CHAPTER 415: CHAPTER 414

Although the place isn’t big, they’ve never had a military family building here, and ordinary people can’t get in.

The three of them chatted while waiting, sipping a couple of cups of tea, feeling much warmer, and soon took off their coats since the room was warm too.

As they were chatting, a fragrant aroma wafted in from the kitchen, making the three of them feel instantly hungry, losing the mood for conversation. Tian Zhi headed to the kitchen to help Beisitian with whatever he could, bringing out the dishes and utensils.

Before long, a feast with color, aroma, and taste was served on the table.

The three could barely hold back their drool just from the smell. Tian Zhi was particularly surprised; he thought his cousin might know how to cook but expected it to be average. He never imagined it would be this delicious!

There were six dishes and a soup in total. They ate so much that it was as though they might swallow their tongues. Each person had three large bowls of rice, finishing the second pot of steamed rice, before finally stopping.

No wonder it’s said that a young man’s appetite can eat a father into poverty. If there were a few mouths like this at home, they’d surely eat the family out of house and home.

"Cousin, your cooking is truly delicious. Did you add quite a few herbs in here?" Tian Zhi said.

There were trace amounts of Huang Qi and Goji, along with a few other herbs, mixed very skillfully. Such a combination could better replenish the body’s qi and blood, allowing the body to fully absorb the nutrients and essence from the food.

"Sister Xiao Bei, your cooking is truly delicious!" Lu Tao said with a pair of glasses on his face, his eyes behind them large and bright, with thick, long eyebrows—a very delicate young man, he was smiling as he spoke.

Li Yong was somewhat dark-skinned, very tall and slender, looking quite shy when he smiled.

The two were very good friends with Tian Zhi.

"If you find it delicious, come again next time," Beisitian said with a smile.

The two bright-eyed friends said, "Then we won’t be polite." Even if they couldn’t come every day, they had to visit again before leaving—they, too, studied traditional Chinese medicine and knew that these dishes were not only delicious but also very beneficial for health if eaten regularly.

In the afternoon, the three planned to stroll around Anding City, while Beisitian had to go to work and couldn’t entertain them for long.

The competition was estimated to last about three or four days, with a grand award ceremony after it finished. After the morning session ended, the school would organize the return trip in the afternoon.

The next day, Beisitian also attended to watch the exchange match. Tian Zhi continued to perform brilliantly, advancing without any doubt. Now there were only four people left, and tomorrow would be the final competition to determine the top three.

It was heard that for the final competition, the Deputy Director of the Capital Medical Research Institute was invited as a judge. This Deputy Director was very young and definitely didn’t get the position through connections but through genuine capability. There’s very high regard for him outside.

Beisitian had also heard of this person; though the Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute wasn’t exactly a holy place, it was highly regarded. Apart from those like the Tian Family who were national recruits, it was very attractive to others.

Tian Zhi didn’t care much about this quota, but he didn’t make it too obvious since he was aiming for first place. If he wasn’t interested, taking up a spot would only stir envy.

Luo Xudong unexpectedly didn’t have duty today and said to Beisitian, "The finals are today, right? I’ll go with you."

While putting on her clothes, Beisitian paused and looked at Luo Xudong. She knew he definitely wouldn’t have time to watch such exchange matches.

Luo Xudong returned her gaze with deep eyes, simply saying, "Don’t worry."

Beisitian realized there was likely a mission involved, causing her to recall when he mentioned a few days ago that things in Anding City were not peaceful. Could it be related?

She nodded and didn’t ask more questions.

Luo Xudong didn’t wear his uniform today but dressed casually, presenting a different style that made Beisitian glance at him twice.

The two of them went out together. Since the school wasn’t far, they walked there.

"If anything happens, try not to leave the competition hall," Luo Xudong whispered softly in Beisitian’s ear, from any other angle looking more like two people showing affection.

This final attracted even more people than the previous two days because of the presence of the Deputy Director from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute. Many came specifically for his fame, unexpectedly making a name for Anding Third Traditional Chinese Medicine School.

Besides the arrival of the Deputy Director, prior publicity had been strong too, causing the entrance of the Third Traditional Chinese Medicine School to be crowded, bicycles everywhere, and occasionally a car or two, blocking the road in front of the school.

Seeing this scene, Beisitian suddenly felt a bit comforted somehow. Although such an environment might easily cause problems, it was better than being ignored. Otherwise, traditional Chinese medicine would completely decline.

Under Luo Xudong’s lead, Beisitian finally reached the small entrance. Luo Xudong, however, didn’t go in with her. Beisitian looked back at him, silently asking.

"You go in first. I’ll smoke a cigarette and come in after," Luo Xudong said.

Beisitian nodded silently and turned to go inside. Luo Xudong didn’t smoke at all.

This was her first time experiencing Luo Xudong carrying out a mission at such a close distance, and although it wasn’t something she personally engaged in, it made her heartbeat quicken.

All she could do now was not cause him any trouble.

Beisitian entered the competition hall and found a seat in the guest area. She was there as a family member.

The judges’ seats on stage were empty. The contestants, all four of them, had taken their places behind their podiums, with the competition material sealed in kraft paper envelopes, ready to be distributed once the judges arrived.

In just a moment, the guest area was full, and the time seemed about right. The judges gradually ascended the stage, allowing Beisitian to calm herself slightly and look towards the stage.

The first few judges remained the same as the previous days, but the last one appeared quite young, about twenty-eight or twenty-nine, tall, and could be described as handsome, with a high nose, big eyes, and lips of moderate thickness that exuded an indescribable allure, being the kind of person whose looks grow on you the more you look.

Beisitian was taken aback seeing this person, feeling he looked familiar, as if she’d seen him somewhere before, though she was certain that she shouldn’t have met this person.

As the competition began, Beisitian turned her attention back to Tian Zhi. After three days of observation, she was already certain that Tian Zhi had a solid foundation in this area. As long as his spirit was filled, under her guidance, he would certainly become a Mystic Doctor; this was without doubt.

Of course, before that, he needed to continue enriching his experience; knowledge alone wouldn’t suffice.

The competition was in full swing, but to Beisitian, Tian Zhi’s victory was already certain.