Chapter Forty-Five: Exposed Completely

“Do not gaze upon what is improper, do not gaze upon what is improper.” Xie Qingtang repeated this phrase over and over in her mind as she opened her eyes, her gaze turning clear and composed. Even with Gu Xiujin standing stark naked before her, her expression remained unchanged. The silver needles in her hand danced like butterflies, swiftly piercing into every acupuncture point on his body. Soon, Gu Xiujin was covered in needles, and Xie Qingtang’s hands moved ever more quickly, only relaxing when she finally inserted the last needle into the Tai Bai point on his sole.

Utterly drained, she collapsed onto the floor, glancing at the still-unconscious Gu Xiujin. Wiping the sweat from her brow, she murmured, “Gu Xiujin, saving you took all my strength—let this repay the debt I owe you for saving my grandfather.”

But at this moment, Gu Xiujin, lost in unconsciousness, could not hear a word she said. Yet had he been awake, seeing himself so exposed before Xie Qingtang, he might well have fainted from sheer indignation.

After fetching the medicine, Li Zhao hurried back to the Gu family villa without pause, prepared the decoction, and knocked on the door. Xie Qingtang, who was resting with her eyes closed, frowned slightly and called out, “Come back in twenty minutes.”

Though unsure why, Li Zhao nodded, set the medicine on a side table, and waited by the door, knowing it would take twenty minutes for the needles’ effect to manifest.

Twenty minutes later, Xie Qingtang sensed the time was right. She removed the needles, and as the last one was pulled free, Gu Xiujin let out a muffled grunt and regained consciousness.

Before this, in Xie Qingtang’s eyes, Gu Xiujin had been nothing more than an anatomical chart of acupuncture points, and she felt nothing at all. Yet now, with all the needles gone, his bronzed skin, sculpted abs, and long, powerful legs were revealed in full before her, and a sudden flush of warmth surged to her nose.

“Do not gaze upon what is improper,” Xie Qingtang muttered, instantly turning her head away and lifting her chin as heat spread across her cheeks, only now realizing just how alluring a man’s beauty could be.

In the next instant, she grabbed a nearby blanket and covered Gu Xiujin, then slipped quickly from the room before he was fully awake. Clearing her throat, she instructed Li Zhao, who stood waiting outside, “Feed your president the medicine. He must take it for three days, once a day, not a single dose missed.”

With that, Xie Qingtang fled the villa as if pursued by some monstrous beast, leaving Li Zhao completely bewildered.

When Li Zhao entered the room, Gu Xiujin had already opened his eyes. Li Zhao breathed a sigh of relief and said, “President Gu, you’re finally awake. If I hadn’t acted quickly and brought Miss Xie here, who knows what might have happened?”

“This is the medicine Miss Xie prescribed. Please take it, President Gu.” She placed the bowl of herbal decoction before him.

Without a word, Gu Xiujin sat up to drink the medicine, only to discover to his shock that he was utterly naked. His expression darkened as he turned to Li Zhao. “Did you undress me?”

“N-no, I didn’t!” Li Zhao blurted out, then remembered that only Xie Qingtang had been in the room earlier. She immediately realized what must have happened.

Gu Xiujin stiffened, gritting his teeth. “So you’re saying it was Xie Qingtang who saved me?”

“Yes,” Li Zhao answered, feeling a chill envelop her whole body. She stood at attention, hands clasped, not daring to say another word.

Gu Xiujin’s face turned pale, then flushed—he now knew exactly who had undressed him, and how thoroughly.

“Who would’ve thought that beneath such a frail exterior, Gu Xiujin would have such a fine body. Truly, one cannot judge a book by its cover,” Xie Qingtang mused in the car, smacking her lips as she savored the memory. Once again, her nose tingled with warmth.

Back at the Benevolence Hall, Zhou Jinfan hurried to greet her. “Boss, thank goodness you’re back. There are still so many patients waiting for you.”

“All right, I know. Thank you for your hard work,” Xie Qingtang replied, immediately taking her seat at the consultation desk and plunging back into her duties, casting aside the events of earlier.

She might have forgotten the incident in her busyness, but that did not mean everyone else would. Gu Xiujin, his face expressionless, dressed and finished the medicine. Though he said nothing, Li Zhao had already prepared the car.

By the time they arrived at the Benevolence Hall, dusk had fallen. Xie Qingtang, just now finding a moment to rest, exhaled softly, poured herself a cup of tea, and was about to take a sip when Gu Xiujin was wheeled in by Li Zhao.

The moment she saw him, Xie Qingtang was abruptly reminded of the striking physique she’d seen earlier that day, and the tea in her mouth sprayed out in a burst.

“It seems that Doctor Xie is a bit flustered by my presence,” Gu Xiujin arched an eyebrow, his gaze teasing as he looked at her.

Trying to compose herself, Xie Qingtang replied, “Why would I be flustered? Not at all. I’m just curious—weren’t you bedridden with allergies this morning? Yet after taking the medicine you’re up and about already. You really are an unruly patient.”

“Doctor Xie’s miraculous hands truly revive the dying. After your medicine, I was able to get up right away.” Though his skin still bore traces of the rash, his complexion had clearly improved.

Then, changing his tone, Gu Xiujin continued, “There is just one thing I don’t understand, and I need Doctor Xie to enlighten me.”

“What is it?” Xie Qingtang’s heart skipped a beat. As expected, Gu Xiujin went on, “When I woke up, I found myself completely naked. This puzzles me greatly. Did Doctor Xie do something during my treatment that I should know about?”

At these words, Zhou Jinfan’s medicine scale clattered to the floor, Li Zhao’s lips twitched as she fought back a laugh, though she dared not let it out.

“Boss, you’re amazing! I always thought you were so innocent, but it turns out you’re quite bold,” Zhou Jinfan joked, giving Xie Qingtang a thumbs up.

To everyone’s surprise, Xie Qingtang admitted it without a hint of embarrassment. “That’s right, I undressed you. But it isn’t what you think—I only did it to treat your illness.”