Bian Mucai couldn't be bothered with them.

"Huh?! There's a miniature microphone?! Does that mean I have to go on stage and give a speech?! No way! Who am I to this level of academic summit?!" Finding it somewhat amusing, Bian Mu carefully put away the exquisitely packaged box and continued rummaging through it... Ah! Finally, she saw the conference schedule.

Bian Mu carefully scanned the progress chart with his left hand...

Indeed, almost all of them were renowned figures in the country. Only a few clinical experts in traditional Chinese medicine were invited, and the vast majority were key figures in the academic community.

For a moment, Bian Mu couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and respect.

The bag contained outlines of cutting-edge TCM theoretical research. You couldn't find this anywhere; libraries never hold such advanced materials, and where could you find it in bookstores or online?! Research institutes, colleges, R&D centers… Bian Mu didn't even know which way the doors faced!
Having no way to even enter the hall, let alone gain access, Bian Mu naturally studied it very diligently after finally getting a glimpse of it...

……

"Oh! Someone's here!" Thinking of this, Bian Mu quickly packed all the meeting items from the seat next to him into a bag, while nodding apologetically to the old gentleman.

The old gentleman looked very refined. He was around seventy years old, but the amount of hair on his head was similar to that of a person in their forties or fifties. It was half black and half gray. He wasn't using a cane. Without asking, you could tell that he was full of energy and was definitely an expert in health preservation.

The old gentleman smiled politely at Bian Mu and sat down next to him.

Before long, the row where Bian Mu was sitting was full. Apart from the old gentleman next to him who came alone, the other teachers were accompanied by young people who came to find their seats. Some looked like students, some looked like assistants, and some looked like chauffeurs... In short, they all had a strong sense of status.

Apart from Bian Mu, there wasn't a single one around 50 years old; without exception.

Bian Mu suddenly felt like he had a thorn in his back.

To Bian Mu's right was the corridor. It was then that Bian Mu realized that the first three rows were all temporary sofas, and only from the fourth row onwards were the commonly used high-backed chairs. In other words, judging from the material of the seats, Teacher Meng Shulan had actually "separated" her from her side!
Realizing this, Bian Mu immediately became a little nervous.

After glancing around a few times, Bian Mu gradually became restless...

"Something's not right! Even if I've come up with some amazing remedies in clinical practice, at most I've only performed exceptionally well on the front lines. As for theoretical contributions, at most I've arrogantly proposed the hypothesis of so-called 'numerical medicine.' I haven't really shown the world the core theoretical framework, main content, and related connotations and extensions yet! I've managed to publish a few academic papers, but they've all disappeared without a trace, good or bad. Why am I suddenly being put in this position?! Are they putting me on the hot seat, ready to burn me at any moment? Are they planning to bring me back to square one?!" Realizing that today's situation might be a setup orchestrated by someone beforehand, Bian Mu suddenly broke out in a cold sweat.

I'm sweating so much, it's so uncomfortable! Dr. Fang, was this really necessary?!
Besides, he doesn't have that much power, does he?!
"I haven't offended any big shots lately, have I?! Why are they treating me like this?! Is it really necessary?! My buddy is overestimating himself, isn't he?" With his mind in turmoil, Bian Mu sat there somewhat uneasy.

Just then, someone sat down in the seat closest to her across the aisle. She was a woman in her thirties, of medium to tall height, wearing a navy blue Western-style semi-casual, semi-workwear suit that made her look very capable. Her hair was tied up in a bun, which made her look much fairer than the average person. She had almond-shaped eyes, double eyelids, and bright, shining eyes. She looked like the kind of strong woman who had been super confident since childhood.

Lowering her voice, the woman took the initiative to come over and introduce herself.

"My surname is Long, and I'm Professor Xi's assistant. It's a pleasure to meet you!"

"Oh... I'm Bian Mu, I run a clinic on the street. Hello, hello..." For a moment, Bian Mu didn't know how to be polite to the man.

"You're too kind, Master! These three rows are not just for show. Every single one of you has made a real impact on the cause of traditional Chinese medicine. You are no exception. Sometimes, being too humble can make you seem a little arrogant!" The female assistant joked with Bian Mu at the end.

"How dare I! If I may ask, I only need to listen in. Will I be asked to make a statement or express my opinion later?" Bian Mu was an honest person. He naturally wanted to find out what he was worried about, so as not to sit there feeling uneasy.

"Well... I'm just a junior assistant. The meeting schedule is usually arranged by Teacher Xi, so..." At this point, Assistant Long smiled but remained silent.

At this moment, a female host in her early forties announced the official opening of the seminar on stage.

One after another, several elderly gentlemen and ladies went up to talk about the academic challenges facing the production and sale of traditional Chinese medicine from different perspectives. Although their perspectives differed, they all shared the same theme: the standards for the production and sale of traditional Chinese medicine are becoming increasingly stringent, but the academic level of the traditional Chinese medicine community has not yet achieved a qualitative breakthrough. The senior teachers on stage appeared very anxious and also expressed deep disappointment.

Bian Mu listened attentively for a long time, but felt that there was more complaining than genuine grievances. What good would that do?!
If a large number of traditional Chinese medicines are removed from the market, who will fill the huge market vacancy?!

"At their age, why are they all so somewhat rambling and lacking in self-awareness?!" Bian Mu couldn't help but feel a little disapproving.

As I was listening, someone on stage suddenly started mentioning their self-developed "detoxifying ointment"!

Bian Mu immediately became a little nervous.

"Could this be a trap... a ploy to lure me in?!" Bian Mu immediately perked up her ears and listened carefully to every word.

I dared not miss a single word!
Having worked so hard to become famous, Bian Mu dared not be careless at this time. If he really wanted to go all out and compete with someone, he had some courage. He had no choice but to fight for himself. It would be too disrespectful to his ancestors if he easily gave up!
Believing that he hadn't done anything wrong, Bian Mu gradually calmed down...