Chapter Six: Snatch and Flee

Xie Qingtang was just about to speak when a large hand clasped hers. She glanced down and saw that Gu Xiu Jin, who had previously been protected by the bodyguards, had somehow wheeled himself to the front of the crowd. He didn’t look at Xie Qingtang; instead, his gaze fixed coldly on the captain of the bodyguards opposite him. “Go ahead, detonate the explosives if you wish. I’d like to see who dares to blow up the CEO of Gu Corporation right here,” he declared in a calm, unruffled voice.

Cold sweat immediately broke out on the captain’s forehead. “Gu—Gu President? How—how are you here?” he stammered.

Though Gu Xiu Jin sat in a wheelchair and lacked the advantage of height, the relaxed way he crossed his hands over his knees radiated effortless composure, overwhelming the opposing party in sheer presence. “What, do I need to report my whereabouts to you?” he retorted.

The captain shook his head frantically; he dared not provoke this man.

Gu Xiu Jin let out a soft snort and continued, “Clear the way. I’m taking Master Xie with me. If Shao Siming has any objections, he can bring them to me directly.” He snapped his fingers, signaling his own bodyguards to act. They immediately pushed Master Xie forward.

One of the bodyguards leaned in to ask the captain quietly, “Boss, should we still block them?”

The captain smacked him on the back of the head and cursed, “Block what? Do you think we could? Hurry up and call Mr. Shao!”

But before Shao Siming could learn of the situation and arrive, Xie Qingtang, Gu Xiu Jin, and their party swiftly left the prison-like sanatorium.

Once in the car, Li Zhao started the engine and asked, “President Gu, where are we headed?”

Gu Xiu Jin replied, “To Gu Corporation Hospital.”

He meant to take Master Xie directly for a physical examination. Xie Qingtang shot him a grateful glance. Although she could take his pulse herself, a thorough checkup would be much more reassuring.

After the examination, the doctor reported: Master Xie’s mental state was severely compromised due to prolonged use of drugs such as chlorpromazine, with a significant residual buildup in his system. His cardiovascular and liver functions were seriously damaged.

Given the circumstances, the doctor recommended long-term hospitalization, but also warned Xie Qingtang that full recovery was almost impossible.

After listening, Xie Qingtang deliberated for a moment before politely refusing the doctor’s advice. For physical rehabilitation, traditional medicine offered better results than Western methods. She decided to take her grandfather home and treat him herself using a traditional approach.

The doctor was stunned, visibly surprised. Any patient accompanied by President Gu was unlikely to be troubled by hospital fees, so insisting on discharge must mean…

In just a few moments, he had concocted a dramatic, scandalous drama in his mind.

Noticing his odd expression, Xie Qingtang paused, then realized what he was thinking and couldn’t help but smile wryly. “Doctor, you must be mistaken. It’s not that I don’t want to treat my grandfather, but rather I wish to do so personally. I am a doctor, though an obscure practitioner of traditional medicine.”

“Oh—oh!” The doctor finally understood, feeling a bit embarrassed. But hearing she intended to use traditional medicine, he frowned again. “Miss, I suggest you let the elderly gentleman stay here for Western medical treatment. Our methods are mature, and you mustn’t let blind faith bring lifelong regret.”

Xie Qingtang raised her brows in surprise. “Doctor, it seems you hold quite a prejudice against traditional medicine, don’t you?”

He snorted. “Prejudice? It’s not prejudice but undeniable fact! If you doubt it, just look across the street at that so-called hundred-year-old Shunshan Hall pharmacy. Always boasting about their heritage, but all they do is sell fake medicine. People are constantly showing up to demand their rights!”

Xie Qingtang’s eyes flickered, but she said no more, insisting instead on a diagnosis certificate and copies of the test results.

The doctor was troubled by her persistence, but had no grounds to hold them. With a sigh, he completed the formalities for Master Xie.

Leaving the examination room, Gu Xiu Jin suggested, “The Xie family mansion is still occupied by Shao Siming. I suppose you and Master Xie have no place to stay? You’re welcome to stay at the Gu residence for now.”

Xie Qingtang hesitated, then shook her head gently. “Thank you for rescuing my grandfather, but I shouldn’t trouble you further.”

There was still an unresolved engagement between them, and living under the same roof would only invite complications.

Gu Xiu Jin saw her meaning and laughed quietly. “It’s no trouble at all. Besides, having a brilliant physician like you at home guarantees my health. In fact, I’d be the one benefiting.”

Li Zhao’s eyes lit up and he quickly chimed in, “Exactly, Miss Xie! Staying at the Gu residence would be convenient for everyone. You’ve only just arrived in Su City, and even if you start looking for a place now, it’ll take time. Master Xie’s health can’t handle the strain.”

As they walked and talked, they soon reached the hospital entrance. Xie Qingtang looked ahead and smiled lightly. “Who says I have nowhere? I’ve already found a place.”

“What? How could that be?” Li Zhao exclaimed, and even Gu Xiu Jin raised his brows in slight surprise.

Li Zhao pressed her, “Miss Xie, where is this place you found?”

Xie Qingtang pointed ahead, mischief in her eyes as she winked at them. “Right there!”

Gu Xiu Jin and Li Zhao looked up to see, across the street, a traditional pharmacy—the very Shunshan Hall the doctor had mentioned earlier.

A crowd had gathered at the entrance; clearly something was amiss.

Xie Qingtang instructed the bodyguards to wait with her grandfather, then strode across the road without hesitation.

Following Gu Xiu Jin’s signal, Li Zhao hurriedly pushed his wheelchair after her, asking, “Miss Xie, do you know the owner of this clinic?”

Her steps were brisk, her voice crisp. “No, but that place will soon be mine.”

Li Zhao: “…”

Gu Xiu Jin was momentarily stunned, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. He wanted to see how this woman would pull off such a bold move.

Just as they reached the entrance, a sharp, clear woman’s voice rang out from the crowd: “Don’t try to deny it! This person was poisoned after taking your fake medicine. This is a severe case of food poisoning!”

Next came the wailing of a distraught woman: “Exactly! This heartless clinic said their medicine was a miracle tonic. I just wanted something to help my mother-in-law’s health, but after only a day, she’s been poisoned mute, and her legs are weak. If she ends up paralyzed, what will we do? Oh, heavens…”