The cliché story of a domineering president and his secretary

Ding Hong did not respond, but turned to An Yi and said, "As a return gift, please ask Taoist Li to take your pulse."

Huh?! Not only An Yi, but even Taoist Li looked at Ding Hong in surprise.

"He is a veritable master of traditional Chinese medicine, and he is crazy about medicine. But he hasn't seen a single patient in these deep mountains and forests for several days, so he must be exhausted." Although Ding Hong's words were sarcasm, his expression was serious and solemn: "You were seriously exhausted just now, and you have to continue climbing in the afternoon. Please ask Taoist Li to diagnose you for peace of mind. Or, it would be better to call an ambulance to take you to the hospital for a full body check-up?"

Hospital, hospital, hospital again! An Yi lowered her eyelashes to hide the anger in her eyes. She was too lazy to tell whether it was concern or threat. Just like last time, it seemed like a two-choice question, but there was no choice at all. How could she go to an ambulance for such a headache? But she knew that her boss would definitely do it. Anyway, she would be embarrassed, and he would get a good reputation for caring about the health of his employees!

An Yi admitted that facing such a strong boss, her timid character was often exposed, but her temper, which had been spoiled by her parents since childhood, kept playing tricks on her, making her unwilling to compromise easily. She always had to struggle before she was willing to obey.

"Master, I just have low blood sugar. I'm sure you've already noticed that, so you specially brewed Eight Treasures Tea for me. Speaking of this cup of tea, well! It's really effective. I feel like I've been fully revived. This is what they call tea cures all diseases!" An Yi smiled as he stood up and thanked him. His brain was working quickly on how to leave here as soon as possible: "I won't disturb you two from chatting. Boss, I'd better go with Xiao Yang to confirm the restaurant opening situation."

Unfortunately, the usual cold voice showed that he was not let off: "Don't use flowery words in front of the Taoist priest, tea will cure the disease?" Ding Hong snorted: "The old Taoist priest is an old immortal. Oh, by the way, have you heard of the Taoist's' formation? The whole way was circuitous and winding, isn't it strange? Humph, so you can't get out, and Xiao Yang can't either."

As soon as these words were spoken, An Yi was stunned: Array...array formation?

Alas~~ Taoist Li resisted the urge to hold his forehead, and glared at Ding Hong with a hint of anger. It was just nonsense! Look at how he frightened the girl. He was just trying to fool her into agreeing to see a doctor? When did I become so pitiful? At least I have some reputation in the martial arts world!

From the beginning, he was puzzled as to why Ding Hong brought a small staff member to see him. Old Ding always brought his family or some mysterious big shot. Ding Hong must have known how many people came to him for medical treatment but were turned away. Even if they asked for favors or connections, they might not be able to see him. As for the expensive consultation fee, it became the most insignificant detail.

When the Taoist priest who served him a few days ago asked if he could see him today, Taoist Li thought that Ding Hong came for his family or a nobleman. After all, since he became an adult, this young man has never obeyed his parents' orders to let him feel his pulse. So today, Ding Hong was accompanied by only a secretary girl. He inferred that the young man from the Ding family probably changed his personality and came to see him for consultation, because whether it was the girl's face, clothes or conversation, they all showed that she was just an ordinary person. But at this time, he couldn't help but wonder if he had made a mistake or made a wrong judgment? He still needed to wait and see.

Although he was helpless, the old Taoist priest finally decided to lend a helping hand to his nephew whom he had watched grow up since he was a child.

"Hahaha, Brother Ding, have you read too many martial arts books? Where does your formation come from? You scare people for no reason." The old Taoist laughed loudly, and then twirled his long beard and looked at An Yi carefully: "But I just saw that your complexion does show symptoms of insufficient blood in the heart. Did you just suffer from hypoglycemia? This disease can be serious or minor and should never be underestimated. If you trust me, how about letting me take your pulse?" After speaking, he rubbed his hands gently together, as if he was addicted to itching to do something. People couldn't help but believe what Ding Hong said even more.

To be honest, An Yi was indeed frightened. When he was a child, he read "Investiture of the Gods". In high school, he also read a few novels by Jin Yong and Gu Long. He still had some impression of the profound formations described in them. Recalling the road they had just taken, although it would be more winding if it was built on the mountain, was it necessary to have so many corridors, turns and forks? The more he thought about it, the more it looked like the legendary formation! Although Taoist Master Li had refuted the rumor, An Yi was still half-believing and half-doubting. China has developed a profound Taoist culture for thousands of years. If the formation method of the ancestors was integrated into the architecture, it would not be impossible.

Taoist Priest Li saw that An Yi had not yet fully recovered from her shock, so he could not help but glare at Ding Hong again. However, Ding Hong suppressed his smile and explained, "Don't worry, Taoist Priest. My secretary is a person with poor directions. A few random turns are already considered a formation for her!"

After hearing her boss expose her past so mercilessly, An Yi finally came to her senses. She felt a little embarrassed but had no way to refute, so she could only laugh dryly to ease the embarrassment.

At this time, the young Taoist priest came in holding a plain porcelain plate with a few cakes on it. An Yi saw that the shapes were ordinary and there was nothing special about them.

"That's great. Eat a few pieces first to fill your stomach. This old... old Taoist priest," After all, in front of An Yi, he had something to ask of him, so Ding Hong put away his playful attitude and addressed him respectfully: "Before each diagnosis, the old man has to go through a set of tedious rituals to nourish the spirit and regulate the breathing, and he has to wait for a long time."

Taoist Li no longer cared whether the brat was flattering him or not. He smiled and said "Excuse me" to An Yi and walked towards the inner room. After walking a few steps, he turned around and asked, "How about I have a good time and take Brother Ding's pulse together?"

Ding Hong shook his head without hesitation and refused. This made Taoist Li look meaningful. He stroked his beard and smiled as if he had seen through the secret, then strode out.

The young Taoist priest put down the porcelain plate, bowed hastily, and followed to help the master make preparations.

"Boss, is there really a formation here? Are there any mechanisms, secret passages, or something like that?" An Yi asked curiously.

Ding Hong picked up a piece of snow-white pastry with chopsticks and put it in his mouth: "Hmm. Although there are only a few varieties, it's rare that the quality has remained the same for so many years."

Seeing that the boss ignored her question, An Yi guessed: Maybe I took the joke seriously and looked childish? That should be the case. If it was true, why would the boss tell me? Not to mention explaining it to me. It was really rash to ask just now. An Yi thought of this and stopped asking questions. She took a piece of the light green snack closest to her and took a bite to taste it.

After taking a bite, I suddenly felt that this pastry was very different from the ones I usually eat. It was not so delicate, soft and smooth. Instead, I could taste the graininess and slight bitterness. However, the fresh fragrance of plants and trees that penetrated my five orifices made me feel refreshed and unable to stop eating it after a slight discomfort.

"It tastes unique, doesn't it? It's made from a kind of grass that grows in water, dried and ground into fine powder, with honeysuckle, lotus seeds and other ingredients added, and then mixed with mung bean flour. It dispels wind and clears heat. Generally, people who come here in the summer will eat this as an appetizer." Ding Hong seemed to have expected An Yi's reaction, and pointed to another yellow pastry: "You should like this one better."

Judging from its color, it shouldn't be made of grass or leaves. An Yi nodded and gently lifted a piece. Before she opened her mouth, a familiar sweet smell had already entered her nose. An Yi chewed it carefully. As the boss said, she liked this rich snack more. She smiled slightly after eating it. After a few bites, she found that the boss was staring at her. Was he waiting for feedback? She quickly raised her teacup and took a few sips to soothe her throat before asking, "I guess there are peanuts, chestnuts, and red dates in it?"

Ding Hong nodded: "Almost. In fact, there are also some warm Chinese medicines, but they are covered up."

"You are very knowledgeable about medicinal food?" Thinking of the steamed food restaurant last time and the dim sum here, An Yi had some understanding.

"I've been influenced by it since I was a child. It's hard not to know." Ding Hong snorted.

Oh, it seems that it is the result of being influenced by Mr. Ding since childhood. Two small but solid cakes and half a cup of Eight Treasures Tea, An Yi's stomach is almost full, but there are still two or three snacks on the plate that she has not tasted. Will the boss blame her? She hesitated, not knowing whether to force herself to stuff another piece into her stomach.

"Don't force yourself. Just pack up the rest and take it away. Besides, we still have a proper lunch to eat." Ding Hong had already guessed the woman's dilemma.

An Yi nodded happily, expressing his full agreement.

"How is it? Are the crude game here acceptable to our distinguished guests?" With a loud and generous voice, Taoist Li walked in after lifting the curtain. An Yi saw that his clothes had not changed, but his half-letted hair had been combed and tied neatly on top of his head. His face and hands should have been washed again, because she noticed a few water marks on the cuffs and collar of the old Taoist priest. The young Taoist priest following behind him carefully held a small incense burner with green smoke rising from it, and a small old wooden box was slung across his back, which probably contained some medical supplies.

Taoist Priest Li sat down to meditate again, holding his breath and concentrating his mind with his eyes closed. The young Taoist priest placed the incense burner in an iron frame in the middle of the room, and swiftly turned back to invite An Yi to stretch out his right wrist and place it on a piece of cotton cloth that had just been laid on the table, and stood aside quietly.

As if he could tell that everything was ready, Taoist Li opened his eyes that were as bright as stars and said slowly, "Chinese medicine emphasizes 'observation, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation' in diagnosis. From what Miss An said just now, I can tell that you must have understood the key points."

"I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it. What I know is not even the tip of the iceberg." An Yi shook his hands hurriedly.

"Haha, it's okay. Since Brother Ding asked me to feel your pulse, would you please listen to a few words from me?" Seeing An Yi nod respectfully, he continued, "The so-called pulse is the precursor of qi and blood, and the sign of yin and yang. The pulse is the spirit of blood and qi, and the mirror of evil and righteousness. What is inside must be reflected outside. Cun, Guan, and Chi are closely related to the qi and blood of the internal organs of the whole body. Each pulse has four attributes: position, number, shape, and potential. By feeling the pulse, we can explore the cause of the disease from the outside to the inside, from this place to that place, and then diagnose and treat it..."

"Alright, alright!" Ding Hong said helplessly, "I thought you were just being polite, but I didn't expect that what you said was true... Anyway, there's no need to talk about these nonsense. Please try to make it easy to understand. Plain language is best."