<b>Chapter </b><b>35 </b>


    Nancy, always quick to back Beatrice in public, nodded vigorously. “Exactly! You’re such a softie–after how she treats you, you still worry


    about her?”


    The others, clueless about the truth, agreed Beatrice was too kind, ushering her along. “Come on, let’s go before all the materials get


    swiped.”


    Beatrice maintained her worried expression but conceded. She pushed her lingering doubt aside for now and followed the group towards the


    office.


    ‘Maybe I really did imagine it? How could Briar get into Shoneport without Dad’s pull?‘ she mused on the way.


    With Marvin handling it personally, Briar’s transfer procedures went smoothly. In less than half an hour, all her enrollment information was recorded.


    Handing her the Shoneport U student ID, Marvin beamed. “Come on, I’ll take you to meet your advisor. I’ve told him about you–he’s pretty interested and wants to test your skills.”


    Briar smiled but stayed quiet. She had no idea how Ashton convinced Marvin to ept an unknown transfer student.


    She’d forgotten to ask before, but now<i>, </i>hearing Marvin, she was curious. ‘Did Ashton just throw his weight around to make this happen?‘ she


    mused.


    Briar was ced in the Traditional Medicine department. Her assigned advisor was the renowned Professor Joshua Swift, now in his


    seventies.


    He was a national treasure–level figure rehired by Shoneport after retirement. At his age, Joshua rarely taught lectures, preferring to mentor promising students in the department’sb.


    So Marvin led her straight to theb. At the closed door, he buzzed the inte and boomed, “Josh,e check out your new student!”


    ‘Josh?‘ Briar suppressed a twitch of her lips. ‘I bet Mr. Goodwin is the only one at Shoneport who dares call him that.‘


    Soon, the door slid open. A man with white hair but eyes sparkling with vitality stepped out–clearly someone who took meticulous care of his health. This had to be “Josh” Marvin had mentioned.


    Joshua wore a whiteb coat. As he stepped out, he instinctively pushed up his reading sses, shot Marvin a re, then turned his


    attention to Briar beside him.


    Briar met Joshua’s assessing look with aposed, respectful smile. “Mr. Swift, nice to meet you. I’m Briar, a new transfer student to TM. Looking forward to your guidance.”


    Her tone was humble, eyes clear–no hint of arrogance. Joshua’s first impression was positive. He pointed to a half–open door behind him. “Briar, please wait for me in the office inside.”


    “Of course.” Briar nodded to Marvin. Hugging her backpack, she stepped inside and closed the door behind her.


    Even with the door closed, Joshua kept his voice low. “That’s the girl? The acupuncture prodigy Ashton forced on you?”


    Marvin nodded. “Griffin confirmed it–she’s the one who’s been treating him. And get this, she can write prescriptions independently. She made him some medicinal bath, said it worked wonders.”


    Joshua’s excitement grew. “If that’s true, an 18–year–old with that level of skill? Briar could be our traditional medicine’s living showcase,”


    “You’re telling me. That’s why i handled her enrollment myself, bringing her straight to you without telling anyone. Promise me you’ll nurture this talent–can’t let her get led astray by those fools.” Marvin’s face darkened at thest part.


    Joshua patted Marvin’s shoulder, his voice filled with conviction. “Don’t worry, I want to ensure the legacy of traditional medicine lives even more than you do.”