Before Chen Qing could ponder, a BMW, driven by second-hand drivers, stopped aggressively at the entrance of the Ji Shi Tang in the blink of an eye. Chen Xiao's maternal uncle, Chen Xingwen, and aunt, Wang Xiaoxia, alighted with grim faces and imposing airs. They entered as if they owned the place, rummaging through the medicine cabinets and cash boxes, completely disregarding any sense of being outsiders.
Chen Qing felt an immediate displeasure and was about to reprimand them when she saw Chen Mingxi, who had dismounted with a dejected look.
Considering Chen Mingxi's feelings, Chen Qing, as his paternal aunt, found it inappropriate to make a scene. So, she smiled and said:
"Oh! Isn't this our Chen family's precious darling, Mingxi? Did you take special leave to come back for your uncle's housewarming?"
Chen Mingxi, unaware of Chen Qing's severe car accident, was startled and turned pale upon seeing Chen Qing being supported by a stranger, Daphne. He stammered nervously:
"Aunt... Auntie, how... how did you get injured..."
"Hmph!"
Wang Xiaoxia snorted, her face displeased, and interrupted Chen Mingxi:
"Chen Qing, it's almost dark. Hasn't your son, who only dabbles in crooked ways, returned yet?"
Her delicate eyebrows furrowed, Chen Qing retorted with a cold laugh:
"Second sister-in-law, when did my son start dabbling in crooked ways? You are his own aunt; is it appropriate to speak of your nephew like this?"
Chen Xingwen slammed several examination reports he was holding onto the table with a "bang," saying aggressively:
"These are Mingxi's recent examination reports from major hospitals in Mingzhu City. The top one was issued by the gastroenterology department of the Central Hospital just two hours ago. The results clearly show that Mingxi only has ordinary enteritis and gastric ulcers. Yet, your son alarmistly claimed Mingxi had late-stage gastric cancer. What is this if not crooked ways?"
Chen Mingxi, with red eyes, argued:
"Dad, my brother would never lie to me. Why can't you and Mom believe him? Moreover, his medical skills are truly extraordinary. After his treatment, I genuinely don't feel any stomach pain!"
"This..."
Chen Qing had finished reading all the examination reports and was momentarily speechless. The reports indeed indicated that Chen Mingxi only suffered from very common enteritis and gastric ulcers, which had no connection to the sensational late-stage gastric cancer. After some thought, she decided to examine Chen Mingxi herself.
She was a disciple of her late father, Chen Jishi, who was also Chen Xiao's maternal grandfather. She was also college classmates with Bai Su. Her medical skills were on par with Meng Baobao. Even though the diagnostic equipment at Ji Shi Tang was not as advanced as the Central Hospital's, it was still a well-known clinic in the old district. Diagnosing common enteritis and gastric ulcers was easily within her capabilities. She could even preliminarily diagnose the pulse difference between cancer patients and ordinary patients through her ancestral pulse-taking techniques.
After the examination, she became even more convinced that the reports Chen Xingwen had thrown down were accurate and perfectly matched Chen Mingxi's symptoms. She was at a loss for words and after a long pause, said coldly:
"Let's wait for Chen Xiao to return and explain the specifics. I absolutely refuse to believe he would speak nonsense."
Daphne, overhearing that the newcomers were Chen Xiao's relatives, had initially intended to remain silent. However, she couldn't hold back. As soon as Chen Qing finished speaking, she interjected righteously:
"Chen Xiao's medical skills are heaven-defying. He even cured my blindness, so he absolutely wouldn't misdiagnose! Therefore, the only explanation is that these examination reports are all misdiagnoses!"
Wang Xiaoxia had been secretly observing the beautiful, blue-eyed Daphne, enviously admiring her clear, bright eyes. She couldn't help but burst into laughter:
"Pfft! Chen Qing, who is this who dresses up like a foreigner? Her blonde hair is dyed well, and her skin is quite fair. Her blue contact lenses are passable, but why is she speaking such blatant lies? Do you think she looks like someone who has been blind?"
"Uh..."
Chen Qing was again rendered speechless. She only knew Daphne was a patient from Chen Xiao's hospital and lived abroad, staying with her for convenience. She had no idea what illness Daphne had. After a moment's pause, she gritted her teeth and skirted the issue:
"Daphne is genuinely a foreigner. What do you mean 'dresses up like one'?"
"Really?"
Wang Xiaoxia eyed Daphne with disbelief and continued to scrutinize her with curiosity.
Chen Mingxi also became interested and couldn't help but say:
"Auntie, could Daphne sister possibly be my brother's girlfriend?"
Daphne was exceptionally beautiful, with a flawless figure. More importantly, she possessed an innate aristocratic aura that was undeniable. It was evident she wasn't from an ordinary family. If it were in the past, Chen Mingxi wouldn't have dared to imagine her as Chen Xiao's girlfriend. However, after witnessing another side of Chen Xiao at Zhetian today, he thought that since even the seemingly high-and-mighty Jin Yongping and Hong Lajiao were deferential to Chen Xiao, it wasn't unusual for Chen Xiao to have a beautiful girlfriend from a foreign noble family.
However, Wang Xiaoxia shook her head without hesitation and said:
"Mingxi, you think too highly of your cousin. He is indeed handsome and very popular with women, but those women are just playing around with him..."
Daphne found the sarcastic Wang Xiaoxia even more repulsive and interrupted her without hesitation:
"No, no, no! I don't just want to play around with Chen Xiao; I want to play with him for a lifetime. Of course, that's assuming he doesn't mind me."
"..."
Wang Xiaoxia was dumbfounded and speechless. She felt Daphne was being ostentatious, yet she couldn't find any evidence. After some thought, she decided to go along with Daphne's statement and find a way out:
"That's true. You're quite pretty, but your family must not be well-off, right? Otherwise, you wouldn't be wearing Chen Xiao's old T-shirts. Although our Chen family in Juxian City isn't a wealthy clan, our standards are not low. Not just any woman can marry into our family..."
Chen Xingwen's face darkened as he saw Wang Xiaoxia drifting further off-topic. He quickly snorted and interrupted her:
"Chen Qing, you must give me, your second brother, an explanation today! Because Chen Xiao not only falsely claimed my Mingxi had late-stage gastric cancer but also assaulted Gao Fei, the son of our neighbor, Vice Director Gao Gao!"
"Right, right, right!"
Reminded by Chen Xingwen, Wang Xiaoxia's spirits immediately rose, and she said aggressively:
"Our family has always had a good relationship with the Gao family. Vice Director Gao often entrusts his exquisite design banking business to your second brother. And Gao Fei is particularly fond of our Mingxi. They are truly a match made in heaven, a talented man and a beautiful woman. But after your son beat Gao Fei into the hospital, we couldn't reach the Gao family no matter how we called..."
"Dad, Mom, are you only satisfied if you force me to my death?"
Although Chen Mingxi was meek in front of his parents, he couldn't help but erupt at this moment, saying coldly:
"How many times do I have to tell you before you believe that Gao Fei deserved to be beaten by my brother?"
"Hitting people is wrong!"
Wang Xiaoxia interrupted Chen Mingxi righteously:
"Moreover, it's a fact that your Uncle Gao and his family refuse to answer our calls..."
"Wow!"
Before Wang Xiaoxia could finish speaking, Chen Qing exclaimed:
"My son finally beat that ugly Gao person? He's grown up, he's really grown up!"