Shu Lanzhou lit an herbal incense—made from detoxifying medicinal herbs.
"I'll come back in five minutes to remove the needles. Uncle, if you feel anything, please let me know—I need to take notes. Sorry for the trouble."
Using that as an excuse, she slipped away, leaving the rest to Mu Side. Let him deal with Uncle's questions!
Once she left, Mu Side pulled over a chair and sat beside Mu Rongxie. "Don't ask me. I don't know the exact name of the technique either. I just know it's very complicated—Shushu only recently started learning it."
"She said this acupuncture technique has detoxifying and dampness-clearing effects. After a few more sessions, you'll be able to tell the difference yourself."
Mu Rongxie rolled his eyes. "Might as well say it improves complexion too. If you're going to lie to me, at least put in some effort. Do you really think I'm that gullible?"
"Who's lying? See for yourself." Mu Side handed over the acupuncture chart. "Shushu drew this by hand. You can see it's a detoxification technique, right?"
Everyone in the Mu family was trained in acupuncture from a young age. Even if they didn't pursue it professionally, they still recognized the key pressure points.
Mu Rongxie skeptically glanced at the diagram—and realized it really was a detox method. Had he misjudged them? Was this kid really using him to help Shu Lanzhou practice?
Not treating him?
And he'd even gotten emotional over it?
Forget it. His condition was too embarrassing to speak of anyway. Even if this brat had guessed the truth, he probably couldn't bring himself to explain it to his wife—much less ask her to treat him.
Mu Rongxie had always thought his issues were due to physical damage and muscular dysfunction—he'd never once considered poisoning.
Mu Side got up and poured him a glass of water. "By the way, Grandma asked me to tell you—if you don't plan on getting married, then stop taking those weird supplements."
"…What weird stuff are you talking about?" Mu Rongxie's eyelid twitched. Had the old lady figured it out?
That shouldn't be possible. He'd never brought those pills home, and even if he had, they were always tucked away in his bag. How could anyone have found out?
Then again, the old woman was sharp. Maybe she'd seen something unintentionally. Either way, looks like this secret wouldn't last much longer.
For the sake of his dignity, it was time to stop taking them.
"You're being awfully quiet, Uncle."
Mu Rongxie glared at him. "This is grown-up business. Mind your own."
"I'm almost thirty. Still a kid?" Mu Side raised an eyebrow suspiciously.
"Fine, don't tell me. But I'm warning you—my wife's been working hard to master this acupuncture technique. Don't go messing up the results by putting crap in your body. I won't let it slide."
Mu Rongxie let out a low "tsk." "You really are the kind of guy who forgets his uncle when he gets a wife. Am I your relative, or just your wife's practice dummy?"
"I don't care either way. Grandma's already given the word—you have to cooperate." Mu Side's expression was pure shamelessness.
Mu Rongxie was helpless. "Fine, fine. I'll go along with it. Looks like your wife's the queen of this house now. Her acupuncture training's more important than anything."
Just outside the room, Shu Lanzhou hadn't gone far when she ran into Long Xingyu.
Long Xingyu had practically become part of the Mu household. By day she stayed close to the old lady, and some nights she even slept over.
"Aunt Xingyu," Shu Lanzhou greeted softly. Seeing the quiet sorrow in the woman's posture, she couldn't help but approach her.
Long Xingyu turned around. "It's you. Come, look—the stars are out tonight."
"It's been a long time since I've seen them." Shu Lanzhou smiled. "I just came from Uncle's room. Is there something you wanted to ask?"
Long Xingyu shook her head. "Nothing I really need to ask. I can guess most of it. Don't forget, I studied medicine too."
"Oh?" Shu Lanzhou was a little surprised. "Then you must've known…"
"When I left Shencheng all those years ago, I suspected the man surnamed Zhang had injured him somehow. He didn't want to drag me down, so he insisted on breaking up." Bitterness crept into her voice as she continued, "He never trusted my feelings. All these years, I just couldn't let that go. I had to prove him wrong—to show him that when I, Long Xingyu, say something, I mean it."
Shu Lanzhou was speechless. "So… you've stayed single all these years just to prove a point?"
"Not exactly." Long Xingyu smiled. "I was angry, yes. But love is love. I was mad at him… and I still loved him. The men in the Mu family are all rigidly honorable, bound by tradition."
"I've tried to move on, I really have. But once you've known the best, the rest feels like settling. And I—daughter of the Long family—was never one to settle."
Shu Lanzhou was moved. "You and Uncle—if even you two can't be together, then who else in this world can believe in love?"
"Silly girl," Long Xingyu chuckled. "Mu Rongxie is full of responsibility. When we were young, he was afraid of ruining my life. Now, all he feels for me is obligation. But I still feel… something's missing."
"It's like… he's always holding back his feelings. And that's not what I want. Tell me honestly, can his condition still be cured?"
Shu Lanzhou hesitated. "Theoretically, yes. But it's been going on too long. Treatment won't be quick or easy."
"After so many years, what's a little more time?" Long Xingyu sighed softly. "At our age, some things just don't matter as much anymore. He's the one making it hard for himself. Honestly, I don't mind."
She smiled faintly. "But if it can be cured, that would be best. At least he could finally let go of his guilt."
"But listen—about his condition, don't tell him I know. He's too prideful. Otherwise, he wouldn't have pushed me away back then."
Shu Lanzhou grinned. "Don't worry. We're pretending not to know either. We even told a little lie to get those needles in. He has no idea what we're doing."
"Pfft—why didn't I think of that?" Long Xingyu burst out laughing.
"All those years wasted. I missed the best time to learn the Mu acupuncture techniques… almost became the family's disgrace."
She looked a little shaken. "Good thing they met you. Otherwise, I really would've been the sinner of the Mu clan."
She took a deep breath and looked Shu Lanzhou in the eye. "Girl, legend says that the true master of the Mu acupuncture method could bring the dead back to life."
"Exaggerated, sure—but it just shows how profound and vast these techniques are. Even mastering half would make you a famous doctor."
"And fully mastering the whole set? That hasn't happened in generations. Not even Grandpa Mu managed it."
"You didn't start young, but your talent already surpasses most recent inheritors. From the Mu family's eldest daughter, your uncle, your teacher, to me—and even Han Weicheng…"
"We were all once chosen as heirs to the Mu tradition. And we all failed the final test. But I believe you won't. You have what it takes—not just to inherit Mu medicine, but to make the acupuncture art shine once again."
Shu Lanzhou was stunned. Han Weicheng had once been a chosen heir of Mu medicine? But he had clearly betrayed that path—he even opposed the acupuncture method now!
"I still don't know what the 'test' is," she said, "but I believe I can face it. And I'll do everything I can to carry the Mu technique forward."
Then she asked, curiosity gleaming in her eyes, "Aunt Xingyu, could you tell me… what exactly happened between Professor Han and the Mu family back then?"