Chapter 32: Psychological Battle

Xiong Yibai began to feel that something was off. What Zhao Shutong had said earlier could still pass as normal pleasantries, but this question was clearly purposeful.

So she picked up her water cup and rationally dismantled the issue:

“The Trauma Department handles many types of cases, but those involving top athletes’ competition injuries, where short-term intrusion into their living space is needed to ensure strict execution of the rehab plan, are not common.”

“Each case is unique. The level of cooperation depends on the injury, the individual’s psychological resilience, and the clarity of rehab goals. There’s no comparability.”

Feng Miwan felt dizzy just hearing all the professional jargon, so she didn’t chime in.

Zhao Shutong inwardly clicked her tongue, thinking:

As expected from an expert—defense airtight.

Regular probing wouldn’t work. She needed to change tactics, starting from the “one-in-a-million” angle.

Her face still wore a smile as she pivoted:

“I see, that’s eye-opening. But honestly, in today’s society, the hardest debts to repay are favors.”

“Sometimes when someone helps you out, you want to show thanks. Give too much and it feels distant; give too little and you seem stingy.”

“Like with Wanwan’s brother earlier—he was grateful and wanted to express it, probably agonized over the amount for ages.”

“Dr. Xiong, as doctors, do you often get all sorts of goodwill gifts from patients’ families? Must be tricky, right?”

Feng Miwan, hearing this, cut in: “My brother was just overthinking it! I could’ve handled it myself! No need to trouble Yibai!”

She just thought her brother had gone out of his way unnecessarily.

By now, Xiong Yibai fully understood what Zhao Shutong was after. She first addressed Feng Miwan:

“The day you moved out, I calculated the days you stayed and wanted to refund the extra to your brother, but he absolutely refused, saying to consider it payment for your food and board at my place. I’ll transfer it to you later—you can pass it on to him.”

Feng Miwan waved her hands frantically:

“Ah? No need, really no need! My brother already said that—Yibai, don’t trouble yourself!”

Xiong Yibai didn’t respond to her but turned her gaze to Zhao Shutong:

“The hospital has strict rules against any form of red envelopes.”

“As for thanks beyond treatment fees, if it’s prepayment for services or compensation for extra efforts outside medical duties, and the amount aligns with basic market norms, then it can be seen as respect for professional value and a manifestation of contractual spirit. It actually reduces emotional ambiguity and tug-of-war.”

“Manager Feng’s approach leaned more toward the latter.”

She paused, then added:

“Besides, I made it clear from the start: letting her stay at my place was mutual help between friends.”

“The fee was treated as rent, also to avoid any future misunderstandings.”

Zhao Shutong eyed Xiong Yibai’s calm, unruffled face, pondering her next move:

Fine, impervious to flattery or pressure! Logic fortress impenetrable.

Time to bring out the big guns!

Zhao Shutong’s eyes lit up: “Dr. Xiong, you’re such a good person. Can I be friends with you too?”

Xiong Yibai wondered: What play was this? A prelude to lowering my guard?

She nodded: “Of course.”

“Really? That’s great!”

Zhao Shutong suddenly feigned a worried sigh:

“Sigh, but honestly, Wanwan’s so fixated on racing that she’s a total blockhead when it comes to romance.”

“There was this pretty decent pursuer before—great all around, really into her, tried every trick to show it. Guess what?”

“Wanwan thought he just wanted to spar on driving skills with her! Drove the guy crazy. Dr. Xiong, with her mindset, what’ll she do in the future?”

Feng Miwan, who had been about to sneak a skewer of barbecue, puffed her cheeks in rebuttal:

“Shutong! You’re making up stories again! There was no pursuer! It was clearly that kid Jiang Chengfeng trying to steal my techniques!”

Her eyes bulged in anger, completely unaware she was perfectly playing into her friend’s offense.

Zhao Shutong had factored in Feng Miwan’s reaction, since Jiang Chengfeng really had just wanted to poach her skills.

Xiong Yibai’s gaze lingered for a moment on Feng Miwan’s puffed-up, indignant face before turning to Zhao Shutong:

“It’s just personal choice. For now, focusing on her career isn’t a bad thing.”

“As for recognizing romance, it might just be a barrier she instinctively sets against those she’s not interested in.”

She paused slightly here, then counterattacked:

“Miss Zhao seems awfully concerned about her love life?”

Zhao Shutong got counter-struck but didn’t falter. Riding the momentum, she half-jokingly pressed on:

“I’m just afraid she’ll miss out on a good match! Hey, Dr. Xiong, in your eyes, what kind of person would it take to handle someone like Wanwan’s personality—someone reliable who truly cares for her? Gotta be like you, right?”