Lin Jiaoyang said with a stern expression, "Yunyun, how did your brain get so muddled after falling so seriously ill? Look at this fellow—he is only about twenty-five or twenty-six years old. What could he possibly know about medicine? One look and you can tell he's a fraud!"
Ye Tiance spoke up, "Whether I am a fraud or not is not for you to decide!"
Lin Jiaoyang said with utter disdain, "Fine! Then if you have the ability, see what illness I have! If you can figure it out, I'll believe you! Get it wrong, and get the hell out of here immediately!"
Ye Tiance raised an eyebrow, "Are you sure you want me to say it?"
Lin Jiaoyang said sternly, "You must say it!"
Ye Tiance looked Lin Jiaoyang up and down, then began to list off the details: "Your lips are dry and pale, indicating a deficiency in your spleen. You suffer from bad breath, frequently drool in your sleep, and even grind your teeth and snore!
In addition, your personality is prone to anger, which implies excessive liver fire and spleen-stomach dysregulation. You suffer from irregular menstruation, fatigue, cold hands and feet, and frequent diarrhea.
Oh, and you also have hemorrhoids. You can't sit for long periods, and eating spicy food easily causes profuse bleeding. I suggest surgical removal for a permanent cure!
Furthermore..."
Just as he was speaking, Lin Jiaoyang suddenly interrupted him with a sharp reprimand: "Enough!"
At this moment, her face flushed red and her heart pounded. The look she gave Ye Tiance was filled with sheer disbelief!
You must understand that some of these minor ailments were her personal privacy—things not even her closest relatives knew!
How on earth did this guy in front of her find out?
Ye Tiance gave a faint smile and asked, "Miss Han—correction, Miss Lin, is my diagnosis incorrect?"
Lin Jiaoyang bit her lip, her expression looking very unsightly as she said, "Even if it's right, so what? As for you, do you have any manners? Don't you know some things shouldn't be said out loud so casually?"
A black line appeared on Ye Tiance's forehead!
This woman is really something else. I already warned you, and it was you who insisted I say it!
Now that I've said it, you're blaming me instead!
Seeing that the atmosphere was turning somewhat awkward, Han Ruoyun stepped in to smooth things over: "Sister Yangyang, don't be upset. No matter what, you should believe in his medical skills by now, shouldn't you? Why don't you let him hurry up and examine Grandpa Lin?"
As she spoke, she cast a stealthy glance at Ye Tiance, a surge of approval inevitably welling up in her eyes!
Originally, when she invited Ye Tiance to come along, she hadn't been entirely confident either.
Now it seemed this fellow really did have some genuine skills.
When she had the time, she would ask if this guy had a way to cure dysmenorrhea—she had been tormented to death by that wretched condition!
Lin Jiaoyang, however, once again assumed a haughty and condescending posture.
"I admit this fellow knows a bit of medicine, but it's merely skin-deep. You must realize that not even Wu Xingye, the president of the First Hospital, can cure my grandfather's illness. It's useless for him to try either.
Besides, I've already entrusted someone to invite a true master to treat him today. We're bound to make progress, and there's even less need for him!"
Clearly, this attitude made it obvious that she still didn't trust Ye Tiance!
Hearing this, Han Ruoyun's expression shifted slightly!
Although she knew her good friend had an arrogant temper, she wasn't usually like this!
Could it be that Ye Tiance had offended her by exposing her private ailments in public?
That had to be it!
Just as Han Ruoyun was pondering how to persuade Lin Jiaoyang, two men walked down from upstairs.
Leading the way was a middle-aged man dressed in a dark navy blue suit and a white shirt. His expression carried a natural majesty, exuding the aura of someone in a position of authority within the system.
Following closely behind him was an elderly man of around sixty years old, wearing a white lab coat, clearly a doctor.
After coming downstairs, the man in the dark navy blue suit smiled at Han Ruoyun and said, "Ah, Yunyun is here! You've just recovered from a long illness, and Uncle hasn't had the spare time to check on you. Work has simply been too busy—you won't be angry with me, will you?"
Han Ruoyun hurriedly stepped forward, wearing a polite smile as she replied, "How could I ever dare to be angry with Uncle Lin?"
The man in the white shirt asked, "Did you come today to visit your Grandpa Lin?"
Han Ruoyun nodded and added, "And I've also specially brought along a friend who understands medicine. Perhaps he can cure Grandpa Lin."
Hearing this, the man in the dark navy blue suit narrowed his eyes!
"Yunyun, is this true?"
Han Ruoyun gave an affirmative hum and said, "The strange illness I suffered from was cured by him!"
At that moment, the elderly doctor stepped forward and asked with a face full of eager anticipation, "Miss Han, where might your friend be? This old man would like to meet him!"
You must know that Han Ruoyun's bizarre illness had baffled numerous renowned physicians who searched for a cure to no avail—and that included him!
At the time, he had already diagnosed that there was no solution for Han Ruoyun's strange affliction.
He never expected that just the day before, news had broken that her mysterious illness had actually been cured by some miraculous doctor!
This had shocked him beyond measure.
He had been eagerly hoping to pay a visit to this divine physician.
To his surprise, Han Ruoyun had brought him right here today!
Han Ruoyun pulled Ye Tiance forward and introduced him, saying, "Dean Wu, this is the friend who cured my illness!"
At the same time, she introduced Ye Tiance to the other side: "This is Dean Wu Xingye, the president of our Jiangnan City First Hospital. He's a good friend of Grandpa Lin and often drops by to check on Grandpa Lin's health."
Wu Xingye looked at Ye Tiance and said with some disbelief, "This... this is much too young!"
He had originally assumed this legendary divine doctor would be at least sixty or seventy years old, never imagining he would be just over twenty!
It completely defied common sense!
However, Wu Xingye quickly followed up with a smile, saying, "In medicine, however, mastery comes first; seniority is not determined by age. I was being presumptuous, young friend, please don't take offense!"
Ye Tiance smiled, "Not at all!"
His first impression of this Dean Wu was quite favorable!
He was much better than those old fogies who looked down on young people simply on account of their status and seniority!
At that moment, the man in the dark navy blue suit proactively extended his hand and greeted Ye Tiance, saying, "I am Lin Wanda. Pleased to meet you!"
Ye Tiance shook his hand, neither servile nor overbearing as he replied, "Mayor Lin, pleased to meet you!"
That's right—this Lin Wanda before him was no minor figure. He was none other than the current mayor of Jiangnan City and one of the top two heavyweights in Jiangnan City's political arena!
Han Ruoyun had told him all of this before they came in.
Not only that.
Lin Wanda's father, Lin Yuanxun, was an even more legendary figure!
In his youth, this man laid down his pen to join the army, rushing to the battlefield to slaughter the enemy and defend his homeland.
After the founding of the nation, he devoted himself entirely to national construction, working himself to the bone.
It wasn't until he retired with the rank of general that he settled down to recuperate in Jiangnan City.
Today, his son was the mayor of Jiangnan City, administering a population of millions; the soldiers he once led had each become feudal lords of their own territories within the military ranks.
Ultimately, Lin Yuanxun was the true foundation of the Lin Family!
Whenever people spoke of the division of power in Jiangnan City, everyone would tacitly recite: 'One Lin, Two Lords, Three Families!'
'One Lin' referred to the Lin Family.
The 'Two Lords' were Lord Long, the King of Jiangnan, and Lord Hu, the Underground Emperor.
The 'Three Families' were the three major clans: the Han Family, the Ji Family, and the Liu Family.
From this, one could see just how transcendent the Lin Family's status was in Jiangnan City!
Of course.
To Ye Tiance, who had witnessed all sorts of major power players, this was merely so-so!
Watching Ye Tiance shake hands with him without showing the slightest trace of timidity, Lin Wanda secretly nodded to himself.
This young man had an extraordinary mindset!
He asked, "Can you truly cure my father's illness?"
Ye Tiance answered truthfully, "I can only reach a conclusion after examining him."
At that moment, Lin Jiaoyang's displeased voice rang out: "Dad! Are you really going to let this fellow examine Grandpa? We don't even know his background, and in case something goes wrong..."
Lin Wanda said, "He is a friend brought by Yunyun. What could possibly go wrong?"
Lin Jiaoyang was instantly left speechless!
Next, Lin Wanda invited Ye Tiance to treat Old Master Lin.
The group arrived at Lin Yuanxun's bedroom.
By now, this bedroom had long since been converted into a private ward.
Medical equipment of all kinds, such as respirators and electrocardiographs, were fully furnished.
Lying on the hospital bed was an emaciated old man with white hair.
His face had a greenish hue, his breathing was faint, and he remained in a comatose state, hanging on the edge of life and death.
Lin Wanda explained that the old master's health had always been very robust, but after returning from a trip out of town half a year ago, he suddenly fell unconscious and had remained unresponsive ever since, with doctors unable to find any cause of illness.
Ye Tiance stepped forward and took Lin Yuanxun's wrist to check his pulse.
A moment later, he let go of the wrist.
Han Ruoyun couldn't help asking, "What kind of illness does Grandpa Lin actually have? Did you figure it out?"
Ye Tiance looked at the crowd and replied, "Old Master Lin is not sick at all!"
***
"Old fogoy, stop spouting nonsense!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the few people present were all stunned.
Not sick at all?
Lin Jiaoyang reprimanded, "Nonsense! My grandfather has been in a coma for over half a year without any sensation. If this isn't an illness, what is it? You really are a fraud who doesn't understand a thing!"
Wu Xingye frowned slightly and said, "Young Friend Ye, Old Lin's organs are failing all over, and there are even signs of internal bleeding. These are truly symptoms of illness. How can you say he isn't sick?"
Lin Wanda's expression turned serious as he slowly said, "Young man, this kind of joke cannot be played!"
Han Ruoyun was worried to death and urged, "Ye Tiance, take this seriously. Stop joking around!"
Ye Tiance calmly said, "I am very serious. Old Master Lin is not sick; he is actually..."
Before he could finish his sentence, an aged voice sounded from outside the doorway: "Who is spouting such wild nonsense, actually claiming that Old Lin is not sick?"
The crowd looked in the direction of the voice.
They saw an elderly, goat-bearded man wearing a yellow Daoist robe and a floral cap appearing at the entrance, accompanied by a young man dressed in designer clothes.
Coincidentally, both of these faces were familiar to Ye Tiance—Taoist Master Gongsun and Ji Boxiao, the second young master of the Ji Family.
Could the master mentioned by Lin Jiaoyang be them?
Sure enough, Lin Jiaoyang hurried forward to greet them, saying, "Taoist Master Gongsun, I've heard of your great reputation for a long time. Today, we've finally invited you here!"
Taoist Master Gongsun stroked his beard and assumed an unfathomable expression as he said, "Pleased to meet you!"
Lin Jiaoyang then said to Ji Boxiao with satisfaction, "Thank you for the trouble this time."
Ji Boxiao smiled with humility, "Hehe, it's no trouble at all!"
Yesterday, when Ji Boxiao saw Lin Jiaoyang's Moments post saying she wanted to invite Taoist Master Gongsun to examine her grandfather and asking who had the connections to reach him, he immediately realized this was a golden opportunity to latch onto the Lin Family's network.
He might even get the chance to invite Mayor Lin to attend his father Ji Wuli's birthday banquet—how prestigious would that be?
So he replied immediately to say he could arrange it, and scheduled to bring Taoist Master Gongsun over for the medical visit this morning.
Lin Jiaoyang introduced to Lin Wanda, "Dad, this is the Taoist Master Gongsun I mentioned to you earlier. Having him come to save Grandpa is a hundred times better than some fraud!"
As she spoke, she also cast a disdainful glare at Ye Tiance.
Lin Wanda took the initiative to step forward, extending his hand to Taoist Master Gongsun as he said, "Taoist Master Gongsun, I've long admired your great name!"
Taoist Master Gongsun shook hands with him, smiling with fabricated modesty, "Mayor Lin flatters me. Poor Daoist possesses only a hollow reputation and merely knows a few rudimentary life-saving techniques, not worth mentioning."
Lin Jiaoyang praised, "Taoist Master Gongsun, you're being too modest. In Jiangnan City, or even the entire Tiannan Province, who hasn't heard of your renowned name!"
Although her words were slightly exaggerated, they were still based on certain facts.
Legend had it that Taoist Master Gongsun had studied arts on Mount Kunlun for over sixty years: he could read yin and yang, judge feng shui, divine fortunes, and excelled in traditional Chinese medicine!
In particular, his skill in treating hysteria and evil afflictions was nothing short of miraculous.
Lin Jiaoyang had long suspected that her grandfather's condition wasn't a normal illness, but rather a strange affliction like being possessed by an evil spirit, which was why she thought of Taoist Master Gongsun.
After praising Taoist Master Gongsun, Lin Jiaoyang turned to squeeze Ye Tiance out, saying, "With Taoist Master Gongsun here to treat my grandfather, we don't need you anymore. Go back to wherever you came from!"
Han Ruoyun said with some dissatisfaction, "Sister Yangyang, how can you speak like that? If this Taoist Master Gongsun is truly so amazing, why didn't he cure me in the first place? Wasn't it the medicinal formula given by Ye Tiance that took effect?"
Lin Jiaoyang was choked into silence and instinctively looked toward Taoist Master Gongsun.
The latter gave a light cough and said, "Miss Han, you wouldn't understand. Your strange illness wasn't cured by this punk at all; it was the handiwork of Poor Daoist!"
This statement inevitably caused everyone to display expressions of curiosity.
Taoist Master Gongsun stroked his beard and continued to explain: "At the time, Poor Daoist's rituals had already taken effect, but you had been unconscious for too long, and waking up required a certain amount of time.
However, your esteemed father didn't understand these matters and anxiously had a servant decoct medicine for you to take. On the surface, it appeared that you woke up after taking medicine, but in reality, it was entirely a coincidence. Even without taking that fellow surnamed Ye's prescription, you would have still woken up!"
Han Ruoyun's expression shifted slightly as she instinctively asked, "Is this true?"
Taoist Master Gongsun put on an air of a Taoist master with immortal bones and said, "Those who practice asceticism do not tell lies!"
At this moment, Ji Boxiao also chimed in, "Yunyun, you are usually quite smart and sharp, so why didn't you stop and think? If this Ye Tiance really possessed supreme medical skills, how could he have spent three years living off a family as a good-for-nothing son-in-law, only to end up being kicked out?
Anyone without a severe brain defect wouldn't do such a thing!"
Hearing this, both father and daughter—Lin Wanda and Lin Jiaoyang—had expressions that turned somewhat unpleasant.
Well, well.
After all this fuss, this punk was actually a trashy son-in-law driven out of someone else's house!
How could someone like that possess supreme medical skills?
Even Wu Xingye shook his head in disappointment.
He had originally thought he might meet a young, genius divine doctor today, but he never expected it would be...
Clap! Clap! Clap!
However, right at that moment, Ye Tiance, who had remained silent all this time, suddenly started clapping his hands.
He said to Taoist Master Gongsun, "When we met last time, I said your skills were lacking and you should stop scamming people out of money. I didn't expect you to be even more adept at standing truth on its head!"
Ji Boxiao shouted in a deep voice, "Useless trash, I advise you to show some respect to Taoist Master Gongsun!"
Ye Tiance sneered, "My dear good son, if you speak to your father in that tone, is that supposed to show respect to your old man?"
Ji Boxiao's expression changed, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help twitching!
The mere thought of the night before yesterday at Tianlong Hotel, where he had been forced by Ye Tiance to kneel and call him 'Dad', filled him with a bellyful of fire.
He wished he could hack Ye Tiance into a thousand pieces!
Taoist Master Gongsun said with dissatisfaction, "Young man, you say Poor Daoist is distorting right and wrong—do you have proof?"
Ye Tiance retorted, "If Miss Han's illness was truly cured by you, why didn't you state the truth on the spot the day before yesterday? Why wait until today to say it?"
Taoist Master Gongsun, however, explained without a single blush and without his heartbeat accelerating: "That is because Poor Daoist has practiced asceticism all my life and never cares about fame or fortune. Why should I engage in a mere battle of words for momentary satisfaction?"
Ye Tiance rolled his eyes.
This old fogoy's skin was thicker than a city wall!
Just as Ye Tiance was about to speak again, Han Ruoyun grabbed him by the sleeve and whispered, "Stop talking! No matter what you say, they won't believe you!"
Ye Tiance smiled and asked, "Oh? Judging by that tone, do you still believe me?"
Han Ruoyun gave him a sideways glance: "Believe my foot! You're just a jerk who only knows how to play hard to get!"
Although Taoist Master Gongsun spoke with absolute certainty, Han Ruoyun always felt something was a bit off.
Comparatively speaking, she still believed that Ye Tiance understood medicine.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to instantly diagnose Sister Yangyang's minor ailments earlier...
As for the others.
At this moment, they no longer took Ye Tiance seriously at all.
Lin Jiaoyang hurriedly invited Taoist Master Gongsun to examine Lin Yuanxun!
Taoist Master Gongsun walked straight up to the hospital bed and began various examinations.
Lin Wanda and Wu Xingye stood nearby, waiting quietly.
During this period, Ji Boxiao diligently smiled at Han Ruoyun and said, "This Ye Tiance is simply a fraud. You should stay away from him in the future."
Han Ruoyun lifted her chin proudly and said, "What business is it of yours?"
Ji Boxiao didn't feel awkward at all and continued, "By the way, tomorrow is my dad's 60th birthday. Uncle Han has already confirmed he's attending—would you like to come along too?"
Han Ruoyun said irritably, "I'm in a bad mood, I don't want to go!"
Ji Boxiao's expression stiffened, and he found it hard to keep acting shamelessly.
He had no choice but to glare at Ye Tiance, unhappily saying, "It's all your fault for ruining Yunyun's mood!"
Ye Tiance was left speechless and didn't even want to bother with this idiot!
On the other side.
Taoist Master Gongsun had already finished his examination.
He straightened his back, stroked his beard, and smiled, "Poor Daoist has found the cause of Old Lin's illness!"
Lin Wanda and Lin Jiaoyang, father and daughter, asked in unison, "What is the cause of the illness?"
Taoist Master Gongsun assumed a profound air and said, "In traditional Chinese medicine, it is called a lost soul syndrome. In layman's terms, Old Lin has... lost his soul!"
***
"The Return-to-Life Pill"
Taoist Master Gongsun's words startled the few people present!
"Lost his soul? Are you sure?"
Lin Wanda frowned slightly. As a man within the system, he was actually quite unwilling to believe in such superstitious things involving ghosts and gods.
He even felt a slight aversion to it.
Taoist Master Gongsun nodded and said, "Mayor Lin, what Poor Daoist says is not false. As the saying goes, a person has three souls and seven animas that sustain their life and spirit; once a soul is lost, the light result is mental derangement, and the grave result is falling into an unawakened coma or even endangering one's life.
If Poor Daoist has guessed correctly, Old Lin must have suffered some kind of fright or psychological shock before falling unconscious, right?"
Lin Wanda and Lin Jiaoyang bowed their heads in thought.
A few seconds later.
Lin Jiaoyang's eyes lit up as she said, "I remember now! Half a year ago, when I went traveling out of town with my grandfather, we were passing by a certain village and stayed overnight. In the middle of the night, a one-eyed old woman suddenly banged loudly on our door, saying my grandfather was facing a bloody disaster and telling the two of us to leave immediately.
Both of us were quite startled at the time, but my grandfather didn't believe in such things, so he didn't take it to heart. Who would have thought..."
Taoist Master Gongsun stroked his beard and nodded, saying, "That's it then! Old Lin suffered a fright that night, and losing his soul is only to be expected!"
Lin Jiaoyang hurriedly asked, "Then is there any way to save my grandfather?"
Taoist Master Gongsun waved his hand and said, "This matter is simple. Just wait for Poor Daoist to perform a soul-calling ritual!"
"Heh!"
At this moment, Ye Tiance couldn't help letting out a chuckle.
Based on his observations, Lin Yuanxun had definitely not lost his soul, let alone the absurd reason of losing it from a fright.
You must know that back when the old master was young, he had rolled right out of a rain of bullets and fields of fire!
How could his nerves possibly be that fragile?
Ji Boxiao's brow furrowed as he barked, "Punk surnamed Ye, what are you laughing at?"
Ye Tiance answered honestly, "I'm laughing at this old Daoist priest spouting nonsense, and you guys actually believe his words?"
Lin Jiaoyang said unhappily, "If we don't believe Taoist Master Gongsun, should we believe a fraud like you? If you continue making trouble, don't blame me for having people throw you out!"
Lin Wanda's expression also turned somewhat displeasure-laden as he let out a cold hum!
Han Ruoyun hurriedly tugged at Ye Tiance's sleeve and lowered her voice to warn him: "Shut your mouth already! No matter what, you offended so many people at the chamber of commerce yesterday—do you want to offend the Lin Family today as well? I shouldn't have brought you along!"
Ye Tiance said with a complete lack of concern, "I'm just giving a kind warning, hoping that when they listen to this old Daoist's words, they won't regret it in the end!"
Lin Jiaoyang said with utter disdain, "This young lady will not regret a thing!"