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Sitting in the car, Brucille asked, "Miss Ching, can we go out and have a talk?"
"If you have anything, just say it now." Monique replied emotionlessly.
"Can I know why you're always so cold to me? After all, I'm your lawful husband."
Monique's fair face turned dark instantly. She retorted angrily, "Brucille, I have nothing to say to you. It wasn't my decision to marry you, do you understand? It was my father who decided it. What else do you want? We're already married!"
"Miss Ching, do you think there is any other married couple in the world that sleeps in separate rooms?"
"Get out of the car..."
Monique pointed at the curb with her index finger. However, Brucille saw the tears shining in her eyes. Nevertheless, he didn't know what was wrong with her.
Maybe he had done something outrageous, so she didn't like him one bit.
His only choice was to get out of the car.
The car gradually faded away and finally disappeared from his sight. He could only carry himself home with his legs.
Looking at the cars driving by, he felt a stifling boredom within himself. Just then, his cheerful ringtone started buzzing.
"Hello, Mr. Wong, what's up?"
"Brucille, I have invited a few friends for dinner. It is mainly a gesture of gratitude to you. You must join us, otherwise, I don't know what else I can do."
A director was inviting him for dinner. Of course, Brucille would not refuse. He complied, "Okay, I'll be right there."
As soon as Brucille hung up, Tyrion called him.
"Brucille, Sabrina will be having dinner in her office tonight. She won't be back for dinner, and Monique will probably not be home for dinner either. The two of us can go out for some nice restaurant tonight."
Brucille cleared his throat and explained sympathetically, "Uh, Dad. I have a dinner appointment tonight. It's an invitation from Mr. Wong of the Food and Drug Administration. I haven't thanked him for the matter, which he handled for my brother-in-law. I would like to take this opportunity to do so."
Tyrion was disappointed. His wife and his daughter were busy. Even his unpopular son-in-law was invited for dinner by a director!
Tyrion was a respected assistant dean, but no one wanted to have dinner with him. He was heartbroken.
The Southrea Hill Hotel was not extravagant. Although everyone was encouraged to be thrifty and frugal, it would not be deemed wasteful if colleagues of the same unit were to treat each other for dinner at that venue.
Therefore, the Southrea Hill Hotel was the best place for a treat.
The wooden decorations had been around for eight years, and the color was fading. Although it was slightly old, it was still clean and tidy. The workers were tactful, keeping their mouths shut from saying anything unnecessary.
Brucille entered the dining room. When Charles saw him, he welcomed him with open arms from afar. "Brucille, why are you late? Come over here, please take a seat!"
The room was full of guests. He could tell from their appearance that they were all leaders of respective departments headed by Charles. Charles introduced them to him. There was Carlos Liu, the director of the Merchants Bureau, and Kobby Nie, the director of the Local Tax Bureau, along with his few other close friends.
Charles announced, "It's a private dinner. So, let's regard each other as brothers. It's all on me tonight!"
Charles' words allowed everyone else to have dinner with peace of mind.
After a few glasses of wine, Charles finally spoke, "Brucille, my illness is finally cured. But Kobby here has had arthritis since he was a subordinate. Although he may look young, his legs are useless whenever the weather is cold or rainy."
After chugging down his wine, Kobby himself added, "Yes, if it was not because my body is tough, I might have retired long ago. My legs become really painful whenever it's cold."
Brucille looked at him. Then he said, "Mr. Nie, this is actually related to the damage of the bone joints. It has to do with long-term exposure to the cold. With some prescriptions and an acupuncture treatment, I trust it will help you. Although the weather is hot now, it is still humid. So, I presume your leg is swelling badly at the moment."
"Yes, you're absolutely right. It feels like I have water retention in my knee. It's really heavy and tiring," Kobby agreed. He did not attempt to downplay anything.
"If that's the case, I'll give you a massage and an acupuncture treatment. It should go away in about half a month. I'll give you a prescription after this event. Apply it when you are home later, and it won't take long for you to recover."
Brucille was aware that there was no way he could make it big in his career without a strong network.
A person's network was like the tree roots, intricate, closely knitted and, to a certain extent, difficult to deal with. Meanwhile, a person's career was like the crown of a tree. When the root system grows complex and deeply planted, then only would the crown become luscious and exuberant.
Many people could only see success, but they were blind to the complicated relationships and connections that the success was built upon.
Kobby had been tormented by the pain in his legs for many years. It was almost at an unbearable point. Since Brucille was willing to help him, he was grateful to him.
Everyone in the room was acquainted with each other. Kobby stretched out his legs while Brucille pricked his legs with his needles as he massaged it.
The placement of his needles was light and precise, worthy of praise.
Charles chattered excitedly, "How is it? I'm not lying, right? The technique and speed of the needle insertion is much better than that of Hodge Ma from the traditional medicine department. Since the treatment from Brucille, my relationship with my wife has improved, and it feels like we're back in our forties."
"Charles, are you serious?"
"I vouch for it. Just ask Kobby and you'll know."
When the silver needles pierced into his knees, Kobby felt a warm current flowing through his whole leg and the chill in his knees actually disappeared.
After a few minutes, he stood up and moved his legs a little. It truly felt much better.
"Brucille, I didn't know you are so skilled!" Kobby exclaimed. "I went to the hospital for an acupuncture treatment last month. They put a hot patch on my thigh, but it ended up burning my skin."
"Look! Now I can move my legs freely, and I don't feel any pain at all. To be honest, I feel like I've finally gotten my legs back after so many years!"
It was hard for Kobby to hide his elation. After taking his seat, he clinked glasses with Brucille in celebration.
Not only had Brucille demonstrated his skills, he managed to convince the onlookers that his medical skills were good.
Carlos whispered to him, "Brucille, I want a second child, but my wife's infertility has been in the way for a long time. It is also a difficult disease to deal with. Can you take a look at my wife someday?"
