Chapter 137: A New Method of Treatment

Initially, Xie Qingtang’s hesitant demeanor had led Dong Weiyi to believe she was indecisive. However, once the two reached an agreement, Xie signed a substantial order for traditional Chinese medicine on the spot. This contradictory quality only piqued Dong Weiyi’s curiosity about her once more.

In truth, Xie Qingtang’s reasoning was quite simple. Her earlier hesitation stemmed from a reluctance to take advantage of Dong Weiyi. But when he proactively offered her a standard discount, she felt they were engaged in a proper business transaction, and thus, she acted with greater decisiveness.

After signing the contract, Xie Qingtang looked at the flowers in Dong Weiyi’s hand with hesitation before finally accepting them. She then said earnestly, “Mr. Dong, you really shouldn’t do things like this in the future. After all, I am not an ordinary girl; the things that ordinary girls enjoy do not appeal to me.”

“Is that so? It seems Miss Xie truly is different from other young women. I am even more curious about you now. And what I said earlier was not merely an impulsive remark; I intend to get to know you seriously and for a long time to come,” Dong Weiyi replied with persistent charm.

Nearby, Zhou Jinfan covered his mouth in surprise. Once Dong Weiyi had departed, he scurried over to Xie Qingtang and whispered, “Boss, you’re something else! To think you’ve captured such a wealthy, eligible bachelor from the Dong family so quickly.”

“What nonsense are you spouting? Get back to work,” Xie Qingtang said, brandishing a silver needle at him.

At the sight of the needle, Zhou Jinfan immediately recalled the torture he had endured while memorizing the body’s acupuncture points. He shuddered and instinctively took a step back, though he gathered his courage to add, “Boss, you are so gentle and polite with Mr. Dong, so why are you so fierce with me?”

“Besides, I’m not wrong. Do you not realize that in our world of traditional Chinese medicine, Mr. Dong is the most eligible bachelor every female practitioner dreams of marrying? I never expected you to have quietly reeled him in.”

“If you truly end up with Mr. Dong, our Cunshantang clinic’s future will surely be smooth sailing. You really should consider it.”

Seeing him continue to chatter incessantly, Xie Qingtang stopped being lenient. With a flick of her wrist, a silver needle shot out like lightning, striking his mute point. In an instant, Zhou Jinfan found himself unable to open his mouth.

When Song Qing walked over, he found Zhou Jinfan, usually so talkative, gesturing wildly at his own mouth, his face flushed a deep red.

“Clinic head, what happened to him?” Song Qing asked, puzzled. Xie Qingtang didn’t even glance at him, replying coolly, “He talked too much, so I struck his mute point.”

Upon hearing this, Song Qing’s mouth twitched, but he nodded in deep agreement, muttering, “The clinic head is right; he does talk a bit too much.”

Having said that, he ignored the situation and walked away. Seeing the two of them act this way, Zhou Jinfan resigned himself to his fate and headed behind the counter to fetch medicine.

By evening, Xie Qingtang was lost in thought while staring at a steaming pot. Zhao Xianglan said with a smile, “Little Miss, you’ve been staring at that steaming pot for half an hour. What’s wrong? Are you hungry? Shall I get you something to eat to tide you over?”

“No, I was just thinking—if I use a steamer to introduce the medicinal vapors directly into Gu Xiujin’s body, perhaps his recovery would be faster,” Xie Qingtang replied, shaking her head as she furrowed her brows in contemplation.

Zhao Xianglan froze, then let out a chuckle, her eyes filled with gentle teasing. “I’ve noticed that for the past few days, you’ve hardly stopped talking about Mr. Gu. Is it possible that your feelings for him aren’t as cold as they appear on the surface?”

“Aunt Lan, what are you saying? I only think of Gu Xiujin as a significant asset. If he collapses, he won’t be able to help me anymore. That is all.” Xie Qingtang wasn’t sure if she was saying this to convince herself or Zhao Xianglan.

Zhao Xianglan, clearly unconvinced, lifted the lid of the pot. A thick cloud of steam rushed out, seemingly opening the pores on Xie Qingtang’s face.

Feeling the heat, Xie Qingtang’s eyes brightened. She clapped her hands and exclaimed, “I believe this method is worth a try. Combined with acupuncture, it could accelerate his recovery.”

As she muttered this to herself, she hurried out of the kitchen. Zhao Xianglan, placing steamed buns onto a plate behind her, said with a smile, “The elders always say that if you keep thinking about someone, that person has gradually entered your heart. The more you think, the deeper the love.”

Xie Qingtang, walking toward the front hall, nearly stumbled at these words. Her ears turning red, she hurried onward.

Once she reached the front hall, she took a deep breath and whispered, “With a great vendetta yet to be settled, how can I concern myself with romantic matters? I am only helping Gu Xiujin because he is my only leverage in Su City. I still need his help to deal with Shao Siming. Yes, that is all.”

With this thought, she steadied her mind and began selecting medicinal herbs while contemplating the treatment.

“I remember my master once speaking of this method—placing the patient in a barrel full of herbs and using the heat to drive the medicinal vapor into their body. It is easier for frail patients to absorb and promotes faster healing. Of course, it must be combined with acupuncture.” Xie Qingtang muttered to herself, quickly gathering the necessary herbs. Impatient to test the treatment, she dialed Gu Xiujin’s number.

Gu Xiujin, having just finished dinner, was surprised to receive her call but answered promptly. “You say there is a new treatment method that would be very beneficial for my recovery?”

“Yes. Consider it an experiment—why don’t you come over and try it?” Xie Qingtang said with great excitement.

Hearing that she viewed him as a test subject, the corner of Gu Xiujin’s mouth twitched.