Over the next few days, Fu Bing found herself in an exceptionally busy period. To participate in the competition, the most important thing was obtaining a dical practice license. One major criticism of traditional Chinese dicine was the vague thresholds for entry. It was only in recent years that the concept of a dical practice license began to take shape. During these days, Elder Jiang and the masters of the Chinese dicine institutions provided her with standardized professional training, followed by a supervised test of her qualifications to practice dicine. After passing the test, Fu Bing officially gained her dical practice license, marking the end of her practicing dicine without one.
Practicing without a license was a sensitive issue, its seriousness varying. If soone decided to scrutinize it and stir up public opinion, Fu Bing could easily be made into a negative example. Traditional Chinese dicine relies heavily on talent and insight; deeper study often veers into esotericism and shamanism, appearing eccentric and inscrutable to the average person. Based on this premise, Elder Jiang and the seniors in the Chinese dicine field worked diligently to ensure all of Fu Bing’s initial procedures were handled ticulously, protecting her from slander over such minor matters.
Fu Bing’s experience these past days resembled her initial entrance into the entertainnt industry: busy and tired. Every day, she got up before dawn and was drilled by Elder Jiang on nurous rules and the taboos of the competition. Ti was becoming insufficient. The competition was imminent. Xiaoi helped Fu Bing pack her luggage. Fu Bing sat on the sofa, reviewing what she had learned over the past days.
Suddenly, Wu Shi entered from outside and sat opposite her.
Fu Bing sensed he had sothing to say and refocused. "What is it?"
Wu Shi handed her his phone. "She’s in trouble; I can’t accompany you to the competition."
Disappointnt flashed in Fu Bing’s eyes, but it was hidden by the ti she looked up.
"Xiaoi and Mu He will accompany . There will be bodyguards at the base too, so you go take care of your own matters."
Their acquaintance was brief, yet Fu Bing inexplicably trusted him. If circumstances allowed, Wu Shi wouldn’t leave at this ti, she thought.
Wu Shi looked deeply at her and said, "You need to take care of yourself. Safety is more important than results."
"I will. And don’t get hurt again; she would be heartbroken to know."
Wu Shi stood up and left.
After eting with Jian Yao, he changed into the uniform of the captain of the China dical team.
Jian Yao handed him a black mask, unable to resist mocking, "You have so many guises; aren’t you afraid of going mad?"
"If I were to go mad over such trivialities, I might as well find a corner and die," Qin Jinhai said, putting on the mask.
The captain of the China Team had always appeared masked and dressed in a dark gold robe. This suited Qin Jinhai’s requirents perfectly; otherwise, he would have quit ten years ago.
Jian Yao personally drove Qin Jinhai to the competition base. As soon as they entered the gate, Qin Jinhai sent him away. Jian Yao was so angry he felt like throttling him, but being a coward, he endured it.
Qin Jinhai stood by the window, gazing at the now-sealed arena, emotions stirring within him. Ten years ago, that competition was his first ti leading the China Team. Back then, Elder Jiang had pushed him forward amidst all objections, making the 17-year-old the team captain. Facing skepticism, he led the team to victory. It was a close victory. At 17, he beca a legend. But his teammates were wounded, or lost their lives. Ning Wan had almost died in that competition, poisoned by her own teammate.
Suddenly, Qin Jinhai saw soone dressed in white approaching the arena. Qin Jinhai’s brows furrowed, and he quickly descended the stairs. The arena was surrounded by a vast, open plaza, over a kiloter across, where anyone approaching could be clearly seen.
Qin Jinhai quickly approached the white figure, calling out, "Lin Xing."
The slender figure, so thin it seed frail, stiffened for a mont before slowly turning around. Shen Linxing saw the familiar mask. The man before him was no longer the boy from ten years ago; ti had stretched his once slender fra into the figure of a man standing tall and firm, muscles and sinews all in place.
Shen Linxing managed a difficult smile. "Why did you co so early?"
"I wanted to see you, to apologize to you in person."
"What happened back then wasn’t your fault. If I were in your position, I would have done the sa," Shen Linxing said, his eyes reddening. "How is Aunt Ning? Her leg..."
"Her leg is still the sa."
Shen Linxing opened his mouth but couldn’t find the words to speak.
"I want to fight this ti. I heard this will be Hu Yao’s last competition—if I miss this, I’ll never have another chance for revenge."
"Are you sure you want revenge and not to die at Hu Yao’s hands ten years later?" Qin Jinhai asked bluntly.
Shen Linxing’s face turned pale, and he found no words to rebut.
Qin Jinhai averted his gaze. "Ten years ago, I didn’t understand your breakdown and despair. Now, I do. But I don’t agree with what you’re doing."
"Why?"
"If I were dead, I would never want the person I love to die with . I would rather she found a new focus in life and lived well, carrying on for too!" Qin Jinhai fixed his eyes on Shen Linxing. "I’m now the sa age Brother Yao was back then. Perhaps my words can offer you so perspective."
"Really?"
Qin Jinhai nodded. "There are three days left until the competition. If you don’t change your mind, I won’t give the precious spot to you. You haven’t practiced dicine for years; participating would only invite criticism. Do you want to disgrace yourself on Brother Yao’s battlefield?"
"I won’t!" Shen Linxing’s eyes blazed with determination.
"Then show !"
Qin Jinhai turned and left.
He returned to the team hotel, where Lu Yuan was hopping cheerfully out of a car. Seeing Qin Jinhai’s outfit and the signature mask, he rushed over.
"Captain!"
Qin Jinhai stepped aside, avoiding his bear hug.
Lu Yuan blinked. "Did we change captains? How co this one looks different from the captain ten years ago?"
"Who stays the sa over ten years?"
Lu Yuan belatedly realized. Embarrassed, he scratched his head. "Right. HAHA."
Ten years ago, Lu Ji had brought Lu Yuan to watch the competition. The match Lu Yuan watched was precisely the one between the captain and Hu Yao. The 17-year-old captain, taking command in a critical mont, fearlessly ended Hu Yao’s forty-year undefeated streak. At the sa age, so people just shine brightly. To protect the captain, China kept all his information under wraps; Lu Yuan hadn’t even seen what he looked like.
Lu Yuan gazed at the mask enviously and ventured, "Captain, are you ugly?"
"Yes," Qin Jinhai casually replied.
Lu Yuan pouted. Anyone who could answer that straightforwardly is definitely not ugly, he thought. He’d already figured out the pattern: n who are naturally good-looking usually care less about others’ opinions of their appearance. After all, good looks are sothing they’re born with. It’s those who are average-looking at best and lack other talents who tend to obsess over their faces.
Lu Yuan was escorted to his room by the base staff. Upon entering the base, all personal communication devices were confiscated. In their place were phones monitored by the competition organizers. Lu Yuan didn’t mind; he had just as much fun with the organizer’s phone. After all, playing gas was the sa on any phone, and the one provided by the organizers was much better than his old, broken one.
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