Who the Hell is the Mistress?

Dr. Yan nodded with satisfaction. "What's the treatment for an asthma attack?"

This was no longer about identifying acupuncture points; it had turned into a private diagnostic test.

Qiao Xi glanced at him and responded seriously, "The main points are Fengchi and Dingchuan. For cold-induced asthma, add Baihui, Qihai, and Guanyuan. For heat-induced asthma, add Quchi, Dazhui, and Fenglong."

As she spoke, she performed the acupuncture, her techniques precise and even including replenishment and draining methods.

Dr. Yan was so impressed that he found inspiration in her approach. Her technique bore a resemblance to the long-lost Cheng family acupuncture style. However, it was widely rumored that Zhuo Feng, the apprentice of Cheng Han, refused to see patients unless they were connected to Second Young Master Huo. Whether this was arrogance or fear of being exposed remained unclear.

"How about infertility? How would you treat that?"

"Infertility can be broadly categorized into four types. For kidney deficiency and a cold uterus, use Fuliu and Mingmen. For liver qi stagnation..."

She spoke fluently and confidently, her bright eyes shining with enthusiasm. Her radiant face seemed to glow, while Ye Manman paled, her heart filled with dread.

"I've never heard of your treatment method before," Dr. Yan admitted, intrigued. "What's the clinical efficacy like?"

"I haven't treated a case yet," Qiao Xi said, slightly embarrassed.

"Well, I heard you don't have a mentor. Would you like to assist me from now on?" Her theoretical knowledge was so solid she could almost conduct consultations independently.

"Sure!"

Qiao Xi's eyes curved with a smile as she nodded.

The other students reacted with mixed expressions. It was rare for Dr. Yan to take on trainees, and Qiao Xi had just struck gold.

Recalling the wager between Ye Manman and Qiao Xi, the students cast pitying glances at Ye Manman.

The scores for the internship assessment were announced on the spot.

Qiao Xi was the undisputed first place.

Meanwhile, Ye Manman, shaken by her poor performance, failed to pass.

"The assessment is over. Further arrangements will be made by Dr. Wu," Dr. Yan said before leaving with Dr. Li.

The remaining interns exchanged whispers, their previous disdain and mockery of Qiao Xi replaced by admiration and envy.

"Qiao Xi, you've been hiding your skills from me to trick me into betting with you!"

Ye Manman ground her teeth. "Feeling smug now, aren't you?"

"Who's been targeting whom all this time?" Qiao Xi replied calmly. "A bet is a bet."

"Qiao Xi, we were college roommates! Are you really so heartless?" Ye Manman knew that losing this job would leave her without income. With Chen Xu bankrupt, how would she pay off her debts?

"If I had lost today, you'd be gloating and kicking me out," Qiao Xi said flatly.

"Fine, I'll leave! But remember, Qiao Xi, you forced me to do this!" Ye Manman snapped angrily.

Someone in the crowd murmured, "Even without Qiao Xi, Ye Manman failed the assessment and would've been dismissed anyway."

Hearing this, Ye Manman shot the speaker a glare and stormed off in humiliation.

Qiao Xi exhaled deeply, her tension finally dissipating.

She couldn't wait to share the good news with Mr. Huo.

Walking briskly toward Room 2106, her steps were light, her complexion radiant. Huo Xingzhou looked up as soon as he heard footsteps echoing down the hallway.

When her face appeared in his line of sight, he smirked. "Judging by your expression, you must've come in first."

"Yes!"

Qiao Xi nodded eagerly, lifting her chin like a child seeking praise.

Unable to resist, Huo Xingzhou reached out and lightly scratched her chin. Qiao Xi froze, her cheeks gradually turning crimson.

"Mr. Huo, why are you treating me like a cat?"

Her soft, sweet voice made her seem even more like a cat.

"Well, do you see yourself as a house cat or a wild one?" he asked, amused.

"And which do you prefer?" she teased, clearly in high spirits.

His gaze deepened, and his throat bobbed.

That night... she had been like a wild cat in the throes of spring.

"I like both," he replied.

Blushing under his intense gaze, Qiao Xi stammered, "I—I have to get back to work."

"Alright."

At that moment...

An anonymous post appeared on Haicheng University's forum: "Exposing the Scandals of the 'Pure' Medical Department Beauty: Mistress to a Wealthy Married Man and Kept Woman of Many Sponsors."

The post skyrocketed in popularity.

It included candid photos of Qiao Xi entering various luxury cars and alleged photos of her kissing and hugging a "patient" in the hospital. Both faces were clearly visible, and Huo Xingzhou's striking features were unmistakable.

"Medical student Qiao Xi is accused of using her internship to seduce wealthy married men. The man in question is rumored to be Huo Xingzhou, the second son of the Huo family, who recently entered into a marriage of convenience."

The anonymous poster continued, "She's been involved with many men before. At a class reunion, she got drunk and left with a stranger. She even kept leading on Chen Xu from the medical department while flaunting her luxurious lifestyle funded by sponsors."

Chen Xu himself chimed in to testify: "Qiao Xi is nothing but a tramp, a public bus! She used me for money and then climbed higher. To get rid of me, she even had her sponsor bankrupt my family!"

The post quickly garnered tens of thousands of views, sparking thousands of comments. The university administration took immediate notice.

Soon after, Qiao Xi was called to the department head's office.

Dr. Wu scrutinized her. "Qiao Xi, you've made quite a name for yourself. This time, it's not up to me. The dean and hospital management will decide your fate."

"Take a look at this."

Qiao Xi took the phone and read the forum post, her face darkening.

"These claims are false," she said firmly. The intimate photos were staged, taken from misleading angles. There was no way she would... not while sober.

"The photos have been verified as authentic. The university has demanded that you return to explain yourself. Your internship is suspended."

Dr. Wu waved her off impatiently. "Now leave. You've tarnished the hospital's reputation."

"Dr. Wu, I—"

"Get out! You've caused enough trouble."

Swallowing her anger, Qiao Xi clenched her fists and left the office.

Glancing at her phone again, she was almost certain the post had been made by Ye Manman.

Speak of the devil, Ye Manman appeared, carrying a box of belongings. She deliberately bumped into Qiao Xi, sneering.

"If I'm going down, you're coming with me," Ye Manman spat. "Oh, and I've got one last surprise for you. See that shrew over there?"

She pointed at a sharp-featured middle-aged woman at the end of the hallway.

Then, in the crowded hospital corridor, Ye Manman threw her box to the ground and began shouting.

"Everyone, come look! This is Dr. Qiao Xi, who seduces married men! If you're here with your husbands, better keep them close, or she'll snatch them away!"

"Yes! She's completely unprofessional!"

Wu Yachun and a few other interns chimed in, fueling the commotion.

"This department can't keep her! Even Haicheng University's forum is exposing her! She's nothing but a mistress!"

"Fire her! Fire her!"

As they egged on the crowd, the middle-aged woman charged at Qiao Xi, shoving her hard.

"It's because of vixens like you that families are ruined! Mistresses deserve to die!" she screamed, grabbing Qiao Xi's hair and raising her hand to slap her.

Qiao Xi swiftly intercepted, gripping the woman's wrist with a firm yet controlled motion. Just as she was about to push her away, a familiar deep voice echoed.

"Who the hell is the mistress?"

Startled, Qiao Xi turned to see Huo Xingzhou sitting in his wheelchair, his expression icy, his voice like a blade.

It was the first time since she'd met him that he had cursed.