Chapter 11: Pride or People

Liu Lan gazed at Ye Chen, tears brimming in her eyes.

“Five years ago, Sisi only escaped Wang Hai’s vile clutches thanks to you. Now, five years on, can you save her once more?” Her voice trembled. “Even if it means I must beg you…”

She lowered herself before Ye Chen, casting aside all pride and dignity. In this moment, such things meant nothing to Liu Lan. All she cared about was keeping her daughter alive.

Already won over by Ye Chen’s skill, Master Liu, thinking back to how Qin Hongcai had offended Ye Chen earlier on his account, felt a pang of guilt. He, too, pleaded with Ye Chen.

“Young man, your medical expertise surpasses anything I’ve ever witnessed. Earlier, President Qin offended you only because of me. So I must shamelessly beg you to save Miss Qin as well!”

In the span of a mere ten minutes, the three in the room had gone from looking down on Ye Chen to earnestly imploring him for help.

Ye Chen, not one to hold grudges, glanced at Qin Hongcai and Liu Lan with a gentle smile. “Rest assured, I will save Miss Qin. But before I do, there’s one question I must ask.”

The couple exchanged a bewildered look. Was he about to name his terms? Yet Sisi was their only child, their beloved treasure. Whatever conditions Ye Chen might have, they were prepared to accept.

“Please, ask your question,” Qin Hongcai replied, his tone polite.

Ye Chen’s expression grew solemn. “Is Miss Qin’s reputation more important to you, or her life?”

Both were taken aback, unable to grasp his meaning.

Liu Lan asked, “What does her treatment have to do with reputation? Please, clarify.”

Ye Chen hesitated, his words faltering. The poison had lingered too long; now it had spread across every inch of Qin Sisi’s skin. He could only begin with acupuncture, using his inner energy to force out the toxins. But there lay the problem: clothing would block the pores, impeding the expulsion of poison. She would need to be completely unclothed for the treatment to succeed.

Yet, propriety stood in the way. The thought troubled him deeply. After some deliberation, Ye Chen decided to lay the truth bare before Qin Hongcai and Liu Lan.

After listening, both fell into heavy silence. They trusted Ye Chen’s medical skill implicitly after witnessing him cure Master Liu. But this—this was something else entirely.

Undressing their daughter in front of a man was an agonizing prospect. The Qin family had always been strict; though their daughter was headstrong, she had never even dated. She was pure as snow, and for Ye Chen to see her so exposed seemed utterly improper.

Ye Chen noticed the distress written on their faces. He understood—their beautiful daughter, laid bare before another man, was a bitter pill to swallow.

After a moment’s thought, Liu Lan asked, “Is it truly necessary? Is there no other way?”

Ye Chen shook his head. “If she isn’t undressed, the toxins I expel will simply re-enter her body. If that happens, there will be no saving her.”

Having brushed so close to death himself, Ye Chen had come to see such things differently. He said in a cold, steady voice, “This is my only method. If reputation is more important to you, forgive my bluntness, but you’d best prepare for Miss Qin’s funeral.”

At the mention of funeral preparations, Liu Lan’s tears fell like beans, rolling down her cheeks. Even the usually decisive Qin Hongcai found himself paralyzed.

There are no secrets that do not come to light. They had to consider Sisi’s future—if word got out that she had been seen naked by another man, how could she ever marry? The family’s honor in Cloud City would be in ruins.

At this moment, Master Liu spoke up. “President Qin, Madam Liu, please hear me out. In the presence of a healer, there is no distinction between man and woman. There’s no need for undue concern. Besides, this young man’s skill is extraordinary, and he is confident he can cure Miss Qin. Why not let him try?”

“My words may be harsh, but please don’t take offense. If a life is lost, what good is a reputation? Can you truly bear to see Miss Qin’s life wilt in its prime?”

Master Liu’s reasoning gave Qin Hongcai the resolve he needed. Gritting his teeth, he turned to Ye Chen. “I’ve decided. Go ahead with the treatment.”

Liu Lan saw the sense in Master Liu’s words, and with her husband having spoken, she made up her mind as well. “Do it. This young man from the Ye family saved Sisi once before; I trust his character.”

Having reached a decision, Ye Chen wasted no time. He asked Qin Hongcai and Master Liu to wait outside.

Only Liu Lan remained to help undress Sisi and assist Ye Chen. In truth, he could have managed alone, but he knew that without Liu Lan present, the family would never be at ease.

Soon, Qin Hongcai and Master Liu withdrew, waiting anxiously by the door. Ye Chen asked Liu Lan to close the windows and draw the curtains before helping Sisi out of her clothes.

Moments later, a flawless, unblemished body lay before Ye Chen. He could not deny how stunning Sisi’s figure was—especially those slender, fair legs, which drew his gaze irresistibly.

Ye Chen felt a sudden heat in his nose, blood threatening to spill. Fortunately, his training allowed him to restrain himself, channeling his inner energy to stop the nosebleed before it began. Otherwise, the situation would have been mortifying.

Liu Lan noticed the change in his gaze as he looked at her daughter on the bed. She coughed pointedly, snapping Ye Chen back to his senses and making him quickly avert his eyes.

Her daughter was still an untouched maiden, and now this young man had seen her fully exposed. Liu Lan’s face turned cold as she asked, “Are you ready to begin the treatment?”

“Yes,” Ye Chen replied, lighting an alcohol lamp and disinfecting a box of silver needles. He approached the bed, his expression grave and his mind free of impure thoughts, swiftly inserting eighteen needles into Sisi’s legs, feet, and head.

The Eighteen Needles of Soul Return.

Though Liu Lan knew nothing of acupuncture, she was astonished by the speed and precision with which Ye Chen worked. But his next action angered her greatly.

After placing the needles, Ye Chen moved to the foot of the bed, placing his hands firmly on Sisi’s delicate feet.

“What are you doing? Is this really part of the treatment?”