Chapter 39: If You’re Sick, You Need to Be Treated

After leaving the military base, Jiang Zhi Ning walked back to the military family compound with Liu Zhi Lan.

“Zhi Ning, you’re so beautiful—what made you want to marry our regiment commander?” Liu Zhi Lan asked, clearly fishing for gossip.

Jiang Zhi Ning thought for a moment. “Yu Zhou once saved my life, so I guess… I’m repaying him with my body.”

“Commander Song really is a good man—loyal and righteous,” Liu Zhi Lan said. “Before he adopted those three kids, matchmakers were practically lining up at his door. But he insisted on making a name for himself first.”

Jiang Zhi Ning teased, “Maybe I was the fated one all along.”

After all, in the original book, Song Yu Zhou was destined to be a lifelong bachelor.

“Could be!”

The two women laughed as they entered the compound, only to see a group of neighbors whispering among themselves.

As soon as Jiang Zhi Ning appeared, the whispers stopped.

Curious, Liu Zhi Lan asked, “Sister-in-law Wang, what’s going on?”

Wang paused, then said, “I heard Wang Yufen’s been bedridden for days. She won’t stop mumbling and muttering.”

Jiang Zhi Ning frowned. “Bedridden for days?”

“Yeah,” Wang said. “Ever since you hit her, she hasn’t gotten out of bed. People say she was traumatized.”

Jiang Zhi Ning scoffed, “She’s that tough, and just a few slaps made her fall apart?”

“Right? None of us buy it,” Sister-in-law Wang agreed. “She used to be so aggressive—who knew she’d scare that easily? But now everyone’s saying you injured her.”

Jiang Zhi Ning’s expression cooled. “She’s not made of porcelain. She doesn’t break that easily.”

Just then, Auntie Xia came marching over and shouted, “Well, well, if it isn’t the vicious one who beat up poor Yufen so badly—such cruelty!”

Jiang Zhi Ning replied calmly, “Plenty of people were there that day. She looked just fine afterward. Funny how she suddenly got worse after a few days in bed.”

“That’s normal,” Auntie Xia insisted. “No one treated her after she got hurt. Of course the injury got worse. And she was traumatized too—barely knows where she is now. You’re a menace!”

As she continued ranting, Jiang Zhi Ning stepped toward her.

Recalling Jiang’s fierce expression from the day of the fight, Auntie Xia quickly backed away. “W-What are you doing?! I’m telling the truth. You beat Yufen. You have to take responsibility!”

“Take responsibility?” Jiang Zhi Ning raised an eyebrow.

“Exactly! She’s injured so badly—shouldn’t you pay for a doctor?” Auntie Xia shouted. “If not, I’ll report you to the commander. You’ll drag Song Yu Zhou down with you!”

Jiang Zhi Ning frowned at the mention of Yu Zhou.

Liu Zhi Lan jumped in, annoyed. “Don’t twist the story, Auntie Xia. Yufen started the fight—she deliberately picked on Zhi Ning first. If we really make a fuss, she’s not innocent either.”

“That’s not the point,” Auntie Xia barked. “The point is Yufen’s so badly hurt now she can’t work—her whole life is ruined!”

Her shouting stirred whispers among the other residents.

Jiang Zhi Ning finally said, “Fine, I’ll go see her. Sister Zhi Lan, take me.”

“Zhi Ning, she’s faking it. You don’t have to bother,” Liu Zhi Lan cautioned.

Jiang Zhi Ning smiled sweetly. “I know.”

If she wants to play, I’ll play along.

A crowd trailed behind them to Wang Yufen’s home. As soon as they stepped in, they heard exaggerated cries:

“Ahhh! It hurts! Don’t hit me—stop!”

When Jiang Zhi Ning entered the room, Auntie Xia’s eyes lit up in excitement:
If they can squeeze some money out of this, Wang Yufen promised to give her a cut.

Jiang Zhi Ning walked calmly to the bedside and asked, “Are you alright?”

Wang Yufen immediately put on an exaggerated look of fear. “Don’t hit me! Stay away! My back hurts so much!”

Wang Yufen contorted her face in pain, as if she couldn’t even move.

“Everyone, just look how badly she’s hurt!” Auntie Xia shouted. “Jiang Zhi Ning, you have to call a doctor and treat her!”

“She really does look injured,” one neighbor whispered. “Never thought Wang Yufen was all bark and no bite.”

A flash of frustration passed through Wang Yufen’s eyes.

Jiang Zhi Ning changed her expression, sat by the bed, and said apologetically, “Sister-in-law, I was just too angry that day. I never meant to hurt you so badly that you can’t move.”

She gently took Wang Yufen’s hand, eyes shimmering with tears. “I’m really sorry. Don’t worry—I’ll make sure you get treated.”

Hearing this, Wang Yufen felt a surge of joy.
Jiang Zhi Ning had been seen buying lots of expensive things for her child—she clearly had money. This was her chance to cash in.

Just as she was about to ask for compensation, a sharp jolt of pain shot through her arm. She cried out and instinctively sat up.

“AH!”

As she sat up, she yanked her hand back and yelled, “You pinched me!”

Jiang Zhi Ning blinked her big eyes and smiled brightly. “Wow, sister-in-law, you sat up! Are you… cured?”

Wang Yufen froze. The sudden pain had made her forget to fake it—and now she’d blown her cover!

“That move was way too smooth. No way she’s sick,” Liu Zhi Lan said loudly.

People began whispering again.

“You all may not know this,” Jiang Zhi Ning said calmly, “but the human body has meridians and pressure points. I just pressed the ‘Hegu’ acupoint in her hand. It sends a strong stimulus through the body.”

“Ohh, I see!”

Wang Yufen quickly added, clutching her head, “Right, right! My head—my head hurts. I think it’s a concussion from when she hit me.”

Jiang Zhi Ning replied gently, “A concussion is serious. It needs proper treatment. I’ll be honest—I studied acupuncture under a master in the city.”

Wang Yufen suddenly had a bad feeling.

“I only pressed a point in your hand and you sat up. Imagine what a real acupuncture session can do,” Jiang Zhi Ning smiled sweetly. “Anyone here have silver needles I can borrow?”

“I do! I’ll go get them!” said a nearby aunt, rushing off.

“What are you trying to do?!” Wang Yufen demanded.

“Treat you, of course,” Jiang Zhi Ning answered innocently. “There’s a point at the crown of your head called Baihui. If I insert a needle there for 10-15 minutes, your headache will be gone!”

“No! You don’t know what you’re doing!” Wang Yufen shouted.

Just then, the aunt handed a long silver needle to Jiang Zhi Ning.

Taking it with a smile, Jiang Zhi Ning said, “Don’t be scared. As long as you stay still, you won’t die. It just hurts a little—bear with it.”

She held the needle and added gently,
“In a moment, this needle will slowly go into your scalp. Don’t move, or… there could be a fatal accident.”

“No! I don’t want this!” Wang Yufen screamed.

“If you’re sick, you need to be treated,” Jiang Zhi Ning said, grabbing her arm while holding the needle, approaching her head.

Auntie Xia tried to intervene but was stopped by Liu Zhi Lan. “If Zhi Ning has a way to treat her, let her.”

Just as the needle was about to pierce her scalp, Wang Yufen screamed:

“I’M NOT SICK! I DON’T HAVE A HEADACHE—I WAS FAKING IT!”

The crowd gasped.

“I knew she was faking!”

“Unbelievable—trying to scam her for money!”

“She thought the commander’s wife was easy to bully!”

Jiang Zhi Ning let go. “Oh, so you’re not sick. No need for acupuncture then.”

Wang Yufen blushed with shame, but she didn’t regret backing down.
If that needle had gone in, she might have really died.

“But,” Jiang Zhi Ning added cheerfully, “even if you’re not sick, you still owe me for the consultation fee.”

Wang Yufen’s eyes widened. “What? You want me to pay?!”