Chapter 1732

They heard footsteps approaching. Dominic opened the door just as Lily arrived. Seeing the open door, she raised an eyebrow, unmoved.

"Have you started?"

"I was waiting for you."

"What if I hadn't shown up?"

"Then I'd have done it myself."

"How many years has it been since you last did this? Aren't you afraid you might miss the points?"

"Then I'll just poke a few more times. It makes little difference."

As they spoke, Austin broke into a cold sweat. He wondered what they meant by extra needles being acceptable, and why Uncle Dom had waited for Lily. Could it be...?

"Wait a minute!" Austin sat up, looking at them. "Who's going to do the acupuncture? Is it…"

Lily glanced at him, then at Dominic. "You didn't tell him?"

"Tell him what?" Dominic feigned innocence. "He's the patient. Does he have the right to choose his doctor?"

Austin was bewildered. Why not?!

Though bound and weak, he gritted his teeth, struggling to sit up straighter. "Uncle Dom," he said, looking at them, "when it comes to acupuncture, I think you should do it. I don't trust anyone else."

Despite his past experiences, his prejudice against Lily's medical skills had lessened. He believed in her competence. Acupuncture, however, was different. He'd always been awed by Dominic's skill, secretly memorizing acupoint charts, though Dominic had never taught him. Dominic had explained that acupuncture was far more complex than it appeared; precise point location, needle depth, and other factors were crucial. Furthermore, acupuncture demanded practice, and Austin lacked sufficient patients to practice on. He didn't trust Lily's proficiency.

"Oh, don't you worry about her," Dominic said casually.

"Then…"

"Lily's been learning from me for some time, but she's lacked opportunity to practice. We shouldn't waste such a good chance," Dominic said, handing Lily the silver needles.

Austin's eyes widened. Did I hear that right? Is she using me as a test subject?!

Taking the needles, Lily walked toward him, smiling harmlessly. "Don't worry. Although this is my first time, I'll try my best. It might hurt a little, so bear with me. For a man, it should be nothing."

Austin was shocked. He wanted to escape, but his bonds and weakness prevented it. He stared at the needles, exclaiming, "D-Don't joke around like that!"

He turned to Dominic. "Uncle Dom, I'm your grandnephew! You have to take my life seriously! How can you treat me as a test subject?! I—"