Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor Gao-Yuan

Gao-Yuan asked, “Doctor Shen, do you want to go in and take a look?”

Shen Congyun, with his hands tucked into his sleeves, leaned against someone else’s wall and said, “Didn’t they already ask for you? Why should I go in?”

Gao-Yuan pressed further, “Then why did you come all the way here?”

Shen Congyun responded lazily, “I told you, I ate too much and came out for a stroll.”

After speaking, he turned and walked away.

Watching his back, Gao-Yuan called out, “The famous Shen family’s hands—don’t tell me they not only lost their skills but also their medical ethics?”

Shen Congyun stopped in his tracks, turned around abruptly, and shouted, “What do you know, you young pup!”

Gao-Yuan said, “I may not know much, but I do know that the Shen family became famous for three external treatment techniques—acupuncture, massage, and bone-setting. It’s all about their hands, which earned them the name ‘Miracle Hands of the Shen Family.’”

“There have been whispers that the Shen family’s hands either ‘grab for money the moment they’re extended’ or ‘fumble the moment they touch someone,’ but no one has ever accused the Shen family’s hands of being irresponsible.”

Shen Congyun glared at Gao-Yuan, saying, “Responsible? I was responsible for them, but who took responsibility for me? I was left impoverished, with nothing, treated like dirt. Who the hell cared about me?”

Without mercy, Gao-Yuan retorted, “You’re poor because of the Gold Yuan Certificates. You have nothing because you sold off your family’s assets just to bribe your way into becoming a health doctor for the mayor. But within two months, liberation arrived. Who’s to blame for that?”

“You…” Shen Congyun stared at Gao-Yuan in shock. That this young man knew about the Shen family’s history surprised him. But to know so much about his personal past left him deeply unsettled.

Gao-Yuan shook his head. “What’s the point of blaming anyone? All those foolish decisions—weren't they your own? Even after that, didn’t you stay at the city hospital? You were dismissed because of your laziness and resentment. Who’s to blame for that?”

“I…” Shen Congyun’s lips trembled violently.

He had always appeared timid and unassuming, never getting angry with anyone, always looking half-dead. But now, for the first time, someone was calling out the Shen family’s past, and he was furious. Gao-Yuan’s words cut deep, causing his qi to surge uncontrollably.

“Who’s been spreading these slanderous lies?” Shen Congyun shouted, his rage barely contained.

As Shen lost control, Gao-Yuan grew calm. “Slander? You know in your heart whether it’s true or not. You exchanged all your wealth for Gold Yuan Certificates—was that out of patriotism?”

Shen Congyun’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“And you sold off your family’s assets to secure a health position with a high-ranking official. Was that for the betterment of humanity?”

Shen’s trembling hand pointed at Gao-Yuan.

Looking at this old man, Gao-Yuan couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy. Shen Congyun’s early life had been one of inspiring struggle, but his later years were nothing short of a tragic farce. Like a muddled fool, he had consistently made the wrong choices, leading to the dismal end he now faced.

Finally, the always sarcastic and downtrodden Shen Congyun was enraged beyond control.

He pointed at Gao-Yuan’s face and cursed, “What do you know? What do you understand? You’re just a young punk, parroting baseless rumors! Everything I did was for the Shen family, to restore our family’s medical legacy.”

Gao-Yuan said calmly, “And now, how many people still remember the Shen family? How much of the family’s former glory have you restored?”

Shen Congyun fell silent, unable to respond.

After a long pause, he looked up, his bloodshot eyes filled with bitterness. His voice hoarse, he said, “You can call me a failure, but you can’t say I didn’t try! You can criticize my medical skills, but don’t say the Shen family’s legacy is useless! The Shen family hasn’t died out! Who says the Shen family has no heirs? Who says the Shen family is no more?”

Years of suppressed emotions exploded in that moment.

Shen Congyun roared at Gao-Yuan.

For a brief moment, Gao-Yuan was stunned. Though he knew about the Shen family’s history, this was the first time he had witnessed Shen Congyun’s raw anger and bitter unwillingness to give up.

Even in his past life, Gao-Yuan’s impression of this old man had been that of an infuriatingly passive coward.

Softening his tone slightly, Gao-Yuan said, “Whether the Shen family continues or not is up to you, not me.”

Shen Congyun’s face darkened, and he snapped, “And who are you to judge me? Who do you think you are? What qualifications do you have to comment on my family? Do you think you’re some great master? Do you really think you’re better than the Shen family?”

Gao-Yuan was puzzled. “Aren’t you part of the Shen family?”

Shen Congyun froze, then erupted in anger again. “Such arrogance from a young fool! Just because you got lucky diagnosing Cao Xinjian’s illness, you think you’re better than me? You think I’m some washed-up hack?”

Gao-Yuan smiled politely.

But Shen Congyun grew even more furious, jabbing a finger at Gao-Yuan’s face. “You wait. I’ll show you!”

Watching Shen’s retreating figure, Gao-Yuan shook his head slightly. It seemed the only thing capable of truly stirring this old man’s emotions was the honor of his family.

…

The next morning.

Gao-Yuan returned to the village, heading straight to Cao Xinjian’s house.

“Ah, the doctor’s here!” Cao Xinjian’s wife greeted him eagerly.

Gao-Yuan nodded slightly. “Hello, I’ve come to check on Comrade Cao’s recovery.”

“Oh, thank you, doctor! You’re so responsible. Please, have a seat. I’ll make you some tea. Old Cao! Old Cao, come out! The doctor who treated you yesterday is here!”

“There’s no need to trouble yourself,” Gao-Yuan said. “I’m just here for a quick follow-up.”

Cao Xinjian’s wife led him in, and they found Cao sitting at the table, scratching his head over some papers.

“Old Cao, what’s wrong with you? Did you go deaf? The doctor from yesterday is here; didn’t you hear me?” she said, her tone half-joking.

“Huh?” Cao finally looked up and saw Gao-Yuan. “Oh, the doctor’s here!”

He quickly put down his pen and stood up to offer Gao-Yuan a seat.

“How are you feeling today, Comrade Cao?” Gao-Yuan asked.

“Much better, much better,” Cao replied. “But my mouth still feels tingly, like it’s burning.”

“Stick out your tongue for me,” Gao-Yuan instructed.

Cao did as asked.

“Your tongue is bright red and lacks coating—that means your yin is damaged. I’ll prescribe another round of medicine for you. After two doses, you should be fine. Do you have paper and a pen?"

“Of course,” Cao replied, pushing over the paper he had been writing on.

Gao-Yuan noticed the words “atomic bomb” and “bacteria” scribbled on the paper. Glancing at it briefly, he then wrote out the ingredients for a large dose of Fire-Draining Decoction in a blank corner and handed the prescription back. “Take this to the pharmacy.”

Cao nodded enthusiastically but didn’t immediately look at the prescription. Instead, he stared at his own writing.

“What’s on your mind, Comrade Cao?” Gao-Yuan asked curiously.

“Oh, it’s nothing. You probably know about how the Americans have been threatening us with nuclear blackmail. Back during the Korean War, they used all sorts of chemical and biological weapons.”

“Strategically, we must dismiss them, but tactically, we must take them seriously. So, the higher-ups asked us to think of ways to defend against nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. I’ve been losing sleep over it for days. I couldn’t come up with anything, and then I fell ill. If it weren’t for you, I’d be in real trouble.”

Gao-Yuan nodded. “If you want to defend against nuclear weapons, you need to understand what an atomic bomb is and what kind of destruction and harm it causes when it explodes. Once you know that, you’ll know how to respond.”

Cao was stunned. “Doctor, you not only know medicine but also how to defend against atomic bombs?”

Gao-Yuan smiled. “I know a little bit.”