These words were so shameless that Shen Qingqing didn't spare her any face, "And what kind of elder are you?"
The old woman's eyes widened. Ever since her son's business became more and more prosperous, she had been flattered and praised wherever she went. This was the first time she had been retorted so unceremoniously.
"Do you know who my son is? Why are you talking to me like this?"
Shen Qingqing looked at the old woman with disbelief, then turned to Mr. Zhao, "Did you know your mother had this attitude before you came?"
This probably wasn't an apology, but an attempt to make an enemy.
Mr. Zhao wasn't thinking straight, was he?
Mr. Zhao was also extremely annoyed and quickly explained, "I didn't know. I really didn't expect this. Mother, do you remember why we came today?"
He never imagined that his own mother would be the one to drag him down in the end!
The old woman had long disliked her son's subservient attitude, "Can't you have some backbone? Your business is so big now, and yet you have to curry favor with others! Did you do all that business for nothing?"
Mr. Zhao looked at the cold and sarcastic expressions on Shen Qingqing and Fu Jingshu's faces, his head spinning. But the person in front of him was his own mother, whom he couldn't hit, scold, or reason with.
He could only apologize to Shen Qingqing himself, "My mother is old and a bit confused. Mrs. Fu, please don't hold it against us."
The old woman grabbed him, her voice sharp and stern, "Have some backbone! You are not allowed to grovel before this woman."
"Mother!" Mr. Zhao was furious.
"Even if I made a mistake, I've already apologized." The old woman said righteously, feeling quite wronged. "Young people shouldn't be so unforgiving. You should learn to be magnanimous. I'm so old and my health isn't good. If you really make me sick with anger, can you bear the responsibility?"
Shen Qingqing scrutinized her from head to toe, "But your health seems fine. You don't look like you'd faint from anger."
The old woman's words were just an excuse to rely on her age, but hearing this, she actually felt a bit dizzy. She clutched her head and began to feign weakness.
"My heart feels uncomfortable, and my head hurts terribly. It must be you who angered me..."
Mr. Zhao quickly supported her, "Mom, are you okay? Don't scare me."
The old woman moaned, "My head hurts so much. I feel a little dizzy now. Son, take me to the hospital quickly. I need to see a doctor. I'm not feeling well..."
Mr. Zhao was immediately flustered and helpless.
Shen Qingqing's tone was neither warm nor cold, "It doesn't look like high blood pressure. Could you be acting?"
The old woman glared at her, "Who are you calling an actress?"
Seeing her vivid expression and fiery temper, she didn't look at all dizzy, weak, or frail. Shen Qingqing couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
"Didn't you say you were feeling unwell? Why do you look so energetic now?"
Mr. Zhao was also puzzled, "Mother, you..."
His mother's angry shout just now was full of vigor, and she didn't look unwell at all.
Could it be that his mother was really acting?
A hint of guilt flashed in the old woman's eyes, "Do you believe everything she says? She's clearly trying to sow discord between us mother and son. If you believe her, you're an idiot!"
As she spoke, she covered her forehead, closed her eyes, and leaned to the side. Mr. Zhao quickly caught his mother, and his doubts vanished.
"Mother, Mother!"
He quickly carried his mother and turned to run, intending to take her to the hospital.
But Shen Qingqing stopped him, "Wait a moment."
Mr. Zhao knitted his brows, "Mrs. Fu, I know my mother was wrong before, but now my mother's life is in danger. Please let me take her to the hospital immediately!"
Shen Qingqing calmly said, "It's precisely to save her that I'm not letting you go."
"What do you mean?"
"Haven't you heard? I'm skilled in medicine."
Mr. Zhao scrutinized her. She didn't look like she was lying. "Can you really save my mother?"
"Of course."
Shen Qingqing motioned for him to place the woman on the nearby sofa, then looked at Xixi, who had been watching the commotion from the side.
"Go get Mommy's needles."
Xixi trotted upstairs on her short legs.
As soon as Mr. Zhao heard "needles," his eyes widened. He couldn't help but ask, "What are the needles for? Do you know acupuncture?"
Before Shen Qingqing could say anything, Xixi, who had run down from upstairs, immediately said, "That's because you're ignorant. You have no idea how amazing my Mommy is in this area."
"So you can save my mother!" Mr. Zhao's eyes were full of eagerness. Thinking of what his mother had said earlier, he felt a little embarrassed, but no matter what, his mother wasn't on the verge of death.
He braced himself and said sincerely, "As long as you can save my mother, I will do whatever you ask."
Shen Qingqing didn't answer, but glanced at the old woman lying on the sofa with a half-smile.
Had she really fallen ill?
Not necessarily.
She crossed her arms and said indifferently, "Don't worry. Even if I can't save her, we have doctors and nurses here. We'll ensure nothing happens to your mother."
"That's wonderful!" Mr. Zhao finally felt relieved.
Because of this, he didn't notice that the old woman's fingers suddenly twitched, but then quickly returned to stillness.
Shen Qingqing opened the needle case on the coffee table, took out two gleaming silver needles, and crouched in front of the old woman.
"Old lady, don't be afraid. I'm very accurate with acupoint selection and swift with needling. You won't feel any pain."
Mr. Zhao was surprised. Even though the old woman had fainted, Mrs. Fu still spoke to her before needling. He thought these words were meant for him and was very grateful.
"Mrs. Fu, please proceed with the needling. I believe you can save my mother!"
Shen Qingqing nodded slightly and inserted a needle.
The moment the silver needle pierced the skin, the old woman suddenly sat up.
This sudden movement startled everyone.
Especially Mr. Zhao, who quickly went to check on his mother, "Are you okay? Why did you suddenly faint just now, and why are you suddenly awake? Mrs. Fu, the person woke up right after you inserted the needle?"
The effect was too good!
Shen Qingqing said with a half-smile, "I think you'd be better off asking your mother if she really fainted from illness."
Xixi said from the side, "She's really good at pretending. Mommy isn't a god. How could one needle bring someone back to life?"
Mr. Zhao was even more confused, "Then why did my mother wake up so quickly?"
"You should ask your mother," Xixi said, crossing her arms, her small face showing the same coldness and scrutiny as her father's. "You look very healthy, old lady. How could you have fainted so suddenly?"
The old woman clutched her chest, seemingly having difficulty breathing, "Son, son, quickly take me home. I'm having trouble breathing here. If this continues, I'll die..."