Chapter Thirty-Nine: A Stinging Pain in the Heart

After finishing the medicine, that familiar sense of drowsiness swept over Gu Xiujin’s mind once more. He did not resist it, knowing only proper rest would gradually restore his health, and so he sank into a deep sleep.

Elsewhere, Wang Miao’er returned to Gu’s Hospital and found her colleagues casting curious, probing, and mocking glances her way.

“Dr. Wang, impressive—now you even trust traditional medicine,” a colleague remarked, approaching her with a half-smile, eyes drifting to her chest badge.

Wang Miao’er’s expression grew darker. She said nothing, keeping her face cold as she strode toward her office, but the persistent colleague followed, refusing to give up. “How did those needles work out for you? Enlighten us, won’t you? Next time the hospital can’t cure something, maybe we’ll try the Healing Hall.”

“Yes, Dr. Wang, don’t be so stingy—after all, you’re the first in our hospital to put such faith in traditional medicine. Letting them stick needles into you, that’s bold,” others chimed in, their words buzzing like flies—annoying and impossible to swat away—ringing in Wang Miao’er’s ears.

“Shut up, all of you! If you’re so curious about what it feels like to have needles stuck in you, go to the Healing Hall yourselves!” Wang Miao’er finally exploded, unable to endure any longer. As the heiress of Wang Pharmaceuticals, she had always been a little spoiled.

If not for the chance to get close to Gu Xiujin, she would never have tolerated this for so long. Now that her plan had failed, she had no intention of pretending to be a gentle, innocent girl any longer.

Her outburst stunned her colleagues, who fell silent, turning back to their own work without another word.

Returning to her office, Wang Miao’er clenched her fists, and in a fit of anger swept everything from her desk onto the floor with a resounding crash.

Nurses passing by outside heard the commotion and began whispering among themselves.

At that moment, Wang Miao’er suddenly felt a sharp, uncontrollable pain in her heart. She collapsed to the floor, her face contorted with agony, as if an invisible rope had tightened mercilessly around her heart.

“What’s happening? Why does my heart hurt? Could it be as that wretched Xie Qingtang said, that I have a hidden illness?”

For reasons she couldn’t explain, Wang Miao’er recalled Xie Qingtang’s words and her determined expression.

The pain lasted no more than two minutes before fading, as if nothing had happened. Wang Miao’er pulled herself up from the floor.

Humiliated by the earlier events, she said nothing, didn’t even bother to ask for leave, simply changed her clothes and left the hospital.

“What did you say? Gu Xiujin went to see Wang Miao’er today?” Second Uncle Gu asked sternly, addressing the hospital informant.

The informant nodded immediately. “Many people saw it with their own eyes. Gu Xiujin came specifically to find Wang Miao’er and took her to the Healing Hall.”

“Healing Hall? That’s the place run by the little girl who saved Gu Xiujin before, isn’t it?” Second Uncle Gu sneered. He had never believed in traditional medicine and thought Xie Qingtang’s rescue of Gu Xiujin was nothing but blind luck.

The informant nodded again. Second Uncle Gu waved dismissively. “Ignore that girl. What matters now is whether Gu Xiujin is interested in Wang Miao’er. If he teams up with Wang Pharmaceuticals, my control over Gu’s Hospital will weaken.”

“Understood. I’ll keep a closer eye on this,” the informant replied respectfully, then left. Before leaving, he picked up a package wrapped in brown paper.

After leaving the villa, the informant returned to his car and opened the package. Seeing the thick stack of cash inside, he smiled with satisfaction.

Meanwhile, after Xie Qingtang finished the acupuncture treatment for the patient with back pain, she noticed Gu Xiujin had already left. She paused for a moment, but didn’t dwell on it.

“The trouble with your online shop is resolved. Gu Xiujin helped you,” her grandfather remarked at dinner. Though he always stayed in the backyard, he was never oblivious to what happened up front.

Xie Qingtang nodded. Her grandfather continued, “It seems Gu Xiujin isn’t entirely indifferent to you. Perhaps you two should try getting along.”

Hearing this, Xie Qingtang nearly choked. Regaining her composure, she laughed aloud. “Grandfather, what makes you think Gu Xiujin likes me? He helped me because it benefits him. His health still needs my care. Our relationship is mutual benefit, nothing to do with romance.”

“You, you…” Her grandfather chuckled, saying no more, but it was clear he’d made up his mind about something.

After dinner, Xie Qingtang saw the malicious reviews on her online shop had all been deleted. Knowing Gu Xiujin had helped her, she became even more attentive to his treatment.

A congenital deficiency, without rare medicinal herbs to restore vital energy, could never be fully cured—only alleviated through other therapies.

“It seems I need to try again,” Xie Qingtang murmured, taking a deep breath. In the consultation room, she pulled out a map of acupuncture points and, with laser focus, began inserting silver needles into the chart.

Elsewhere, Wang Miao’er, still reeling from humiliation, sought solace at a bar. Just as she sat down, someone joined her. She frowned, impatiently glancing aside, only to find Gu Xiucheng sitting beside her.

“I’ll keep you company,” Gu Xiucheng said simply, ordering two drinks and raising his glass to her.

Wang Miao’er said nothing, downing her drink in one gulp, but the sharp pain in her heart from earlier returned, forcing her to clutch her chest and lower her head.

“What’s wrong?” Gu Xiucheng noticed her distress and quickly steadied her, concern in his voice.

Wang Miao’er remained silent, her face pale, beads of sweat rolling down her cheeks. After two minutes, the pain vanished once more.