Chapter 128: The Strange Girl

The banquet continued in full swing as a steady stream of high-profile figures from the business world arrived. Even Dong Weiyi, momentarily forgetting Xie Qingtang’s presence, busied himself navigating the complex web of social connections.

"You are Xie Qingtang, aren't you?" Just as Xie Qingtang was wondering how to make her first social foray, a curious voice chimed in beside her.

Standing next to her was a girl who looked to be about her age. Dressed in a fluffy princess-style dress, she looked adorable, complete with a bow-adorned hairclip that made her look quite out of place among the mature, elegant women surrounding them.

Xie Qingtang, having been surrounded by women in evening gowns, was momentarily stunned to see someone who looked like a little princess. Surprised that the girl knew her name, she nodded and replied, "Yes, I am Xie Qingtang. And you are?"

"Oh my god, you really are Xie Qingtang! I’ve seen your videos online—your hands are so beautiful!" The girl clapped her hands in excitement, her eyes fixed intently on Xie Qingtang’s hands as she held her champagne flute.

Noticing the girl’s gaze lingering on her hands, Xie Qingtang paused. Usually, when people saw her videos, they focused on her medical expertise; she was unaccustomed to someone admiring her hands.

The girl stood there, appearing somewhat nervous, before lowering her head and whispering, "May I touch your hands?"

"A strange request, but if you wish to, go ahead." For some reason, Xie Qingtang felt no aversion toward this girl, despite her outfit being so incongruous with the setting. She reached out her hand.

The girl eagerly grasped it. It was only then that Xie Qingtang noticed something unusual about the girl’s own hands. She was wearing a pair of thick, exquisite gloves decorated with pearls and lace, radiating a girlish charm.

"Wearing gloves to touch my hand—that’s a first," Xie Qingtang remarked with a lighthearted chuckle. Unexpectedly, the girl’s expression dimmed instantly, and she withdrew her hand as quickly as if she had been burned.

Without another word, she turned and disappeared into the crowd. Xie Qingtang pulled her hand back, feeling a bit bewildered. "What happened? Did I say something wrong?"

However, the incident was but a small interlude, and Xie Qingtang did not dwell on it. To create business opportunities for Cunshentang, she took a deep breath. Even though she loathed socializing, she knew she had to engage with these people. If she wanted to build the strength necessary to face Shao Siming, she had to carve a niche for herself in high society and gradually work her way in.

"Miss Xie, there you are! I’ve been looking for you. I have a patient I’d like to introduce to you. He suffers from chronic diabetes, and after I told him my daughter’s condition improved thanks to you, he became very interested in meeting you." Dong Weiyi found her and spoke with a smile.

Xie Qingtang nodded, apologized to the person she had been speaking with, and followed Dong Weiyi to a couple. The man was in his early sixties, with greying hair but refined features that gave him the air of a gentleman. The woman, though showing the marks of time, was well-preserved, her hair devoid of a single grey strand, carrying herself with polished perfection.

"Mr. Dong, is this the 'Miracle Doctor Xie' you were speaking of?" Upon seeing how young she was, the man’s initially gentle expression darkened, his tone laced with undisguised skepticism.

Xie Qingtang was no stranger to such reactions. Most of the people she had spoken with at the banquet had regarded her with similar doubt.

"Mr. Feng, yes, this is the doctor I mentioned. Don't let her youth fool you; her medical skills are exceptional. You know how my daughter was bedridden for years due to congenital heart disease, but after just one week of Dr. Xie’s medicine, she was able to get out of bed and walk," Dong Weiyi said, advocating for her strongly.

Xie Qingtang stepped forward, composed and respectful. "Hello, Mr. Feng. I believe that ambition is not determined by age. Judging a person’s medical skill solely by their years seems hardly fair to a young practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine."

"Ha! 'Ambition is not determined by age'—a fine sentiment. I have heard of you, but I have always found traditional Chinese medicine to be far too esoteric compared to Western medicine, which makes it hard for me to trust. That is why I have never sought out a practitioner." While Mr. Feng expressed appreciation for her spirit, his words revealed his underlying distrust of the field.

Xie Qingtang was not one to force her views on others. She smiled and nodded. "It is natural not to trust what one has not experienced. I know that in treating diabetes, Western medicine acts much faster than traditional Chinese medicine, but it addresses the symptoms rather than the root cause, does it not?"

"Oh? So, are you saying that if I see a traditional Chinese doctor, you could cure my diabetes completely?" Mr. Feng looked clearly unconvinced; he knew that diabetes was a lifelong condition.

Xie Qingtang was well aware of this. She shook her head immediately. "You’ve misunderstood me, Mr. Feng. Diabetes is a chronic, lifelong disease. Once contracted, it cannot be cured. I hear that the most terrifying aspect of diabetes is not the disease itself, but the complications it brings. Through herbal treatment, I can ensure that you live your life without those complications."

"Furthermore, under the control of my herbal medicine, I can ensure you feel none of the suffering typically associated with diabetes. That is surely better than current Western treatments, is it not?"

As she finished, a flash of surprise crossed Mr. Feng’s eyes. He had expected her to spout nonsense about a "cure" to lure him into treatment. He hadn't expected her to be sensible enough to admit that there was no such thing as a total cure for diabetes.

"If that is the case," he mused, "then I suppose there is little difference between choosing traditional medicine or Western medicine."