When City Lord Qianluo heard Xiao Ning's words, his aged face moved slightly.
At that moment, Qian Ying beside him also frowned slightly and spoke.
"I didn't expect those two cities to choose an elite route, but instead adopt an open-to-all policy. The advantages and drawbacks of doing this are very obvious. The advantage is that with many people comes great strength, abundant resources are produced, and experts will continuously emerge. But the drawbacks are not to be underestimated. If everyone is allowed in, it will be very difficult to manage."
"Not for nothing are you the Fourth Young Master. Your analysis makes perfect sense."
Xiao Ning praised Qian Ying without holding back.
"Thank you for the praise, Uncle Xiao. I was only offering a few personal thoughts."
Qian Ying was very modest and did not grow smug from the praise.
Then Xiao Ning looked at City Lord Qianluo and respectfully asked for instructions.
"City Lord, what should we do next?"
City Lord Qianluo was silent for a few seconds, then asked in a hoarse voice.
"Qian Ying, if it were you, what would you do?"
"Father, since the other side has adopted an open-to-all policy, we can simply follow suit. Although an open-to-all policy is hard to manage, the benefits are obvious. We can collect a 20% transaction tax from it, and at the same time use our money to gather all the output. As for money, how much we want is still up to you, isn't it?"
"Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! The Fourth Young Master truly is exceptionally talented!"
Xiao Ning strongly agreed with Qian Ying's proposal.
After hearing this, City Lord Qianluo also nodded slightly and said a little wearily.
"Qian Ying, since even your Uncle Xiao praises it, then that's what we'll do. I am a bit tired. You may both withdraw."
"Yes!"
Xiao Ning and Qian Ying respectfully withdrew and closed the door behind them.
In the dim room, only City Lord Qianluo remained, sitting quietly alone.
Shanchengshan First Central Hospital · Genetics Department.
"Whew~"
Long Ming arrived at the waiting hall slightly out of breath, only to see a long line at the entrance of Consulting Room No. 1, all of them patients waiting.
As for the other consulting rooms, only a handful of patients were waiting.
Long Ming felt a little helpless. The fame of Doctor Cheng, with whom he had made an appointment, was growing more and more. The number of people seeking her treatment increased every day.
With so many people in line, he did not know how long he would have to wait. He also had to undergo examinations. If he could not get through before closing time, he might have to wait until the next day to be seen.
However, the permitted stay he had applied for was limited. If he could not finish within the limited time, it would be troublesome.
But Long Ming had no other choice. He could only walk to the check-in machine and take a number.
As a result, he was startled when he took it. There were still more than 120 people ahead of him, and his heart immediately sank.
After that, he walked helplessly to the end of the line and waited patiently.
At that moment, a young woman wearing a white physician's uniform, with delicate features, curved eyebrows, bright eyes, long black hair tied up, a white hairpin inserted into it, and a few stray strands hanging by her cheek, pushed open the door of Consulting Room No. 1 and walked out.
She walked along the long line, as if searching for something.
Soon the young woman reached the end of the line and saw Long Ming, who was waiting there. She asked uncertainly.
"Hello, are you Mr. Long Ming?"
"Yes. Is there something you need?"
Long Ming looked at the young woman's work badge, which read Lu Anna, Intern Physician, and asked in confusion.
"Mr. Long, please come with me."
Lu Anna said to Long Ming.
"Okay."
Hearing Intern Physician Lu Anna's words, Long Ming was also surprised, but he quickly agreed.
Lu Anna then led Long Ming through the long line and arrived at the entrance of Consulting Room No. 1.
However, just as she was about to bring Long Ming inside, a man at the very front of the line raised an eyebrow and reached out to stop Long Ming and Lu Anna.
Long Ming turned his head to look. The man blocking them was wearing a dark gray shirt, had light brown curly hair, wore a vintage mechanical watch on his wrist, and had an arrogant expression.
The man tossed his hair and spoke in annoyance.
"Hey, hey, what's going on? Are you cutting in front of me? Don't tell me he has an appointment or something. I have an appointment too, and I'm the highest-level VIP. It's already good enough that I don't cut in front of others, yet someone is cutting in front of me? Isn't that going too far?"
Hearing him, Lu Anna quickly explained apologetically.
"Sorry, sir. I'm only a new intern physician and don't know what's going on. I was just following Doctor Cheng's instructions to bring this gentleman in. Please forgive me."
Han Wen heard Lu Anna's explanation and looked Long Ming up and down in disbelief. What kind of background did this kid have, to actually be able to get Doctor Cheng to make an exception for him?
You must know that Doctor Cheng was the top expert in the Genetics Department in all of Shanchengshan.
His eyes shifted. He still had to see a doctor later. If he offended Doctor Cheng and made her unhappy, it would not be worth the loss. So he changed his attitude one hundred eighty degrees and said.
"I see. Then go in."
"Thank you."
Lu Anna also let out a slight breath of relief and led Long Ming inside.
At this time, the people queuing behind Han Wen watched this scene and whispered among themselves.
"What is that young man's identity?"
"I don't know!"
"He really is something. This is the first time I've seen someone get Doctor Cheng to let them skip the line."
"But I'm a little puzzled. The clothes that guy is wearing look very cheap. He looks like a Lower City commoner?"
"I noticed that too. I can't quite understand it."
Inside Consulting Room No. 1.
A female physician in her eighties, wearing a white coat, with white hair, old-fashioned glasses, and a kindly face, sat at a desk reviewing medical records.
"Doctor Cheng."
Long Ming greeted politely.
Hearing him, Cheng Yue looked up, adjusted her old-fashioned glasses, glanced at Long Ming, and said kindly.
"Mr. Long Ming, are you here for a follow-up?"
"Mm. I've run out of the medicine you prescribed last time. I need to get some more."
"All right. First have a re-examination, and I'll prescribe new medication based on the results."
"Okay."
Long Ming nodded slightly.
"Mr. Long Ming, this way!"
Lu Anna then led Long Ming to the examination room next door.
After a long while, Long Ming returned from the examination room to the consulting room and waited.
Before long, Lu Anna came in holding a report and handed it to Doctor Cheng.
Long Ming watched as Doctor Cheng carefully examined the report. Seeing her face tense, he could not help but feel uneasy. Could his condition have worsened again?
However, just as Long Ming's inner unease reached its peak, Cheng Yue showed a slight smile and said.
"Not bad. It is well controlled. From now on, you only need to continue taking medication to maintain it."
Hearing Doctor Cheng's words, Long Ming could not help but let out a long sigh of relief.
Most of the money he got from selling the house had been used on major treatment. If it worsened again, he really would not be able to come up with that much money.
However, Long Ming did not let the joy go to his head. Instead, he asked doubtfully.
"Doctor Cheng, since my condition is under control, why do I keep coughing? Why do I get a fever if I'm exposed to even a slight breeze?"
"That is because your condition is only under control, not completely cured. A genetic defect is very difficult to cure completely. Your immune system is still very weak, and if you are not careful, you will get sick. But don't worry. As long as you keep taking medication to control it, you will be fine."
"Then, Doctor, if it is well controlled, how much longer can I live?"
Long Ming looked at Doctor Cheng calmly.
Hearing Long Ming's question, Cheng Yue showed a gentle smile and answered.
"Mr. Long Ming, as long as you persist in treatment and maintain an optimistic mindset, I believe you can live just like a normal person."
"Thank you. Then please prescribe three months' worth of medication for me."
Long Ming nodded slightly.
"All right."
Cheng Yue then prescribed medication for Long Ming.
"Goodbye, Doctor Cheng."
Long Ming then stood up and left the consulting room.
At this time, the smile on Cheng Yue's face gradually faded. She then handed Long Ming's examination report to Lu Anna and had her file it.
Chapter 3