From Evil Sect Leader to Doctor-Chapter 381 - 356: Don’t Make Absolute Statements

Yan Jingsong told Xu Chunliang that this Pu Jian was an old neighbor from the past, originally named Fu Jian. It’s unknown how he changed it to this name. Apparently, he disliked that his original name sounded like a woman’s accessory. But honestly, not many people go as far as changing their last name, too.

The two arrived at Quanjude, where Pu Jian was already there. This guy was wearing a traditional Tang suit, gold-rimmed glasses, a ponytail, agarwood Buddhist beads on his wrist, and a jade thumb ring. At first glance, he looked like an ancient Qing dynasty aristocrat just climbing out of the coffin, yet he didn’t feel embarrassed at all.

Seeing Yan Jingsong enter, Pu Jian enthusiastically rushed over to give him a hug, "Old Fatty, I’ve missed you to death."

Yan Jingsong was a bit embarrassed that he was called by his nickname right away. He used to be quite fat as a kid, and everyone around called him Old Fatty.

Yan Jingsong said, "Fu Jian, why do you still look like that bear?"

Pu Jian said, "Such a big leader, yet you don’t recognize words. I’m called Pu Jian now, like Pu in Pu Yi!" He looked at Xu Chunliang with a grin and said, "Is this guy your classmate? He looks much younger than you."

Yan Jingsong explained they were classmates at the Party School.

Xu Chunliang smiled and extended his hand to him, "I’m Xu Chunliang, from Changxing Hospital."

Pu Jian shook his hand and took the opportunity to show off his bracelet and ring, "I’m very familiar with Changxing Hospital, my house used to be next door."

"Me too!"

As they chatted, they realized they were neighbors. Pu Jian knew Huichun Hall and his family used to take him there for treatment when he was a kid. He had a deep impression of Elder Xu and became more enthusiastic when he heard Xu Chunliang was a descendant of Huichun Hall.

Pu Jian invited them to sit down and then took out business cards to hand to them.

Yan Jingsong read the card aloud, "Chairman of Congjue Culture Co., Ltd., Aixinjueluo Pu Jian?"

Pu Jian chuckled and said, "That’s me."

Yan Jingsong was puzzled and asked, "Since when did you become an Aixinjueluo?"

Pu Jian said, "You’d have to ask my dad’s grandpa. According to research, my dad’s birth-grandpa’s second aunt was Manchurian and from the Bordered Yellow Banner."

"What does that have to do with you?" Yan Jingsong couldn’t quite figure out the connection.

"Old Fatty, your thoughts are becoming more official-oriented; I advise you, keep going like this, and you’ll become out of touch with the masses," Pu Jian said, then smiled at Xu Chunliang, "Brother, we joke around by habit, don’t take offense."

Xu Chunliang said, "Brother Pu, I’m not taking myself as an outsider."

Pu Jian laughed heartily, ordered the dishes, and lifted two bottles of Maotai from the floor, "We won’t drink too much today, just two kilos. If that’s not enough, we’ll add some beers."

Yan Jingsong picked up one of the bottles to examine it.

Pu Jian said, "What are you looking at? Do you think my liquor could be fake?"

Yan Jingsong said, "You wouldn’t bring fake liquor, but you can’t guarantee the seller wouldn’t, either."

Pu Jian said, "What do I do for a living? I can tell real from fake jade by just handling it, let alone Maotai. These two bottles were given to me by the president of Tianhong. What kind of status do they have? With a fortune of several billion, would they give fake alcohol?"

Yan Jingsong thought to himself, even people with a fortune over billions create counterfeits and sell them, let alone give them out. Having money doesn’t guarantee good character.

He asked the waiter to open the bottle and raised his glass with a smile, "After a long drought comes the sweet rain, meeting an old friend in a distant place, the wedding night, and the moment of success in exams—these are the four great joys of life. We’ve hit one. If you guys have requests, I might make more of a man’s dream come true tonight, but let me make it clear, I can show the way, but you cover the tips yourselves."

Yan Jingsong knew there was no chance for exam success and it wouldn’t rain today, so only one option was left. He laughed and cursed, "Fu Jian, can’t you be serious for once without thinking about corrupting state officials."

Pu Jian said, "My name is Pu Jian, Old Fatty. Once you’re in the Capital City, you better not think of yourself as an official, otherwise, the person serving you might just be a department-level cadre who went into business."

Yan Jingsong heard the underlying mockery of his low rank, gave him a glare, drank the toast, smacked his lips, and said, "Gotta admit, this liquor doesn’t seem fake."

Pu Jian said, "It’s a pity, even a tiny bit of trust between people is gone."

He flashed his jade ring, "See this? Just this ring could cover your lifetime earnings."

Yan Jingsong said, "Then I have to order more dishes, redistribute that wealth."

"I’m not giving you a chance; I’ve ordered everything decent at Quanjude already. If you want more, I can only offer you a three-legged duck. I didn’t know you liked these things when you were a kid, Old Fatty."

Yan Jingsong found himself helpless in front of this unruly childhood friend; he couldn’t even compose himself.

After a few drinks, Pu Jian started talking shop, asking if they knew of any cultural relics or antiques. Just get in touch with him; he could offer free appraisal and help sell them with plenty of connections.

Yan Jingsong knew Xu Chunliang’s purpose for coming tonight, and he brought up Mei Ru Xue proactively, "Jian’er, I remember you mentioned you know Mei Ru Xue?"

Pu Jian said, "I do, very well."

Actually, after meeting Pu Jian, Xu Chunliang felt that this guy was just a flashy trickster who couldn’t possibly have any real connection with Mei Ru Xue. Maybe they’d met, or he’d heard of her, but in his mouth, everyone was his friend.

Yan Jingsong glanced at Xu Chunliang and said, "The two of us and Mei Ru Xue were classmates at Nanjiang Party School."

"Oh, I see. Speaking of which, China isn’t that big. We keep running into old friends or making new ones."

Chunliang asked, "Have you seen her recently?"

Pu Jian shook his head and said, "It’s been a while. She’s quite the popular figure, with many of the rich second-generation heirs in the Capital City trying to woo her. It’s no exaggeration to say they’d line up all along Chang’an Street."

Yan Jingsong said, "Doesn’t Mei Ru Xue already have a boyfriend?" He glanced at Chunliang. Yan Jingsong had long given up the idea of pursuing Mei Ru Xue, knowing the barriers of social status were the hardest to cross, and he had some self-awareness.

He also didn’t think Chunliang could get together with Mei Ru Xue. The gap in status was too large.

Pu Jian said, "I’m not sure about that. I heard Young Master Wang is pursuing her, and their families are well-matched."

Yan Jingsong asked deliberately, "Which Young Master Wang?"

"Wang Jiancheng! One of the Four Young Masters of Beijing. Wealthy, influential, talented, and good-looking. I have some connections with him; he once bought jade from me. He’s really infatuated with Mei Ru Xue. During the New Year’s Bao Li Auction, there’s a necklace he was determined to get, having announced he’d gift it to Mei Ru Xue."

Pu Jian suddenly stopped and asked, "Why are you guys asking about her? Does one of you fancy Mei Ru Xue?"

Yan Jingsong shook his head to indicate it had nothing to do with him.

Pu Jian looked at Chunliang and laughed, "Then it must be you. Man, you’ve got guts!"

Chunliang said earnestly, "Mei Ru Xue is my girlfriend."

Upon hearing this, both Yan Jingsong and Pu Jian were stunned. Pu Jian stared at Chunliang, the words "blowing smoke" flashing through his mind.

Yan Jingsong knew Chunliang had an alluring charm and a decent relationship with Mei Ru Xue, but he wasn’t sure if they were dating. Regardless, it seemed inappropriate to claim so.

Pu Jian smiled at Yan Jingsong, "Old Fatty, your buddy’s quite the straight shooter." He didn’t believe it at all. Considering Mei Ru Xue’s background, how could she be interested in someone like Chunliang?

"Xiaoxu has a special knack with women." Yan Jingsong was pretty impressed with this, having seen it himself.

Pu Jian said, "We can joke about these things behind closed doors, but don’t talk about it outside. If word gets to the wrong ears, it could be trouble."

Chunliang felt a bit disdainful. He hardly believed the Qiao Family could control everything. The mutual affection between him and Mei Ru Xue was none of their business.

Pu Jian said, "Where were we?"

Yan Jingsong replied, "The Bao Li Auction."

"Right, the auction. Let’s continue talking about it. The necklace, a 28.18-carat D-color VVS1 clarity diamond with emerald pendant, is estimated between fifteen to twenty million. Wang Jiancheng made such a high-profile statement about buying it as a gift for Mei Ru Xue. Do you know why? The necklace was designed by Mei Ru Xue’s aunt, Qiao Yuanlan, and Mei Ru Xue loves it. He not only wants to express his feelings to her but also intends to deter other suitors."

Yan Jingsong said, "Even if he wants to give it, Mei Ru Xue might not necessarily want to accept it."

Pu Jian said, "No woman can resist the allure of diamonds. Even if Mei Ru Xue refuses, it wouldn’t be the diamond she denies, but the giver of it."

Chunliang felt there was some simple truth in Pu Jian’s words.

Yan Jingsong asked, "Are you attending the auction too?"

Pu Jian said, "Of course, I’m practically a regular guest of theirs."

Chunliang poured Pu Jian a drink and said, "Brother Pu, could I ask you a favor? I want to check out this auction. Could you take me along?"

Pu Jian said, "You? Generally, you either need valuable lots or membership."

"I don’t have any of that; I just want to take a look."

Yan Jingsong chimed in, "Fu Jian, you’re a regular guest there. Bringing someone along shouldn’t be a big deal."

Pu Jian realized he couldn’t retract his words or boast aimlessly, and now he had no choice but to agree. He grinned, "This auction is a bit special. Let me think of a way."

Chunliang saw that Pu Jian seemed a bit troubled and didn’t hold out much hope. He planned to find another way to sneak into the New Year’s auction, but unexpectedly, Pu Jian called him that evening. It was settled, and he instructed Chunliang to wait at the auction site entrance at 8:00 AM the day after tomorrow, New Year’s Day, repeatedly reminding him not to be late.

Chunliang found it odd. Auctions are held this early now?

On New Year’s Day, Chunliang took the subway to the auction site, traveling from the West District to the East District, and left an hour early. Since it was the start of the new year, the subway station was crowded.

Chunliang arrived at the agreed meeting place to find Pu Jian already there, wearing a down jacket with hands tucked into the sleeves, shivering in the cold wind.

Chunliang called out to Brother Pu.

Pu Jian said, "Why are you just getting here?"

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