Song Bin wiped his sweat and muttered, "Don't cause trouble? After today, you guys might be walking sideways like crabs."
That same day, the Capital Medicinal Herb Association's live-streamed competition was supposed to start, but rumors were flying everywhere. The online audience watching from across the country was completely confused. "Come on already, start the damn thing! This determines next year's resource allocation! Otherwise, why would every city pour in their rare herbs?"
Yeah, the competition had already started—then suddenly got halted. Word spread that one Medicinal Herb Association had refused to continue, forcing everyone else to stand around staring at the big data bullet screens in frustration.
Plenty of people paced around the hall, annoyed. The more well-connected ones kept updating others. "The chief judge himself showed up, even the R&D Epidemic Prevention Department got involved!"
Of course, most contestants weren't from the capital, so the so-called "big shots" didn't impress them much. They didn't even know who these people were, let alone how powerful.
What really shocked everyone into silence was when the big screen suddenly flashed with a message:
"Fuhai Medicinal Herb Association has been disqualified for violating competition rules. President Wang of Fuhai has been removed from her post by the Capital Association for misconduct! Fuhai Medicinal Herb Association is hereby publicly criticized!"
Before anyone could recover, another notice appeared right after:
"The disqualification of Wu City Medicinal Herb Association was due to an operational mistake by Mr. Zhang and his team from the Capital Association. Mr. Zhang and his staff have been dismissed. We apologize to the Wu City Association and the public for the inconvenience caused. We'll strengthen logistical procedures moving forward..."
The moment that statement dropped, everyone watching Wu City's updates exploded. The whole city was in an uproar again.
At the Capital competition venue—
"Wu City got disqualified? Seriously? How'd we not notice?"
"Now everyone knows. Damn, that's basically a public apology! That's insane!"
"Don't tell me this had no inside story. A 'mistake' big enough to cancel someone's qualification? Yeah right."
"You don't know the half of it. A while back, Fuhai approached us, wanted to team up. They swore they'd take first place and offered us all kinds of benefits. Our president refused. Guess they thought we were stupid. The first prize this year's new energy resources."
"So what? What's that got to do with this mess?"
"Fuhai bribed the inspection team. They found out Wu City had submitted a batch of Bodhi and planned to take them for themselves to win the manufacturing rights. Risky move though, since Bodhi can't completely suppress the parasites."
"Hah, looks like Fuhai kicked the iron plate this time. Tried to screw someone over and ended up screwing themselves."
"Forget that, the real thing is, Wu City got their qualification revoked, yet somehow they're still back in the competition. This round's gonna be wild."
"That means Wu City's got the goods. If they didn't, no one would bother bringing them back."
While the capital side buzzed with speculation, Jing Shu's place was calm in comparison.
First, she compensated the poor Song Bin, then discussed the renewal terms for the geese with Tank. After a cheerful meal together, the rumble of heavy engines echoed outside.
From afar, Wang Danai's excited voice called out, then shifted to panic. "Jing Shu, there are a ton of vehicles outside! This doesn't look normal!"
Song Bin, now full and relaxed, glanced at Wang Danai with a smirk. "Your president stirred up this much trouble, of course people are coming." He'd lived in the capital for years and never seen real academic types act humble—but the way they treated Jing Shu today? Beyond polite.
He turned to her, shaking his head. "All this for checking one corpse? How the hell did she win over the biggest boss of all?"
The pharmacists from Wu City peeked out nervously. "They're not here to pick us up, are they?"
"Don't kid yourself! Look at those cars!"
Then a familiar figure stumbled out of one vehicle—none other than Team Leader Zhang, the one who'd deliberately left them stranded.
When he spotted Jing Shu, he practically lunged at her, trying to grab her hand, but she stepped aside, leaving him flailing. Still, he burst into tears and laughter all at once.
"President Jing! You've been waiting too long! We're here to pick you up! I'm so sorry, it's all my fault! I'm not asking for anything now, just please come with us to the competition!"
The pharmacists widened their eyes. What in the world was happening?
But the real shock came moments later when more people stepped out, led by Minister Zhao, who was supporting an elderly man. The group hurried over. Minister Zhao's expression was serious, but his tone was surprisingly polite.
"We've got it all cleared up. The Capital Association made a mistake. Wu City didn't violate any rules, so your qualification stands. Those responsible have already been dealt with, and the matter's been officially announced online. This here's Elder Zhang, the chief judge of the competition."
The elderly man, though his legs seemed weak, looked lively and sharp. He smiled kindly. "Everything's been handled. If there's anything else you'd like to discuss, speak freely. We'll work it out."
Team Leader Zhang trembled like a leaf. Who could've guessed that a small, unheard-of Wu City could command this much power? These big names were personally coming to escort them. And that old fox, President Wang, who'd tried to pull a dirty trick? She was doomed.
The Wu City pharmacists were stunned. It was just a competition, so why were so many bigwigs here—and why did it look like they'd come to apologize?
Jing Shu greeted everyone warmly and exchanged some polite words, then suddenly asked, "Team Leader Zhang, remember that day you said President Wang would teach me what rules are? She didn't come today? I wanted to return the lesson. It's not about who shouts the loudest or who's got the bigger title. The one with real value defines the rules."
Team Leader Zhang smiled bitterly. Back then, they'd been the ones looking down on Wu City, confident they could revoke their qualification whenever they pleased. But today? Wu City's discovery of the antidote changed everything. They deserved this treatment.
"So this is what rules mean," he thought. "That woman showed me." She hadn't been bluffing that day—she really had the power.
"She? She's not coming. Already escorted back to Fuhai. The Fuhai Association's been disqualified for breaking regulations."
Jing Shu raised her brows in surprise, then chuckled. "That's pretty ruthless. I like it."
"So," she said lightly, "shall we go then? Let's join the competition."
"Let's go," Minister Zhao agreed quickly.
Jing Shu clapped her hands. "Be careful with our herbs!"
"Of course, of course!"
…
"They're here, they're here!"
"Who's here?"
"The chief judge! Minister Zhao too!"
"And with them—it's Wu City's Association! My god, they're together! So it's true, the competition got paused for them!"