Qin Chaoyu stepped forward, blocking the anxious woman who was about to speak. She spoke quickly but clearly, “I don’t have time for nonsense right now. We’ll talk after the patient wakes up!”
The woman choked back her words, stunned by Qin Chaoyu’s commanding tone. However, her inner turmoil had indeed left her at a loss—her best friend’s sudden collapse had thrown her into panic. Strangely, Qin Chaoyu’s firmness helped calm her nerves a little.
Once the woman quieted down, Qin Chaoyu focused entirely on the unconscious woman on the ground. She checked the patient’s eyelids and felt for a pulse at her neck, then sighed in relief.
It was just a simple faint, not caused by any sudden illness. She would wake up soon with some rest.
Truthfully, Qin Chaoyu didn’t even need to intervene—simple fainting spells resolve on their own within minutes or hours. But under the pleading gaze of the woman holding her friend, she sighed and swiftly applied precise pressure to several acupoints.
The woman blinked rapidly, wondering if she was hallucinating—how could anyone move their hands that fast?!
Before she could fully convince herself it was an illusion, her friend stirred in her arms.
Yin Mengwan groaned as she opened her eyes, disoriented. She glanced around, confused by the crowd. Wasn’t she just taking photos earlier?
Meeting her friend’s gaze, she licked her dry lips and asked, “Xiaxia… what happened?” She slowly pushed herself up from the ground.
The onlookers burst into applause, praising Qin Chaoyu’s medical skills.
“Bravo! What a skilled young lady!”
“Such talent at such a young age—she’ll go far!”
The crowd didn’t understand that the patient would have woken up naturally without intervention. All they saw was Qin Chaoyu reviving her, so to them, her skills were exceptional.
Qin Chaoyu flushed with embarrassment. “It wasn’t me. She would’ve woken up on her own.”
Her humility only made the crowd admire her more—not just for her skill, but for her integrity.
Resigned, Qin Chaoyu stopped explaining and turned to Yin Mengwan, now supported by her friend. “It was just a simple faint. You seem generally weak—make sure to eat properly. Go home, rest, and have a meal. You’ll be fine.”
Yin Mengwan, now aware of what had happened, grabbed Qin Chaoyu’s arm as she turned to leave. “Wait! What’s your name? You saved me—I can’t just let you go without thanks. Here, take this!” She fumbled for her wallet.
Qin Chaoyu stopped her with a wry smile. “Like I said, you would’ve woken up without me. A simple thanks is enough.”
Yin Mengwan refused to back down. “No, you helped me wake up faster. At least let me treat you to dinner as thanks!”
Under the pressure of two pairs of pleading eyes, Qin Chaoyu reluctantly gave her phone number before finally excusing herself.
Back at the courtyard, Kong Han and Yin Ledan had already returned, excitedly discussing the sights they’d seen. After a quick greeting, Qin Chaoyu retreated to her room.
Yin Ledan nudged Kong Han. “Hey, Chaoyu’s back. Let’s grab lunch together!”
The mention of food made Kong Han’s stomach growl. He jumped up eagerly. “What are we waiting for? Let’s go!”
Yin Ledan rolled her eyes but followed, too hungry to argue.
The dining area was centrally located—a practical choice, given the scattered layout of the ancient-style Lotus Town.
They arrived just in time to avoid the crowd. Kong Han eagerly ordered dishes he’d been eyeing earlier, while Yin Ledan and Qin Chaoyu added their choices.
While waiting, Yin Ledan shared her findings. “There are two ways to eat here—ordering like we just did, or picking fresh ingredients from the garden and having the chefs cook them. Or you can cook them yourself, though most people don’t.” She grinned. “We should visit the garden this afternoon. It’s supposed to be fun!”
For city dwellers unaccustomed to farming, picking fresh produce was a novel thrill.
But Qin Chaoyu felt no excitement—she’d spent years growing herbs in the forest and still tended to plants in her space. Still, under Yin Ledan’s expectant (and slightly threatening) gaze, she agreed.
The afternoon garden was packed. Kong Han vanished instantly with a basket, while Yin Ledan dragged Qin Chaoyu toward the cucumbers.
“Help me pick the best ones—long, thin, no bulges. Those taste the best!”
Qin Chaoyu complied, though she winced at the sight of people harvesting unripe vegetables—tiny, green tomatoes that would be inedibly sour.
Yin Ledan noticed her expression and explained, “Everything here is sold by the piece. One cucumber? Fifty yuan. One cabbage? Twenty.”
Qin Chaoyu’s eyes widened. “That expensive? Do people know?”
“Of course!” Yin Ledan scoffed. “Lotus Town is exclusive—only the wealthy can afford it. A few overpriced veggies mean nothing to them.”
Qin Chaoyu pointed at a man’s basket of barely-sprouted greens. “But if everyone picks recklessly, won’t the garden run out?”
Yin Ledan shrugged. “The town sources from nearby villages. They replant daily—boosts local economy too.”
Qin Chaoyu nodded. A fair system.
Yin Ledan, now chatty, leaned in conspiratorially. “Guess who sponsored this trip?”
“Who?” Qin Chaoyu asked half-heartedly.
“The Bai Corporation!” Yin Ledan swooned. “Their CEO, Bai Jixi, is insanely handsome—zero scandals, rich, capable… perfect husband material!”
Bai Jixi.
A name Qin Chaoyu hadn’t heard in a long time.
Not since that day they parted ways.
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