The shop owner and the others were deeply shocked to hear Lu Junxin address Cheng Xiaofan as "Venerable Master" and to see his utterly deferential demeanor.
The owner wondered what kind of person this "Venerable Master" was, that the President of Han Country, Lu Junxin, would humble himself so much. This young man, it seemed, was no ordinary figure.
Cheng Xiaofan smiled and said, "President Lu, there's no need for such ceremony."
"Please sit down, and I'll have the owner bring us some steamed soup dumplings."
Jin Hongtai immediately chimed in, "Let me order. I'll treat you to breakfast!"
"Owner, bring me the steamed soup dumplings, the same portion as for the Venerable Master."
"Alright, I'll bring them right up!"
The owner beamed, as if it were his wedding day.
Jin Hongtai pointed to Park Suk-hye and introduced her to Lu Junxin, "Mr. President, this beautiful lady is Park Suk-hye, and she is the Venerable Master's woman!"
Lu Junxin quickly said, "Park Suk-hye, you are undeniably a beauty of exceptional grace."
"Judging by your name, you must be from Han Country, correct?"
Park Suk-hye responded frankly, "Thank you for your compliment, Mr. President. I am Park Sil-seong's sister. I am truly sorry. I never imagined my brother would cause such great harm to Han Country."
"I feel deeply ashamed!"
"Please accept my apologies, Mr. President. I have caused you trouble!"
Lu Junxin hastily replied, "Beautiful Ms. Park, you are too kind."
"Your brother's actions have nothing to do with you!" He thought to himself, *Of course, you are Cheng Xiaofan's woman. I am here today to ask a favor of your man, how can I possibly hold anything against you?*
He continued with a smile, "Beautiful Ms. Park, that you are the Venerable Master's woman,"
"is also a source of pride for us Han Country people!"
"My wife is fond of befriending refined beauties like yourself."
"Perhaps when the time is right, I can invite her to visit your home!"
Yesterday, Jin Hongtai had already briefed Lu Junxin on Cheng Xiaofan's background in detail. In his mind, anyone who could be crowned "Venerable Master" by Meng Sizi of Danwan Country was a god-like figure walking among the clouds. At this moment, Lu Junxin hoped to forge a connection with Cheng Xiaofan through Park Suk-hye.
Park Suk-hye smiled, "Mr. President, you are too generous with your praise!"
Cheng Xiaofan couldn't help but laugh, "President Lu, you've come all this way early in the morning, surely not just for breakfast with me here?"
"If there's something you need to discuss, feel free to speak your mind."
Lu Junxin replied, "Since the Venerable Master has brought it up, I shall get straight to the point."
"I heard from Jin Hongtai that your intention is to gather over two hundred thousand critically ill patients into a single plaza and cure them all within half an hour?"
Cheng Xiaofan nodded, "Yes, that's exactly what I intend to do!"
"What, President Lu, do you not believe I have the ability to do so?"
Lu Junxin quickly responded, "Venerable Master, you jest. How could I doubt your abilities?"
"It's just that I'm in a bit of a dilemma. These over two hundred thousand patients are not all concentrated in our capital, but are scattered throughout the country."
"Due to various factors, gathering them all today would be exceedingly difficult."
"It might take us three days. Would the Venerable Master be amenable to this?"
Cheng Xiaofan pondered for a moment, "I must return to my country the day after tomorrow."
"The third batch of patients must be sent to the capital by the morning of the day after tomorrow."
Lu Junxin quickly agreed, "That is entirely possible."
"Furthermore, Venerable Master, please name your price. What is the remuneration?"
Cheng Xiaofan smiled faintly, "Mr. President, you must have heard that the Park Corporation has been transferred to my name."
"However, I received information that due to the magnitude of Park Sil-seong's recent incident, you are in deliberations to impose severe penalties on the former Park Corporation."
"To be frank, when Park Sil-seong transferred the Park Corporation to me, he also transferred his personal funds to me."
"Although the Park clan possesses vast wealth, they may not have much left to pay in compensation."
"My proposal is this: I will be responsible for curing the over two hundred thousand patients, and in return, you will waive the severe penalties against the Park Corporation."
Cheng Xiaofan was not trying to be a philanthropist here. The reality was that the Park clan had insufficient funds for such compensation. Moreover, many of these patients were vital personnel for the pharmaceutical group. If they were all ruined financially, it would undoubtedly be a significant blow to his own Cheng Corporation.
"This..."
Lu Junxin replied with some difficulty, "This is a matter that the members of the National Assembly have deliberated upon. I fear I cannot make this decision alone!"
Cheng Xiaofan's expression turned serious.
He said, "President Lu, I don't wish to make things difficult for you."
"After you return, tell those assemblymen directly,"
"that if they do not agree to my terms, I will not save those paralyzed patients."
"If they are capable, let them solve it themselves!"
Lu Junxin became flustered upon hearing this.
He said, "Venerable Master, please do not be angry."
"When I return, I will handle those National Assembly members."
"Anyone who refuses to comply will be removed from the assembly!"
*It's a serious matter!* More than two hundred thousand patients, a vast majority of whom were important local officials. If they were all incapacitated at home, the functioning of local government bodies would grind to a halt. It was easy to imagine how catastrophic that would be. After all, Lu Junxin was the President of a nation. Under special circumstances, he could exercise his presidential authority and dismiss any recalcitrant assembly members.
Cheng Xiaofan heard this and finally broke into a smile.
He said, "Indeed, as a President, you must display your authority. Don't let those assemblymen chatter nonsense about everything!"
After breakfast, Jin Hongtai moved to pay the bill.
Lu Junxin stopped him, saying, "This breakfast is my treat to the Venerable Master!"
"Owner, come here and settle the bill!"
The owner rushed over, a wide smile on his face.
He said, "Mr. President, this breakfast is on me!"
"It's such a rare occasion for you to visit my humble establishment. How could I possibly let you pay?"
Lu Junxin smiled, "Today, I am treating the Venerable Master. I must pay."
"Otherwise, how can I express my sincerity!"
The owner insisted, "No, Mr. President, please do me a favor today and let me treat you!"
Seeing them bickering, Cheng Xiaofan couldn't help but laugh, "President Lu, just let the owner treat you."
"If you truly feel awkward, you could write a piece of calligraphy for his noodle shop!"
Upon hearing Cheng Xiaofan's suggestion, Lu Junxin had no further objections.
He smiled at the owner and said, "I'll do as the Venerable Master suggests. Bring me paper and ink,"
"and I will write a piece of calligraphy for your noodle shop!"
The owner was instantly ecstatic and exclaimed, "Yes, that's wonderful!"
"I'll go buy the paper and ink right away!"