Sophia asked again, “Does each flare-up feel like getting hit by a bolt of lightning, like you’re being burned or shocked?”
Scott Livinus didn’t deny it. “Yes.”
“I’ve reviewed your symptoms, and it seems likely you’re suffering from kidney deficiency. This imbalance—where it fails to balance—is what’s causing the issue. The reason you usually experience it in the afternoon is that midday has the strongest hot energy. At night, when the sun sets and cold energy is more prominent, the pain tends to subside. But tonight’s episode could be due to a recent chill or cold exposure.”
“Kidney deficiency?”
Scott Livinus pondered this, his eyelids lifting slightly as he tapped his fingers on the desk. After a moment, he asked with a hint of sarcasm, “So, you’re saying I have weak kidneys?”
“Um…” Was that what she meant? Well, technically, yes—kidney deficiency does mean weak kidneys.
But men don’t take kindly to the idea of having weak kidneys, especially not someone like Mr. Scott, the esteemed CEO.
Wisely choosing not to press further, Sophia simply reached out and began removing the needles from his face. Just as she withdrew the last one, Scott Livinus suddenly gripped her hand.
Sophia froze, startled, and looked at him in surprise.
In the soft light, Scott Livinus’s dark eyes shone, bottomless and intense, as if they could pull someone’s soul right in.
He leaned close to her ear, his voice low and slightly seductive, “A word of advice: never question a man’s kidney health so casually.”
“…”
After leaving the study, Sophia shook her head in exasperation. “What’s the big deal? Weak kidneys are weak kidneys—why get so worked up over it? And I didn’t even tell you the rest: people with kidney deficiency often have sore lower backs, dizziness, and fatigue. Oh, and for men, it can lead to nocturnal emissions, too!”
Then, recalling how vigorous Scott Livinus had been that night, she muttered to herself with a hint of irony, “Sure, just because you’re a little more… capable than most doesn’t mean you need to brag about it.”
At Scott Companies.
Felix brought Scott Livinus his lunch, and as he opened the elegant lunchbox, he noticed a black medicinal pouch beside it.
“What’s this?”
Felix gave an awkward chuckle. “Dr. Smith left it for you, saying your kid—uh, I mean, your nerve pain is severe and you should take this medicine on time.”
Remembering her comment about his kidneys, Scott Livinus tossed the pouch aside. “Take it away.”
“But, sir, it’s already been brewed…”
Scott Livinus cast him a cold glance, and Felix quickly backed down. “Mr. Scott, I saw Dr. Smith personally brew this medicine for you this morning. Maybe you should drink it; otherwise, you’d be wasting her efforts.”
Scott Livinus frowned. He wanted to throw it away, but Felix’s words made him hesitate, so he put the pouch back on his desk.
After he finished lunch, his secretary, Joanna, knocked on the door.
“What is it?”
“Mr. Scott, Miss Maggie is here.”
Scott Livinus’s expression remained cool. “So, all of Scott Enterprises’ receptionists are just for show now? How did she get in without clearance?”
Joanna laughed nervously. “She told reception that she’s your girlfriend, and, well… you know the rumors about you and Miss Maggie have been everywhere lately, so everyone assumed…”
“Assumed what?” Scott Livinus’s voice was as icy as ever. “I hired them to work, not to gossip about their boss’s private life. And if everyone who claims to be my girlfriend got in, this company would have to keep its doors open to guests daily, wouldn’t it?”
Joanna nodded, looking down. “Understood. I’ll remind them of the rules. So, about Miss Maggie…”
Without lifting his head from his documents, Scott Livinus said, “If she wants to stand around, let her stand.”
“Yes, sir.”
Outside, Joanna greeted Maggie with a polite but firm smile. “Miss Maggie, I’m afraid our CEO is very busy right now. Please come back another time.”
Maggie looked taken aback, her expression desperate. “Secretary Joanna, is he really that busy? I’ve been waiting for him for so long.”
“I’m sorry, Miss Maggie. Those are Mr. Scott’s instructions.”
Determined, Maggie insisted, “Then I’ll wait here until he comes out. I’ll leave when he does!”
Joanna maintained her smile. “I’m sorry, Miss Maggie, but without clearance, you can’t just come into our offices.”
“Clearance? You’re saying I need clearance?” Maggie crossed her arms and scoffed. “Secretary Joanna, don’t you know who I am? I’m Mr. Scott’s girlfriend—do I really need a clearance?”
Joanna’s smile widened slightly. “That’s what Mr. Scott requested.”
After a brief silence, Maggie’s face reddened with humiliation under Joanna’s gaze. “There’s no way he actually said that! Secretary Joanna, you’re just a secretary! When I marry Livinus, you’d better know your place!”
“Yes, I am just a secretary,” Joanna replied, unfazed. “Which is why I’m only following orders. Miss Maggie, please, come back with a clearance pass next time.”
Furious, Maggie stormed off, her high heels clicking furiously on the floor.
As she left, a junior assistant nearby whispered to Joanna, “Joanna, that was incredible! You just stood up to her like that!”
“What’s so impressive about it?” Joanna replied with a grin.
“But she’s the CEO’s girlfriend!”
Joanna chuckled. “Is she? I just got a very different message from Mr. Scott.”
“…”
Joanna added, with a hint of amusement, “Remember, our CEO’s a Scorpio! You really don’t want to mess with a Scorpio man.”
“…”
That evening, as Sophia sat down to dinner, Scott Livinus arrived home.
“Little brother, come sit down!” Williams greeted him warmly, clearly in a good mood.
Livinus picked up a cup and took a calm sip.
“What are you drinking, little brother?” Williams asked with a smile.
Livinus’s lips curled slightly. “Herbal medicine.”
Everyone paused in surprise. Even Sophia nearly choked on her food. The way Scott held himself, with such poise and sophistication, looked more like he was sipping on an expensive glass of wine than drinking herbal medicine.
Williams looked puzzled. “Why are you drinking herbal medicine all of a sudden?”
“For my kidneys.”
“…”
Sophia nearly coughed out loud. This man, honestly…
Old Mr. Scott put down his cutlery, shaking his head disapprovingly. “Young and already having kidney issues—what’s that about? No wonder you’re still single at your age. From now on, I’ll have the kitchen prepare some special supplements for you to strengthen yourself!”
Sophia expected Scott Livinus to protest, but to her surprise, he agreed.
She coughed even harder.
Scott’s kidney health quickly became a family priority. For the next several days, every room Sophia entered smelled of various tonic brews. And these weren’t just any tonics—they were all specifically for reinforcing kidney health. At this rate, even if he had any minor issues, he’d be over-supplemented soon. Not to mention, he didn’t actually have any serious problems—his nerve pain was just a symptom of kidney deficiency. Couldn’t they all be getting a bit mixed up here?
