Pan Haitang, a renowned professor of Traditional Chinese Medicine at the Provincial Medical University, held a prominent reputation.
Zheng Liming, the Vice Chairman of Juxian City Aviation Company, was also a significant figure.
However, to seek Chen Xiao's treatment for their private ailment of infertility, they both felt a profound sense of inferiority when facing him. Pan Haitang, in particular, was so embarrassed that she kept her head bowed.
Chen Xiao, well aware of their purpose, dispensed with pleasantries. After inviting them to be seated, he reached out to take Zheng Liming's pulse.
He had already confirmed Pan Haitang's excellent health when treating her body odor, leading him to suspect that the root of their infertility problem likely lay with Zheng Liming.
Soon, Zheng Liming's pulse confirmed his suspicion.
After concluding the pulse diagnosis, Chen Xiao got straight to the point:
"Mr. Zheng, may I ask if you or Professor Pan have sustained any severe injuries to your lower back since the birth of your daughter, You En?"
"Severe back injury?"
Pan Haitang and Zheng Liming looked bewildered, their minds drifting into memories. After a moment, Zheng Liming nodded with lingering fear.
"Over a decade ago, when I was still a captain, I did sustain an injury to my lower back while preventing an attempted hijacking. To spare Old Pan and You En from worry, and because the doctor at the time said it would heal with rest, I deliberately kept it a secret. For Dr. Chen to diagnose my past injury solely by taking my pulse is truly astonishing!"
Pan Haitang, both shocked and excited, eagerly interjected:
"Dr. Chen, if it is confirmed that infertility is caused by a lower back injury, do you have a cure?"
Chen Xiao nodded without hesitation and casually printed out a prescription and a payment slip, handing them to Xu Jingyin.
"We will first use the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams Longevity Needles to solidify the foundation, followed by an internal dose of the 'Child-Granting Guanyin Soup' to nourish the vital energy. I guarantee your success, but the medicine must be brewed by my own hands to maximize the miraculous efficacy of the Child-Granting Guanyin Soup..."
Pan Haitang's eyes welled up with emotion. Before Chen Xiao could finish speaking, she snatched the prescription and payment slip from Xu Jingyin and dashed out, calling back without looking:
"Dr. Chen, please proceed with acupuncture for my husband, Zheng, first. I will go pay and get the medicine now."
Zheng Liming, who had been sitting obediently at the examination table a moment before, was now as excited as if he had been injected with adrenaline. Without a second thought, he pulled open his shirt, revealing his middle-aged, flabby midsection, and said pleadingly:
"Please, Dr. Chen."
Chen Xiao nodded slightly, took the sterilized silver needles from Xu Jingyin, and began to insert them one by one into Zheng Liming's body.
When Pan Haitang returned after paying and collecting the medicine, she was stunned to see seventeen silver needles inserted into Zheng Liming's lower back, forming a perfect Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams diagram. Her eyes nearly popped out as she exclaimed in disbelief:
"Dr. Chen, is this the legendary Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams Longevity Needles? Although I've read scattered mentions of this acupuncture technique in numerous TCM classics, this is the first time I've witnessed it firsthand. You have truly opened my eyes!"
Zheng Liming, also seated at the examination table, was equally astonished and exclaimed with great excitement:
"Old Pan, you didn't experience it yourself. Dr. Chen's acupuncture is truly miraculous. Not only do I not feel any pain from the needles, but I also feel a stream of indescribable warmth nourishing my lower back. It's even more comfortable than the most professional massage!"
Amidst their shock, their anticipation for Chen Xiao's Child-Granting Guanyin Soup grew. Pan Haitang fumbled to hand the large bags of Chinese herbs to Chen Xiao, urging him anxiously:
"Dr. Chen, please hurry and brew the medicine."
Fearing Chen Xiao might refuse, Zheng Liming eagerly added as soon as Pan Haitang finished speaking:
"Dr. Chen, I have prepared a check for two million yuan to thank you for your life-renewing grace. I hope you won't find it too little."
As he spoke, he actually took out a brand-new check from his pocket and handed it to Chen Xiao.
Beside them, Xu Jingyin, who was preparing the stove, and Luo Qingping, who had just lifted the curtain to get off the bed, were both caught off guard by the check Zheng Liming produced. Luo Qingping, with needles still in his lower back, showed a look of utter shock, thinking to himself:
"Holy hell! Dr. Chen's acupuncture feels great, but why does one session earn him two million yuan? Even selling all my possessions wouldn't be enough for one treatment! Can someone tell me if the Northern Border Army is Dr. Chen's backing, or if Dr. Chen is the Northern Border Army's backing?"
Just then, Chen Xiao's phone, placed on the examination table, received a message from Jin Yongping:
"Dr. Chen, they have taken Qianqian hostage. Jin Fang Pharmaceutical cannot be sold to you anymore. I am truly sorry."
Chen Xiao frowned slightly and, without a second thought, dialed Jin Yongping's number.
"Aunt Jin, can you tell me who the representative of the Ye family you are dealing with is?"
"This..."
Jin Yongping's voice on the phone was hesitant, her tone filled with choked sobs. However, she ultimately did not conceal the truth from Chen Xiao, lowering her voice and saying nervously:
"Ye... Ye Jinhuan, she is in my office right now."