Shen Qingqing returned home, took a shower, spent some time with her two children, and after they fell asleep, she picked up her phone and went to the balcony.
She dialed Lu Junze.
"Qingqing, I'm so busy today," Lu Junze's voice carried a hint of exhaustion.
"If you need any help with company matters, you can tell me, and I'll help you," Shen Qingqing's words were filled with concern.
"Mhmm, I know Qingqing is the best." Lu Junze changed the subject, "I know why you called. You want to ask about the Xiao family."
"Yes, why didn't they come?"
"The old madam of the Xiao family had a car accident and is now in the hospital. It's said to be quite serious, and she's still in a coma. I wanted to visit the hospital today, but I couldn't spare the time. Would you go for me?"
"Okay."
It just so happened that Shen Qingqing wanted to visit but lacked a proper reason.
Early in the morning, as Shen Qingqing had the day off, she tidied herself up and went to the hospital.
As she approached the ward door, even before entering, she could hear voices from inside, faintly mixed with sobbing, and the helpless, somber comfort of a doctor.
"The old madam has a blood clot in her brain, pressing on the nerves, causing her to be in a coma. She's old and cannot withstand surgery. If she undergoes surgery, she might not survive. But if she doesn't, she won't wake up."
In simple terms, she was in a vegetative state.
Moreover, she was a vegetative patient who could pass away at any moment. She was currently alive only by relying on an oxygen mask; removing it would mean her death.
The female members of the Xiao family started crying even harder upon hearing this.
Even the men had red eyes, their grief overwhelming, "Mother, our mother..."
She recognized most of the people in the room, albeit only from the files she had obtained from Lu Junze that morning.
She knocked on the door. Xiao Wenyuan, the second son of the Xiao family, looked up, "Who are you?"
"Hello, I'm a friend of Lu Junze. My surname is Shen. I've come to visit the old madam." Shen Qingqing pushed open the door and walked in, her gaze gently sweeping over everyone's faces.
Zheng Nanrong, Xiao Wenyuan's wife, wiped away tears and said, "Thank you for conveying our thanks to Lu Junze. But with my mother in such a state, we can only regret missing his birthday banquet."
"It's fine, he doesn't mind."
Shen Qingqing's gaze subtly fell on Madam Xiao.
Although wearing an oxygen mask, the old madam's features bore a five-point resemblance to her mother in memory.
This was her maternal grandmother.
"Miss Shen?" Xiao Wenyuan found her behavior strange, staring at his mother incessantly. "Miss Shen, a hospital isn't a pleasant place. You've visited, and I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Perhaps you should leave now..."
He was politely asking her to leave, but Shen Qingqing seemed not to hear. "I heard what the doctor just said."
Sadness immediately appeared on the faces of Xiao Wenyuan and his wife.
The other Xiao family members were overcome with grief, and sobs erupted from the crowd, deeply affecting anyone who heard. The doctor nearby, however, thought the young lady was rather tactless.
Who would bring up such a sensitive matter so directly, poking at people's wounds?
"Miss Shen, let's step out for a moment and give them some space."
"I can't leave."
Shen Qingqing took two steps towards the bedside and was intercepted by Xiao Wenqi, the third son of the Xiao family. He had a fiery temper and spoke with immediate sarcasm.
"What's wrong with you? You suddenly show up and say these hurtful things. Are you here to visit or to stir up trouble?"
Xiao Wenyuan's expression was also displeased, but he didn't stop Xiao Wenqi.
Even some of the younger members of the Xiao family glared angrily at Shen Qingqing.
It was Zheng Nanrong who pulled Xiao Wenqi's sleeve, advising, "Third brother, don't yell. Mother needs rest."
Xiao Wenqi clearly held his second sister-in-law in high regard. Although still angry, he merely glared at Shen Qingqing and stood aside in silence.
Zheng Nanrong looked at Shen Qingqing and said gently, "Miss Shen, I'm very grateful that you came to see my mother. However, she needs to rest now, and it's truly inconvenient to receive guests. If we return home in the future, I will surely host you properly. I ask for your understanding today."
Her voice was soft, but it carried more weight than Xiao Wenqi's angry shouts.
Shen Qingqing said slowly, "I'm not here to cause trouble. I'm here to save someone."
Xiao Wenqi turned around abruptly, sneering dismissively, "You save people? Are you a doctor? Or an old Chinese medicine practitioner? You're just a young girl, what makes you think you can save someone?"
Xiao Wenyuan also frowned slightly, "Miss Shen, please don't be offended by my third brother's bluntness, but what you said is truly inappropriate."
Compared to the reactions of the two brothers, Zheng Nanrong was more thoughtful. She first asked the doctor if they knew Miss Shen. The doctor naturally shook his head.
She then said, "Miss Shen, we appreciate your good intentions, but we won't trouble you."
"Get lost!" Xiao Wenqi detested people who tried to ride on others' coattails. "If you expect to gain anything from our family, give up now!"
Shen Qingqing pursed her lips and was about to speak when the electrocardiogram suddenly emitted a warning.
Everyone panicked and rushed to the bedside, only to be separated by doctors and nurses. "The old madam is in critical condition! Quickly, prepare the defibrillator!"
The Xiao family watched nervously, their hearts filled with dread.
The old madam was a pillar of the Xiao family. If anything happened to her, they truly wouldn't know what to do.
"Make way."
A clear, cold voice sounded from behind.
The doctor was stunned. For some reason, he instinctively stepped aside and watched as Shen Qingqing walked forward, holding silver needles that appeared from nowhere.
She precisely inserted them into a vital acupoint on the old madam's head.
The doctor gasped. Was this girl here to assassinate the old madam?
"Quick, stop her! That's a vital acupoint! Inserting needles there will kill her!"
The Xiao family members went mad upon hearing this and rushed forward, but Shen Qingqing, without looking back, coldly ordered, "If you want the old madam to live, don't touch me!"
When performing acupuncture, it was most crucial to avoid disturbance, as instability of the needles could be fatal.
However, the Xiao family thought she was threatening them and stood frozen, not daring to move. Xiao Wenyuan forced a calm demeanor, "Miss Shen, we can discuss any demands you have, but there's no need to harm my mother..."
Xiao Wenqi was even more furious, "If anything happens to my mother, our Xiao family will never let you go!"
Shen Qingqing ignored them and calmly inserted another needle, observing the old madam's complexion.
The electrocardiogram gradually stabilized. The doctor was dumbfounded, and the Xiao family members belatedly looked at each other, but none dared to disturb her.
Shen Qingqing inserted three needles, each into a vital acupoint.
The doctor watched, heart in his mouth, until she withdrew the needles. Madam Xiao's complexion calmed down, and her breathing became steady. He stepped forward to examine her and said incredulously, "Miss Shen, how did you do it?"
Shen Qingqing collected her needles and rubbed her wrist, explaining that the intense focus required for acupuncture was also physically demanding. "Is the old madam out of danger now?"
"Absolutely. Not only that, but she's showing signs of waking up!"
The doctor's extremely certain statement was like a slap in the face to the Xiao family members. The more dismissive they had been earlier, the more their faces burned with shame now.