Delilah said, “Mr. Nelson, are you mistaken? My primary role is as a teacher, not a physician. The establishment of a special outpatient clinic at Aloville Traditional Medicine Hospital is also to promote research in traditional medicine. Ultimately, it is still for teaching purposes. Isn’t it appropriate for you to ask me to see patients at the National Hospital?”
A trace of sarcasm curled at the corner of Delilah’s lips.
Xander was determined to abolish the traditional medicine outpatient department at the National Hospital. It was not only because its director was Xandrov, but also because he fundamentally distrusted the discipline of traditional medicine. At this moment, simply because she saved Lonnard with acupuncture, he hypocritically wanted to set up an acupuncture outpatient department at the National Hospital. Delilah wondered if he wanted to support her, or if it was another round of scheming. He was clearly always worried that Xandrov would seize his position as director, and used various means within the institution to exclude and target Xandrov.
Now, due to Lonnard’s retirement, he had been specifically appointed as the new director. Nevertheless, he remained uneasy and was scheming to make Xandrov leave. However, out of consideration for Lonnard’s reputation, he could not openly target Xandrov. On the surface, he maintained a peaceful relationship with Delilah and had even accepted traditional medicine. In reality, however, his intention was to draw her into his camp and have her compete with Xandrov. This was indeed a shrewd strategy. Such blatant provocation and scheming were treating others as if they were complete fools. Delilah regarded Xander’s conduct with a measure of disdain.
Xander humbled himself and explained with an apologetic smile, “You have misunderstood my intention! I only wish to advance acupuncture as a discipline. As for how to proceed, that is entirely up to you.”
Delilah had always aspired to promote the Reedshaw Acupuncture Technique. Otherwise, she would not have continued to operate the Aloville Traditional Medicine Hospital despite ongoing financial losses. By presenting such a substantial incentive, he believed that she would be tempted. The National Hospital was in a league of its own compared to other private hospitals. As an authoritative institution at the pinnacle of the medical field, it had consistently served as a benchmark for the development of medical science. Once the National Hospital recognized Reedshaw Acupuncture Technique, hospitals across the country would compete to promote it. This would foster public trust, and the number of people learning it would naturally increase. Delilah would also no longer worry about not being able to recruit students! Xander wore a look of confidence, waiting only for Delilah to nod in agreement. However, he had truly underestimated Delilah’s breadth of mind. Such a minor temptation meant nothing to her.
She said, “Sorry. I’m really stretched too thin. If you are truly committed to developing acupuncture, there are plenty of ways to do so without relying on me.”
Such a remark was far from courteous. For Xander, it constituted an outright insult. No matter how influential the Reedshaw family was in Aloville, Delilah could never surpass him in status in the medical community. To reject him so directly was simply throwing his respect back in his face. Xander was so furious that his steps faltered, while Delilah had already strode into the Longley residence.
Seeing Xander standing in front of her, Josie refrained from walking past him. He was a respected elder in the medical field, so she felt she should give him some face. However, sometimes people would make too much of it. Kenneth was a perfect example.
After Delilah flung her hand forward, he abruptly grabbed Josie. He said, “It seems she still does not understand the situation. Mr. Nelson is only willing to allow your teacher to popularize the Reedshaw Acupuncture Technique out of respect for Mr. Longley. If this opportunity is missed, the Reedshaw family will likely have to wait another twenty years. Josie, you are an intelligent person. Now that you have been compelled to choose acupuncture, you wouldn’t want to just watch the opportunity already in your hands slip away, would you?”
Kenneth smiled faintly and said, “My teacher appreciates you and is willing to help you out. Don’t let him down. When you get the chance, try to talk some sense into your professor. She's getting on in years, so she shouldn’t be so stubborn! The Reedshaw Acupuncture Technique has declined with each generation. I’m afraid that in twenty years, no one will even know what the Reedshaw Acupuncture Technique is. What do you think?”
“Hey, if you want to talk, just talk. Can you keep your hands to yourself?” Josie, visibly displeased, shook off his hand. She said, “Kenneth, is it possible that the one who is unclear about the situation is actually your teacher?”