Taoist Doctor - Chapter 35

“I wasn’t insulting anyone, nor was I joking,” Zhou Jinyuan said blankly.

 

He had long been accustomed to being treated as a younger brother. But honestly, this person had no sense of gossip whatsoever and should be sent to the emergency department of the third hospital for some training.

 

The woman in the backless dress still had more to say.

 

Just then, a group of over ten people in suits and leather shoes walked in.

 

At the front was Qu Qingrui, accompanied by Qu Guanfeng in a wheelchair. After entering and surveying the room, Qu Qingrui walked over with an apologetic expression and said:

 

“Dr. Zhou, I’m sorry to keep you waiting!”

 

Although Zhou Jinyuan had waited there to avoid awkwardness, Qu Qingrui still showed him great respect. His sincere attitude made all the employees who noticed them gasp in awe.

 

When had the big boss ever behaved like this?

 

Zhou Jinyuan quickly responded, “Not at all, I just arrived.”

 

The woman in the backless dress was stunned, looking at Zhou Jinyuan: So he really wasn’t insulting my leader?

 

But she had always thought Zhou Jinyuan was still a child and didn’t expect him to attend the annual meeting in the capacity of a doctor.

 

She had not imagined that the “patient” he was referring to was this long-absent leader and heir!

 

The big boss showed him extra respect…

 

Zhou Jinyuan shrugged, indicating that he hadn’t been speaking nonsense.

 

The woman in the backless dress: “……”

 

Qu Qingrui intended to have Zhou Jinyuan walk beside him, but Zhou Jinyuan declined and chose to stand behind Qu Guanfeng. Although he didn’t need to push the wheelchair, he wasn’t the attending physician.

 

Those accompanying Qu Qingrui were company executives, including members of the Qu family’s collateral branches. They glanced at Zhou Jinyuan, each with their own thoughts.

 

In recent years, the Qu family had been unstable.

 

Many knew that Qu Guanfeng was undergoing treatment again, but they hadn’t paid much attention to it. Today, Qu Qingrui suddenly brought Qu Guanfeng, who had not appeared in public for a long time, along with a doctor. What did this mean?

 

They didn’t consider the possibility of Qu Guanfeng recovering; instead, they wondered if Qu Guanfeng had changed his ways and was now taking the path of a determined but physically disabled person.

 

But for those familiar with Qu Guanfeng, this idea was quickly dismissed.

 

Just two minutes after taking his seat, someone couldn’t hold back and said to Qu Qingrui, “So this is Qu Guanfeng’s attending physician? Quite young and capable. I heard an interesting story about this doctor—he used his skills in massage at the Fragrant Sage, making Wu Chenyu, Li Cheng, and General Liu all submit.”

 

The atmosphere at the table became more lively. Since many attendees had heard of it, the conversation picked up.

 

“Oh, it’s this doctor. I’ve heard of him too.”

 

“I wondered why so many people went to the Third Hospital for cards. The treatment cards, haha.”

 

“Online, among young people, he seems to be quite famous.”

 

Zhou Jinyuan heard this and thought, well, he wasn’t entirely out of the limelight yet.

 

“Ha, yes, that’s Dr. Zhou. Although young, he is already an expert in the Haizhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Association, recommended by Professor Mo, an authority at Haibei Hospital!” Qu Qingrui had prepared for this and said with a smile.

 

The room fell silent. Mo Baizhu was a famous doctor at Haibei Hospital, a local celebrity many had heard of. What did Qu Qingrui’s introduction mean? Could it be that—

 

Wait, wasn’t this online celebrity doctor known for treating baldness? Or perhaps also for massage for shoulder and neck pain and light rituals?

 

They had not prepared for this and had limited knowledge about Zhou Jinyuan. They found it hard to imagine how Zhou Jinyuan could treat Qu Guanfeng.

 

“Guanfeng, you’ve been receiving treatment from Dr. Zhou during this time. How’s your recovery?” A man in his thirties, a distant relative of the Qu family, tentatively asked.

 

With Qu Guanfeng’s accident, it seemed he could no longer inherit the family business, and with Qu Qingrui not having other children, the power would inevitably shift away.

 

They were somewhat restless. After being admonished by Qu Qingrui, they were even more frustrated. Wouldn’t it be better if the benefits went to us rather than outsiders?

 

Seeing Qu Qingrui’s behavior, those with ulterior motives were the most uneasy, trying to guess his intentions.

 

“Well, still paralyzed,” Qu Guanfeng said, glancing at his wheelchair with a neutral tone.

 

“Uh.” The man was left speechless, forcing a sheepish smile. “Sorry, sorry.”

 

“Mr. Qu is recovering well,” Zhou Jinyuan suddenly interjected while eating a cold dish, “but I noticed your stomach might not be great. Do you often have gas, bloating, or stomachaches? This gentleman should have regular check-ups. Feel free to come to our hospital for a card.”

 

The other person: “…………”

 

He really did have stomach issues, as many people knew, so there was no way to argue.

 

“Don’t push yourself too hard if your health isn’t good. Health is invaluable. The company isn’t just starting out; we don’t need you to sacrifice yourself. I’ll talk to you about reducing your workload later,” Qu Qingrui said with sincere concern.

 

However, the words sounded off, and people at the table returned to their conversations, each talking about their own things.

 

The man’s face stiffened. “… You’re right.”

 

He mentally chastised himself for drawing attention when no one else was discussing it.

 

Moreover, what did the young doctor mean by “recovering well”? It was said before that the best outcome would be self-care, which could still take several years. So what did “recovering well” mean? Could he move his toes now?

 

The most frustrating part was that the doctor’s comments made his stomach feel increasingly uncomfortable, making him restless. He was even a bit scared, planning to get a check-up at the hospital the next day!

 

…

 

At the meeting, there was a segment to award outstanding employees.

 

When the two hosts on stage, smiling, read out the positions and names of the award presenters, many people were stunned.

 

Was that really Qu Guanfeng? And not Qu Qingrui, but only Qu Guanfeng, implying that Qu Guanfeng was replacing his father for this task.

 

Qu Guanfeng had been listed in the company as an adult, though he had not held a specific position. From any angle, his presenting awards was acceptable.

 

But this action, combined with his appearance, was itself a signal.

 

Countless eyes turned to the head table, looking at Qu Qingrui and his son, with feelings of excitement, expectation, or confusion.

 

Qu Guanfeng’s situation was no secret in the company. The fall of a once-promising figure and subsequent developments had been a topic of much discussion and speculation, with people both lamenting and eagerly watching.

 

What would happen next?

 

In this moment, Qu Guanfeng felt a bit dazed.

 

Zhou Jinyuan had been focused on his food but then set down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and stood up. He pulled the wheelchair and pushed Qu Guanfeng towards the edge of the stage. The movement was smooth and seemed prearranged to those who didn’t know otherwise.

 

It was Zhou Jinyuan’s action that pulled Qu Guanfeng back to reality, dispelling the hesitation and haziness he felt. Zhou Jinyuan had said it was just a process—

 

The distance was short, and they quickly reached the stage edge. Although there was only a single step, the wheelchair had to stop.

 

Zhou Jinyuan let go and turned to return to his seat.

 

Many people frowned again, wondering what this meant. How would Qu Guanfeng get up on stage?

 

The next moment, Qu Guanfeng moved his feet, placing them on the ground. He supported himself with the armrests and slowly but steadily stood up, without any external help.

 

He stepped up the low stage, as if stepping back onto his path in life.

 

He walked up and proceeded steadily to the center of the stage. Those who knew his situation held their breath, staring intently at his steps, fearing he might falter at any moment—

 

His tall and slender figure moved more slowly than usual, but he did not waver at all. To the audience, the difference between this and a full recovery seemed just a step away!

 

The most unlikely thing had actually happened.

 

Even if they had known about Professor Mo’s preference, it was hard for people to believe without seeing it.

 

No wonder Qu Qingrui had brought Qu Guanfeng…

 

Perhaps some still couldn’t understand how it was done. Clearly diagnosed as unable to recover, yet the world was never short of miracles and legends.

 

Life changes. Who could have imagined that after seeing Qu Guanfeng’s decline and deterioration, he could still make a comeback?

 

Regardless of how much Qu Guanfeng inherited from his father’s skills, this luck was extraordinary.

 

It was really possible!

 

Qu Qingrui, watching from below the stage, couldn’t hide his excitement. His eyes were moist, and his hands trembled slightly as he watched Qu Guanfeng walk and stand under the spotlight as if he were an ordinary person.

 

From the time of the accident until now, his pressure was no less than Qu Guanfeng’s.

 

When Zhou Jinyuan returned to his seat, people’s looks at him were somewhat frightening.

 

A baldness specialist and internet-famous doctor had actually enabled Qu Guanfeng to walk again. Though it was clear he couldn’t walk for long, the recovery was rapid.

 

—According to what he had hinted before, further recovery was still possible!

 

Could it be that soon, Mr. Qu would be seen running around the headquarters?

 

At this moment, some were delighted while others were worried.

 

Especially the man whom Zhou Jinyuan had casually mentioned having stomach issues; he was now frantically wanting to leave early to go to the hospital for a check-up.

 

…

 

After the event ended, Zhou Jinyuan said his goodbyes to Qu Qingrui at the hotel entrance. Qu Qingrui wanted to see him off but was refused.

 

Even the company executives, regardless of their previous attitudes, now warmly said farewell to Zhou Jinyuan, looking as if they had just met an important client.

 

Isn’t it said that life is full of changes? If Qu Guanfeng could stand up again, who knows what could happen next!

 

So, no matter what their previous thoughts were, everyone was polite to Zhou Jinyuan, clearly recognizing him as a true doctor.

 

“I’m leaving now. Mr. Qu, take some rest. After the New Year, continue with the next stage of treatment. Don’t forget to watch your diet! Don’t eat too much during the New Year!” Zhou Jinyuan waved to them and headed towards the subway.

 

As Zhou Jinyuan walked away, the cold and damp winter night gave him an air of a worldly traveler, blending human warmth with a touch of the divine.

 

Qu Guanfeng watched his receding figure and suddenly called out to him.

 

“… Thank you.”

 

“Don’t mention it; I’ve been paid by your family,” Zhou Jinyuan said as he left.

 

—

 

The next morning, Zhou Jinyuan was woken up by a phone call before he had even fully awakened.

 

“Hello…” he yawned, answering the call.

 

“Zhou, are you still not up? I need to ask if you’ve inquired whether Mr. Qu’s medical case can be released now?” It was Director Xiao’s voice.

 

“Director, it’s only seven in the morning…” Zhou Jinyuan rubbed his eyes. “I haven’t asked yet.”

 

“You’d better ask soon!” Director Xiao said urgently, and then started laughing, “You really sleep soundly. I’ve been getting calls non-stop since last night. The institutions that treated Mr. Qu and those looking into the situation are all trying to find out how he managed to recover so remarkably in such a short time.”

 

Thanks to Qu Guanfeng’s active cooperation in the later stages, his recovery was faster than Zhou Jinyuan had initially predicted. He had only expected a few steps of walking, but last night, Qu Guanfeng had walked dozens of meters back and forth and even managed to climb a single step.

 

With so many people present last night and Qu Qingrui’s intention to publicize it, the news spread quickly, shaking not only the Qu family but also the medical community. Many were eager to understand Qu Guanfeng’s recovery process and even expressed a desire to discuss it directly.

 

A lot of people were also curious about who Zhou Jinyuan was and how he seemed to have appeared suddenly.

 

—Actually, a quick search would reveal that he hadn’t suddenly emerged but had indeed become well-known in the field of hair restoration.

 

These people couldn’t easily find Zhou Jinyuan’s contact details and instead found it easier to contact Director Xiao.

 

Director Xiao had not stopped calling. When it got late at night and he couldn’t reach Zhou Jinyuan, he had received a call from Huang Zhongwen early in the morning and quickly called Zhou Jinyuan.

 

Zhou Jinyuan was surprised by the response, or rather, by how quickly people had reacted. He sat up a bit. “I’ll ask later. It should be fine now.”

 

“Okay, organize it and send it to academic journals,” Director Xiao said, unable to contain his laughter. He could almost imagine the wealth of resources that would come from this…

 

Meanwhile, on the other end, Zhou Jinyuan had apparently fallen silent, leaving only the sound of even breathing.

 

He fell back to sleep…

 

Director Xiao quietly ended the call, letting his precious employee get a bit more rest!

 

—

 

Zhou Jinyuan still had his phone in hand and fell back asleep until Rong Xixue woke him up for breakfast.

 

“Where’s your brother? Out doing market research again?” Zhou Jinyuan yawned and asked.

 

“He said he needed to buy a hat today, so he left early,” Rong Xixue replied.

 

Zhou Jinyuan had come back late the night before, so he hadn’t heard Rong Shouyun complaining about how people judge others based on appearance.

 

When Rong Shouyun had first left the monastery, he had sat in the temple with a bald head and monk’s robe, and people had mistaken him for a high monk, admiring him greatly, thinking he was indeed a rising star in Buddhism.

 

But when he changed into ordinary clothes and went to the Chinese medicine department, people thought he was just another bald person. In commercial areas, he was mistaken for a thug, with security guards watching him closely.

 

He had then realized that judging people by appearance was indeed a reality.

 

“It’s better to grow your hair back or get a wig. It’s so cold in winter,” Zhou Jinyuan grumbled. “By the way, it’s time to pack. We’re heading home soon.”

 

The New Year was approaching. Rong Xixue had already been on winter break for a while, and it was quite long.

 

However, this year their school had adopted a short term similar to foreign systems, focusing on practical exercises and experiments. Zhou Jinyuan had also enrolled in this term to align his schedule with Rong Xixue’s.

 

“Alright, I’ll start packing now and will take care of your things too,” Rong Xixue said as she brought breakfast and then went to get Zhou Jinyuan’s suitcase.

 

As Zhou Jinyuan was eating his porridge, he noticed Rong Xixue’s phone rang twice with WeChat notification sounds. Glancing over, he saw that it was a message from Rong Xixue’s classmate asking about an assignment. “Your classmate is looking for you.”

 

Rong Xixue acknowledged but didn’t seem very curious.

 

Zhou Jinyuan unlocked the phone and looked more closely. Indeed, it was a message from Rong Xixue’s classmate:

 

【[Poor] [Poor] Rong Shen, sorry to bother you, but… I just wanted to ask about the preparation method for the final assignment. [Crying] It’s said that someone saw your Tianma and it’s different from ours… I’m really worried about not getting credit!! Please reply!】

 

Their short-term final assignments were quite flexible, allowing students to choose their preparation methods and submit the finished medicinal materials.

 

However, Rong Xixue’s assignment was different from the others, causing some anxiety among her classmates. They discussed it and decided to ask Rong Xixue directly.

 

Zhou Jinyuan asked aloud, “Xixue, how did you prepare your Tianma? Why is it different from your classmates’?”

 

Rong Xixue replied, “It was prepared with ginger.”

 

Zhou Jinyuan immediately understood, “I’ll reply for you.”

 

Rong Xixue agreed.

 

Tianma is traditionally prepared with alcohol in ancient times, and nowadays it’s generally prepared by steaming or cutting. Using auxiliary materials like Rong Xixue’s method is less common and she used a traditional technique passed down by an old medicinal family.

 

Though this traditional method is good, it lacks sufficient scientific backing and is not widely used in clinical settings yet. Zhou Jinyuan was trying to explore it and had discussed it with his mentor.

 

【My Tianma was prepared with ginger.】

 

The classmate replied immediately, 【!! Rong Shen, you replied! Sorry to bother you again!! Should I add auxiliary materials? I’m nervous, as I used the method the teacher taught us!】

 

【It’s okay. Adding or not adding auxiliary materials is fine.】

 

Another quick reply: 【… I see, thank you, Rong Shen!! [Poor]】

 

Zhou Jinyuan was still typing, adding: 【Ginger preparation can enhance effects against dizziness and nausea, but clinical use is limited due to the lack of scientific evidence. If you want to try adding auxiliary materials, you can try honey-fried Tianma~ [Grin]】

 

There was no reply this time; they probably understood.

 

Zhou Jinyuan put down his phone and continued eating.

 

“Almost packed. Some things we’ll pack just before we leave,” Rong Xixue said as she walked out, washed her hands, and then heard another WeChat notification. Zhou Jinyuan then coughed, asking, “What’s wrong, brother?”

 

Zhou Jinyuan replied, “… I’m not sure why, but it says your WeChat might have been hacked and you need to appeal for unblocking.”