"confidence"

As Zhang Zhiliang was about to speak, Ding Lan shook her head dismissively. "They're really not a good match! Think about it, my junior sister was such a prominent figure back in school, marrying you is really a waste of her talents!" Just as she finished speaking, another Audi pulled up at the entrance, and two men and a woman got out of the car, all familiar to Ding Lan.

As they stepped out of the car, Ding Lan greeted them warmly. While exchanging pleasantries, their gazes kept shifting towards Tang Yanran and Zhang Zhiliang.

"Yanran, you still remember these two, right? They're both our alumni, two batches senior to us!" Ding Lan introduced them briefly.

Tang Yanran was a bit puzzled. She had thought it would be a one-on-one meeting, but it seemed like Ding Lan had arranged for a gathering instead. She awkwardly greeted the two "seniors." The seniors then smoothly invited Tang Yanran inside.

Tang Yanran turned to call Zhang Zhiliang to join them, but Ding Lan laughed, "Don't worry, I won't lose your husband."

Zhang Zhiliang could tell that Ding Lan deliberately stayed a few steps behind to intercept him. He stopped in his tracks, impatiently saying, "If you have something to say, just say it!"

"Haha, you do have some self-awareness!" Ding Lan chuckled, "You and Tang Yanran are not a good match. It's better to divorce early and not hold her back. If you're willing, you don't need to bother with the specialized certification exam. I can directly help you get a practicing physician license!"

Zhang Zhiliang felt a surge of anger, but he tried to restrain himself and replied calmly, "Our marriage is none of your business!"

"Don't act tough! It just makes me feel like you're both insecure and arrogant!" Ding Lan glared at Zhang Zhiliang. "You know, even though the Tang family isn't extraordinary, they're still middle class. Do you understand? A woman's beauty is a scarce resource, and this resource can bring equivalent wealth! Tang Yanran has beauty and talent, what do you have? A Martian?"

Zhang Zhiliang's heart sank. He didn't want to hear any more of Ding Lan's words, so he turned around and walked towards the entrance of the clubhouse. One of the women who came with the seniors was waiting nearby, watching Ding Lan. She frowned and asked, "Should we have the security stop him?"

"No need. Let the bumpkin embarrass himself!" Ding Lan replied coldly.

As Zhang Zhiliang walked away, Ding Lan came back to her senses, her teeth clenched. Tang Yanran hadn't gone far, she was waiting near the clubhouse entrance to see Zhang Zhiliang catch up. She pulled him aside and asked in a low voice, "Did Sister say anything offensive?"

"No. But I can see she's not sincerely trying to help!" Zhang Zhiliang replied with a hint of implication.

Tang Yanran frowned, giving Zhang Zhiliang a reproachful look. "Is there some misunderstanding? Sister was always a kind-hearted person in college, and she agreed on the phone."

Zhang Zhiliang shook his head. Just as they were about to continue their conversation, Ding Lan and the others approached, so they stopped talking and followed them into the private room.

The luxurious private room could accommodate forty or fifty people without feeling crowded, and the lavish decoration was clearly beyond the reach of ordinary working-class people.

Zhang Zhiliang guessed that the host of the dinner party was probably not Ding Lan, who was a working-class employee.

By now, several people had already arrived in the private room.

Among the people present, Tang Yanran only recognized a few, including some senior students and professors from their medical circle, who looked somewhat familiar.

The rest of the people, dressed in luxurious attire with an arrogant demeanor, seemed to be from wealthy families.

"Oh! Sister Ding brought a new friend today!" A young man laughed, and everyone's gaze fixed on Tang Yanran. "Beautiful!"

A woman as beautiful as Tang Yanran would attract attention wherever she went.

Ding Lan seemed to be familiar with these people. "Have a seat, everyone, make yourselves at home."

"Today I brought my junior sister over. She was the top beauty in our school's beauty rankings. Please give her some face." Ding Lan giggled as she introduced Tang Yanran to the group of rich kids.

"Haha, Junior Sister Tang Yanran, I remember you were a prominent figure at school. Our department head praised you several times in class for your talent!" A senior laughed along.

"Not just talent, she was famous for her beauty back then. I remember many guys on the school forum wanted to pursue her, but felt ashamed and didn't dare!" Another senior teased.

Tang Yanran blushed slightly, uncomfortable with this kind of teasing, but she just nodded and smiled politely.

At this moment, one of the wealthy young men with an arrogant demeanor pointed at Zhang Zhiliang and asked, "Who's this?"

"Oh, this is Yanran's husband. He wants to get a certification," Ding Lan smiled, "but he's lacking some materials! So he came here to ask for everyone's help."

The wealthy young man rubbed his chin, a mocking glint in his eyes as he looked at Zhang Zhiliang. "Certification? Does he even need to ask for help for this? If he can't even handle these materials, then he's just a useless waste! How could such a waste marry such a beautiful wife!"

The others also heard the conversation, and they all looked at Zhang Zhiliang with playful eyes.

Zhang Zhiliang felt the strange gazes of the people around him, feeling somewhat uncomfortable, but he remained calm.

"You're Zhang Pengpeng, the prince of the Health Commission, so it's just a small matter for you!" Ding Lan smiled.

Zhang Pengpeng patted his chest, a smug look on his face. "Beauty, this is a small matter. I can handle it with just a word! But how will you thank me?"

"Thank you! If you can get it done, I'll definitely give you a big red envelope!" Tang Yanran said earnestly.

The people in the room looked at each other and laughed.

Is this girl pretending to be naive or just innocent? The more they thought Tang Yanran was innocent, the more they had wicked thoughts.

As for Zhang Zhiliang, they didn't even pay attention to him. A man who was still trying to get a specialized certification was basically equivalent to an unemployed person! He was not in the same league as them!

Zhang Pengpeng's face flushed with excitement, unable to contain himself anymore, he said, "No need for a red envelope! Let's exchange WeChat, and you can come to me if you need anything in the future!"

Tang Yanran felt that his enthusiasm was a bit excessive, but since she needed his help, she added him on WeChat.

Once they exchanged WeChat, Zhang Pengpeng became even more enthusiastic. "What's your current title? To take the advanced exam, you need to have research topics. If you lack research resources, I can help!"

Seeing Zhang Pengpeng's excessive enthusiasm, Ding Lan suddenly spoke up, " "I don't need your help anymore; I've already contacted Li Shao!"

"Li Shao?!" Tang Yanran hesitated for a moment, thinking, "Could it be Li Tianyang?" Then she quickly dismissed the possibility. Ding Lan was the director of the Office of Medical Administration at the Health Commission, and she shouldn't have much interaction with Li Tianyang.

On the other hand, when Zhang Zhiliang heard the name "Li Shao," he already knew what was going on!

What kind of help? It's just soliciting!

Li Tianyang had been harassing Tang Yanran for so long, and he was the young master of a pharmaceutical company. The commotion caused by his advances was so significant that Ding Lan must have been aware of it.

It's likely that Ding Lan was taking advantage of this situation to curry favor with Li Tianyang by bringing Tang Yanran over.

Zhang Pengpeng heard "Li Shao" and paused for a moment, then immediately responded, "Li Shao's words might not carry more weight than mine!"

Ding Lan was countered, and a flash of displeasure crossed her face.

"What's so difficult about these materials? As long as you have recommendations from two experienced Chinese medicine practitioners and proof of apprenticeship, it's almost done!" A senior sitting to the right of Zhang Zhiliang spoke up, looking a bit regretful after realizing he misspoke.

Ding Lan glared fiercely at the senior this time.

Tang Yanran vaguely felt that something was wrong and spoke up, "Sister, didn't you say the materials were difficult to obtain?"

Zhang Zhiliang raised his eyelids, shaking his head inwardly. She's really a naive girl! She still hasn't realized that Ding Lan has set her up and brought her into this private room.