The Press Conference, Traditional Chinese Medicine’s Cheng Han Arrives!

In the large conference hall of the City Hospital, everything was set. Journalists had their equipment adjusted, and cameras were pointed at the front stage as the press conference officially began.

On the stage, there were three people sitting: Xu Xiuyuan, Huo Xingzhou, and Qiao Xi.

Qiao Xi's face bore faint scars, and her hands were wrapped in bandages. Journalists took countless photos of her injuries. She was still unaccustomed to such an environment and struggled with the bright lights that constantly flashed in her eyes.

Huo Xingzhou gently squeezed her wrist, whispering, "Don't be afraid. Today, no one will tarnish your reputation."

Qiao Xi slightly turned her head and looked at him deeply. After a moment, she nodded firmly.

As Mr. Huo had said, she would follow his lead. As long as she spoke the truth about what happened that day, everything would be fine.

Xu Xiuyuan was the first to speak. He took the microphone and his sharp voice echoed through the room. "Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the City Hospital press conference. I am Xu Xiuyuan, the administrative head of the hospital, and I will be presiding over today's session."

Xu Xiuyuan was a well-known figure, the dream of countless young women in Haicheng. He was young, accomplished, and from an illustrious family—the head of the hospital and the eldest son of the Xu family.

The reporters responded respectfully.

"Before we begin with questions, let us first hear from Dr. Qiao Xi, who will provide a statement on the events that transpired."

Xu Xiuyuan gestured toward Qiao Xi.

Qiao Xi pursed her lips, took a deep breath, and raised her head to meet the many cameras. She slowly began speaking.

"There are two rumors circulating online. The first is that I practiced medicine without a license, causing Wang Dafu's condition to worsen. The second is that I used my power to harm Wang Dafu and make him disappear."

She continued, her tone clear and composed. "At the time, Wang Dafu was being treated, and my supervising physician, Dr. Yan Shian, was present. My diagnosis and prescription were made under his supervision. During the treatment, Dr. Yan received a prank call and left. Wang Dafu took the opportunity to film a video and posted it online, claiming to be ill the next day."

Qiao Xi's explanation was logical and calm. "Second, regarding the claim that I used my influence to harm Wang Dafu, after he caused a scene at the hospital, my colleagues and I found it strange and went to the hotel where he was staying. We caught him smoking and drinking and took photos as evidence. In retaliation, he teamed up with the owner of Wanrentang, Zuo Feng, to kidnap me and destroy the video evidence."

"You can contact the Haicheng police, and they will confirm that Wang Dafu has been arrested."

These were the two points she needed to clarify.

The reporters whispered to each other, some immediately making calls to the police to confirm the information, before raising further doubts.

"Miss Qiao, the Haicheng police did arrest Wang Dafu, which confirms the kidnapping was real. But that doesn't prove everything you say is true, does it?"

"Miss Qiao, you claim to be slandered, but you have no evidence to prove your innocence, correct?"

"Qiao Xi, there are many questions surrounding this matter. The video we saw online is real. In the video, you are clearly practicing medicine without a license, and the prescription isn't signed."

The seasoned reporters were not so easily fooled. Moreover, some of them had been paid off and were secretly stirring up trouble.

The online public was also outraged. The netizens had already formed opinions and believed that Qiao Xi was just playing the victim to reduce her sentence.

Comments on the livestream rolled in rapidly.

"That bitch is just pretending! Playing the victim to seduce men and gain sympathy."

"Wang Dafu hasn't been sentenced yet. Who knows if he's the one being framed? After all, Huo Xingzhou has money and power. What's it to him to deal with an ordinary person?"

"She's just a country bumpkin. How many men has she slept with since she got into Haicheng's big hospital during her internship?"

The reporters in the room were also relentless.

"Qiao Xi, we need to see evidence."

A reporter from the local TV station demanded, "Everything must be backed by evidence. We're not accusing you, but as journalists, we can't just take one side's word."

"Qiao Xi, please provide evidence to prove your innocence."

Qiao Xi looked toward them, her body tense. The cold, impartial gazes felt suffocating.

Her hands slowly clenched, and the wounds on her hands began to hurt intensely. The white bandages started to seep with blood.

Suddenly, a warm and slender hand covered her eyes, plunging her world into darkness.

The man's voice spoke softly, "Don't look at them. Look at me."

Huo Xingzhou's voice echoed, calm and unyielding, "Qiao Xi, leave the rest to me."

He took the microphone from her hand, his deep voice amplified throughout the hall. "Let me provide the evidence."

The camera focused on him.

The door to the conference room opened with a creak. Sun Weimong, sweating profusely, hurried forward, holding a very ordinary-looking plastic bag, which he handed to Huo Xingzhou.

"Mission accomplished." Sun Weimong wiped his forehead and even winked at Qiao Xi.

He had finally delivered the items on time.

Qiao Xi was confused. She didn't know what he had brought.

The reporters craned their necks, trying to get a glimpse of the plastic bag, while cameras focused on it from all angles.

Huo Xingzhou opened the bag and pulled out a thick stack of certificates. His voice was cold as he began reading.

"This is the Traditional Medicine Apprenticeship Certificate…"

"Certificate of Completion…"

"Chinese Medicine Skill Qualification Certificate and Medical Practitioner's License…"

He pulled out a red certificate and said, "This is the medical license you've been asking for."

Huo Xingzhou flipped it open.

The certificate listed Qiao Xi's name, and it was registered five years ago.

Five years ago?

Qiao Xi was stunned.

The reporters in the room were also in shock.

Viewers watching the livestream were equally dumbfounded.

Only Vice President Ma Hongwen from the Chinese Medicine Association looked dark and scowling. He didn't even bother to examine the certificates properly before loudly declaring, "Everyone! Don't let them deceive you! Our Chinese Medicine Association has never issued these certificates!"

"So, these are fake!"

Fake certificates!

Yes!

That was the only reasonable explanation.

The reporters' minds worked quickly, and their microphones were practically shoved into Qiao Xi and Huo Xingzhou's faces.

"Qiao Xi, you just graduated and didn't have the qualifications to apply for a medical license. Registering five years ago is nonsense! As we all know, to apply for a medical license, you need to complete one year of internship first!"

"Huo Xingzhou, Ma Hongwen, Vice President of the Chinese Medicine Association, has confirmed that these are fake certificates! What do you have to say for yourselves?"

"If they're real, why didn't you show them to prove your innocence from the beginning?"

Ma Hongwen sneered in derision.

Fight with him?

They were digging their own graves.

Wanrentang was destroyed, and his finances were cut off.

He had long harbored resentment against Huo Xingzhou and Qiao Xi.

He stood up, his voice booming, "There are indeed two ways to obtain a medical license. One is by graduating from a formal school and completing the required internship. The second is through apprenticeship, which is more rigorous and requires the mentor to be a renowned doctor with many years of clinical experience…"

"As far as I know, Qiao Xi is a graduate of Haicheng University Medical School, a country bumpkin. How could she have the qualifications to study under a famous doctor? Who would be foolish enough to take her as an apprentice?"

Ma Hongwen spoke confidently, and most people seemed convinced by his words.

But Huo Xingzhou's gaze toward him was as cold as if he were looking at a corpse.

The quartz clock on the back wall of the conference room showed the hour and minute hand coinciding. A faint smile tugged at the corner of Huo Xingzhou's mouth. The traditional medicine expert had never been late—he was about to arrive.

Bang!

The door to the conference room swung open.

An elderly man in a white practice suit, with a head of long white hair and a powerful, seasoned presence, stepped into the room.

His deep, forceful voice resonated: "What if I'm the fool you're talking about?"