Seeing that he didn't respond, Grace spoke again, "Excuse me, I'm here to see Doctor Chen. Could you please let her know?"
"You?"
Only a single word drifted out from behind the beaded curtain, carrying a hint of lazy surprise due to its high-pitched tail.
Grace, feeling unwell, became impatient. "Yes, it's me. Could you please hurry? I'm not feeling well."
Saying this, she found a nearby chair with a cushion and awkwardly perched herself on it.
A sick person has no dignity, and she couldn't care less about her odd posture.
The man closed his book and used it to push aside the beaded curtain. At this moment, his slightly inquisitive face was fully revealed.
Grace looked at him. How should she put it? The moment she saw him, even though her buttock and thigh were twisted uncomfortably, she didn't feel awkward.
He appeared cold and indifferent, as if he had no interest in taking on any business. Despite the vast modern internet showing her many beautiful faces, this man's features surpassed them all! His eyes were as clear and cold as stars, his nose was straight, and his features were sharp and defined, making it hard to look away!
Interestingly, Grace felt a faint sense of familiarity with him...
This was strange. She had read the prequel of Empress Lu and knew about some people in this world, but she had never seen their faces. Where did this familiarity come from?
"Where do you feel uncomfortable?"
The man walked out slowly, speaking in a leisurely manner while glancing at Yun Xiangyi and Hua Xiangrong. When his gaze swept over them, they both shivered slightly, their knees seemingly weak!
Despite feeling a bit cowardly, Grace understood their reaction.
Because not only did this man look good, but his voice was also excessively pleasant!
"Miss!" Yun Xiangyi called her softly, her voice trembling.
This was likely a reminder for her not to stare.
Grace gestured for her not to worry. As their time-traveling master, she knew how to maintain her composure.
However, this man's commanding presence suggested he was not just an ordinary apprentice; at the very least, he must be the senior disciple of the master!
And since Doctor Chen wasn't here, was she meeting someone important? If so, could this man be connected to her guest? Given his indifferent attitude, it was best to be cautious.
She spoke with courtesy, "I have an abscess that causes me great discomfort, making it hard to sleep or eat. I came here at night seeking treatment."
The man asked, "Have you applied any medication?"
"Yes, but it didn't help."
"Where is the abscess located?"
Such a question was clearly inappropriate to answer!
Grace remained silent, maintaining her dignity.
The man then looked at Hua Xiangrong.
Hua Xiangrong, the fool, immediately responded, "It's on her bu—"
Grace quickly jumped up and covered her mouth!
The man glanced at her panic-stricken face, paused for three seconds, and said, "You came at a bad time."
"What do you mean?"
"She's not here."
Grace was dumbfounded, "Not here?"
"Yes," the man said, holding his book and sitting down. "She had something to attend to and left the city."
"That's impossible! My guard just saw her!"
"She left right after seeing him."
Grace looked at him, suspecting he was lying!
She looked around the unusually quiet surroundings and suddenly thought of a question, "Who are you?"
This man didn't seem like an ordinary person. His attitude suggested he wasn't just an apprentice in the clinic. And if Doctor Chen had left the city, who could he be?
The man looked at her and slightly furrowed his brows.
"Are you a bandit?"
Grace became more alert and took a step back. Since he didn't explain nor mention Doctor Chen's whereabouts, had he possibly kidnapped her?
Earlier, Hua Xiangrong had seen Doctor Chen, who mentioned expecting a distinguished guest. This man didn't seem like an apprentice, but could he be the esteemed guest? But why would the host leave the guest alone here? It wasn't impossible for a weak woman running a clinic to be targeted by criminals!
Faced with her question, the man remained unfazed, nonchalantly sipping tea.
He now seemed even more like a bandit waiting for prey!
Grace was afraid of death.
Whether or not he was a criminal, this place was unsafe! She signaled Hua Xiangrong and Yun Xiangyi with her eyes and turned to leave!
However, in her haste, she forgot her limited mobility. In a blink, her butt hit the chair back, and an intense pain shot through her entire body!
The sudden pain made Grace's mind go blank! Amid the startled cries of the two women, she uncontrollably fell to her knees, landing right by the man's feet!
"Miss!"
After the exclamation, the room fell silent.
After a long pause, the man spoke, his voice restrained, "You don't need to be this devout."
Grace wanted to dig a hole and hide! But the pain was so intense she couldn't care about her embarrassment! The abscess had long been red and swollen; even without moving, it was unbearably painful, let alone after such a collision!
Without exaggeration, Grace was in so much pain her vision blurred!
"Miss!"
Yun Xiangyi and Hua Xiangrong knelt down to help her, but their touch caused more pain, making Grace curl up again!
The man, seemingly unable to stand it anymore, put down his cup and squatted down, "Where is the abscess?"
This time, Yun Xiangyi couldn't hide it, pointing to Grace's left buttock, "Here!"
The man was silent for three seconds.
Grace wasn't being coy, trying to cover it up!
The main issue was she didn't know his background. Who knew if he was a decent person or a scoundrel taking advantage?!
And wasn't it already a socially dead moment after that fall? Did he still need to see such an embarrassing spot?
She held onto her skirt, determined to protect her dignity!
Yun Xiangyi also felt it was inappropriate, raising her head to the man, "Maybe you shouldn't—"
"The abscess is near the Zhibian point, close to the Baolai point. It looks like you came at night because you couldn't bear it anymore, right? If an accident happens, these points could affect the condition of her legs.
"If you don't want her to become lame, the abscess must be drained immediately and treated with medication."
The man didn't even lift his head, his tone cold and serious.
Yun Xiangyi was speechless, looking at Grace.
Grace felt these two were useless! They had seemed so tough while fighting Xu Chong during the day!
"We're leaving..."
She spoke while trying to stand up, but before she could finish, she was suddenly lifted by her collar and placed on a nearby couch!
"How dare you! You dare to molest me!..."
Facing such an incident, shouting was necessary, and struggling was a must! But before she could finish saying "molest," her skirt was already loosened!