Chapter 367

Alexander Laurent frowned slightly. "Can traditional Chinese medicine speed up recovery?"

"It can be supportive, but rest is still key."

After leaving the hospital, Alexander suddenly turned his head. "Taking you somewhere."

Sophia Sullivan looked up. "?"

Twenty minutes later, the black sedan stopped at the mouth of a narrow alley.

Alexander led her along the cobblestone path.

Deep in the alley was an old-fashioned herbal clinic.

"Jishi Tang?" Sophia gazed at the sandalwood signboard.

Alexander pushed the door open. "Master Luca?"

The courtyard was silent.

He called again. "Master Luca?"

"Coming, coming—"

A cloth curtain moved, and an elderly man with white hair shuffled out. He wore an indigo cotton jacket, a silver beard reaching his chest, and a herb-stained apron tied at his waist.

"You rascal! Haven't seen you for half a year, and you show up yelling!" The old man's eyes suddenly widened. "Oh? Brought a young lady?"

Alexander immediately introduced her.

Master Luca was the former director of the city's traditional Chinese medicine hospital. He retired and now practiced here in seclusion. At ninety years old, he limited himself to thirty patients a day. Appointments were extremely hard to get.

"What seems to be the trouble, young lady?"

Sophia was surprised. "How did you know I was the one needing treatment?"

The old man glanced at Alexander. "This boy dodges needles. No way he'd come here willingly."

Sophia suppressed a laugh. "The professor is afraid of acupuncture?"

"...Ahem."

The tips of Alexander's ears turned slightly red. He quickly explained the injury. "She sprained her ankle a week ago. The swelling's gone down, but there's still tenderness."

The old man motioned for Sophia to sit. His aged fingers gently pressed her ankle. "Does this hurt?"

"No."

"How about here?"

"A little."

Three fingers rested on her wrist, taking her pulse. The old man pondered for a moment. "No serious damage, but there's a blockage in your qi and blood flow. One session of acupuncture should provide relief."

Sophia looked at the silver needle case, her fingertips turning cold. "Will it hurt?"

"Don't worry. It'll feel like a tiny ant bite."

Alexander reassured her softly. "It'll be over quickly."

"You've never tried it yourself..."

Alexander fell silent.

The old man laughed heartily.

The silver needles gleamed coldly as they were laid out. Instinctively, Sophia grabbed the hand beside her.

Alexander clasped her hand in return.

"Close your eyes and relax." The old man's voice was kind.

A slight pricking sensation touched the top of her head, then faded.

"First needle is done."

Sophia wanted to open her eyes but was gently stopped. "Wait a bit longer."

In the darkness, her senses heightened. She gripped the man's hand tightly, her knuckles turning white.

"You can open your eyes now."

The mirror reflected her head full of silver needles. She looked like a bristly little hedgehog.

The old man pointed to a therapy bed in the inner room. "Help her over to lean back."

Sophia then realized she had been holding Alexander's hand the entire time. Their palms were slightly damp and warm from the shared grip.

Alexander steadily supported her arm, helping her shuffle step by step toward the inner room.

Master Luca carefully protected the needles in her hair.

They both held their breaths for those few short steps.

They both let out a sigh of relief once she was finally seated.

The old man smiled and directed, "Alexander, help the young lady with her shoe. Gently place her foot on the support."

Alexander knelt on one knee. He cradled her heel in his palm and carefully removed her boot.