Meng Lihua mulled things over as she gently laid Nini on the bed.

"Nini, you have to be a brave girl, okay? Divine Doctor Jiang’s medical skills are incredible. It’s just that the acupuncture will hurt a little. You have to endure it, alright?" Meng Lihua gently tapped the tip of Nini’s nose.

"Don’t worry, Mom." Nini put on the air of a little adult and nodded solemnly.

She knew she was sick. Her vague memories were filled with her mother carrying her from one hospital to another in search of a cure.

Now that she could be treated right at home, she was overjoyed.

"Sister Meng, I’m about to begin." Jiang Xinghai had already taken out his pouch of silver needles, their varying lengths glinting brightly.

"Alright." Meng Lihua nodded firmly.

She stepped out of the room, pulled up a stool, sat down, and remained silent.

Jiang Xinghai, meanwhile, started making small talk with Nini, hoping to distract her so she wouldn’t be frightened by the sight of the silver needles in his hand.

Before beginning the acupuncture, Jiang Xinghai’s hands were already suffused with a layer of True Qi.

Each silver needle was enveloped in True Qi. This would reduce the pain when they pierced her acupoints.

"I’m very impressed with your courage, Nini. Let’s begin, shall we?" Jiang Xinghai said with a warm, gentle smile.

Nini responded bravely, "I can take it."

Hearing her words, Jiang Xinghai’s heart ached for her.

’It was rare to see a five-year-old girl be so sensible and strong.’

"Ngh!"

Even though Nini had prepared herself, she never expected the sensation of acupuncture to be so... indescribable.

And that was with Jiang Xinghai using one of his gentler techniques.

Fortunately, Nini immediately clenched her jaw and gave Jiang Xinghai a firm nod. "I’m okay, Uncle. Please continue."

"Good." Jiang Xinghai nodded to himself in approval.

His hands began to form Dharma Seals in the air—this was the opening technique of the Profound Medical Nine Needles.

He manipulated each needle for about five minutes. For the entire fifty-minute duration, Nini, amazingly, didn’t make a single peep.

This was not only due to Jiang Xinghai using a massive amount of True Qi to clear Nini’s meridians, but also thanks to Nini’s own fortitude.

Outside the door, this brought Meng Lihua to secretly wipe away her tears.

"Nini, you can get some sleep now."

Jiang Xinghai looked at Nini, her forehead beaded with sweat, as True Qi once again flared in his hands.

Nini tried to nod, but fell asleep before she could.

In truth, Jiang Xinghai could have put Nini into a deep sleep from the very beginning.

However, for this type of acupuncture therapy, it was crucial for the patient to remain conscious.

Now that the acupuncture was finished, Nini could finally get some deep sleep.

"Sister Meng, in ten minutes, I’ll use my hands to massage the areas around Nini’s acupoints. This will promote a thorough clearing of her qi, blood, and meridians, which in turn will soften her blood vessels, reverse the malformation, and completely repair the damage," Jiang Xinghai said, turning to look at Meng Lihua.

"Thank you, I really mean it." Meng Lihua covered her mouth, doing her best to compose herself and not cry.

"What I mean is, my hands will inevitably touch Nini’s body. I hope you’ll understand," Jiang Xinghai said formally.

Meng Lihua nodded. "I understand what you mean. Please don’t have any reservations. It’s an unavoidable part of the relationship between a doctor and a patient."

"Good." Hearing Meng Lihua’s words, Jiang Xinghai could finally put his mind at ease.

「Ten minutes later.」

Jiang Xinghai looked at Meng Lihua again. "One more thing. After I finish massaging Nini, I may need to sleep for about half an hour. I’ll have to ask you to help support me then, Sister Meng."

"Will you be that exhausted?" Meng Lihua asked, alarmed.

Jiang Xinghai gave a noncommittal smile. "Reconstructing Nini’s cardiovascular system is indeed incredibly draining, both mentally and physically."

"For the kindness you’ve shown today, I, Meng Lihua, will surely repay you." Meng Lihua nodded emphatically from the doorway.

After that,

Jiang Xinghai hesitated no more and retrieved the nine silver needles one by one.

The True Qi suffusing his hands had become almost liquid as he slowly pressed them onto Nini’s body.

This was a treatment method Jiang Xinghai did not use lightly.

It would consume ninety percent of his energy.

But his recovery would also be quick, requiring only half an hour.

「Fifteen minutes later.」

Jiang Xinghai’s clothes were soaked through with sweat.

Meng Lihua saw this clearly. With a towel in hand, she stood by the doorway, not daring to enter without permission.

「Another fifteen minutes later.」

Jiang Xinghai gathered the last of his energy to the point between his eyebrows and activated his X-ray Vision again for a mere three seconds.

"It’s done!"

He managed to utter those two words in his elation before turning to Meng Lihua. "Cover Nini up, and then... give me a hand..."

Meng Lihua rushed in. With one hand, she supported Jiang Xinghai’s arm, and with the other, she covered Nini with a thin blanket.

"Just get me to the sofa," Jiang Xinghai said, now extremely weak.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, Meng Lihua helped him to the sofa. "Get some rest. Don’t talk."

The moment his eyes closed, Jiang Xinghai passed out.

Meng Lihua took a deep breath. After wiping the rest of the sweat from his face, she brought over another thin blanket and draped it over him.

Only then did she turn her gaze back to the soundly sleeping Nini.

’Was it really over, just like that?’

The whole process was beyond her comprehension, so she could only tell herself to remain calm.

’Since they’re both fast asleep, I’ll go downstairs and look for that little object. I hope I really did drop it down there... otherwise, Jiang Xinghai must have taken it.’

Lost in thought, Meng Lihua closed the door and left.