Chapter 206 What Reward Do You Want
Guadalupe's downfall was complete, his cries for mercy echoing unanswered in the sterile hallway. Justice, swift and merciless, had been served.
Felix, relieved that James harbored no ill will towards him, watched the scene with mixed feelings of satisfaction and apprehension.
As James and Jennifer prepared to leave, a young man, barely out of his teens, approached them. He bowed deeply, his face etched with remorse. "Dr. Smith, Dr. Johnson," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm sorry for our behavior. We were wrong to doubt you."
James, who had been ready to dismiss the entire family as rude and unreasonable, paused, surprised by the young man's sincerity. Jennifer, her anger melting away, offered a small, forgiving smile.
"It's alright," James said, his voice neutral.
The young man, sensing their lingering reservations, pressed on, his eyes pleading. "Dr. Smith, I know we were wrong. But please, can you help my grandfather? He's a good man. He only went to that Western clinic because we insisted. It's our fault he's suffering. Please, Dr. Smith, you're our only hope." His desperation was palpable, his voice trembling with fear for his grandfather's life.
His words, raw and heartfelt, touched a chord in James's heart. He saw the young man's genuine concern and filial piety that shone through his desperation. He hadn't resorted to insults or threats, and his demeanor was in stark contrast to the other family members.
Jennifer, her heart softening, wanted to speak and offer words of comfort, but she knew the reality of the situation. Even the most renowned hospitals had difficulty treating strokes of this severity.
The other family members, drawn by the young man's plea, gathered around, their faces a mix of hope and despair. They bowed, echoing his apology, their eyes filled with the weight of their expectations, begging James to work his magic.
The commotion drew stares from the hospital staff. Nurses and doctors paused, shaking their heads at the family's misplaced faith in a young, traditional medicine practitioner. Even though they had seen James's commanding presence and knew Felix held him in high regard, they still believed he couldn't cure a stroke.
After a moment of contemplation, James spoke, his voice calm and measured. "Let's return to the Hall of Benevolent Medicine." He wouldn't offer them false hope, but he couldn't turn away from their desperation.
The family, overjoyed, showered him with gratitude, their earlier animosity forgotten.
Back at the clinic, Jennifer pulled James aside, her brow furrowed with worry. "James, are you sure about this? This isn't like treating a simple cold. His condition is severe."
James smiled reassuringly. "We have to try, Jennifer. We are doctors."
Jennifer sighed, knowing he was right. She watched as James approached the elderly man, his touch gentle as he checked his pulse. Her heart was a mixture of admiration and anxiety.
The clinic, usually bustling with patients, was eerily quiet as James began his examination. The family members watched, their faces etched with a mixture of hope and skepticism. Even the two interns, eager to learn from the renowned Dr. Smith, couldn't help but feel a sense of apprehension.
After a thorough assessment, James began his treatment. He moved with quiet confidence, his hands deftly manipulating the silver needles, his expression focused. This was not the simple acupuncture Jennifer was accustomed to; this was something more powerful.
The air crackled with an unseen energy as James worked, his brow furrowed in concentration. Even those who didn't understand traditional medicine could sense something extraordinary was happening.
After what felt like an eternity, James withdrew the needles, his breathing slightly labored. He wiped the sweat from his brow and turned to the anxious family.
"He'll need to focus on his diet, nutrition, and exercise," he said, his voice firm. "And most importantly, he needs to talk to stimulate his brain function. If he follows these instructions, he should make a full recovery."
"He's cured?" one of the family members gasped, his voice trembling with disbelief.
As if on cue, the elderly man, his face no longer slack, moved his hand, his fingers flexing. A small smile spread across his lips, and he looked at his family, his eyes clear and bright. "Thank you," he rasped, his voice weak but steady.
The family erupted in cheers, tears streaming down their faces as they crowded around the old man, their joy palpable. The strong son, his eyes shining with gratitude, dropped to his knees before James. "Dr. Smith," he choked out, "you're a miracle worker! Thank you! Thank you!"
The others followed suit, their earlier doubts forgotten as they expressed their heartfelt gratitude.
James, flustered by their display, quickly helped them to their feet. "It was nothing," he said, his cheeks flushing slightly. "It's what any doctor would do."
He prescribed a month's worth of herbs and sent them on their way, their joy infectious.
The interns, their eyes wide with admiration, approached James, eager to learn the secrets of his incredible skill. Jennifer, however, said nothing. She stood to the side, her gaze fixed on James, her heart overflowing with a mixture of pride and something... more.
'He was more than just a skilled doctor. He was a good man, a compassionate man,' she pondered, finding herself falling for him all over again.
James, catching her eye, felt a surge of warmth spread through his chest. He had grown accustomed to her cool demeanor and her carefully constructed walls. Seeing the former guard in her eyes replaced with admiration filled him with a sense of satisfaction he couldn't quite explain.
"What?" he asked, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "Don't tell me you're impressed."
Jennifer, flustered by his teasing tone, quickly averted her gaze. "Don't let it go to your head," she mumbled, busying herself with sorting herbs.
James chuckled, enjoying her flustered state. He moved closer, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "So, about that reward..."
Jennifer's heart skipped a beat. "What reward?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"For saving the day, of course," James said, his eyes twinkling.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Jennifer said, her cheeks warming under his intense gaze.
"Oh, I think you do," James said, his voice husky. He leaned closer, his breath warm on her ear. "I think you owe me... a kiss."
Jennifer froze, her breath catching in her throat. She had never been good at expressing her feelings, and her insecurities always held her back. But as she looked into James's eyes, she realized she didn't want to hold back anymore.
She leaned in, her lips brushing against his, a silent promise of more to come.
Chapter 207 A Trip to M City
Jennifer's startled reaction to James's request drew curious glances from the two interns. She quickly composed herself, her face returning to its usual indifferent expression. Her heart was still racing from the unexpected closeness. She shot James a warning look, silently scolding him for his boldness.
"What do you think you're doing?" she hissed, stepping back. His nearness, the warmth of his body so close to hers, sent shivers down her spine.
"About that reward..." James began, his voice hesitant.
Jennifer's cheeks flushed.
She thought, 'I offered to be close to you, and you refused, but now you ask so bluntly?'
Seeing her silence, James mistook her anger for disappointment. "Never mind," he mumbled, turning away. "I'll just go make dinner."
"Wait!" Jennifer blurted out, her cheeks burning. "It's not that I don't want to... It's just... I started my period yesterday." Her voice trailed off, mortified that she was actually explaining herself to him.
James blinked, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Honey," he said slowly, "what are you talking about?"
Jennifer stared at him, aghast.
"James, you idiot!" she exploded, her fists clenching. "Absolutely not!" Just when she thought he was finally making progress, he proved her wrong. She was so furious she could barely speak.
James, utterly bewildered by her reaction, scratched his head.
'Wait a minute... Did she think I wanted to...?' he thought.
"Honey," he said, a slow smile spreading across his face. "What are you thinking? I just wanted to ask for a few days off to go to M City."
Jennifer froze, her mouth hanging open. "That's... that's the reward you want?"
James nodded, his smile widening. "What else would it be?"
Jennifer felt a surge of murderous rage. For a fleeting moment, she had believed he was finally making a move, but the result disappointed her.
She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to calm herself. "Why do you need to go to M City?" she asked, her voice tight.
James's expression turned serious. "Dr. Wheeler told me about a traditional and Western medicine exchange conference that is happening there. He invited me to attend."
He went on to explain the declining state of traditional medicine, the dwindling number of practitioners, and the lack of interest from younger generations. His passion surprised Jennifer, echoing her own concerns about the future of their chosen field.
"I know it's a losing battle," he said, his voice tinged with sadness. "But I have to try. I can't just stand by and watch it disappear."
Jennifer nodded, her anger fading into understanding. She had seen firsthand the prejudice and skepticism traditional medicine faced. It was an uphill battle, but she couldn't fault James for wanting to fight for what he believed in.
"Do you need me to go with you?" she asked, her voice softening.
James shook his head. "The clinic needs you here." He then added, his lips twitching into a mischievous smile, " Besides, I'll be back before you know it. And then we..."
Jennifer blushed, swatting his arm playfully. "Don't get any ideas," she mumbled, but her heart wasn't in it.
News of the scandal at the Western clinic spread like wildfire, and the Hall of Benevolent Medicine was inundated with patients, many of them returning after their negative experiences elsewhere. Jennifer, overwhelmed but exhilarated, found herself working alongside the interns, and her initial dream of running a successful clinic was finally becoming a reality.
As she tended to her patients, her thoughts drifted back to James and his upcoming trip. She couldn't help but feel a pang of pride for him, for his dedication to his craft, for his willingness to fight for what he believed in. And perhaps, just perhaps, when he returned, she would find a way to show him just how much she appreciated everything he had done.
James, meanwhile, was getting ready for his trip. He had received a call from Edwin, who sounded both excited and anxious, urging him to attend the conference. "We need you there, James," he'd said earnestly. "Traditional medicine needs you."
James had also received a friend request from Derrick and a curt message demanding his presence at a specific time and location. Though annoyed by Derrick's arrogance, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of sympathy for the young doctor. Derrick was clearly carrying a lot of weight on his shoulders.
Just as he was about to leave for the station, his phone rang. It was Michael, inviting him to dinner.
"Sorry, Mr. Brown," James said apologetically, "I'm heading to M City tonight."
"M City?" Michael exclaimed. "What a coincidence! Harmony is going there, too. Why don't you two go together?"
James hesitated. He wasn't sure how he felt about spending an extended amount of time with Harmony.
But before he could protest, Michael continued, his voice full of enthusiasm. "It's settled then! I'll let Harmony know. You two have fun!"
With that, James agreed to travel to M City with Harmony, his mind racing with possibilities that were both exciting and terrifying.
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