Chapter 101: Chapter 101: The Secret of Twenty-Two Years Ago


    “I can’t tell you just yet.”


    Cheng Han looked at her young and innocent, charming face, filled with concern.


    The time wasn’t right to involve her in theplex matters of the past.


    “Since Grandpa Cheng says so, I’ll obey,” Qiao Xi didn’t press further and obediently agreed.


    Cheng Han sighed and said, “When your abilities have matured, you can do whatever you wish.” He took out a membership card from his pocket and ced it in front of her, “Here’s your membership card for the Haicheng Traditional Chinese Medicine Association.”


    “If you want to open a clinic and avoid trouble, this will be very useful to you. Although there are all kinds within the association, there are some truly skilled people. My old friends will also look out for you.”


    ...


    Cheng Han had thought everything through for her,working with rtives and friends over the past few days to pave the way for his disciple.


    Qiao Xi felt a warmth in her eyes as she epted the membership card.


    “Thank you.”


    “Don’t mention it. With your temperament, you’re easily bullied.”


    Cheng Han stood up and said, “I’m going back to my room to pack up, so don’t hover around this old bag of bones. Young people should be vibrant.”


    Aunt Qian, listening to their conversation, chuckled after Cheng Han left, saying, “The young master really likes the Young Madam’s temperament.”


    She clearly knew that the two had spent the night togetherst night.


    Qiao Xi cast a shy nce at her.


    Aunt Qian covered her mouth,ughing as she said, “Young Madam, when can we expect some good news from you and the young master?” She was very worried. There was another woman out there watching like a tiger poised to strike.


    “It’s… it’s still early. Aunt Qian, I won’t talk about this with you.”


    Qiao Xi lifted her skirt and ran lightly up the stairs, her hand covering her belly. She thought of what Mr. Huo had saidst night. What if they really did have a child?


    …


    The sky was dimming.


    The Liu Family estate, sprawling over a vast area. Corridors andkes illuminated bymplight, subdued and traditional.


    One hour before the celebration for the baby’s full month, the Liu Family’s kitchen had made ample preparations. The guests invited to the full month celebration were all closely rted to the Liu Family. Those with ulterior motives, looking for a shortcut to sess, were kept out.


    On the grand bed on the fifth floor of the modern Chinese-style vi,y a man, emaciated to the bones.


    Thin, almost lifeless.


    His eyes were tightly shut, but his features still retained the handsomeness of his youth, and beside his bed were all the machines keeping him alive.


    This was the second young master of the Liu Family, the younger son of Old Madame Liu, Liu Zongyun.


    Liu Zongyun had been in a car ident when he was young and had been in a vegetative state for twenty-two years.


    Currently, there were three people standing beside the bed.


    Old Madame Liu, leaning on her cane, was much healthier and was able to walk a little. She was wringing her handkerchief, wiping Liu Zongyun’s cheeks.


    Liu Huimin, holding her husband Xu Guangyao’s hand, furrowed her brows and said, “Mom, do we really need to ask that Doctor Qiao for help tonight? That girl is too young, and my brother has been like this for so many years…”


    She had her doubts.


    Even if the girl was Cheng Han’s disciple, she was just a girl in her early twenties. Her husband had told her the girl had an improper mindset, likely seeking fame and status.


    He even suspected that it was Cheng Han who had healed Huo Xingzhou’s legs but imed it was his disciple’s doing to give her credit.


    Old Madame Liu said sternly, “Of course! She’s our esteemed guest tonight. Don’t underestimate her because of her youth; she’s highly capable. Besides, we have no other alternatives.”


    “Mom’s right, we should give it a try if we have the chance,” Xu Guangyao said with a suitable smile on his face, his eyes slightly flickering as he stood nearby.


    His hands clenched slightly at his sides, he hoped this Qiao Xi didn’t have much skill and that Liu Zongyun would never wake up. Otherwise, the things he did twenty-two years ago would be exposed.


    His eyes darkly fixed on Liu Zongyun lying on the hospital bed, he thought, don’t me him for being ruthless. If it weren’t for Liu Zongyun stumbling upon his secret, he wouldn’t have had the heart to take action.


    It was a pity he hadn’t died; instead, he became a vegetative man who could not speak.


    Xu Guangyao thought of Qiao Xi’s face, which bore some resemnce, and overturned that absurd suspicion. Initially, he was certain that the baby girl had died.


    How could there be a survivor!


    Madam Liu sighed,menting, “Back then, Zongyun was clinging to my hand with an urgent expression before he fell into aa. He wanted to tell me something, but in the end, he didn’t get the chance to say it.”


    She really wanted to know what Liu Zongyun had to say.


    If he never woke up in this lifetime, that sentence might very well be hisst words.


    Xu Guangyaoforted, “Mom, he’ll wake up.” As if.


    Madam Liu wiped her tears and said, “I hope so. The full moon feast is about to start, you go ahead. I’ll stay with Zongyun a bit longer.”


    Xu Guangyao nodded and walked out with his delicate wife in his arms.


    As the couple left the room, Liu Huimin’s face grew serious, and she spoke in a low voice, “Husband, are we really going to let that little girl treat my second brother? It’s too unreliable.”


    She valued her family greatly and didn’t want Liu Zongyun to fall into the hands of a quack.


    Xu Guangyao patted her shoulder gently and exined, “Let’s follow the olddy’s wishes for now. As for that Dr. Qiao, we’ll keep an eye on her.”


    Liu Huimin agreed emphatically, “A country girl, identally married to the Huo Family’s second young master, and even cured his legs. And then it turns out Huo Xingzhou is actually the powerholder of Tianyuan Group. All these incidents together don’t seem like a coincidence. Perhaps Cheng Han is using her to pave the way, aiming to return to his status as a master of traditional Chinese medicine.”


    In the Chinese Medicine Community, the grand needle test event that urs once every ten years, those who knew would not dare to speak a word.


    After that, it was the boundary division between north and south, with Cheng Han and Lu Bannong avoiding each other, leading to Cheng Han’s withdrawal.


    Xu Guangyao took his eye medicine and said, “Xingluo’s return to the country is because she can’t let go of Huo Xingzhou. That country girl has deep schemes; you need to protect Xingluo. In fact, a marriage alliance between our Xu Family and the Huo Family would be the best.”


    Liu Huimin thought of her daughter’s mncholic look and felt very heartbroken.


    “Husband, what should we do then?”


    “We have to find a way to make Qiao Xi initiate a divorce.”


    Liu Huimin pondered thoughtfully.


    Leaning against the esctor on the upper floor, she looked down at her daughter in the banquet hall, smiling like a flower. Who would have thought that such a beautiful girl had almost been driven mad by her demons?


    Her heart’s demon was Huo Xingzhou.


    Tonight Xu Xiuyuan and Xu Yunye, the two brothers, were not present, one busy with hospital affairs, the other obsessed with heavyweight motorcycle racing. As the jewel of the Xu and Liu Families, Xu Xingluo stood out especially, as if she became the center of attention instead of the little baby.


    Inside the banquet hall.


    Xu Xingluo wore a ck diamond-studded dress withce and feather decorations, resembling the noble ck swan reborn from Swan Lake. Her figure was soft and slender, her demeanor unique.


    She wore a valuable little crown, and her makeup was delicate yet effortless.


    Surrounded by stars, the matrons and young talents lingered around her, showering her with endless ttery and admiration in their eyes.


    “Xingluo is a growndy now, truly beautiful. You couldn’t find a more outstanding girl in all of Haicheng.”


    Xu Xingluo graciously smiled, “Thank you, Aunt Lin, for thepliment. Tonight, I am representing my uncle to receive the guests, so if you don’t enjoy yourself, it’s all Xingluo’sck of hospitality.”


    “So sensible!”


    “The precious gem of the Xu and Liu Families, the only daughter.”


    An acquainted aunt held her hand, praising, “I don’t know how your mother taught you, but I am so envious. I don’t have a daughter, only a disappointing son. Xingluo, would you like to be my daughter-inw?”


    “That’s not fair, she shoulde to my house.”


    The Xu Family had a daughter, and a hundred families sought her.


    Facing their enthusiasm, Xu Xingluo bashfully smiled, “Dear uncles and aunts, all my fathers and brothers, I am still young.”


    Her gaze caught sight of someone entering, and she excused herself, “Have fun, everyone. I’m going to greet the guests.”


    With that.


    She flicked the stray hairs at her temples and walked over with a smile on her lips.