Chapter 45: RTC-1 Extract

Xiao Yang’s bone recovery rate had already far surpassed that of ordinary people. However, this wasn’t due to an innate ability that he had always possessed; rather, it had only surged dramatically two days ago. Analyzing the daily reports on his skeletal recovery, it was clear that two days prior, Xiao Yang’s healing had peaked, only to decline yesterday, and now it was gradually stabilizing. Even at this steadier rate, his current progress was still a significant leap over his former healing speed.

Initially, he truly couldn’t fathom why Xiao Yang’s recovery had abruptly reached a level no human should attain. Yet, after hearing what Shi Xuetong and Huo Shuyue said, a bold suspicion began to form in his mind. That was why he had just questioned Gu Ci as he did.

After speaking with the young girl before him, his confidence in that suspicion only deepened. Watching her calm, composed expression from the beginning until now, his gaze grew more approving. Though Dr. Gu’s main expertise lay in Western medicine, he had never denied the mysterious power of traditional medicine passed down through the ages in Mianzhu.

Suppressing his excitement, he asked gently, “Young lady, your name is Gu Ci, isn’t it? Did you already anticipate Xiao Yang’s current recovery speed before you treated him with acupuncture?” Gu Ci nodded, tacitly affirming his guess.

For some reason, she did not dislike this doctor before her and was willing to patiently answer his questions.

Shi Xuetong, entirely expecting Dr. Gu to scold Gu Ci, was stunned to find the two conversing amiably instead. She was at a loss, unable to stop herself from asking, “Dr. Gu, shouldn’t you be throwing her out? No, I mean, Gu Ci doesn’t know any medicine at all! Don’t let her fool you! She’s just a high school student who recently transferred from the countryside!”

Upon hearing this, Huo Shuyue couldn’t help but glance at Shi Xuetong, an uneasy look in her eyes. Would someone who not only knew her uncle but seemed quite familiar with him really be an ordinary person newly arrived from the countryside?

Though Huo Shuyue subconsciously resisted believing otherwise, she knew in her heart that the odds of Gu Ci being just a normal girl were slim.

Previously, rumors at school about Gu Ci being a country bumpkin were likely the result of some misguided information. At the very least, regardless of Gu Ci’s medical skills, she certainly wasn’t some ignorant girl from the backwoods.

Hearing Shi Xuetong’s words, Dr. Gu only smiled, neither impatient nor annoyed. Instead, he pointed out the information on the medical report for Shi Xuetong to see. “Are you suggesting that Xiao Yang’s recovery these past days is the result of natural healing?”

Dr. Gu realized he had unconsciously developed a fondness for this young girl and instinctively did not want to see her misunderstood. More importantly, he trusted his own judgment: Xiao Yang’s recovery was no accident.

Shi Xuetong was startled by the sharply rising curve on the recovery chart. Even without understanding the medical terminology, she could grasp what the curve represented. Her face flushed red, and she suddenly found herself at a loss for words.

At this moment, the hospital director’s face broke into a triumphant smile, his tone firm as he said, “That’s exactly right, Dr. Gu. Young Master Xiao’s recovery is indeed not a coincidence, but it has absolutely nothing to do with this young lady’s acupuncture.”

He paused, then continued, “I haven’t yet mentioned that a week ago, we administered an experimental clinical drug to Xiao Yang, one we’re still developing. Judging by the timeline, it would have started to take effect within the last couple of days.”

The drug the director referred to was a new compound developed by their hospital, not yet on the market and still in clinical trials. Under normal circumstances, they wouldn’t dare use such an experimental drug on the Xiao family’s young master, nor would he himself have agreed. Only this time, the young master had personally requested a rapid recovery and applied for the clinical trial, which was why they dared to proceed.

As he spoke, the director turned to Xiao Yang for confirmation. Xiao Yang hesitated, then recalled, “Yes… that did happen.” Since there had been no obvious effects at first, he had forgotten about the drug entirely.

The director smiled faintly, then shot Gu Ci a disdainful look, his voice cold as he sneered, “Young lady, did you really think that a few random needles in Young Master Xiao’s leg would miraculously accelerate his healing? You should be grateful you didn’t worsen his condition and make his recovery even harder.”

Upon hearing this, Shi Xuetong immediately grew smug, her words dripping with derision. “Gu Ci, still pretending? Didn’t you hear what the director said? Xiao Yang’s speedy recovery has nothing to do with you. If you want to get close to him, at least use your head!”

Dr. Gu frowned, about to speak, when Gu Ci, who until now had ignored everyone except him, suddenly grew impatient. “Is it the RTC-1 extract?”

RTC-1 extract was derived from the healing cells of animals. It originated from the very research institute where Gu Ci worked. More accurately, RTC-1 had been developed in her own hands. That was why she retained clear memories of it and knew it intimately. What she hadn’t expected was for RTC-1 to be used in this context again, especially when she distinctly remembered…

It was only after the director’s mention that she realized the faint anomaly she’d detected in Xiao Yang’s body days earlier.

Upon hearing the name RTC-1 extract escape Gu Ci’s lips, the director stared at her, wide-eyed in disbelief. RTC-1 truly was the main component of their clinical drug—how could Gu Ci possibly know that?

But after a moment, he recovered and his gaze became even more condescending. “So you’d already done your homework before coming here to treat Young Master Xiao, had you? Such cunning at your age—remarkable indeed!” In the director’s mind, convinced he’d unraveled the truth, Gu Ci was nothing more than a fame-seeker trying to curry favor with Dr. Gu.

After the director’s explanation, Shi Xuetong became even more elated, embellishing her words further. “See? I told you—Xiao Yang’s recovery has nothing to do with Gu Ci. How could a couple of needles possibly help him? Clearly, she’s shamelessly claiming credit for the hard work of the hospital’s researchers!”

She pointed accusingly at Gu Ci, feigning heartbreak. “Gu Ci, it was bad enough when you stole someone’s spot in the Youth Olympics at school, but now you’re trying to steal the credit for a breakthrough drug at the hospital? Do you have any idea how hard our predecessors worked to develop this medicine? I’m ashamed to be in the same class as someone so shameless!”

With no one present knowing about the school or the forum gossip, Shi Xuetong spoke without restraint, her eyes gleaming with vindictive satisfaction. Today she meant to expose Gu Ci’s true colors to Xiao Yang.

Upon hearing that Gu Ci had even stolen a Youth Olympics spot at school, the director and the other doctors’ expressions grew even darker, their gazes toward Gu Ci filled with ever more disdain and contempt.