Chapter 55: The King of Acupuncture Diagnoses an Illness

Lu Feng did not graduate from a medical university, nor had he ever obtained any sort of physician’s license, so the proof of medical practice that Zhou Luyang insisted upon simply didn’t exist. In this day and age, you might lack skill, but you absolutely needed the right paperwork. Su Dao’an had been planning to arrange a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner’s certificate for Lu Feng, but hadn’t managed to do so yet.

“What, don’t tell me you don’t even have a medical license? Third Sister, where did you dig up this charlatan?” Zhou Luyang pressed aggressively.

“As a so-called charlatan, all it takes is a glance for me to know that at night your hands and feet are cold, you sweat in your sleep, you’re drowsy, your muscles are easily fatigued, and your eyes are dry. More importantly, even after taking aphrodisiacs, they have little effect, and you still finish business quickly and efficiently,” Lu Feng suddenly listed off Zhou Luyang’s many symptoms.

Zhou Luyang’s face alternated between blue and white. But when Lu Feng mentioned “aphrodisiacs,” he exploded and interrupted, “Enough! Who do you think you are, daring to spout nonsense under the Zhou family’s roof?”

“If it’s just nonsense, why are you so angry?” Lu Feng smiled.

Zhou Luyang, humiliated and furious, stepped forward, intent on throwing him out.

At that moment, a dignified middle-aged man strode in from outside, greeting politely, “Madam Zhou.”

Madam Zhou turned to look, her manner instantly shifting to a cordial smile. “Secretary Wu, what brings you here?”

“I heard the old master was unwell, so I specially invited Master Li, the King of Acupuncture from our Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, to take a look,” Secretary Wu replied. Seeing Su Dao’an nearby, he greeted him as well, “Brother Su, you’re here too.”

“Secretary Wu, you’re a busy man. It’s very kind of you to come all this way,” Su Dao’an replied courteously.

Secretary Wu was a key official in charge of economic development at the city committee, so he and Su Dao’an were somewhat acquainted. In Yangcheng, Secretary Wu was an influential figure, but even here in the Zhou household, he remained respectful, addressing the old master with evident deference.

Following Secretary Wu was the slightly gaunt Li Guhe, carrying a wooden medical case.

Su Dao’an greeted Li Guhe warmly, “Master Li, you’re here as well.”

“Yes, Brother Su. And Lu Feng, you’re here too. Are you also here to see the old master?” Li Guhe greeted them amiably.

“Not at all, Master Li, with you here we’re just here to learn,” Su Dao’an replied modestly.

“Don’t say that. Let’s all take a look together—the important thing is to cure the illness,” Li Guhe said humbly.

With so many people present, Zhou Luyang didn’t dare make a scene. He snorted in dissatisfaction and headed upstairs.

“Right this way, the old master is resting. He should be awake by now. Please wait here a moment, I’ll go check,” Madam Zhou led the group to the old master’s room.

While they waited at the door, Zhou Luyang came down with a foreigner, who also waited at the entrance.

Madam Zhou emerged from the room. “The old master is awake, but it’s not suitable for so many people to go in at once, lest the illness spread. Let’s go in one by one.”

Zhou Luyang immediately squeezed past the others, gesturing for the foreigner to enter. “Mr. Parnier, please, the patient is inside.”

Zhou Fuqu blocked his path with a frown. “Zhou Luyang, what are you doing?”

“Of course I’m getting Grandpa treated. Look at the so-called doctors you’ve found—they don’t understand science at all! Mr. Parnier here is certified by the most authoritative American institutions. If even he can’t cure Grandpa, your people are useless!” Zhou Luyang sneered.

“There should be an order of entry.”

“Then I should go first! Mr. Parnier arrived this morning and has been waiting all this time,” Zhou Luyang said, pushing past Zhou Fuqu and leading the blue-eyed foreigner into the room.

Zhou Fuqu hurried in after them, as did the others. Fortunately, the room was spacious enough for five or six people without feeling crowded.

Inside, a man in his seventies lay on the bed, covered by a thin blanket, his eyes open but staring blankly at the ceiling.

“Dad, Luyang brought a doctor to see you. Are you feeling any discomfort?” Madam Zhou approached the window and asked gently.

The old man didn’t answer. He managed to lift his hand and wave it feebly, his intention unclear.

“Mr. Parnier, please take a look,” Zhou Luyang urged.

Parnier pulled a stethoscope and other instruments from his medical kit, checking the old man’s heart rate, blood pressure, and other vital signs. At last, in halting Mandarin, he said, “Body is weak. Except body temperature a bit low, all data within the normal range for elderly. No obvious symptoms. For further diagnosis, need blood test in laboratory, or go to hospital for full-body examination.”

Zhou Fuqu shot Zhou Luyang a sideways glance. “A full check-up has already been done. Zhou Luyang, didn’t you show this foreigner Grandpa’s medical report?”

“I’ve seen the report. Some data isn’t accurate—perhaps the latest medical equipment wasn’t used. I suggest sending the old man to America. The best medical care is there, with a higher chance of recovery,” Parnier replied.

“If he can’t even diagnose the illness, what’s the point of treatment? Nowadays, hospitals only know how to draw blood for tests, and even after all that, they can’t say what the illness is,” Zhou Fuqu said with disdain.

In fact, the Zhou family had already consulted top doctors at all the major hospitals and run every possible test. Blood tests revealed nothing; all the values were not ideal, but still fell within the normal range.

Simply put, the illness could not be diagnosed.

Modern medicine is highly advanced. Whether it’s a fever, cold, or viral infection, blood tests usually yield answers. Yet none of the specialists could diagnose what was wrong with the old master, which was why the Zhou family had turned to traditional Chinese medicine.

Sensing the strained atmosphere, Secretary Wu spoke up. “Why don’t we let Master Li take a look?”

“That sounds good. Master Li, please,” Madam Zhou invited Li Guhe to sit by the bedside.

Without demur, Li Guhe placed his medical case on the nightstand, took out a cloth pad for the old master’s wrist, and began to feel his pulse.

After more than ten minutes, Li Guhe released his hand and frowned. “Vital energy is weak; hands and feet are cold. This is the result of cold invading the body and not being promptly treated.”

“Then how should we treat it?” Madam Zhou asked hurriedly.

“I’ll use the Fire Needle technique to expel the cold from the old master first, then prescribe a few warming, restorative herbal formulas to see if his condition improves,” Li Guhe considered.

“Then please begin the treatment, Master Li,” Madam Zhou urged.