35. Suspected

Tang Yiyi watched Qin Baike stride ahead, his long arms and legs carrying him with ease. Unconsciously, she raised her right hand, lightly rubbing her fingertips once more. His heartbeat was so strong, his chest so firm—it seemed this man, overflowing with masculine energy, would need a truly stunning woman to match him.

In the room at the end of the first floor, Tang Yiyi took out her acupuncture kit from her backpack. Qin Baike handed her the room key. “You’ll stay here tonight. The bed sheets are freshly changed; this was originally a female staff member’s dorm. She’s been staying at home these days due to some family matters. Did you bring toiletries? If not, I have some disposable ones in my car.”

“I brought everything,” Tang Yiyi replied, pointing to her backpack. Qin Baike glanced at it, so flat and small, and nodded.

They left the room together. Qin Baike returned to the kitchen, while Tang Yiyi headed straight out to the viewing platform to find Qin’s mother.

From a distance, she saw Sister Wu sitting on a wooden stump, Qin’s mother beside her. Sister Wu was talking non-stop; even before Tang Yiyi drew near, she could hear her endless chatter.

“My daughter-in-law is not easy to deal with, and my son’s a pushover—does whatever she says. Last time she wanted to buy a gold ring, I told her, ‘Why bother? You don’t look like the type, your fingers are so thick, a gold ring would look just like a brass thimble, such a waste of money!’”

Qin’s mother seemed half-listening, occasionally muttering in response. As Tang Yiyi approached, she coughed lightly. Sister Wu turned, saw her, and stood up. “Doctor Tang is here.”

“Sister Wu, it’s time for Qin’s mother’s acupuncture.”

“All right, how do we do it? I’ll help you.”

“Let’s head back to the room first.”

“Okay.” Sister Wu agreed, nimbly pushing Qin’s mother along as she walked, asking Tang Yiyi, “Doctor Tang, how old are you? You look no older than twenty-two, not more than twenty-three, right?”

“Twenty-three.”

“See? I’m always spot-on. Out of ten people, I can guess nine right—you can’t fool me. Doctor Tang, you studied five years in college, didn’t you? It’s not easy to be a doctor. When I was at the hospital, young doctors had to follow the seniors for years before getting their own prescription rights. Even then, most places wouldn’t let them work independently, always worried about accidents and disputes. Studying traditional medicine is better—never heard of disputes in that field…”

Tang Yiyi dared not respond, afraid Sister Wu’s words would explode into a flood. She took out her phone and set it to ring, saying, “Sorry, Sister Wu, I need to take a call.”

Then she deliberately lagged a few steps behind, phone pressed to her ear, mumbling vague responses. Sister Wu finally turned away, switching back to Qin’s mother, continuing her endless monologue. Tang Yiyi sighed in relief, but even several steps away, Sister Wu’s voice still reached her.

“Sister Qin, you’re so lucky. Your son is so filial—bringing in a doctor for acupuncture each time, must cost a lot…”

Tang Yiyi quietly retreated a few more steps.

Qin’s mother lived in the middle cottage. Inside was a small living room with a fabric sofa, a round tea table, and a small television mounted on the wall. To the left was a little bar counter and, beside it, the bathroom. To the right, a small bedroom furnished hotel-style with two single beds.

Tang Yiyi had Sister Wu help Qin’s mother lie down on the bed, then said, “I haven’t been studying acupuncture long. I need absolute concentration while needling—please don’t make any noise, or I might miss the right spot.”

Sister Wu put a hand over her mouth and nodded vigorously.

Satisfied, Tang Yiyi washed her hands in the bathroom, set out her acupuncture kit, disinfected the points with alcohol, and selected a needle. Just as she was about to insert it, she noticed the tip was slightly bent. After careful inspection, she set it aside and chose another.

Sister Wu, watching, pointed outside. “I’ll step out for a bit,” she said, quickly leaving.

Tang Yiyi ignored her, focusing entirely on the procedure. As she finished the main points and moved to the supplementary ones, Qin Baike opened the door and entered, Sister Wu at his heels. Without much thought, Tang Yiyi continued her work.

After watching for a while, Qin Baike turned to Sister Wu. “They’re shorthanded in the kitchen. Why don’t you go help? I’ll stay here.”

Sister Wu hesitated, then nodded softly. “Alright, I’ll go.” She left, closing the door behind her.

Tang Yiyi burst out laughing. “So, she couldn’t trust me and sent you to watch over me?”

Qin Baike replied coolly, “You scared her.”

Tang Yiyi pursed her lips, her hands never pausing. “She scared me more, honestly. I sensed she was talkative, but didn’t expect quite so much. If you put her alone on a deserted island, she’d have the plants chatting away and turning into spirits, and all of them would be the legendary ones.”

A soft laugh sounded behind her. She turned to see Qin Baike, arms folded across his chest, leaning against the doorframe, grinning wide with delight, his Adam’s apple bobbing with laughter.

Seeing him so genuinely happy stunned her for a moment. She’d known him for over a month, but had never seen him smile like this. Yet, she liked this joyful side of him.

“You’re remarkably sharp-tongued, but you’re the only one who managed to shut her up.”

“Well, I’ll take that as a compliment,” Tang Yiyi said, choosing to ignore the word ‘sharp-tongued.’

“I mean it as one,” Qin Baike replied.

Tang Yiyi turned back, responding perfunctorily, “Thank you.”

Neither spoke again until Tang Yiyi finished and began packing her acupuncture kit. Qin Baike then asked, “What would you like for barbecue tonight? I’ll make it for you.”

The mention of barbecue made Tang Yiyi’s eyes light up. “I want grilled eggplant, fish, chicken wings, wide noodles, and chives!”

“Chicken wings—you already mentioned those. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you have everything.”

“Hearing you say it, I’m starving.” Tang Yiyi rubbed her stomach.

“It’s about time for dinner. Let’s go.”

“Alright.” When it came to food, Tang Yiyi was always the most enthusiastic.