Mu Lin had already left Washington, the epicenter of the storm, early on, accompanied by Xiao Laipi. He was now touring Bonn, the capital of West Germany, invited here to discuss the possibility of opening a clinic.
The historic city of Bonn, located on both banks of the middle reaches of the Rhine River, 21 kilometers north of Cologne, controls the strategic passage between the mountainous upper reaches and the flat lower reaches of the Rhine. Its location is of great geographical importance. With a history of over 2,000 years, Bonn is an ancient cultural city that has endured many hardships throughout history. Many of its ancient buildings have been repeatedly destroyed by war, only to be rebuilt each time. The city’s central cathedral, built around 1050, features a 96-meter-high square tower and is regarded as the symbol of Bonn.
In the residential areas of Bonn, every household plants trees and flowers in front of and behind their homes, with balconies and windows adorned with potted flowers. Most eye-catching are the residential complexes with rooftop gardens. These buildings are aesthetically designed and exquisitely constructed, complemented by rare and precious flowers and plants that bloom year-round, forming a series of aerial gardens.
In fact, Mu Lin’s first official medical feat in the Western world was treating a German senator at the request of Professor Chris Landeng. This treatment had established Mu Lin’s reputation. Now that he wanted to expand his clinic, it was natural for Germany to be his first destination.
At a bright and sunny noon, Mu Lin strolled leisurely through the city center of Bonn with Xiao Laipi. He had already purchased a villa here to serve as the clinic. In the afternoon, he only needed to finalize the details regarding medical qualifications and practice regulations with the German authorities, and the clinic would officially open.
The city extends along the Rhine Valley. On both sides of the Rhine, rolling hills are covered with vast forests. The residential areas seamlessly blend with tree-lined streets and lawns, making the air particularly fresh. To provide citizens with more tranquil environments, winding paths are laid out in the wooded areas, flanked by many benches where people can stroll and rest at ease. The pedestrian zone, nestled against the hills and beside the river, is picturesque. On holidays, visitors flow continuously. Besides walking and resting, people can also board yachts from nearby piers to enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Rhine.
Mu Lin had already become accustomed to the commotion caused by Xiao Laipi. After all, at worst, he could just walk away, knowing that Xiao Laipi always had its own way of escaping and would eventually return to him. Every time he abandoned Xiao Laipi and returned, it would throw a tantrum and scold Mu Lin for being a heartless master. However, whenever Mu Lin asked about its escape tactics, Xiao Laipi would always stammer evasively, leaving Mu Lin endlessly curious and determined to uncover the secret one day.
That day might not have been a Sunday, but the wooded area had fewer people. Seeing no one behind them, Xiao Laipi spoke up, “Master! Why didn’t you bring Sara and Stephanie with us? If they had come too, they could have helped with many things and made things more lively.”
“Fine! If you’re unhappy with how quiet things are following me, I’ll have you stay home with Mei and the others next time!” Upon hearing Mu Lin’s words, Xiao Laipi shivered and immediately shut its mouth.
“Joke’s on you! Let me babysit those little girls? Not a chance!” Xiao Laipi muttered to itself, now thoroughly afraid of the girls’ clinginess.
Mu Lin had his own reasons for not bringing Sara and Stephanie. In the previous incident involving the Black Dragon Gang, they had not properly fulfilled their duties as members of the clinic, still leaning toward the police department in their hearts. Thus, Mu Lin had naturally developed doubts about them. This time, when setting up a clinic in Germany, he wanted to have full control over everything, especially since he was now planning to use the clinic for profit. He could not afford any mistakes in this endeavor.
As noon approached, the number of pedestrians in the wooded area gradually increased. Behind Mu Lin and Xiao Laipi, a small group of young women began to follow, and their numbers seemed to be growing. Sensing trouble, Mu Lin and Xiao Laipi tried to slip away. Unfortunately, this was a pedestrian zone, and soon a crowd of young women gradually surrounded the two.
Mu Lin had already left Washington, the eye of the storm, with Little Rascal in tow. He was now traveling in Bonn, the capital of West Germany, having been invited to discuss the possibility of opening a clinic there.
The historic city of Bonn, situated on both banks of the middle Rhine, lies 21 kilometers north of Cologne. It serves as a strategic gateway between the mountainous upper Rhine and the plains downstream, making it a historically significant location. With over 2,000 years of history, Bonn is a cultural gem that has weathered countless storms. Many of its ancient buildings have been destroyed in wars and rebuilt time and again. The grand cathedral at the city center, constructed around 1050, features a 96-meter-high square tower and stands as a symbol of Bonn.
In Bonn’s residential areas, nearly every home is adorned with trees, flowers, and potted plants on balconies and windowsills. Most striking are the buildings with rooftop gardens—elegantly designed, meticulously crafted, and decorated with rare flowers that bloom year-round, creating breathtaking aerial gardens.
Mu Lin’s first official venture into the Western world had been at the request of Professor Chris Landon, to treat a German senator. That very treatment had cemented his reputation. Now, as he sought to expand his clinic, it was only natural that his first stop would be Germany.
On a sunny afternoon, Mu Lin strolled leisurely through Bonn with Little Rascal. He had already chosen a villa to serve as the clinic. All that remained was to finalize negotiations with German authorities regarding medical licensing and operational details before the clinic could officially open.
The city stretches along the Rhine Valley, with vast forests covering the rolling hills on either side of the river. Even the residential areas are lush with trees and lawns, making the air exceptionally fresh. To provide tranquil spaces for residents, winding paths weave through the woods, lined with benches where people can relax. The pedestrian zones, nestled between mountains and rivers, offer stunning scenery, drawing crowds of visitors on holidays. Beyond walking and resting, people can also board nearby ferries to enjoy the picturesque views along the Rhine.
Mu Lin had grown accustomed to the commotion Little Rascal caused. At worst, he could simply walk away, knowing his mischievous companion would always find a way back—though not without a scolding for being an “irresponsible owner.” Yet whenever Mu Lin asked how he escaped, Little Rascal would mumble evasively, fueling his curiosity. One day, Mu Lin vowed, he would uncover the secret.
Perhaps because it wasn’t a weekend, the woods were sparsely populated. Seeing no one behind them, Little Rascal spoke up, “Young Master, why didn’t you bring Sara and Stephanie along? They could handle so many things for you, and it’d be livelier too!”
“Oh? So you find my company dull?” Mu Lin smirked. “Next time, I’ll leave you at home with Mei and the girls.”
Little Rascal shuddered and promptly shut his mouth.
“Joke’s on you! Babysitting those little terrors? Not a chance!” he muttered to himself, dreading their clinginess.
Mu Lin had his reasons for leaving Sara and Stephanie behind. During the Black Dragon Gang incident, they had failed to fully commit to their roles at the clinic, still leaning toward the police. Naturally, Mu Lin had reservations. Now, as he sought to establish a profitable clinic in Germany, he needed complete control—especially with his financial plans. He couldn’t afford any mistakes.
By noon, more people began filling the woods, and a growing crowd of young women started trailing Mu Lin and Little Rascal. Sensing trouble, the pair tried to slip away—but this was a pedestrian zone, and soon they were surrounded.
The local women possessed a unique beauty—graceful features accentuated by the proud Germanic spirit, and robust physiques that radiated vitality. Uninhibited, they quickly closed in on Little Rascal. Seizing the moment before they noticed him, Mu Lin shamelessly abandoned his companion.
Though he escaped their sight, his psychic senses remained locked onto Little Rascal. Before long, the women suddenly covered their noses and fled in panic. Finally, Mu Lin understood how Little Rascal always managed to escape. Soon enough, the little troublemaker sniffed his way back to Mu Lin’s side.
Mu Lin nearly doubled over with laughter—he had finally cracked the mystery. But he knew if Little Rascal realized his secret was out, he’d throw a tantrum, leaving Mu Lin’s ears ringing for days. Suppressing his amusement, he clutched his stomach and bolted.
That afternoon, in the hotel’s reception room, Mu Lin met with a group of influential figures led by the senator he had once treated. They needed to reach an agreement on certain matters.
“Mr. Daniel, I’m afraid using a U.S. acupuncture license to practice here may conflict with local laws. Could you consider an alternative?” one of the officials suggested.
The core issue was Germany’s lack of a licensing system for traditional Chinese medicine. While Western medical licenses from the U.S. were recognized, they insisted that Mu Lin’s acupuncturists also obtain relevant Western medical certifications.
The debate had dragged on. Unlike his previous charitable clinic, this one was profit-driven, making their demands seem unreasonable to Mu Lin.
He had always heard of Germans being meticulous and precise, but now he found them rigid and obstinate—obsessed with licenses, demanding top-tier service while refusing to provide the necessary flexibility. Since when did the world work that way?
“Given your stance, gentlemen, I regret to say we cannot reach an agreement. My clinic will not be establishing a branch here. I appreciate your hospitality and hope to return the favor should you ever visit the U.S.” With that, Mu Lin decisively ended the negotiations.
Although he had physically left the girls’ sight, his psychic sense remained on Xiao Laipi. After a while, Xiao Laipi realized it had been abandoned again. Somehow, the girls soon started covering their noses and fleeing in panic. At last, Mu Lin finally understood why Xiao Laipi always managed to escape on its own. Immediately afterward, Xiao Laipi began sniffing its way toward Mu Lin, following his scent.
Mu Lin was nearly laughing his guts out—he had finally discovered Xiao Laipi’s escape method. But he also knew that if Xiao Laipi found out he had uncovered its secret, it would be furious and his ears would suffer days of complaints. Thinking of this, he quickly clutched his stomach and fled.
In the hotel’s meeting room that afternoon, Mu Lin met with a group of prominent figures led by the senator he had once healed. He needed to reach agreements with them on several issues.
“Mr. Daniel, I think using the acupuncturist license from your country might conflict with our local laws. Could you consider another approach?” one of the officials suggested.
The central issue of their debate was the lack of a certification system for Chinese acupuncture practitioners in Germany. Although U.S. Western medical licenses were acceptable here, they required acupuncturists in Mu Lin’s clinic to also obtain relevant Western medical qualifications.
They had debated this issue for quite some time. Since Mu Lin’s clinic was now for-profit, rather than the previous charitable model, these people made what Mu Lin considered to be an unreasonable demand.
All his life, Mu Lin had heard and seen that Germans were known for their rigorous and meticulous work style. However, his experience here gave him the impression of stubbornness and inflexibility—fixating on medical licenses, wanting excellent service but unwilling to offer convenient conditions. Where in the world could one find such a perfect deal?
“If you gentlemen insist on these conditions, I’m afraid we won’t be able to reach an agreement. I’m very sorry, but our clinic will not be able to establish a branch here. I apologize for wasting your valuable time. I’d like to thank you for your generous hospitality over the past few days. I hope you will visit the U.S. someday, and I will be honored to host you!” Mu Lin decisively ended the negotiations.
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