Chapter 12: Light of Redemption

“Qingqing?! Is that really you?” The man looked at her in surprise and delight.

“Physician Mu?!” Li Qingqing gasped, covering her mouth in astonishment.

Mu Xingyi was dressed in a sleek black suit. He was a full head taller than her, with a tall, upright posture and well-defined features. When he smiled, he gave off a warm and comforting aura.

For some reason, Li Qingqing suddenly thought of Lu Yan. On the surface, he always maintained a cold, aloof demeanor, exuding an air that warned people to keep their distance—just like many of those from the elite circle he belonged to.

“Yes, it’s me. It’s been a long time. Qingqing, you’ve grown into a young woman,” Mu Xingyi said, looking her over. “Last time I saw you, you were still a little girl. You’ve changed so much—I almost didn’t recognize you.”

Li Qingqing blushed, lowering her gaze in embarrassment.

Mu Xingyi was a physician specializing in traditional Chinese medicine. Back when Li Qingqing was in junior high, she still lived in a small town. At that time, Mu Xingyi had just joined a public welfare project, traveling there to provide free medical care.

One time, Li Qingqing had been beaten again by the drunken Xie Hongde. She fled to an abandoned thatched hut on the outskirts of town to hide and was spotted by Mu Xingyi, who happened to pass by.

He brought her to the makeshift medical station, carefully treated her wounds, and took her pulse. He discovered that she was suffering from severe malnutrition.

Mu Xingyi was deeply shocked. In this day and age, he couldn’t believe that children were still being physically abused and mistreated by their own families.

He reported the situation to the town mayor, who in turn harshly criticized and disciplined Xie Hongde. Only then did the abuse slightly subside.

Later, Mu Xingyi told Li Qingqing that if Xie Hongde ever hit her again, she must run away immediately—and if she got hurt, she needed to learn how to treat her own wounds.

He also encouraged her to study hard, saying that one day she would be able to stand on her own and leave that kind of environment behind.

From then on, Mu Xingyi became a shining beacon in Li Qingqing’s heart. Just by placing his fingers on her wrist, he could tell her physical condition—it felt like magic to her.

Later, she learned that this technique was called pulse diagnosis, a method used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Ever since that day, Li Qingqing threw herself into her studies. She dreamed of becoming a physician who possessed such “magical” abilities.

But fate had other plans. Chen Suyun forcibly changed her college entrance exam preferences, making her apply to a teacher’s university instead.

Back then, Li Qingqing was too young and powerless to resist. And just like that, she ended up in the teacher education program at Haihua University.

Still, she never gave up on the path of traditional Chinese medicine. During her free time, she would self-study acupoints and meridian systems from Chinese medicine books.

Over time, she had actually acquired a fair amount of theoretical knowledge.

“Physician Mu, what brings you to our university?” Li Qingqing asked curiously.

“Oh, I opened a private clinic this year. I just finished interviewing two nursing interns at the medical school next door. I heard your university is holding a recruitment event today, so I came by to see if I could find some promising talent.”

Mu Xingyi glanced at the resumes in their hands. “You two are looking for internships too?”

“Yes. This is my classmate, Shen Lu. We’re hoping to try our luck today,” Li Qingqing replied with a shy smile.

Shen Lu nodded politely at Mu Xingyi.

“Oh? What are your majors?” Mu Xingyi asked, intrigued.

Li Qingqing hesitated to speak, but Shen Lu suddenly asked, “Physician Mu, would your clinic consider taking on a traditional medicine apprentice who only has theoretical knowledge and no practical experience?”

Mu Xingyi looked at her in mild confusion. “That would depend on the person’s aptitude. Some people pick things up quickly. If they have a Shifu to guide them with hands-on training, then yes, it’s possible to nurture their skills.”

Li Qingqing understood that Shen Lu was trying to create an opportunity for her. Her cheeks burned slightly. She felt that what she knew was barely scratching the surface and hardly worth showing off.

Shen Lu tugged on Li Qingqing’s arm playfully and said, “I think she has great potential. I was constipated a while ago, and Qingqing gave me a few acupuncture needles—it worked really well. She’s been studying traditional Chinese medicine on her own for years but has never had formal hands-on training. Physician Mu, why not take this chance to bring her in as your apprentice?”

Mu Xingyi hadn’t expected Shen Lu to be talking about Li Qingqing.

He gave it some thought and said seriously, “I’d be happy to give Qingqing a chance. Not many people are still willing to study traditional Chinese medicine these days. If she’s already reached this level through self-study, then she clearly has talent.”As he spoke, Mu Xingyi looked at Li Qingqing. “Qingqing, what do you think? Are you willing to learn traditional Chinese medicine under my guidance?”

Li Qingqing stared at Mu Xingyi’s sincere face, and in that instant, the scene of their first meeting back in middle school resurfaced in her mind. Back then, just like now, he had appeared in her dark world and brought her a beam of light.

Suppressing the surge of emotion in her chest, Li Qingqing knew full well that being an apprentice in traditional medicine likely wouldn’t earn her any money in the beginning. But this might be the only chance she would ever get to truly step through the door.

She nodded fervently, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

Mu Xingyi looked at the girl who had walked out of that small town, and a subtle emotion stirred in his heart. It felt as if the seed he had planted so many years ago was finally blooming into a brilliant flower right in front of him.

They exchanged WeChat contacts and agreed that Li Qingqing would begin her internship at his clinic one week later.

Li Qingqing was elated. She hadn’t expected that coming here today on a whim would actually land her an internship—and not just any internship, but one in traditional medicine, the very field she loved.

Amidst her joy, she suddenly remembered that Shen Lu hadn’t found a placement yet. She quickly reined in her excitement and said, “Lu-lu, let’s keep looking. Look over there—lots of people are gathered. That company must be decent. Let’s go check it out.”

“No need,” Shen Lu replied with a playful wink. “My family already arranged for me to intern as a student teacher at Haicheng Secondary School.”

Li Qingqing was stunned. “Then you came with me today on purpose?”

Shen Lu gave her a doting look. “If I didn’t come with you, you—a hopeless introvert—would’ve gotten totally trampled trying to find an internship on your own.”

Li Qingqing was touched all over again. “Lu-lu, you’re the best. I’m treating you to dinner tonight for sure.”

“Can I choose the place?” Shen Lu asked teasingly, pretending to think hard.

“Of course!”

…

After classes that afternoon, Li Qingqing sent a message to Lu Yan.

[Young Master Lu, I have something to do tonight. Is it alright if I come back a bit late?]

Five minutes later, he replied:

[What is it? Report it clearly.]

Li Qingqing: “…”

Still, for the sake of that paycheck, she politely replied:

[Having dinner with a classmate.]

There was no further response from him after that.

…

That evening, Shen Lu brought Li Qingqing to a bar not far from Haihua University.

Linking arms with her, Shen Lu pointed to the sign above the entrance. “This place just opened. Everything’s 50% off, and I heard they have a lot of creative dishes. Let’s give it a try.”

Li Qingqing smiled. “You really do look out for my wallet.”

As soon as they stepped inside, Li Qingqing spotted Mu Xingyi sitting inside chatting with a friend.

Excited, the two girls rushed over to greet him. “Physician Mu! What a coincidence—you’re here too?”

Li Qingqing was delighted. She hadn’t expected to run into him twice in a single day. Their fates must be truly intertwined.

Mu Xingyi was also surprised by the double coincidence. “What a small world! Qingqing, you and your friend Shen came to have a drink too? Want to join us?” he offered warmly.

Li Qingqing was just about to accept when she turned her head—only to lock eyes with a face she knew all too well.

Lu Yan?!