The reporter took about five minutes to conduct a brief interview with Xue Shenyi. Having finally secured this opportunity, the reporter was eager to delve deeper and didn’t want to leave with just a few questions.

“Thank you very much, Divine Doctor Xue, for your time. However, the theories you’ve mentioned are quite abstract. Would you be able to demonstrate your skills?” the reporter asked.

Xue Shenyi was secretly displeased with the persistent questioning. Had it not been for Su Lang’s request to cooperate with the interview, he would have lost his temper. In the capital, his reputation was unquestioned. Coming to a smaller place like Qingling, it seemed everyone doubted his abilities.

“Alright, if anyone here needs a consultation, feel free to come forward,” Xue Shenyi announced to the wealthy onlookers.

“I do.”

“Me, me.”

“I’ll come, I’ll come!”

…

The wealthy crowd immediately showed their interest.

“You, come over,” Xue Shenyi said, pointing at a plump, lavishly dressed woman.

The woman, noticing she had been chosen, waddled over and sat down in front of Xue Shenyi, the chair creaking under her weight.

“Divine Doctor, please take a look at me,” she said, extending her chubby wrist.

Without taking her pulse, Xue Shenyi assessed her condition at a glance.

“You have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and moderate heart disease. Am I correct?” Xue Shenyi stated.

“Yes, yes!” the woman said in astonishment. “I went to the hospital six months ago, and the doctor diagnosed these conditions and prescribed medication, but nothing improved.”

“Truly a Divine Doctor, diagnosing just by looking,” someone exclaimed.

“Fat people usually have these conditions; even I could guess that,” another remarked.

“True.”

…

The crowd murmured among themselves.

Hearing their comments, Xue Shenyi sneered internally. People from smaller places have small minds, doubting a Divine Doctor like him?

Thinking this, Xue Shenyi told the woman, “The root of your problem is obesity. It’s simple: these ailments are due to excessive weight. Without losing weight, you can’t cure these diseases.”

“I want to lose weight, but I have a body type that gains weight just by drinking water. I can’t lose it,” the obese woman lamented.

“I have a weight loss remedy that will help you lose weight in a month without any side effects,” Xue Shenyi offered, eager to showcase his skills.

“Really? Then please prescribe the medicine, Divine Doctor!” the obese woman urged.

“My treatment practice requires payment first,” Xue Shenyi said calmly.

“Pay before treatment?” the woman questioned displeasingly.

“This has always been my practice’s rule. You don’t have to seek treatment if you disagree.”

Confident in his medical skills, Xue Shenyi adhered to this rule while treating influential figures in the capital. Surely, the people in a smaller place like Qingling weren’t more precious? He wouldn’t break his rule.

“How much do you need?” The eager woman, though displeased, didn’t lack money.

“This much,” Xue Shenyi said, holding up three fingers.

“Thirty thousand? Deal, I’ll pay right away,” the woman agreed happily.

“No,” Xue Shenyi shook his head.

“Three hundred thousand? Fine, I don’t mind spending money if I can lose weight.”

“Add another zero.”

“Three million? Are you robbing me?” the woman exclaimed, wide-eyed.

“If you think it’s expensive, you don’t need my treatment,” Xue Shenyi replied coldly.

“Hmph, you haven’t even cured Mr. Ma yet. I’ll wait until he wakes up before deciding,” the woman decided to be cautious due to the high price.

“If you come back later, the price will be at least double.”

“I think you’re money-crazy!” the woman retorted.

“Hmph, you’re blacklisted now. Even if you kneel and offer all your assets, I won’t treat you,” Xue Shenyi snapped, irked by the woman’s attitude.

“You…” Regretting her words, the woman worried that if the Divine Doctor could help her, she would indeed be willing to pay three million.

“Divine Doctor, I was impulsive earlier. Please forgive me,” she tried to mend things.

“Hmph, it’s too late,” Xue Shenyi sneered, pride in his status as a Divine Doctor brooking no reversal.

With this development and Xue Shenyi’s high charges, no one else dared to come forward.

The reporter was at a loss for words.

Unperturbed by their reactions, Xue Shenyi was waiting. Once Ma Hongsheng woke up, the situation would change dramatically.

Time passed, ten minutes ticking by quietly. The medicine introduced through the silver needle had taken full effect in Ma Hongsheng. Coincidentally, his fingers twitched slightly.

Cheng Rui, closely monitoring him, noticed this subtlety. Since Ma Hongsheng’s illness, she had cared for him and recognized this as a sign of waking up—unexpected at this time.

Nerves had her curling her toes, frustrated with Wang Haoran’s apparent unreliability despite his previous assurances.

“Water, water…” Ma Hongsheng murmured.

“He’s awake!”

The gathered crowd gasped in surprise.

Cheng Rui, biting her lip, felt disappointed in Wang Haoran. She dared not show her impatience, rushing to bring Ma Hongsheng a drink.

Water in hand, Ma Hongsheng fully awakened.

“Divine Doctor, truly miraculous!”

The crowd erupted with admiration directed at Xue Shenyi.

Witnessing this reaction, Xue Shenyi snorted arrogantly, resolved to increase his treatment fees due to their earlier doubt.

“Ahhh!!!”

Just as Xue Shenyi planned this profit, Ma Hongsheng clutched his head, screaming in agony.

“How… how could this happen?”

The unforeseen turn left Xue Shenyi at a loss.