Elder Sheng’s hair was grey, his face drained of all color. The rapid, frantic beeping of the heart monitor sounded like a candle flame flickering in a gale, ready to be extinguished at any moment.
Xu Shiyan’s heart sank.
Ever since she had been brought back to the Xu family at eighteen, Grandpa Sheng had been ill. To the outside world, it was claimed to be heart disease.
As the highest decision-maker of the Sheng Family, Grandpa Sheng had gradually faded into the background due to his failing health, temporarily handing the company’s management over to Bo Jinke.
Perhaps sensing her discomfort with the atmosphere of high society, Grandpa Sheng had taken her along to cocktail parties and various meetings, teaching her the rules and management, guiding her almost hand-in-hand.
Xu Shiyan had grown up rough; no one had ever believed she could achieve anything great, yet Grandpa Sheng had full confidence in her.
"I’ve lived a long time, and I can tell you have ambition. As long as you’re willing to open your mind, learning won't be difficult for you. The Sheng Family is complicated; if you are to marry into it one day, you must have the ability to protect yourself."
Encouraged by Grandpa Sheng, she regained her confidence and spent two years studying to get into a prestigious high school.
She was twenty at the time, and Xu Nuo would mock her—both to her face and behind her back—as an "over-aged high schooler."
Xu Shiyan said nothing. She buried herself in her studies, spending another year to get accepted into Shengjing University, one of the top institutions in the country, leaving Xu Nuo trailing behind in the dust.
Yet, even so, the brothers of the Xu family remained distant, and even her parents harbored prejudices against her.
She could learn anything. Even in a place as cutthroat as Qiongzhou Island, she had learned how to survive.
The only thing she could never master was the "docility and obedience" her parents demanded, or how to play along with people she detested.
She was better suited to the law of the jungle: survival of the fittest, pure interest-based exchange, and achieving her goals by any means necessary.
Everyone tried to teach her to be a refined young lady. Only Grandpa Sheng encouraged her, supported her decisions unconditionally, and had her back.
*Beep... beep... beep...*
The frequency of the monitor grew more rapid, sounding like a death knell. Even the doctors working to resuscitate him were drenched in sweat, beginning to panic.
The relatives present discussed the old man’s condition. On the surface, they looked worried, but in their hearts, they were secretly rejoicing.
"There’s no time left! Let me go in and try. I might be able to pull him back from the brink!"
Xu Shiyan turned to look at Bo Jinke, her expression earnest.
Bo Jinke’s thin lips were pressed into a tight line. He looked down at her, his cold, grim face betraying no emotion.
"Xu Shiyan, have you lost your mind? This isn't the time for jokes!" Sheng Zhiyu nearly roared.
"I am not joking."
Xu Shiyan reached out and grabbed Bo Jinke’s sleeve, staring at him unblinkingly. Her eyes were pure, filled only with concern.
"Please, let me go in and try. I’ve saved someone before. Have you forgotten?"
Xu Nuo sighed from the side. "Sister, please don't cause a scene. It's fine if you play at saving stray cats, but how can you dare to use that kind of 'experience' on Grandpa Sheng? Isn't this an insult to the patient?"
Sheng Zhiyu was furious and called for the bodyguards.
"Someone, take her downstairs! This is no place for riffraff to act recklessly!"
Two burly bodyguards stepped forward immediately. But just as their hands were about to touch Xu Shiyan’s arms, a light, fleeting glance from Bo Jinke swept over them.
A chill ran down their spines, and they dared not move another inch.
Sheng Zhiyu frowned, looking bewildered. "Uncle, you..."
Bo Jinke parted his lips slightly. "Open the door and let her in."
Under the shocked gazes of Sheng Zhiyu and Xu Nuo, the guards at the door nodded respectfully and opened it.
Just as Xu Shiyan was about to enter, Bo Jinke’s voice sounded again.
"Have you considered the cost? If the man doesn't make it, regardless of the reason, you will become the target of everyone’s ire."
As he spoke, Bo Jinke glanced at the crowd of relatives in the corridor, his gaze haunting, like a devil’s whisper.
"They are just waiting to make an example of someone who sticks their neck out. It won't just be you; the entire Xu family will be affected."
Xu Shiyan’s steps faltered.
She averted her gaze for a few seconds of hesitation, but then, without looking back, she stepped inside.
Watching her slim silhouette, the corners of Bo Jinke’s mouth curled up involuntarily.
At least she had some backbone.
In full view of everyone, Xu Shiyan pulled a pill and a set of acupuncture needles from her bag.
In her mind, she recalled the methods Ghost Doctor Grandpa had taught her back on Qiongzhou Island.
*"Never use this method unless it is a matter of life and death. If it succeeds, you bring the dead back to life; if it fails, the patient bleeds from all seven orifices and dies. The most important thing for a doctor is self-preservation. Don’t leave any leverage for the family, or your reputation will be ruined forever, just like mine."*
Xu Shiyan closed her eyes, steeling herself.
She took up the needle and struck the acupoints. Every step was like dancing on a tightrope.
Finally, after more than half an hour of resuscitation, Grandpa Sheng slowly opened his eyes.
"Little Xu..."
A smile gradually appeared on Elder Sheng’s face as he murmured.
Xu Shiyan, dripping with sweat, breathed a sigh of relief. "Yes, Grandpa Sheng, it’s me."
"He really woke up?"
"What kind of ancient acupuncture is that? I’ve never seen it before!"
"Didn't they say the Eldest Miss Xu was uneducated? How could she know medicine?"
The Sheng family relatives, who had expected the old man to pass on today, were all shocked, whispering among themselves. Those who had previously ignored the prospective granddaughter-in-law now looked at her with a wariness usually reserved for a formidable enemy.
The attending physician performed a quick examination.
"The patient’s condition has stabilized for now. This attack came without warning; he will need further testing."
Sheng Zhiyu looked at Xu Shiyan, his eyes transformed. "Where did you learn medicine? Why have you never told me?"
Exhausted from the intense mental labor, Xu Shiyan gave him a lazy, dismissive glance.
"Do I need to report everything I do to you beforehand?"
With everyone watching, she didn't mince words, leaving Sheng Zhiyu speechless.
Xu Nuo looked apologetic. "Sister, don't blame Brother Zhiyu for not paying enough attention to you; the company is just too busy. Your medical skills are truly impressive. Where did you learn them? Could it be that you were..."
She trailed off, offering a small, pointed smile. "I never imagined someone with such superb medical skills would be in a place like that. When I have time, I’d like to pay a visit."
It sounded like a compliment, but Xu Nuo was effortlessly steering everyone’s focus back to Xu Shiyan’s past.
Rumors had long circulated that Xu Shiyan had behavioral problems and had been sent to Qiongzhou Island to reflect. Some believed it, some doubted it, but now that Xu Nuo had spoken, the rumor was effectively confirmed.
Xu Shiyan understood Xu Nuo’s malice perfectly.
"That's right, Qiongzhou Island. It’s a wonderful place—beautiful scenery and talented people. If you're lucky, you might even run into a supreme master and find a secret manual for martial arts, just like in the brochures."