Shuyan took the driver's seat with Zhang ZhiLi and headed straight to the private hospital. Upon arrival, they rushed to the VIP ward where an elderly man lay on the bed, looking frail and weak, his face turning blue, lips purple, and breathing shallow.
"Shuyan, what brings you here?" A middle-aged man sitting by the bed stood up upon seeing Shuyan enter.
"Has Yanbin not returned yet?" Shuyan inquired.
"No, and I fear Grandpa might not make it! Yanbin, that rascal, isn't here even at this critical moment. He might not even get to see Grandpa for the last time!" Yanchanghai exclaimed angrily.
"You're Yanbin's uncle, Grandpa Yan's eldest son. Instead of thinking of ways to find a renowned doctor, you're saying such things?" Shuyan was visibly displeased with Yanchanghai.
"Am I not trying? The doctors here have tried everything—gastric lavage, even blood transfusion. We've exhausted all possible options!" Yanchanghai retorted.
"We've even called for two renowned doctors who are on their way. I'm just being cautious!" he added, gesturing towards the doctors present, who nodded in agreement.
"One of the doctors, pushing his glasses up, reluctantly admitted, "Miss Shu, I've been practicing medicine for thirty years, and I'm one of the best in our field. Yet, I've never encountered such a peculiar case! No matter how accurately we diagnose and treat the toxin, the symptoms worsen after temporary relief. In my opinion, even calling in more famous doctors might be futile!"
"Since you're not confident, let Dr. Zhang take a look at Grandpa!" Shuyan said firmly, turning to Zhang ZhiLi.
Yanchanghai and the others looked at Zhang ZhiLi with skepticism. Despite their silent disapproval, they couldn't deny his proficiency. Zhang ZhiLi might appear as a recent medical graduate compared to them, but his accomplishments in treating Song Jiaojiao and his niece had earned him respect.
"Just to assess the situation. It won't hurt to try!" Shuyan insisted.
Although Shuyan wasn't entirely confident in Zhang ZhiLi, given the severity of Grandpa's condition, they had little choice. Zhang ZhiLi might be their last hope.
"Is it even possible?" Yanchanghai turned to Zhang ZhiLi skeptically.
While the other doctors remained silent, their expressions conveyed doubt.
"Let's just see what happens. It won't change anything," Shuyan intervened.
In fact, Shuyan wasn't overly confident in Zhang ZhiLi either. However, given that many renowned doctors couldn't do much for Grandpa's condition, and considering Zhang ZhiLi's success in treating Song Jiaojiao and his niece, he seemed like their best shot. It was a desperate move.
"Is there a chance?" Yanchanghai asked, turning back to Zhang ZhiLi.
Zhang ZhiLi smirked, "There's some certainty. I might even cure your kidney deficiency while at it. Care to give it a shot?"
Yanchanghai flushed with anger. "You think just because Shuyan brought you here, you can be this arrogant? Do you know who I am? This is our first meeting, and you dare ridicule me?"
Zhang ZhiLi shook his head. "It's not arrogance; it's confidence. Speaking of you, do you have symptoms like sweating hands and feet, sore waist, and weak legs?"
Yanchanghai was momentarily speechless.
A doctor chuckled, "A man in his forties, most likely has these symptoms! Your diagnosis isn't groundbreaking!"
Yanchanghai retorted, "So, you're playing probability with me here? Predicting common symptoms is merely guesswork!"
"I suggest you step aside! Don't interfere, or you'll only make things worse. No one will be able to save you!" Yanchanghai warned.
Zhang ZhiLi glanced at Shuyan, asking, "So, is it treat or not?"
"Treat!" Shuyan's tone was resolute.
"Don't treat!"
"Shuyan, don't trust these quacks. I've already called in the renowned healer Li Jiang, who's on his way." Yanchanghai, feeling slighted, knew that in Shuyan's eyes, he was less important than Yanbin, even though he was Yanbin's grandfather. It must be Yanbin who entrusted Shuyan, and he couldn't help but feel resentful.
As they spoke, Grandpa Yan vomited a mouthful of black blood, and the life monitor emitted an alarming sound.
"Treat! Zhang ZhiLi!" Shuyan's voice was firm.
Zhang ZhiLi nodded. "Alright, prepare a box of acupuncture needles for me!"
Shuyan turned away, and the doctors reluctantly instructed a nurse to fetch them.
"Miss Shu, there's something I shouldn't say, but I must. If, I repeat, if his treatment fails, we shouldn't be blamed!" one doctor cautioned.
"And, I doubt Chinese medicine can solve the problem at hand. Even if we consider it, I'd suggest letting us delay treatment until the renowned healer Li Jiang arrives!" another doctor added.
Shuyan remained silent, clenching her fists tightly. She looked into Zhang ZhiLi's eyes, seeing nothing but determination, calmness, and confidence.
Yanchanghai squinted his eyes. He had already advised, and there was no need to repeat himself. He even felt a bit of schadenfreude. If Zhang ZhiLi made a mistake, and Li Jiang had to come and save the day, it would be evident that Zhang ZhiLi's treatment was flawed. It would work in his favor! When that happened, not only would the arrogant young man be punished, but Shuyan, being Yanbin's friend, would also bear responsibility for her decision.
Soon, the nurse returned, and Zhang ZhiLi, receiving the acupuncture needles, felt Grandpa Yan's pulse before administering the first needle at his Dantian position. He then proceeded to place several needles around the abdomen. His movements were swift and precise, his acupoint recognition accurate, and his technique stable. Despite the doctors' disapproval, they had to acknowledge his expertise in acupuncture. Without a doubt, this was top-notch skill.
"The toxin in Grandpa's body isn't the main issue. It's the source of the toxin within him that
Shu Yanyan's eyebrows furrowed slightly, not because she doubted, but because Zhang Zhili's words were unusually strange.
Just then, Yan Changhai received a call from Li Jiang. After hanging up, he became confident: "You, stop talking nonsense. Dr. Li Jiang, the national expert, has arrived. I'm going to pick him up!
"You better think about how Li Jiang will slap your face swollen later! Nonsense, talking about being poisoned, why don't you say you've been cursed!" Yan Changhai grumbled as he stormed out of the ward.
Zhang Zhili remained calm and asked for a piece of paper. With swift strokes of his pen, he wrote down a list of items, saying, "Prepare these things first."
"Alright..." Shu Yanyan watched Zhang Zhili's unwavering demeanor and gritted her teeth as she handed the paper to the guard at the door.
Soon, Yan Changhai returned with Li Jiang: "Dr. Li, please come in! There's a so-called madman inside, don't bother with him! Please, hurry and save my grandfather!"
Upon hearing that Dr. Li Jiang, the national expert, had arrived, the two Western doctors exchanged glances and showed sufficient respect as they stood by the bedside. Only Zhang Zhili remained standing in front of the bed, deep in thought.
Li Jiang's expression turned solemn as he nodded to the others, preparing to examine the patient. Yan Changhai reached out and grabbed Zhang Zhili's arm, pulling him aside. "Get out of the way, stop pretending!"
Zhang Zhili turned his head, locking eyes with Li Jiang.
Li Jiang immediately grinned, "The little miracle worker is here, I'm just an extra!"
Yan Changhai froze mid-action, his arm suspended in the air.