Chapter 81: Awakening

Qi Min felt that her aunt’s family were her true relatives; though there was no blood tie, they were closer, better, and more reliable than those bound to her by blood.

Si Han hurried over as well to pay his respects, holding Grandmother Zheng’s arm to invite her to sit, his manner nothing short of reverent.

Old Ge, seeing Tao Chunxiu following behind, smiled slyly and interjected, “Doctor Tao, how were the test results?”

“Very good,” Tao Chunxiu replied, his face dark. His gaze toward Xu Lin was sharp as a blade, as if he wished to dissect her.

He still couldn’t fathom how Xu Lin had managed the surgery, and what astonished him most was the patient’s remarkably swift recovery.

It was impossible to tell that Grandmother Zheng had undergone such a major operation only days before.

“Doctor Xu, may I ask how you accomplished this?” Tao Chunxiu inquired.

“Oh, I couldn’t really explain it. If I tried, it would sound like lies. My medical skills are just ordinary,” Xu Lin waved him off.

Hah, this scoundrel had looked down on her before, his words laced with sarcasm, and now he wanted answers, still acting superior. He truly didn’t deserve her consideration.

Did he think that just because he worked at the main hospital, he was some sort of genius? The world was vast, and there were plenty of people with high medical skills; Xu Lin had no intention of indulging Tao Chunxiu.

Tao Chunxiu, stung by her retort, scowled darkly, his gaze toward Xu Lin filled with hostility. He felt she was disrespecting him.

Hmph, just a minor Chinese medicine practitioner who happened to get lucky—what was there to be arrogant about!

Tao Chunxiu wanted to fire back, but Grandmother Zheng interrupted, “Linlin, when do you think you could take a look at Xiao Zhan? He’s been bedridden for over two years now; it’s time he woke up.”

Such words made Tao Chunxiu roll his eyes—was this even reasonable? “Time to wake up,” as if the person was merely asleep.

Yet Xu Lin replied in earnest, “Yes, it’s indeed time. Why don’t you all step outside? I’ll treat him now.”

“No way, we must watch while you treat him!” Tao Chunxiu insisted loudly, his eyes wary of Xu Lin, shamelessly adding, “You’re not a doctor from our main hospital. I don’t trust you.”

“But I never asked you to trust me. If you don’t, then leave—this isn’t your stage. If anyone should stay, it’s Old Ge,” Xu Lin waved him off with a look of disdain. “Hurry out, don’t hinder my work.”

Tao Chunxiu, humiliated, was nearly furious, and Old Ge helped matters by promptly ushering people out.

“Xiao Tao, Xiao Xu practices Chinese medicine—you won’t understand. Besides, fields are separated by mountains; don’t make trouble here.”

Words alone weren’t enough; Old Ge started physically pushing people out, and Grandmother Zheng joined in, pulling as well. With their combined efforts, Tao Chunxiu couldn’t linger in the ward even if he tried.

Grandmother Zheng was elderly, so Yu Tong and Qi Min supported her, preventing any mishap.

Si Han, energetic as ever, grabbed Tao Chunxiu’s arm and dragged him out. He had little trust in Tao Chunxiu—his father had lain here for over two years without answers. If they could have cured him, they would have done so already. Since they lacked the skill, they shouldn’t interfere.

Soon the ward was quiet. Old Ge shut the door firmly and drew the curtains, then turned to Xu Lin, “Is there anything I should do?”

“Just watch, it’s not difficult to remove the talisman,” Xu Lin replied, making a gesture and chanting softly. Soon an ethereal charm entered Si Zhan’s body.

As the charm disappeared, the vegetative Si Zhan twitched a finger, prompting Old Ge to exclaim in wonder.

Xu Lin then took out silver needles and began the Rejuvenation Needle, a technique that could awaken vitality in Si Zhan’s body.

For someone bedridden over two years, this was invaluable, speeding up physical recovery.

Watching Xu Lin’s skillful needlework, Old Ge’s eyes brimmed with envy. When Xu Lin inserted the final needle, he sighed, “The Rejuvenation Needle is remarkable, but it’s a pity I can’t learn it, and even if I did, I couldn’t perform it. Such a loss.”

“Indeed, it’s regrettable. If you were twenty years younger, you’d have a chance to learn and practice it,” Xu Lin replied, taking out her handkerchief to wipe her brow. Though she hadn’t used her wood-element abilities in the needlework, she had employed her spiritual power, which was just as taxing.

Old Ge meant that even if he mastered the technique, his spiritual strength would not suffice; he might collapse before completing the procedure.

Once Xu Lin put away the handkerchief, Old Ge finally asked, “Linlin, when will Comrade Si wake up?”

That ‘Linlin’ made Xu Lin raise her brow; he used to call her ‘Xiao Xu’, and now it was ‘Linlin’. Why not ‘Comrade Xu’? Upon recalling Old Ge’s connection with Old Sun, Xu Lin understood—Old Sun liked to call her ‘Linlin’, and Old Ge didn’t want to be outdone.

“Don’t worry, Old Ge. Comrade Si will wake very soon,” Xu Lin sat on the chair, utterly unhurried.

If Si Zhan’s condition had been dire, she would have used her wood-element abilities, not just spiritual power.

As expected, just as Xu Lin had predicted, less than three minutes passed before Si Zhan slowly awakened.

He opened his eyes and first looked around, bewildered, then his gaze flashed with caution as he called out, “Someone, quickly, someone come!”

His voice was hoarse and weak, barely louder than a whisper.

Seeing his agitation, Old Ge immediately stepped forward to comfort him, “Comrade Si, don’t be nervous. You’re in the hospital, it’s safe here.”

If anything, this made Si Zhan more anxious; learning he was in the hospital, he struggled to get out of bed.

Seeing him attempt to sit up, Xu Lin stepped forward to restrain him and said to Old Ge, “Let his bodyguard in.”

“This…” Old Ge glanced at the agitated Si Zhan, a sudden inspiration flashing in his mind, and hurried to the door.

“Xiao Qi, Xiao Qi, come in quickly, Comrade Si wants to see you.”

Old Ge waved Qi Yue in, shoving Tao Chunxiu, who was trying to peek in, aside.

Qi Yue, hearing his leader call him, grew so excited his face flushed with joy. He never expected his leader would actually wake up—and so quickly.

Comrade Xu’s medical skills were truly extraordinary.

Qi Yue pushed past Tao Chunxiu, who still tried to squeeze in, and rushed into the ward, closing the door behind him.

“Leader, leader, you’ve really woken up! I’m Xiao Qi, do you still recognize me?”

Qi Yue hurried forward and asked a foolish question, prompting Si Zhan to snap, “You’re my bodyguard—how could I not recognize you!” He grasped Qi Yue’s offered hand anxiously and said, “Lu Mang is an enemy agent. He wants to steal our institute’s latest research data. Quickly, stop him, you must stop him!”

“What?” Qi Yue’s face changed dramatically. He could hardly believe his ears—Lu Mang was an enemy agent? This—this!

Stunned by the shocking revelation, he stood rooted to the spot.