Article 20, Alternative Requests

  Today is Sunday, and we're going to rush the new list again. Friends with votes, please throw them over, it's really embarrassing for Old Liu if we can't make it on the list.

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  Article 20, Alternative Requests

  "Grandpa, grandpa, you're awake! Thankfully nothing's wrong, I was so scared!" The little boy exclaimed excitedly as he hugged his grandfather's body.

  "Xiao Shuang, be gentle. If you shake me like this again, my old bones will really break here." The old man patted his grandson's shoulder and said. "Who saved me? Have I thanked the benefactor? You're so big now, how come you still don't understand etiquette?"

  "Grandpa, I got excited and forgot." The little boy said cutely scratching his head.

  The old man's gaze swept around and shifted to the old Chinese doctor in a long gown who was wiping the silver needle with alcohol cotton, and said gratefully: "Old brother, this life of mine was pulled out from the gates of hell by you, I won't say more words of gratitude. Let's just consider it as me being overly presumptuous, in the future we two brothers can sit together and have a cup of tea when there's nothing to do."

  He thought the lifesaver was an old Chinese doctor, on one hand because of his age and wearing a grey long gown with the emblem of He Sheng Tang embroidered on the chest. On the other hand, he was wiping the silver needle at that time, which naturally led people to mistakenly think it was him who performed the operation.

  The old Chinese doctor's face was stern and he waved his hand, saying: "It wasn't me who saved you."

  "Isn't it you?" The old man was slightly taken aback.

  "Grandpa, it was this big brother who saved you. His medical skills are really impressive." The little boy said, pointing at Ye Qiu.

  The old man's heart was even more astonished, but he didn't show it on his face. He looked at Ye Qiu with a kind and amiable expression, smiling as he said: "Young fellow, your medical skills are excellent! At such a young age, you're already so accomplished - your future prospects are boundless. This time..."

  The old man mistakenly thanked the old Chinese doctor earlier, and it would be inappropriate to repeat it now. He also said that "great kindness is not spoken of" and simply saying "thank you" would also be inappropriate. This has put him in a difficult position.

  "After some thought, he took off the jade beads from his wrist and said: 'Young man, I have no way to repay your great kindness. This string of beads is given to you as a keepsake. Please don't refuse it, it's just a token of my heartfelt intention.'"

  Ye Qiu knew that if he didn't accept it, the old man might feel uneasy and try to send him something else. Moreover, looking at the bead, its entire body was dark green, but its surface was dull and lusterless, so it probably wasn't worth much money. He readily accepted it and said: "Thank you, old sir. You're fine now, just don't do any strenuous exercise. In the future, you can come out and walk around more often. It's because you've been staying at home for too long, and suddenly coming out, your body couldn't adapt all at once, that's why this accident happened."

  "Haha, okay. Listen to you. Little friend, do you have time? Can you come to my house for a visit?" The old man said with a big smile after hearing Ye Qiu's words.

  "Sorry, old master, I still have some things to attend to," Ye Qiu said with a wave of his hand. "I'll visit your esteemed residence another time when I'm free."

  "Big brother, I'm Han Shuang. Can we be friends in the future?" The little boy asked while holding onto his grandfather's shoulder.

  Ye Qiu knew that people who are filial to their elders generally wouldn't be bad. Moreover, he himself had a good impression of Han Shuang, so he said: "Of course. I'm Ye Qiu."

  Ye Qiu didn't want to be treated as a benefactor just because he saved someone's life, and naturally enjoy the other person's gratitude. He only saves people if they have a predestined relationship; if they do, he will naturally lend a helping hand. It is his own wish, whether or not the other person repays him is unimportant. If there is no predestined relationship, he can even cold-bloodedly watch someone die without lifting a finger.

  The onlookers saw that Ye Qiu had really saved the old man, and they were even more interested in him. The people who scolded earlier all changed their tune and turned into enthusiastic applause.

  "Tsk tsk, look at this kid - I don't know how they were raised. If our family's Bao Dao could turn out so well, that would be great..."

  "Yes, indeed. You can't judge a person by appearance. Such a young guy actually knows traditional Chinese medicine, I've heard it's quite profound, wonder who he learned from. Makes me want to become his apprentice..."

  "You're not cut out for it. You're getting old, do you know how hard it is to learn traditional Chinese medicine? From a very young age, you have to memorize acupoints, practice needling techniques and recite prescriptions... by the time you master them, I reckon you won't even be able to hold a silver needle steady. Maybe let your son learn it in the future."

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  Listening to the praise around him, Ye Qiu's face remained calm. He instructed a few more words to Lao Ye and bid farewell. Lao Ye asked him to leave his contact information but he didn't respond.

  "Hey, little brother! The traditional Chinese medicine doctor who just helped Ye Qiu rushed over to bid farewell as soon as he saw Ye Qiu was about to leave."

  "Old man, anything?" Ye Qiu smiled at him. Just now, he had a pretty good tacit understanding with this old man, and deep down, he felt some closeness to his fellow traveler.

  "My surname is Liang, just call me Old Liang. I'm a doctor from He Sheng Tang, and today I have the good fortune to see you in action, broadening my horizons. Not to boast, but I've also read quite a few medical books, however, your method of using a needle and thread is something I've never heard of before - who did you learn it from?"

  Ye Qiu smiled and didn't answer.

  "It's all right, it's all right. I was just overjoyed to see your skills and got a bit rash." Old Liang hurriedly apologized. He knew that many people were unwilling to tell others about their lineage. "I'd like to invite young brother to come to Hesheng Hall for a consultation, would you be willing to give me this small favor? As for the salary..."

  "I might be busy." Ye Qiu smiled and shook his head.

  "Little brother, think about it. Saving lives and healing wounds is a virtuous deed, and besides, we have time to hone our skills together." Liang Lao saw the narrow-eyed gaze of Ye Qiu and his face immediately turned red. He indeed had ulterior motives, wanting to invite Ye Qiu over so that he could learn from him when he had the chance.

  People who are obsessed with traditional Chinese medicine are like martial arts enthusiasts, if they can't find a master to worship in front of them, then it's really not worth eating or drinking.

  "Sorry, I really don't have time." Ye Qiu declined. He is now Tang Guo's bodyguard and may rarely have his own private time. So there was no way to accept Mr. Liang's invitation.

  "Little brother, this is my business card. Don't rush to answer now, go back and think about it first. If you're willing, come find me anytime." Old Liang pulled out a business card from his sleeve and stuffed it into Ye Qiu's hand.

  Ye Qiu had no choice but to put away the business card.

  Originally wanted to go shopping in the new world of the East, but no matter where he went, there were people pointing and pointing at her. Even many people came over to ask him for help with their illnesses.

  "Hello, are you a doctor?" A woman with a calm and gentle face asked Ye Qiu as she blocked his way.

  "I suppose so." Ye Qiu looked at him with a puzzled expression.

  "Can you help me take a look?"

  "Do you have any questions?"

  The woman glanced around cautiously and whispered: "I heard that acupuncture can enlarge breasts, can you help me try it?"