The capital.
The Qi family's old residence, brightly lit.
The ninety-first birthday banquet for Old Mrs. Qi had been ongoing from noon to night, with delicacies and esteemed guests, a scene of feasting and merriment.
"Lord Qi and Old Madam Qi are truly blessed. The Qi family has produced Miss Qi, a divine doctor, bringing honor to the ancestors!"
At the main table, relatives and friends who came to offer their congratulations invariably mentioned the renowned divine doctor, Miss Qi Yuan Yuan.
The old couple, Mr. and Mrs. Qi, had always been humble. They had also seen the news reports that the anonymous divine doctor pursued by the powerful was Qi Yuan Yuan, and they were both surprised and gratified.
Their Qi family had been a medical lineage for a hundred years. Their ancestors had saved lives during times of hardship, earning them the title of Medical Immortals.
Later, with the introduction of Western medicine into China, Traditional Chinese Medicine faced setbacks. Influenced by new ideas, the Qi family encouraged their children to abandon TCM for Western medicine. It wasn't until modern times that the Qi family had no more Medical Immortals.
Now, a divine doctor had emerged in Old Master Qi's generation. This was a matter of great honor to the ancestors, and the two elders had been smiling happily all day.
"You flatter me. I merely did what a physician should do. The title 'Divine Doctor' is merely what everyone has bestowed upon me," Qi Yuan Yuan said with a gentle smile.
Her grace, humility, and dignified demeanor won the admiration of many wives from affluent families, who wished to betroth her to their sons.
"Miss Qi, you actually snatched the Black Spirit Pearl from the Star Palace Master. That's truly remarkable. Could you perhaps show it to us so everyone can have a look?"
A noblewoman said, and others chimed in.
"I always thought the Black Spirit Pearl was a legendary treasure. I never expected it to be found. Miss Qi, please show it to us and broaden our horizons."
"Yes, let us also partake in some good fortune."
"Let us take a look and expand our knowledge."
"..."
As more people echoed the request, Qi Yuan Yuan's heart grew increasingly uneasy, and her smile held a hint of embarrassment.
"Yuan Yuan, why don't you grant everyone's wish and show it to them?"
Old Mrs. Qi, egged on by the crowd, was also curious.
She herself had never touched the Black Spirit Pearl. She had attended the auction, but it was too far away to see the actual item clearly; she only saw it on screen.
Its appearance and texture were so alluring that she couldn't help but wish to hold it.
"Grandmother, I'm very sorry. I was in such a rush to return that I didn't bring it with me," Qi Yuan Yuan apologized.
"Then remember to bring it next time, so your grandfather can see it too," Old Mrs. Qi said, patting her hand.
"...Alright," Qi Yuan Yuan nodded.
Although the gathered guests were disappointed, they continued to chatter about the Black Spirit Pearl, making Qi Yuan Yuan feel even more guilt-ridden.
Just then, Qi Yuan Yuan's phone rang. It was Gu Yan calling.
She finally found an excuse and left to take the call.
Qi Nan, who was at a corner of the banquet, saw Qi Yuan Yuan leave. He excused himself from those around him and also went out.
He found Qi Yuan Yuan on a swing in a corner of the garden. Looking at her back, he felt an inexplicable complexity in his heart.
Qi Yuan Yuan was the eldest daughter of the main branch of the Qi family, while he belonged to a collateral branch. Although they were cousins, their status in the Qi family was worlds apart.
Qi Yuan Yuan was revered as a pampered young lady, while he was an unrecognized member of a collateral branch. When he was young, he had even been warned by the main branch not to approach Qi Yuan Yuan.
Since then, he had always harbored a sense of awe towards her.
And yet, she turned out to be his idol, the anonymous divine doctor!
"Anonymous." Qi Nan called out.
Qi Yuan Yuan hung up the phone and turned around. Seeing Qi Nan, she was a little surprised.
"Brother Nan, why are you out here too? Sit down."
She moved to the side, making room for him.
"Thank you." Qi Nan walked over but did not sit. "You haven't been on Tianyi.net for a long time."
Qi Yuan Yuan's heart skipped a beat. She looked at Qi Nan. Did he also have an account on Tianyi.net?
She too had an account on Tianyi.net. She would log in every few days to read academic papers published by others, and to see if the anonymous divine doctor had come online or published new academic papers.
To this day, the anonymous divine doctor had not been online for half a year.
"Yes, I've been quite busy lately," she said vaguely.
Upon hearing this, a flicker of doubt crossed Qi Nan's gaze as he looked at her.
"Did you find the ginseng?" he asked tentatively.
"Ginseng?" Qi Yuan Yuan hesitated for a moment, then nodded and smiled, "Yes, I found it."
Qi Nan's eyes caught the fleeting moment of bewilderment in her gaze, and his expression deepened.
This evening, the anonymous divine doctor had suddenly come online and asked him if he had any privately kept hundred-year-old ginseng. After he replied no, the other party had not responded.
"What's wrong?" Qi Yuan Yuan noticed the change in his expression and felt a little uneasy.
Could it be that Qi Nan knew the anonymous divine doctor?
"No, it's good that you found it." Qi Nan forced a slightly stiff smile.
"Yes, thank you. It's too cold here, I'll head back inside now." Qi Yuan Yuan's gaze darted around as she quickly made an excuse and left.
Qi Nan stood frozen, watching her retreating figure, his gaze profound.
Was she really the anonymous divine doctor?
—
The next day.
Yu He arrived in class just as the bell rang. She had barely sat down when Teacher Zhang, with a grave expression, entered with several police officers.
The entire class erupted in a commotion.
"Which one of you is Yu He? Step out and come with us." The leading police officer said sternly.
All eyes in the class instantly turned to Yu He in the last row.
She calmly stood up and walked out, asking in a flat tone, "What is this about?"
"You are suspected of intentional injury. You need to come back with us for investigation."
Yu He's beautiful eyebrows knitted slightly.
After the leading police officer presented the detention warrant, the officers behind him immediately produced handcuffs, cuffed her, and took her away.
At the police station, in the deputy director's office.
Qin Meimei, adorned in jewels, sat on the sofa while Deputy Director Zhao Xincheng obsequiously poured her tea.
"Madam Gu, please rest assured. I will handle this case personally. Given Young Master Gu's injuries, a sentence of three to ten years is entirely possible."
Qin Meimei looked at her freshly manicured nails and frowned. "Isn't there a longer sentence? Preferably, she shouldn't be let out for the rest of her life!"
"That's a bit difficult," Zhao Xincheng said with a troubled look. "However, ten years should be enough for her."
"Alright then," Qin Meimei reluctantly agreed. She then took a bank card from her bag and slid it across the table to Zhao Xincheng.
"Deputy Director Zhao, please take care of this matter."
How dare she lay a hand on her son? She was determined to make her life a living hell!
Zhao Xincheng glanced at the bank card, a greedy smile appearing on his face, but he didn't rush to take it.
"Madam Gu, you're too kind. Imprisoning her for ten years is not an issue, but on the condition that you are sure neither she nor the Ye family have any influence, correct?"
He saw that the director was about to retire and he was poised for promotion. At this critical juncture, he needed to be cautious.
Qin Meimei let out a cold laugh. "Don't worry. The Ye family is already bankrupt and drowning in debt, struggling to fend for themselves. Ye Qichen, though somewhat capable, has connections, but they are merely insignificant pawns, unable to make much of a difference.
As for Yu He, she's a country bumpkin from the mountains. Without the Ye family, she's no different from a stray dog on the street."