Luo Qingyan quickly walked to the window, her delicate brows furrowed as she looked downstairs.
At the entrance of the medical hall, a small group of people had gathered at some point.
Leading them was, surprisingly, a figure who disgusted her even more, yet was also completely unexpected.
Lin Fan!
Today, this guy had completely shed his usual disheveled, down-and-out appearance, like a stray dog!
He was wearing a suit that, while slightly ill-fitting, looked quite sharp, and his hair was meticulously styled, gleaming with oil.
His face even bore a deliberately crafted expression of 'pity for the world' and 'advocacy for traditional Chinese medicine'.
Behind him were several 'enthusiastic citizens' holding eye-catching banners that read 'Go TCM!', 'Divine Doctor Luo Will Win!', 'Returning Spring Hall Will Turn the Tide!', and so on.
Some of these people had excited expressions, while others had shifty eyes, clearly plants arranged by Holy Heart Hospital.
Several reporters carrying cameras and microphones had already taken up advantageous positions nearby, aiming their lenses at Lin Fan and the entrance of Returning Spring Hall, looking ready to break a big story.
Lin Fan stood beneath the 'Healing the World' plaque at the entrance of Returning Spring Hall, facing the surrounding cameras and the growing crowd of onlookers.
He cleared his throat and began his speech in a loud and infectious voice:
'Fellow practitioners who love traditional Chinese medicine! Friends who care about the fate of traditional Chinese medicine!'
'I believe everyone already knows that Western medicine is rampant, and that Holy Heart Hospital, with its wolfish ambitions, has set up a so-called 'East-West Medicine Showdown' arena, intending to trample the dignity and glory of our thousand-year-old treasure of Chinese medicine underfoot!'
'Such a great humiliation! How can we, the inheritors of traditional Chinese medicine, sit idly by? How can we stand by and do nothing?'
His words were impassioned and righteous, instantly igniting the emotions of some traditional Chinese medicine enthusiasts present.
Immediately, he changed his tone, looking respectfully towards Returning Spring Hall, as if he could see Luo Qingyan inside through the walls.
His voice was filled with 'infinite admiration' and 'earnest expectation':
'As everyone knows! Divine Doctor Luo, Luo Qingyan of our Returning Spring Hall, comes from a hidden traditional Chinese medicine family, possesses extraordinary medical skills, and not long ago, single-handedly turned the tide, curing even incurable diseases that Western medicine found helpless against!'
'Divine Doctor Luo is truly a role model and hope for our generation of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners! She is the undisputed pillar of our traditional Chinese medicine community!'
'This East-West medicine showdown concerns the honor and disgrace of our traditional Chinese medicine, and the survival of a national treasure!'
'I believe! Divine Doctor Luo will surely not disappoint everyone's expectations! She will once again step forward, as she did last time, to represent our traditional Chinese medicine community in the challenge, defending the dignity and glory of our thousands of years of traditional Chinese medicine!'
His words were a masterful display of flattery, directly elevating Luo Qingyan to a supreme, savior-like position!
He used a halo of morality and the expectations of the masses to firmly bind her!
The 'plants' behind him immediately understood and started shouting in cooperation:
'Divine Doctor Luo is mighty! Divine Doctor Luo will win!'
'The hope of traditional Chinese medicine rests entirely on Divine Doctor Luo!'
'Please, Divine Doctor Luo, take up the challenge! Uphold the name of traditional Chinese medicine!'
The shouts rose and fell, creating a fervent atmosphere of widespread expectation, implying that if Luo Qingyan did not take up the challenge, she would be a sinner against traditional Chinese medicine and a disgrace to the nation!
Seeing that the atmosphere had been sufficiently hyped, Lin Fan's eyes flashed with a hint of smug malice.
He changed his tone again, putting on an expression of 'righteousness' and 'profound understanding', and let out a long sigh, continuing:
'Of course, Divine Doctor Luo bears a heavy responsibility, and the pressure is immense; I empathize with her.'
'If... Divine Doctor Luo, for some reason, has any inconvenience, or... is unwilling to take up the challenge, we should all understand.'
'After all, Divine Doctor Luo has already done enough for our traditional Chinese medicine community.'
'It's just a pity that I, Lin Fan, am untalented and unskilled, and last time, I almost caused a great disaster due to my mistake, tarnishing the reputation of traditional Chinese medicine. Fortunately, Divine Doctor Luo turned the tide and saved the patient's life.'
'But precisely because of this incident, I cannot stand by and watch traditional Chinese medicine be shamed! Watch petty villains run rampant!'
'Though I am incompetent, my heart to protect traditional Chinese medicine is witnessed by heaven and earth! It can be attested by the sun and moon!'
'Even if I, Lin Fan, am not qualified to represent traditional Chinese medicine in the competition, I am still willing to contribute my meager strength to this showdown! Even if I am crushed to pieces, I will not hesitate!'
His words were delivered with great emotion, almost bringing tears to one's eyes.
Seemingly fair and magnanimous, he was in fact retreating to advance, using a more sinister method to force Luo Qingyan into a corner!
He not only established a glorious image for himself as someone who 'bore humiliation and considered the bigger picture for traditional Chinese medicine,' but also squarely threw all the pressure and the dilemma of choice onto Luo Qingyan, who was currently in the office... inside the office.
Luo Qingyan stood by the window, clearly seeing and hearing Lin Fan's utterly shameless 'performance' outside!
She was trembling with anger, her face pale with fury and humiliation!
Lin Fan's 'praise-killing' and manipulation of public opinion to corner her disgusted and upset her even more than directly coming to insult her and slander Returning Spring Hall!
Lin Fan clearly knew that it was not she who had cured the patient, but Lu Cheng!
He obviously knew that her skill level was not enough to win against Holy Heart Hospital, and was deliberately forcing her to take up the challenge.
Lin Fan placed himself on the moral high ground, using 'the greater good of traditional Chinese medicine' and 'the expectations of the masses' as weapons, leaving her no room to refute or refuse!
If she didn't accept the challenge, she would be a coward, a sinner who had failed everyone's expectations!
If she did accept the challenge, how much of a chance did she have of winning?
Lu Cheng had remained calmly seated on the sofa the entire time, a faint smile playing on his lips, as if enjoying a splendid farce that had nothing to do with him.
He looked at Luo Qingyan by the window, her delicate body trembling slightly from anger and helplessness.
'It seems... Qingyan, your fans are a bit too enthusiastic.'
This somewhat teasing remark was like the last straw that broke the camel's back, completely snapping the taut string in Luo Qingyan's heart!
She knew that she truly had no other choice!
She turned around abruptly, her originally clear and cool eyes now filled with bloodshot veins and a plea that was almost despairing!
'Lu Cheng...'
Her voice carried an uncontrollable sob.
'Just now... that method you mentioned... no matter what it is... no matter how difficult...'
'Please... tell me...'
'I... I'm willing to do anything!'
Lu Cheng was waiting for exactly those words from her!
But his face remained impassive; he merely nodded slightly, as if seriously considering her request.
'However, Qingyan, only the one who tied the bell can untie it.'
'This showdown, in the end, you still have to rely on yourself to stand honorably on that stage and win the victory.'
'So... my method is...'
He paused, looking at Luo Qingyan's beautiful face, which was holding her breath in tension and anticipation.
A knowing glint, understood only by him, flashed in his eyes as he slowly said:
'I will teach you all of my medical skills, or rather, the set of acupuncture techniques sufficient to handle this showdown, before the challenge begins.'
'So that you can acquire the strength to win in the shortest possible time.'
What?
Upon hearing this, Luo Qingyan was completely stunned at first!
Then, an unbelievable light, like seeing a divine light of salvation, burst forth in her eyes!
Teach her medical skills?
This... how could this be possible?
Firstly, the miraculous acupuncture technique he displayed last time must be a secret passed down only within a hidden medical sect! How could it be easily taught to outsiders?
Moreover... even if he was willing to teach, could she... could she really learn it in such a short time?
Her voice trembling, she asked with a hint of disbelieving probing:
'Are you... are you serious? Are you really willing to teach me your medical skills?'
'But time... there's less than two weeks left... will it be enough?'
Lu Cheng slowly rose and walked over to her.
He reached out and gently took her soft, trembling hand, which was cold from nervousness.
The warmth and strength transmitted from his fingertips made Luo Qingyan feel as if a warm current instantly surged through her entire body.
His gaze was deep and confident, carrying an undeniable affirmation and a reassuring power.
'Trust me.'
'And trust yourself.'
'I can teach you hand-in-hand.'
He paused, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
'And... I've always felt, Qingyan.'
'You learn things very quickly.'
His words, as if imbued with magic, completely robbed Luo Qingyan of her ability to think.
She could only stare blankly at him, feeling the warmth from his palm, listening to his magnetic voice.
Then, uncontrollably... she gently nodded.