Chapter Thirty-Eight: Reciprocity

As Wang Miao'er stood at the entrance of the Benevolence Hall, the crowd erupted in astonished whispers.

"The doctor from across the street actually came here for treatment—does this mean she acknowledges traditional medicine now?"

"If someone who once called traditional medicine a scam now accepts it, maybe we should reconsider our own prejudices."

Wang Miao'er suddenly became a living advertisement at the door of Benevolence Hall, her face turning a dark shade of purple with embarrassment. Instinctively, she reached for the silver needle pinned to her chest.

At that moment, Xie Qingtang, who was calmly sipping tea inside, finally spoke. With a subtle smile that was difficult to decipher, she said, "If you don't want to end up paralyzed, you'd best not touch that silver needle on your chest."

After those words, Wang Miao'er's hand froze in mid-air. Her expression wavered between hesitation and determination, but in the end, she refrained from removing the needle. Still, she protested, "Xie Qingtang, stop trying to scare me. How could a few needles possibly cause paralysis?"

"Have you forgotten? The first patient you referred to me became lucid after I placed a few needles. If acupuncture can restore clarity, it can also cloud the mind. If you don't want to become both confused and immobile, you'd better leave it alone," Xie Qingtang replied, setting down her tea and turning to face her.

Wang Miao'er stood there, unwilling to risk it, and turned to Gu Xiujin. "Mr. Gu, you must know that Wang Pharmaceuticals is one of your hospital's suppliers. Aren't you afraid my father will cut off deliveries if you treat me this way?"

Gu Xiujin had remained silent when she declared her identity earlier, so Wang Miao'er decided to press her advantage, her words carrying a hint of threat.

But to her surprise, Gu Xiujin showed no reaction whatsoever. Instead, he looked at Xie Qingtang and asked, "Is that all?"

Xie Qingtang instantly understood his meaning: after all the trouble Wang Miao'er had caused, was being stuck with a few needles really sufficient punishment?

She chuckled lightly. "Of course it's not that simple. After all, Dr. Wang spent a considerable sum posting reviews on my online store. Since she's so eager to help others, I shouldn't be too stingy myself. I'll repay her with acupuncture."

Hearing this, Wang Miao'er clenched her teeth. "Xie Qingtang, do you really think I'll thank you for this? You're dreaming."

Xie Qingtang, out of consideration for the audience, refrained from openly stating that Wang Miao'er had paid to hire trolls to smear her online shop, thus sparing her from total disgrace.

"Oh, I'm dreaming, am I? What a pity. There are some hidden issues in your body that I wanted to help you with, but it seems that's unnecessary now," Xie Qingtang replied, unhurried and confident.

Upon hearing this, Wang Miao'er felt a sudden chill down her spine. As a doctor, she was certain there were no hidden ailments she was unaware of.

"Xie Qingtang, what do you mean by that? What did you do to me? Hurry up and remove these needles! Don't let her fool you all—traditional medicine is a scam. I never believed in it."

Listening to the murmurs at the door, Wang Miao'er turned away, continuing to denounce traditional medicine while demanding Xie Qingtang remove the needles.

Xie Qingtang's expression grew cold. She strode up to Wang Miao'er, and the bodyguards at the entrance, sensing her intent, swiftly restrained Wang Miao'er once more.

"What are you going to do now?" Wang Miao'er panicked, struggling but unable to break free. Xie Qingtang remained silent, calmly extracting the silver needle from her chest.

Those watching from outside had no idea what was happening, but it was obvious that Xie Qingtang and Wang Miao'er were on opposing sides.

"Not only are you stubborn, you also refuse to acknowledge the bet you lost. Wang Miao'er, you truly are remarkable! But you won't be so defiant for much longer." Xie Qingtang withdrew her silver needle without emotion, then signaled with a wave, and Gu Xiujin's bodyguards released Wang Miao'er.

Realizing there was nothing to gain here, Wang Miao'er prepared to leave. But Gu Xiujin's indifferent voice stopped her: "Apologize."

Wang Miao'er froze in place, her body trembling visibly, clearly enduring tremendous inner turmoil. In the end, she dared not defy Gu Xiujin. She turned to Xie Qingtang and forced out, through clenched teeth, three words: "I'm sorry."

"If it's not a sincere apology, I won't accept it. You may go," Xie Qingtang replied, not even bothering to turn her head, and walked into the Benevolence Hall.

Humiliated, Wang Miao'er did not linger and left at once. This time, Gu Xiujin did not stop her.

"What exactly happened? That man sitting inside the Benevolence Hall—such presence."

"I'm not sure, but judging by today's events, the proprietor of Benevolence Hall seems to be quite capable. I happen to suffer from chronic back pain; perhaps I'll try a few needles."

Unexpectedly, the scene had stirred the surrounding residents, and a middle-aged man afflicted by back pain entered the Benevolence Hall.

When treating patients, Xie Qingtang's demeanor was entirely different. She inquired carefully about the man's condition, then produced her silver needles for acupuncture.

"Mr. Gu, shall we leave now?" Seeing that a patient had arrived and Xie Qingtang seemed to have forgotten Gu Xiujin's presence, Li Zhao approached him, testing the waters.

Gu Xiujin nodded calmly, unperturbed by Xie Qingtang's disregard, acting as if nothing had happened, and left the Benevolence Hall.

"I feel like Mr. Gu hasn't been himself these past few days. He's not the sort to make a losing deal, yet he helped Xie Qingtang without asking for anything in return," Li Zhao said to a colleague upon returning to the Gu family villa.

The colleague, also a secretary but of lower rank than Li Zhao, replied, "Perhaps it's because Miss Xie can alleviate Mr. Gu's pain—and maybe even cure his illness. That's an enormous debt; Mr. Gu might never be able to repay her."

"You're right, that must be it. Is the medicine ready?" Li Zhao said, suddenly enlightened, turning to his colleague.

With the new prescription, Gu Xiujin no longer had to endure those strange side effects. He drank the medicine in one gulp.