Taoist Doctor - Chapter 49

Shaojingjing lay on the bed, whimpering, her nose running non-stop, and her cheeks burning red. “I feel so uncomfortable…”

 

Her brother, Shaoduoduo, also lay on the bed whining, “I feel uncomfortable too…”

 

He had a lumbar disc herniation from sitting in an office for years. The doctor advised against surgery, suggesting that he should often do acupuncture and similar treatments for pain relief. But as an office worker stuck in the 996 grind, when would he have the time to go to the hospital every day for treatment?

 

“Duoduo, let me put this patch on you,” Grandma Shao said, holding a black medicinal patch as she walked over.

 

Upon seeing it, Shaoduoduo immediately frowned in distaste. “What is this? It looks strange.”

 

“This was given by the pediatric clinic over there. I used it when I had back pain before, and it worked well. You should try it too,” Grandma said.

 

Homemade by a small clinic? Shaoduoduo thought the patch looked like some kind of folk remedy and felt it must be something only elderly people would use for free; it had a strong traditional Chinese medicine smell, which was quite odd.

 

“No thanks, I already have this on…” Shaoduoduo said, pointing to the patch he had bought with his colleagues.

 

“Grandma, I give you money every month; you shouldn’t waste it. Just because it’s free doesn’t mean it’s good. Sometimes you have to spend to get what works. I work hard to earn money just for this…”

 

“This one isn’t working at all; you’re still in pain,” Grandma interrupted, and before Shaoduoduo could say anything more, she ripped off the patch on his back and applied the black patch.

 

“Ahhh—” Shaoduoduo dared not move and could only watch helplessly as Grandma handled him. The patch felt sticky against his back, sending a chill down him. Goodness, is this thing sanitary? Did they add something weird to it?

 

“Grandma, I’m not feeling well either. Why aren’t you taking care of me? QAQ,” Shaojingjing said, looking at her brother and grandma with a pitiful expression.

 

Grandma cradled Shaojingjing’s face. “I only brought the patch for back pain. If not, I could take you to the emergency room.”

 

In her mind, Shaojingjing pictured the doctors at the emergency center, and one of them looked especially scary. Woe, she shook her head, “I don’t want to go to the hospital.”

 

“Then let’s go to the nearby clinic. That pediatric clinic is pretty good,” Grandma suggested.

 

“A pediatric clinic can treat my fever?” Shaojingjing asked dizzily.

 

“You silly child! They specialize in pediatrics, but they can still treat back pain,” Grandma replied. “Duoduo can stay home to rest. I’ll take Jingjing to the clinic.”

 

“Wait, I feel… I feel like I can suddenly…” Shaoduoduo, who had been unable to move, slowly got up from the bed. “Grandma, I think my back pain is easing a bit!”

 

The patch had only been on for a short while, but it was already warm and felt soothing. While it didn’t completely relieve the pain immediately, it was clear that the discomfort was gradually diminishing, and he could move again.

 

This handmade medicinal patch actually worked a bit! Shaoduoduo supported his back, “Let’s go, Grandma! Let’s take Jingjing over, and I’ll buy some more patches!”

 

“That’s not necessary; I haven’t felt pain for several days since using it,” Grandma said.

 

“Huh? Well, my situation is a bit more serious, so it might be different. Besides, I have colleagues with back pain too. Come on, Jingjing, get up!”

 

At that moment, Shaoduoduo thought that his manager’s cervical spine didn’t seem too good either. He wondered how well the patch would work for the neck. If it worked, he could buy some for the manager…

 

…

 

Zhou Jinyuan sat behind the clinic’s front desk, a notebook in front of him, responding to emails.

 

One email was from a member of the Acupuncture Association in L City. They were collaborating with a Chinese acupuncturist to design a randomized controlled trial on meridian phenomena and treatment effects. The sender had some uncertainties about specific aspects and was reaching out to Zhou Jinyuan for advice.

 

In just ten short days, Zhou Jinyuan’s performance had won recognition in the overseas acupuncture community, attracting a group of practitioners interested in researching meridians and acupoints, although for them, the concept of meridians still felt a bit abstract.

 

This is part of the entire Chinese medicine system. The ancients said that if a doctor doesn’t understand meridians, they make mistakes when they open their mouths or start to act. If one doesn’t understand meridians, they can’t grasp the root of diseases or understand the transformation of yin and yang. The reverse is also true.

 

Zhou Jinyuan reviewed their questions and then responded. Noticing their doubts about needles, he took out his own and sent them photos.

 

During this time, several patients entered the clinic, all parents with children.

 

The clinic had been open for less than a month, yet it had already proved its capabilities in pediatrics by chance. Treatments such as children’s fever-reducing patches, herbal sachets for cold prevention, and moxibustion for bedwetting had become very popular.

 

Convenient, suitable for children, safe with no side effects, and quick to show effects—these treatments were the top choice in parents’ hearts who cherished their children.

 

On the other hand, the market for pain relief patches was also gradually expanding, primarily among middle-aged and elderly individuals.

 

At that moment, three people entered: an elderly woman and two young adults, supporting each other, whether holding their waists or covering their faces, looking rather miserable as a family.

 

“Hey, are you all okay?” Rong Shouyun immediately stepped forward to assist. “Grandma, let me help you.”

 

“We’re fine, we’re fine,” the grandmother said. “Doctor Rong, can you take a look? My eldest grandson has back problems and just put on your patch. What kind is this? He wants to buy more. My youngest grandson has a fever and is almost delirious; what medicine can make him better quickly?”

 

Seeing their weak and dazed state, it was clear the fever was quite serious.

 

“You should quickly get a few acupuncture sessions,” Zhou Jinyuan suggested, still holding the group of needles he had just used for photos, some large, some small. The largest needle was long and thick, and some were not only thick and long but even curved at the tip.

 

These were custom-shaped needles Zhou Jinyuan had made, somewhat similar to the needle knives used today, designed for loosening. Therefore, these needles needed to be used after anesthetizing the patient.

 

Shaojingjing, feeling fuzzy-headed, lifted her head and saw a familiar doctor approaching with a needle in hand, terrifying her to the core. She screamed, “Why is it you?!”

 

She never expected that the pediatric clinic her grandma mentioned was here; she thought it was at a clinic further down the street. After burning with fever all night, she had really walked into Xiaoqinglong!

 

“Why is it you?” Zhou Jinyuan said with a smile. Wasn’t this the “Jing Ge” he had encountered in the emergency room and at the door? He thought it was not surprising to meet again since they lived nearby.

 

“Do you know our Jingjing?” Grandma asked.

 

“Jingjing? Such a delicate name—I’ve seen him at the hospital before,” Zhou Jinyuan said, pressing down on the fidgety Shaojingjing. “You’re not new to acupuncture; you’re not scared, are you?”

 

She was just too restless, liked to drink, hung out with the wrong crowd, and even teased emergency doctors.

 

Shaojingjing stared at the needle in his hand, her face turning pale. “I am scared! N-no, please… don’t!”

 

Zhou Jinyuan: “…”

 

Was it his illusion, or did this person really shout in a very strange way?

 

Zhou Jinyuan shook the irregular needle in his hand and set it down. “What are you afraid of? This isn’t for you.”

 

He switched to several smaller needles to perform acupuncture on Shao Jingjing.

 

On the other side, Rong Shouyun also went to check on Shao Duoduo and took the opportunity to sell him a batch of pain patches.

 

Shao Jingjing sat on the stool like a quail, allowing Zhou Jinyuan to give him acupuncture while regretting, wishing he had just gone to the emergency room…

 

At that moment, the owner of the nearby supermarket came over, holding a few bottles of yogurt. “Little Zhou is here, come, I brought you some yogurt.”

 

She handed out the yogurt one by one, setting aside those who had other things to deal with.

 

“Liu Jie? No need, you’re too kind to keep bringing us food!” Zhou Jinyuan said, feeling embarrassed.

 

The supermarket owner smiled and said, “You’re all patients from our clinic, and you’ve been helping us throw away our trash these days. You’ve also given me a few batches of pain patches, so I should return the favor, right?”

 

It was those inexplicable patients who liked to help Little Qinglong Clinic by taking out their trash. Sometimes, the supermarket’s trash was left at the entrance, and they just tossed it out together without knowing. The owner had no one else to thank, so they thanked Little Qinglong.

 

Moreover, the patches they got really worked, and they were neighbors, so the owner and her husband would occasionally bring over some snacks. After all, it wouldn’t hurt to have a good relationship with the doctors.

 

After the owner left, Zhou Jinyuan wondered, “You know, it’s really strange how some people treat us with such respect. They look at me in a way that feels off. I can’t shake the feeling that someone is spreading rumors about me outside.”

 

Just like in the emergency room. It wasn’t surprising that he was sensitive now.

 

Rong Shouyun slurped the yogurt and said, “Isn’t that a good thing? They’re not here to cause trouble, and they help with our business while taking out the trash. Isn’t that great?”

 

Zhou Jinyuan replied, “I just find it strange. What’s so good about it? I’m just curious about what’s going on. If it’s true, like I suspect, that someone is spreading rumors, I’ll find out who it is…”

 

He was going to interrogate that person thoroughly! He had never caught the leader of the emergency center!

 

His hand was massaging a point on Shao Jingjing’s body to help regulate his qi and blood. However, when his fingertips touched him, Shao Jingjing suddenly shuddered.

 

“What’s wrong?” Zhou Jinyuan looked down at Shao Jingjing.

 

Shao Jingjing forced a smile. “Nothing, I’m just a bit cold.”

 

“Oh, it’s nothing. When you have a fever, it’s common to feel hot and cold, but you’ll be fine soon,” Zhou Jinyuan didn’t think much of it and adjusted the next acupoint he was going to use.

 

Shao Jingjing was frantically thinking, what should he do? Why did he say that? Did he already know? Was it because of the rumors I accidentally caused? By the time I realized it, it was too late, and I didn’t want this to happen…

 

What if he finds out? What would he do to me?

 

At that moment, the feverish Shao Jingjing’s mind was filled with scenes of Zhou Jinyuan and some Taoist priests (and maybe even monks; he glanced at Rong Shouyun) beating him up.

 

“Jing Ge? I want to ask you a question.” Zhou Jinyuan called out and looked at Shao Jingjing seriously.

 

Shao Jingjing snapped back to reality, fearfully meeting Zhou Jinyuan’s gaze as he slowly stood up.

 

Then, he suddenly turned and bolted outside!

 

Zhou Jinyuan: “??”

 

Grandma Shao was stunned: “What’s wrong with him?”

 

“Why is he running when he still has needles in him?” Zhou Jinyuan hurriedly chased after him.

 

Many of Shao Jingjing’s good friends lived nearby, and one pair of brothers suddenly heard someone calling Shao Jingjing’s name in the evening, and they both laughed.

 

What has Jing Ge done again, being chased at night?

 

The two opened the window and watched with great interest.

 

They saw Jing Ge running for his life, with someone in white behind him, shouting, “Shao Jingjing! Stop right there! Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

 

The brothers felt something was off. White? It seemed like… a white coat…

 

And “trying to get yourself killed”?

 

That person continued shouting, “Your grandma is still with me!”

 

Shao Jingjing immediately stopped, panting heavily as he turned around, only to see himself being dragged away by the person in the white coat.

 

The two watching from the window were horrified and quickly shut it.

 

How terrifying! They decided it would be better to stay home at night and not drink, otherwise, like Jing Ge, they’d offend someone and end up facing a death threat involving their family!

 

…

 

“You’re running around with needles still in you. If the needles go in deeper, do you know what the consequences would be?” Zhou Jinyuan sternly reprimanded Shao Jingjing. “I was just about to ask you if you’ve been drinking often recently! Are you still drinking even when you’re sick?!”

 

Otherwise, how could he suddenly go crazy?

 

Grandma and Shao Duoduo also blamed Shao Jingjing, who had suddenly run out like a mad dog, without knowing what he was doing.

 

Shao Jingjing replied, “Huh? Drinking?… I haven’t drunk.”

 

“If you didn’t drink, why did you run?” Zhou Jinyuan started enumerating the dangers of drinking at such a young age without taking care of his health.

 

Shao Jingjing nodded throughout, thinking to himself, thank goodness, I thought my secret was out.

 

Never mind, worrying leads to chaos; this rumor might blow over soon!

 

.

 

.

 

“I’ve been studying your birth chart lately, looking at how the five elements and six qi influenced your birth, and from this perspective, I’ll adjust your body…” Zhou Jinyuan said while walking out with Jin Chuo Xian.

 

“I discovered that when you were born, there was a conjunction of the Lesser Yin Lord Fire, which might be the reason why you are prone to liver disease later on.”

 

“Mm-hmm.” Jin Chuo Xian maintained a smile, showing complete trust in Dr. Zhou, even though he had done some research on Taoism and medicine, he still found it difficult to understand the current level of discourse.

 

To be honest, sometimes he didn’t even know whether Dr. Zhou was using principles of traditional Chinese medicine or Taoist theory; after all, the two share a common origin, and the former can get particularly obscure.

 

In any case, believing in Dr. Zhou was enough. After all, he had only a week or two left until his expected death, but he was still living well, and even Professor Mo said there were no signs of impending death.

 

Last time at the Little Qinglong Clinic, his brief conversations with Qu Guanfeng and Ailina, and even with Director He, all inspired Jin Chuo Xian. He knew how to finish his piano piece.

 

He had indeed completed his composition during this time, enriching the piece beyond the original version, and was preparing to record it and send it along with his previously organized works to the company.

 

He once thought these would be his posthumous works, but now he had new hopes—

 

“Hey, Xiao Zhou and Xiao Jin, come drink some yogurt!” The supermarket owner, Liu, saw them and called out, bringing out two bottles of yogurt. Since they all lived nearby, and Jin Chuo Xian often dressed in a unique way, Liu had grown familiar with him.

 

But she wasn’t sure what illness he had; at first, she thought it was a cold, as he always wore a mask, later realizing it was due to albinism. However, he looked quite healthy, and after seeing him undergo acupuncture, she thought he might have some lumbar or cervical spine issues, which many young people have nowadays.

 

“No, really, you don’t have to!” Zhou Jinyuan insisted, but he and Jin Chuo Xian ended up holding brightly colored children’s yogurt, looking at each other and laughing, especially Zhou Jinyuan looking at Jin Chuo Xian.

 

The yogurt was colorful, making Jin Chuo Xian, usually an ethereal figure, appear remarkably down-to-earth, almost like a digital edit.

 

It’s worth noting that the first time he saw Jin Chuo Xian at the airport, he was wearing a trench coat, and the second time was at a century-old square in L City, where he played the violin, exuding a unique charm.

 

Liu loved to chat with people; since there was no business at the moment, she sat on a stool at the door, gossiping with them. “Did you know that in the second building behind us, a foreign girl rented a room?”

 

The second building—that must be Ailina, who had rented a place nearby and was following Zhou Jinyuan back and forth for treatment. She probably came to the clinic mostly at night, or Liu just hadn’t seen her.

 

“Yeah…” Zhou Jinyuan replied.

 

“I saw her once; she looks like a fairy… no, in the West, she should be called an angel. She looks just like an angel, but it’s a pity her legs aren’t good. I don’t know if she’s here to study or travel.” Liu mumbled for a while, never considering that she might be here for rehabilitation.

 

Although Zhou Jinyuan knew the truth, he certainly wouldn’t discuss a patient’s condition without their consent, so he just smiled silently.

 

At this moment, Liu’s husband returned with their son, who was carrying a particularly large electronic keyboard.

 

“Brother Zhou, Brother Jin.” The little boy called out in a baby voice.

 

In terms of seniority, there was no one else; Zhou Jinyuan called his parents elder brother and elder sister, so he referred to Zhou Jinyuan as “brother.” “Are you drinking my rainbow warrior collaboration yogurt? I remember there’s only one row left.”

 

Zhou Jinyuan: “…”

 

Jin Chuo Xian: “…”

 

Zhou Jinyuan awkwardly said, “Uh, sorry about that.”

 

Before Liu could respond, the little boy generously added, “It’s okay because you didn’t let me take medicine last time!”

 

“Haha, thank you. Little Liu, is this your keyboard?” Zhou Jinyuan asked.

 

“Of course, he’s taking extracurricular classes; the child loves music. But recently, that class has stopped, so we brought the keyboard back and need to find a new teacher. Sigh, raising children nowadays is really too troublesome.” Liu sighed.

 

Zhou Jinyuan agreed, “It’s because you want to nurture Little Liu into a talent that you put in so much effort.”

 

Liu’s husband smiled wryly, “With our family’s conditions, we can only do our best. Many of his classmates study piano or violin; we can only afford an electronic keyboard.”

 

“I think it’s pretty good…” Little Liu said, looking up.

 

Liu was quite pleased, noting that his son was simple-minded and didn’t have a competitive spirit. However, as an adult, he sometimes felt embarrassed; other families spent a lot of money on pianos and violins, which looked more high-end. Especially when chatting with other parents, they would encourage him, saying the child seemed talented and should be well nurtured.

 

“Art has no high or low, or value distinctions,” Jin Chuo Xian unexpectedly said. “The electronic keyboard is also great; it has a variety of tones.”

 

Liu was taken aback; what Jin Chuo Xian said made a lot of sense… Well, actually, with his appearance and aura, whatever he said, Liu would probably find it reasonable. “You’re right.”

 

“You understand music too, Xiao Jin?” Liu’s wife asked. She didn’t have a strong reaction; she just found both young men very handsome and enjoyed chatting with them.

 

“Yes, it’s my profession, and I’m particularly excellent at it.” Zhou Jinyuan helped Jin Chuo Xian answer, estimating that Jin Chuo Xian wouldn’t want to boast about himself.

 

“Did you hear that? Brother Jin also studies music; look at how excellent he is.” Liu used this to motivate his son. Of course, he had no idea whether Jin Chuo Xian was excellent, but he figured with that aura, he should be.

 

“Can you play the electronic keyboard, Xiao Jin?” Liu’s wife asked.

 

Jin Chuo Xian nodded; he could indeed play various instruments, including the electronic keyboard.

 

“Oh, then do you have classes in your spare time? Would you take students?” Liu’s wife suddenly asked enthusiastically. “Little Liu is just looking for a new teacher; why not give it a try? You could earn some extra money to cover medical expenses. I see you come here for acupuncture often and aren’t working.”

 

Zhou Jinyuan nearly choked, “Cough cough!”

 

He was caught off guard and couldn’t speak.

 

Working… no, not to mention that, after all, he was still a patient with a terminal illness.

 

Jin Chuo Xian began to zone out, staring at the colorful yogurt in his hand.

 

Liu’s wife was still pondering, “The previous teacher charged 200 per lesson, so we could consider that…”

 

Jin Chuo Xian finished the remaining yogurt in one gulp, holding the empty bottle. To be honest, his stamina was pretty good lately, especially after drinking their children’s yogurt.

 

Jin Chuo Xian said casually, “Sure, but I’m not specialized in the electronic keyboard, so I’m not that professional. If you really want me, a hundred per lesson would be fine.

 

“The tuition can go directly to Dr. Zhou as medical expense reimbursement—almost forgot, it also requires Dr. Zhou’s consent.”

 

Zhou Jinyuan: “…”

 

Liu’s wife: “Hahaha, okay! Xiao Zhou, if you don’t mind, shall we book three trial lessons first? I’m not doubting your ability, Xiao Jin, but we want to see if Little Liu likes it. I can tell from your aura that you must play exceptionally well, definitely no worse than Little Liu’s previous teacher!”

 

Jin Chuo Xian: “Mm.”

 

Zhou Jinyuan hesitated to speak, “……………….. Okay then.”

 

Author’s Note: Jin Chuo Xian: That… white yogurt… no, nutritional fluid…