"Oh, it’s you."
Gu Chuxin’s voice lacked any fluctuation, as if she didn’t recognize Nan Yu at all.
The face hidden under the mask remained inscrutable.
Nan Yu offered a simple smile, her eyes as clear and transparent as a pool of spring water.
"Vice Chairman Gu, I’ve long admired your great reputation."
Gu Chuxin slightly nodded her head before lifting her proud chin, regarding Nan Yu with indifference.
Nan Yu took it all in, her lips continuing to curl into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
"Vice Chairman Gu, your mask is so unique, I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere before."
Upon hearing this, Gu Chuxin had to lower her haughty head and squinted at Nan Yu.
Before she could speak, a voice like the warbling of orioles came from behind her.
"Nan Yu, how could you possibly have seen it? This mask is the exclusive property of the Ghost Doctor, unless you’re implying that you’ve met the Ghost Doctor?"
Nan Qingqing stepped forward, looking at Nan Yu with disdain.
Then, she turned back and wore an innocent smile, as if she were kindly reminding her of something.
"Mr. Gu, she’s that foster sister of mine who insisted on severing our ties, always keen on climbing the social ladder. You shouldn’t be deceived by this kind of person."
The looks in everyone’s eyes as they regarded Nan Yu became disdainful.
"She might be dressed well, but could it be because she’s maintained by someone else?"
"Not just a vase, but also someone who’s adept at currying favor."
"Dean Li must be going senile, how could he bring such a person here? She’s truly an embarrassment to us!"
The voices around grew louder, and the dissatisfaction toward Nan Yu mounted.
Li Chongbai could no longer contain himself and directly said, "Stop talking nonsense. Xiao Yu is very talented. You lot can’t even compare to one of her fingers in terms of medical skills!"
Nan Qingqing exclaimed in surprise, "Dean Li, are you mistaken? Nan Yu is just a country woman who came back from the countryside, not even a college graduate. How could she have any medical skills?"
Upon hearing this, the expressions on the faces of the others were filled with even greater mockery.
"Mr. Li, please stop talking. A country bumpkin like her should consider herself lucky just to attend our banquet. She shouldn’t be boasting about her medical skills."
"That’s right, Mr. Li, you are, after all, a luminary in the field of Traditional Chinese Medicine. There’s no need to make such outrageous claims for the sake of this niece of yours."
"Young miss, please persuade your uncle to stop being muddleheaded."
Nan Yu, listening to the laughter around her, grabbed Li Chongbai who wanted to burst out and lifted her aloof face, scanning across everyone’s faces.
She spoke sharply, "It’s true that I might not have the impressive academic credentials that all of you possess, and I did learn my medical skills from a barefoot doctor in the countryside, but that doesn’t mean my medical skills are inferior to yours."
"If you don’t agree, we might as well have a competition."
Her voice was resolute and assertive.
In an instant, the entire banquet hall fell silent.
No one spoke for a long while until Song Yingqing stepped out from behind Nan Yu, puzzled, she asked.
"One by one, you claim to be Divine Doctors, so why are you silent? Are you afraid of losing to Xiao Yu?"
With that, she let out a scoff.
"Xiao Yu, it seems they all think their medical skills are inadequate and don’t dare to compete with you. They’ve conceded defeat by default."
As these words came out, everyone’s face showed an awkward and angry countenance.
"Who says we are afraid?"
"How skilled can a student of a barefoot doctor be? I’ll have a look for myself."
Nan Qingqing glanced at Meng Yi, who was hiding in the background, and suddenly an idea came to her mind.
She stood out with the demeanor of a peacemaker.
"There’s no need for all the teachers to be upset. Nan Yu just knows a few tricks, and they aren’t worthy of your effort to compete against her. How about this instead."
She pulled out Meng Yi, "This is a friend of mine, currently studying at A University Medical School. Let her represent all of you in a competition with Nan Yu to show Nan Yu the gap between them."