"Mr. Xiang, I think there's been a misunderstanding. My main profession is as a teacher, not a doctor. The reason I run a special clinic at the Traditional Medicine Hospital is to promote the study of traditional Chinese medicine. At the end of the day, it's all for the sake of education."
"You want me to consult at the National Hospital? Isn't that a little inappropriate?" Mu Yanning's lips curved into a mocking smile.
Xiang Hua had always been determined to eliminate the traditional medicine department at the National Hospital—not just because its head was Long Xingyue, but also because he fundamentally distrusted Chinese medicine.
And now, just because she used acupuncture to save Elder Long, he suddenly wanted to open an acupuncture department at the National Hospital? Was this really to support her—or was it the start of another scheme?
He had always feared that Long Xingyue would take the hospital director's seat from him, going so far as to suppress and isolate her within the hospital. But now, with Elder Long retired and naming him as the next director, he finally had what he wanted.
Even so, he still couldn't rest easy. He was scheming to get Long Xingyue out, but couldn't openly act against her due to Elder Long's influence. So instead, he pretended to make peace, acting like he was embracing Chinese medicine—when in fact, he was trying to pull Mu Yanning to his side, using her to compete with Long Xingyue.
What a brilliant little trick.
But such blatant manipulation and scheming—did he really think everyone else was that stupid?
Mu Yanning held nothing but contempt for his way of doing things.
"You've misunderstood my intentions," Xiang Hua quickly adjusted his tone, forcing a smile. "I simply want to develop acupuncture studies. How we go about it is completely up to you."
Mu Yanning had always wanted to carry forward the Mu family acupuncture technique. That's why she continued running the Chinese Medicine Hospital, even at a financial loss. He thought such a tempting offer would surely sway her.
After all, the National Hospital wasn't just any private institution—it was the pinnacle of the medical field in the country, a trendsetter in both Western and Chinese medicine.
If the National Hospital endorsed the Mu family technique, other hospitals nationwide would follow, and the public would begin to trust it. Naturally, more people would want to learn it.
She would never have to worry about recruitment again.
Xiang Hua was full of confidence, just waiting for her to nod in agreement.
"Sorry," she replied, shattering his expectations. He had severely underestimated her.
"I'm far too busy as it is. If Director Xiang is truly interested in developing acupuncture, there are plenty of ways to do so—no need to fixate on me."
The words weren't courteous. In fact, to Xiang Hua, they were a blatant slap in the face.
The Mu family may hold prestige in Shen City, but in the medical world, Mu Yanning's influence still couldn't surpass his. Her flat-out rejection was, in his eyes, the ultimate disrespect.
He was so furious he froze in place as Mu Yanning walked past him toward the Long residence.
Seeing him blocking the way, Shu Lanzhou didn't try to push past. He was, after all, a respected senior in the medical community—she had to leave him a little dignity.
But some people just valued their own face far too highly.
Like Xiao Anning.
As Mu Yanning brushed past, he grabbed Shu Lanzhou's arm.
"Your teacher clearly doesn't understand the situation. Director Xiang is only offering her this opportunity out of respect for Elder Long. If she lets this slip by, the Mu technique might have to wait another twenty years!"
"Shu Lanzhou, you're a smart girl. Now that you've chosen acupuncture, you don't want to let this golden opportunity slip through your fingers, do you?"
He smiled slyly. "Your teacher thinks highly of you. She wants to help you. Don't disappoint her. Try to talk some sense into her, will you? She's not young anymore—no need to be so stubborn."
"The Mu technique has been declining with each generation. If this keeps up, in twenty years, no one will even know what it is. Don't you agree?"
"I'd appreciate it if you'd keep your hands to yourself while you talk," Shu Lanzhou said sharply, yanking her arm free. "Assistant Xiao, have you considered that it might be your teacher who doesn't understand the situation?"
"The National Hospital may be authoritative, but the Mu family's Traditional Medicine Hospital has a century of acclaim. The Mu technique is called the Mu technique because it has always been passed down through the direct Mu lineage. I'm fortunate to be one of her students, so naturally, I won't go against her wishes."
She offered a polite smile. "I may not be that clever, but I don't see anything wrong with having a bit of spine. A person ought to have some integrity."
"And as for preserving a legacy, if we're going to carry it forward, we can't allow it to be diluted. Wouldn't you agree, Mr. Xiang?"
The petite young woman stood straight and proud, her bright smile exuding innocent sincerity—like someone who only saw the good in the world, a hopeless idealist.
Foolish.
He wanted to see just how this naïve pair of teacher and student planned to preserve the Mu technique.
Especially this girl, Shu Lanzhou. Right now, she was fiercely loyal to Mu Yanning, but when her teacher's usefulness was drained and the Mu family inevitably cast her aside—he wanted to see if she could still look him in the eye and talk about integrity.
"Hah… what a reasonable girl," Xiang Hua said. "We doctors should never let our work be tainted. If it weren't for Elder Long's incident showing me the true value of acupuncture…"
He sighed. "I wouldn't have considered developing acupuncture at the National Hospital. I genuinely just want to offer our people another way to heal. It's a shame Professor Mu seems to have misunderstood me."
"Well, no matter. I suppose I was too hasty."
He waved a hand, acting deeply wronged, and stepped inside.
Shu Lanzhou nearly burst out laughing in disbelief—there really were a lot of shameless people in the world. First Han Weicheng, now Xiang Hua, and Xiao Anning right beside him.
Trying to do something purely and sincerely—it really wasn't easy.
Inside the Long family's living room, Mu Yanning was nowhere to be seen. Only Long Xingyue remained, politely inviting Xiang Hua to sit.
When she saw Shu Lanzhou enter, Long Xingyue pointed toward the inner room. "Your teacher's already started acupuncture treatment for my father. You should go too."
Shu Lanzhou nodded and quickly went in, avoiding further awkwardness with Xiang Hua.
As she left, he glanced toward the inner room, confused. "I thought Elder Long was discharged and recovered. Why is he still receiving acupuncture?"
Long Xingyue didn't bother explaining much, only smiling. "Traditional medicine is about maintaining health. My father is old—recovery and continued treatment aren't mutually exclusive. If you're really interested in Chinese medicine, perhaps you should try acupuncture yourself."
"Haha… Maybe, maybe," Xiang Hua laughed awkwardly.
Long Xingyue didn't push further. She pulled out a document from the table.
"This is the final administrative handover. My father has officially passed full control of the National Hospital to you, Director Xiang. From today onward, he won't involve himself in any internal matters."
"There's no need to seek his input for anything anymore."
In other words—this is the last time you need to come to the Long residence.
With that, Long Xingyue stood up to see him out. "It's getting late, and I still have to head back to the research institute. I won't keep you."
"Director Long, you seem very busy. I'm curious to see just what groundbreaking discoveries your little institute will produce," Xiao Anning sneered.
Long Xingyue acted like she hadn't heard him. Smiling, she ushered them to the door.
"To be honest, I'm really looking forward to working with Professors Mu, He, and the others. I hope our results won't disappoint anyone."
With that, she shut the door firmly behind them—deliberately ignoring the fact that they were still standing nearby.
A mere assistant daring to throw barbs at him? What a joke.
Long Xingyue rarely lost her temper, but this time—surprisingly—it felt good.
Sometimes, people really shouldn't be too polite.
Watching the heavy door slam in his face, Xiang Hua's lips trembled with fury…