Chapter 87: A Change in Attitude

Watching Xie Qingtang, who was stamping her feet in anger, Li Zhao pressed his lips together in a slight smile. Then, taking the packet of medicine, he returned to the car and said to Gu Xiujin, “Mr. Gu, I’ve made things clear.”

“That’s good. I, Gu Xiujin, never do business at a loss. Let’s go.” Gu Xiujin’s tone was indifferent—it turned out he had deliberately sent Li Zhao to bring up the matter.

Once her emotions had settled, Xie Qingtang’s gaze, sharp as lightning, shot directly toward Zhou Jinfan.

Catching that look, Zhou Jinfan knew that trouble was coming his way. He shrank his neck like a turtle, cautiously backing away with a forced grin, “Boss, this really has nothing to do with me.”

“A forty-million video! That video of yours is truly worth a fortune. I’ve only let you read medical texts recently and haven’t even taught you the body’s acupuncture points. I’ve been a terribly unqualified boss, haven’t I? Come, let me give you a proper lesson.”

Xie Qingtang smiled sweetly, but the flash of her gleaming white teeth sent a chill down Zhou Jinfan’s spine. Cold sweat broke out all over him as he bolted for the backyard.

Twenty minutes later, watching Zhou Jinfan standing there as stiffly as a scarecrow, Xie Qingtang clapped her hands in satisfaction. She finally felt that some of her pent-up frustration had been vented.

That evening, Xie Qingtang acted as if nothing had happened, coming to administer acupuncture to Gu Xiujin and, in passing, ate a great deal.

Even Gu Xiujin found it odd. How could someone with such a small, flat stomach as Xie Qingtang’s manage to fit in so much food? And after eating, she still seemed unsatisfied.

“Gu Xiujin, let’s call it even regarding the Four-leaf Ghost Needle Grass. Let that herb compensate for the losses at Gu Hospital. From now on, you can’t come to me with Gu Hospital’s troubles anymore,” Xie Qingtang insisted, thinking it best to settle the matter clearly.

Gu Xiujin nodded. He’d never intended to trouble Xie Qingtang in the first place; he only wanted to tease her when he saw her stubbornness that afternoon.

Besides, the live broadcast incident had allowed him to discover many parasites lurking within the hospital, paving the way for future reforms.

“As for the schistosomiasis patients,” Xie Qingtang’s eyes sparkled with sly intent as she suddenly addressed Gu Xiujin, “if you can’t find the cause, you can come to me.”

Gu Xiujin had seen the incident online and knew that some patients with schistosomiasis in Gu Hospital had experienced sudden changes in their conditions. But he still had great confidence in his hospital’s medical equipment, so he shook his head and told Xie Qingtang, “No need, we’ll handle it ourselves.”

“Alright then, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.” With a nod, Xie Qingtang left the Gu family villa and returned to Cunsan Hall, only to be surprised to find the doors tightly shut.

Seeing the closed doors sent a chill through her heart, an ominous feeling rising steadily. She hurried to the back entrance, pushed the door open, and went inside.

The instant she entered, her nerves tensed, bristling like a wildcat ready to strike, her whole being a storm of anger and vigilance.

“You’re back, Qingtang.” Shao Siming sat in a chair, a cold gleam at the corner of his eye, though his lips wore a faint smile. Yet the smile offered no warmth—on the contrary, it was chilling.

Xie Qingtang swept her gaze around the yard. She didn’t see her grandfather or the others—only Shao Siming and his men stationed at each door. Clearly, her grandfather and the rest had been locked inside.

Her eyes flashed with cold light as she confronted Shao Siming, “What are you doing here? What have you done to my grandfather?”

“Am I really so contemptible in your eyes? No matter what, I am your biological father, and your grandfather is my father too. Don’t worry, I won’t harm him.”

For some reason, Shao Siming feigned a gentle, cultured manner as he stood and walked up to the wary Xie Qingtang. Like an ordinary elder, he patted her shoulder as if to reassure her.

But this soft-spoken pretense only made Xie Qingtang’s guard go up further. She immediately retreated a step and drew a silver needle—the very one she’d just used on Gu Xiujin.

Seeing the glint of the needle between her fingers, Shao Siming paused, then raised his hands and stepped back several paces to keep a safe distance. Only then did he speak softly, “Qingtang, I know you don’t trust me right now, and no matter what I say, you think I have ulterior motives. But whatever happens, we are linked by blood. I have always cared about you, even if from afar.”

“You know how awkward my position in the Xie family has always been. Sending you to the countryside back then was a last resort. You have to believe me—I’m your father.”

A mocking smile played at Xie Qingtang’s lips, her words biting, “Shao Siming, your pretense is laughable. The one who needed warmth was me as a child, not who I am now. When I needed you, you were gone. Now you put on this act of fatherly concern—doesn’t it disgust you?”

Her cold, scornful tone did not much alter Shao Siming’s expression. He tried again, “Qingtang, I know I was wrong. I want to repair our relationship now. Please, give your repentant father another chance.”

“Shao Siming, you’re mistaken. Not every apology deserves forgiveness—especially not from someone as despicable and shameless as you.” Xie Qingtang’s reply was resolute. That taut string inside her warned her that something was terribly wrong with Shao Siming.

This beast-like sixth sense had saved her countless times while studying with her master in the mountains. She would never ignore its warning.

Seeing his so-called daughter still watching him with such wariness, Shao Siming felt a flicker of irritation but forced himself to maintain a gentle demeanor. With a sigh, he said, “So be it. I’ve never cared for you all these years, so your distrust is understandable. Since you’re unwilling to talk today, I’ll come again in a few days.”

With that, he truly did nothing more—he simply waved his hand and left Cunsan Hall with his men.