Chapter 35: A Physician Cannot Heal Himself

The middle-aged man and the young girl who had just entered both wore expressions of astonishment. They didn't know much about the young man's medical skills, but his boldness alone was truly remarkable.

“Shao Wen, tell us your plan,” Qin Zhong said in a deep voice.

“Old Zhao’s condition is primarily due to an excess of toxins in his body. These toxins are disrupting the function of his organs, causing what appears to be premature aging. In reality, his viscera aren’t completely healthy, but their operation isn’t fundamentally impaired…”

“As long as we use medicine to purge the toxins, his internal organs should hold up well for another five years. What happens after five years is uncertain… Of course, all this assumes no unforeseen complications,” Lin Shaowen explained, his face brightening as he spoke of his specialty.

The young girl who had just come in blushed deeply. A young man just over twenty confidently advising a room full of experienced veterans was a sight few could truly appreciate.

Especially since this young man was quite handsome.

“Get to the specific treatment plan,” Qin Zhong prompted.

“Use strychnine and arsenic, supplemented by…”

Lin Shaowen rattled off more than twenty kinds of herbs and substances. Many present didn’t fully understand, but the first two—arsenic and strychnine—were enough to send chills down their spines.

Both arsenic and strychnine are highly poisonous.

Deputy Director Li was already sweating profusely—this was a high-stakes gamble.

“A good approach,” Qin Zhong said, slamming his fist on the table.

“The risk is great, but it truly is a good solution,” Zhang Yuyang also affirmed.

“Doctor Lin, I have a niece about your age. I heard you’re not yet married, so perhaps—”

Mrs. Zhao was about to say something but was interrupted by Lin Shaowen’s wave of his hand.

“Mrs. Zhao, please don’t try to sway a doctor with personal incentives; it affects their judgment. Have you heard the saying, ‘A physician does not heal himself’?” Lin Shaowen said seriously.

Mrs. Zhao was momentarily stunned, then her face flushed red.

“Hahaha, got you there, didn’t I?” Zhao Qing laughed heartily but was promptly pinched hard by Mrs. Zhao.

If it weren’t for consideration of Mrs. Zhao’s dignity, Qin Zhong and Zhang Yuyang would have applauded on the spot.

These official families loved to use such tactics.

“Doctor Lin, I must apologize. You are a man of noble character.”

Mrs. Zhao was gracious enough to acknowledge that.

“A doctor’s duty is to heal the sick, no matter who they are.”

Lin Shaowen shook his head, then picked up paper and pen from the tea table. After writing the prescription, he stood and gave a wry smile. “Teacher and Director Zhang are both masters in the field. They wouldn’t have overlooked this method. But they are too cautious, so they left it to a rookie like me…”

“If the medicine fails, I hope Old Zhao and Mrs. Zhao will not blame anyone. I take my leave.”

With that, he nodded to everyone and turned to leave.

“Dad, I’ll see him out,” Deputy Director Li said and quickly followed.

The living room fell into an almost unbearable silence.

After a long while…

“Heroes do indeed emerge from the young,” Zhao Qing sighed.

“Yes, we’re getting old,” Qin Zhong replied with a self-deprecating chuckle.

What Lin Shaowen said just now was merely to save face for Qin Zhong and Zhang Yuyang.

This risky approach was taboo for men like them.

Qin Zhong and Zhang Yuyang had long transcended their roles as doctors—they were officials first, doctors second.

They had wealth and status; stability was their top priority.

“By the way, Ban Cheng… what brings you here?” Zhao Qing looked toward the middle-aged man who had arrived later.

“I heard you weren’t well,” Lou Ban Cheng said as he placed a gift box he had at his feet onto the table. “Here are two ancient ginseng roots from my father’s collection. Maybe they can help.”

Qin Zhong glanced at them, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

Both ginseng roots were as thick as a child’s arm, at least a century old.

“How thoughtful, truly thoughtful,” Zhao Qing smiled, then turned to the young girl beside Lou Ban Cheng. “Xiao E, you’re this grown—have you been promised to anyone yet?”

Xiao E’s face instantly turned red as she ducked her head.

“Someone recently introduced a young man to me. He’s working class, from a family of peasants for three generations…” Lou Ban Cheng began.

“Three generations of peasants, not bad,” Zhao Qing said, then fell silent on the subject.

Lou Ban Cheng felt some disappointment. That response was not enough; he wanted a clearer answer.

Troubles were already brewing, and if he couldn’t maintain stability, he might not get through this hurdle.

Nanluoguxiang.

Jia Zhangshi was negotiating with the media about Jia Dongxu’s matchmaking. When the matchmaker heard the other party was willing to pay fifty yuan for a young, unmarried woman with a city job, promising a five-yuan introduction fee upon success, her eyes lit up.

Nowadays, two yuan as a matchmaking fee was already extravagant; five yuan was astronomical.

Of course, Jia Dongxu’s divorce and child were serious drawbacks.

It would be challenging, but not impossible.

Meanwhile, three elder ladies were sitting in the front yard mending shoes. They were stunned upon hearing Jia Zhangshi’s conditions and demands.

What they didn’t know was that all this money came from Yi Zhonghai.

Beep beep!

A small car pulled up at the gate. Jia Zhangshi stopped her conversation and looked curiously outside.

These days, small cars were rare.

“Doctor Lin, if you need anything at the factory, just tell me. I won’t hesitate to help,” Deputy Director Li said, lifting two large bags from the car trunk and handing them to Lin Shaowen.

These gifts weren’t his personally; they were a consultation fee from the Zhao family.

“All right,” Lin Shaowen nodded.

Deputy Director Li and Director Yang’s disputes were inevitable. Lin Shaowen was just a doctor—his job was to do his duty well.

“Farewell,”

Deputy Director Li shook Lin Shaowen’s hand once more before getting into the car and leaving.

Lin Shaowen carried the bags as he stepped through the gate, immediately drawing five pairs of eyes upon him.

“Doctor Lin, off work already?” The three elder ladies greeted first.

“I had some business today, so I left early,” Lin Shaowen smiled.

“Still, Doctor Lin’s skills are impressive—you can leave work whenever you want,” Jia Zhangshi said sarcastically.

“Flattering, but I’m no match for some people who excel at soul-calling,” Lin Shaowen retorted.

“You little brat, who are you talking about?” Jia Zhangshi instantly lost her composure.

“I said some people,” Lin Shaowen smiled. “By the way, Jia Zhangshi, you haven’t performed your act today, right? Of course, if you don’t want to, just remember to hide your household registration book.”

“You little brat, I’ll tear you apart!” Jia Zhangshi snapped, lunging to strike Lin Shaowen.

“Wait,” Lin Shaowen held out a hand, and Jia Zhangshi stopped.

“What? Want to apologize? Too late.”

“No, I just want to ask, Jia Zhangshi… how many people are listed on your household registration book?”

He said this with a straight face, then before Jia Zhangshi could react, he dashed away.

“Hahaha!”

The three elder ladies burst into laughter.

Lin Shaowen was young but sharp-tongued, always hitting where it hurt.

Asking about the household registration book reminded Jia Zhangshi of her deceased husband and mocked her as a country bumpkin.

“You little brat, I’ll get you…”

“You little brat, if you’re brave, come out!”

“Don’t think you can hide inside and I can’t get to you. Just wait—I’ll burn down your gate!”

Jia Zhangshi chased after him toward the backyard, pounding the solid copper-plated wooden door fiercely.

“Burn it down, go ahead and burn it,”

Lin Shaowen’s calm voice came from behind, “I paid two hundred yuan for this door. If you break even a little, you won’t be able to repay it even if you sell your family’s sticks.”

“You…”

Jia Zhangshi was so angry she nearly spat blood but dared not hit the door again.

The two-hundred yuan was real; everyone in the courtyard had seen Lin Shaowen pay.

What they didn’t know was that this two-hundred-yuan price also included the small door beside it.