Hearing that Lu Cheng had arrived, the tightly strung chord in Luo Qingyan's heart seemed to loosen in an instant.
The office door was pushed open.
Lu Cheng's tall and slender figure appeared in the doorway.
He was still dressed in a Chinese-style suit, with that characteristic gentle and warm smile on his face, as if it could dispel all the gloom in the world.
His gaze swept across the office, noticing the scattered documents on the desk and Luo Qingyan's slightly haggard but still strong face.
"Qingyan."
Lu Cheng's voice was gentle and magnetic.
"You don't seem to be looking well? Haven't you been resting properly lately?"
He didn't, as Luo Qingyan had expected, immediately bring up the widely publicized "Great Debate between Chinese and Western Medicine"; instead, he offered just the right amount of concern, like a friend.
Luo Qingyan's heart sank slightly.
He... doesn't seem to have come for this matter?
Although she had already prepared herself to ask him for help, at this moment, the pride of a genius and the modesty of a young woman still made her unwilling to show weakness easily.
She forced herself to cheer up, trying to make her voice sound calmer.
"Lu Cheng..., why are you here?"
"I'm... fine, it's just that I've had a lot of things to do these past two days, and I've been a bit sleepless."
Lu Cheng looked at her, clearly exhausted but still trying to pretend everything was fine, and secretly chuckled to himself.
This little girl is really... stubborn.
He didn't expose her, but simply walked over to her, naturally helped her tidy up the scattered documents on the desk, picked up her already cold teacup, and refilled it with a cup of warm tea, handing it to her.
His movements were gentle and considerate, with an unintentional, subtle care.
"Cold tea hurts the stomach, drink something warm."
"Insomnia is not a small matter; you need to take care of your body."
Luo Qingyan took the cup of warm water, feeling the warmth radiating from the cup and the reassuring aura from Lu Cheng.
Her taut nerves, at this moment, seemed to genuinely relax a lot.
The accumulated grievances, pressure, and helplessness in her heart over the past few days surged uncontrollably, like a bursting dam.
Her eyes gradually reddened.
Crystal tears welled up in her eyes, but she forcefully held them back, unwilling to let them fall easily.
She didn't want to... didn't want to show her most vulnerable and pathetic side in front of him.
Lu Cheng took in all her subtle expressions.
He knew that the time... was almost right.
This high-and-mighty flower was about to give in.
But he still didn't press her about what trouble the medical hall had encountered, nor did he mention the debate.
He just looked at her with a gaze full of worry and heartache, his voice becoming even gentler.
"Seeing you like this, I'm really worried."
"The medical hall's matters are important, but your health is the most important."
"If... there's anything I can help with, please don't hesitate to ask."
Listening to his gentle and considerate words, Luo Qingyan's defense line almost completely collapsed.
She struggled and weighed her options internally.
Should she ask him for help?
But... how should she bring it up?
Why should... others help her again and again?
His last intervention was already a huge favor.
This time, the situation was even more complex, even involving the reputation of the entire Chinese medicine community.
Would he be willing... to get involved in such a vortex again for her sake?
Hui Chun Tang, centuries of family heritage... Grandfather's lifelong dedication... These thoughts constantly intertwined and collided in her mind, leaving her in a state of turmoil.
After giving enough concern and comfort, seeing that Luo Qingyan remained silent, Lu Cheng feigned "consideration" and stood up, preparing to leave.
"Seeing you so tired and not looking well, I won't disturb your rest."
He had an apologetic look on his face, as if he "couldn't bear to disturb her."
"Get some good rest and take care of yourself. If there's anything you need help with, you can always find me."
After saying that, he turned and prepared to leave.
Just as Lu Cheng's hand was about to touch the doorknob!
"Lu Cheng... wait a moment..."
Luo Qingyan's voice, tinged with a hint of trembling, a hint of despair, and also a last glimmer of hope, came from behind him!
Her last shred of pride and modesty completely crumbled when she saw Lu Cheng's retreating back!
She realized that if she didn't speak now, it would only be harder to get another chance later.
Luo Qingyan tightly clutched the corner of her clothes, her knuckles turning white from the effort.
She mustered the greatest courage of her life, or rather, in desperation, she grabbed this last straw of hope.
With a choked voice, she poured out everything about the "Great Debate between Chinese and Western Medicine" that had kept her restless, and the predicament facing Hui Chun Tang and the entire Chinese medicine community.
Finally, she raised her beautiful eyes, which appeared even more pitiful due to tears, and with a hint of humble pleading, she said with a trembling voice:
"Lu Cheng, I know... this request is overstepping...
"But... I really have no other choice."
"Please... help me again... won't you?"
Hearing Luo Qingyan's plea, full of despair and anticipation, Lu Cheng's expression first flashed with "surprise" as if he had just learned of it.
Then, he slightly furrowed his brows, revealing a look of difficulty.
After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness:
"Qingyan, this matter... is no small thing."
"This is no longer just a problem for one or two hospitals or medical halls."
"It's completely different from the situation last time when we treated that patient."
"Even if I want to help, but..."
He paused, then changed the subject.
"After all... I'm not a real doctor, I don't even have a medical license."
"I'm afraid... it wouldn't be appropriate for me to directly intervene in this matter, would it?"
Luo Qingyan's heart instantly sank by half!
Indeed... he was right.
Last time he intervened, only a few people knew.
This time, it was a public debate under the spotlight; how could an outsider like him legitimately represent Chinese medicine in the battle?
This was simply unrealistic!
She... had taken too much for granted, had asked too much of him.
A deep sense of loss and... despair welled up in her heart.
Lu Cheng watched her changing expression, knowing it was time.
Whatever request he made now, she would probably agree to it.
He chuckled softly, breaking the silence, his tone carrying a hint of reassurance and mystery.
"However..."
"It's not entirely without a solution."
"It's just... this solution might have some conditions... that are quite difficult to meet."
Hearing this, the light of hope instantly rekindled in Luo Qingyan's dim eyes!
She suddenly looked up, staring at Lu Cheng in surprise, her voice trembling slightly!
"You... are you serious? Do you really have a solution?"
"As long as... this crisis can be resolved! No matter how difficult! I will do my best to cooperate."
She was like a drowning person clutching a life raft, her eyes filled with earnestness and anticipation.
Just then!
Outside the office, a faint commotion suddenly erupted!
It seemed that many people were gathered at the entrance of Hui Chun Tang, the noise growing louder, interspersed with some uniform shouts and slogans!
Through the window, one could vaguely hear—
"Go Chinese medicine!"
"Divine Doctor Luo! We support you!"
"Hui Chun Tang will win!"
Such words, like waves, rose higher and higher!
"What... what's happening outside?"
Luo Qingyan immediately stood up and quickly walked to the window, wanting to see what was happening outside.
Meanwhile, Lu Cheng remained steadily seated on the sofa, a profound and inscrutable smile playing on his lips, as if everything was under his control.
He knew.
His "catalyst" had arrived.