Chapter Eighteen: A Minor Lesson

Xie Qingtang glanced at Gu Xiuqin, observing the man seated in the wheelchair. Though his body was frail, his words were resolute, insisting on accompanying her to explore the mysterious forbidden land.

“Do you think I’m a burden?” Gu Xiuqin’s voice turned icy, his pitch-black eyes seeming to contain a bottomless abyss that drew Xie Qingtang’s soul in.

For reasons unknown, Xie Qingtang’s body trembled uncontrollably. She bit her lip against the chill, then addressed Gu Xiuqin, “You’re overthinking it. I don’t consider you a burden.”

“It’s simply that you’re already ill, and the forbidden land likely harbors toxic plants. If your condition worsened because of exposure to such poisons, it would do you no good. As your physician, I cannot let you take such risks.”

After her words, Gu Xiuqin’s expression froze for a moment, then, unexpectedly, he raised his eyebrows and laughed softly. “Are you worried about me?”

This mercurial man, who had been cold as frost moments ago, suddenly shifted to a mild, almost teasing demeanor—it was quite peculiar.

Nonetheless, Xie Qingtang turned away, arranging the medicine cabinet she had just opened, and said, “I am a doctor, and you are my patient. Naturally, I am responsible for your health.”

As they spoke, Zhou Jinfan strode in, noticed the ambiguous atmosphere between the two, and hesitated, about to retreat.

“Young man, where are you going? Organize all these medicines, then bring me the procurement list. I need to see which ingredients require restocking,” Xie Qingtang’s keen ears caught his movement, and she turned, her gaze landing on Zhou Jinfan.

Gu Xiuqin, still in the wheelchair, shot Zhou Jinfan a sharp glance, as cold as a blade.

Zhou Jinfan was so intimidated he barely dared to breathe. He thought to himself that he hadn’t meant to intrude on their conversation, so he forced a smile and said, “The procurement list can wait. Why don’t you two finish talking first?”

“We’ve finished. Mr. Gu, I heard from the intern doctor that you haven’t completed your examination. Please do so, and bring me the results so I can treat you,” Xie Qingtang replied calmly to Gu Xiuqin.

Gu Xiuqin lifted his gaze to her, then said, “Very well. But if you plan to enter that dangerous forbidden land, you must inform me.”

“All right, I understand. I wouldn’t dare venture there alone. If I do go, I’ll let you know, and you can assign a few bodyguards to me,” Xie Qingtang quietly accepted Gu Xiuqin’s concern.

Seeing the absent-minded woman agree, Gu Xiuqin’s brows furrowed slightly. He said nothing further and left Cunsan Hall with his bodyguards.

“My goodness, that man is like an iceberg weighing on my heart. I could barely stand it. Thank heavens he’s gone,” Zhou Jinfan finally exhaled the breath he’d been holding and dropped heavily beside Xie Qingtang.

Witnessing this, Xie Qingtang’s brows deepened, her hand moved, and Zhou Jinfan yelped, clutching his forehead as medicinal herbs scattered across the floor. He lamented, “Oh, my dear lady, how can you use herbs to hit people? That’s money you’re tossing!”

“As the shop assistant, you dare be lazy? Hurry and bring me last month’s pharmacy procurement list,” Xie Qingtang’s pretty face turned stern as she addressed Zhou Jinfan.

Zhou Jinfan was someone who bullied the weak and feared the strong; thus, Xie Qingtang always treated him with firmness, commanding him to fetch last month’s list.

When she saw the list, anger surged within her. She turned to the unconcerned Zhou Jinfan and said, “How did you manage to turn a perfectly good pharmacy into this mess? What is all this you’ve purchased? So many unnecessary items, and not a single essential medicine.”

“I was short on cash, wasn’t I? Besides, these things aren’t useless. I need them for making fake pills,” Zhou Jinfan replied, as if it was only natural.

His words nearly made Xie Qingtang’s hair stand on end. Indeed, the list was dominated by flour and honey, and seeing him act as if counterfeit medicine was justified infuriated her.

Sensing the anger radiating from the girl after she examined the list, Zhou Jinfan instinctively stepped back; she was not someone to provoke.

At that moment, Xie Qingtang’s expression suddenly shifted, and she smiled, beckoning Zhou Jinfan over. “Why are you so far away? Come here.”

“Boss, I admit my mistake. I’ll never make fake medicine again. I’ll study medicine diligently with you and restore the reputation of our family’s Cunsan Hall,” Zhou Jinfan’s eyes darted cunningly, and he bowed his head, confessing like a monkey.

Xie Qingtang stood up, nodded with appreciation, and approached him. “You’re right. You do need to study medicine properly. Starting today, let’s begin by learning the acupuncture points of the human body.”

Zhou Jinfan’s face lit up with joy, but in the next instant, he collapsed like a toad, splayed helplessly on the floor, unable to utter a word.

“The first acupuncture point we’ll learn today is called Tianma. Once the silver needle penetrates it, the whole body becomes numb and immobile,” Xie Qingtang explained with a smile, standing beside Zhou Jinfan.

But to Zhou Jinfan, that smile was the invitation of a demon, sending chills through his entire body.

Meanwhile, Gu Xiuqin returned to Gu Hospital and completed all his examinations. When the doctor received his results, his face grew grave; though he said nothing, his silence spoke volumes.

“Mr. Gu, about these results…” the elderly doctor hesitated, uncertain how to address Gu Xiuqin.

Gu Xiuqin raised his hand to halt the doctor and instructed Li Zhao behind him, “Take all the examination results to Cunsan Hall.”

At his words, the old doctor froze, his expression darkening further.