Chapter 139: Revealing the True Colors

Yet, for reasons unknown, Gu Xiujin, sitting in the medicinal barrel, watched Xie Qingtang as she bustled about, adding herbs to the water and checking the temperature with such caring and excited attention. As the rising medicinal steam permeated his heart, the corners of his mouth lifted ever so slightly amidst the hazy warmth.

"Am I seeing things? I think I just saw our boss smile." Li Zhao, standing nearby, caught the glint of a smile on Gu Xiujin’s lips through the steam. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief, utterly stunned.

Zhou Jinfan, sitting on a small stool and munching on an apple, burst into laughter upon hearing this. "Really, Assistant Li? I’d sooner believe the sun will rise from the west tomorrow than believe your boss just smiled."

No sooner had he finished speaking than he glanced over at Gu Xiujin in the barrel, and the apple in his hand clattered to the floor.

Xie Qingtang, busy around the barrel, remained oblivious. Her cheeks were flushed red from the rising heat, looking like a naturally ripened apple, radiating an alluring fragrance. Indeed, having spent so much time working with medicinal herbs, the scent had permeated her very being. As the steam rose, it drifted into Gu Xiujin’s nostrils, causing him to take a deep, refreshing breath, feeling his spirit soar.

"Is the water temperature right? Do you feel any discomfort? If so, tell me now," Xie Qingtang said, catching her breath after adding all the herbs. She wiped the sweat from her brow and looked at the slightly dazed Gu Xiujin.

Startled back to reality, Gu Xiujin awkwardly turned his head away, feigning indifference. "I feel fine."

"Oh, that's good!" Xie Qingtang, seeing him turn away, assumed he was still angry about being used as a test subject. Not dwelling on it, she hopped down from the high stove, retrieved silver needles from her kit, and returned to his side, her expression growing serious. "You must endure this. I need to use acupuncture to help the medicinal properties penetrate your body more quickly. It might be quite painful."

"As a man, I can handle a bit of pain. Proceed!" Gu Xiujin said dismissively. But the moment the first needle pierced his skin, he realized exactly how much "a bit" of pain meant. It felt as though ants were crawling through the acupuncture points into every corner of his body—a sensation both painful and itchy. Yet, remembering Xie Qingtang’s warning, he could not stand up, so he had to endure it. His fists clenched tightly underwater, veins bulging on his hands and even his neck. Seeing this, Xie Qingtang urged him earnestly, "Hold on, you must hold on. Once this part is over, the rest won't be so painful. After this soak, your body will improve significantly—it’s even more effective than drinking medicine, I promise."

"Go ahead," Gu Xiujin said with a steady nod after a deep breath. Xie Qingtang continued the treatment.

For the next while, everyone held their breath. Xie Qingtang worked with precision, inserting fifty-six needles into Gu Xiujin’s body as quickly as she could. Once finished, she finally let out a long sigh of relief.

"There. Now you just need to stay in the barrel for another hour," she said with a gentle smile, genuinely impressed by his ability to endure the entire process.

Just then, a loud crash echoed from the front of the shop as the door was kicked open. Xie Qingtang immediately tensed and looked toward the entrance. She had closed the doors of Cunshan Hall specifically for Gu Xiujin’s treatment; whoever was breaking in clearly had ill intentions.

"Boss, I’ll go check," Zhou Jinfan said, standing up. Xie Qingtang nodded, but as she moved to follow, Gu Xiujin grabbed her hand. "Do you need my help?"

"The best way you can help me right now is to stay right there in that barrel. Li Zhao, keep a close watch on your boss—do not let him out, or all our efforts will be in vain," she said, patting Gu Xiujin’s hand reassuringly before jumping down and heading to the front.

Upon arriving, Xie Qingtang saw Shao Siming standing there with a group of men. The door bolt, broken in two, lay discarded on the marble floor.

"Shao Siming, what are you doing here again?" Xie Qingtang asked, her brow furrowing in annoyance.

Shao Siming glanced at her, wearing a self-righteous, fatherly smile. "Qingtang, why must you look at me with such hostility? I’ve come to take you home."

"Home? Ha! Is that still my home? It stopped being my home a long time ago. This is my home," she retorted sharply.

Shao Siming’s expression darkened, but keeping his goal in mind, he suppressed his anger and spoke in a soft, persuasive tone. "You silly child, what are you saying? That is your home, and as long as you are willing to return, it will always be your home."

"I see it not as a home, but as a den of wolves waiting for me to walk in. Don't think I don't know what you're up to, Shao Siming. You never do anything without a profit. You’re trying to lure me back to the Xie family house likely to use me as a bargaining chip for some benefit," she said, narrowing her eyes and stripping away his hypocritical mask.

Shao Siming faltered. That was indeed his plan. Since he couldn't use soft tactics, he would have to use force. Given that Dong Weiyi had previously threatened him to stay away from Xie Qingtang, Shao Siming decided he would trick her back to the family estate and place her under house arrest. That way, if Dong Weiyi still wanted her, he would have to negotiate with him—and then, he could demand whatever terms he pleased.

It was with this scheme in mind that Shao Siming managed to swallow his rage and continue speaking to her with feigned kindness.