Chapter 9:

“Hmm~” After taking the pulse, Li Zhongming habitually stroked his beard and said apologetically, “Ah, my medical skills are not yet sufficient. I truly have no solution for this illness.”

As a doctor, being unable to cure a patient’s illness is always a regret. Yet Li Zhongming knew that Mr. Gu’s condition was a common ailment among the elderly. Under current technological conditions, there was little hope for a cure. If only those ancient Chinese medical texts hadn’t been lost, perhaps some solution could have been found. But given the current state of traditional Chinese medicine, it was truly difficult.

Upon hearing this, the hope in Gu Zhixue’s eyes instantly vanished. “R-really no hope at all?”

Li Zhongming shook his head. “I’m sorry, I truly have no solution.”

As the patient, Gu Guohai seemed utterly unfazed by this death sentence, showing no significant disappointment. “It’s fine. If it can’t be treated, then it can’t be treated!” It was something he had long anticipated.

But Gu Zhixue remained deeply distressed. This was his father—the pillar of strength in his heart!

Noticing Gu Zhixue’s expression, perhaps moved by his genuine concern for his father, Li Zhongming hesitated before saying, “However, I do know someone who might have a solution.”

“Who?” Gu Zhixue asked excitedly. “I’ll go invite them immediately!”

Beside him, Gu Zhixue’s wife, Chen Junya, chimed in, “Yes, Dr. Li, please tell us who this person is. We’ll go and invite them over.”

Chen Junya was the eldest daughter of the Chen family, which was as prominent as the Gu family in Yuzhou. Though her marriage to Gu Zhixue had been arranged for business reasons, they had always been a harmonious couple, renowned in their circle for their loving relationship. Everyone envied her for having such a good husband. Now, seeing her husband so anxious about his father’s condition, she too was quietly worried but unsure what to do. Hearing this glimmer of hope, she was eager to bring the person over.

Since the family had requested it, Li Zhongming didn’t hesitate further. “This person is the disciple of an old friend of mine. She knows many miraculous prescriptions, and her medical skills are slightly better than mine. If she comes, there’s a fifty percent chance she could cure your father. But there’s one thing—she’s quite young. You mustn’t underestimate her because of her age!” Though he said this, Li Zhongming was still uneasy, worried that the Gu family might dismiss Qin Chaoyu due to her youth. That would be his fault, so he couldn’t help but emphasize this point.

Gu Zhixue nodded repeatedly. “Of course, of course. We would never judge someone based on age. But where is this young friend of yours? Can we invite her over now?”

Li Zhongming replied, “That shouldn’t be a problem. I can call and ask her to come. I believe she’ll honor my request.”

“Thank you!” Gu Zhixue could only pin his hopes on this mysterious doctor recommended by Li Zhongming.

The Gu family watched as the elderly Dr. Li made the call. The call quality was excellent, so they couldn’t discern the gender of the person on the other end. After a brief conversation, Dr. Li hung up.

“No problem, she’s willing to come.”

Gu Zhiqian curled his lips disdainfully. “Who would dare refuse to treat our Gu family?”

Normally, he wouldn’t dare say such things—his father was the person he feared most in life. But ever since the incident the other day, his father had confined him to the house, forbidding him from going out. This was unbearable for him, and in his frustration, he’d blurted out his true thoughts.

The moment the words left his mouth, he knew he was in trouble. He quickly hid behind his mother, hoping for her protection.

“Gu Zhiqian, haven’t you learned your lesson yet?” Gu Zhixue was furious. Their last hope now rested on this young friend of Dr. Li’s, and here his son was, spouting nonsense that could offend her—and by extension, Dr. Li himself!

At that moment, Gu Zhixue truly understood the meaning of “being let down by one’s own child.”

Exhausted and exasperated!

Even Chen Junya, who doted on her son, couldn’t defend him this time. His words were utterly lacking in decorum. She glared at him and scolded, “Speak less, act more. Where are the manners I taught you?”

Gu Zhiqian immediately apologized. “Mom, I was wrong. I won’t say such things again.” He even flashed an obedient smile.

Seeing him like this, Chen Junya’s anger dissipated. After all, he was her beloved son.

It was clear that Chen Junya bore some responsibility for Gu Zhiqian’s spoiled behavior.

Seeing that his wife had already reprimanded their son, Gu Zhixue could only glare at him discreetly. The priority now was to welcome Dr. Li’s young friend. He’d deal with his son later.

Meanwhile, Gu Zhiqian, relieved to have escaped punishment, had no idea that the days ahead would be so miserable he’d have no energy or time to go out and cause trouble. But ignorance is bliss, after all!

“Dr. Li, please forgive my son’s rudeness. He’s still immature,” Gu Zhixue said apologetically, his face burning with shame. His son was nearly twenty—calling him “immature” was a stretch.

Li Zhongming smiled indifferently. “No worries, I won’t take offense. But my young friend will be here soon. You’ll need to welcome her properly.”

Gu Zhixue nodded. “Of course, of course.”

Qin Chaoyu arrived half an hour later. Hearing she was here, Gu Zhixue personally went out to escort her in.

“Young friend, I’m sorry to trouble you with this,” Li Zhongming said sheepishly.

He had come to the main hall to wait for her.

Qin Chaoyu smiled and shook her head. “Dr. Li, you flatter me.” She understood the situation perfectly. While Dr. Li couldn’t cure the patient himself, he had recommended her to this family to help her establish her reputation quickly—even at the risk of offending them, given her young age. If anything, she was the one who owed him.

Seeing that the young girl he’d brought in was indeed Dr. Li’s recommended physician, Gu Zhixue felt somewhat reassured. He’d been afraid he’d mistaken her for someone else—she looked so young.

“Um, could we go see my father now?” Despite his doubts, Gu Zhixue clung to a sliver of hope. Maybe this girl really could cure his father!

“Of course. Let’s go see the patient,” Qin Chaoyu agreed without hesitation. She knew the family didn’t fully trust her yet, but that was fine—they’d see for themselves soon enough.

The group entered Gu Guohai’s bedroom.

Gu Zhiqian had been lounging lazily on the sofa, unwilling to join them. After the earlier scolding, he wasn’t in the mood. But when he saw the “doctor” his father had invited, he was convinced she was a fraud. The girl was stunningly beautiful, dressed in a white dress that gave her an ethereal, almost fairy-like aura. He’d seen many beauties in his time, but none could compare to her. Still, no matter how pretty she was, he couldn’t believe she could cure his grandfather.

Growing increasingly suspicious, Gu Zhiqian sprang up from the sofa and followed them into his grandfather’s room.

Hmph! He’d expose her soon enough. Maybe then his father would finally see him in a new light!

Inside the room, the lighting was dim, but it didn’t hinder Qin Chaoyu’s vision. She saw an elderly man lying on the bed, his complexion pale, holding the hand of a child—likely his grandson.

Gu Zhixue hurried to the bedside. “Dad, the doctor is here.”

Gu Guohai sighed, helpless against his stubborn eldest son. “Let her examine me, then.”

Gu Zhixue stepped aside, gently patting his younger son’s head. “Yuanyuan, the doctor is here to check on Grandpa. Don’t disturb them, okay?”

Gu Yuanzhe lifted his round little face and nodded obediently. “Daddy, I’m very well-behaved. I won’t be as silly as Brother!”

Gu Zhiqian, who had just entered, heard his little brother’s jab. He glared at the brat. Was that any way to talk about your own brother? Sure, he might not be the sharpest tool in the shed sometimes, but that was just because he didn’t like to think too hard. When he did put his mind to it, he could be plenty clever—like now, when he’d spotted something everyone else had missed!

Gu Yuanzhe caught his brother’s glare and stuck out his tongue teasingly.

Take that, stupid brother!

Qin Chaoyu stepped forward and sat on the chair by the bed. “Could you open the curtains? It’s a bit dark in here.”

“Of course!” Gu Zhixue didn’t delegate the task—he drew the curtains himself.

As sunlight flooded the room, Qin Chaoyu placed her medical kit on the bed and gestured for the patient to extend his wrist so she could take his pulse.

It was then that Gu Guohai realized the girl treating him was the same one who had saved him days earlier.

And he wasn’t the only one who remembered.

“Sister! Sister!” Gu Yuanzhe exclaimed joyfully. “You’re the pretty sister who saved Grandpa the other day!”

“Shh!” Qin Chaoyu pressed a finger to her lips, then winked. “Little Yuanyuan, let me check on your grandpa first, okay? We can talk later.”

Realizing he’d interrupted, Gu Yuanzhe mimicked her gesture, his eyes twinkling mischievously.