Chapter One Hundred: The Renowned Divine Physician

When Gu Qiujin caught that fleeting smile, his heart softened a little. He moved his wheelchair to her side. Xie Qingtang said, “After my treatment, your body should have recovered well. Why are you still using a wheelchair?”

“I can’t let those with ulterior motives lower their guard, can I?” Gu Qiujin replied calmly, as if he had long grown accustomed to such circumstances.

Upon hearing this, Xie Qingtang immediately understood his reasoning. Half-joking, she said, “If you truly want your relatives to let down their guard, I could put you into another state of feigned death. During that time, your body could repair itself—two birds with one stone, what do you think?”

“Oh? Is that really possible? If I ever need it, I’ll be counting on your help then,” Gu Qiujin nodded with a slight smile.

Xie Qingtang glanced at him. This man’s bearing was elegant and unshakably composed; even in the eye of a storm, he remained unruffled. He must have suffered no small amount at the hands of his relatives over the years.

Thinking of her own eccentric father, Xie Qingtang sighed inwardly. Every family has its own troubles.

After dinner, Gu Qiujin sought Xie Qingtang out alone to once again bring up the idea of establishing a department of traditional medicine at Gu’s Hospital.

But Xie Qingtang still declined, and Gu Qiujin did not press her further, leaving the Hall of Benevolence without another word.

“Grandfather, every time Gu Qiujin comes, you two always end up whispering together. Are you hiding something from me?” Xie Qingtang, unable to contain her curiosity, hurried to her grandfather as soon as Gu Qiujin left.

Her grandfather smiled kindly, took the herbal medicine from her hand and drank it all at once. After wiping his mouth, he said, “I’ve been asking Qiujin when the two of you will fulfill your engagement and get married. He promised me he’d take good care of you.”

At these words, Xie Qingtang was left momentarily stunned, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. She turned away shyly and muttered, “Grandfather, I’m being serious.”

“Isn’t your engagement a serious matter? It’s the most serious thing of all. I remember when your mother and Old Gu’s son didn’t end up together. I hope this engagement can come to fruition in your generation,” her grandfather remarked with a sigh. If only his own daughter had ended up with Gu Qiujin’s father, perhaps things would have turned out differently.

Seeing her grandfather lost in sad memories, Xie Qingtang didn’t pursue the topic any further and quickly helped him back to his room to rest.

Early the next morning, Zhou Jinfan eyed the crowd lining up at the entrance and swallowed hard. Ever since word spread that Xie Qingtang had pulled a woman with severe hemorrhaging back from the brink of death, a flood of patients had arrived.

The reputation of a miracle doctor began to ripple through the neighborhood, like a stone cast into a pond sending out waves.

“That’s the miracle doctor. I hear she brings the dead back to life, and her medicine works wonders. She saved a pregnant woman that everyone else had given up on. Looks like traditional medicine is on the rise again.”

“That’s right. I’ve always believed in traditional medicine,” boasted a rather plump woman, her face looking smug.

But before she finished, someone nearby exposed her. “Oh come on, Sister Lei, didn’t you say before that traditional medicine was all a scam? That you couldn’t trust those street doctors? And you always went to Gu’s Hospital for treatment. Why are you suddenly extolling traditional medicine now?”

Having been exposed, Sister Lei’s face turned red and green with embarrassment. She snapped, “Aunt Li, if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all. I’ve always believed in traditional medicine. Don’t you dare slander me at the Hall of Benevolence, or the miracle doctor won’t see me!”

Her outburst drew laughter from the crowd. The outer hall of the Hall of Benevolence was lively, but inside the consulting room it was quiet. Xie Qingtang, her brow slightly furrowed, felt pulses and wrote prescriptions one after another.

Zhou Jinfan dispensed the medicine for each patient who came with a prescription. Everything proceeded in perfect order. After a busy day, Zhou Jinfan calculated the earnings and was overjoyed.

“Boss, at this rate, in a month we’ll be able to open a second branch,” he said, unable to conceal his ambition. He had once dreamed of expanding the Hall of Benevolence—even by selling fake medicine, if necessary.

But Xie Qingtang only sat there, exhausted, eyes closed in an attempt to recover her strength. At last, she realized just how tiring it was to be the sole physician in the Hall of Benevolence.

She opened her eyes and said to Zhou Jinfan, “I plan to hire another traditional medicine doctor. Let them handle the minor ailments—headaches and fevers. I’ll take only the major and complicated cases.”

“You’re absolutely right, Boss. All the locals come to you for every little thing—you’re just too busy. I’ll post a notice online about hiring a new doctor right away,” Zhou Jinfan agreed enthusiastically.

Xie Qingtang nodded. Early the next morning, Zhou Jinfan had just posted the notice when a stream of traditional medicine apprentices, who had seen the message online the night before, came to apply.

Many were students from academies of traditional medicine, their faces alight with hope as they gazed at the Hall of Benevolence.

“I hear the lady doctor here isn’t just beautiful, her skills are extraordinary. If I can learn from her, my own abilities will surely reach new heights,” one whispered.

Even Zhou Jinfan was surprised. He had barely posted the job ad on the Hall’s social media, and already so many had come to apply.

Most were graduates from formal medical schools, each bringing a resume. The Hall of Benevolence was more bustling than ever, with patients and applicants filling the place.

Most patients came for the miracle doctor’s reputation. Some applicants sought a job, others were drawn by the Hall’s growing fame.

Seeing the disorderly scene within the Hall, Xie Qingtang’s brow furrowed slightly. She turned to Zhou Jinfan.