CHAPTER 416: CHAPTER 415

Just as Beisitian expected, Tian Zhi won first place without any suspense, the second place went to another student from the same school, and the third place was from the Anding Third Traditional Chinese Medicine School.

This made the leaders greatly relieved, especially the leaders of the Third TCM College. If all the top three were taken by Beijing, they would truly be embarrassed as the host.

After the competition, there were simple reviews. The vice director, named Zheng Qiwai, needed to return to Beijing urgently, so the award ceremony was moved to today with a shortened duration.

Everyone knew Zheng Qiwai must be very busy, so naturally, there was no disagreement with this request, and a notice was immediately issued.

The Beijing TCM Schools certainly had no problem with this; staying here an extra day just meant more expenses. If they could save them, they were more than willing.

Although Zheng Qiwai was the youngest among the judges, he spoke with a calm maturity. Most importantly, his medical skills were extremely high, superior even to those double his age present.

Zheng Qiwai gave a brief review. Though he didn’t say much, every sentence was very fair, pointing out strengths and weaknesses clearly, leaving no room for rebuttal and earning genuine respect. He also praised and encouraged the remaining contestants.

Zheng Qiwai personally presented the award to the first-place winner, and leaders from both schools presented the rest, symbolizing long-lasting friendship.

After the award ceremony, the guests gradually dispersed. Beisitian didn’t hurry to leave because she knew Tian Zhi would be returning to Beijing this afternoon, so she planned to go backstage to congratulate and bid him farewell.

When she reached backstage, Tian Zhi was happily chatting with two friends.

Lu Tao and Li Yong both greeted her as Sister Xiao Bei. They were regretful, originally planning to have lunch at her house today, only to find out they had to return in the afternoon, so there wouldn’t be time.

"When I go to Beijing in the future, you can also come to my place for a meal," Beisitian laughed.

After Tian Zhi’s explanation, they learned that Beisitian had a house in Beijing too and were instantly delighted.

The four were chatting when suddenly a voice came through.

"Xiao Bei! What are you doing here!"

The voice sounded somewhat familiar.

The four turned around to see Vice Director Zheng Qiwai of the Capital Medical Research Institute standing not far away, looking at Beisitian with utter shock.

Lu Tao and Li Yong opened their mouths in surprise. How did this big shot know Xiao Zhi’s cousin? Exactly what background did she have?

Initially, Tian Zhi was also a little surprised, but then he remembered she took part in that task, and even the director of the military hospital knew her, so knowing the vice director wasn’t strange at all.

The most shocked one here, however, was Beisitian. Although the vice director looked familiar to her, she was sure she’d never met him.

But evidently, Zheng Qiwai did know her!

"Vice Director Zheng, do you know me?" Beisitian looked at Zheng Qiwai; this was the second person who knew her, yet she didn’t know them.

Zheng Qiwai displayed a dumbfounded expression, clearly not expecting her to say that.

He glanced at Tian Zhi and the others, then said, "I’d like to speak with her alone for a moment."

Tian Zhi and the others exchanged looks, and Beisitian nodded to them, leading to their departure.

Zheng Qiwai fixed his gaze on Beisitian, filled with complexity. Beisitian felt somewhat uncomfortable being stared at and slightly frowned as she called out, "Vice Director Zheng?"

Zheng Qiwai regained his senses and said, "Don’t you dare say you don’t know me."

Beisitian’s mouth twitched slightly; she indeed intended to say that, because she genuinely didn’t know him!

"You’re right," Beisitian said helplessly, "Can you tell me how much I resemble the person you knew?"

Zheng Qiwai’s face darkened faintly, looking at Beisitian with a subtle, detectable anger, "You pretend quite convincingly."

Beisitian: "..." She didn’t understand why she felt helplessly misunderstood.

It’s broad daylight, nothing obscured, no way to mistakenly identify someone, yet Beisitian truly didn’t know him...

"Can you first tell me, what’s the name of the person named Bei you’re looking for?" Beisitian asked.

She found it peculiar, even having moments where she felt the person they were seeking was really her, thinking she lost some memory period, because it was too coincidental. Not only did the person look like her, but they also shared the surname Bei. If even the name matched...

Zheng Qiwai seemed incited by her repeated acting, striding forward and grasping her wrist tightly, pulling her in front of him.

Beisitian felt her wrist caught in a vise-like grip, causing immediate pain, but she didn’t utter a sound, glaring at Zheng Qiwai with angry eyes.

"I don’t know what you’re doing, nor what you’re thinking. Now that I’ve found you, don’t think you can escape my grasp!" Zheng Qiwai’s voice was cold, but there was a hint of urgency and fear.

Beisitian was in so much pain she couldn’t speak, her left hand reaching for scorching talisman powder, preparing to throw it hard at this person.

At this moment, a large hand intervened between them, gripping Zheng Qiwai’s arm firmly. Zheng Qiwai suddenly displayed a look of pain and immediately released Beisitian’s wrist.

Luo Xudong’s face was cold and stern, the veins on his arm bulged, indicating the strength with which he held Zheng Qiwai, causing the latter to sweat from pain.

"What are you doing?" Luo Xudong’s icy voice hit Zheng Qiwai like a giant ice block, chilling his entire body.

Zheng Qiwai used his other hand to pry at Luo Xudong’s fingers, realizing he couldn’t even budge them, his forehead strained with bulging veins as he gritted his teeth and said, "What are you doing!"

Luo Xudong tightened his grip, causing Zheng Qiwai to grunt, involuntarily lowering his head, then turned to ask Beisitian, "Who is he?"

Beisitian shook her head, "He’s the Vice Director Zheng Qiwai of the Capital Medical Research Institute, but I don’t know him."

Luo Xudong’s eyes flickered slightly, and he loosened his grip. Zheng Qiwai staggered back a few steps before regaining his balance, cradling his wrist in pain, unable to flex his fingers.

Luo Xudong turned to lift Beisitian’s arm, seeing a clear bruise on her fair wrist. His eyes narrowed, casting a dangerous look towards Zheng Qiwai.

Seeing this, Beisitian quickly grabbed his hand, whispering, "Just like last time, he knows me, but I don’t know him."

Luo Xudong frowned deeply.

Watching the interaction between the two, Zheng Qiwai felt extremely uncomfortable, his eyes getting slightly reddened, as he looked at Beisitian with an even more complex expression.