In the ambulance, the older, middle-aged doctor repeatedly watched the treatment video. He recognized skill. “Your gold-needle acupuncture is remarkable. Even compared with my teacher, you aren’t far behind.”
Jiang Chan answered modestly, “There’s always someone better. These are only minor skills. I won’t presume to show off before experts.”
He became serious. “Praise should be given where deserved. Who is your master?”
Lowering her head sorrowfully, she said, “My master died several years ago.”
Where could she find one? Saving someone had brought complications. Given the choice again, however, she would still act. A life was priceless.
“What a pity. Such medical accomplishment at your age makes you a natural genius.”
He practiced Chinese medicine. His younger companion was an emergency doctor trained in Western medicine. After watching the video for a long time, he could no longer contain his curiosity.
“Doctor Zhang, is Chinese medicine really so extraordinary? Why did that gold needle emerge by itself?”
Everyone in the ambulance looked over. Sitting in a corner, Jiang Chan left the explanation to Doctor Zhang.
“His heart stopped because of chest tightness and breathlessness. He couldn’t draw that breath. Look here. She first used the needle to open his acupoints, then tapped his chest with a hollow fist. Once that breath returned, it pushed the needle out.”
“The technique requires absolute precision. The slightest error would fail. This student was fortunate. Without her timely help, he would have been in danger.”
He kept his remaining thoughts private. Whose carefully trained disciple was she? She looked fifteen or sixteen yet could use such a soft gold needle.
If she were his disciple, he would wake from dreams laughing. Courage, temperament, technique, she lacked nothing. With pupils like her, who would fear Chinese medicine declining?
Chang Ke shrank back. Only after seeing the video did he realize his danger. He had nearly lost the chance to see tomorrow’s sun.
Knowing when to yield, he hugged Jiang Chan’s hand. “Master, I can’t repay you for saving me. How about offering myself in marriage?”
Her fingers moved. Resisting the urge to fling him away, she answered, “No need. Just remember to pay. Forget offering yourself.”
Doctor Zhang glared. “Making advances to your lifesaver? Have you no conscience?”
Seeing such an excellent girl, he wanted to bring her into his own family. With children like her, background became secondary. Her excellence was what people noticed first.
“Master, you wanted a full examination. Do I have something serious?” Still clinging to her hand, Chang Ke gazed tearfully.
She was now his talisman against death. Until she personally pronounced him healthy, he could not relax.
She frowned. “You’ll know at the hospital. Besides, Doctor Zhang and the others are here. Aren’t they all more experienced?”
Was this kid foolish? He clung to someone young while an experienced Chinese medicine practitioner sat beside her. Hadn’t he noticed?
He refused to let go. Doctor Zhang smiled. “Why not explain what symptoms you’ve identified? We can compare with the results later.”
He also wanted to assess her knowledge beyond that gold-needle lifesaving technique.
She glanced around. Everyone was waiting. With real ability, one need not fear a test.
“Then I’ll be direct. Your complexion is pale, your energy low. I checked your tongue: swollen, pale and dusky, with a thin white coating. Together with your pulse, it indicates a slow heartbeat.”
“This has lasted a while, hasn’t it? At least a month?”
“I didn’t notice much. But lately I tire easily and feel dizzy and nauseated.” Scratching his head, he answered hesitantly.
“Typical heart-and-kidney yang deficiency. Insufficient heart yang causes a slow, irregular pulse, palpitations, chest tightness, and breathlessness. In ordinary terms, bradycardia.”
She added, “You’re remarkably careless not to tell your family. If something serious happens later, who will you cry to?”
A chill ran down his back. “Can I still be saved?”
She looked away. Doctor Zhang smiled. “That’s only a preliminary assessment. The detailed hospital tests matter most. Relax. This isn’t an incurable illness.”
They reached Third Hospital, where doctors and nurses waited outside emergency. Seeing the patient bounce out of the ambulance left them dumbfounded.
Where was the promised patient? The emergency doctor quickly ordered tests. Chang Ke’s parents and the PE teacher accompanied him.
His parents had arrived already. At the school’s call saying his heart had stopped, they had almost stopped breathing themselves.
He was their only son. If something happened, would they have to bury their own child? They canceled company meetings and rushed over.
A later call said he was safe, but they could not relax until seeing him. Now, pale but well, he finally reassured them.
With nothing to do, Jiang Chan discussed medicine with Doctor Zhang. They discovered an immediate affinity, becoming animated whenever medicine arose.
Chang Ke mainly needed an electrocardiogram. An hour later, results confirmed her assessment of bradycardia. His mother’s legs weakened, and his father supported her.
Especially on hearing he had experienced symptoms for about a month, tears streamed down her face.
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