The conference room suddenly became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Bai Zhirui was rendered speechless, her eyes reddening.
Mo Qiang couldn’t bear it. "Miss Fu, Zhirui didn’t mean any harm; she’s just straightforward and speaks her mind."
"Vice Captain, Bai Zhirui is an adult, and I believe she can take responsibility for her actions. Even if you wish to mediate, you shouldn’t be admonishing me. From start to finish, she has been the one instigating trouble. Why not counsel the person who initiated the conflict, instead of asking me to keep the peace? Do you believe I should be questioned and then passively accept such doubts without defending myself?"
Mo Qiang hadn’t expected Fu Bing to offer her no deference whatsoever.
For a moment, she was left in an extremely awkward position.
Liang Renhui looked at them and smiled. "The lineup order was a decision made by Master Jiang and the Captain after careful deliberation. We should simply follow their arrangement. Fu Bing hasn’t practiced medicine for long and is unfamiliar with many things. Allow her more time to observe the international teams’ matches. She was once an outstanding actress and possesses excellent observational skills. Progressing through observation is more valuable for her at this stage than the early group matches."
Although Mo Qiang was offered a way out, Liang Renhui’s explanation didn’t make her feel any better.
However, she had no choice but to reluctantly go along with it.
"I unconditionally obey the Captain’s and Master Jiang’s arrangements."
Fu Bing lowered her gaze, listening to their back-and-forth banter with a sense of boredom.
She noticed something familiar about the embroidery on the robe of the man beside her.
Suddenly, her eyes widened slightly.
This... This looks like my first truly accomplished piece of embroidery, the one I sold for 1,200. I was so happy when I received the money. So, he was the one who bought it?
Fu Bing raised her head to look at the man’s face.
His face was completely obscured by a mask, revealing nothing of his features.
Because of Wu Shi, she had an inexplicable fondness for people who wore masks.
Qin Jinhai sensed her gaze and turned his head.
Fu Bing clearly saw a scar near his eye, in a place the mask couldn’t cover.
"Do you have something to say?" Qin Jinhai asked, his voice different from its usual tone, sounding more like that of a teenager.
Fu Bing withdrew her gaze from his scar. "Thank you, Captain, for your trust in allowing me to be part of the team for this Grand Competition. I will do my utmost not to disappoint you and Master Jiang!"
She’s quite the smooth talker, Qin Jinhai scoffed inwardly. Does she really think I can’t tell she’s searching for something familiar about me?
Qin Jinhai announced, "Everyone, return to your rest and prepare for the upcoming battles with calm minds. Do not underestimate the enemy, nor should you be overly modest! China’s medical arts have been passed down for millennia; countless sages have illuminated our path. Display your skills proudly and let everyone witness the finest medical techniques of China!"
A surge of excitement coursed through everyone.
Qin Jinhai gave Fu Bing another look before rising and swiftly departing.
His flowing robes seemed to capture the souls of many as he left.
Only then did Fu Bing see clearly: the best part of her embroidery had been cut out and perfectly integrated onto his robe, right over his heart.
Was my embroidery from ten years ago really that appealing? she wondered. So much so that he couldn’t bear to part with it even after ten years?
I should give him one of my current embroidery pieces after the competition, Fu Bing decided.
Qin Jinhai left the small banquet hall and went straight to Master Jiang’s room.
Besides Master Jiang, several other influential figures were present.
Upon seeing Qin Jinhai’s signature robe, they hurriedly rose to their feet.
"The Captain’s taste truly hasn’t changed; still fond of clothes from a decade ago," Director Han chuckled, teasing him.
He was the overall person in charge of this competition. With the matches starting tomorrow morning, he was particularly concerned about how the captain of the China Team would arrange his lineup.
Qin Jinhai replied, "Old clothes are comfortable."
"Director Han wishes to understand the arrangements for the upcoming matches," Master Jiang paused before adding, "I also want to know where you intend to place Fu Bing."
A tumultuous wave of shock coursed through Director Han. The Captain hadn’t even informed Master Jiang! This... wasn’t this far too risky? Especially with Fu Bing added this year. And Master Jiang was actually willing to let the Captain stir up such trouble!
His wife and child were fans of Fu Bing, and he, having watched her film and television work with them, indeed considered her a rare and exceptionally talented actress, full of spirit.
But that didn’t mean she was qualified to be a member of the national medical team.
And Master Jiang is actually willing to indulge the Captain’s audacity to this extent!
"For the group stage, we’ll proceed with the first plan we discussed: the other team members will compete, while Fu Bing observes from the sidelines. She will participate in the individual competition during the semi-finals," Qin Jinhai explained.
Director Han waited a moment, and seeing that Qin Jinhai had no more to say, he spoke up. "Captain, I fully respect your plan. However, I must also voice my concerns. The most crucial part of the semi-finals is the individual competition. You’re entrusting the chance to advance to the finals to someone who hasn’t practiced medicine for a single day. I’m afraid I cannot accept that."
Master Jiang also sounded surprised. "Don’t you think this is too much of a gamble?"
"Fu Bing needs a high-stakes opportunity; otherwise, she won’t be able to win public support," Qin Jinhai stated with conviction.
Fu Bing thrives under pressure; the stronger the opponent, the stronger she becomes, Qin Jinhai mused. Even I can’t see the true limits of her potential. She needs this kind of extreme trial. If she makes a spectacular showing in this Grand Competition, her traditional Chinese medicine platform will also advance more effectively. Then, no one will object to entrusting her with those three billion.
Director Han pressed, "Win public support? You intend to entrust such a critical match to a newcomer for the sake of winning public support? Captain, your reasoning fails to convince me."
"If you don’t trust my judgment, then devise a plan that can convince me, and I will immediately withdraw Fu Bing," Qin Jinhai said calmly, glancing at them. "If she doesn’t compete, neither will I!"
"You..." Director Han bristled with anger. "You’re actually threatening us when the nation’s honor is at stake!"
"It’s not so much a threat as it is my confidence in Fu Bing. What is the purpose of this decennial Grand Competition? It’s to show other nations that we have outstanding successors to our medical heritage. If we don’t provide a significant platform for talented newcomers, what’s the point of winning? If our new talents can’t win public support, they will face censure when practicing medicine within China. You’ve all endured professional hardships; you understand how damaging criticism and slander can be for those still developing. You want Fu Bing to contribute to traditional Chinese medicine and innovative medical practices, so why are you unwilling to grant her this paramount opportunity? Do you only desire the convenience and influence she brings, yet begrudge her the very foundation of support that you are capable of providing?"
"In the end, the honor will be yours, while she bears the hardships and doubts," Qin Jinhai sneered. "Am I wrong?"
Master Jiang hastily tried to smooth things over. "We’re merely having a friendly discussion; there’s no need to take it so seriously. Director Han has certainly considered this point as well. Given his position, he has many factors to weigh."
"I maintain my reservations. There’s a ninety percent chance that Country A’s contestant in the semi-final individual match will be Hu Yao. You want Fu Bing to go up against him?" Both professionally and personally, Director Han did not want Fu Bing to compete in that position.
Firstly, the individual match in the semi-finals was too critical. It determined qualification for the finals, and he was afraid Fu Bing would lose.
Secondly, Hu Yao was notorious for his hatred of talented Chinese contestants. In his decades of competition, aside from the Captain, he had ruined every other exceptionally talented player he faced, dimming their prospects.
He did not wish for Fu Bing, as a rising new star, to face such tribulations prematurely.
As the highest authority in the national medical sector, he was responsible for the future of the country’s medical care.