Taoist Doctor - Chapter 19

“… I told you guys to stop reading those random novels,” Zhou Jinyuan said expressionlessly. “Don’t talk nonsense. This is my friend, not someone coming to settle a score with me.”

 

A patient who witnessed the whole process also raised his hand to testify, “They weren’t fighting.”

 

When Liu Qi and the others learned that Rong Shouyun was Zhou Jinyuan’s friend, they were a bit disappointed, but then very curious.

 

Because—

 

“Why are you two friends?”

 

They weren’t intentionally trying to disrupt the unity between the two sects, but how did they become friends?

 

“We were friends before he became a monk, childhood buddies,” Zhou Jinyuan emphasized.

 

The three showed skeptical expressions, possibly wondering, if they were childhood buddies, why didn’t the monk become a Taoist like Zhou Jinyuan? Are they really that close?

 

But from the looks of it, it seemed like a misunderstanding, a bit disappointing and awkward.

 

“Well, I still have patients to see, so I’ll head back!” Liu Qi laughed awkwardly.

 

As Zhou Jinyuan watched them leave dejectedly, he suspected that another gossip might emerge in the hospital: “Zhou the Great God was challenged by a Buddhist monk, leading to a great battle in the clinic,” or something like that, but he had no proof!

 

Rong Shouyun, on the other hand, touched his bald head and remarked, “The people of Haizhou are quite interesting.”

 

“They are interesting. If you can’t find a new place, you can apply to work at the Third Hospital,” Zhou Jinyuan laughed. “I guarantee that within six months, you’ll have a relic.”

 

Rong Shouyun: “???”

 

…

 

Zhou Jinyuan asked Rong Shouyun to wait for him in the waiting area. Rong Shouyun sat there, blending in perfectly with the other bald patients.

 

After work, Zhou Jinyuan took Rong Shouyun home. He couldn’t just leave him at a hotel.

 

He called Xiaoxue, but she might have been in class and didn’t pick up, so he sent a text to inform her that Rong Shouyun was coming over.

 

Rong Xue replied after a while: “Did the abbot approve his leave?”

 

Since it was a text, Zhou Jinyuan couldn’t tell if she was being sarcastic… he could only reply, “We’ll talk when I get back.”

 

The two arrived home around the same time as Rong Xue. Upon entering, Rong Xue greeted Zhou Jinyuan, “Brother.” Then she glanced at Rong Shouyun and nodded in acknowledgment, “Why did you come down from the mountain?”

 

“…” Rong Shouyun chuckled awkwardly, “Do you see me as just the guy next door?”

 

Rong Xue said nothing.

 

Rong Shouyun: “Don’t be like that. I’m here to accompany you in your studies.”

 

Rong Xue burst out laughing and walked into the kitchen to cook.

 

Just last month, Rong Shouyun had written an article on the hazards of accompanying someone in their studies.

 

“Your brother offended people and can’t stay in Haizhou’s Buddhist circles,” Zhou Jinyuan summarized to Rong Xue in a few words as he leaned against the kitchen door. “So he’s staying here for a while, looking for another job. It’s not easy being a monk these days.”

 

Without looking up, Rong Xue said, “With his temperament, he’ll never make it. He’ll end up secular again.”

 

Zhou Jinyuan agreed. In this era, true seclusion is almost impossible. It’s better to be like them, living as secular Taoists.

 

After all, Rong Shouyun, besides learning medicine from his family, also practiced medicine. Though not as versatile as Zhou Jinyuan, his specialty was in traditional Chinese orthopedic medicine. With so many young people suffering from computer-related issues, orthopedics is a booming field. Finding a job shouldn’t be hard for him.

 

Rong Shouyun was frustrated because he sincerely sought to detach from worldly desires, but hadn’t expected turmoil outside of them. He shouted, “Don’t write me off! I’m a dark horse in Buddhism with great potential!”

 

Zhou Jinyuan and Rong Xue fell silent for a moment, then continued as if he wasn’t there:

 

“… Is there soup?”

 

“Let’s make a vegetable soup.”

 

“Okay.”

 

Rong Shouyun: “…”

 

Rong Shouyun said mournfully, “Don’t pretend you didn’t hear me. I’m not convinced.”

 

Rong Xue slammed the kitchen knife onto the cutting board with a thud, startling Rong Shouyun. Then she said nonchalantly, “If you’re bound by emotions, you lose your Buddha nature. You’re too emotional to be a dark horse.”

 

This was a Zen saying about how emotions can inhibit enlightenment.

 

With one monk and one Taoist at home, Rong Xue seemed to understand both quite well, showing some talent.

 

“Oh,” Zhou Jinyuan laughed, joining in the mockery, “I think my sister is more like a dark horse. She’s sharper than you. You crying to become a monk isn’t as good as her.”

 

Rong Shouyun: “…”

 

Amitabha, This Life Is Unlivable…

 

To accommodate Rong Shouyun, they added two vegetarian dishes to dinner. After eating and chatting for a while, Rong Shouyun stretched and, feeling tired from the day’s travels, said, “Sigh, I want to sleep.”

 

Rong Xue asked him, “Which hotel are you staying at?”

 

Rong Shouyun: “…”

 

“I knew it, I’m just the guy next door to you… You ask me this, do I not deserve to stay here?” Rong Shouyun said indignantly. “I’m staying here until I find a new place to work!”

 

“Haha, Xiaoxue must be joking with you,” Zhou Jinyuan said, remembering he hadn’t made any arrangements. There were only two rooms in total, so he said, “Go freshen up, tonight you can…”

 

He was about to suggest they share a bed since it was big enough.

 

But Rong Xue moved with lightning speed, instantly appearing next to Rong Shouyun and hugging his arm. “Brother, sleep with me tonight.”

 

Rong Shouyun: “….???”

 

Who are you? You’re not my sister…

 

Zhou Jinyuan was also surprised to see Rong Xue acting so close. When did these two become so affectionate? It wasn’t just a joke about the guy next door.

 

“I haven’t had a heart-to-heart with big brother in a long time,” Rong Xue said with an unchanged expression. “It’s only right for brothers to share a room.”

 

Zhou Jinyuan’s surprise faded, and he felt quite comforted. After all, they were blood brothers. It seemed Xiaoxue sympathized with her brother’s situation.

 

Two people had to share a bed, and if Xiaoxue suggested sharing with him, he would worry about her schooling and her tall frame being cramped. But for the sake of brotherly reconciliation, it had to be done.

 

Zhou Jinyuan nodded immediately, “Alright then.”

 

“Brother, go wash up, I’ll help you with your luggage,” Rong Xue said, pushing Rong Shouyun towards the bathroom.

 

Rong Shouyun looked back at Zhou Jinyuan with a face full of confusion: Is this kid crazy??

 

With two brothers sharing a bed, Rong Shouyun changed into his pajamas. While showering, he had mentally prepared himself. His brother might not be crazy, perhaps this was the moment their relationship would thaw, with his brother finally reaching out.

 

Rong Shouyun said solemnly, “Xiaoxue, let’s talk.”

 

“Sleep, I have class tomorrow,” Rong Xue said briskly, pulling the quilt over himself and turning off the light.

 

Rong Shouyun in the dark: “…”

 

To treat Qu Guanfen, Zhou Jinyuan specially commissioned a set of thicker long needles, which were now ready. Using such needles could better affect the meridians.

 

From a Western medical perspective, the concept of meridians doesn’t exist. But Zhou Jinyuan’s treatment, aside from affecting the meridians, also aimed to improve blood circulation, energy metabolism, relieve nerve pressure, and stimulate beneficial stress responses in the body.

 

So, while the core part might seem mystical, it wasn’t baseless. Additionally, patients still needed to cooperate with some exercises to achieve better results.

 

The difficulty lay in the fact that treatment varied from person to person. Even if other doctors knew the acupuncture techniques, massage methods, and prescriptions, it was hard to replicate Zhou Jinyuan’s results. Even in standardized Western medicine, experience and talent are crucial, let alone in traditional Chinese medicine.

 

Qu Guanfen’s treatment was long-term. Zhou Jinyuan couldn’t go to his house daily as he had work to do, and Qu Qingrui didn’t dare ask too much, so Qu Guanfen had to come to the Third Hospital at scheduled times.

 

Unlike Zhou Jinyuan’s calm waiting, Qu Qingrui had been anxious these past few days. He donated to the Third Hospital and personally oversaw the manufacturer making the needles for Zhou Jinyuan.

 

When it was time for the first scheduled treatment, he pretended to leave but actually waited in his car for a long time. Only when he saw Qu Guanfen come down and the driver head towards the Third Hospital did he relax.

 

He was too afraid that Qu Guanfen might change his mind and give up on treatment. He was even more afraid that the treatment results might not be satisfactory. But at this point, he could only pray that Zhou Jinyuan would perform as excellently as usual.

 

…

 

Qu Guanfen arrived at the clinic in his electric wheelchair, unaccompanied, as usuausua

 

Navigating the hospital, Qu Guanfen felt a bit out of place. Due to his family’s circumstances, he had never been to a public hospital. However, here, it was common to see patients in wheelchairs for various reasons, and there were even many disabled patients. He didn’t stand out at all, and no one gave him a second glance.

 

This actually made Qu Guanfen feel a bit more at ease.

 

Upon reaching the traditional Chinese medicine department, Qu Guanfen felt conspicuous again, not because of his wheelchair, but because most of the patients here were dealing with hair loss, whereas he had a full head of thick black hair.

 

He even overheard someone guessing nonsensically, “Is that person coming back for a follow-up after being cured? Look how much hair he has!”

 

Qu Guanfen frowned. He wasn’t sure if every public hospital’s TCM department was like this, but it seemed quite strange, probably because it didn’t match Zhou Jinyuan’s boasts…

 

This place looked more like a dermatology clinic.

 

Silently, Qu Guanfen headed to Zhou Jinyuan’s office.

 

“Mr. Qu is here?” Zhou Jinyuan saw Qu Guanfen enter, stood up, and closed the door. Then he took out a Bluetooth speaker and resumed playing temple music, something he had reported to the director as music therapy, and received approval for.

 

“How have you been sleeping these past few days?” Zhou Jinyuan asked.

 

Qu Guanfen: “…Much better.”

 

Last time, Zhou Jinyuan had treated him with acupuncture, and when he woke up, it was already the next morning. He had slept for a full ten hours, continuously and dreamlessly.

 

Looking back, there was only the faint temple music and Zhou Jinyuan’s barely audible murmurs. The most vivid memory was Zhou Jinyuan’s rhythmic finger-tapping, which had lulled him into sleep.

 

In that moment, Qu Guanfen even understood why there were so many ancient followers of shamans and why people sought psychological solace in religion.

 

Had it not been for the prescription note left on the table and the newly prepared herbal medicine at home, he would have thought those conversations and treatments were just a dream.

 

After a few days of drinking the herbal medicine, Qu Guanfen’s severe insomnia had significantly improved. In the past year, it had been extremely difficult for him to have such uninterrupted, dreamless sleep. The return of something lost made it all the more precious.

 

This treatment, mixed with spiritual healing techniques, gave Qu Guanfen a glimmer of hope that maybe…

 

Zhou Jinyuan, aware of Qu Guanfen’s poor mental state, deliberately joked with him, “When you arrived, did you see many patients with hair loss outside?”

 

Qu Guanfen: “…Yes.”

 

“That’s because hair loss prevention and treatment is one of our flagship services. Our hospital is even nicknamed Haizhou Hair Loss Specialist Hospital,” Zhou Jinyuan laughed. “Do you know that when people heard that Mr. Qu was coming to our hospital, many were curious about how severe your hair loss was, thinking you were here for hair treatment. Hahaha!”

 

Previously, people just knew that the TCM department at their hospital had become popular, but since it was still a short period, they didn’t consider it particularly authoritative.

 

It was only when they saw a wealthy young master from such a background coming here that they realized the hair loss treatment level here might be among the best in the country!

 

Qu Guanfen: “……………………”

 

He couldn’t bring himself to laugh and even felt like cursing.

 

“Ahem, but I did clear up the misunderstanding. You’re here for rehabilitation training,” Zhou Jinyuan coughed lightly, describing Qu Guanfen’s treatment in a relaxed tone.

 

Moreover, the hospital staff, upon learning that Mr. Qu wasn’t here for hair loss treatment but for paralysis rehabilitation, were extremely excited, especially since it was said that after seeking treatment elsewhere, he had finally settled on the Third Hospital.

 

The neurosurgery department had just received news that Dr. Zhou’s acupuncture treatment had helped a trauma-induced paralysis patient to walk again. Now, with Mr. Qu here, it showed they could handle severe cases and minor ailments alike.

 

Although Qu Guanfen hadn’t formally started his treatment yet, his choice alone had already deepened everyone’s respect for Zhou Jinyuan’s medical skills.

 

Zhou Jinyuan walked over to Qu Guanfen, “Come, let me help you lie down. We’ll start with half an hour of acupuncture, followed by a massage.”

 

“So polite… come, sit down.” Zhou Jinyuan assisted the patient, Mr. Cao, who was the traumatic paralysis patient he had consulted in the neurosurgery department a few days ago. After nearly a week of acupuncture treatment, Mr. Cao could now walk slowly with the help of a wall.

 

Starting today, he only needed to come for acupuncture every other day. Since the acupuncture points were easy to access, Zhou Jinyuan let him sit while performing the acupuncture.

 

Over the past few days, the patient had gotten used to the treatment. As Zhou Jinyuan administered the acupuncture, Mr. Cao said, “This isn’t politeness, it’s genuine gratitude. I thought I was beyond treatment.”

 

Qu Guanfen glanced over. He had almost thought all of Zhou Jinyuan’s patients had hair loss, but this one seemed alright, just walking a bit slowly. He wondered what his condition was.

 

“Not at all!” Zhou Jinyuan replied with a smile.

 

“Hey, what condition does this young brother have?” Mr. Cao asked, curious about Qu Guanfen, who was lying on the bed receiving acupuncture. This young man looked exceptionally handsome and noble, but it wasn’t clear what illness he had. He didn’t seem to have hair loss.

 

Zhou Jinyuan, after a moment of thought, said, “Your conditions are quite similar! Mr. Qu, you can talk to him. He’s also being treated here and is almost recovered. You can be assured, it’s not an incurable disease, and there’s no need to feel dejected.”

 

After finishing the acupuncture, Zhou Jinyuan began to tidy up the desk. He believed that, although this patient’s condition was milder, his optimism and confidence could inspire Mr. Qu, giving him hope and confidence in his treatment.

 

Hearing this, Qu Guanfen was moved. He looked at the patient and softly said, “You too…”

 

He didn’t finish his sentence, still reluctant to mention the word “paralysis.” This was also why Zhou Jinyuan had only referred to it indirectly.

 

But he genuinely wanted to know about this person’s condition. Since his own incident, he had never met another patient with a similar situation. This person could already walk by himself; was it also thanks to the Tongdu Acupuncture Technique?

 

Mr. Cao leaned towards Qu Guanfen. He understood the hints. There were no crutches or wheelchairs in the room, and both the doctor and the patient were reluctant to speak directly. The young man even looked a bit embarrassed. Mr. Cao immediately felt he had grasped the key point!

 

“So, you’re the same? So young…” Mr. Cao said sympathetically. “But fortunately, there’s Dr. Zhou. Don’t worry, I saw results in just a few days under his care.”

 

Qu Guanfen’s eyes flickered, and he asked softly, “How severe was your condition?”

 

Mr. Cao replied in a low voice, “It was very severe. Dr. Zhou said my kidney energy was extremely deficient. Every time that thing… you know… stood up, it was excruciatingly painful! It drained my spirit completely!”

 

Qu Guanfen: “???”

 

Qu Guanfen looked at Zhou Jinyuan, his face darkened: “……………… My condition and his, are similar?”