"Impossible! How could you detoxify so easily? It makes no sense," Wang Shulang said, unable to hide his shock.
Zhu Yanyi smiled faintly. "Do you want to check my pulse? Even without it, you should know I have three more matches. If I were poisoned, I couldn't last."
She made a welcoming gesture. "Your turn. Identify the medicine, take it, and remember to detoxify." Her tone was as casual as commenting on the nice weather.
Wang Shulang looked at the colorless pill in the glass bowl. His left eye twitched violently. It felt very bad.
She picked up the pill with tweezers and sniffed it, pausing in surprise. "Are you sure this is poison?"
"I said it is poison, so it is poison. If you don't believe me, just eat it," Zhu Yanyi said calmly.
"It smells like herbal medicine," Wang Shulang noted.
"Who told you poison must smell bad? People say good medicine tastes bitter, but that’s just a contrast. Poison isn't always smelly, and good medicine isn't always fragrant," Zhu Yanyi smiled. "Mr. Wang, please identify the ingredients."
Wang Shulang hesitated. He couldn't name them all. "Water caltrop, bitter vegetable, musk…" He felt foolish. None of these were toxic.
"I don't trust this weasel. These ingredients sound harmless."
"If he were reliable, wouldn't you want him to win?"
"No, I just find it strange. Why would such a person compete?"
"Probably pulled strings."
"This is a global competition. Can you just pull strings here?"
…
The crowd outside began to discuss.
Zhu Yanyi raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Mr. Wang has a sharp nose. But there are seven ingredients. You only named six. One is missing."
"Another one?" Wang Shulang sniffed again deeply but couldn't guess. "I really can't tell."
"Mango peel," Zhu Yanyi said with a faint smile. "Common mango peel. It can trigger various ailments and enhance drug effects. It fits this pill perfectly."
"Little Divine Doctor, are you joking?" Wang Shulang’s expression darkened.
Zhu Yanyi saw her doubt. "Mr. Wang, do you think non-toxic herbs can't make poison?"
Wang Shulang nodded seriously. He believed so.
"Mr. Wang, you study poison, yet you don't know about herb incompatibility? Harmless herbs can become deadly when mixed. Since you don't believe me, please take the pill now."
Seeing Zhu Yanyi’s gentle smile, Wang Shulang felt like she was looking at a devil. But she couldn't retreat. She didn't believe harmless things could turn toxic.
She swallowed it. Immediately, her heart raced. A前所未有的 panic seized her.
"This poison makes the heart beat fast, leading to death from palpitations. From swallowing to death, it takes three hours. So, Mr. Wang Shulang, you have three hours to find the antidote," Zhu Yanyi smiled. Then she addressed the camera:
"Be careful with food. Separate items may be safe, but combined, they might be toxic. Like bok choy. Never eat leftovers overnight. By morning, harmful carcinogens may form. If you can't finish it, throw it away."
"The Little Divine Doctor is so cute. She’s seriously telling us what to eat."
"She is the Little Divine Doctor. No one compares."
"She’s right. I used to love leftovers. I won’t anymore."
"Me neither."
…
"Is this girl competing or on vacation?" Old Yun laughed in front of the TV.
Old Du, watching with her, smiled. "You watched her grow up. When have you seen her panic? Only when her brother was hurt did she get angry. Never panicked."
"No wonder she challenged them boldly, saying if they win one, she loses. She’s bullying them."
"Don't say that. She’s fighting alone," Old Du laughed.
Old Yan and Mrs. Alogesang were also watching.
Mrs. Alogesang had worried when Zhu Yanyi took poison, but Zhu Yanyi was fine. Now her opponent was in trouble.
"My daughter-in-law is so good. This weasel tried to harm her. Now he suffers," Mrs. Alogesang said, clearly biased.
Old Yan nodded. "This weasel is no good. Go, Yanyi! Beat him."
"Stop shouting. Quietly watch our daughter-in-law crush these foreigners," Mrs. Alogesang said proudly.
Zhu Yanyi ignored the outside noise. She looked at the weasel. "Mr. Wang Shulang, if you can’t hold on, admit defeat. I will give you the antidote."
Admit defeat? He didn’t want to. But he couldn’t stop his heart from racing. It was getting faster.
Wang Shulang fainted and fell to the ground.
Zhu Yanyi glanced at her. "Her mental strength is too weak. She scared herself into unconsciousness. My poison isn’t lethal yet."
"Little Divine Doctor," Merk spoke up. "We lost the second match."
She wouldn’t argue. Wang Shulang couldn’t save herself. Loss was loss.
"Admitting defeat?" Zhu Yanyi looked at Merk.