Chapter 149: The Rational Man
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Hearing Zhou Jinfan’s words, a flicker of surprise appeared in Xie Qingtang’s eyes. She quickly set down her bowl and chopsticks and went to the door. Sure enough, the entrance, usually piled high with rubbish, was now spotlessly clean.
The two exchanged a glance, seeing determination in each other’s eyes. Xie Qingtang cautiously opened the door. The passersby coming and going outside seemed not to notice her at all, each busy with their own affairs.
Nothing happened. It was perfectly quiet. Nor did the fans who had guarded the entrance over the past few days throw rotten eggs or vegetable leaves at her.
Even the fishy, nauseating stench left behind by the heaps of rubbish had seemingly vanished. Xie Qingtang drew a deep breath, then abruptly opened the doors of Benevolence Hall. Turning to Zhou Jinfan beside her, she said, “The storm has passed. It seems we can open our doors and do business again.”
“That’s wonderful, Boss. I’ll check online and see whether this matter has died down.” Zhou Jinfan slowly relaxed. With the shop’s reputation damaged, sales had naturally declined. If Benevolence Hall could not reopen, their income this month would be drastically reduced.
After breakfast, Zhou Jinfan checked the news online and discovered that the story claiming Xie Qingtang had tried to exploit the popularity of two famous actresses by insinuating that they suffered from hair loss was still firmly at the top of the trending charts.
Not only had its view count failed to drop, it had increased considerably. Clearly, the matter had not lost any of its momentum.
“That’s strange, Boss. The story is still just as hot online, so why have those crazed fans disappeared? Could they have finally given up?” Zhou Jinfan asked in confusion.
Xie Qingtang had no mind to dwell on such questions. All she could think about was how to restore her reputation—and how she needed to be more careful in everything she did from now on.
“President Gu, everything has been dealt with,” Li Zhao said, standing beside Gu Xiujin.
At that moment, Gu Xiujin was in the Gu Corporation Hospital opposite Benevolence Hall. Sitting in his office and watching the building across the street, he said calmly, “Do not tell Xie Qingtang about this.”
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Remembering Gu Xiujin’s fury when he discovered that someone had deliberately humiliated Xie Qingtang online, and how he had later secretly helped her get rid of those crazed fans, Li Zhao’s curiosity was instantly kindled.
“President Gu, I’ve noticed that you’ve been paying an unusual amount of attention to Xie Qingtang these past few days. Could it be that you feel something different for Miss Xie?”
As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Xiujin, who had his back to Li Zhao, stiffened slightly. He then turned around and gave him a cold look. To Li Zhao’s astonishment, he actually nodded and admitted it outright.
“To be honest, I do feel differently toward Xie Qingtang than I do toward other people.”
Hearing his employer say this, Li Zhao looked as though he had just heard the most sensational piece of gossip imaginable. A faint smile spread across his face as he continued, “Then why not take advantage of this opportunity to make your feelings clear to Miss Xie and fulfill your marriage engagement? That way, she could take care of your health. It would solve two problems at once.”
Gu Xiujin had grown up alone and in hardship. Now, at last, he had found a girl he liked—and she might even be able to care for his condition. Perhaps there was still a chance that he could recover. At the thought of it, Li Zhao was sincerely happy for him.
Yet what happened next was even more unexpected. Gu Xiujin turned his head away again and gazed at Benevolence Hall across the street, speaking with utter calm.
“Nothing will ever happen between Xie Qingtang and me. We have only a business arrangement. There are no personal feelings involved.”
Li Zhao was completely baffled. He continued to ask, “President Gu, did I misunderstand what you just said? You don’t want to be with Miss Xie?”
“I refuse to be with Xie Qingtang because what I feel for her is admiration, not the kind of romantic affection you imagine. And I know my own condition better than anyone. If I cannot gather the seven principal medicines and cure myself, I am destined to have a short life. Xie Qingtang is a good girl. I have no right to ruin her life as an ordinary woman for the sake of my own selfish desires.”
Gu Xiujin spoke lightly. He was an extremely rational man, and with a body like his, he had no business dragging anyone else down with him. That was his sense of responsibility and his principle as a man.
Hearing this, Li Zhao suddenly felt a deep unease. Gu Xiujin had been tormented by illness since childhood; now, he could not even allow himself to fall in love with a girl.
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“Assistant Li, find out who is behind this. Since the video was fabricated, identify the person who forged it—and the person who bought a large number of paid online posters to fan the flames,” Gu Xiujin said calmly.
Li Zhao immediately nodded and went to deal with the matter.
The sunlight outside was bright, and the doors of Benevolence Hall had been opened, yet not a single patient appeared. Xie Qingtang had already guessed why, but when it truly happened, she still felt disappointed by those who blindly followed the crowd.
“Doctor Xie.”
Just then, a familiar voice sounded from the entrance of Benevolence Hall. It was A Ben, who had brought his wife, A Xiang, to have her pregnancy checked.
The moment she saw them, Xie Qingtang hurried forward. A Xiang was now more than six months pregnant. Her belly was extraordinarily large, and she had grown noticeably thinner, yet her face still carried a blissful smile.
“What brings you here?” Xie Qingtang asked with a slight frown.
Although Sun Ying’s crazed fans were no longer outside Benevolence Hall, no one could guarantee what might happen the next second. A Xiang was pregnant, and she had come to Benevolence Hall while it was at the center of the storm. Xie Qingtang was genuinely afraid that something might happen to her.
A Ben, however, was considerate enough to reassure her. “Doctor Xie, we know what happened online. But we believe you’re not the kind of person they described, and certainly not a quack. I don’t trust anyone else. I trust only you, Doctor Xie.”
His simple, earnest words warmed Xie Qingtang’s heart. She nodded and began taking A Xiang’s pulse. As the examination continued, a look of astonishment appeared in her eyes. She stared at A Ben in amazement.
“A Ben, you’re truly blessed! A Xiang is carrying twins!”
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