Recommending Lin Haitingtao’s King of Winners. Oh my god, this is my favorite book, my favorite author, ahhhhhh! Football competition, but it doesn’t matter if you don’t like football; the key is the flavor of it—a truly satisfying read!! So incredibly good!

It’s always displayed prominently on the front page; you can find it instantly when searching the Monthly Ticket or Recommendation charts! To be able to give this master an endorsement chapter is an honor that leaves me feeling deeply humbled!

Since leaving the Marquis of Dingxi’s residence, Qi Yue had paid no mind to the affairs there—not before, and certainly not now. The Thousand Gold Hall kept her so busy she barely had time to sip water.

When Wang Qian led Wang Qiao’er inside, the hall was already thronged with people queuing up.

“Consultation or medication?” a disciple immediately asked.

Wang Qian glanced at Wang Qiao.

Wang Qiao’s eyes were still wet, and she was sniffling.

“The child scraped her arm,” he stated. “We need Qi Niangzi to look at it.”

The disciple hesitated for a moment.

“Qi Niangzi has many patients. It would be better to let the Eldest Senior Brother, Doctor Zhang, examine the child first so as not to cause a delay,” he said earnestly.

Wang Qian nodded.

The disciple quickly ushered them further inside.

“Yan’er, Yan’er, bring another bundle of white cloth here!” someone shouted loudly from within the hall.

A little girl, about Qiao’er’s age, answered the call.

“Is this the child with the cleft lip that Qi Niangzi cured?” Wang Qian couldn't help but ask.

The disciple smiled and nodded.

“Indeed, it is Miss Liu. She often comes here to help,” he said.

Wang Qian nodded but said no more.

Yan’er had already rushed over from the supply room clutching two bundles of cloth. As she passed Wang Qiao’er, who was still weeping beside Wang Qian, Qiao’er suddenly stuck out her foot.

A child’s sharp scream rang out in the hall.

Yan’er tumbled to the ground, the bundles of white cloth scattering everywhere. Because she had been running fast, the abrupt fall was hard, and tears immediately welled up—not because she wanted to cry, but simply from the pain.

Everyone rushed forward to help.

“Yan’er, what happened?” A’ru also ran over.

“She tripped me!” Yan’er was helped up, wiping her tears as she shrieked, pointing a finger at Wang Qiao’er beside Wang Qian.

Wang Qiao’er looked startled, clutching her father’s sleeve and shrinking back.

“I didn’t, I didn’t,” she whispered timidly.

“It was you who stuck out your foot!” Yan’er yelled, lunging forward.

Wang Qiao’er did not back away but stepped forward one pace, staring wide-eyed at Yan’er.

“Ugh, why are you so ugly!” she cried out.

Wang Qian’s face darkened, and he let out a sharp reprimand.

Before her second surgery, Yan’er’s lip was indeed a bit unsightly.

“Auntie said that only an ugly heart makes a person ugly, so you are the ugly one,” Yan’er shot back, glaring.

Qi Yue, hearing the commotion, also emerged from the inner room and was startled when she saw Wang Qiao’er.

That troublesome child was here again…

“Quickly, clear away everything in the room,” she hurriedly instructed, looking back.

A disciple immediately responded.

“Alright, alright,” Qi Yue walked over, squatting down to check on Yan’er. “Are you hurt badly?”

She lifted Yan’er’s sleeve to inspect the injuries.

Scrapes on the knee and elbow; thankfully, nothing severe.

“Qiao’er, apologize,” Wang Qian commanded sternly, shaking off Wang Qiao’er’s hand.

Wang Qiao’er instantly burst into tears.

“Daddy,” she looked up at Wang Qian with a pitiful expression. “I was wrong.”

Wang Qian remained unmoved.

“Don’t apologize to me; it’s useless,” he stated.

“Okay, okay, let’s go inside to talk,” Qi Yue quickly invited them.

Inside the room, Wang Qian sat to one side with a grim expression, while Wang Qiao’er stood in the center, head bowed, occasionally sobbing.

Qi Yue cleaned Yan’er’s scrapes with antiseptic solution.

“Does it hurt?” she asked.

“It doesn’t hurt,” Yan’er replied. “Yan’er has been through major surgery; she isn't afraid of this little bit of pain.”

Qi Yue smiled and kissed her cheek.

“You’re wonderful,” she said. “But since Yan’er is injured, you need to rest for a while. Only after resting can you better help Auntie.”

Yan’er nodded.

A’ru brought over a plate of pastries.

“Here, Qiao’er, have some too,” Qi Yue beckoned.

Wang Qiao’er remained standing, unmoving.

“Nothing until you offer a sincere apology,” Wang Qian said.

Qi Yue smiled and walked over.

“An insincere apology is no apology at all. Don't teach your daughter to say one thing and mean another, to be two-faced…” she murmured softly, leaning slightly toward Wang Qian’s side.

The woman carried a distinct fragrance of medicinal herbs, and because she was so close, Wang Qian instinctively shifted slightly away. Hearing her words, however, he couldn't help but smile faintly.

“Then I must trouble Qi Niangzi,” he whispered back.

Although Wang Qiao’er kept her head down, she was secretly watching Qi Yue. Seeing her standing so close to her father, she suddenly lifted her head, and a flash of irritation crossed her tear-filled eyes.

Qi Yue smiled at Wang Qian.

“I dare not presume,” she chuckled softly, walking past Wang Qian to stand before Wang Qiao’er.

“Miss, did you scrape your arm? Let me take a look,” she said.

Wang Qiao’er instantly reverted to her fragile demeanor.

“Thank you,” she murmured timidly.

Qi Yue smiled faintly and reached out to lift Wang Qiao’er’s sleeve, exposing the wound on her arm.

It was similar to Yan’er’s—an abrasion, nothing deep enough to hit bone or muscle; not serious.

“It’s fine. I’ll put some medicine on it, and it will be fine as long as you keep it dry for a few days,” she said with a smile.

A’ru, standing nearby, brought over white cloth, cotton swabs, and medicinal decoction.

“Bring the Number Two decoction,” Qi Yue told her.

A’ru paused but said nothing, stepping out. Soon, she returned with a fresh tray.

“This will sting a bit, Miss must bear with it,” Qi Yue said with a grin.

Before Wang Qiao’er could nod, Qi Yue picked up a piece of cotton with tweezers, dipped it in the decoction, and pressed it onto the wound.

Wang Qiao’er let out a sharp scream and tried to recoil backward, tears instantly flooding her eyes—this time, she was truly crying.

“Bear with it,” Qi Yue reached out, gripping her firmly, preventing her escape, and finished applying the medicine in three quick motions.

Wang Qiao’er sobbed loudly.

“External trauma is stimulating, it is quite painful,” Qi Yue said to Wang Qian.

Wang Qian nodded.

“It hurts so much, Daddy,” Wang Qiao’er cried, clutching Wang Qian’s hand.

Yan’er, having finished the plate of pastries nearby, pouted dismissively, clapped her hands, and hopped off her chair.

“Chickenheart,” she huffed, then, with a touch of proud swagger, said, “Auntie, I’m going back to work.”

Qi Yue smiled and rubbed her face.

“Yan’er is so capable!” she praised lavishly.

Yan’er held her head higher, glanced disdainfully at the still-sobbing Wang Qiao’er, snorted, and left.

“Does it hurt your heart?” Qi Yue asked Wang Qian in a low voice as she escorted the father and daughter out.

Wang Qian smiled faintly.

“Can it compare to the pain of Niangzi losing something precious?” he whispered back.

Qi Yue pursed her lips, smiled, and nodded, patting her chest, mimicking a look of heartbreak.

Wang Qian found it so amusing that he had to avert his gaze.

Watching the father and daughter walk away, Qi Yue nodded with satisfaction.

“I doubt that child will come here again,” A’ru said, standing behind her.

“Isn’t that perfect? She wants me to dislike her, and I don’t want her here either. Everyone gets what they wish for,” Qi Yue laughed.

She genuinely loved children, but she wouldn't go easy on a troublesome one.

Wang Qian brought Yan’er back home.

“Go to the study and face the wall!” he said sternly.

Wang Qiao’er grasped his hand.

“Daddy, now that you have a new Madam, do you not love Qiao’er anymore?” she asked pitifully, her big eyes brimming with tears.

Wang Qian crouched down to meet his daughter at eye level.

“Qiao’er, that trick won’t work on Daddy. Face the wall, and you can come out only when it’s time for dinner,” he instructed.

He then stood up and walked away.

Wang Qiao’er instantly dropped her tears, stomped her foot, and all trace of pity vanished. With a snort, she stomped toward the study.

After dinner, the newly freed Yan’er rushed into her grandmother, Madam Ning’s, embrace and vented everything.

“Oh, so Qiao’er was bullied?” Madam Ning asked softly, rocking Qiao’er gently.

“That woman is a bad woman; she wants to marry Daddy,” Wang Qiao’er stated seriously.

Madam Ning hummed, looking at Qiao’er and smiling faintly.

“And so she bullied Qiao’er?” she inquired.

Huh? Wang Qiao’er blinked; those words didn't seem to connect correctly.

In the past, whenever women tried to court her father, it was she who bullied them, and no matter how miserable they were, they always pretended to treat her with the utmost kindness. But this Qi Niangzi…

Wang Qiao’er pictured Qi Yue grinning widely, then pressing that medicine onto her arm—the instantaneous, scorching pain…

Wang Qiao’er shuddered.

“She’s a villain!” she cried, burying herself back into her grandmother’s embrace.

The fifteenth of every month was when the disciples received their wages.

Coffin Boy finished a lecture on the structure of the human viscera and was having tea with Qi Yue, listening to the lively chatter outside.

“The dissection class still can’t start,” Qi Yue said, turning her teacup.

“Yes, it’s one thing that the officials don't intervene, but if they did, you would be in deep trouble,” Coffin Boy chuckled.

Qi Yue also laughed.

“That’s one aspect,” she said. “Also, the skill of abdominal surgery for healing cannot be used carelessly, or it truly becomes murder.”

Coffin Boy nodded.

He was turning his teacup, seeming a bit distracted.

“…So for now, everyone just needs to recognize the anatomy,” Qi Yue continued, looking at Coffin Boy. “Hey, what are you thinking about?”

Coffin Boy snapped back to attention.

“Nothing…” he began, hesitating, “You still owe me a meal tonight…”

Just as he spoke, Hu San jumped in from outside the door.

“Little Coffin, here’s your pay,” he said, tossing over a small pouch of coins.

Coffin Boy caught it, smiling as he said, “Many thanks.”

“What about tonight?” Qi Yue pressed.

“Uh…” Coffin Boy stammered, “Don’t you still owe me a meal?”

“Great idea,” Hu San laughed. “Coffin Boy, you treat everyone to a meal!”

Qi Yue glared at him instantly.

He meant I owe him a meal! How did this boy twist it?

“Hey, you earned a fair bit of money too…” she said.

“Master, rather than letting him gamble it away, it’s better he treats everyone,” Hu San laughed, clapping Coffin Boy on the shoulder.

Coffin Boy laughed.

“Fine, I’ll treat everyone tonight,” he announced.

Hu San immediately dashed out, shouting and proclaiming the news.

“This guy is such a miser. Every time he pays wages, it’s like drawing blood; he finds every way to get some back,” Qi Yue laughed. “Just ignore him.”

“I have no use for this money; enough for food and drink is sufficient,” Coffin Boy replied with a smile.

“How can it be useless? Starting a family, marrying a wife, raising children—all of that costs money,” Qi Yue shook her head, saying.

Coffin Boy let out a loud laugh and stood up.

“Starting a family? Who would marry me?” he chuckled, then turned to Qi Yue, “…You should come too.”

Qi Yue looked at him with a knowing smile.

“…If you come, then you’ll owe me two meals,” Coffin Boy said.

Qi Yue laughed heartily and agreed.

As night fell, the front of Old Granny Wang’s teahouse by the bridge was more lively than ever before.

Over a dozen disciples crammed into the small shop; several extra tables had to be set up, but it was still not enough. Qi Yue, A’ru, and others were forced to stand.

“I apologize; this is the only place I can treat you,” Coffin Boy said with a smile.

“No problem, no problem, Granny Wang’s roasted pork is delicious.”

“…Aren’t you ordering a banquet from the Qingfeng Pavilion…”

“…This wine is from Old Man Sun on the east side of the city, aren’t they? Not bad, Little Coffin, you managed to get two jars when they only release five jars per day…”

The disciples chatted noisily and laughed.

Coffin Boy just smiled, while Granny Wang’s face looked as if a flower had bloomed.

“Eat more, eat more,” she kept urging everyone, wiping sweat from her brow every so often. She was laughing so hard, tears almost coming out, and her mouth couldn't close.

Little Coffin has friends now… and he’s treating people to a meal…

Qi Yue stood by the riverbank, looking out at the bustling waterside scene.

“Here,” Coffin Boy approached her.

Qi Yue saw it was a cup of wine, and she quickly looked left and right.

A’ru was busy over there, and Granny Wang was bustling about.

“A’ru gave special permission; you can have one cup,” Coffin Boy said with a smile.

Only then did Qi Yue accept it.

“Cheers,” she said, touching her glass to Coffin Boy’s.

Cheers? Coffin Boy smiled; this woman had many novel words.

He downed his drink in one gulp, but Qi Yue was loath to waste any, sipping it slowly.

“I’m leaving tomorrow,” he suddenly announced.

Qi Yue froze, turning to look at him.

“Leaving?” she asked, astonished.