After hearing Li Hanhou's story, Yao Qihuang was touched by his devotion to his mother and decided to accompany him to the hospital. More importantly, he also wanted to befriend Xiao Chen, curious whether this mysterious young man had some hidden method to treat lung cancer.
"Little friend Xiao, which hospital is Hanhou's mother staying in?" he asked.
"Longhai Second People's Hospital," Xiao Chen replied.
Hearing this, Yao Qihuang raised his brows and smiled. "I have students working there, perhaps they can be of help."
Xiao Chen saw through Yao Qihuang's thoughts and chuckled inwardly. The old man was clearly tempted by the Yin-Yang Medical Code.
"Then I'll trouble you, Elder Yao."
"No trouble at all. Once the medicated meal is ready, we'll head out." Yao Qihuang waved his hand, gesturing to the fragrant tea. "Come, little friend, have some tea first."
Half an hour later, when the medicated meal was prepared, the three of them set off.
On the way, Yao Qihuang struck up conversation: "What do you think of medicinal diets, Xiao Xiaoyou?"
"Hehe, it's been said since ancient times that food supplements are inferior to medicine supplements. What we now call medicinal food is a gentler, healthier method of nourishing the body," Xiao Chen explained.
Yao Qihuang nodded repeatedly. "Exactly. Maintaining health is easy to overlook, yet once illness comes, it crashes down like a mountain. That's why when my nephew wanted to open a medicinal food shop, I supported him."
As they chatted, they arrived at the Second People's Hospital and went straight to the inpatient ward.
Inside a room with three beds, Xiao Chen finally met Li Hanhou's mother—a frail, thin woman, which surprised him. How could such a slight figure have given birth to a son as burly as Hanhou?
She was unconscious, her face sallow, features twisted faintly in pain. When the movement of their arrival woke her, she smiled faintly at her son. "Dahan, you're back…"
"Yes, Mother." Hanhou nodded, holding up the meal. "Brother Chen brought you something good to eat. Can you try some?"
"Brother Chen?" She turned her gaze toward Xiao Chen and Yao Qihuang. "And these two are…?"
"Auntie, I'm Xiao Chen, Hanhou's colleague," Xiao Chen said with a warm smile.
Her face lit up when she heard her son had secured a job. Xiao Chen then introduced Yao Qihuang, calling him a renowned master of Chinese medicine. Mother Li was stunned—could this really be the Yao Qihuang, the healer said to be nearly impossible to meet? She quickly dismissed the thought; surely it was just a coincidence of names.
Still, Yao Qihuang smiled kindly. "Allow me to take your pulse."
Though surprised, she extended her hand calmly. After several minutes, Yao Qihuang sighed and gave Xiao Chen a subtle shake of the head: it was late-stage, beyond help.
Sensing this, Mother Li spoke softly. "Elder Yao, speak plainly. I already know my condition."
Yao Qihuang nodded gravely. "It's very serious. All I can do now is ease your suffering."
Even prepared as she was, Mother Li's eyes dimmed at the confirmation. Her only concern was her straightforward son, left alone without guidance. Li Hanhou's hopeful expression froze; even this great doctor could do nothing?
Yao Qihuang, not wanting to crush her completely, added gently, "Don't lose hope. Miracles sometimes happen."
Mother Li forced a smile. "Thank you."
Just then, Xiao Chen stepped forward. "Auntie, allow me to take a look as well."
"You?" she blinked, surprised.
"Hehe, I studied medicine with my grandfather for a while and read a few classics. I'd like to try. With Elder Yao here, he can correct me if I'm wrong," Xiao Chen said modestly.
Encouraged, Li Hanhou's eyes lit up again. "Yes, Mother, let Brother Chen check. Even Elder Yao just learned something from him!"
Xiao Chen's mouth twitched. This fool! Why make things awkward for Elder Yao? Sure enough, the old man's lips twitched as well.
Mother Li scolded her son lightly, but still extended her hand to Xiao Chen.
Calmly, Xiao Chen closed his eyes and felt her pulse. His face gradually grew serious, brows furrowing. Yao Qihuang's eyes sharpened as he observed Xiao Chen's technique.
At that moment, a young doctor entered and sneered. "Hanhou, are you stupid? Your mother has terminal cancer. What's the point of this? A youngster pretending at Chinese medicine? He's a charlatan!"
"Shut up!" Hanhou roared, grabbing the doctor by the throat and lifting him effortlessly.
"Dahan, let him go!" his mother cried, panicked. Reluctantly, he released the man.
The furious doctor, pale with fear, threatened to have them thrown out and even arrested for unpaid medical bills, drawing a small crowd. Mother Li tried to plead, but the doctor mocked them harshly.
Seeing this, Yao Qihuang frowned, curious to see how Xiao Chen would respond.
Finally, Xiao Chen opened his eyes, his voice cold. "Have you said enough? Then get out."
Everyone froze. He smiled gently at Mother Li. "Auntie, leave it to me."
Turning to the doctor, his tone sharpened. "This is a place for patients to heal, not for you to throw your weight around. Get out."
The families in the ward exchanged approving glances, secretly applauding Xiao Chen's courage.
The young doctor bristled. "What are you?! Do you know who I am? I'm a doctor here!"
Xiao Chen sneered. "Being a doctor isn't about the white coat. It's about saving lives." He pulled out a bank card and handed it to Li Hanhou. "Pay off every cent of your mother's bills. And while you're at it, throw this so-called doctor out for me."