Chapter 51:

“I’ve been sitting here for half a day. What exactly is the matter?”

As soon as class ended, Xiong Bochang appeared before her, asking if they could talk.

Although they had indeed parted on unpleasant terms before, out of respect for Old Li who had introduced them, she reluctantly agreed.

But now, sitting in this café, all he did was stir his Blue Mountain coffee in silence.

He was the one who invited her, yet now he refused to speak. Qin Chaoyu felt there was no need to waste any more time with him.

Hearing Qin Chaoyu’s question, Xiong Bochang lowered his head slightly, avoiding her gaze. “Actually… I wanted to ask you… to take another look at my mother.”

The last few words were spoken very softly.

His face burned with shame. Last time, he had invited Dr. Qin to examine his mother, only for her to be humiliated. Now, here he was again, asking for her help. Even without anyone pointing it out, Xiong Bochang knew how unreasonable this was.

He truly had no face to ask Dr. Qin for another favor.

But he was desperate. That Dr. Wang couldn’t cure his mother at all!

Over the past few days, he had watched his mother grow weaker and weaker, to the point where she could barely stay conscious. He really had no choice…

“Oh, I see.” Though Xiong Bochang’s voice was low, Qin Chaoyu heard him clearly.

She asked curiously, “What about Dr. Wang? Wasn’t he the one treating your mother?”

At the mention of Wang Zhenyong, Xiong Bochang’s anger flared, and his voice unconsciously rose. “That Dr. Wang couldn’t cure my mother at all! In fact… her condition has only worsened. Now, she can barely stay awake!”

By the end, Xiong Bochang’s eyes were red, his fists clenched tightly.

His reaction suggested he blamed Wang Zhenyong for his mother’s deteriorating condition.

“How is that possible?” Qin Chaoyu wasn’t familiar with Wang Zhenyong before, but after that incident, she had looked him up. His credentials were easy to find—just a quick search on Baidu.

Someone like him, even if he couldn’t cure his mother, shouldn’t have made her condition worse.

After speaking, Xiong Bochang realized he had gotten too emotional. He took a deep breath, no longer caring about saving face. “I wish it weren’t true, but it’s already happened. I don’t have time to dwell on it. My mother can’t wait any longer. So, Dr. Qin, I’m begging you—please, take a look at her.”

Qin Chaoyu smiled faintly. “If even a highly skilled doctor like Dr. Wang couldn’t cure her, what makes you think I can?”

Xiong Bochang opened his mouth but hesitated.

He wanted to say he knew she could—this feeling was both an inexplicable confidence in her and the result of his recent research into her background.

Truthfully, he hadn’t planned to seek her out again. That last incident had been deeply embarrassing and left him ashamed.

Recently, the news of the Lian family heir recovering from paralysis had caused quite a stir in high society. The identity of the doctor who cured him wasn’t a secret—anyone who cared to look could find out.

He had thought that whoever could cure such severe paralysis must be an extraordinary doctor. If he could find them, maybe they could help his mother!

At first, he assumed it was some obscure physician. After all, the Lian family had consulted countless doctors for their heir’s condition, all to no avail. It stood to reason that the cure came from an unknown expert—perhaps a hidden genius from the common folk.

But when he investigated, he was shocked to discover that the doctor was none other than Dr. Qin!

With his mother’s condition worsening, he could no longer afford to worry about pride. So he came here.

He had braced himself for rejection, even mockery, but he had to try.

“Dr. Qin, I’m truly, deeply sorry for what happened last time. But… my mother really…”

Qin Chaoyu waved her hand, cutting him off. “I understand how you feel, and I’m not refusing out of spite. But if I really can’t help, what’s the point? If I go with you and fail again, won’t your aunt just humiliate me once more?”

She spread her hands helplessly. “I’m a woman too. I care about my dignity. I really don’t want to hear those kinds of hurtful words again.”

Her tone was soft, almost gentle, but to Xiong Bochang, it felt like a sharp rebuke. He wished he could vanish on the spot.

Swallowing his pride, he stammered, “I know my aunt behaved terribly that day. I apologize on her behalf. I’m truly sorry!”

Instead of softening, Qin Chaoyu’s expression turned cold. “Mr. Xiong, I’m just a student. I really can’t help you. You should find someone more qualified. I have things to do, so I’ll take my leave now. Goodbye.”

Without waiting for a response, she pushed back her chair and walked away.

She had thought Xiong Bochang was a reasonable man, but it seemed she was wrong.

An apology? Words alone weren’t enough. At the very least, the person who wronged her should apologize in person.

Left behind, Xiong Bochang watched Qin Chaoyu leave in stunned silence.

After a moment, he suddenly slammed his fist on the table.

The impact rattled the table, and his hand turned red from the force.

A waiter, who had been observing the pair—after all, a handsome man and a beautiful woman naturally drew attention—approached sympathetically. “Sir, had a fight with your girlfriend? Don’t take it too hard. Women can be like that. As men, we should be more forgiving—show our magnanimity. Especially when she’s so pretty.”

The waiter’s words snapped Xiong Bochang out of his daze. He shook his head weakly. “She’s not my girlfriend.”

“Oh, I see.” The waiter nodded knowingly. “Well, if your confession didn’t go well, don’t give up! Try a few more times. Show her your sincerity, and she’s bound to be moved!”

“Try a few more times… try a few more times…” Xiong Bochang muttered under his breath.

Suddenly, he stood up. “Thank you for the advice. I understand now.”

Watching Xiong Bochang leave, the waiter smiled, pleased with himself.

Another good deed done for the day!

Helping people felt great.

Meanwhile, Qin Chaoyu, who had left long ago, had no idea the waiter had mistaken her relationship with Xiong Bochang.

Back in the dorm, she was immediately ambushed by Qian Fangyuan’s relentless interrogation.

“Spill it! Who was that guy?” Qian Fangyuan pinned Qin Chaoyu to her chair, refusing to let her move until she confessed.

Qin Chaoyu rolled her eyes at her drama-loving roommate. “Look at you! Unlike you, Pangpang and Miaomiao aren’t nearly as nosy!”

“Actually…” Miao Zhaodi, hearing her name, looked up from her book and adjusted her glasses with a sheepish smile. “I’m a little curious too.”

Miao Zhaodi hadn’t worn glasses before. These were bought with her hard-earned wages from part-time jobs.

Growing up poor, she had studied under dim lighting every night, slowly straining her eyes until she could barely see the blackboard. In her rural hometown, no one realized her blurred vision meant she needed glasses. It wasn’t until a teacher pointed it out that she understood. But her family couldn’t afford glasses, so she simply moved her seat closer to the board, struggling through her studies.

Now, with some savings from university jobs, she had finally gotten glasses.

The thick frames made her already plain features appear even more unassuming—someone who looked easy to bully.

But at this moment, Qin Chaoyu realized that her “harmless” appearance was utterly deceptive!

Bai Pengpeng, reclining lazily while trimming her nails, chimed in, “Yeah, we’re all curious.”

For once, the usually aloof Miss Bai didn’t argue with her. Qian Fangyuan grew even more excited. Putting on a serious face, she declared, “See! The masses are with me! Qin Chaoyu, I hereby announce that you’ve deviated from the people! And those who betray the people will face severe consequences! Now, confess!”

Qin Chaoyu nearly laughed at her theatrics. She pushed Qian Fangyuan off. “Fine, fine! I’ll talk!”

“Should’ve done that from the start!” Qian Fangyuan nodded approvingly, pulling up a chair and staring expectantly.

Qin Chaoyu ignored her eager gaze. “The guy who came to see me today is named Xiong Bochang. You all know I’m good at medicine—he came to ask for my help.”

Qian Fangyuan waited, but Qin Chaoyu didn’t elaborate. “That’s it?”

Qin Chaoyu shrugged. “That’s it.”

“Ugh, how boring!” Qian Fangyuan waved dismissively and flopped onto her bed. “Forget it. I’m going back to my variety shows!”

While Qian Fangyuan lost interest, Bai Pengpeng’s expression turned thoughtful.

Xiong Bochang—she knew him. The heir to the Xiong family.

Though she avoided social gatherings and disliked that circle, she still had to be aware of key figures. It was part of her duty as a Bai family daughter.

She hadn’t interacted much with the Xiong heir—their circles didn’t overlap—but from what she knew, he was serious and disciplined, traits the older generation admired.

Rumors said his mother had nearly died in childbirth and had been frail ever since. His visit to Chaoyu must be related to that.

Thinking this, Bai Pengpeng couldn’t help but feel smug.

Her dear Chaoyu’s skills were so renowned that even the Xiong family sought her out!

Little did she know this wasn’t Xiong Bochang’s first visit—or that the Xiong family had insulted Qin Chaoyu before.

Had she known, she would’ve demanded justice for her friend immediately. As a Bai, she had the influence to do so.