Chapter 186 - Medical Miracle

Two days later.

The time had finally come for Shentu Rens treatment after a weeks preparations. Xia Lei had progressed from rabbits to Shentu Tian-Yin in this week and, having conducted experiment after experiment, his acupuncture skills had risen to a new level and so had the chance of success.

Lei, what do you need me to do? Shentu Tian-Yin looked nervous.

Just go outside and wait for me, said Xia Lei.

Okay, Ill go and wait for you outside. I wont be of help if I stayed anyway, said Shentu Tian-Yin.

Xia Lei sent her to the door.

Shentu Tian-Yin stopped at the door. Lei, if you cure my father how would you like me to repay you?

Xia Lei paused. Dont say things like that. Were friends - I dont want any repayment.

But Shentu Tian-Yin started to say something, then stopped.

Xia Lei smiled. Go on out. Dont you want to be able to chat with your father as soon as possible? And dont bring up the topic of repayment anymore; itll annoy me.

Shentu Tian-Yin gave Xia Lei a long look and didnt say anything. She left the room.

Xia Lei closed the door and walked to the bedside. He opened his medicine case, took out a shaver and started shaving Shentu Rens hair away....

Outside, Shentu Tian-Yin watched the door silently. She looked calm but she was anxious inside. Fu Chuan-Fu and Fu Ming-Mei waited with her, and both of them stared at the tightly shut door with her.

Can Xia Lei really cure Uncle Ren, Big Sister Tian-Yin? Fu Ming-Mei couldnt help asking after a period of time.

Why do you ask? said Shentu Tian-Yin.

Its normal for me to ask. Hes a mechanic! Ill believe it if he does surgery on a machine but hes operating on Uncle Ren. I cant suspend my disbelief for something like this. Dad, what do you think?

Fu Chuan-Fu was quiet before he spoke. I am worried too. He isnt a doctor either and Masters illness couldnt be treated even in the big hospitals overseas so how can a mechanic who tinkers with machines treat Masters condition?

Fu Ming-Mei added, Big Sister Tian-Yin, tell him to stop before he begins treatment. Im afraid that he Uncle Ren She did not say more but her meaning was clear. She feared that Xia Lei would cause Shentu Rens death.

Shentu Tian-Yin spoke in a soft voice, You dont trust him, I understand. I thought the same way in the beginning but these past few days, Ive Never mind. Anyway, I trust him.

These past few days you what, Big Sister Tian-Yin? Fu Ming-Mei looked fairly curious.

Shentu Tian-Yin rolled her eyes at her and said nothing. She had taken her clothes off for Xia Lei to hit her - how could she tell anyone this?

In the room, Xia Lei was done shaving Shentu Rens head. He picked up a silver needle and his left eye focused on a section of his head. His hand moved and the silver needle pierced into skin

Time went ticking by without a sound.

Shentu Tian-Yin maintained calm for an hour before she caved. She paced back and forth in front of the door, unable to settle down.

Its no use so stop being so anxious, Big Sister Tian-Yin, said Fu Ming-Mei worriedly, How about we go in and take a look? See what hes doing in there.

No, well disturb him if we go in. Ive already chosen to trust him so I have to trust him to the end. I believe he will cure my father. I have a feeling that hell definitely do it, said Shentu Tian-Yin.

What percentage did he guarantee? asked Fu Chuan-Fu.

Fifty percent, said Shentu Tian-Yin.

Fifty percent? Fu Chuan-Fu sighed and smiled wryly, Thats half and half. This Xia Lei sure is daring.

Humph! Fu Ming-Mei wrinkled her nose. Ill hound him to the ends of the Earth if he cant cure Uncle Ren!

And if he cures him? said Shentu Tian-Yin.

Then Ill Fu Ming-Mei suddenly grinned, Then its up to you to do something, eh? Its enough for me to say my thanks. Oh, right, Big Sister Tian-Yin, how are you going to repay him if he cures Uncle Ren?

Me? Um Shentu Tian-Yin looked a little lost. He said he didnt want any repayment. I dont know what to do.

Fu Ming-Mei drew close to Shentu Tian-Yins ear and whispered, Might as well learn from movies and give your heart to him. You two can become another story too, heh heh.

Shentu Tian-Yin glared at Fu Ming-Mei. No spouting rubbish. He has a girlfriend.

So what? said Fu Ming-Mei, Have the marriage and divorce rates decreased? If you find it too embarrassing, I can tell him. You two even have engagement rings on now. Now, if you two get together itll be a match made in heaven. Success will follow naturally when the conditions are right

Fu Chuan-Fu suddenly slapped Fu Ming-Mei on the back of her head. Shut your mouth, you wench, nobody thinks youre mute. You havent even had a relationship before so what are you masquerading as a love guru for?

Fu Ming-Mei was speechless.

Shentu Tian-Yin changed the topic. Right, Uncle Fu, has there been anything going on within my Second Uncles family the past few days?

It is calm at the family residence. Most of the clan have taken a neutral stance after the great uproar Xia Lei caused that day, said Fu Chuan-Fu, But your Second Uncle and Shentu Tian-Feng have been coming and going more regularly these days and meeting lots of people. Some are business friends and some are unknown.

Unknown? Looks like my Second Uncles family are getting antsy. A cold smile appeared in the corners of Shentu Tian-Yins lips. Good. Its also good to get this settled quickly. I dont want to keep dragging this on.

Fu Chuan-Fu continued, Theres also the Gu clan. There have been big movements within the clan recently. Gu Ke-Wen and Gu Ke-Wu have visibly increased the number of bodyguards around themselves but Dong Wu and Qin Qi seem to have vanished into thin air. It is difficult to find out their whereabouts. I fear that they are looking for an opportunity to settle their score with Xia Lei.

Ice flashed in Shentu Tian-Yins doe-like eyes. The enmity between Xia Lei and the Gu clan is because of me. If the Gu clan dares touch him Ill attack their stocks in the market. Ill stick my hand in any business they have their eye on. There is a price for doing bad deeds and Id like to see if they can afford to pay this price!

Do not move against the Gu clan just yet, Milady. Dealing with your Second Uncle is our top priority right now, said Fu Chuan-Fu.

Shentu Tian-Yin nodded. I know. It is better to deal with internal strife before going up against outside aggressors. Dont worry, this matter will come to a close very soon.

The three of them talked while a very different scene was playing out in the room on the other side of the door.

Shentu Rens head was so full of needles that he looked like white hedgehog. Xia Lei looked nervous and exhausted. The weather had turned cold but he was sweating. However, he was focused and there was nothing else he could see in the world other than the blood vessels in Shentu Rens head.

Another needle went into a blood vessel, followed by a trickle of internal energy. It was like an unseen flood gushing into the blocked channel, pushing and attacking things in its way till the blockage was cleared.

Shentu Rens eyelids suddenly twitched. He did not open his eyes but this reaction was a pleasant surprise.

Its as Id thought - this method is working! I can make him regain consciousness! Xia Lei was excited. His left eye focused on another clogged blood vessel and he raise a silver needle to pierce it into skin

Three hours later.

Can he do it or not? Fu Ming-Mei lost her last bit of patience. Its been half a day and there hasnt been a peep from inside. Nope, I have to go in and take a look.

Fu Chuan-Fu did not stop her this time. He had actually run out of patience too and wanted very much to know what was going on in the room.

Ming-Mei! Shentu Tian-Yin stopped her. You can leave if you dont want to wait. Dont go in and disturb Xia Lei.

You trust him this much, Big Sister Tian-Yin? I suspect hes already failed. Hes just too afraid to come out! said Fu Ming-Mei.

Fu Chuan-Fu spoke up too. Milady, what if you go in to take a look? You wont disturb him if youre quiet. Its been so long and hes not a licensed doctor. I fear

Shentu Tian-Yin hesitated, but still nodded in the end. Just as she was about to open the door, however, it opened. Xia Lei appeared in the doorway, his head beaded with sweat. His clothing was completely soaked too and it was as if hed just climbed out of a swimming pool. He was also at the very limit of his consciousness and in a state very much like if he had neither eaten nor slept for a few days.

This was the aftereffect of overuse of his X-ray vision.

Hows my father? asked Shentu Tian-Yin anxiously.

Im done. You can go in and take a look, said Xia Lei. He had no spare energy to explain further. He sat his ass on a chair by the door when he finished his sentence.

Shentu Tian-Yin rushed into the room with Fu Ming-Mei and Fu Chuan-Fu in tow. They went to the bedside and looked anxiously at Shentu Ren lying on the bed.

Shentu Ren lay quietly on the bed, motionless. He did not seem to be in a better state than he was before.

Father? Father? Shentu Tian-Yin tried calling him twice.

There was no response from Shentu Ren. He lay motionless.

Master? Fu Chuan-Fu tried calling out too.

There was no change in his condition. Shentu Ren remained unresponsive.

Fu Ming-Mei sighed. It was a failure as expected then. Xia Lei, you must have failed long ago but deliberately dragged it on for a few hours more before opening the door, right?

Xia Lei looked at her. He had no energy to give a rebuttal in the face of such doubt.

Fu Ming-Mei was not about to let him off. Her little mouth was quick to say, I knew it! Youre a machinist, not a doctor. How can you do something which doctors cannot? You acted like you could do it but look - only my Uncle Rens hair is gone. Hes got the short end of the stick while you got to boast. Well, you sure did a great job!

Shentu Ren suddenly opened his eyes at that moment and his fingers moved slightly.

This development gave Shentu Tian-Yin, Fu Chuan-Fu and Fu Ming-Mei a great shock.

Father! Father! Shentu Tian-Yin jumped in excitement after her brief bout of shock. My father opened his eyes! Did you see that? Did you see that?

Fu Chuan-Fu and Fu Ming-Mei were still staring at Shentu Ren and didnt seem to have heard her.

Father! Look at me - its Tian-Yin. Im Tian-Yin! Shentu Tian-Yin was losing it.

Shentu Rens lips moved a little but no words came. He closed his eyes.

Xia Lei, who had recovered a little energy by then, said tiredly, You guys should leave the room. Let him rest. Hes too weak now and needs some time to build strength before he can speak.

Shentu Tian-Yin suddenly ran towards Xia Lei and descended on him with an unhesitant kiss on his cheek. However, she had not taken notice of Xia Leis current state. He had no strength at all to maintain balance; her rush at him, and her kiss made him topple to the ground and the two of them came to a rolling stop on the floor.

Fu Ming-Mei stared at the two of them on the ground and suddenly smiled. This punks good. He can make a haughty woman like Big Sister Tian-Yin lose her composure around him.

Fu Chuan-Fu slapped the back of her head.

Why hit me again, Dad? Fu Ming-Mei said angrily, Whos still going to want me after youve smacked me silly?

Fu Chuan-Fu gave her a stern glare and twisted his lips to point at the doorway with his mouth.

Fu Ming-Mei got the message and left the room with Fu Chuan-Fu.

On the ground, Shentu Tian-Yin was beside herself with joy and words kept pouring out. You didnt get hurt in the fall, did you? So sorry, Im just so excited. You know what? This is the most exciting day of my life. I was praying for my father to wake up even in my dreams. Anything would do, even a few lines about everyday topics but the gods and spirits took no heed of my pleading. You helped me make this dream come true. I truly have no idea how I can thank you. You dont know how you Hello? Hello? Are you asleep?

Zzz ZZzzzzz Xia Lei really was asleep - he was too tired.

Shentu Tian-Yin looked at him quietly and watched him for a bit before saying, Sleep. Ill be your pillow.

Fu Ming-Mei stuck her head through the doorway to peek in on them, then quietly shut the door.