"Ma'am, you can't take this risk, he's just trying to scam you for your money, he doesn't know how to heal at all," Meng Qingdong had never dreamed that this foolish woman would ultimately choose to trust Zhang Xiaobei.
"Doctor, can you cure my husband's illness? If you can, I will immediately ask this young man to stop. But if you can't guarantee to cure my husband, then please take a rest to the side and give your legs a break," the woman said.
Qi Yaru's words left Meng Qingdong speechless. To be honest, he really wasn't entirely certain about curing the poison of the miasma.
In this world, all treatment comes with risks, the only difference being the level of medical expertise.
But this might be a good thing; since Zhang Xiaobei was seeking his own death, it might as well be facilitated. This way, it would save Qing Dong a lot of trouble.
Twenty thousand yuan and a young widow, all things considered, he didn't seem to be at a loss.
"Alright, since this lady insists, I won't say anything more," said Meng Qingdong as he and Zhao Tian found a large rock to sit down on.
"Brother, do you think that kid Zhang Xiaobei can really cure that man?" Zhao Tian stood next to Meng Qingdong, watching the busy Zhang Xiaobei with schadenfreude and asked.
Meng Qingdong snorted coldly at the question. "Zhang Xiaobei, that kid, is probably in big trouble now. Practicing medicine without a license is already illegal, and if he were to cause a death, his life would be over."
After about half a cup of tea's time, Zhang Xiaobei finally stopped.
Based on previous observations in the dense forest, just as Meng Qingdong said, the middle-aged man had been infected with the miasma and the toxins had eroded his internal organs.
In such a place lacking medical resources, the chances of survival were very slim, yet faced with a life slipping away, Zhang Xiaobei's heart couldn't bear to do nothing.
"Young man, how is my husband now?" Qi Yaru, seeing her husband still lying on the ground unchanged, became anxious and quickly asked about the situation.
"Big sister, don't worry. Treatment requires a process..."
"Enough with that, Zhang Xiaobei. What process? Stop putting on a show," said Zhao Tian, arms crossed and mouth twisted in disdain, "Lady, let me tell you straight! This kid doesn't know a thing about healing. He's in debt up to his ears to my brother and desperate for money. Seeing you, an easy mark, he took his chance. Your husband's been unconscious for so long, I reckon his chances are slim, you should hurry home and prepare his coffin. And call the police while you're at it, just in case this guy tries to run away."
Hearing this, Zhang Xiaobei was enraged and abruptly stood up. He hadn't expected Zhao Tian to stir up trouble in front of Meng Qingdong for his own gains without any regard for human life.
People like this needed a serious lesson, or else it would be against conscience. Just as Zhang Xiaobei was about to act, Qi Yaru grabbed his arm.
"Young man, what exactly is my husband's condition?" Qi Yaru asked sternly, "Is it really about the money as they say?"
Seeing this, about a dozen onlookers from other places quickly surrounded them, holding various tools in hand.
"Big Brother Meng, looks like the show is about to start. With so many people involved, even if Zhang Xiaobei doesn't die from this, he'll be skinned," Zhao Tian grinned, full of triumph.
However, Meng Qingdong seemed uninterested in these developments; his gaze remained fixed on the middle-aged man lying on the ground.
This was his main concern.
If Zhang Xiaobei really got lucky and revived the middle-aged man, not only would he fail to lead off Qi Yaru like a fat sheep, but he might also lose the money...
"Big sister, if you believe what they say, you can call the police right now. My name is Zhang Xiaobei, from Ji Xian Village!"
Facing the encirclement of over ten people, Zhang Xiaobei's expression was solemn, neither servile nor arrogant, without a hint of fear—a reaction that greatly surprised everyone.
If this young man were really just scamming for money, as they suspected, then his current behavior could only be described as digging his own grave.
"Young man, I'm so sorry, I was too anxious and didn't distinguish between truth and lies. If I have offended you, please don't take it to heart," said Qi Yaru apologetically, yet her grip on Zhang Xiaobei's arm didn't loosen. Everyone was expecting a fight, but Zhang Xiaobei dissolved the tension with a few words.
"Zhang Xiaobei, I have to say, your acting skills are top-notch; you could even play around with an Oscar for Best Actor. But let's see how you keep up the act once this big brother is truly gone," Zhao Tian taunted.
"Zhao Tian, are you implying that I, Zhang Xiaobei, am only in it for the money and not to save a life?"
"Yes, isn't it obvious?"
"Alright, what if this big brother wakes up later?"
Challenged publicly, Zhao Tian's face reddened, and it wasn't just about his own pride—Meng Qingdong was also watching. Showing any sign of weakness would disgrace not only him.
"If this big brother wakes up, I, Zhao Tian, will kowtow to you, Zhang Xiaobei, three times, and call you 'Grandpa' three times. And if he doesn't wake up, what will you do?"
Zhang Xiaobei smirked coldly at the challenge. "If he doesn't wake up, I will kowtow to you, Zhao Tian, three times, and call you 'Grandpa' three times."
"Deal, it's settled!" Zhao Tian slapped his chest and immediately agreed.
His boss, Meng Qingdong, was the only doctor in a radius of ten miles. If he couldn't cure the man, what could Zhang Xiaobei, a country bumpkin, possibly do?
The more Zhao Tian thought about it, the happier he became, almost visualizing Zhang Xiaobei kneeling before him.
"Everyone, you all heard it just now. If this kid fails to save the big brother, he…"
Before Zhao Tian could finish, a violent cough erupted from behind the crowd.
Turning towards the noise, Zhao Tian almost landed straight on his rear.