Chapter 129: A Clash Between Siblings

Mr. Feng maintained his polite demeanor, and Xie Qingtang nodded in response. Chronic conditions like diabetes were not life-threatening; provided one managed their diet and took medication on time, the approaches of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine were indeed quite similar.

Just then, a sharp, mocking laugh drew everyone’s attention. Xie Qingtang looked toward the sound and was surprised to see several women in sophisticated evening gowns surrounding the girl in the princess-style bubble dress who had just spoken to her. The mockery in their eyes and the corners of their mouths was unmistakable.

"I heard the Feng family treasures you like a precious little doll and rarely lets you out. Why are you here today? Did you realize this is a medical banquet and come looking for a famous doctor to cure your strange illness?"

"Honestly, there are many illnesses in this world that can be cured, but there is no cure for being a fool." As the words fell, everyone nearby burst into mocking laughter.

The girl in the bubble dress stood there, uneasy and restless. Her eyes darted around as if she wanted to hide, but the group of women had her completely surrounded, leaving her no way to escape.

At that moment, the couple who had been speaking so gently moments before saw the scene, their expressions darkening instantly as they strode toward the group.

"What do you think you’re doing?" Mr. Feng barked sharply. Seeing the head of the Feng family approaching, the group of girls curled their lips in disdain and dispersed.

When the girl in the bubble dress heard Mr. Feng’s voice, she scurried toward him. Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's hum: "Grandfather, I’m sorry. I’ve embarrassed you."

"Feilan, you silly child, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. It is that group of people who lack upbringing; it has nothing to do with you." Mrs. Feng, the girl’s grandmother, stroked her soft hair, her eyes filled with heartache.

Xie Qingtang had not expected them to be a family. At that moment, the girl caught sight of Xie Qingtang. Her eyes lit up instantly, then a deep sense of envy flickered within them as she once again fixed her gaze upon Xie’s slender, fair hands.

Seeing this, Xie Qingtang’s curiosity grew, but soon after, the couple from the Feng family led the girl away from the banquet.

"That girl just now is from the Feng family. Is she ill, too?" For some reason, Xie Qingtang could not forget the envious look the girl had cast upon her hands, so she asked Dong Weiyi, who stood beside her.

Dong Weiyi nodded, sighing with some emotion. "Yes, that girl is Feng Feilan, the granddaughter of the Feng family. She has suffered from a strange illness since childhood. No one has ever known exactly what it is, only that whenever she appears in public, she insists on wearing a princess-style bubble dress that covers her hands."

"In truth, Feng Feilan rarely appears in public. Her presence today is likely because the head of the Feng family hopes to find a brilliant doctor at this exchange conference to treat his granddaughter’s mysterious condition."

Hearing this, Xie Qingtang finally understood. This banquet was primarily a medical exchange conference where many young, promising doctors came to seek their path.

Wang Miao’er’s family was also deeply involved in the medical industry, owning the Wang Pharmaceutical Corporation, so she was naturally in attendance.

With this knowledge, Xie Qingtang nodded slightly. She was surprised to note that while there were many who specialized in Western medicine at the banquet, those focusing on traditional Chinese medicine were few and far between. Furthermore, most of those practitioners were elderly; a young, beautiful female practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine like herself was a rarity, truly one of a kind.

"Mr. Dong, I knew I would see you at this banquet." A devilish voice suddenly echoed behind Xie Qingtang, causing her body to stiffen involuntarily.

Shao Siming followed behind Shao Bin. The two men, dressed in grey suits, walked toward them looking perfectly normal, as if they had not noticed Xie Qingtang standing next to Dong Weiyi.

"Mr. Shao, that is not a very sincere thing to say. You knew perfectly well that you would run into me at this gala." Dong Weiyi cast a faint glance at Xie Qingtang beside him, then, pretending not to notice her rigid posture, turned to greet Shao Siming.

The three stood together exchanging pleasantries. Xie Qingtang’s expression stiffened as she tried to walk away, but Shao Siming stopped her directly. "Qingtang, what is wrong? Can’t you even greet your own father?"

Xie Qingtang stopped in her tracks. Suppressing the turbulent emotions within her, she turned around and said with icy detachment, "I am not in the habit of greeting people who are of no consequence to me."

"Sharp-tongued as ever," Shao Bin sneered, making his dissatisfaction with her clear.

Xie Qingtang cast a cool glance at him as if looking at a stranger. "A sharp tongue is still better than being shameless. Have you never heard the saying about a dove occupying a magpie's nest?"

This was a veiled mockery of how Shao Siming, having entered the Xie family as a son-in-law, had driven the true heiress, Xie Qingtang, out of her own home and usurped the family fortune.

Sure enough, at these words, the faces of both Shao Siming and Shao Bin darkened.

Shao Bin, impulsive and loose-lipped, retorted, "What are you acting so arrogant for? No matter how arrogant you are, you are just a woman. Do you think you compare to me, a son? One day, I will inherit the entire Xie estate, and when that day comes, I’ll see how you cry."

"Shao Bin, you truly have perfected the definition of shamelessness! Don’t forget, your father is merely a son-in-law who married into the Xie family; he has no right to inherit anything of ours. And you, the son of a son-in-law, dreaming of inheriting the Xie family—don't forget that your surname is Shao," Xie Qingtang countered mercilessly.

A glimmer of admiration appeared in Dong Weiyi’s eyes. Just as he was about to speak, Shao Siming grabbed the impulsive Shao Bin and said calmly, "What is the point of a momentary war of words? Qingtang, come back."