From Villain to Virtual Sweetheart: The Fake Heir's Grand Scheme(BL)
Chapter 157: The Last Hope

Chapter 157: The Last Hope

Arriving at the small clinic tucked behind the Royal Dragon Pavilion restaurant, Micah stepped out of the car. The morning air was cool and a faint smell of herbs drifted from nearby windows, already hinting at the traditional treatments practised inside. Micah tugged at his new jacket before turning to look at Clyde, who quietly stepped out after him.

The sign above the door was simple and old-fashioned, with faded gold lettering that read "Lin Traditional Therapy."

"Wow! If my grandfather knew there was a famous traditional clinic just this close and he had missed it all these years, he would probably flip out!" Micah mumbled to himself.

Who knew there was something like this in Isatic City?

He glanced at Clyde from the corner of his eye. Well, now he understood why this man had easily walked to that restaurant. He was a Du Pont. Their level was so far apart.

As soon as they entered, a soft chime rang above the door. The interior smelled of a burning Chinese Mugwort, with lots of dried herbs hanging from the ceilings.

A woman in a beige uniform greeted them with a polite bow and asked them to follow her. She led them through a short hallway into a quiet room that was more like a study than a clinic,

Soft lighting, a bookshelf filled with texts on Eastern medicine, and a cushion bed in the centre.

Lin Heye’s father, called Uncle Lin by those close to him, stood beside a wooden tray filled with acupuncture tools. His long sleeves were rolled up to the forearms, and his posture, though aged, carried a quiet strength. He looked up, eyes kind beneath his silver brows, and smiled gently.

"Grandpa Lin!" Micah called out.

"I see you are here early," Uncle Lin remarked, glancing at the two of them.

"I was excited to try it," Micah replied cheerfully, glancing around the room with curiosity.

Uncle Lin raised an eyebrow, amused. "Excited?" he repeated, then chuckled. "Don’t tease this old man. Who enjoys being poked with needles."

"I’m serious. I’ve never experienced acupuncture before. Besides, I have a pretty high pain tolerance." Micah said with an earnest tone.

"Fine. Take off your clothes and put on the robe over there." Uncle Lin gestured to a folded robe resting neatly on a chair.

"Okay." Micah chirped, already reaching for the robe.

Uncle Lin’s gaze landed on Clyde, who remained near the door, quiet and unmoving but his eyes were locked on Micah like an obsessive lover. He walked toward him. "And Clyde," he whispered, his voice gaining a subtle edge, "wait outside. You’ve already seen enough of him today."

Clyde blinked, visibly startled by the comment. After a pause, he gave a small nod, then turned and walked out without protest, pulling the door shut behind him with a soft click.

Micah quickly changed behind the screen and emerged in the robe. He climbed onto the bed in the middle of the room and lay down on his back, arms resting at his sides.

Uncle Lin approached with practised ease, his fingers firm yet gentle as he examined the pulse points on Micah’s wrists.

"How have you been feeling?"

"Good," Micah answered honestly. "I haven’t had any pain these days."

Uncle Lin nodded, pleased. "If you stick to the dietary plan and come in for regular treatments, you’ll begin to notice real improvement in about two months. The body heals when the mind and heart are also aligned."

Micah’s lips curved into a soft smile. "It’s all because of your magical tonics. Thank you..."

Uncle Lin glanced at him thoughtfully. "No," he said, straightening as he prepared the first needle. "It’s I who should thank you."

Micah blinked. "Huh?"

The old man carefully placed the first needle in, then leaned back slightly. "Since you arrived, my son, Xiao Heye, has been in better spirits. He was really worried about Clyde. But felt powerless... now because of you, Clyde started reconnecting with his old friends again. We had been concerned for a long time."

"Worried about what?" Micah asked, puzzled.

Uncle Lin placed another needle, his movements calm and precise. "He shut himself off completely. Cut ties with friends, and buried himself in work. It wasn’t just being busy. It was like withdrawal. He kept everything locked away... his feelings, his burdens, even his joys. A man can work like a machine, but he cannot live like one."

Micah’s expression turned thoughtful. That matched the Clyde he had known so far, quiet, composed, always on top of everything. He had figured Clyde was just a workaholic. But the way Grandpa Lin described it made it sound more like Clyde was hiding from the world. From something... pain maybe?

"Can I ask..." Micah said after a while. "why did he isolate himself?"

Uncle Lin put the final needle and straightened his back. "He had a hard childhood. And when his father passed, all the responsibility landed on his shoulders without warning. And somewhere along the way, his personality changed... He doesn’t let anyone get close to him. Or get a chance to care about him."

Micah stayed still, staring at the ceiling, lost in thoughts. Clyde carried himself like a competent adult. He never showed a flaw. His emotions were always unreadable. And with how Micah had done until now, the man never once lost his temper. One time Micah had called him robot and android... but after last night... he didn’t like that word at all.

Clyde had cared about him, helped him so many times, carried him when he collapsed, scolded him gently, and even got him clothes designed by Georgina...

That wasn’t the behaviour of someone without a heart, but of someone who hid his emotions behind a thick wall.

Uncle Lin watched Micah’s expression soften and added with a small chuckle.

"I am glad he met you. I think your liveliness has rubbed off on him a little."

Micah paused and looked at Grandpa Lin. "Do you really think I have influenced him that much?"

Uncle Lin met his eyes, gaze calm and unwavering. "Slowly, patiently. Yes. I believe you have. But even if you were fed up with him and walked away tomorrow, I believe you would still remember this time as something good. Life is full of crossroads. Some people pass them by. Some pause to treasure them. And those who do, often find themselves rewarded in ways they never expected."

Micah nodded slowly, his voice soft with uncertainty. "Grandpa Lin... why are telling me all this?"

The old man leaned back and began removing the needles. "Because I think you understand Clyde better than anyone else. Aren’t you the same? Carrying the weight of responsibility. Guilt. Loneliness. Tell me I’m wrong."

Micah’s eyes widened. "What?!"

Uncle Lin skillfully removed all the needles. "I am not just a traditional doctor. I grew up in a shrine. I was taught to see beyond the physical body. You walk into a room, and your soul arrives a moment later. That’s the mark of someone still searching for their place."

Micah slowly sat up. "Can you tell me, then...why me? Why was I chosen? I feel like I’m the last person who should be involved in any of this! I’m reckless, impulsive, insensitive, I mess things up..."

"Are you really?" Uncle Lin interrupted, his tone still gentle, but now sharper, firmer. "Or are those just excuses? Shields you hold up to protect yourself from disappointments? Have you ever considered that perhaps the universe already tried every other option... and finally decided to gamble everything on you? Maybe you are the last hope..."

Uncle Lin must have meant Clyde. Micah could be the last thread pulling him back from the edge, a chance at healing, at a normal life. But...

But Micah misread the meaning. He thought Uncle Lin meant something else entirely. That he had become the last hope to correct the plot. To save Darcy and Ramsy’s Family. To save Flora and Nora. Or even those twisted male leads...

Micah clenched his fists. He had never seen it from that angle before. That mysterious being who let him read the book... maybe he had tried it with others too and failed. And now, he might be the last hope.

Micah’s resolve solidified. If Uncle Lin was right... he had no time for doubt, no room for hesitation. And most definitely no time to be distracted by someone...

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