Chapter 43: A Calculated Accident

"Who are you? Did you just witness what happened here?" An older man looked at Lin Feng with curiosity and asked directly.

Lin Feng had finally managed to squeeze to the front, arriving beside Li Bing’er. He shook his head with a smile and said, "I didn’t see what happened, but I can prove that this old woman was lying just now."

"Lin Feng? You really can help prove my innocence?" Li Bing’er blinked her beautiful eyes and couldn’t help tugging at Lin Feng’s sleeve.

She hadn’t expected to run into Lin Feng here, let alone that he’d be willing to help clear her name.

It was truly a blessing in a time of need!

Lin Feng gave a calm smile, shrugged, and said, "Of course. If I help you out, you have to thank me properly."

"No problem. If you help me chase this old woman off, I’ll treat you to dinner," Li Bing’er agreed readily.

"Alright, it’s a deal," Lin Feng responded decisively. He turned to face the crowd and said, "Everyone, disperse. The old woman is absolutely fine. She’s just pretending."

"What? Pretending?"

The people around showed looks of confusion.

The older man from before snorted coldly, sizing Lin Feng up with disdain. "Don’t believe him, folks. He knows this young lady and is only lying to help her."

"Yes, yes, this kid is lying. I’m so pitiful, just out to buy some groceries, and ended up meeting someone like this. My leg can’t move at all. If it stays like this, how am I supposed to go out?"

"Kid, get out of the way. You want to bail this girl out, but we won’t allow it."

"If she doesn’t pay up today, she won’t be allowed to leave."

The onlookers, swayed by the old woman’s sorrowful words, started to believe her all over again.

The old woman was secretly delighted. So you want to help her? I’ll play along.

For a moment, the chaos and noise grew even louder!

Li Bing’er was helpless. Initially, she thought Lin Feng would have a clever solution. Instead, he had gotten himself entangled, too—a fool, truly!

Yet Lin Feng’s expression showed not the slightest hint of panic. His smile remained as he looked at the crowd, raising his hand and saying loudly, "Everyone, don’t be impatient. I haven’t finished speaking."

"Since I claim the old woman is lying, naturally I can produce evidence. Does anyone here have a silver needle I could borrow?"

"A silver needle? Who would have that? Isn’t that something only doctors carry?" the older man scoffed.

"I know there’s a medical clinic nearby. They’re sure to have some," a young man suddenly spoke up, and immediately someone kindly went off to fetch a silver needle for Lin Feng.

When it was handed to him, Lin Feng smiled his thanks and slowly approached the old woman.

She had no idea what he intended to do, and was stricken with panic, asking in surprise, "What are you going to do? Are you going to stab me with that needle?"

"Don’t worry, ma’am. I’m a doctor myself. If your leg truly is injured, I can help you treat it. But if you’re feigning illness, then a single prick from this needle could have dire consequences."

"If it’s only mild, you’ll suffer leg pain for the rest of your life, barely controlled by medicine. If it’s serious, you might be bedridden forever."

"If luck’s worse, you might even require amputation right on the spot," Lin Feng advised with a gentle smile.

His words left the old woman stammering in terror, unable to speak, her eyes filled with dread.

The crowd looked on with curiosity, uncertain if Lin Feng was telling the truth, but unable to resist pressing forward for a better view.

After all, with so many witnesses, if Lin Feng harmed her, he certainly wouldn’t escape.

"Ma’am, don’t be nervous. My acupuncture skills are excellent—you won’t feel any pain at all. If you’re afraid, just close your eyes."

As Lin Feng spoke, he took out the silver needle and raised his hand high.

The moment he did, the old woman hurriedly covered her leg and shrank back half a meter, hastily protesting, "Young man, I don’t want your treatment. I don’t trust your medical skills."

"Ma’am, my friend here is a miracle doctor. When my father was on the brink of death, it was his needlework that saved him. You can absolutely trust him," Li Bing’er finally understood Lin Feng’s plan and stepped forward, persuading earnestly.

Still clutching her leg, the old woman’s eyes were wide and wary, shaking her head repeatedly, "Why should I trust you? Maybe you’re trying to harm me."

"Exactly, they’re in cahoots, trying to hurt someone. Don’t believe them, folks," the older man shouted anxiously.

But this time, the crowd paid him little mind. Instead, the young man who had previously doubted Lin Feng seemed to remember something.

He slapped his forehead and declared decisively, "Now I recall—when I was eating at a restaurant before, I saw this young man and the lady."

"This young man really did save an elderly man with acupuncture. That elder’s name was Li Nantian, a very distinguished figure. This young man’s medical skills are truly extraordinary."

"What? Li Nantian? This young man actually saved Li Nantian?"

Many people in the crowd were astonished.

The older man was struck dumb, unable to utter another word.

Immediately, everyone’s attitude shifted and they started advising the old woman.

If her leg was truly injured, having this young doctor treat her would be a blessing.

But in reality, the old woman was perfectly healthy. Hearing the crowd’s suggestions and recalling Lin Feng’s warnings, she broke into a cold sweat, panic rising in her heart.

"Ma’am, I’m preparing to begin," Lin Feng said with a beaming smile, focusing his gaze on her as he lifted his hand again, ready to apply the needle.

Suddenly!

The old woman moved swiftly. Before anyone could react, she scrambled to her feet, panic written all over her face, and bolted out of the crowd.

As she ran, she shouted, "Help! Someone’s trying to kill me with a silver needle! Save me!"

The crowd stared, stunned, at her agile legs.

So she really was faking!

Unfortunately, she escaped too quickly for anyone to respond in time, or else she’d have been severely punished.

Recovering from the shock, everyone gave Lin Feng a thumbs-up, praising him. He had become the hero of the scene.

But Lin Feng’s gaze was fixed on the older man who had previously stirred up trouble.

That man’s eyes darted about, trying to slip away unnoticed, but before he could take a step, Lin Feng strode over and seized him by the shoulder.

"Where do you think you’re going, sir? Why don’t you tell us honestly—what’s your connection to that old woman?"