Chapter 69

Two bodyguards stopped in front of Qian Jianing with fierce expressions. Zhao Xiang sauntered over with a smug grin on his face. “Refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit? Not only am I getting treated today, I’ll be the first! Let’s see who dares defy me!”

Qian Jianing crossed her arms and looked at him coldly. “I’ll give you one more chance. Get out on your own.”

“What the hell did you just say?” Zhao Xiang reached out to grab her collar. Qian Jianing raised her hand, twisted his wrist, and spun him around. Zhao Xiang felt like his wrist was clamped in an iron vise—cold sweat broke out instantly. “It hurts! It hurts! Let go!”

The two bodyguards rushed in to grab her arms, but Qian Jianing spun Zhao Xiang around and kicked the two of them two meters away. They landed heavily on the ground. Zhao Xiang, dragged to his knees, immediately backed down.

Qian Jianing looked down at him from above. “I’ll ask you again. Are you leaving or not?”

“Yes! Yes! I’m leaving!” Zhao Xiang nodded frantically, staring at her like she was a monster. His bodyguards were both over 1.9 meters tall and weighed more than 200 pounds, trained in combat, and yet hadn’t lasted a single move. No matter how scheming he was, he didn’t dare act out now.

Qian Jianing still had patients to see and no time to waste on them. She flung his wrist aside and coldly said one word: “Scram.”

Zhao Xiang clutched his wrist and stumbled back to the car with his bodyguards. It was only then that he noticed a dark purplish bruise encircling his wrist, left by Qian Jianing’s grip.

The two bodyguards exchanged glances and said nothing. One move was enough to show true skill. Even if there were ten more of them, they still wouldn’t be able to beat that young woman.

“Boss… maybe we should just go to the hospital,” one bodyguard suggested tentatively.

Zhao Xiang spat angrily, unable to swallow his rage. “Go to the Wang family. Get Wang Huishan to stand up for us.”

In the Imperial Capital, throw a brick and it might hit someone with powerful connections. Zhao Xiang didn’t have much backing himself, but he had seized an opportunity of the times, quickly amassing a small fortune. He then spent money to cozy up to Wang Huishan, a second-generation official. Every deal he made included generous dividends for Wang Huishan, who helped resolve any disputes or messes that came up.

Wang Huishan was a typical rich playboy, drifting around on his father’s network, doing nothing serious. At this hour, he was still asleep in his villa.

Zhao Xiang bought two boxes of seafood and had his driver take him to Wang Huishan’s place. The knocking woke Wang, who sat shirtless on the sofa, hair a mess, and yawned impatiently. “What the hell is it this early?”

“Don’t even ask!” Zhao Xiang began sobbing and complaining. “You know I’ve been drinking and entertaining constantly for the sake of business these past few years. Just a few days ago, the hospital diagnosed me with liver cirrhosis—said if it gets worse, it’ll be liver cancer. I rushed to find a Chinese medicine doctor for a prescription, and not only did they refuse to treat me, they beat me up.” He showed his wrist. “Look how bruised it is.”

Wang Huishan grew more irritated. “Why do you come to me with every little thing? Can’t you handle this yourself?”

Zhao Xiang admitted defeat. “She’s too strong—I really couldn’t beat her!”

Wang Huishan took a gulp of tea and looked at the seafood boxes. His expression softened. He pointed at one of the bodyguards. “Take those to the kitchen. Don’t stink up the place.”

The bodyguard obediently scurried off. Wang Huishan scratched his head. “How’s that commercial complex investment going? When can I get my dividends?”

“Soon, just two more months,” Zhao Xiang replied quickly.

Wang Huishan nodded and dialed a number. “Brother Chen, a friend of mine got beat up at a Chinese medicine clinic… What’s the place called?” He looked at Zhao Xiang, who immediately said, “Ning’an Traditional Medicine Hall.”

“Ning’an Traditional Medicine Hall!” Wang Huishan said into the phone, lounging bonelessly on the sofa. “Check their licenses. If there’s anything wrong, find a reason to shut it down.”

After hanging up, Wang Huishan smugly nodded at Zhao Xiang. “Relax. It’ll be closed within three days.”

Zhao Xiang thanked him repeatedly and left bowing and scraping. But three days passed, and Ning’an Hall showed no signs of being shut down. Instead, Wang Huishan was arrested for extortion and involvement in organized crime. Soon after, his father was also implicated in a bribery case and investigated.

When Zhao Xiang heard the news, he didn’t think too much of it—just assumed the Wang family was unlucky. He began looking for a new backer. But before he could, he was found guilty of large-scale tax evasion and also tied to a past assault case. He was detained immediately.

In the detention center, Zhao Xiang and Wang Huishan, now both fallen from grace, met again. Before Zhao Xiang could greet him, Wang Huishan launched at him, kicking and punching. “Damn your ancestors! If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be stuck in here!”

After Zhao Xiang’s example, anyone with a guilty conscience didn’t dare stir trouble at Ning’an Hall again. But with Old Master Dong having been treated there, people knew Qian Jianing’s medical fees were high. Even so, the line of patients kept growing—after all, if money could buy your life, who would hesitate?

What really got people talking was that Ning’an Hall didn’t charge a flat fee. The so-called divine doctor Qian Jianing would read a person’s fortune first. Those with a guilty past were turned away. Ordinary folks with neither merit nor wrongdoing needed two million for a cure. Good deeds earned discounts—some got ten percent off, others twenty.

Just as people were wondering when the lowest discount would appear, a plainly dressed woman arrived with an elderly man. She asked whether they could cure incurable diseases. Most people in line were wealthy. Seeing the pair’s humble appearance, they looked on with sympathy. “Do you even have money?”

Upon hearing the steep costs, the old man gently pulled his daughter aside. “It’s okay. Let’s go home. I’ll just take some painkillers.”

At that moment, Qian Jianing came out, saw the old man’s face, and instinctively called out to him. Once she opened her Heavenly Eye, she saw over a thousand golden rays above his head—each representing a meritorious deed.

Qian Jianing handed him a numbered tag under his puzzled gaze. “We charge based on virtue. You’ve done good your whole life. Your treatment is free—you just need to pay for the medicine. The herbs cost the same as Lehe Hall’s—clearly marked prices.”

As soon as she spoke, the old man was surrounded by envious stares. With this precedent, many who believed themselves virtuous began queuing at Ning’an Hall, hoping that perhaps their own good deeds would earn them a free consultation.
—

Summer passed and winter came. After being missing for months, Li Yujun finally called Qian Jianing again. When she heard his slightly hoarse voice on the line, she realized it had been half a year since they last met.

“What have you been up to? Another mission?” she asked, lying on the couch, fingers twirling the phone cord. She hadn’t missed him while she was busy, but now, hearing his voice, she realized she did.

“I just got back from a mission. I missed you so much,” came his low voice over the line, making her cheeks flush.

“I can take a longer break this time. I won’t return to the base until after the New Year. I can finally spend some real time with you.”

“I’ll be home the day after tomorrow.”

“I got you a present.”

“Jianing, did you miss me?”

Listening to his rambling through the phone, Qian Jianing looked at the bullet-shell tank on the shelf and couldn’t help but smile.

It was mid-month again—her usual break. She called Wang Chenchen to go shopping, planning to buy some clothes for herself and some gifts for the Li family.

Wang Chenchen had finally survived months of herbal medicine exams and was now on holiday. She seemed even more excited than Qian Jianing and dragged her straight to Wangfujing Department Store, holding up every pretty outfit for her to try on.

This is when the advantage of beauty becomes obvious. Qian Jianing was good-looking, had a great figure, and looked stunning in anything she wore—so much so that people couldn’t take their eyes off her.

She bought two outfits, a wool sweater for Old Mr. Li, and a cashmere scarf for Chang Xiaoyuan. Wang Chenchen, helping her carry a pile of shopping bags, asked in confusion, “Are you going home? Why so many gifts?”

Qian Jianing blushed a little. She glanced at Wang Chenchen and hinted subtly, “I’m visiting my boyfriend’s home in a few days.”

“You have a boyfriend? Since when?” Wang Chenchen widened her eyes in excitement. “What does he look like? Is he handsome?”

Qian Jianing smiled sweetly. “He’s quite handsome. You’ll see in a few days.”

Wang Chenchen nodded innocently. “Alright, I’ll help you vet him properly—see if he’s worthy of marrying the top beauty of our Traditional Chinese Medicine University.”

Qian Jianing held a wool dress up to Wang Chenchen to size it and chuckled. “I’ve already graduated. Being called the top beauty sounds ridiculous now.”

“Even though you graduated, your legend still lives on at school.” Wang Chenchen picked up another outfit and admired herself in the mirror, clearly taken with it and reluctant to leave. “This looks so good. I’ll ask my mom to buy it for me later.”

Seeing this, Qian Jianing took the outfit and handed it to the sales assistant. “Please wrap this up.” As Wang Chenchen stood there dumbfounded, Qian Jianing explained, “My boyfriend has a younger sister who’s about your size and build. I’ll give it to her as a gift when we meet.”

Wang Chenchen, never one to overthink, simply asked nervously, “Is your boyfriend’s sister easy to get along with?”

“She is! Just as adorable as you.” Qian Jianing paid and took the shopping bag from the assistant.

“Good.” Wang Chenchen let out a sigh of relief. “Our neighbor’s daughter is super hard to get along with. Her brother’s girlfriend got scared off the first time she visited. My mom says a difficult sister-in-law can be worse than a mean mother-in-law.”

Qian Jianing was amused. “So what would you do if your brother brought home a girlfriend?”

“My brother?” Wang Chenchen replied instantly without thinking. “I’d light firecrackers to celebrate! Like my older cousin—he’s twenty-six, a special forces soldier, surrounded by men all day. Even the cat he keeps at home is male. If he ever brings home a girlfriend, my grandpa will definitely light firecrackers!”

When Qian Jianing heard Wang Chenchen describing Li Yujun, she couldn’t help but chuckle. “You’d better remind your grandpa to get the firecrackers ready early.”

Three days later, Wang Chenchen called Qian Jianing, practically worshipping her: “Jianing, you were spot on! My cousin’s bringing his girlfriend home tomorrow! My grandpa’s buying firecrackers now!”

After hanging up, Qian Jianing was all smiles. Li Yujun, in a grey sweater and sporting a buzz cut, set down the book in his hand, wrapped his arm around her shoulder, and asked, “What are you laughing about? So happy?”

She laughed and collapsed into his arms. “Chenchen. She’s so pure, like a little kid.”

Li Yujun patted her arm. “I’ll pick you up at nine tomorrow morning. We’ll go straight to my grandpa’s.”

Qian Jianing was already familiar with the Li family. Earlier that year, when Old Mr. Li, Li Zhenhai, celebrated his birthday, even though Li Yujun was on a mission and couldn’t make it, the banquet had still been held at Qian Jianing’s private restaurant. The whole family loved her cooking.

“When are your parents coming? I’ll go with you to pick them up.”

Qian Jianing placed her hand on his stomach and rubbed it through the sweater, frowning in disappointment when she didn’t feel any abs. “Not until right before the New Year. They’re too busy with the family business.”

Li Yujun noticed her hand and gently blew in her ear. “What are you touching?”

Feeling guilty, she patted his sweater. “I think there’s some lint.”

He looked at her with a grin. “Really? Why do I feel like you were trying to feel my abs?”

Her ears turned red from embarrassment. She smacked his stomach. “I wasn’t! Don’t talk nonsense! Besides, you’re wearing such thick clothes—how could I even feel anything?”

Li Yujun burst out laughing, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, “Want me to take off the sweater so you can get a better feel?”

Even though Qian Jianing was definitely tempted, reason prevailed. She was worried that if he felt too good, she wouldn’t be able to control herself—and pouncing on him before meeting the parents wouldn’t be the best move.

She scratched his chin and muttered, “I’ll keep a tab. We’ll settle it later.”

Li Yujun chuckled softly, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her. Qian Jianing struggled for a second before giving in, closing her eyes and letting out a soft hum. “You’re seducing me! Shameless!”