Chapter Twenty-Nine: Another Way

“I wonder if Gu Xiu-jin has drunk the medicine yet. If I could see the effect with my own eyes, I could make appropriate adjustments to the next prescription,” Xie Qingtang said with a smile, casually sorting through the herbs in her hands.

Just then, Zhou Jin-fan returned from procuring herbs, drenched in sweat, directing others to place the herbs he had bought in the backyard.

“Boss, I’ve brought back all the herbs needed for the sachets. They’re definitely top quality, no mistake about it,” Zhou Jin-fan assured, patting his chest with pride.

Xie Qingtang said nothing, walking over to the bags where the herbs were stored. She took some out to inspect them.

During this process, Zhou Jin-fan didn’t dare breathe loudly. Although he was confident he hadn’t made any mistakes, with someone as strict as Xie Qingtang, there was always a chance she’d find some fault.

Once all the herbs had been checked, Xie Qingtang turned to Zhou Jin-fan and said, “Not bad. Looks like you deserve a reward.”

“Really? Not a single mistake—that’s wonderful. Oh, this is what I ought to do, no need for a reward, boss, you’re too kind,” Zhou Jin-fan finally exhaled the breath he’d been holding, his whole body relaxing.

Xie Qingtang walked up to him, smiling. “A reward is still due.” With that, she inserted a silver needle into one of Zhou Jin-fan’s acupoints.

Zhou Jin-fan stood frozen. Xie Qingtang rotated the needle a few times and said calmly, “This is the Hegu acupoint, remember it?”

“I remember,” Zhou Jin-fan replied, his face pale, teeth clenched. An indescribable sensation surged through him, as if thousands of ants were crawling over his skin.

Xie Qingtang nodded in satisfaction, patted his shoulder, pulled out the needle, and didn’t torment him further.

“Boss, may I ask something?” Zhou Jin-fan, finally regaining his composure, approached Xie Qingtang cautiously.

She nodded, prompting him to ask, “Boss, are you going to teach me the acupoints this way from now on? It’s unbearable.”

“Only if you feel the exact location yourself can you learn to needle others. Are you unwilling to learn?” Xie Qingtang raised an eyebrow, her sharp gaze pinning him.

Zhou Jin-fan immediately shook his head and declared resolutely, “Of course not! I want to learn, no matter how hard it gets, I will persevere.”

“Very good.” Xie Qingtang nodded in satisfaction. Though Zhou Jin-fan was timid and bullied by the strong, his dedication to traditional medicine was unique—perhaps owing to his family’s medical heritage.

After the charity hall closed for the night, Xie Qingtang and Zhou Jin-fan would prepare sachets for online orders at the counter. Online sales far outstripped in-person sales, which also reflected, in a way, how many people nationwide suffered from insomnia.

Early the next morning, Gu Xiu-jin opened his eyes and was momentarily bewildered. He frowned slightly, lifted the quilt, and looked under it.

Upon discovering the anomaly in his body, his face turned ashen. Normally, things would return to normal in a few minutes, but today, for some reason, half an hour passed and the condition persisted.

“Mr. Gu, are you awake?” Li Zhao stood outside the door, full of questions. Gu Xiu-jin was always punctual, rising at this exact time every day.

But today, the alarm had gone off half an hour ago and there was still no sound from the room.

“Could something have happened to Mr. Gu?” Thinking of Gu Xiu-jin’s health, Li Zhao felt a chill and immediately went to fetch the key from the steward, opening the door and rushing in.

At that moment, Gu Xiu-jin was sitting on the edge of the bed. When he saw Li Zhao burst in, his pale face flushed red with anger. He barked, “Get out!”

“Mr. Gu, are you feeling unwell? Should I call Miss Xie at once?” Li Zhao’s mind was entirely on Gu Xiu-jin’s health. Even after being scolded, he walked forward, ignoring everything else.

Gu Xiu-jin waved his large hand, snatched the quilt beside him, and covered his lower body, gritting his teeth, “I’m fine. Leave now and inform the company to send all documents here. I’ll handle them at home.”

“Yes, I understand, Mr. Gu.” Li Zhao nodded instantly. Even when unwell, Gu Xiu-jin had never neglected his work—he simply handled it from home.

Once everyone had left, Gu Xiu-jin picked up his phone, but his expression froze and darkened. “Damn, I forgot that woman doesn’t have a phone.”

He immediately dialed the charity hall’s landline. Zhou Jin-fan answered, smiling, “Hello, Charity Hall. How may I assist you?”

“I want to speak with Xie Qingtang.” Gu Xiu-jin spoke through clenched teeth. Zhou Jin-fan, hearing the voice on the line, felt a chill and quickly handed the receiver to Xie Qingtang.

Xie Qingtang seemed to know why Gu Xiu-jin was calling. Taking the receiver, she said calmly, “The effect will last a whole day.”

“So you knew all along.” Gu Xiu-jin ground his teeth. Now he realized Xie Qingtang was fully aware of his current physical condition.

Xie Qingtang replied frankly, “I prescribed the medicine, of course I knew. Actually, Mr. Gu, if you weren’t overworking yourself, your lifespan could be extended. But you’ve exhausted your vitality early, leaving your body depleted. If I want you to rest, this is my only option. The medicine is good, but its side effects are rather obvious.”

“Xie Qingtang, are you saying you gave me this medicine just so I’d rest?” Gu Xiu-jin was momentarily stunned, and on the other end, Xie Qingtang readily admitted it.