Chapter 105: Retribution Has Arrived!

At noon, the school leaders hosted a banquet for the delegation members at the Four Seasons Grand Hotel. According to Renhuai Guo’s plan, he was reluctant to let Luo Qin attend this banquet. However, the delegation leader, Dr. Jack, held Luo Qin in high regard and specifically requested his company, citing numerous questions about traditional Chinese medicine he wished to discuss with him.

The school reserved the “Autumn Melody” private room at the Four Seasons Grand Hotel, setting three tables. The president of the Medical University, Yonggang Li, personally came to accompany the guests, along with other key leaders from various departments and teachers scheduled to give lectures.

What Luo Qin did not expect was to see Huanxi Lin inside the private room.

“Is she also going to lecture before the medical delegation? Why haven’t I heard about this?” Luo Qin wondered silently.

Then he shook his head with a wry smile. Given Huanxi Lin’s personality, even if she had won a five-million-dollar prize, she probably wouldn’t have excitedly announced it.

Huanxi Lin noticed Luo Qin as well. A flicker of surprise flashed in her eyes before she quickly masked it with an expressionless gaze and looked away.

Luo Qin found it impossible to discern her current feelings from her face. After the forceful kiss incident that night, he couldn’t tell whether she now harbored deep resentment toward him.

Renhuai Guo sat at Luo Qin’s table, conversing in English with a professor from Tiansen University. The two laughed and chatted amiably, displaying a harmonious rapport.

Luo Qin envied this greatly. He was only proficient in two languages: the Huaxia language and the local dialect.

“Luo Qin, Luo Qin.” Yonggang Li, seated at the main table deep inside the private room, waved at Luo Qin.

That table was occupied by heavyweight figures, including Dr. Jack, the leader of the Tiansen delegation, and Hammer, with whom Luo Qin had wagered. Later, Luo Qin learned that Hammer was the deputy leader of the delegation, holding a considerable rank. No wonder he refused to apologize to Luo Qin when Dr. Jack requested it.

“President Li, may I ask if there’s something you need?” Luo Qin approached with a smile.

Although President Li was usually busy and rarely met him, after a few interactions, Luo Qin felt that Li was a man of good character—possessing a righteous aura unique to those who lead by example.

Righteousness resides within; evil cannot prevail.

Whether in conduct or in nurturing life.

“I heard you performed excellently today. Dr. Jack holds you in high esteem,” Yonggang Li said, indicating Dr. Jack beside him.

Dr. Jack smiled and nodded at Luo Qin, saying, “President Li, I am truly fortunate to have this opportunity in Huaxia. Only through genuine contact can one understand the charm of traditional Chinese medicine. Previously, our views were too one-sided. When I return, I will write an article about this investigation and publish it in the newspaper. More Western medical professionals will then come to experience the marvels of Chinese medicine.”

“Dr. Jack, thank you very much for your kindness. On behalf of my peers in traditional Chinese medicine, I express our gratitude for your support,” Luo Qin replied. Having a highly respected figure in the American medical community personally write an article praising traditional Chinese medicine carried tremendous influence.

“Remarkable Luo Qin, you deserve this. Talented individuals are respected wherever they go. Moreover, your passion and dedication to Chinese medicine have deeply moved me. I am willing to do something for you,” Dr. Jack said.

“Looks like you’re having a good conversation. Here, add a chair—Luo Qin should sit at this table too,” Yonggang Li said with a smile.

Without special arrangements, the person with the lowest rank at the table immediately vacated a seat for Luo Qin. As for adding a chair, that was merely official protocol language from the leaders.

Would anyone really foolishly crowd a group of leaders together in a cramped space?

If nothing else, Huaxia had mastered the art of bureaucracy to perfection.

As Luo Qin took his seat at the main table, everyone in the private room felt a shift in atmosphere.

Some looked pleased, while others felt uneasy.

Renhuai Guo, as the head of a department, had no chance to sit at the main table, yet this man who constantly opposed him and caused him embarrassment was seated there.

He had planned to report Luo Qin’s misdeeds after the delegation left, hoping to have him dismissed or transferred.

But now, that possibility seemed extremely slim.

President Li valued him greatly and naturally didn’t want to let him go. Moreover, one sentence could silence Guo: Dr. Jack held Luo Qin in such high regard; why couldn’t they show tolerance?

It was not that he wished to tolerate others, but this scoundrel was simply not a normal person.

How many of his actions were those of a sane individual?

Forcing delegation members to stand during lectures and then betting one million dollars over a slight sarcasm—wasn’t that madness?

As the leader of such a rogue, Guo Renhuai was under tremendous pressure.

“Luo Qin, if possible, I truly hope to invite you to teach at Tiansen University. I believe America greatly needs traditional Chinese medicine, and even more so, a brilliant doctor like you,” Dr. Jack said.

This was not flattery but his genuine thought.

Although America was the world’s strongest nation, its appreciation for talent was unmatched by any other country.

After today’s firsthand experience, Dr. Jack was deeply impressed by the power and allure of Chinese medicine. Hiring Luo Qin to conduct research and teach traditional medicine at Tiansen University would be a marvelous opportunity for them.

Extracting the essence and discarding the dross had always been their guiding principle.

Because Luo Qin had changed seats, he now sat almost back-to-back with Huanxi Lin, albeit at a slight angle.

Still, this allowed Huanxi Lin to overhear their conversation.

When she heard the delegation leader invite Luo Qin to America, her heart clenched sharply.

Even though she knew Luo Qin would unlikely accept.

Still, until he voiced his refusal, she worried—worried he might leave just like that.

When you begin to care for someone, you become prone to anxiety and fear of loss.

“It seems I still can’t achieve a heart as calm as still water,” Huanxi Lin thought sorrowfully.

She wanted to glance back at Luo Qin’s expression but fiercely restrained the impulse.

“Haha, thank you for the invitation, Doctor. Now is not the right time for me to go to America. Besides, I have a group of truly lovely students—I cannot bear to leave them,” Luo Qin politely declined.

Why go to America now?

For a high salary? He did not care.

For further study? Was there any country with superior Chinese medicine?

He would go to America, but not yet.

Only when he was fully prepared domestically and everyone accepted traditional Chinese medicine would he bring it abroad.

At that time, no one could stop his progress.

“Oh, that’s truly a pity,” said Dr. Jack. “But your students are indeed adorable.”

Huanxi Lin’s tightly wound nerves relaxed instantly upon hearing Luo Qin’s refusal.

“Huanxi, try this dish. It’s a bit sweet—should suit your taste,” said Zihao Wang, pointing to a recently served dish.

“I don’t eat sweet things,” Huanxi Lin said expressionlessly.

“Ha ha, I see. This dish is also good—mild in flavor,” Zihao Wang said awkwardly.

He knew Huanxi Lin liked sweet foods. According to his information, she preferred light flavors with a hint of sweetness.

Her refusal was unmistakable.

“Could it be because of him?” Zihao Wang glanced back at Luo Qin, silently guessing.

Since the delegation members were unaccustomed to strong liquor, only red wine was served at the table.

Luo Qin still couldn’t drink alcohol and instead ordered a glass of juice to toast the department leaders and delegation members. This drew disdainful looks from Hammer for a while.

However, after Dr. Jack shot him a stern glance, he dared not speak carelessly again.

Just as the food was hot and the wine flowing, Hammer suddenly clutched his chest and collapsed into his chair, coughing violently with a flushed face and labored breathing.

Everyone was shocked, chaos erupting instantly.

Someone shouted to call an ambulance, others urged the hotel to send a car to the hospital. Since most present were doctors, some immediately began examining Hammer's symptoms.

“Hammer, what’s wrong?” Dr. Jack asked anxiously in English, grabbing Hammer’s arm.

Hammer shook his head in pain, attempting to speak but was overcome by another severe coughing fit.

Yonggang Li looked worried and shouted loudly, “Doctor, find a doctor to see him!”

If a delegation member suffered food poisoning or any other issue during their visit, it would be a grave responsibility.

“Hammer, what exactly is wrong? Where does it hurt? Oh no, could it be asthma? Do you have any medicine with you?” Dr. Jack asked anxiously.

The sudden onset and lack of instruments made diagnosis difficult. Judging by Hammer’s symptoms, it seemed like asthma.

But asthma rarely causes such severe coughing.

“Luo Qin, please help. What’s wrong with Hammer? Quickly, give him acupuncture,” Dr. Jack turned to Luo Qin, urging anxiously.

Because Luo Qin had cured his heat-related ailment with one needle, Dr. Jack had great confidence in his acupuncture skills.

Though Luo Qin harbored no fondness for Hammer, he understood that if Hammer had an accident in Huaxia, many would be implicated, including the respected President Li.

He hurried over, palpated Hammer’s chest, then grasped his chin to open his mouth. Grabbing a chopstick from the table—unaware if it had been used—he inserted it into Hammer’s throat and probed around.

Seeing white foamy mucus on the chopstick, Luo Qin understood the cause of the illness.

“Paroxysmal coughing, difficulty breathing, wheezing in the throat, white foamy mucus in the throat—that’s ‘pollen asthma.’ He is allergic to pollen.”

“Pollen allergy? How could there be pollen here?”

“There’s a pastry called peach blossom crisp made from peach blossom pollen,” someone pointed to a plate of pink pastries on the table.

“Damn,” Yonggang Li cursed with a dark expression.

Then he turned to Luo Qin anxiously, “Luo Qin, find a way to save him. We must ensure the guest’s safety.”

“Don’t worry, President. He’ll be fine,” Luo Qin smiled reassuringly at Li, signaling not to fret. Yet he did not expect retribution to come so swiftly.

Seeing Luo Qin’s confident smile, everyone present was infected by his calm. It was as if, because he said it was nothing, the patient would surely be fine.

Everyone quieted down, awaiting this young miracle healer’s skillful hands.

Huanxi Lin gazed at Luo Qin’s smiling face, feeling a tingling warmth within her.

Perhaps she was intoxicated by that confident, comforting smile he wore when treating her.

In a fleeting moment, you strike an acupuncture point.

Through endless time, I spend a lifetime unlocking it.