Chapter 487: Deceived?

Li Yiyi glanced at the box of medicine in the man’s hand. Unfortunately, it was the same one she had seen last night at Wang Fugui’s place.

Exactly the same.

“I’ve seen this box of medicine before and even smelled it. It’s a type of heat-clearing and detoxifying medicine. It has nothing to do with the contagious diseases circulating outside, and it can’t cure them,” Li Yiyi calmly informed him.

Upon hearing this, the man’s face turned red with anger. “This kind of medicine, and they sell it at such a high price! My family member was deceived!”

“How much did it cost?” someone asked, curious.

“Over eighty yuan a box,” the man answered, his face showing clear distress.

When Li Yiyi heard this amount, she realized it was even more expensive than what Wang Fugui had paid. It seemed this product was indeed quite profitable.

“Over eighty yuan? That’s so expensive! For that price, you could buy a ginseng to boost your health. With a good boost to your body, you’d be free from all ailments,” someone mumbled.

The man’s face darkened further when he heard these words.

At that moment, Jiang Linglan’s voice sounded from behind them, “What are you all discussing so early in the morning, some national affair?”

“Director Yao, you’re just in time. Come over and take a look. Old Xiang’s wife bought a box of medicine outside, claiming it can cure the contagious disease going around. Just now, Comrade Li said this medicine is for clearing heat and detoxifying,” someone immediately explained when they saw her approach.

Jiang Linglan took the box from Comrade Xiang, examined it for a moment, and then turned to Li Yiyi. “Comrade Li, is what you said true? This medicine really is just for clearing heat and detoxifying?”

“Yes, I’m sure. I can tell by the smell; it’s definitely not a medicine for treating the contagious diseases outside,” Li Yiyi confirmed confidently.

After hearing this, Jiang Linglan turned to Comrade Xiang and asked, “Comrade Xiang, do you still want this medicine?”

Comrade Xiang was clearly still upset about spending eighty yuan on this fake medicine. He looked distraught.

When he heard Jiang Linglan’s question, he didn’t think twice and answered, “No, you can take it. I don’t even want to look at it anymore.”

At his words, the others struggled to suppress their laughter.

Jiang Linglan smiled and then reassured him, “Don’t feel bad. After work, go to the finance department to settle the bill. We’ll pay half of it for you.”

Comrade Xiang’s face lit up with surprise. He couldn’t believe such a good thing was happening to him.

“Director Yao, are you serious? You’re not just joking with me, are you?” he asked, still unable to believe that something this good was happening to him, so he asked for confirmation.

“When have I ever lied to you? This is for real. I’ll talk to the finance department, and you can pick up the money later,” she assured him, pointing to the box of medicine in her hand. “But I need to take this medicine with me. It can’t stay with you.”

Comrade Xiang looked at the box of medicine with disdain and said, “Take it. Now, just looking at it makes me feel ill.”

Jiang Linglan laughed at his response. “Alright, I’ll take the medicine. And you all, stop crowding together. Quickly bring me the medicine for treating the contagious disease. People are anxious outside, and the higher-ups are pressing us.”

Hearing this, the group quickly dispersed.

Li Yiyi followed the crowd back to her laboratory.

Another day passed. In the evening, Li Yiyi returned home and immediately noticed the atmosphere was much more cheerful than usual.

As expected, when she entered the house, she found a tall man there.

“Mom, is Dad home?” Jiang Zhanpeng saw his mother and happily ran over, hugging her leg.

Jiang Hong, who had been playing with the children, saw his wife come in and immediately abandoned the children, walking towards her.

“You’re back? Are you tired? Let me take your backpack.”

Li Yiyi smiled at him. He seemed a bit darker than usual, but other than that, he was fine.

Suddenly, she leaned in and sniffed him.

“What did you put on? It smells strong, is it ointment?” she asked, looking up at him.

Jiang Hong stiffened, and with a fawning smile, he said, “I put on some ointment. A few days ago, I sprained my back during a mission, so I applied a bit of ointment.”

“Come in, let me take a look,” Li Yiyi immediately furrowed her brows and grabbed his hand, leading him into the living room.

“Wife, can we wait until later? The kids are still here, and dinner will be ready soon,” he quickly tried to stop her from lifting his shirt.

Li Yiyi glanced at the two children and then at the kitchen. Finally, she pulled her hand out of his. “Alright, we’ll wait for now.”

Jiang Hong secretly sighed with relief when he heard her consent.

Soon, dinner started.

The whole family sat down together for dinner.

Afterward, Li Yiyi brewed a large pot of herbal water, and the family used it to bathe.

Later that night, the couple finally had a chance to lie down and talk.

At the same time, Li Yiyi saw the injury on his back.

It was a large purple bruise. Li Yiyi could immediately tell that the injury wasn’t just a sprain.

Angry that he had lied to her about this, she gently pinched the spot on his back.

“You still wanted to deceive me at this point? Don’t think I can’t tell your injury isn’t just a sprain,” she said, looking at him with a scowl.

Jiang Hong winced in pain. When he saw his wife’s angry expression, he finally confessed.

“The truth is, I was hit. It’s not that serious, but I didn’t want you to worry,” he explained, seeing that there was no way to hide it anymore.

Li Yiyi was still angry and pinched him again. “If you hide things from me like this, I’ll only worry more. Next time, just wait and see how I deal with you.”

Jiang Hong quickly promised, “It won’t happen again. I swear, it won’t.”

After the matter was settled, the couple talked about Hong Shuo and Gu Weiwei’s upcoming wedding.

“Hong Shuo said they decided to keep it simple due to the contagious disease, so they’ll just invite a few familiar people for a meal. We should go too,” he said.

Li Yiyi nodded. “I’ve already heard about it from Gu Weiwei.”

The couple chatted a bit longer, and soon, they drifted off to sleep in each other’s arms.

The next day, as Li Yiyi entered the research institute, she noticed several men in formal work attire walking toward her.