When Chen Yin Gong spoke these words, his expression was filled with deep sorrow. If not for his severe and incurable illness, a father would never abandon his daughter to the care of others.
He clenched his fists, tears welling up in his eyes, and choked out, "I have a serious cough with hemoptysis, and it's incurable. My father died of this same disease. Furthermore, I haven't taken my medication recently, and my condition has continuously worsened. I'm afraid I won't live for more than half a month."
What he said was true.
After Lu Ming's initial examination, Chen Yin Gong's symptoms were indeed severe.
However…
In the face of a divine physician from China, no illness is incurable!
Lu Ming chuckled, gently placed the bank card on the stool beside the bed, and then took out a box from his pocket. Inside was a box full of silver needles.
Chen Yin Gong was stunned and asked, "What is this?"
Lu Ming explained, "This is my livelihood. I forgot to tell you, my main profession is actually a doctor."
Chen Yin Gong was rather surprised, "A doctor? You don't look like one."
In Chen Yin Gong's impression, doctors were generally older, with white hair.
A young man like Lu Ming didn't look like a doctor at all; nor had he ever heard of a doctor who could fight like Lu Ming.
Lu Ming smiled slightly, asked Chen Yin Gong to remove his top and lie down flat, and began to administer acupuncture.
At the same time, he instructed Chen Xian, "Xian'er, could you please boil a kettle of hot water for your uncle?"
Chen Xian nodded obediently, "Okay, I'll go now!"
In a short while, Chen Xian had boiled a large pot of scalding hot water.
Lu Ming said while performing acupuncture, "Xian'er, soak a towel in the hot water. Soon, many blood spots will appear on your father's body. You need to wipe them all away. Remember, you must use a very hot towel."
Chen Xian repeatedly nodded.
Barely five or six years old, she already possessed practical skills that ordinary children lacked.
As Lu Ming applied the needles, blood spots indeed appeared on Chen Yin Gong's body, densely packed. Anyone with trypophobia would likely faint upon seeing them.
Chen Xian soaked a towel in hot water, then, with her tender little hands, picked up the scalding towel and painstakingly wiped away the blood spots on Chen Yin Gong's body.
Hiss~~
As the towel touched Chen Yin Gong's skin, he couldn't help but cry out in pain.
"Ah~~!!!"
It hurt, of course it hurt.
Anyone would feel the burning pain if a scalding towel touched their skin.
However, Lu Ming signaled Chen Xian not to stop, but to continue wiping. At the same time, Lu Ming's hand speed increased, and he continuously changed the acupuncture points.
Time ticked by second by second.
The entire process lasted for about an hour. Finally, the hot water turned cold, and all the blood spots on Chen Yin Gong's body were wiped clean.
Lu Ming removed the last needle and said softly, "It's done."
Done?
What did that mean?
Chen Yin Gong looked at Lu Ming with confusion and asked, "How is… my illness?"
Lu Ming replied, "You should be asking yourself that."
Chen Yin Gong sat up confusedly. He felt a warmth spreading through his body, a current of heat surging through him, bringing an indescribable comfort. The pain in his chest and lungs was completely gone.
Most importantly, he no longer felt the urge to cough!
"I… I feel… a little hungry," Chen Yin Gong said with a wry smile.
Feeling hungry meant that his illness had recovered by about seventy to eighty percent.
Lu Ming said, "Xian'er, go cook a bowl of noodles for your dad."
"Mmm-hmm!"
Chen Xian obediently went to cook the noodles, without a hint of complaint. It was evident that Chen Xian's mood had also improved considerably.
Soon, the noodles were served, and Chen Yin Gong, disregarding all decorum, wolfed them down.
Lu Ming continued, "I have stabilized your condition, but it is not completely cured. You will need further recuperation. Remember, eat lighter meals in the future, less oily. But don't neglect nutrition; you still need to replenish what's necessary."
Chen Yin Gong nodded repeatedly.
Soon, after finishing the bowl of noodles, Chen Yin Gong felt invigorated.
He cupped his hands towards Lu Ming and thanked him, "Mr. Lu, you saved my life and helped our family earn a large sum of money. You are truly a living bodhisattva sent by heaven to save us! I truly don't know how to thank you. From today onwards, my life belongs to you!"
Lu Ming smiled and waved his hand, "No need to be so polite. It's just about helping others."
However, Chen Yin Gong was adamant, "Such great kindness, I must repay it! If I don't repay your favor, I will never be at peace in this life."
Uh…
But Lu Ming didn't seem to have anything he needed repaid.
After some thought.
Lu Ming's brow unfurrowed, and he asked, "Mr. Chen, for Murong Ba to go to such lengths to invite you, your carving skills must be superb, right?"
Before Chen Yin Gong could speak, Chen Xian eagerly chimed in, "My dad's carving skills are the best in the world!"
The best in the world?
Wasn't that a bit exaggerated?
Chen Yin Gong laughed heartily, "Don't speak nonsense, child. Mr. Lu, I won't boast about anything else, but in terms of carving, I am quite confident. As for being the best in the world, I wouldn't dare to brag. But at least among everyone I've met, no one is better than me."
Wow, that was quite a bold statement!
As a jewelry carver, Chen Yin Gong must have met many master craftsmen in the field, yet he believed no one surpassed him. That level of confidence was extraordinary.
However, Lu Ming had also met many master jewelry carvers and wasn't easily fooled.
Lu Ming casually pointed to a stone and asked, "Mr. Chen, could you perhaps demonstrate some of your skills for me?"
Chen Yin Gong chuckled, "An examination? No problem!"
He directly picked up the stone, walked into the studio, and began carving with great concentration. Lu Ming stood behind him, watching intently.
The more he watched, the more he was astonished.
Lu Ming was knowledgeable and discerning. The carving skills Chen Yin Gong displayed were unlike anything Lu Ming had ever seen.
In a single word: Superb!
No wonder Murong Ba was willing to expend so much effort to poach Chen Yin Gong, offering a sky-high monthly salary of three million. Chen Yin Gong's skills certainly justified such pay.
Soon, the stone carving was complete, and a lifelike statue of Guanyin appeared before Lu Ming.
Lu Ming nodded with satisfaction.
Such skill would surely have a purpose.
Lu Ming said, "Mr. Chen, your ability in carving is truly outstanding, and I do indeed need to utilize this talent. However, it's not for making money, but to utterly crush Tian Chao Jewelry."
Chen Yin Gong's eyes lit up upon hearing this, "I can both repay Mr. Lu and get revenge on Murong Ba. It's killing two birds with one stone. I am willing to contribute my efforts to you!"
"Good!" Lu Ming looked towards the door and said, "Mr. Chen, to ensure your personal safety, it's no longer suitable for you to stay here. I will find a safe place for you to reside. You can recuperate while awaiting my instructions."
Chen Yin Gong nodded, "I will follow your every command!"
And so, Chen Yin Gong, the master carver whom Murong Ba longed for and coveted, mysteriously joined Lu Ming's ranks!
Lu Ming gained another formidable subordinate.