Chapter 34: The Real Shills Have Arrived!

Only then did Li Ziqi suddenly remember that before leaving home that morning, she had deliberately swapped phones with her mother to get closer to Zhang Jing.

Although this phone also had Alipay and WeChat installed, she had absolutely no idea what the payment passwords were.

Just as Gui Cui had said, she really hadn’t had the habit of carrying cash for a long time.

“Alipay or WeChat?” Gui Cui patiently held up two payment QR codes and asked again.

“Sorry, I need to make a call first.” Li Ziqi smiled awkwardly.

With that, she turned and walked out the gate, leaving a bewildered Gui Cui silently wondering what was going on.

“Hello, Mom.” Li Ziqi dialed her own phone.

“Hey, Ziqi, how did it go? Was the conversation good?” Her mother had wanted to call earlier but was afraid of interrupting at a critical moment, so she waited for her daughter’s call and asked directly once connected.

“Sigh, never mind that for now. Mom, please tell me the payment password for either Alipay or WeChat.” Li Ziqi sighed.

“Oh? Not going well? And Ziqi, why are you thinking about Mom’s money? What about your own?” Her mother teased.

“My money isn’t on your phone… I mean, it’s on my phone, which is in your hands now, right?” Li Ziqi was flustered.

“Oh, oh.” Her mother looked at the iPhone in her hand and finally realized.

Then she nagged, “I’ve told you many times, no matter what, always keep some cash on hand for emergencies. You just don’t listen…”

“Mom, can you stop nagging now? I’m already stressed!” Li Ziqi pleaded.

“Alright, alright, honey, don’t worry. Come home quickly, I’ll help you figure it out. My WeChat payment password is 020802.”

“Huh? Isn’t that my lunar birthday?” Li Ziqi asked curiously.

“Well, what do you think! So now you believe Mom loves you the most, right?” her mother said warmly.

“Thanks, Mom, I love you so much!” Li Ziqi said emotionally, feeling her nose sting as tears almost welled up.

“You little brat! Hurry back, Mom’s cooking something delicious.” Her mother called out loudly into the phone.

In truth, she had a little secret she hadn’t told Li Ziqi: her Alipay password was actually her eldest daughter Li Zimeng’s lunar birthday.

Of course, that was only natural—they were both flesh and blood, and both daughters deserved equal treatment.

Li Ziqi returned to Mingde Hall and approached the medicine pickup window.

“Hello, sorry about before. I’ll pay with WeChat, thanks!”

Gui Cui had no choice but to raise the WeChat payment QR code again.

“Ding~ WeChat payment received: 130.7 yuan.”

Upon hearing the sound, Gui Cui began printing the prescription.

She carefully reviewed every herbal medicine and dosage to ensure no obvious mistakes before starting to prepare the medicine.

Gui Cui had officially been working for over two years, plus a year of internship in the hospital pharmacy, making her quite an experienced herbal pharmacist.

Being naturally quick and nimble, she finished preparing all seven doses in less than five minutes.

After double-checking each herb, Gui Cui wrapped them carefully in kraft paper, placed everything into a convenient bag, then placed her hands on the counter.

Handing Li Ziqi a neutral pen, she said, “Please verify the quantities and sign your name on the back of the prescription.”

She flipped the printed prescription over and placed it in front of Li Ziqi.

After signing, just as Li Ziqi was about to take the medicine, a thought suddenly flashed through her mind.

Though the pharmacist’s complexion wasn’t as fair as hers, her features were quite good-looking, and she was tall—obviously much taller than Li Ziqi.

Could it be that Zhang Jing had already taken a liking to her and was deliberately making excuses about not wanting a girlfriend?

As the saying goes, proximity breeds affection; she and Zhang Jing worked closely every day, so naturally, she had a big advantage over Li Ziqi.

Yes! That was probably it.

The more Li Ziqi thought about it, the more heartbroken she became, overwhelmed by sadness.

She lamented inwardly: Why is my life so bitter?

After finally finding a charming prince, he was suddenly taken by a black peacock.

Heaven above, how could you be so cruel to a weak girl?

But soon, Li Ziqi changed her thoughts.

I am the undisputed top food streamer in Lu County—I can’t give up so easily.

She’s just a pharmacist with not-so-fair skin—why should she be my competition?

Yes! I’ll defeat her.

And Zhang Jing, little brother, you just haven’t seen my moves yet. One day, you’ll obediently bow at this lady’s feet! Hmph!

Gui Cui had no idea that in less than half a minute at the medicine window, Li Ziqi’s emotions had undergone a roller coaster ride.

However, Gui Cui was no fool; she clearly saw Li Ziqi’s face flush with a pale-to-red hue.

She even wondered if Li Ziqi’s true identity might be a minor actress who graduated from the Central Academy of Drama.

After Li Ziqi left, Mingde Hall finally returned to quiet.

But this peace lasted less than five minutes.

Another group of patients came in, men and women, all young.

Gui Cui wondered what day it was—this was very unusual.

Unfortunately, the boss wasn’t at the clinic to witness such a lively scene.

She was curious: having just seen off a group of oddball matchmaking patients, who were these people now?

Gui Cui was convinced they were not genuine patients just by their mannerisms.

They strode in proudly, as if they had the wind at their backs—not like people seeking treatment, more like troublemakers.

Sure enough, the leader, a well-built man, loudly called out, “Is Director Huang here? Does Director Huang work here?”

Gui Cui hadn’t yet responded when Huang Biao burst out from the internal medicine office.

“I… I’m Director Huang. What can I do for you?”

“Oh! So you’re Director Huang. Finally found you! You must save me.” He bent his knees, about to kneel.

Luckily, Huang Biao was quick and caught him.

He whispered in his ear, “Don’t overdo it. Be normal.”

The strong man caught on, seeing the young pharmacist standing nearby.

Suddenly inspired, he quickly added, “Director Huang, don’t be fooled by my bull-like build. When I get excited, my knees go weak—I can’t even stand.”

Huang Biao inwardly praised him.

He thought: I never expected this little Gui Cui to be so clever. I should have urged my second brother to study harder. Now he’s a bricklayer at a construction site, braving the elements every day—such a waste.

Gui Cui, meanwhile, smiled silently to herself. Compared to the previous group of middle-aged women, this act was even more clumsy.

But jokes aside, guests were guests.

Gui Cui began calling out, “Please line up one by one at the registration window. I’ll help you register. Registration fee is two yuan each, and you’ll receive a medical record booklet.”

Little Gui Cui was the first to rush forward, leaning on the registration window.

After registering, she pretended to limp and followed Huang Biao into the internal medicine office.

Once the door closed, Huang Biao quietly invited, “Please sit.”

“Uncle,” Little Gui Cui lowered her voice to call him.

Huang Biao frowned, pointed to his ear, then to the door.

Little Gui Cui understood—it meant “walls have ears,” so they had to be careful about eavesdroppers.

“Ahem…” Little Gui Cui cleared her throat and spoke normally again. “Director Huang, hello.”

“Hm.” Huang Biao nodded slightly, then asked, “Tell me, how long have you had this leg problem?”