Chapter 49 Dr. Gu Takes the Blame

The director’s eyes brimmed with resentment as he spoke coldly, “Dr. Gu, you are truly calculating—your connections run deep enough to contact the Ivy Research Institute directly. I must admit, I’m impressed.”

His words made it clear that he believed it was Dr. Gu who had summoned the people from the Ivy Research Institute so swiftly. Otherwise, why had the Institute ignored this matter for months, only to be alerted on the very day Dr. Gu learned of it, leading them to immediately send a warning to the Medical Research Institute?

Dr. Gu realized the director was mistaken but did not bother to explain. In his view, the real issue was not who had reached out to the Ivy Research Institute, but whether the RTC-1 extract would have any adverse effects on the clinical subjects.

Gu Ci, meanwhile, touched her nose, feeling a bit awkward.

In the end, the director and the research institute staff left in dejection, leaving only Dr. Gu, Gu Ci, Xiao Yang, and the others in the room.

Shi Xuetong, still confused about the situation, shouted at Gu Ci, “Gu Ci, it’s all because of you! If not for you, Xiao Yang would have recovered by now! Are you so unwilling to see him get better?”

Seeing no one refute her, she continued, “That Ivy Research Institute is really something—they have something so effective, yet they refuse to share it. Giving a little to others wouldn’t hurt them at all! Why are they so selfish?”

Dr. Gu’s brows furrowed sharply, and his words were now edged with irritation. “Young lady, if you don’t know the truth, don’t speak recklessly. The Ivy Research Institute is the most prestigious research center in our state—they have contributed immeasurably to Mianzhou. They will not tolerate your slander!”

He had already disagreed with Shi Xuetong’s earlier remarks, but since she was still young, he hadn’t intended to argue. Yet he hadn’t expected her to start badmouthing the Ivy Research Institute—a place revered and respected by everyone in Mianzhou. To hear her call them selfish was simply intolerable, even for Dr. Gu.

Faced with Dr. Gu’s rebuke, Shi Xuetong faltered, her voice stammering, “But… but isn’t Xiao Yang fine now? And he’s recovering so well.”

“That’s enough, Shi Xuetong!” Huo Shuyue, also finding Shi Xuetong thoughtless, looked anxiously at Xiao Yang and asked Dr. Gu, “Dr. Gu, how is Xiao Yang’s health now? He took that special medication for four days—are there any side effects?”

From the earlier exchange between Gu Ci and the director, she had gleaned that the so-called T-extract was not only problematic in terms of usage rights, but likely harmful to the human body. This was something Huo Shuyue absolutely could not accept.

Dr. Gu glanced at the analysis report, his tone softening. “At the moment, there’s no sign of any issues with Xiao Yang’s health. But if he continues to take it, I can’t guarantee the same.”

Dr. Gu’s words were, in fact, a very gentle way of putting it.

In truth, if Xiao Yang continued with the special medication containing the RTC-1 extract, the probability of future health problems was nearly one hundred percent. Dr. Gu had only spared the director of Sacred Heart Hospital’s dignity because Xiao Yang’s course of medication had not lasted long.

Hearing this, Huo Shuyue relented. Though she was eager for Xiao Yang to recover and join the competition, her main concern was always his well-being. At worst, she could apologize to Cao Yue and the others on Xiao Yang’s behalf later.

Shi Xuetong, unaware of these implications, rolled her eyes in secret and muttered under her breath, “He’s fine… They’re just jealous someone else made it first…”

After all this, Dr. Gu remained, turning to Gu Ci with a gentle tone. “Young lady, will you continue his acupuncture?”

Gu Ci nodded. “Once today, and once the day after tomorrow.”

“May I observe while you perform acupuncture?” Dr. Gu’s gaze was intense and eager, making it impossible for Gu Ci to refuse. She already had no ill feelings toward him; after all, he had unwittingly taken the blame for her earlier.

Shi Xuetong hung her head, lost in thought. She glanced up to see everyone looking at Gu Ci as if she were about to work a miracle, and she could not help but sneer. In her view, the renowned Dr. Gu brought in by Huo Shuyue was overrated—nothing but an empty reputation! Otherwise, why would he trust Gu Ci’s acupuncture over the special medication developed by a large hospital like Sacred Heart?

What she didn’t know was that Dr. Gu’s fame spanned the globe, while Sacred Heart was merely a well-known local hospital in Songdu, not even worthy of comparison to the research base. The gulf between them was insurmountable.

It was ignorance that bred her narrow-mindedness, making her unwilling to believe anything beyond her understanding.

Her eyes flickered, and she suddenly announced, “Xiao Yang, Shuyue, I just remembered something I need to do. I’ll step out for a bit.”

Neither Xiao Yang nor Huo Shuyue paid her any mind, simply responding before turning their attention elsewhere. Their hearts were in turmoil—Dr. Gu actually trusting Gu Ci, allowing her to take charge while he merely observed.

Xiao Yang was at least somewhat prepared; he knew of Gu Ci’s extraordinary abilities and could accept her excelling in yet another field. Huo Shuyue, however, was entirely stunned. The special medication, painstakingly developed by Sacred Heart Hospital, had failed. Even the world-renowned orthopedic expert Dr. Gu had no solution—and yet, in the end, it was Gu Ci who could help?

Before they could dwell on it, Gu Ci began the acupuncture.

Her needle landed on Xiao Yang’s leg, her brow tightening almost imperceptibly.

Then, needle after needle fell with the grace of flowing water, expertly placed on his leg.

Xiao Yang felt a tingling, electric sensation rising from deep within his bones, a growing itch that intensified and slowly spread from his legs throughout his body.

This sensation was familiar to him, having experienced Gu Ci’s acupuncture before, but this time it was stronger, more potent.

Dr. Gu’s gaze was filled with admiration. Acupuncture required a mastery of acupoints, angles, directions, and force. Yet Gu Ci’s needles were swift and precise; from start to finish, her hand did not tremble in the slightest.

For someone so young to demonstrate such exquisite skill—she was truly a prodigy, worthy of awe.

What a pity…