"Hello! Old Song!"

Dean Sun’s tone was accusatory. "I’ve heard what you’re up to, and it’s not a good look. What, are you poaching people right from under my nose now? Doctor Li is from our Guanghe District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine!"

On the other end of the line, Dean Song chuckled unhurriedly.

"Old Sun, that’s not the way to put it."

"’A fine bird chooses a good tree to nest in,’ as the saying goes. Our City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a larger platform, better resources, and more room for growth. This is purely beneficial for Doctor Li’s future development, with no drawbacks. I think your District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine should adopt a broader perspective. You need to know when to let go and not hinder a talented person’s future for your own selfish interests."

This single sentence left Dean Sun speechless, able only to sigh helplessly on his end of the phone.

Meanwhile, news quickly reached the City People’s Hospital: the child who had swallowed a nail, the very patient they had "given up on," had been cured with traditional Chinese medicine at the City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

When they learned about the specific principles of the treatment through internal channels, the doctors in the pediatrics and gastroenterology departments were all stunned.

’You can... treat it like that?’

With magnets, laxatives, and pork lard with honey?

’This... this is like opening the door to a whole new world!’

All at once, the name "Li Xu" broke out of its small circle. Throughout Feng City’s entire medical system, more and more people came to know it, and they wouldn’t forget it.

...

By the time Li Xu returned to his clinic, it was already evening.

He didn’t rest immediately.

Instead, he detailed and recorded today’s case—"Iron Nail in the Stomach"—in his notes, including his diagnostic reasoning, treatment method, and the final outcome.

He knew that every successful case was a precious addition to his experience.

After organizing the case file, he began preparing for his trip to the Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

First, he called Ding Kaifang and told him that he would likely be spending most of his time in the provincial capital for the foreseeable future. If anything came up with the company or the pharmaceutical factory, Ding Kaifang should just call him.

After hanging up, he thought of something else.

His acupuncture skills had now reached a decent level.

He remembered promising Elder Li at his home that once he learned acupuncture, he would personally treat him to improve his health.

Moreover, his progress was all thanks to the notebook from Elder Cheng that Elder Li had gifted him.

It was only right that he pay another visit to thank him in person.

The next day, Li Xu called Elder Li.

Elder Li was free that day.

Li Xu grabbed his acupuncture kit and took a taxi to Li Garden.

When he arrived at Li Garden, Elder Li was in the courtyard practicing tai chi. Every move was steady and powerful, showing the air of a master.

Seeing Li Xu arrive, Elder Li happily concluded his form.

"Haha, Doctor Li, you’ve come at the perfect time! Come have some tea with me!"

When Li Xu explained that he had come to give him an acupuncture treatment to improve his health,

a surprised look appeared on Elder Li’s face.

"What? Give me acupuncture? You’ve only had the notebook for a few days. You learned it that quickly?"

"Elder Li, would you like to give it a try?" Li Xu said with a smile. "The proof is in the pudding, as they say."

The housekeeper, Nanny Zhang, who was standing to the side, was a bit worried. "Elder Li, you can’t do this. Acupuncture is no joke. What if something goes wrong? It would be safer to have Doctor Li just prescribe you some medicine."

But Elder Li waved his hand dismissively.

Seeing the confidence in Li Xu’s eyes, he felt a bit curious himself.

"It’s fine," he said with a laugh. "I trust Li Xu. Let him try. These old bones of mine can still take a bit of a beating!"

Li Xu had Elder Li sit comfortably on the recliner and first took his pulse carefully.

Elder Li’s pulse was much calmer than last time.

Clearly, the medicine he had taken before had greatly improved his liver function.

However, Li Xu also knew that liver disease was difficult to treat. Especially for someone of Elder Li’s advanced age, whose bodily functions were naturally declining, it was nearly impossible to rely on medication alone to completely restore a damaged liver.

But acupuncture might just produce an unexpected effect.

Li Xu had a plan in mind.

He took out the steel needles and said to Elder Li, "Elder Li, you were previously suffering from liver yin deficiency and insufficient liver blood. Today, I will use the Supplement Method to replenish your liver blood and unblock your liver qi."

He first selected the Ganshu and Geshu acupoints on Elder Li’s back, needling them with a gentle yet continuous supplementing technique intended to directly replenish the liver’s qi and blood.

Then, he selected the Sanyinjiao and Taichong acupoints on his leg.

Sanyinjiao is the meeting point of the three yin meridians—liver, spleen, and kidney—and needling it can nourish all three organs simultaneously. Taichong, on the other hand, is the source point of the liver meridian, excellent for soothing the liver, regulating qi, and ensuring its smooth flow.

Although Li Xu’s technique still had a hint of inexperience, his methodology was exceptionally rigorous.

The selection of each acupoint and the application of each technique were all in perfect harmony with the essence of TCM’s Zang-fu theory.

As the steel needles entered the acupoints, Elder Li felt only a slight, dull ache. Immediately after, a warm and comfortable stream of energy seemed to rise slowly from the needled points, flowing along the meridians toward the area beneath his right ribs—the location of the liver.

The sensation was incredibly comfortable and soothing, as if a pair of warm, large hands were gently massaging his long-fatigued liver.

When the entire treatment was over, Elder Li felt mentally refreshed and full of energy.

He slowly opened his eyes and looked at Li Xu, his own eyes filled with astonishment.

’He actually learned it!’

’And not only did he learn it!’

Judging from the fluid, seamless needling process, the precise point selection, and the masterful supplementing and draining techniques, Li Xu’s acupuncture skills were likely already at a very high level.

’It’s only been a few days?!’

’What a monster!’

"You are truly talented," Elder Li remarked with emotion.

Li Xu smiled as he put away his steel needles. "A couple of days ago, I exchanged some insights on techniques with Director Zhu from the acupuncture department at the City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine. I benefited greatly, which is why I was able to improve. Also, I took the liberty of sharing Elder Cheng’s notebook with Director Zhu. I hope you don’t mind."

"Mind? Why would I mind!"

Elder Li said with a laugh, "You did the right thing. The life’s work of Mr. Cheng should never have been left to collect dust on a shelf. Letting it be passed down, carried forward, and benefit more people is the best possible choice."

He looked at Li Xu, feeling more and more pleased the longer he looked.

Li Xu then told Elder Li about his upcoming trip to the Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine to study under Professor Gao.

"Elder Li, I probably won’t be in Feng City for the next little while. If you feel any discomfort, please call me anytime."

"Go on, then."

Elder Li nodded in gratification. "Young people should get out more and exchange ideas with other experts. I’ll be fine here, you don’t need to worry about me."