Chapter Twenty-Three: My Identity Is About to Be Exposed!

Hearing this, Shen Qingli finally breathed a sigh of relief and returned to her room ahead of time to wait for the doctor.

"Caicai, why do I feel that Xie Jinchuan's illness is rather unusual?"

[Is it?]

The system broke out in a cold sweat, wondering how to brush off her suspicion. Shen Qingli's attention, however, was drawn by the sounds at the door, where Housekeeper Zhang entered with Doctor Liu.

"Doctor Liu, thank you for your trouble," Shen Qingli said politely, immediately making space for the doctor.

Doctor Liu glanced at Shen Qingli, then began to examine Xie Jinchuan, who lay on the bed.

"How is Jinchuan?"

Old Master Lu walked in, casting a falsely concerned look at the bedridden Xie Jinchuan, clearly scheming something.

"Rest assured, Old Master, Jinchuan is absolutely fine," Shen Qingli replied with a strained smile, rolling her eyes inwardly. Truly, he missed his calling in the entertainment industry.

"Don't worry, Old Master," Doctor Liu said after his examination, puzzled. "Mr. Lu is suffering from overwork and lack of rest, which caused the fever. Some medicine and a bit of intravenous therapy will do the trick."

All the indicators were normal, and yet Xie Jinchuan’s body was burning hot. Still, there was nothing else to be done; otherwise, Doctor Liu would have no explanation.

"Thank you, Doctor," Shen Qingli said, glancing at Old Master Lu who seemed eager to speak, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.

"Don't worry, Old Master, Jinchuan will recover soon."

Old Master Lu had intended to take this opportunity to insert Lu Ziyi into the situation, but Shen Qingli’s remark blocked him instantly.

"Li girl, take good care of Jinchuan. If you need anything, just ask," Old Master Lu said with a smile, lingering no longer and turning to leave.

Watching him go, Shen Qingli rolled her eyes. They were all just putting on a show.

Once Doctor Liu had set up the IV and given a few instructions, he departed. Shen Qingli followed his advice, changing towels and medicines as needed.

When Housekeeper Zhang brought over some herbal medicine, Shen Qingli frowned.

"He won’t be able to take this in his current condition," she remarked.

Housekeeper Zhang mumbled something perfunctory, set the medicine on the table, and hurried off.

Staring at the bitter-smelling herbal decoction, Shen Qingli sighed.

Immediately, she brought the medicine to the bed. "Xie Jinchuan, I hate bitter things the most," she said, then took all the medicine into her mouth in one gulp.

The bitterness flooded her mouth, nearly making her gag. She forced herself to endure it and pressed her lips to the man’s, transferring the medicine directly into Xie Jinchuan’s mouth.

"My goodness, it’s so bitter!"

Afterward, she quickly stuffed several sweets into her mouth to relieve the taste. Checking the time, she settled herself at the bedside.

"Xie Jinchuan, wake up," she called to the man on the bed, but he remained motionless.

"Caicai, is he...?"

The system looked at its host speechlessly. [Host, he’s still alive.]

Shen Qingli smiled, keeping vigil at the bedside.

She didn’t know how long had passed before she suddenly awoke, relieved to see the IV drip was nearly finished. Thankfully, she hadn’t slept through it, or she would have had to restart.

Glancing out at the dusk, Shen Qingli looked at Xie Jinchuan’s flushed face and frowned.

"The fever hasn’t gone down."

She checked the thermometer. "Xie Jinchuan, can you hear me?" she asked, gently shaking him, but he remained unresponsive.

Sensing something wrong, Shen Qingli asked, "Caicai, is it normal for someone to be feverish and unconscious from morning till night?"

The system grew nervous at her doubt. [Ah, maybe the medicine isn’t working?]

Shen Qingli narrowed her eyes at the unconscious Xie Jinchuan, stroking her chin with a thoughtful air.

"Could it be... his coma is due to a loss of spiritual energy? Caicai, scan him."

[Host, I can only scan your physical condition, not someone else's.]

The system spoke quickly, wiping away an imaginary sweat.

"So, do you think it’s because of spiritual energy?"

Perhaps sensing the system’s guilt, Shen Qingli raised an eyebrow.

[Maybe... if the host needs spirit herbs, I know where to find them!]

The system quickly changed the subject.

As expected, Shen Qingli was immediately interested.

"Now we’re just hoping for a lucky break. Tell me the location, and I’ll go find the herbs."

Looking at Xie Jinchuan's flushed face, Shen Qingli spoke seriously. He’d helped her so many times; it was her turn to repay him.

"Go ahead, where are the spirit herbs?"

The system searched and found the spot with the strongest spiritual energy.

[Host, it’s on a medicine mountain in the outskirts, but...]

Before the system could finish, Shen Qingli packed her things and instructed Housekeeper Zhang to drive her to the mountain.

The system wanted to warn her, but before it could speak, Shen Qingli severed their connection.

She checked the time, estimating she’d be back by tonight, and then Xie Jinchuan would recover.

Yet, upon reaching the mountain, Shen Qingli craned her neck to see the distant herbs nearly out of sight, her mouth twitching.

"Do I have to fly up there?"

[Host, perhaps you should hear me out first...]

Shen Qingli frowned, "Out with it, don’t dawdle!"

The system whimpered, its host was too fierce!

[Host, we could try one of the smaller patches nearby.]

Shen Qingli rolled her eyes.

"Why didn’t you say so earlier?"

[Host, you were too excited, you wouldn’t listen...]

"So you’re blaming me, then?"

She raised her eyebrows and walked toward the place marked on the mental map.

[Not at all, not at all.]

The system watched Shen Qingli’s proud huff, feeling like it was the most aggrieved entity alive, suddenly so meek.

It was all because it hadn’t managed to keep her in check last time.

Indeed, one misstep brings regret for a lifetime.

Following the map, Shen Qingli arrived at the first spirit herb and saw a monkey eyeing it hungrily.

She whistled.

"Hey, Monkey Brother, come here, I’ve got bananas."

She waved the bananas she’d brought as snacks in front of the monkey.