Chapter 751 - Preparing for the trip to Italy

Translator: Thyaeria

Due to alcohol, Su Tao was only able to wake up when the sun shone in. He discovered that he was lying in a hotel with his clothes neatly arranged by the bedside.

When Su Tao tried to recall what happened last night, he only managed to recall fragments of it. He had to give it to Du Ping’s capacity for liquor. He managed to recall that he was dragged into the hotel by Du Ping before a young lady who worked in the hotel helped him with his clothes. Letting out a sigh, Su Tao made a note in his mind to drink less in the future since drinking had held up his time.

After he took a shower and changed into his clothes, a voice resounded from the door and a young lady asked with a blushed face, “Physician Su, you’ve woken up?”

“Yeah, I’m sorry about last night, I drank a little too much.” Su Tao smiled.

“Mr. Du was the one who changed your clothes, I didn’t do anything!” The lady immediately started to explain.

“Mr. Du? He’s really a good person!” Su Tao smiled after a brief stun.

Lowering her head, the lady informed, “We have a buffet on the second floor, so you can enjoy yourself with the card.” After she finished what she had to say, she immediately left the room.

Inwardly sighing, Su Tao recalled some fragments. There seemed to be a lady present when his clothes were changed. Could it be her? Then again, it was no wonder why she looked so embarrassed, she probably saw something she shouldn’t.

Then again, he’s a man, so he wasn’t too bothered about it. Anyhow, he didn’t lose anything. As he laughed it off, he came to the restaurant on the second floor.

Due to the fact that it’s breakfast time right now, there weren’t that many varieties available. Su Tao ordered a bowl of wontons and congee before he started eating in a corner. At this moment, his phone rang. It was a call from Ni Jingqiu.

“Hey, national hero, do you still remember what happened last night?” Ni Jingqiu smiled.

“What happened?” Su Tao was shocked after a brief stun.

𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

“Someone was drunk and started making random calls!” Ni Jingqiu smiled.

“Something like that happened?” Su Tao bitterly smiled and went on, “I didn’t reveal any secrets, have I?”

As Ni Jingqiu chuckled, she replied, “Yeah. You gave me a call and asked me to find you an Italian translator, saying that you’re going overseas soon. Furthermore, you even proclaimed that you would soon become an international celebrity, with many blonde ladies falling for you.”

“I really said that?” Su Tao started to ponder if Ni Jingqiu was adding details to what actually happened.

“I was just joking with you!” Ni Jingqiu’s tone suddenly changed as she asked, “Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?”

Su Tao knew at this moment that Ni Jingqiu gave him a call out of concern and smiled. “Nothing much. I’m a physician, and I have tons of ways to get rid of the after-effects of being drunk. Would you like me to teach you?”

“No, thanks!” Ni Jingqiu decisively rejected, then went on, “You’re really uninteresting, dragging the topic back to your profession in a few words.”

“I can’t help it. It’s an occupational disease, just like how businesswomen like you would talk about investments when you’re chatting with someone. It’s your forté, and you’re better at discussing them.” Su Tao laughed.

“Now that you’ve mentioned it, I won’t beat around the bush with you anymore. We’ve already kickstarted the TCM Cultural Project, and we’ve named it . What do you think about that?” Ni Jingqiu smiled.

“It’s simple, and the name is great. The content is of the utmost importance since it must promote the culture of TCM.” Su Tao smiled as he responded.

Nodding her head, Ni Jingqiu replied, “I’ve already gotten the author to use you as a model and they have started working on the manuscript. But you have to provide some information to help the author in writing the manuscript.”

“Just get the author to contact me. I will definitely share it with them.” Su Tao straightforwardly agreed.

“Furthermore, there’s something that I would like to warn you about. I’m afraid that your trip to Italy won’t be peaceful.” Ni Jingqiu sighed before she carefully added, “Italy’s Tosca Pharmaceutical Conglomerate is extremely influential. Although it’s a medicine manufacturing enterprise, they have great influence in the country. The Tosca Pharmaceutical Conglomerate is similar to the Fuji Group’s status in Japan. Furthermore, they also have connections with the infamous mafia. Because of Seven Mountain Village’s rescue incident, you’ve gone on their blacklist.”

“What’s the reason for that?” Su Tao was somewhat baffled.

“After investigations, it has been determined that the new type Hepatitis virus, Seven Mountain Virus, was created by Tosca Pharmaceutical Conglomerate. They were initially intending on using this virus to lay down a solid foundation in China’s market, but you and Andrewson have ruined their plans, ultimately resulting in the collapse of their cooperation with the Ying Family Medicine Group. Furthermore, a listed company suffered a crushing defeat and had to withdraw from the stock market.” Ni Jingqiu had her information in the investment field, then she continued, “Last but not least, the successor of Tosca Pharmaceutical Conglomerate, Tony, has been arrested for suspicion of being a spy.”

Listening to those words, Su Tao finally realised what was going on. So it turned out that Tosca Pharmaceutical Conglomerate had such an intimate connection with the Ying Family Medicine Group, and their successor was even arrested in the country. It was no wonder why that Ni Jingqiu would remind him about this matter.

“You’ve done your homework for me?” Su Tao smiled, inwardly feeling smug. He knew that Ni Jingqiu had gotten someone to gather information when she heard about his trip to Italy last night.

“Don’t dream about it. The TCM Cultural Project has just started, and I’m afraid that I might suffer an enormous loss if something happens to you.” Ni Jingqiu tried her best to conceal herself now that she had been exposed.

“Don’t worry about it. I will protect myself well.” Su Tao’s tone changed.

Acknowledging Su Tao’s words, Ni Jingqiu responded, “I’m having a meeting soon, so I’ll be hanging up first.”

When she hung up the call, Ni Jingqiu fell into deep thoughts. Truth be told, she wanted to persuade Su Tao to not head for Italy since many eyes were preying on him. Now that Ying Xiong was released while Tony was still detained, the Tosca Pharmaceutical Conglomerate might use the same method of capturing Su Tao to force the Chinese government to exchange for Tony.

However, she understood Su Tao too well, and he’s not someone who would easily change his mind.

After receiving Ni Jingqiu’s warning, Su Tao was filled with cautiousness for his trip to Italy and gave a call to Xia Yu, “Help me investigate the Tosca Pharmaceutical Conglomerate.”

“I have already investigated the Tosca Pharmaceutical Conglomerate, and it’s a gigantic medicine manufacturing enterprise with dips in the Chinese medicine industry as well. They’re one of the shareholders of Japan’s Iwata Chinese Medicine Research Facility. Furthermore, Iwata Chinese Medicine Research Facility relied on their international influences to successfully open the overseas market.”

“The Tosca Pharmaceutical Conglomerate has a close connection with the Seven Mountain Virus incident.” Su Tao solemnly replied.

Straightening up his face, Xia Yu replied, “I will make an investigation immediately and send you the information.”

Ending his call with Xia Yu, Su Tao gave another call to Yan Jing, informing her to bring along bodyguards for this trip to Italy.

Su Tao was confident in handling his opponents by himself, but he was afraid that he might be pushed into a passive state if they made a move at someone around him.

After finishing his breakfast with conflicted feelings, Su Tao called Xiao Jingjing, instructing her to buy a ticket from Beijing.

He immediately headed for the Three Flavour Hall’s flagship store in Beijing when the plane arrived at roughly 3 p.m. to take a look at Liu Jianwei.

Liu Jianwei was currently wrapped in bandages while he’s currently exercising his body with an elastic rod. When Su Tao let out a cough, Liu Jianwei turned around and smiled. “Why are you here?”

“I came to see you when I heard that you were injured.” Su Tao smiled.

“Don’t worry about it; these superficial wounds aren’t much. Ling Yu told me that the bandages could be removed in just three to five days. The wounds have already healed, but it looks terrifying, so it was covered up.” Liu Jianwei heroically said.

When Su Tao personally examined Liu Jianwei’s injuries, he realised that Ling Yu’s skill in treating exterior wounds was extraordinary. It was true that Liu Jianwei would recover in three to five days, and there wouldn’t be any repercussions from his injuries.

“You took out your treasure to treat Old Liu?” Su Tao smiled as he looked at Ling Yu.

“Even if the medicine is expensive, it’s still used to treat others, and I wouldn’t use Jade Breaking Ointment if Old Liu wasn’t in such a hurry to recover.” Ling Yu smiled as he blushed from being exposed.

Listening to their conversation, Liu Jianwei was baffled before he asked, “The Jade Breaking Ointment is expensive?”

“It’s simply priceless! It’s concocted with forty-nine herbs, and many of them are already extinct in the present day. So it’s impossible to recreate even if you have the prescription. Only a sect with such a solid foundation like the Medical Dao Sect could create it. Furthermore, it’s a consumption product that will be gone once it’s finished.” Su Tao replied.

Feeling touched that Ling Yu was willing to use such a rare medicine on him, Liu Jianwei replied, “I’m just a brute, so why did you use such a good medicine on me?”

“In ancient times, the Jade Breaking Ointment was used by those in society like yourself. But there aren’t many martial artists in modern day, so it’s appropriate to be used on you.” Ling Yu replied.

Standing to the side, Su Tao nodded his head since Ling Yu’s explanation was reasonable. Although the Jade Breaking Ointment worked magic on ordinary people, it was more appropriate for martial artists like Liu Jianwei.

After Ling Yu left to handle the pharmacy’s matters, Su Tao and Liu Jianwei were left in the room.

“Ying Xiong has already been released, and Hei Jin is already on the way back. You can be reassured!” Su Tao said.

“I definitely won’t let that scum off!” Liu Jianwei balled his fists together.

“Fire Beacon initially wanted to get you on the mission to assassinate Ying Xiong, but I don’t want you to go since it’s a mission with high chances of death.” Su Tao continued.

Liu Jianwei grinned. “You know me, and this is something that I want.”

Gently patting Liu Jianwei’s shoulder, Su Tao replied, “Watch your safety. Come back if you fail the mission, we have plenty of chances in the future.”

“Why are you speaking such unlucky words before the mission even started? It’s unlucky!” Liu Jianwei raised his brows.

Letting out a laugh, Su Tao changed his words, “Then I wish for your success and retrieve Ying Xiong’s life!”

“Roger!” Liu Jianwei responded in a solemn voice while knitting his brows.

Su Tao was briefly stunned by Liu Jianwei’s actions. The latter seemed to be treating him as someone he’d be loyal to.