Huang Xiaolongâs aggravating words sent a sense of panic up Song Yuruâs spine.
Although Song Yuru was nothing more than a freshman without any social experience, she still knew the two middle-aged men exuded hostility just by looking at their faces and the way they carried themselves.
She was afraid that they were either rich or royalty!
Think about itâa village bumpkin like Huang Xiaolong traveled to the city to earn himself a living. How could he survive if he offended people like them?
Song Yuru had always had a kind disposition toward people. She hurriedly said, âHey, stop blurting nonsense! Itâs not right cursing people like that!â
Huang Xiaolong said with a cheeky grin, âThis is great. Youâre worried for me and concerned for me already? I told you that we share the Mandarin-Ducks-and-Butterfly fate. We fell in love at first sight and will support each other no matter whatâŚâ
âGet outta here! Support each other my *ss! Forget it, I canât be bothered anymore!â Song Yuru shot Huang Xiaolong with a loathsome glare.
However, while the conversation happened, both of the middle-aged men stayed surprisingly quiet.
âThis⌠This young mister, what⌠What made you say that?â asked the man with the yellowish-waxen complexion tentatively.
Huang Xiaolong answered him nonchalantly, âItâs simple. I can see that both of you are afflicted by deadly illnesses and are near death. Of course, you can choose to deny it. After all, it has nothing to do with me whether youâre living or dead.â
Hearing Huang Xiaolong taunting the men and continuously testing their limit, Song Yuru started to grieve for Huang Xiaolong internally.
Yet, no one could have expected the outcome!
âYoung mister, you⌠you noticed that weâre both seriously ill? ThisâŚâ An expression akin to humility appeared on the manâs yellowish, waxen face. Then, he unexpectedly lowered his head and said, âYoung mister, can you be more specific?â
âHuh?â Song Yuru was dumbstruck.
Huang Xiaolong crossed so many lines but the two men remained cordial with him? It was too strange to comprehend. Unless⌠Did Huang Xiaolong really notice something wrong?
That could not be possible! He did not use any medical equipment nor even attempt to read their pulse! He saw through their illness at a single glance. That was too good to be true!
Huang Xiaolong looked at the two middle-aged men expressionlessly. âLetâs talk about you firstââ
He directed his words at the man who looked yellow and waxen. âYouâre suffering from severe jaundice. The bale of damp-heat fumigates your liver and gall. Looking at you, I noticed that it isnât just your face thatâs yellowâeven your shirt collar has been dyed yellow. Has the color of your pee become yellow with time in the past year? And even your sweat turns yellow? Hehe, I think youâve gone to the hospital before. The treatment they gave you isnât very effective now, is it? Let me tell you this honestly. If this continues, you wonât live for another year.â
After hearing Huang Xiaolongâs diagnosis, the man with the waxen and yellowish complexion froze as though he was struck by lightning. His torso shook violently and threatened to collapse and his face looked like his soul left his body.
Every single word that spilled from Huang Xiaolongâs mouth hit home!
Next to them, even Song Yuruâs mouth was agape in shock. When Huang Xiaolong articulated his diagnosis, she thought that he was exuding an aura of utmost authority. It was as though he transformed into a completely different person. He was no longer the indolent and uncouth person that she struck up a conversation with. Instead, it seemed like he possessed an inborn stateliness.
Without any hesitation, Huang Xiaolong turned around to the other man and said, âYouâre worse. Youâre suffering from irreversible liver cirrhosis at the final stages. Heck, it might turn cancerous at any time.â
âHow did you know this?!â The middle-aged man jumped to his feet.
True to Huang Xiaolongâs statement, the manâs abdomen was bulging significantly as though he was seven months pregnant. Needless to say, his abdomen must be filled with ascites.
The purpose that brought these two middle-aged men on a train into the depths of the mountain was to seek alternative medicines to cure their diseases. Unfortunately, their search turned up fruitless and they had no choice but to return to Coast City in disappointment.
It was at such uncanny timing that they encountered a miraculous young man who could diagnose their illnesses at a single look. Seeing that, they chose to go along with him with the hopes of dying men.
âRespected young master, you see⌠Is there a way for you to cure us of our illnesses?â asked the man with jaundice with an expression on his face that indicated fawning. He even went so far as to refer to Huang Xiaolong as ârespectedâ.
âOf course, I can cure you. Also, this is a piece of cake for me,â said Huang Xiaolong with a grin.
âWhat a bragâŚâ Song Yuru pouted. She looked cheeky and cute but it was clear that she did not believe Huang Xiaolongâs words.
Jaundice and the end-stage of liver cirrhosis were great challenges yet to be dealt with among the Chinese medicine practitioners.
Even if they consulted a national doctor, they would not dare to claim to be able to cure it so easily.
âItâs up to you whether you want to believe me.â Huang Xiaolong ended the conversation and retrieved a military water bottle from the canvas bag next to him. He started drinking from the bottle leisurely.
âWe believe you! We believe you! We trust you, young master!â claimed the two middle-aged men simultaneously.
Presently, they were like drowning men grasping at straws that might save their lives. How would they let go of their lifeline just like that?
âRespected young master, please lend us your expertise to cure us of our diseases. You donât have to worry about consultation and prescription fees. No matter how much you ask for, weâll pay you,â said the man with jaundice in a shaky voice.
âLetâs seeâŚâ Huang Xiaolong had enough to drink, returned his bottle to the bag, and said slowly, âYou slandered me just now and I am a person whose hatred and liking are plain as day. According to that statement, I wouldnât treat any of you. However, as the saying goes, âpeople are in good spirits when good things happen.â Iâm happy today because Iâve found my First Wife. So long as my First Wife calls it, I can treat you free of charge. You hear that right. Free of charge.â
Huang Xiaolong retreated into silence once more after saying that. He turned his head around to look at the high mountains and lofty hills that sped past the train window.
âGo to hell! What First Wife?!â Song Yuru blushed violently. She was a true single, unmarried lady in the prime of her age. She did not even have a boyfriend yet. However, she was completely taken advantage of by Huang Xiaolong as he kept calling her his âFirst Wifeâ.
âLady, beautiful ladyâŚâ The two men started approaching the seats closer to Song Yuru with bent waists as they attempted to please her. âMiss, could you please say the words and let your boyfriend save usâŚ?â
In their attempts to ingratiate themselves Huang Xiaolong, the two men now went against their conscience and started calling Huang Xiaolong Song Yuruâs âboyfriendâ.
Song Yuru did not know what else to respond to. She said, âAre you sure youâre not mistaken? How is he my boyfriend now?â
âUh⌠Ahem⌠Lady, saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. You wonât be able to bear letting us die just like that, will you?â The two men stared at Song Yuru with sad, pitiful eyes. âLady, please, weâre begging you.â
Song Yuru was a child with a kind soul. When she saw how desperately the two middle-aged men begged her with eyes brimming with early signs of tears, it triggered her compassion. âWhat? Do you really believe what he said?â
Oh, my dear lord, lives were at stake today! They had to believe!
âWe believe him!â
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âOhâ I donât. Forget it, Iâll help you out.â Song Yuru glanced at Huang Xiaolong. âUh, whatâs your name- Huang Xiaolong, right? Can you⌠Can you help them out?â
âUh-huh. Since my First Wife has spoken, I will comply. Iâm on cloud nine today⌠Hehehe.â Huang Xiaolong smiled broadly. âRelax, my dear First Wife. With my treatment, they wonât be able to die even if they want to.â
âStop calling me your First Wife!â Song Yuru could do nothing about Huang Xiaolong.
This fellowâs skin was thicker than the city walls!
Huang Xiaolong stood up, glanced at his left and right. Then, he pointed to a plastic pail placed next to a farmerâs feet in the train compartment. There were around a dozen carps. Huang Xiaolong turned to the man suffering from jaundice and said, âYou there. Go and buy six carps. Iâll cure you with that.â