"Eh." Wang Yao rubbed his forehead. Speaking from the heart, he wasn't hoping to meet with such an important person. At least for now, he didn't want to meet with him. After all, the man was a ruler and Wang Yao himself was just a pauper. He just wants to live a calm and quiet life, not wanting too much contact with these descendants of feudal rulers. However, since he had already put out the request to meet with Wang Yao before, putting off this request once meant that putting it off a second time could not happen. And it is also likely he doesn't want to cause anyone to 'lose face'.
"What's the matter, Yao?" Zhang Xiuying said in a low voice.
"Oh, it's nothing. I was just pondering something, that's all," said Wang Yao grinning.
After eating a meal at his house, Wang Yao went back to Nanshan hill. He went up to the mountaintop to recite a scroll of scripture. All those annoying problems he was dealing with earlier seemed to just disappear.
The next day in the early morning, he had just finished working when he received a phone call. It was Zhou Xiong. He said he wanted to invite Wang Yao over for dinner to show his gratitude.
"No, no! You really shouldn't!" said Wang Yao over the phone.
After that, he also heard that Zhou Xiong's father rushed over to Lianshan County, insistent on thanking him face-to-face. Wang Yao thought about it for a moment before he decided to go and see them. After all, Zhou Xiong's father did come a long way just to thank him. Besides, if he didn't go, then maybe they would just go looking for him at his home.
After telling his family, Wang Yao drove out to Lianshan County.
Zhou Xiong arranged a table at the best hotel in Lianshan to host Wang Yao.
While there, Wang Yao saw Zhou Xiong's mother, father, and little sister. His parents seemed to be filled with vitality. Even though their hair was gray, their bodies were still very strong and full of stamina. They had a special vigor about them.
Zhou Xiong's little sister was in the military. She seemed to be older in age than Wang Yao by a few years. He couldn't say whether she was elegant or charming, but she did seem to be very bold and brave.
The family took a plane last night and arrived this morning in Lianshan County. After seeing his grandson's improved condition, Zhou Xiong's father was shocked and overjoyed. He loved his grandson dearly and he just couldn't get used to his grandson being sick. Zhou Xiong's father couldn't say whether he had massively improved or not, but his grandson did look better. But this was only a mere ten days' work. Just for that, Zhou Xiong strongly insisted on having this skilled and mysterious doctor come to see him so he could properly express his thanks to him.
Upon seeing him personally, they all quietly gasped at Wang Yao. How Young! they all thought in unison. This type of person, being so young, yet skillful, was rarely seen!
Wang Yao smiled at them and said hello; he was very polite. After everyone took a seat, their food arrived shortly after. There was so much food that they couldn't even finish it all.
Since Wang Yao drove, he didn't drink any alcohol and the Zhou family also didn't pressure him into drinking. They were all very kind and warm to him and expressed feelings of gratitude towards him. According to them, Kang's sickness made their hearts heavy. Now, having Wang Yao's treatment and seeing the obvious change for the better, they believed that this was a deserving time for a celebration.
The family's kind gratitude made Wang Yao unable to stand it any longer.
This was his first time dealing with this kind of situation. He could only be cautious and respectful in his responses. The more modest he appeared, the more Zhou Xiong's mother and father thought he was unusual. If it wasn't for him driving and not being able to drink, they would have certainly tried to get him plastered with alcohol.
"Doctor Wang, I have a small request," said Zhou Xiong's parents loudly after having a few drinks.
"What is it?"
"Don't drive next time. Let's all drink together. What do you think?"
"Sure!" Wang Yao said with a smile. After this brief encounter talking with them, he thought the old man was an ordinary, tempered man. He was a likable, respectable man worth associating with.
"It's a date, come on! Let's drink to it!"
After it was all over, Wang Yao took his leave. The entire family stood by watching as he left.
"I would have never imagined that there existed such a person in our city. He is not only an amazing doctor, but his style and quality of speech are also extraordinary. He seems to have a lofty disposition," Zhou Xiong's parents exclaimed.
"I know! If it wasn't for me seeing and experiencing it for myself, I wouldn't believe it," said Zhou Xiong.
"How long does Kang need treatment for?"
"He didn't say. But he was sure it needed more time. I already found an apartment nearby to rent temporarily. It is quieter. After his sickness is cured, we will come back here," said Zhou Xiong.
"Yeah, I think it is better this way."
"One other thing—Dad, little sis, this must be kept a secret. We absolutely cannot let this be known. The doctor said because of our situation, he almost destroyed a friendship." Zhou Xiong did not forget to remind his family.
"There is no need to say more. I know how it is. When we were about to leave, I explained it to your mother. This is a family matter that only we know of. If anyone lets this get out, they will be punished!"
Instead of rushing back, Wang Yao stopped by the medicine shop on the way home to see if the herbs he ordered came in or not.
After manager Lee saw him drive in, he went out personally to greet him.
"You came and didn't even tell me you were coming," manager Lee said with a smile.
Upon entering the room, he poured a glass of water for Wang Yao.
"Don't get all busy now. I just stopped by on the way home. Did the herbs I ordered come in yet?"
"No, not yet. They will be here tomorrow. If you tell me where, I will send them to your home when they arrive," said manager Lee.
"Tomorrow? That's okay, I will just come back tomorrow."
Wang Yao had to go back to the city tomorrow anyways to attend a banquet.
"Well alrighty then!" said manager Lee.
Just as manager Lee was talking with Wang Yao, he suddenly clutched his stomach and his face contorted in pain. Cold sweat poured from his forehead as he quickly reached for a bottle of medicine in his pocket. He unscrewed the lid and dumped a few pills into his mouth. Then he took a glass of tea off the table and washed down the medicine. Not long after, the expression on his face smoothed out a little bit.
"Manager Lee, are you ok?" Wang Yao asked upon seeing this unfold.
"Just a stomachache. It's an old problem I have. You probably want to ridicule me!" manager Lee said laughing.
"An illness should be cured! And when you take your medicine, you can't just take it with tea. Some types of medicines should not be taken with tea," said Wang Yao as a friendly reminder.
"Haha, okay. So you really understand the art of healing, eh?" Manager Lee asked curiously after hearing his response.
"I understand a little," said Wang Yao.
"Really? Then could you take a look at me?" manager Lee said laughing. He wasn't being serious when he asked.
"Drink some tea and wait a moment," said Wang Yao.
After a moment, Wang Yao motioned to manager Lee to stretch out his arms. He carried over a towel he found and began to check his pulse.
"You seem like a real doctor!" He didn't expect Wang Yao to take his joke that seriously.
But at this moment, manager Lee had already taken some medicine. This certainly had an impact on his pulse. Wang Yao squinted his eyes in concentration as he put out his hand to check Lee's pulse. His pulse was not good and his digestive system suffered from the damage. It had been like this for quite some time and he couldn't get treatment in time to cure the problem. Lee could only rely on medicine to keep his problem under control. It was like trying to suppress a fire. If you couldn't suppress it and you didn't tell anyone, sooner or later the fire was going to break out.
At that time, the disease would only get worse and worse.
Lee had a serious illness and it had to be cured! The sooner the better—no more putting it off. Wang Yao drew back his hand and became silent.
"What is it?" manager Lee quickly asked after seeing his reaction.
"Manager Lee, forgive me if I ask this but...when was the last time you went to the hospital for a checkup?"
"About half a year ago?" manager Lee said. "What's wrong?"
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but you probably had your digestive system checked for problems too, right? Especially you stomach area; it may have been inflammation?"
"That's right!" manager Lee was dumbfounded after hearing Wang Yao say this.
At that time, he was having regular checkups when he found out he indeed did have inflammation. It was serious. The doctor at that time prescribed him some medicine and told him to stay away from food that caused irritation. He especially needed to cut out alcohol. During that time, he did heed the doctor's warnings for some time, but even with his stomach slowly dying, he still gradually could not control his urges. Because of work relations and the get-togethers they included, alcohol naturally followed along, and he became addicted again. During this period of time, his problems came back and the stomach pains were a lot worse.
"Listen to me, manager Lee. Go immediately to the hospital and have your system examined, especially your stomach," Wang Yao said seriously.
Because the state of his illness didn't seem very optimistic, he certainly could not put it off any longer. After hearing this, manager Lee was very shocked.
"Kid, I will take your advice. I will go get checked now."