Chapter Thirty-Six: Lending a Hand Once More

The sales of scented sachets and other health-boosting teas from the online shop were visibly declining, which quickly caught Xie Qingtang’s attention. After all, the main income source for the Benevolence Hall during this period had been the online shop; a drop in sales directly affected their earnings. Moreover, the sudden influx of negative reviews drew immediate concern. Zhou Jinfan gritted his teeth and said, “Boss, unless something unexpected happens, we’re being targeted. These people are trolls hired to flood us with bad reviews—someone must have paid them to smear us.”

“Can you find out who’s behind this?” Xie Qingtang frowned slightly. Zhou Jinfan shook his head, indicating he was powerless.

As sales worsened, Xie Qingtang could no longer afford the medicinal herbs needed for her grandfather’s treatment, and the ginseng gifted by the man who had once fallen under a spell was running out. The situation grew urgent, and with no other options, she had to seek Gu Xiujin’s help once more.

“I can help you, but you need to change the prescription,” Gu Xiujin replied without hesitation, but his condition was non-negotiable: Xie Qingtang had to switch the odd formula she had given him. The prescription had indeed worked wonders—after a few days of treatment, Gu Xiujin’s health and spirits had improved considerably—but the strange side effects were tormenting him.

Xie Qingtang agreed readily, though Gu Xiujin didn’t know that she had intended to change the prescription regardless. The peculiar side effect had been included to force Gu Xiujin to rest at home, since the formula only worked best when he was recuperating, replenishing his vitality. It was a potent remedy that restored him fully in one go, but due to his congenital deficiency, his vitality drained faster than others.

Continued use of such strong medicine would harm Gu Xiujin’s body, so Xie Qingtang planned to switch to milder supplements to gradually nurse him back to health.

With the agreement reached, Xie Qingtang wrote a new prescription for Gu Xiujin, who then instructed Li Zhao to investigate the malicious reviews plaguing the online shop.

“It was her,” Gu Xiujin said, raising his brow at Li Zhao the next day.

Li Zhao nodded. “That’s right. Our investigation shows that Wang Miao’er is the heiress of Wang Pharmaceuticals. She began her internship at Gu Hospital half a year ago and has some ambiguous relationship with Gu Xiucheng. Miss Xie humiliated her several times, and she has always despised traditional medicine—so it’s no wonder she’s targeting Miss Xie’s shop.”

“Alright, let’s go to Gu Hospital,” Gu Xiujin said, and soon arrived at the hospital. His presence immediately stirred a wave of discussion among the staff. The young nurses, with hearts fluttering, watched the tall, imposing man in the wheelchair.

“Mr. Gu’s visits lately are becoming more frequent. Is his condition worsening?”

“It’s such a pity—he’s so handsome, yet his health is poor. Is this the legendary fate where those blessed with extraordinary beauty are deprived of other gifts?”

As Gu Xiujin rolled past in his wheelchair, the nurses and doctors looked at him with regret. What use was beauty, after all? Sooner or later, he would walk a tightrope and pass away unexpectedly.

Ignoring the stares and whispers, Gu Xiujin headed straight to Wang Miao’er’s office. Li Zhao knocked gently on the door.

Inside, Wang Miao’er felt a surge of impatience and irritation. Recently, she had done everything possible to avoid sending patients to the Benevolence Hall. If she didn’t see patients herself, she wouldn’t have to refer them there. With a hint of annoyance, she called out, “Go find another doctor. I’m not seeing patients right now.”

Li Zhao replied coldly, “I am Mr. Gu’s secretary, Li Zhao.”

At this, Wang Miao’er’s body tensed. She hurriedly stood up and opened the door, startled to find Gu Xiujin in his wheelchair.

“Mr. Gu, why are you here? My earlier words weren’t meant for you—no, I didn’t mean it, I thought…” Wang Miao’er stammered anxiously.

Gu Xiujin glanced at her coolly and said, “You thought it was just an ordinary patient? You really go to extremes to avoid referring patients to Benevolence Hall.”

His words pierced Wang Miao’er’s heart like needles. She bit her lip and replied, “Mr. Gu, I don’t think what I’ve done is wrong. Must we really refer all Gu Hospital’s patients to the Benevolence Hall?”

Gu Xiujin, unmoved, curled his lips—not in a smile, but in a chilling sneer. Wang Miao’er’s heart sank, a sense of foreboding rising within her.

“Come with me,” Gu Xiujin commanded coldly, then turned away. After a brief hesitation, Wang Miao’er quickly followed.

The staff witnessing this were astonished. Some nurses speculated, “Has Mr. Gu taken a liking to Dr. Wang?”

“If he hasn’t, why would he come all this way just to see her? I bet it’s true. I hear Dr. Wang’s family background is impressive—her entry into Gu Hospital was thanks to her connections.”

The murmurs around her gave Wang Miao’er a sudden boost of confidence. Yes, Mr. Gu had come to see her alone; perhaps she did mean something special to him. Elated by the thought, her earlier tension vanished, and she walked with a lighter step, following Gu Xiujin out of the hospital.

But as they walked, Wang Miao’er sensed something was off. Why had they crossed into the Benevolence Hall? Li Zhao pushed Gu Xiujin’s wheelchair inside, while Wang Miao’er paused at the entrance.

“Come in,” Gu Xiujin said, his tone brooking no refusal. In the end, Wang Miao’er stepped into the Benevolence Hall.