Madam Qiao’s complexion had improved significantly, and she looked like she was out of danger.
“As expected of Divine Doctor Xu!
He truly works wonders!”
“Madam Qiao’s color came back in an instant!
That brat from earlier was just spouting nonsense—a complete clown!”
The crowd broke into applause, and Xu Renfeng was naturally basking in the glory.
After all, putting on a good show for Qiao Haishan was a matter of great prestige.
Madam Qiao asked in confusion, “Old Qiao, who are they calling a clown?”
Qiao Haishan relayed what Yang Yi had said, and upon hearing it, Madam Qiao was also quite displeased.
“Young people these days…
There’s just no accounting for them.”
Qiao Haishan smiled.
“Divine Doctor Xu, I forgot to ask, who is this young man beside you?”
Xu Renfeng made the introduction.
“Director Qiao, you must remember the Hong Family, the family of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners from Nanzhou over a decade ago?”
Qiao Haishan nodded.
“A pity.
The Hong Family moved abroad to settle down, otherwise Jiangnan Province might have gained another ‘Divine Doctor Hong.'”
Xu Renfeng said, “The Hong Family is planning to return to Nanzhou.
In fact, Juntao here was sent by the family to pave the way.”
“Juntao has a medical doctorate from a prestigious foreign university!”
Qiao Haishan looked impressed and quickly extended his hand.
“So that’s how it is!
Mr.
Hong, a pleasure to meet you!
Welcome home!”
Hong Juntao said humbly, “Returning to our homeland is our family’s greatest wish, but after more than a decade, we’ll have to start from scratch.”
Qiao Haishan laughed heartily.
“Not a problem.
If you run into any difficulties, you can come to me.”
Hong Juntao was overjoyed.
“You’re too kind!”
Qiao Haishan said, “There’s no need to be so formal.
It would be a great blessing for everyone if we could have a Divine Doctor Hong in the future.”
Xu Renfeng spoke up, “Director Qiao, why don’t you all come sit at my Jifeng Hall for a while?
I can prepare some medicine for Madam Qiao at the same time.”
“Alright!”
Qiao Haishan nodded in agreement.
Xu Renfeng then turned to Li Zhenghai.
“President Li, join us!”
A flicker of joy went through Li Zhenghai.
“Haha, I’d be delighted!”
And so, the group prepared to leave.
But at that moment, Madam Qiao said weakly, “Old Qiao, I feel so dizzy…”
Qiao Haishan was startled and quickly moved to support her, but Madam Qiao had already fainted again.
Moreover, the color was visibly draining from her face.
“Divine Doctor Xu!”
Xu Renfeng was stunned as well.
He rushed forward to check her pulse, then frantically took out his silver needles to probe her acupoints.
Madam Qiao’s body convulsed violently, and then she began to tremble and vomit.
Sweat beaded on Xu Renfeng’s forehead as he watched her condition worsen.
“I… I can’t treat her… Quick, send her to the hospital!”
Qiao Haishan and Hong Juntao were dumbfounded.
‘Divine Doctor Xu says he can’t treat her?’
Qiao Haishan exploded in anger.
“You’re a Divine Doctor!
How can you say something like that?!”
Suddenly, Qiao Haishan thought of Yang Yi.
He shot his head up and roared, “That young man named Yang Yi, where is he?
Someone find him and bring him here!”
Li Zhenghai quickly said, “Director Qiao, calm down!
I’ll go find that brat and bring him back!”
…
Yang Yi had approached several vendors, but none were willing to sell him any medicinal herbs.
It wasn’t until he passed a thin, wiry old man in his seventies that someone spoke to him.
“Young man,” the elder said, “if you don’t mind my humble selection, feel free to take a look!”
Yang Yi stopped in his tracks and asked, “You dare to sell to me?”
The old man didn’t look well and seemed to have an injury on his leg, but his face was kind.
“I’m nearly eighty.
What are they going to do to me?
I’m not afraid of them.”
Yang Yi smiled.
“You’re pretty brave, Grandpa!”
The old man chuckled.
“Back in my day, I saw plenty of action on the battlefield!”
“But enough about that.
See if I have the herbs you need.
Take your pick.”
Yang Yi was filled with a sudden sense of respect.
‘So he’s a veteran who’s been to war!
No wonder he has such a commanding presence!’
“You do have what I need.
I’ll just pick some out.”
Just then, a neighboring vendor sneered, “Old Zhang, you dare sell to him?
Be careful you don’t get kicked out of the market!”
“You’re old and childless.
Without this stall, how are you going to survive?”
Old Zhang heard this and scoffed, “Who are you trying to scare?
I was bashing enemy heads in when he wasn’t even a twinkle in his father’s eye!”
Yang Yi suddenly said, “Grandpa Zhang, I can treat the injury on your leg.”
“How about this: you sell me the herbs, and I’ll heal your legs for you?”
Old Zhang shook his head and smiled.
“Young man, I appreciate the thought.”
“But this is a chronic problem I’ve had for years.
Even the big hospitals can’t cure it!”
Seeing his disbelief, Yang Yi smiled.
“Just let me try.
It can’t get any worse than it is now, right?”
The neighboring vendor sneered, “Be careful, Old Zhang.
That kid might ‘cure’ you to the point where you can’t even stand up!”
“Nobody asked you!”
Old Zhang retorted, then said to Yang Yi, “Fine, I’ll let you try.”
‘Might as well let the young man experiment on me!’
Yang Yi then took out his silver needles and began performing acupuncture on the man’s thigh, knee, and calf.
Seeing how professional he seemed, Old Zhang asked in surprise, “Young man, what university do you attend?”
Yang Yi replied, “My master taught me my medical skills.
I’ve never been to a formal school.”
“Pfft!
Old Zhang, you’ve been had!
You’re screwed now!” the neighboring vendor cackled.
Old Zhang began to feel a pang of regret, but seeing Yang Yi’s serious expression, he sighed internally.
‘Ah, whatever.
Why get worked up over a kid?’
‘My legs are ruined anyway!’
A moment later, Yang Yi put away his silver needles and smiled.
“All done, Grandpa Zhang!”
The neighboring vendor scoffed, “What a charade.
Healed after a few pokes with a needle?
Who are you trying to kid!”
However, Old Zhang’s expression suddenly turned to one of excitement, and he stood up ramrod straight!
“I… I’m really healed?!”
Old Zhang wore a look of utter disbelief.
“My knees don’t hurt, the muscles aren’t aching… M-My legs are healed?!”
The vendor next to him was instantly dumbfounded.
He widened his eyes, suspecting he was seeing things!
But Old Zhang was really standing!
Yang Yi smiled.
“Congratulations, Grandpa Zhang.
You’re standing on your own two feet again.”
Old Zhang said with vigor, “No, young man, I’m the one who should be thanking you!”
As he spoke, he started to kneel and kowtow to Yang Yi, who was so startled he quickly stopped him.
“Sir, please don’t do this!
You’re giving me too much credit!”
Old Zhang was overcome with emotion.
“Young man, take all these herbs!
All of them!
No charge!”
Yang Yi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“I only need enough for my purposes.
Besides, you’ll need to take some medicine to continue your recovery.”
He wrote down a prescription and handed it to Old Zhang.
“Follow this prescription for a week and you’ll be fine.”
Old Zhang accepted the prescription as if it were a priceless treasure and put it away safely.
He asked solemnly, “Young man, what is your name?”
“Yang Yi.”
Just as Old Zhang was about to say something more, a shout came from nearby.
“President Li!
That brat is over here!”
Yang Yi turned to look.
‘Isn’t that the unreasonable Li Zhenghai from before?’
Li Zhenghai walked over, his face grim.
In a tone that brooked no argument, he ordered, “Yang Yi, you’re coming with me right now.
You’re going to treat Madam Qiao!”