My Girlfriend is a Cold and Aloof Sickly Beauty 214

Chapter 214: Academic Success

As it turned out, beautiful memories could become a powerful motivator.

Usually, they wouldn’t reveal their presence, only bringing a smile to your face when recalled, but during times of exhaustion and low spirits, they would surface unconsciously, like a gentle rain, nourishing a parched heart.

—Xiao Luohan couldn’t help but think this as she flipped through the Honeymoon Album.

The longer she stayed in this world, especially with Jiang Xue and the others, the better she understood the meaning of “healing.”

She flipped through the album, looking at the pictures of the scenery taken from “above” the cruise ship and the photos of them in the observation tower.

The observation tower could be controlled by the visitors, usually staying in one spot to admire and photograph the scenery, then rotating to a different direction.

But after a few fixed positions, Jiang Xue couldn’t help but share her idea, which she had had since getting the tickets for the observation tower.

“I’ll make the tower rotate continuously, and you just stand there and film the scenery outside,” she explained her plan. “This way, we’ll get a 360-degree video! If you feel dizzy, just close your eyes and film until I tell you to stop.”

“Can it really rotate that fast? I think there’s probably a speed limit, like the cars at the driving school,” Xiao Luohan said, doubtful, but still took the camera and found a seat.

Jiang Xue also thought so. “It’s okay! As long as it rotates smoothly!”

She started controlling the observation tower.

As they expected, the maximum speed wasn’t even as fast as the carousel at the amusement park. Perhaps the designers had anticipated such whimsical ideas and set a safety threshold.

“We can only speed it up during post-production,” Xiao Luohan sighed regretfully as they left the observation tower.

“It would have been better if we had gotten tickets for the night session,” Jiang Xue said, looking at the photos. “There are more lights at night, and the rotation would create a line of light along the coast, it would have been beautiful.”

She opened M-Station and found the sped-up and original versions of the video.

To emphasize the acceleration, she had even added a special BGM for “one-minute rotation” videos during editing, but there were still comments criticizing them for “being unsafe” and “risking an accident,” even scolding them and the cruise ship operators.

However, most viewers enjoyed it, and even the cruise ship’s official account reposted the two versions, saying “Welcome to experience the continuously rotating observation tower,” seemingly not bothered by those senseless comments.

“During that honeymoon trip, I think the most enjoyable parts were the cruise itself and the beachcombing,” Jiang Xue reminisced. “Maybe because there were too many insects on the tropical island? If it weren’t for the locals’ special ointment, I would have flown to a nearby city to see a doctor…”

They had entered the dense forest fully equipped, following a guide, but Jiang Xue had accidentally exposed a small part of her arm while taking pictures and had been bitten. She hadn’t felt anything at first, but after leaving the forest and taking off her protective gear, she had noticed a large, swollen red welt.

The locals’ special ointment was still at the Jiang family’s home, just in case, and Dr. Qi had even taken a sample and had it analyzed by an acquaintance, quickly creating a slightly less effective “replica,” not for sale, but for personal use during the summer as mosquito repellent, which had been praised by everyone who tried it.

Xiao Luohan nodded in agreement. “I really enjoyed lying on the soft sofa, basking in the sun, and listening to the sound of the ocean.”

The sofa she was referring to wasn’t the one in the public area, but the movable sofa on their balcony, which could be adjusted according to their preferences, along with the folding wicker chairs.

“Me too! Add a pot of tea or coffee, reading a book, enjoying the breeze, it was so relaxing to just lie there all afternoon!” Jiang Xue said, happily recalling the experience. “And the scenery was constantly changing, even the ocean view from the hotel room after we disembarked couldn’t compare.”

Although they hadn’t brought back many souvenirs or local specialties from that trip, it was the most memorable of their outings.

Unfortunately, the tickets for their favorite room type on the cruise ship were too expensive, and now that they were older, they both wanted to use their own money, so if they wanted to take that cruise again, they would have to save up.

After putting away the Honeymoon Album, the next morning, they drove to their respective workplaces in their own cars, starting the first workday after the new year.

Jiang Xue’s situation was a “work-study” arrangement, but both her work and studies were at Mu Lin Tang.

The disciplined Dr. Qi was used to waking up early, and if Jiang Xue wanted to learn the Qi family’s methods, she also had to arrive early and practice breathing exercises with her, sensing the flow of energy through her body, regulating and changing her physical condition, only after overcoming her own congenital deficiency could she treat Xiao Luohan.

“I think this is already beyond the realm of normal medicine,” Jiang Xue, having accumulated a lot of medical knowledge, said, expressing her opinion. “The Qi family must have some connection to metaphysics, right?”

“If you’re talking about the earliest physicians, then yes, they were a branch of metaphysics,” Dr. Qi said. “Not only could they sense the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, but they could also channel it into the meridians and organs. Just like the various diagnostic equipment today, in ancient times, a physician was a living diagnostic instrument.”

“But as the spiritual energy gradually thinned, people realized they could no longer rely on nature, so they gradually invented various medical tools, using precise data, observation, and experience to replace the power of nature.”

“Developing… no, degenerating to the present, all we can do is treat those with congenital deficiencies, but whose bodies are still malleable, changing their constitution from the root.”

“Then I have to master this skill while the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is still accessible!” Jiang Xue vowed.

Even though she no longer had to complete her formal education, for her and Xiao Luo’s future, she worked even harder, constantly improving herself.

Sometimes, when Xiao Luohan’s livestream ended late, she would return to the bedroom to find Jiang Xue already asleep, and the next morning, or perhaps at four or five o’clock in the morning, she would see Jiang Xue meditating on the window seat, sensing the spiritual energy.

Supernatural healing methods were difficult to learn, but fortunately, among Jiang Xue’s supernatural friends, there was one who was an expert in this field.

“I’ll also lend you my power,” Cang Ling said one day, visiting them proactively. “Last time, before the ancient Ms. Wei left, she also wanted to use her soul to do something, right? Inspired by that, I tried using the merit I’ve accumulated. Anyway, it should be enough to improve both your constitutions.”

“There won’t be any heavy price to pay, right?” Jiang Xue asked, worried.

“Don’t worry, I still want to see you two grow old! I won’t let my soul be harmed so easily,” Cang Ling said bluntly. “What I can do is teach you how to draw and use the spirit-gathering formation, and when you officially start the treatment, I can channel the spiritual energy converted from my merit to you. This way, if it’s successful, I’ll also gain more merit.”

Jiang Xue: …?

Was this some kind of perpetual motion machine?

But she knew that Cang Ling was an expert in metaphysics, even Grandma Xie would consult her about her own “blind spots,” so since Cang Ling said it was no problem, she just trusted her and followed her instructions.

While working, the limited time for studying always felt insufficient, and during these times, Jiang Xue would miss her university days.

She even considered applying for a master’s degree just to return to campus and have more time to study.

But she had already formed bonds with many patients at Mu Lin Tang, some even saying that seeing her pushing the treatment cart made them feel better, so they didn’t want her to leave for too long.

“Be more confident, you’re a ‘little sun’ warmer than any medical heat lamp, a walking ray of light!” Teacher Sui said, bringing lunch and coffee to Dr. Qi. “Just think of it as your aura or energy field affecting people’s moods, it’s a good thing anyway.”

Teacher Sui’s words made Jiang Xue feel a sense of responsibility towards Mu Lin Tang, making her even more hesitant about applying for a master’s degree. Besides that, the most important factor was Shu Cheng’s occasional updates about the “plus three” program.

Shu Cheng had always been an excellent student, directly entering the “plus three” program after graduating with honors, continuing her studies at N University, but the mentors she had access to now were even more renowned.

She had always had a good temperament, calm and patient, but after less than a year in the “plus three” program, she had become quite “aggressive.”

“I feel like my temper has worsened! But if I’m not assertive and aggressive, I won’t get the opportunities I want!” Shu Cheng sighed in a voice message. “I really dislike this kind of social maneuvering, but just studying hard isn’t enough. If I can’t get my papers published, it means I’m not ‘achieving anything,’ and even if I manage to graduate, I won’t be able to get the jobs I want!”

Even for medical students, competition was fierce every year, and Shu Cheng was the type who preferred achieving things through her own efforts rather than relying on connections. It wasn’t “stubbornness,” but a principle she had been taught since childhood and still adhered to.

Jiang Xue patiently comforted her for half an hour, then tentatively offered an olive branch, “I’ll always answer your calls, don’t be afraid of having no backup plan!”

Shu Cheng started crying softly on the other end.

Two years later, one weekend, accompanied by Xiao Luohan and Dr. Qi, Jiang Xue went to a large hospital for a check-up.

She had been trying the so-called “body purification and bone strengthening” method on herself, slowly improving her physical condition over the past two years. A while ago, feeling it was time to test the results, she had asked Dr. Qi for a “final exam”—a full body check-up.

If she passed all the tests, it would mean that she had not only successfully cured her congenital deficiency, but also avoided any negative side effects.

Then she could start treating Xiao Luohan.

Although Xiao Luohan would unconditionally support her no matter what she did, knowing about this potential risk still made her uneasy.

The check-up went by quickly, and for the next week, the two anxiously awaited the results of this “final exam.”