Mu Side was about to lose his temper, but Shu Lanzhou gently pressed down on his hand, while Ke Beichen placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You're absolutely right," Shu Lanzhou smiled politely.
"Book knowledge alone doesn't equate to real-life acupuncture skills. The fame of the Mu family's acupuncture doesn't just come from theory, but from the practitioner's technique."
"That's why, these past days, I haven't just been memorizing textbooks—I've been diligently practicing acupuncture techniques too."
She opened her palm. The tips of her right index finger and thumb were visibly reddened and rough.
"My teacher said that the Mu family starts training their hands from childhood. Since I started late, I have to practice even longer than others."
"And to ensure precision and sensitivity in the needlework, we not only practice tirelessly but also have to maintain the softness and flexibility of our fingers. That means constant care and treatment."
"I practiced too hard, so my fingertips still became a bit rough. But my teacher said with a couple days of moisturizing treatment, they'll be fine. Nothing to worry about."
She smiled and withdrew her hand.
"President Ke, you just said it would be a shame if the Mu family's acupuncture were lost. Even though I started late, my teacher believes that with my talent, I can catch up with the Mu family's direct disciples in five to ten years."
"I switched majors midway. I'm grateful my teacher didn't give up on me, so I wouldn't dare tarnish the Mu family's reputation. I'd never recklessly treat patients without mastering the skills."
Ke Ling glanced at Shu Lanzhou in surprise. This delicate, gentle-looking girl… turned out to have quite a spine—and not a small one either!
"Hah… you're quite the talker." Ke Ling laughed aloud. "Sit down, all of you. Tell me—what did you really come here for?"
Mu Side took a deep breath; by now, he no longer wanted to plead with Ke Ling.
There were plenty of foreign trade companies in Shen City, and not all of them needed Ke Ling. There was no reason it had to be her!
Seeing Mu Side fall silent, Shu Lanzhou wasn't sure what was going through his mind. But since they were already here, they might as well give it a try.
Without hesitation, she spoke up:
"Senior Mu truly came to thank you, that's genuine. But I also have a small matter I'd like to discuss with you, President Ke."
She took out her phone.
"I heard you're in foreign trade. Coincidentally, I know of a medical equipment company overseas that's been trying to enter the domestic market, but they haven't found a suitable local partner."
The company Seven worked at wasn't very old, but their equipment was world-class. Since they hadn't yet expanded their operations, they hadn't secured a domestic partner. Shu Lanzhou had learned this from casual conversations with Seven in her previous life.
"Oh?" Ke Ling was genuinely surprised. She thought they'd come to ask for a favor.
After all, no one offers kindness without a reason. Her condolences for Old Mu hardly warranted a personal visit from the Mu family heir.
She never expected—they were here to bring her business.
"You're bringing me business?" Ke Ling's smile deepened. "Now that really caught me off guard. Ke Beichen, is this your idea?"
Ke Beichen, ever sharp, immediately moved to sit beside her.
"More or less. You know I've been starting my own business, focusing on tech—developing nanorobots and communication technology."
"Mu Side's team has a project on medical nanorobots. If I want to take on their work, their project needs to advance quickly."
"And for their project to move fast, they'll need cutting-edge research equipment. So if you can partner with that company, the equipment will arrive sooner."
"The faster their research starts, the sooner I can launch my robots. That'll be my first pot of gold, Auntie. You won't deny me that, will you?"
"So all this roundabout talk… is really just for yourself?" Ke Ling eyed him skeptically.
"Of course!" Ke Beichen smiled brightly. "Who else would I do it for? Besides, this deal is all gain and no loss for you. Since Shu Lanzhou has the connections, why let someone else benefit?"
"Isn't it better to keep the good stuff in the family?"
Ke Ling frowned thoughtfully but didn't reply right away. "You're really sure about this? Not coming back to the company?"
"Absolutely." Ke Beichen nodded.
"The company's yours. I never planned to fight you for it. Grandpa handed it to you because he trusted you. I've got my own hands and feet; I'll make my own way."
"That's not how it works." Ke Ling patted his shoulder. "You have shares in the company. You have responsibilities. How about this—you do your thing, and I'll support you."
"But if one day you can't hold on anymore, you're always welcome back. There'll always be a place for you in Ke Group."
"Aww, Auntie!" Ke Beichen grinned and waved dismissively.
"I've only just started! How can you rain on my parade already? I'm going to make it big!"
"Alright, alright." Ke Ling chuckled, then turned to Shu Lanzhou.
"What's the name of that medical company? Do you have a contact person?"
Without hesitation, Shu Lanzhou pulled up her phone. "Yes! I can send you the contact now."
"Good. I'll have my people follow up. Once we finalize the partnership, we'll reach out to you. In the meantime, send me a list of the equipment you need."
Ke Ling was unusually agreeable. "I'll prioritize your order."
"That's wonderful." Shu Lanzhou's face lit up with a smile. "Thank you, Auntie Ke."
Ke Ling waved a hand dismissively. "If you don't mind, just call me Auntie. You're friends with Beichen—you're practically family."
"Thank you, Auntie." Shu Lanzhou responded warmly, standing to give her a polite bow.
But Mu Side didn't share the others' relief at Ke Ling's softened stance. On the contrary, he took issue with some of her words.
"Auntie Ke, thank you for helping with the equipment." As they prepared to leave, Mu Side looked at her seriously. "But the Mu family's legacy won't be lost. You needn't worry."
Ke Ling chuckled. "Whether it's lost isn't up to you—it's up to the world."
"The day no one knows of the Mu family's acupuncture… the day no Mu family doctor uses acupuncture to heal… even if you believe the legacy survives, it's already gone."
"…"
Ke Ling stood and headed upstairs, utterly unbothered, as if her words hadn't offended a centuries-old family. Mu Side felt a heavy frustration in his chest, his fingers curling slowly into a fist.
With fewer and fewer Mu family doctors, the decline of the Mu Traditional Medicine Hospital, and Mu Yaning's struggles to find students… all these facts left him unable to refute her.
She was right. In today's world, fewer people studied acupuncture. Even if the Mu family's techniques weren't technically lost—how many still knew of them?
A bitter smile crept onto Mu Side's lips.
"It won't happen." Shu Lanzhou clasped his fist gently. "That day Auntie Ke spoke of—it won't come. There'll only be more and more people learning acupuncture."
"More doctors will take it up. The Mu family's acupuncture will flourish. It will be passed down, generation after generation. Brother, believe me."
Mu Side gave a faint smile and patted her head. "Alright. I believe you."
He thought she was simply trying to comfort him, not truly believing her words. After all, one person's strength couldn't change the tide of an era.
Even Ke Beichen thought Shu Lanzhou was just offering solace. After all, she'd never intended to study acupuncture in the first place.
If not forced by circumstances, who would choose such an unpopular path?
One day, the Mu family's acupuncture would become a legend.
Such a pity.