Li Lao’s sudden reaction startled Professor Qian and the driver, Xiao Wang, in the front seat.
Screech!
Xiao Wang slammed on the brakes, and both he and Professor Qian turned to look at Li Lao.
“Li Lao, what’s wrong?” Professor Qian asked.
“Nothing, just recalled something. Sorry for startling you both, haha…” Li Lao chuckled, then asked, “Have Old Zhang and Old Nie arrived yet?”
The “Old Zhang” and “Old Nie” he mentioned were the renowned traditional Chinese medicine masters, Zhang Jiuling and Nie Xueliang.
Professor Qian replied, “My brother went to pick up Zhang Lao and Nie Lao. They’re on their way back to Suzhou-Hangzhou too—should arrive before us.”
Li Lao nodded slightly. “Then let’s hurry along!”
Professor Qian glanced at Li Lao again, noticing an irrepressible excitement in his expression.
What could have thrilled Li Lao so much?
Puzzled, Professor Qian instructed the driver, “Xiao Wang, drive.”
“Yes, sir!”
Xiao Wang restarted the car and continued forward.
Li Lao closed his eyes again, his heart buzzing with excitement.
“To think I’d witness the long-lost Heaven-Mending Hand on this remote highway.”
“The Heaven-Mending Hand was a peerless bone-setting technique from the Ming Dynasty, developed by a hundred imperial physicians pooling their expertise. It has thirty-six forms.”
“If I hadn’t seen the first form in my ancestor’s medical texts, I wouldn’t have recognized what that young man was using.”
“That young man—he’s a medical genius.”
“With such talent in Chinese medicine, how could it not flourish?”
“Pity, Old Qian’s on death’s door, waiting for me to save him. Otherwise, I’d have loved to chat with that lad.”
Li Lao sighed at the thought.
But soon, he relaxed.
“That young man’s skills are extraordinary. Even if he’s unknown now, it won’t be long before he makes a name for himself in medicine. We’ll meet again eventually.”
“Here’s hoping that day comes soon!”
—
On the highway.
Ye Qiu employed the Heaven-Mending Hand to heal the injured driver’s fractures, then gave him a full checkup.
Fortunately, beyond the areas Ye Qiu treated, the driver had only minor scrapes.
“Time to remove the needles.”
Ye Qiu withdrew the five golden needles from the driver’s head.
Afterward, he massaged the driver’s nape for a bit, then waited quietly.
Thirty seconds later.
The unconscious driver’s eyelids fluttered open, revealing a young face.
A handsome young man with a faint, reassuring smile.
“He’s awake!”
The crowd erupted in amazement.
Hearing the noise, the driver turned his head, asking dazedly, “W-Where am I?”
“You were in a car accident and passed out. This is the highway,” Ye Qiu explained, adding, “I’m a doctor.”
“Car accident?” The driver froze, then paled, grabbing Ye Qiu’s hands. “Doctor, am I dying? Can you save me?”
“My mortgage isn’t paid off, my kid’s in elementary school, my wife’s jobless—I can’t die!”
“Please, doctor, save me!”
Ye Qiu sighed inwardly. The adult world was never easy—sickness and injury hit hard.
“Don’t worry, I’ve treated your injuries. Only a head wound’s left. Lie still—I’ll fix it.”
Ye Qiu drew a scar-removal talisman.
In moments, the gash on the driver’s forehead healed visibly, leaving no trace.
The onlookers were stunned.
“My God, the wound vanished in a blink—no scar! This doctor’s incredible!”
“Beyond incredible—a miracle worker!”
“That driver was half-dead—lucky he met this healer!”
“This must be what they call bringing the dead back to life!”
“…”
Grateful, the driver looked at Ye Qiu. “Thank you, doctor.”
“No need to thank me,” Ye Qiu said. “I’ve healed all your injuries. If you’re still worried, get a full checkup at a hospital later.”
“You got lucky meeting me this time, but luck runs out. Don’t drive tired—it harms you and others.”
“Countless roads, safety first. Drive reckless, and loved ones weep.”
“Mm.” The driver nodded firmly, still unmoving since Ye Qiu hadn’t said he could.
“You’re fine now—move if you want.” Ye Qiu reached to help.
Instead, the driver dodged, dropping to his knees.
“Doctor, thank you for saving me! I’m no good with words—don’t know how to repay you. Let me kowtow!”
Bang, bang, bang! Three loud kowtows.
“Get up!” Ye Qiu lifted him, serious. “I’m a doctor. Saving lives is my duty—no need for this.”
The crowd buzzed with praise.
“So young, so kind, and with such ethics—rare!”
“These days, some doctors chase cash—red envelopes get you care, nothing gets you brushed off. A doctor like him? Too few.”
“If every doctor put saving lives first, the world’d be better.”
“He’ll be a world-famous healer someday, mark my words!”
“…”
Ye Qiu bid the driver farewell and returned to the bus.
Instantly, passengers swarmed him with ailments.
“Doctor, my rheumatism flares in bad weather—your skills are amazing, help me!”
“Doctor, my back’s shot—can you needle me? I trust Chinese medicine, not Western!”
“Doctor, got a kidney tonic recipe? Hook me up!”
Even a plump sixty-five-year-old woman chimed in, “Doctor, I’m sixty-five—can I still have a son?”
Ye Qiu: “???”
—
At 10:30 PM, Ye Qiu reached Jiangzhou.
“Mom’s asleep by now. I’ll head to Sister Lin’s.”
He made for Lin Jingzhi’s place, hoping to surprise her—only to stumble on a secret instead.
