The moment A-Lai saw who it was, he recognized his old wet nurse.
The woman, in turn, recognized A-Lai as the mischievous boy she had once taken care of.
Both of them froze, a sinking feeling in their hearts.
Before A-Lai or the woman could react further, Li Fang quickly introduced her mother, the middle-aged woman, explaining that she had come specifically to thank A-Lai for saving her daughter.
Li Fang's mother, Li Xiuqin, was in her forties. Having lived in the city for over a decade, the rustic charm of a young girl from a small mountain village had long since faded. The countless beauty products available in the bustling city had kept her looking youthful and vibrant, and she exuded the scent of jasmine perfume.
Li Xiuqin only visited Lei Family Village during holidays to see her elderly mother. The villagers often gossiped about her behind her back.
A-Lai had heard plenty of stories about her colorful past and remembered her well. However, with the attempted assassination still unresolved and not wanting to reveal too much with both Li Fang and Grandpa present, A-Lai decided to keep his thoughts to himself.
He quickly stood up to greet her.
Li Xiuqin eyed A-Lai up and down, unimpressed. Turning to Li Fang, she asked incredulously, "You secretive girl, you didn't tell me who saved you. I thought it was some three-headed, six-armed hero. Turns out it's just this brat, A-Lai."
Grandpa Lei, noticing the tension, stepped in with a warm smile, "We're from the same village and even neighbors. It's only natural for A-Lai to help out." He then changed the subject, saying, "Xiuqin, it's been a while since you visited the countryside. Your mother often talks about how much she misses you..."
Li Xiuqin replied, "Yes, I've been so busy. My mother has been in your care, and I won't forget your kindness."
They continued to chat about village matters, exchanging pleasantries.
Meanwhile, Li Fang pulled a magazine from her bag, excitedly showing it to A-Lai. "A-Lai, your story made it into a magazine!"
"Really?" A-Lai was surprised. "Is that true?"
Li Fang opened the medical journal and showed him the article titled "Curious Cases: The Mystery of a Lightning Strike," authored by Dr. Wang Zhi.
Li Fang began reading aloud, and A-Lai listened intently.
The article described A-Lai's condition following the lightning strike, the timely medical treatment he received at the hospital, and the strange events that followed. It discussed how lightning might have triggered latent biological electricity within the human body, the potential for harnessing this energy, the instability of bioelectric voltage, and the influence of environmental factors...
As A-Lai listened, his interest grew. He began to excitedly exclaim, "Wow, this is incredible!"
Li Fang, observing A-Lai, analyzed the situation calmly. She concluded that A-Lai was just an ordinary person without any supernatural abilities. The so-called "Heart Questioning Palm" was likely an exaggerated stress response triggered by the lightning strike.
A-Lai understood and sarcastically replied, "So, what you're saying is, I was just a cornered dog?"
Li Fang nodded, explaining that the potential he exhibited during the restaurant fight was probably temporary and induced by stress.
"Sigh," A-Lai sighed, "If only I could have this power all the time, able to use it whenever I wanted."
Li Fang, sensing that A-Lai was still caught up in his fantastical thoughts, felt a growing sense of dread. Remembering the sight of him with a broken arm after the fight, she raised her voice, "Do you understand? You're just an ordinary person. Stop daydreaming and being so full of yourself. Your so-called 'skills' are nothing more than stress responses. This is science—do you get it? Stop playing with magic tricks and pretending to be something you're not. Focus on preparing for college!"
A-Lai didn't like being accused of pretending, and her words left him feeling agitated and resentful. "And how do you know so much?"
Sensing A-Lai's displeasure, Li Fang softened her tone. "A-Lai, I admire your courage, but you should also listen to my advice."
After a moment of reflection, she decided to be straightforward. She explained her goals, how she was currently working while gaining basic medical experience, but was actually studying clinical medicine with plans to pursue a master's and possibly a doctorate. She hoped that A-Lai would focus on his studies as well, so they could stay together in the future.
Li Xiuqin, who had been eavesdropping on their conversation, grew increasingly uneasy as she saw how close the two had become. Despite wanting to lash out, she held back out of politeness.
Finally, Li Xiuqin announced, "It's getting late. I've got a couple of bottles of good wine in my car's trunk. Li Fang, why don't you take the old principal downstairs to get them? I'd like to have a private word with A-Lai."
Understanding her mother's intentions, Li Fang and Grandpa Lei reluctantly left the room.
As soon as they were out of sight, Li Xiuqin closed the door behind them.
A-Lai thought to himself, *Just as I wanted. I'll finally get the chance to interrogate you and find out more.*
Before A-Lai could say anything, Li Xiuqin spoke, "A-Lai, do you know what kind of room this is?"
A-Lai replied, "It's a VIP suite, isn't it?"
Li Xiuqin smirked, "This kind of private room is usually reserved for high-ranking officials. I pulled some strings to get you in here."
A-Lai responded gratefully, "Thank you, Auntie. I appreciate it."
Li Xiuqin then asked, "Do you like Li Fang?"
A-Lai grinned, "She's charming and smart. Who wouldn't like her?"
Li Xiuqin's expression darkened. "Then let me tell you something you might not like. You've always had those lecherous eyes—I've noticed it since you were a child. I've kept Li Fang away from the village all these years because I knew you had bad intentions. I never thought you'd still be lurking around, and now you've even followed her to this hospital."
Flustered, A-Lai tried to defend himself, "You've got it wrong! Our meeting here was just a coincidence."
He had hoped that his act of heroism in saving Li Fang would change her opinion of him, but her harsh words brought back memories of his childhood when he had once playfully kissed Li Fang and was caught red-handed. He had been punished by being forced to kneel for three days, allowed only water and no food.
He had thought she might have forgotten about it, but clearly, she hadn't. He felt thoroughly embarrassed.
Li Xiuqin continued with a sneer, "They say lightning strikes are often fateful. Why did it have to strike you? You think it was just a coincidence? Maybe it's a sign that you need to take a hard look at yourself and stop lying and sneaking around."
A-Lai bit back his frustration, knowing she was trying to get under his skin. He smiled and said, "That was a long time ago. Yes, I did sneak into your house and eat the rice crust from your grandmother's jar, and yes, you caught me and punished me. But I've grown up since then—I haven't done anything like that in years. You can't hold that over my head forever, can you?"
"Don't talk back to me!"
"Don't try to joke your way out of this!"
Li Xiuqin pressed on, "Let's get to the point. It's just the two of us, so I'll be brief. First, you need to adjust your attitude and listen carefully."
For Li Fang's sake, A-Lai held back his irritation and thought, *I'll let you play the elder for now.* He replied, "Go ahead, I'm listening."
Li Xiuqin coldly stated, "Li Fang has graduated from a prestigious medical school and is pursuing further studies. She has a bright future ahead of her."
Then she added, "But you're still just a high school student who works odd jobs on construction sites. You were even held back in elementary school. You and Li Fang are not on the same level, so I believe the two of you are not suitable for each other."
A-Lai lowered his head and replied, "Auntie, I understand what you're saying. I'll work hard."
Li Xiuqin, sensing that A-Lai hadn't fully grasped her meaning, grew increasingly stern...