The professors, senior faculty, and university executives formed small groups as they made their way toward the hotel together.The hotel was not far from campus—no more than a two-minute walk.Soon, Joseph and the others entered the banquet hall, a venue spacious enough to accommodate two to three hundred guests.The gathering itself was not meant to be particularly formal. After Geoffrey Harris delivered a few brief remarks from the stage, the banquet was officially underway.During the meal, Joseph found himself the target of countless toasts, all of which he returned in kind.Fortunately, his tolerance for alcohol was fairly solid—otherwise, he might already have been passed out by now.“Professor Alvarez, you might have to drive later.”“You haven’t been drinking, have you?”Joseph asked Mason Alvarez quietly at his side.“I haven’t. I don’t care for hard liquor—red wine is fine, but that’s it.”“I’ll drive later, don’t worry.”“But you should still watch yourself. Don’t drink to

“What nonsense are you talking about? Things aren’t nearly that simple,” Joseph said, his face flushing slightly.“But what if it really is that simple?” Mason Alvarez teased with a grin.“What—did your conscience suddenly wake up? Afraid you’d be letting us down?”“There is some pressure, I’ll admit,” Joseph replied honestly.“Hehe, no need to feel pressured,” Mason Alvarez said cheerfully.“From now on, the girl and I will keep a very tight rein on you. No more flirting around for you.”Hearing this, Joseph was left speechless. It wasn’t that he had ever intended things to turn out this way, but life had a way of unfolding through chance and coincidence. Many things were simply beyond the control of any one person.The two chatted casually along the way, and before they realized it, they were already home.No sooner had they arrived than Joseph received a message from Lincoln Myers.“Professor Wilson, the place is set. I’m sending you the location.”A moment later, a location pin ca

“Sure. I’ll need some paper and a pen,” Joseph said readily.“Waiter, could we borrow some paper and a pen?” Lincoln Myers called out toward the door of the private room.A moment later, the waiter came in, and before long, Lincoln Myers had the requested items.Joseph took the paper and pen and immediately began writing.“Professor Wilson really does write prescriptions as effortlessly as breathing,” Malcolm Gray remarked, watching Joseph’s pen fly across the page.“How many medicinal materials and formulas must you have memorized?”“Traditional medicine—its materials, properties, principles, and formulas—is extremely complex,” Joseph replied as he wrote.“Remembering all of it took a great deal of time.”“And I still review it periodically. Otherwise, things fade.”“Fortunately, much of it follows internal logic and structure. Once you grasp those patterns, memorization becomes far less daunting.”“Professor Wilson, who is this prescription for?” Lincoln Myers asked curiously.“Judg

“What I know more about concerns the secrets of the Cooper family. As for the little girl in your dreams, you should ask Brian Adams about her.”“What I can tell you, however, is that your mentor did have other family members. He was never alone in this world.”“Your mentor is your family. And your mentor’s family, naturally, is your family as well.”Old Mr. Cooper spoke earnestly, his tone heavy with unspoken concerns.“I understand.”Joseph lowered his head slightly. As the image of the little girl from his dreams surfaced again, the urgency, despair, and aching pain in his heart grew even more distinct.“As for your mentor’s family background, it would be better for you to ask Brian Adams. They had intended to tell you everything from the beginning, and I believe they are already prepared.”Old Mr. Cooper thought for a moment before continuing.“That was exactly my plan,” Joseph replied with a nod.“One more thing,” Old Mr. Cooper reminded him. “No matter what you remember, you mus

The two receptionists at the front desk were striking in both looks and figure—the kind of beauty that lingered in one’s memory after a single glance.However, Joseph was accustomed to being around women like Alice, Mason Alvarez, and Heidi—exceptional beauties in every sense.Compared to them, such ordinary attractiveness hardly drew his attention.“You’re looking for someone?” The long?legged receptionist in black stockings paused in surprise.“I’m here to see Brian Adams,” Joseph replied.At the sound of the name, the two receptionists exchanged a look, instantly understanding something unspoken.“Are you Mr. Joseph?” one of them asked.“I am,” Joseph answered.“Please follow me, Mr. Joseph.”One of the receptionists stepped forward, gestured politely, and led the way.Joseph followed without hesitation.After walking for a short while, he studied the woman’s gait from behind, a flicker of surprise passing through his eyes.Her steps were unusually light—far too fluid for an ordi