However, fearing to damage the original already weary and fragile self-esteem of this girl, and also apprehensive that revisiting these heart-wrenching matters might cause her to uncontrollably shed tears, he refrained from saying much. He simply smiled, "Yes, I assure you that such a day will come."
"What gives you such certainty? You're sounding like a fortune-teller," Zhang Xinran turned her head, smiling amusingly at him.
"You're correct; I am indeed a fortune-teller. I can guarantee that your father and mother's ailments will certainly improve. Do you believe me?" Lin Yu smiled slightly, resolving within himself to help this pitiable girl, no matter what, and assist in curing her parents' illnesses.
While he never truly adhered to the dichotomy of worldly and otherworldly in his heart, he couldn't, in any case, just stand by and watch this girl being bent by the burdens of life. This seemed a bit of a waste. Helping her once was not a big deal, at most, it was a loss of some vital energy, which he could regain in a single night of cultivation.
Even though he couldn't save everyone he encountered, at least, with what was currently visible, he could extend a hand where he could. Life, after all, isn't easy for anyone.
"Pfft, you're just bragging. I don't believe your words hold any truth," Zhang Xinran sneered, visibly expressing her disbelief.
Her father lay paralyzed in bed due to a stroke, unable to care for himself. If there were a second stroke, even if it were minor, it might lead him directly to meet Marx. The severity of the illness was evident.
Her mother suffered from rheumatoid arthritis for nearly twenty years, her joints deformed. Presently, she could barely cook, unable to perform other tasks. Every night, she experienced excruciating joint pain, unable to sleep without taking painkillers. The condition showed no signs of improvement.
In this situation, Zhang Xinran had already despaired. Maintaining the current state to preserve the family's integrity was the best she could hope for. As for them recovering, it wasn't that Zhang Xinran didn't believe in the notion of miracles in the world; it was an unimaginable and unattainable hope.
"It's pointless to discuss if it's believable or not. If you don't believe me, I'll take you to see later. Perhaps my words will come true," Lin Yu, affecting an air of mystery, said cryptically.
Zhang Xinran turned to stare at him, examining him from head to toe for a long time. After a while, she skeptically said, "Are you saying you can practice medicine?"
"I have some knowledge in that regard, not much. But healing your parents, I reckon, shouldn't be a big issue," Lin Yu adopted the demeanor of a wise man, speaking in an enigmatic manner.
"Pff, you're just exaggerating, blowing things out of proportion. Recently, the price of beef has been soaring; it's all because of your tall tales, making it scarce and expensive," Zhang Xinran dismissed with a disbelieving expression. Of course, she didn't believe. Having almost traversed numerous hospitals across the country, her parents' illnesses remained uncured. Why would he suddenly appear and claim to resolve everything? Wouldn't he then become a divine doctor? Why would he keep squeezing into the light rail all the time?
"If you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do. Let's go for a meal now and leave afterward; do what needs to be done," Lin Yu shrugged, walking ahead as he spoke.
After a brief moment of bewilderment, Zhang Xinran quickly caught up from behind. Walking beside him, she continuously examined him with curiosity, like observing a giant panda.
"What's wrong? Do I resemble a national treasure dressed in clothes?" Lin Yu joked, touching his nose with a smile.
"No, it's just that suddenly, you possess an indescribable quality, a remarkable quality that captures attention," Zhang Xinran continued to scrutinize him earnestly, speaking seriously.
"What kind of quality? Is it the kind that radiates with brilliance and grandeur, capable of rescuing people from dire situations?" Lin Yu puffed up his chest, feigning pride.
"It's a quality akin to madness, one that makes people find you extraordinarily interesting at first glance," Zhang Xinran burst into laughter, leaving Lin Yu feeling wounded in his pride. Unexpectedly, when he attempted to proactively offer medical assistance for the first time, he was taken for a lunatic, causing considerable damage to his self-esteem.
"I don't have time to deal with you. If you don't believe me, forget it," Lin Yu swiftly walked away.
"Why are you so touchy? Getting angry over a joke? Hey, where are you going?" Zhang Xinran followed him out of the light rail station, watching as Lin Yu directly headed towards a nearby medical equipment store. Unable to resist her curiosity, she ran over and grabbed his arm, asking inquisitively.
"I've told you before, I've studied medicine. Why don't you believe me?" Lin Yu tucked the acupuncture needles he picked into his bag, inwardly amused—actually, buying acupuncture needles for treatment was purely a facade, using elemental force to cure people.
However, as long as he didn't reveal it, nobody would know. That, he could guarantee.
"Alright, Lin Yu, are you challenging me with this? I, Zhang Xinran, now swear to the heavens: if you can really cure my parents, I will immediately pledge myself to you, no need for any dowry. Even if you have no money, no house, no car, I'll support you." Thinking that Lin Yu was challenging her, Zhang Xinran, with a stubborn look, declared with emphasis.
"Enough already. If every girl pledged herself to me when I healed someone, my house would've become a kingdom of daughters by now. Besides, with your explosive temper, even if you were offered to me, I wouldn't dare accept," Lin Yu teased deliberately.
"Are you itching for a fight?" Zhang Xinran was furious, and she threw a flurry of punches, prompting Lin Yu to run away while pleading for mercy. Zhang Xinran finally stopped after fiercely pounding him a couple of times.