Chapter 74: Chapter 74: Press Conference, National Doctor Cheng Han Arrives!

    City Hospital’s grand conference hall.

    The reporters had all adjusted their equipment, cameras focused on the podium, and it began!

    Three people were seated on the stage: Xu Xiuyuan, Huo Xingzhou, and Qiao Xi.

    Faint scars still adorned Qiao Xi’s cheeks, and both her hands were wrapped in gauze. The reporters took countless photos of her injuries.

    She wasn’t accustomed to such events and continually found herself blinded by the flashing lights.

    Huo Xingzhou gently squeezed her wrist and whispered, “Don’t be afraid. Today, no one can slander you.”

    ...

    Qiao Xi slightly turned her head and gazed deeply at him.

    Then, she nodded firmly.

    Mr. Huo said to listen to him. As long as she recounted what happened that day, everything would be fine.

    Xu Xiuyuan was the first to speak; he picked up the microphone and his crisp voice carried, “Good morning, everyone. Welcome to City Hospital’s press conference. I am Xu Xiuyuan, the administrative head of City Hospital, and I will be moderating today’s press conference.”

    Xu Xiuyuan was quite famous, the dream of countless young girls in Haicheng.

    Young, accomplished, impeccably virtuous, he was the proud scion of the Xu Family, head of City Hospital.

    The reporters showed respect.

    “Before we start with your questions, let’s allow Qiao Xi to give her account of what happened that day.”

    Xu Xiuyuan signaled Qiao Xi to speak.

    Qiao Xi pursed her lips, took a deep breath, and looked up at the many cameras.

    She began speaking slowly, “There are two rumors on the internet. The first is that I practiced medicine without a license, leading to the worsening of Wang Dafu’s condition. The second is that I used my power to make Wang Dafu disappear.”

    “At that time, Wang Dafu came for consultation. My supervising doctor, Yan Shi’an, was present throughout. My diagnosis and prescription were issued under the supervision of Dr. Yan. He left for a moment due to a prank call, and during that time, Wang Dafu took the opportunity to record a video and upload it online, then pretended to be ill and caused a scene the next day.”

    Her narrative was clear and neither servile nor overbearing.

    “Secondly, regarding using my power to make Wang Dafu disappear,”

    she extended her bandage-wrapped hands and said, “After Wang Dafu made a scene at the hospital, my colleague and I found it strange, so we went to the hotel where Wang Dafu was staying. We happened to catch him smoking and drinking, and took evidence. Out of revenge, he collaborated with Zhuo Feng, the owner of Wanren Hall, to kidnap me and destroy the video evidence.”

    “If you contact Haicheng Police, you can confirm the news of Wang Dafu’s arrest.”

    These were the two points she wanted to clarify.

    The reporters were whispering among themselves and even called the public security bureau on the spot to confirm the news, after which they began to question her.

    “Miss Qiao, Haicheng Police did indeed arrest Wang Dafu, which proves the kidnapping is true. But that doesn’t prove everything you said is correct.”

    “Miss Qiao, you claim you were defamed, but you have no evidence to prove your innocence. Is that correct?”

    “Qiao Xi, there are many doubts about this case. The video we saw on the internet is real. In the video, you indeed practiced medicine without a license, and the prescription is unsigned.”

    These seasoned reporters weren’t so easily fooled.

    Moreover, some had taken money and infiltrated the crowd, intending to stir up confusion.

    There was also a public outcry on the internet.

    Qiao Xi was stunned.

    The reporters present were also taken aback.

    The viewers watching the live broadcast were dumbfounded.

    Only Ma Hongwen, the Vice President of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, had a gloomy face—he hadn’t even bothered to look closely at the certificates before loudly declaring, “Ladies and gentlemen! Don’t be deceived by this couple! Our Association has never issued these certificates!”

    “Thus, all of these are fake!”

    Fake!

    Right!

    Only this explanation made sense.

    The reporters’ minds worked quickly, and their microphones almost poked in the faces of Qiao Xi and Huo Xingzhou.

    “Qiao Xi, you had just graduated and didn’t qualify to apply for a medical license. Registering five years ago is even more preposterous! Everyone knows that one must complete a year of internship before they can apply for a medical license!”

    “Mr. Huo, Vice President Ma Hongwen has personally confirmed that these are fake! What do you have to say for yourselves?”

    “If it’s real, why didn’t you show it in the first place to prove your innocence?”

    A contemptuous smile curved the corner of Ma Hongwen’s lips.

    Contend with him?

    Digging their own graves.

    Qiao Xi pursed her red lips and discretely tugged at Huo Xingzhou’s jacket. She felt heartbroken and guilty; Mr. Huo had actually gone to the extent of making fake certificates for her.

    Huo Xingzhou looked detached and calm, with no ripple in his eyes.

    “Who says there’s only one path to obtaining a medical license?” he spoke coldly and indifferently, like the last fistful of snow in the cold mountain winter.

    So cold that it discouraged any direct gaze, any sacrilege.

    Ma Hongwen scoffed with ridicule, intent on pushing them onto a dead end.

    With Wanren Hall wrecked, his funding was severed.

    Cutting off one’s livelihood was akin to killing one’s parents. He had long harbored resentment toward Huo Xingzhou and Qiao Xi.

    He stood up, his voice even louder, “There are indeed two paths to obtaining a medical license. The first is graduating from an accredited school, completing the internship, and passing the assessment. The second is more stringent, requiring an apprenticeship under a famous doctor with years of clinical experience...”

    “As far as I’m aware, Qiao Xi is a graduate from Haicheng University Medical College and also a country bumpkin. How could she possibly meet the conditions to apprentice under a famous doctor? Which blind doctor would take her on as a disciple?”

    Ma Hongwen spoke at length, convincing most of the crowd.

    And the way Huo Xingzhou looked at him was as if looking at a dead man.

    In the back wall of the conference hall, the quartz clock’s hour and minute hands aligned. Huo Xingzhou’s lips quirked in a slight smile— the National Doctor was never late, and it was time for his arrival.

    Clang.

    The doors to the conference hall were flung open.

    An old man with silvery hair, exuding energy and dressed in a white training outfit, appeared before everyone.

    His voice, weathered yet powerful, rang out, “What if I am that blind person?”