She reached competition class just as the teacher began. The afternoon’s event had spread throughout school, and the principal had spoken to him. He merely told her to sit down.
Watching her straight back, like a young poplar, he reflected that she was extraordinary. Even without an academic career, her abilities would secure her future.
Gathering his thoughts, he resumed teaching. Jiang Chan concentrated entirely, spending the whole evening studying and solving problems. Would-be gossip seekers awkwardly stopped approaching.
After self-study, she returned with weary steps. The afternoon’s rushing around, no supper, and strenuous thinking had left her stomach burning.
Her three roommates were there, the room smelling of takeaway. Yu Jie hurried to bring her inside. “Liuqing thought you’d be late and hadn’t eaten, so she ordered food. Have this for now.”
“Thank you,” Jiang Chan said weakly.
She was truly hungry. A portion of seafood fried rice restored some strength. Wiping her mouth, she accepted water from the thoughtful Wen Jing. “Have a drink. Better now?”
Once she had eaten, Yang Liuqing approached with shining eyes. “You’re incredible! The forum exploded. Everyone’s discussed it all evening.”
“Exactly. People dragged me into all sorts of questions. Somehow they learned you treated us. They talked about it all night.”
“Me too,” Yu Jie added. Jiang Chan had few close friends, so her roommates had been commandeered for answers.
With energy restored, she checked the forum. The top post was the rescue video, filmed by someone with astonishing clarity and clear sound.
After watching, she commented, “Nicely filmed.”
“Who took it? Impressive.” Holding a phone so steadily amid that crowd took talent.
“Who knows? But you’re amazing. That gold needle emerging on its own was incredible.”
Wen Jing reverently glanced at the “thin gold bracelet” on her wrist, then looked away.
Jiang Chan raked her hair. “It wasn’t so mysterious. The breath inside him pushed it out. No immortal techniques.”
Looking at the comments, she marveled at their imaginations. They had nearly praised her into a descended immortal. Her methods had become divine arts, when they were nothing so mystical.
“Even so, it was impressive.” They all nodded. She ended the discussion. “It’s late. Rest. We have lessons tomorrow.”
Seeing her fall asleep immediately, they quieted and washed up themselves.
Once over, the incident merely added to student gossip. Within days, everyone put it aside.
Jiang Chan welcomed that.
At the weekend, she visited Old Zheng, who agreed to recommend her, allowing her to sit the medical licensing examination.
Normally, she did not qualify. The first requirement was high school education or above. Still attending high school, she failed it immediately.
But his recommendation and her grades made that restriction insignificant. Leaving his home, she felt cheerful and light-footed.
Minutes later, Chang Ke’s parents called. Since admission, he had remained at Third Hospital. She had not followed subsequent events. Had he temporarily suspended his studies?
What did they want today?
Half an hour later, she sat in their living room. They were well off, but did not occupy the mansion one might imagine. His father pushed over a bank card. “Fifty thousand yuan. Thank you for saving him.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Then I’ll accept. How is he?”
His mother smiled. “He’s receiving treatment. The doctor says he can leave in a few days. Fortunately, it was discovered early. Otherwise, it would have been dangerous.”
She nodded. “Good. If that’s everything, I’ll return. I took leave to attend to some business.”
Back at school, she reported her return to her homeroom teacher and brought Old Zheng’s medical books to the dormitory. Her medicine came from other worlds. These books filled the gaps.
Sunday evenings had no self-study. Leaning against her pillow, she read and compared the contents with her knowledge. Her roommates quieted and began studying too.
With the expert studying, could they slack off? Certainly not!
A month later
Yang Liuqing admiringly touched the little booklet. “A medical license! You’re incredible, Xiao Chan. Let’s see who dares call you an unlicensed practitioner now!”
Coughs sounded around the room. Belatedly covering her mouth, she shrank under Wen Jing’s and Yu Jie’s disapproving looks.
Jiang Chan raised an eyebrow. “Unlicensed practice? When did that come up?”
“A while ago. Few discussed it, but some thought you shouldn’t treat people without a license.”
She smiled. “Their concern was reasonable. Haven’t I taken the exam now?”
“It wasn’t entirely trivial. Sister Jing even argued with classmates.”
“Why? She’s good-tempered. Why argue?”
“Because you saved Chang Ke.” Yang Liuqing spoke quickly. “After you used acupuncture to save him, some people made snide comments online.”
“They said acting without a license was wrong. If anything happened, who would take responsibility? That was the gist.”
“Now I understand. You can’t even do good in this world anymore. If I hadn’t acted, Chang Ke would have died. Perhaps that’s what they wanted to see.”
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