Chapter 179: Leah Young's Eyes Sparkled with Admiration

"Dr. Ward, your acupuncture is miraculous!" Leah Young's eyes sparkled with admiration as she stared at Elena.

Elena continued eating, her eighteen-year-old face appearing especially youthful under the lamplight. She picked up a piece of beef and chewed slowly, savoring the warmth spreading through her stomach. It felt good—like it could melt the icy weight in her chest.

"I only know acupuncture. Nothing else," she admitted honestly.

Leah Young waved her hands excitedly. "One skill is enough to conquer the world! If I had your talent, I could walk sideways just by doing acupuncture!"

Elena chuckled helplessly. "Go wash your clothes. The laundry room will run out of hot water soon."

Leah Young finally remembered the pile of laundry she had neglected for a week and hurriedly finished her meal before dashing off.

Elena exhaled deeply. At least she had her first patient today. It wasn’t her preferred choice, but once there was one, there would be more.

On her way back to the dorm, she ran into the neighbor she had never spoken to before. The woman was in her forties but dressed like she was sixty—with blunt bangs, thick black glasses, and an expression that warned strangers to keep their distance.

Elena nodded out of habit and reached for her door.

"Can... can I come in for a while?" The neighbor suddenly spoke, her voice unexpectedly pleasant.

Elena turned and noticed clear shoe marks on the neighbor’s door.

"My ex-husband came to cause trouble..." The woman’s voice trembled. "He said he’d be back..."

Elena hesitated, then opened the door. "Come in."

They sat on the couch, the air awkward between them.

"I’m Elena Ward. I practice acupuncture in the Traditional Medicine Department."

"Dr. Alice Monroe. I’m a surgeon." The introduction was stiff.

Just then, loud banging and shouting erupted outside. "Alice! I know you're in there! If you don’t open up, I’ll make a scene at your department tomorrow!"

Alice’s fingers twisted together tightly. "When we divorced, we agreed he’d get twenty dollars a month in alimony. But he always finds excuses to demand more..."

Elena understood. Another woman trapped by an ex-husband’s harassment, her own daughter even turned against her.

"This time, I don’t want to give in anymore," Alice whispered, her voice feather-light. "I’m so tired..."

Elena studied this stranger beside her and suddenly saw the unspoken sorrow etched in the wrinkles around her eyes.