Lincoln Bright was startled. Previously, he hadn’t felt anything at all, but just now, when she tapped a specific acupoint, he felt a sharp ache.
For someone whose legs had been paralyzed for years, this sensation was completely foreign and surprising.
“I think… I feel something!” Even someone as composed as Lincoln Bright couldn’t hide his astonishment.
“Here?” Sophia asked, tapping the spot again.
“Yes!”
Sophia smiled. “From today onward, I’ll combine acupuncture with your treatment. I’ll also adjust your herbal medicine regimen. You’ll also need to eat one ‘bee venom chicken’ daily.”
“Bee venom chicken?” Lincoln Bright frowned. “What’s that?”
“After a bee stings a chicken, the venom remains in its body. By cooking and eating the chicken, the venom is transferred to you, applying the principle of fighting poison with poison—an internal and external treatment.”
A month ago, Lincoln Bright would have dismissed such an idea, suspecting Sophia to be some sort of quack or scam artist. After all, it sounded like the kind of thing peddled in late-night infomercials. But now… he wasn’t so sure.
“Fighting poison with poison? Sounds like something out of a martial arts novel, transferring bee venom into a chicken’s body? And people believe this?”
Despite the skepticism such an idea might provoke, Lincoln Bright now found himself inexplicably trusting Sophia.
Derrick pursed his lips but dared not speak. The swift turn of events left him speechless. Only a month ago, he had doubted Sophia’s competence, but now, the very doctor he doubted had managed to restore sensation in Lincoln Bright’s legs—paralyzed for ten years! It was nothing short of miraculous.
Other patients buzzed with conversation, astonished by what they’d witnessed. Meanwhile, Sophia grew even more confident in the potential of bee therapy. She began to think it might even have applications in cancer treatment.
—
As the days grew warmer, flowers began to bloom in Sophia’s courtyard. With the temperature rising above freezing, her succulent plants began to change colors, their hues so vibrant they looked unreal. Each time Sophia saw them, she was filled with amazement.
Her small vegetable garden at the entrance was also ready for more planting. Each morning, she worked to fill the garden, hoping to achieve self-sufficiency this year.
It was during one such morning that the sound of high heels clicking on the pavement approached.
Without looking up, Sophia continued working until the visitor finally spoke.
“Dr. Sophia, may I have a word with you?”
Sophia raised her head and saw a tall, stylishly dressed woman. Her face was concealed by a mask.
“And you are?”
The woman removed her mask, revealing a face that belonged on the covers of magazines and television screens.
It was Walker Riley.
Sophia invited her inside, and Walker Riley glanced around the house, clearly taken aback. She had expected a run-down clinic run by a lonely orphan, barely scraping by and relying on Livinus’s wealth. Perhaps someone plain-looking, whose uniqueness had momentarily piqued the interest of a man like Livinus—a typical Cinderella-meets-CEO tale.
But what she saw was entirely different.
This wasn’t just a converted farmhouse—it was essentially a villa. The landscaping and flowers in the courtyard were so exquisite they outshone even professional gardeners’ work. Inside the glass greenhouse, rows of colorful succulents dazzled Walker Riley. She couldn’t help but be impressed.
Inside, the house was minimalist yet comfortable, every detail reflecting the owner’s personality: practical, simple, and prioritizing comfort over materialism. The gym equipment in the yard explained Sophia’s well-maintained figure.
Everything about this woman exceeded Walker Riley’s expectations.
Sophia brewed a cup of tea and handed it to her guest. Walker Riley took a sip and was surprised.
“What kind of tea is this?”
“It’s a herbal blend I created for health maintenance.”
Walker Riley took several more sips, genuinely enjoying it.
She examined Sophia’s face carefully. There was no trace of fillers or cosmetic treatments, yet her skin was flawless.
“Do you have any skincare tips? How is your skin so perfect?”
Sophia smiled and shared some health and wellness principles.
“In essence, you must take care of your body first. Healthy skin comes from a healthy body—that’s the foundation.”
“That explains a lot…” Walker Riley said thoughtfully.
As Sophia busied herself peeling scallions, bits of soil scattered across the table. Walker Riley frowned slightly.
“You have such a large garden out front. You tend to it yourself?”
“Not entirely,” Sophia replied. “I’m usually too busy, so Livinus does most of the gardening. Just the other day, he said we should plant some greens for soup, and now the whole patch is full of vegetables.”
Walker Riley could hardly believe what she was hearing. Sophia said she was busy. Busier than Livinus? The man who was a billionaire CEO? A man from the wealthiest ranks, spending his time gardening instead of making money—she couldn’t fathom it.
“If you want vegetables, why not just buy them? Isn’t it a waste of time? Don’t you realize how much Livinus could earn in a single minute? Making him garden is such a waste,” Walker Riley said, her brows furrowing in disbelief.
Sophia smiled, seemingly amused by the remark.
“Why is it a waste? Ms. Riley, let me ask you—what is the purpose of life?”
Walker Riley was stunned. She had been so busy chasing wealth that she had never considered such a question.
