Professor Qian Ping

Chapter 35: Professor Qian Ping

Arriving at the apartment door, Lu Li knocked and said, "Jessica, it's me."

A "thump-thump-thump" of bare feet running could be heard from inside, and after a moment, the door "clanged" open, with Jessica rushing out.

She was wearing one of Lu Li's T-shirts, revealing her smooth, long legs.

At that moment, she leaped into Lu Li's arms and pecked him several times on the cheek, saying excitedly, "You're finally back~"

"Sorry, I've been a bit busy lately..."

Lu Li, holding something in one hand, lifted the girl with the other and walked into the apartment.

The home was spotlessly clean and perfectly organized, making him feel relaxed.

Lu Li asked with a smile, "Were you bored at home by yourself? What did you do?"

"Not bored, I was studying firearms knowledge, and Xia language... You've changed so much though~"

Jessica was astonished by Lu Li's arm strength!

She was 1.6 meters tall and weighed 45 kilograms, yet she was lifted by this refined-looking man with one hand!

The young girl pinched Lu Li's arm and giggled, "You're so strong~"

"I've been working out~"

Lu Li put the girl down and ruffled her hair.

Jessica beamed, overjoyed. She quickly fetched a pair of slippers and started fiddling with the coffee machine.

Lu Li changed into slippers, sat on the sofa, and took out his newly purchased, barely used phone.

His main goal for this trip back was to replicate the Calming Incense.

The Calming Incense used many plant and animal spices from Xia Country, and its processing method was also traditional Xia Country techniques, so it would need to be handled by a professional domestic institution.

Lu Li certainly didn't have the connections for that, and it would take who knows how much effort to figure it out.

But his father, Lu Hongbing, did!

Lu Li unlocked his phone and searched for "Professor Qian Ping" on the browser. Several pages of related news instantly appeared.

This person was the Xia Country scholar who participated in Harvard University's research on "Discovering Human Meridians."

The results of this research had caused a huge sensation internationally!

The existence of meridians had always been controversial, but now it was confirmed to be real, equivalent to the discovery of a completely new human organ.

What was even more shocking was—how did people in Xia Country know about this thousands of years ago?

Thanks to this discovery, "Professor Qian Ping" returned home with international acclaim.

Coincidentally, this person was also an old acquaintance of his father, Lu Hongbing!

The Calming Incense was crucial and could not be underestimated, so Lu Li decided to leverage his father's connections from before he passed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At this moment, Lu Li dragged out the travel case containing his father's urn.

It also held his father's belongings, including his mobile phone.

He took out the old smartphone and turned it on. Sure enough, he found Qian Ping's phone number in the contacts.

"Hope he hasn't changed his number..."

Lu Li dialed the number on his own phone. It actually connected, and a ringtone played:

[Chinese Medicine Academy, a comprehensive traditional Chinese medicine research institution integrating scientific research, medical treatment, and teaching for the nation...]

Lu Li's heart leaped: "That's right! Professor Qian Ping works at the Chinese Medicine Academy! It seems this number is correct!"

A few seconds later, the call was answered, and a steady voice came through:

[Hello, this is Qian Ping. Who is this?]

The voice sounded slightly confused, as this was a private number that not many people knew.

Lu Li quickly replied, "Hello Professor Qian, I am Lu Li, Lu Hongbing's son."

There was a moment of silence on the other end before he suddenly realized, [Oh... it's Lu Li... Long time no see. How is your father?]

They were indeed old acquaintances, but after his father's death, they had no further contact.

So many years had passed, and their relationship had long since faded, so Lu Li got straight to the point:

"My father often mentioned you, which is why I'm taking the liberty to disturb you. I accidentally obtained an ancient-style incense stick and wish to try replicating it. Could I trouble you to help me find a professional institution to analyze its components? I am willing to pay 150,000 dollars for the related expenses."

[150,000 dollars!]

Their relationship had long since cooled, and Qian Ping was initially a bit resistant upon hearing that Lu Li needed his help.

...he immediately became interested upon hearing the final "150,000 dollars"!

This was equivalent to 1 million Summer Yuan, no small sum.

Moreover, Lu Li could produce it casually... which showed the Lu family father and son were doing quite well!

When you have value, others will look at you with more respect. Qian Ping's tone softened a bit:

[Lu Li, my phone number is also my WeChat ID. Add me and send me a picture of that incense.]

"Okay, I'll send it to you right away."

Lu Li immediately operated his phone and sent the photo.

Incense has been recorded since the Spring and Autumn period. The materials chosen and the processing techniques were, strictly speaking, a branch of traditional Chinese medicine.

As an expert in this field, Qian Ping looked at the photo and said with certainty:

[Ancient method incense, made from powdered medicinal herbs, then it's much simpler. Send the item to the research institute, and you'll get accurate test results very soon.]

"Then I'll trouble you, Professor Qian. Regarding the payment..."

[It's a small matter, it won't cost 150,000 dollars.]

"Not at all, it's only right to pay this much for an industry leader like yourself to step in. Furthermore, I plan to mass-produce it later and require extremely precise measurements. Please take great care with it."

[That's no problem... Then you can transfer the money to this Star Alliance Country account.]

The two exchanged pleasantries, and the matter was easily settled.

Qian Ping wanted to chat a bit longer, to inquire about the current situation of Lu Li and his father.

Lu Li, however, didn't want to say too much, so he replied:

"Professor Qian, I've been extremely busy lately. If there's a call regarding the results, the person answering might be my... assistant."

As he was speaking, Jessica walked over with a cup of coffee, smiling.

Qian Ping immediately said, [Alright, I understand. Once the item arrives, it will only take a few days to test.]

"Then I won't disturb you further. The money will be transferred to your account within an hour. Goodbye."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hanging up the phone, Lu Li let out a long sigh of relief.

Things had gone more smoothly than expected. Now, all that was left was to wait.

As for anyone discovering the miraculous properties of the Calming Incense, Lu Li wasn't worried at all.

To ordinary people, this incense merely had an excellent calming and tranquilizing effect.

But this was the common selling point of all incense on the market. Even if one burned a lot of it, or even swallowed it, it wouldn't do much.

Lu Li picked up his coffee and took a sip, instructing Jessica:

"If you get a call in a couple of days, can you help me answer it?"

"Oh, okay~"

Jessica plopped down onto Lu Li's lap, wrapping her arms around his neck and said:

"You're finally back! Let's go to the amusement park! I've never been before~"

Lu Li thought about it. This girl must have been bored cooped up at home. Since he had to go out anyway, they might as well go relax together.

"Alright, let's go then."

"Yay~!"

Jessica happily ran to the wardrobe to change.

She had bought a lot last time they went out. She picked out one outfit after another, trying them on and asking Lu Li for his opinion.

After finally choosing one, she bent over and knelt on the floor to find her shoes.

At this moment, the girl was only wearing a men's T-shirt, her budding beauty fully displayed without reservation.

The two were very close, and Lu Li subconsciously glanced over.

He had been in Samadhi for many days. Under normal circumstances, his gaze shouldn't have any peculiarities.

But when he saw something interesting, his mind's power would still unintentionally leak out.

Jessica felt like someone had touched her. "Ouch!" she cried, covering her behind and jumping up.

She thought Lu Li had done it and playfully scolded, "Pervert~"

Lu Li felt wronged, but a flash of inspiration struck him. He suddenly remembered what Wan Qing had said the night before they parted:

"Fine control of mental power... So that's how it is..."

Understanding what had happened, Lu Li felt a bit embarrassed. His gaze must have caused a lot of trouble for her these past few days.

Then, he looked at Jessica, whose face was flushed red, and explained:

"Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to..."

Jessica wasn't angry at all. Instead, she took his arm and giggled, "It's okay, let's go quickly~"