Chapter Forty-One: A Sincere Apology

Seeing the two men in wheelchairs engrossed in their own conversation, leaving Xie Qingtang on the sidelines, her lips twitched involuntarily. Since Gu Xiujin’s acupuncture appointments always fell at dusk, after finishing his treatment, Xie Qingtang closed the doors of Cunsan Hall for the evening.

What surprised her was that her grandfather led Gu Xiujin directly into the inner room, and the two men talked in private about things unknown.

“Miss, do you think the old master is discussing your marriage with President Gu?” Zhao Xianglan, who was helping Xie Qingtang prepare dinner in the kitchen, gossiped at her side.

Xie Qingtang’s hands froze for a moment before she shook her head and replied, “Grandfather would never do such a thing. I’ve already told him before that Gu Xiujin and I are just partners, benefiting mutually with no romantic entanglements. Besides, I have more important things to do than indulge in matters of the heart.”

Determination flashed through her eyes as she spoke, and her knife moved even faster. Seeing her like this, Zhao Xianglan sighed quietly.

At dinner, her grandfather and Gu Xiujin emerged from the room, chatting and laughing as if their relationship had taken a great leap forward. Xie Qingtang was nearly unable to recognize Gu Xiujin, seeing the faint smile on his lips—was this still the same man she knew?

“Sugar, would you walk Xiujin out for me?” her grandfather said after the meal.

Zhao Xianglan smoothly took the dishes from Xie Qingtang’s hands, giving her a meaningful look.

“All right, Grandfather, I understand,” Xie Qingtang replied, aware her grandfather hadn’t given up on matchmaking, but said nothing more as she accompanied Gu Xiujin to the front hall.

Gu Xiujin spoke, “Don’t worry. No matter what happens, I’ll help you.”

His words came out of nowhere, making Xie Qingtang pause for a moment, but she said nothing and only nodded. As she prepared his medicine at the cabinet, she added, “Your condition has stabilized. There’s no need to change the prescription—continue for another month.”

“Very well,” Gu Xiujin replied in his usual terse manner. After collecting his medicine, he left Cunsan Hall.

Elsewhere, Wang Miao’er sought out numerous traditional doctors, explained her symptoms, and requested acupuncture and pulse diagnoses. To her astonishment, all the doctors told her there was nothing wrong with her—her body was perfectly healthy.

“A bunch of quacks! My heart spasms every hour or two, yet you claim I’m not sick!” Furious, Wang Miao’er drove all the doctors away. In her heart, she realized Xie Qingtang was forcing her to apologize.

She also discovered that the angrier she became, the longer the interval before the next heart spasm, increasing her suffering.

In the end, having no other choice, she forced herself to suppress her anger and went to Cunsan Hall. Zhou Jinfan stopped her at the door. “Can’t you see there’s a patient inside? Why are you trying to barge in?”

“I’m here to apologize. Isn’t that what Xie Qingtang wants?” Wang Miao’er retorted coldly.

Zhou Jinfan snorted, “You think the world revolves around you? Just because you’re here to apologize doesn’t mean the head doctor has to drop everything to listen. If you want to apologize, wait here.”

“You…” Wang Miao’er wanted to argue, but seeing how Zhou Jinfan refused to yield, and thinking of her own physical torment, she had no choice but to swallow her words.

At that moment, a man exiting the consultation room caught sight of Wang Miao’er and greeted her with delight, “Oh, Dr. Wang, you’re here again! You must be here to thank Dr. Xie for curing your illness with her acupuncture. Without you, I wouldn’t have believed in traditional medicine. My chronic back pain, which plagued me for years, is now cured by Dr. Xie. Thank you, Dr. Wang.”

Listening to the man’s gratitude, Wang Miao’er was nearly driven to vomit blood from anger, while another spasm twisted through her heart. She managed a strained, awkward smile and nodded.

Zhou Jinfan nearly laughed aloud at the scene, handing out medicine to patients while keeping a watchful eye on Wang Miao’er to ensure she caused no trouble.

After waiting two full hours, it was finally Wang Miao’er’s turn. She approached Xie Qingtang, took a deep breath, masked her unwillingness, and bowed her head as she said, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have hired people to attack your online shop. I apologize.”

“Wang Miao’er, I truly wonder—what grudge lies between us? Why must you trouble me time and again?” Xie Qingtang asked coldly.

What could Wang Miao’er say? Could she admit she was jealous of Xie Qingtang’s closeness with Gu Xiujin, and that Gu Xiujin always took Xie Qingtang’s side against her?

“I was wrong. I admit I did the wrong thing. I just couldn’t accept it, and wanted to prove Western medicine is superior to traditional medicine,” Wang Miao’er lied.

Xie Qingtang glanced at her, immediately noticing the evasiveness in her gaze, but chose not to press the issue. “Though I practice traditional medicine, I’ve never thought Western medicine inferior. Each has its strengths. Since you’ve sincerely apologized, let me see your hand.”

Without hesitation, Wang Miao’er extended her wrist. Xie Qingtang drew a silver needle and pricked the center of her palm, then withdrew it, saying casually, “It’s done.”

“That’s it? Are you sure?” Wang Miao’er asked incredulously. Could a single needle really cure the heart pain that tormented her for days?

Raising an eyebrow at her skepticism, Xie Qingtang turned away. “If you’d like, I can give you a few more needles.”

“No need.” Wang Miao’er immediately pulled her arm back and, as if fleeing some great beast, hurried out of Cunsan Hall.

Xie Qingtang had only intended to give Wang Miao’er a small lesson, not to ruin her health. So when Wang Miao’er came to apologize, she went along with it.

Several hours later, Wang Miao’er discovered her mysterious heart spasms had vanished, and she breathed a sigh of relief. Yet as soon as she remembered Xie Qingtang, resentment surged up again—though this time, she dared not act rashly.

Meanwhile, rumors began spreading in the hospital. Wang Miao’er’s outburst at Cunsan Hall had been overheard by those with a vested interest.