Li Jie continued animatedly, “During acupuncture class, we started with points on the head, like Jingming and Xuanji. The teacher would call students by their roll numbers, but only the guys—not the girls. He’d use a marker to identify points directly on our bodies while teaching. Later, when we moved on to the torso and limbs, the guys took turns stripping—some went shirtless, others bared their legs or backs. It was hilarious!
“And that wasn’t all. He’d randomly test us. If you didn’t know anything, you’d better be ready to strip the next day in class. Loads of guys in our class got caught like this. The girls, of course, took photos with their phones, pixelated the faces, and uploaded them to the campus forum. It caused such a stir back then! I got caught twice—once for my back, once for my leg… so embarrassing!”
Shen Xi Fan laughed so hard she could hardly breathe. Turning to He Su Ye, she asked, “How many times did you have to strip?”
He Su Ye smirked slyly, a hint of pride in his slightly upturned lips. “Just once. It was only my arm, and it was early autumn, so I was wearing a shirt—nothing was exposed.”
Li Jie groaned, “I had to wear shorts to class in the middle of winter so that old man could mark my legs! Anyone who didn’t know would’ve thought I was crazy!”
The three of them laughed uproariously, and the earlier awkwardness dissipated completely.
Suddenly, Li Jie suggested, “Senior Brother, get out your treasure for me—I’ve got a headache and didn’t sleep well!”
Reluctantly, He Su Ye went to fetch a box. Li Jie leaned in toward Shen Xi Fan, feigning secrecy. “Watch carefully! Senior Brother’s needles are priceless.”
Shen Xi Fan looked puzzled. “Are they made of gold? That expensive?”
Li Jie twirled a pen noisily in his hand, grinning. “Almost! Gold might not even compare. It’s his family heirloom, rarely shown to anyone. You can’t even find the Nine Needles set anymore—most people use filiform needles. But his set has them all!”
She was about to ask what the Nine Needles and filiform needles were when He Su Ye returned, carrying a box and eyeing Li Jie mischievously. “Are you going to needle yourself, or should I do it for you?”
Li Jie’s expression changed instantly. “I’ll do it myself! I wouldn’t dare trouble Senior Brother!”
True to his word, Li Jie inserted the needle himself, one hand holding it steady while explaining acupuncture basics to Shen Xi Fan. She watched, both fascinated and horrified, as He Su Ye idly twirled a needle and, with a glance at his left hand, casually inserted it into his own skin.
Shen Xi Fan stared in disbelief. To them, needles seemed like mere toys—they’d stick one in if they felt like it, or even if they didn’t. It was nothing like her experience earlier that day, where she was in excruciating pain before getting a single needle.
Noticing her confused and slightly uneasy gaze, He Su Ye quickly explained, “I’m not needling myself for fun, unlike Li Jie. I injured my hand playing basketball the other day.” He pointed to Li Jie’s arm. “That acupoint is called Qingling, part of the Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian. It’s good for treating headaches, chills, and shoulder pain.”
Shen Xi Fan’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as she admired the needles and acupoints. “You’re amazing… It’s incredible…”
The three of them chatted late into the night before leaving. He Su Ye escorted Shen Xi Fan home, carrying a stack of documents. Shen Xi Fan, now energetic and pain-free, skipped along beside him, a stark contrast to her earlier state of fatigue and discomfort.
Watching her filled him with a deep sense of satisfaction. Menstrual cramps weren’t a serious illness, but personally helping her recover brought him immense joy. Even though he treated hundreds of patients every day, none felt as fulfilling as treating her.
Perhaps it was because she made him feel needed.
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