The group considered the decision for a moment, then agreed. Since they had come to Huaxia, they had to face it.
Merk wrote twenty slips of paper on the spot and threw them into a box. He told everyone to draw first, leaving himself for last.
After all the slips were taken, Merk opened the box, looked at everyone, and said, "I am number three. Who is number one?"
"I am number one."
"Mr. Zhang Lang, you are number one." Merk nodded and began to record. "Who is number two?"
Whether number one or two, the first five would compete on the first day. So, Merk would undoubtedly face Zhu Yanyi on the first day.
The twenty people were divided into groups. Once confirmed, the results were given to Zhu Yanyi.
Zhu Yanyi looked at the personnel and subjects, smiling slightly.
"There will be a poison doctor tomorrow," Zhu Yanyi said to Yan Aohan.
Yan Aohan glanced at what Zhu Yanyi held, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Good. You planned to suppress them anyway. Now is a good chance to test it."
"I think so too." Zhu Yanyi smiled. "I wonder how they feel right now."
"I don't know their mood. I only know my wife is in a good mood," Yan Aohan said with a smile.
Zhu Yanyi laughed. "I feel the same. My mood has been good lately. Traveling is indeed beneficial."
Yan Aohan was about to speak when he heard a knock. He went to open the door and was slightly stunned to see the visitors. "Gu Jun, why are you here?"
Yes, it was Gu Jun and Mi Xiao.
Hearing Yan Aohan’s voice, Zhu Yanyi came out to look. "Brother Gu Jun, Sister Mi Xiao, why are you here? Come in quickly."
Gu Jun and Mi Xiao entered with smiles. Zhu Yanyi seated them, then brewed tea and brought out snacks. "Didn't you go traveling? How did you come back? When did you return to the capital?"
"We just returned today," Gu Jun answered. "As soon as we got off the plane, we saw the news of you challenging twenty people alone, so we came over."
"So, you haven't had dinner yet?" Zhu Yanyi said to Yan Aohan. "I’ll make some noodles. You keep them company."
"I’ll make them. You sit and rest," Yan Aohan said. He never let Zhu Yanyi get too tired. Knowing doctors were rarely free, he didn’t want her to be exhausted at home either. So, he handled all household chores.
Since she usually spared her from such tasks, she certainly wouldn’t let her cook for Gu Jun and Mi Xiao now. she would do it himself.
Zhu Yanyi knew Yan Aohan cared for her. "Alright. There’s some braised meat left. Make them braised meat noodles with an egg each. Also, there’s some bok choy in the fridge’s safe spot. You can use that too."
"Okay." Yan Aohan nodded with a smile and went into the kitchen.
"You two are so loving, year after year," Mi Xiao said, looking envious. "Every time I come, I see you showing off your love."
Zhu Yanyi glanced at Mi Xiao. "You don’t have to watch." She tossed a tomato to her. "Eat something to fill your stomach first."
Mi Xiao didn’t hesitate. She started eating and said, "By the way, Yanyi, are you sure you can handle twenty people alone?"
"Basically, no problem," Zhu Yanyi said with a faint smile. "If there were problems, I wouldn’t have said I’d lose if I lost. Since I dared to say that, it means I am one hundred percent sure I will win."
Mi Xiao looked as if she had expected this. "I was worried when I came. What if you lost?"
"What then? If I lose, I lose. What can be done?" Zhu Yanyi laughed. "Do you really think I said that out of arrogance? I’m just impatient with people who envy me. As a doctor, I need more time to save more people. Especially in this world, you should know how many die because they can’t find good doctors. I have no interest in those who scheme against me. But no interest doesn’t mean I’ll run away. Since they came with purpose, I will fight back properly. Not only will I not lose this match, but even if I did, I wouldn’t be the one losing face."
"Huh?" Mi Xiao didn’t understand some of the details.
Zhu Yanyi was straightforward but not stupid. Mi Xiao was even simpler, so she understood less.
Zhu Yanyi smiled. "Think about it. If I win and the twenty of them lose, do they have face?"
"No, definitely not," Mi Xiao said seriously.
"And if I lose, twenty people against one weak woman, do they have face?"
Mi Xiao looked at Zhu Yanyi and slowly said, "No, still no face."
She paused, then looked enlightened. "So, whether you win or lose, the twenty of them and their country lose face."
Zhu Yanyi raised an eyebrow, indicating, yes, exactly.
"No wonder you did this. Your calculation is deep," Mi Xiao sighed.
Zhu Yanyi absolutely denied scheming. "I don’t scheme against people. At most, I admit I use open strategies."
Gu Jun laughed nearby. "But your open strategy is used well. No wonder you always say that when others use secret plots, you defeat them with open strategies. It’s like this now. Winning or losing brings you no burden."
As they spoke, Yan Aohan brought out two bowls of noodles. Zhu Yanyi called out, "Hurry up and eat. We’ll talk after you finish."
Gu Jun and Mi Xiao had rushed over and were indeed hungry. They didn’t hesitate. Each took a bowl and finished in minutes, slurping loudly.
"So refreshing! I haven’t eaten anything this delicious in a long time," Mi Xiao said, patting her stomach. The simple noodles made her feel excited.
Zhu Yanyi looked at Mi Xiao and laughed. "How long has it been since you ate properly?"
Mi Xiao sat up straight and looked at Zhu Yanyi. "It’s really not my fault. We’ve been in a small village for a while. No electricity, no internet, no good food. We usually eat sweet potatoes and corn we grew ourselves. Imagine eating that for months. Even if you like it, it’s useless."
Zhu Yanyi coughed. "Indeed. Eating the same thing for a long time does cause boredom."