The woman sitting by the tea table, sipping tea and nibbling on snacks while listening to an older and younger performer playing the erhu and singing opera, immediately turned her head upon hearing Qiao Yiyi’s words. Her gaze quickly landed on Jiang Fei, and after a brief pause, she stood up in surprise and exclaimed, “Dr. Jiang! Yiyi, you didn’t tell me Dr. Jiang was coming today!”
The woman appeared to be in her early twenties, dressed in a white long skirt paired with a blue denim jacket—a look befitting a young, artsy girl. But Jiang Fei knew she was at least thirty-five.
Because he recognized her.
Gao Qinyuan, a renowned domestic film and television star. Though not an internationally famous A-lister, she had starred in numerous beloved TV dramas and had earned the title of “National Goddess” in mainland China a decade ago.
What stood out most in Jiang Fei’s memory was her portrayal of Zhou Zhiruo in The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber. She had completely captivated him back then, and in his opinion, she remained the best Zhou Zhiruo of all adaptations.
However, that version of The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber was filmed around 2002, meaning this former “National Goddess” was now well into her thirties.
It had to be said that most celebrities—men and women alike—aged remarkably well, with years leaving barely a trace on their faces.
Gao Qinyuan quickly brushed off the crumbs from the snacks she’d been eating and extended her hand to shake Jiang Fei’s. “Hello, Dr. Jiang! I’m Gao Qinyuan,” she said cheerfully.
Jiang Fei clasped her smooth, delicate hand and smiled. “No introduction needed—I already know you, Ms. Gao. I’ve watched your The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber multiple times. I’m a fan.”
As they exchanged pleasantries, Jiang Fei took a closer look at the woman who had once been his high-school-era goddess and quickly deduced why she had sought him out for treatment.
In his memory, Gao Qinyuan had always been naturally beautiful—her features well-proportioned, her figure graceful, and her skin flawless, often requiring little more than light makeup. But today, her foundation was noticeably heavy, and even beneath the layers of powder, he could see uneven texture on her face.
This was likely due to hormonal imbalance, leading to spots, skin deterioration, and acne.
For some constitutions, hormonal imbalances could be stubborn and severe, causing not just skin issues but also excessive hair growth, weight gain, and even infertility. Western medicine often struggled to treat it effectively, making traditional Chinese medicine the preferred method for gradual, holistic recovery.
Jiang Fei guessed that after consulting numerous doctors without improvement, Gao Qinyuan—having heard from her friend Qiao Yiyi about the “top miracle doctor in China”—had asked for an introduction.
“Really? That’s such an honor—I’m flattered,” Gao Qinyuan said, her expressive eyes brightening. “But after reading about you in the news, I’m the one who became a fan. Your medical skills are extraordinary, and your piano playing is just as impressive.”
“No need to call me ‘Dr. Jiang’—just my name is fine.” Meeting a celebrity he’d admired in his youth put Jiang Fei in high spirits, and her praise only added to his good mood.
Watching the two exchange compliments, Qiao Yiyi shook her head in amusement. She hadn’t expected Jiang Fei to recognize Gao Qinyuan, given that he hadn’t even known her before.
“Alright, let’s sit and talk,” Qiao Yiyi said, pulling Lin Moli down beside her.
She then explained Gao Qinyuan’s request for treatment—exactly as Jiang Fei had guessed: hormonal imbalance. Gao Qinyuan’s acne had persisted for over two months, and despite consulting several renowned TCM doctors and taking prescribed herbs, the results had been minimal. Now, she had to rely on heavy makeup to conceal her skin issues.
Jiang Fei took her pulse on the spot and confirmed the diagnosis: hormonal imbalance compounded by a naturally cold constitution, poor blood circulation, and issues with her kidneys and spleen.
“Did you suffer a severe chill about three months ago?” he asked, withdrawing his hand.
Gao Qinyuan nodded eagerly. “Yes. It wasn’t very warm yet, and a scene I was filming required me to go into the water. Right after, I caught a bad cold and ran a high fever. It took a long time to recover, and soon after, my skin started deteriorating. My hormones have been out of balance ever since.”
Jiang Fei nodded. “That explains it. Your constitution is already cold, and your immune system isn’t strong. Add in irregular meals for weight management or poor nutrition on set, and your endocrine system was already unstable. The severe chill triggered all these underlying issues at once.”
“What can I do?” Gao Qinyuan asked anxiously.
For an actress, her face was her livelihood—even more important than her acting skills. And as a woman, no one wanted uneven, blemished skin. Beauty mattered.
So despite her usual aversion to bitter herbal medicine—just the smell made her nauseous—she had forced herself to drink it three times a day for nearly two months.
Worse, untreated hormonal imbalances could lead to weight fluctuations and even infertility.
Jiang Fei thought for a moment. “Actually, my pharmaceutical company is about to release a women’s health supplement perfect for your condition. With regular use, you should see improvement within half a month…”
Gao Qinyuan’s eyes lit up. “What’s it called? Is it available now?”
If a ready-made remedy could replace the dreaded herbal concoctions, that would be a dream come true.
Lin Moli chimed in with a smile, “Our products are still in the sample stage—not yet mass-produced or officially launched. I’m in Beijing now to handle the regulatory paperwork. But if you’re willing to trust us, I can call our Chengdu office and have some samples shipped to you.”
Though unapproved drugs couldn’t be sold, gifting samples was perfectly legal.
Gao Qinyuan quickly shook her head. “With Dr. Jiang’s reputation as China’s top miracle doctor, of course I trust you! I just don’t know how to thank you enough.”
Lin Moli smiled without responding, but Qiao Yiyi suddenly took Gao Qinyuan’s hand and said playfully, “I have a great idea for how you can thank Jiang Fei. Want to hear it?”
Gao Qinyuan tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Go on. If it’s doable, I’ll do it.”
Qiao Yiyi glanced at Lin Moli and Jiang Fei before grinning. “Simple. I’m about to film an ad for Jiang’s pharmaceutical company. Why don’t you make a free guest appearance?”
Jiang Fei coughed awkwardly. “That… might be inappropriate.”
Though not as in-demand as Qiao Yiyi, Gao Qinyuan was still a top-tier actress. Even a “friendship rate” endorsement would cost hundreds of thousands. Getting a free ad in exchange for a few hundred yuan’s worth of medicine seemed like taking advantage.
But Gao Qinyuan agreed without hesitation. “That sounds perfect! It’s settled. I’m on break right now with no scheduled projects anyway.”
“…”
Was this National Goddess being too generous? Jiang Fei wondered. Does she really admire me that much?
What Gao Qinyuan was really thinking, however, was how rare it was to befriend a miracle doctor. Who could guarantee they’d never fall ill—or that their family wouldn’t need medical help someday?
A free endorsement was a small price to pay for access to a talented, multi-skilled physician like Jiang Fei. If anything, she was getting the better deal.
Many renowned TCM doctors, especially the older ones, had towering egos and saw no difference between celebrities and ordinary folk. Getting an appointment with them was notoriously difficult.
Lin Moli, far less bashful than Jiang Fei, was thrilled with the outcome and promptly thanked Gao Qinyuan.
With two goddesses—past and present—endorsing Jiang Pharmaceuticals, plus the company’s potent remedies, their products were bound to be a hit upon launch.
The group chatted happily at the Lao She Teahouse until 5:30 PM before leaving for dinner.
“Moli, what do you feel like eating tonight? Peking duck?” Qiao Yiyi suggested.
But Lin Moli shook her head without hesitation. “I only want Jiang Fei’s cooking!”
It had been too long since she’d enjoyed his homemade dishes. The marinated beef he’d prepared back in Chengdu had long since vanished from her fridge. Then she remembered they were in a hotel—how could he cook here?
Qiao Yiyi, however, was now craving Jiang Fei’s food too. Her eyes sparkled as she turned to him. “Great idea! Let’s go to Qinyuan’s place tonight—give Jiang Fei a proper kitchen to show off his skills.”
As the host, Gao Qinyuan had been mentally reviewing upscale restaurants when the suggestion caught her off guard.
Wait… why my house?
