NOVEL NEXT Chapter 11: Kidney Deficiency
Chapter 11: Kidney Deficiency
“Siiip—ahh…”
After taking a sip of hot tea, Ji Wutong’s face revealed a satisfied smile.
It was a pity that this flower-like smile was hidden behind her veil, and with Lin Mu being blind, no one had the fortune to witness it.
“Did you write all these poems yourself?”
Flipping through the notebook in her hands, Ji Wutong’s beautiful eyes shimmered as she murmured dreamily, “Though I’m not well-versed in poetry, even I can tell these verses are extraordinary.”
“If they were to spread, even those refined scholars who pride themselves on their literary talents would feel ashamed!”
“You flatter me too much, Miss Wutong~”
Lin Mu chuckled, accepting her praise without modesty.
This wasn’t because he was thick-skinned, but because if he claimed the poems were written by someone else, Ji Wutong would likely press for details, leading to unnecessary trouble.
Besides, no one else in this world knew these poems except him.
Admitting to them wouldn’t hurt, and no one could accuse him of plagiarism.
“I wish to weave through flowers in search of a path, straight into the depths of white clouds, where noble spirit unfolds like a rainbow.”
Upon reading this line, Ji Wutong’s admiration for Lin Mu deepened even further.
To pen such heroic verses—just how lofty must Lin Mu’s aspirations have been in the past?
Yet now, seeing him dozing off by the river while fishing, he seemed no different from a frail old man.
How could this not sadden her?
Unconsciously, a mist formed in Ji Wutong’s eyes, and sorrow welled up in her heart.
“Lin Mu, I will cure your eyes!”
Her voice carried a hint of choked-back tears as she made this promise once more.
“What’s wrong?”
Lin Mu tilted his head in confusion at her words.
Faintly, he thought he heard a woman crying.
Probably just his imagination.
Lin Mu shook his head—there were only him and Ji Wutong here.
The Demon Sect’s Holy Maiden wouldn’t cry over a book, would she? She wasn’t Lin Daiyu.
“I’m fine!”
Sure enough, the next second, a calm and aloof voice reached his ears.
The two did not linger by the river for too long.
By noon, they had already returned to the clinic.
“Gu Xing, fetch a bucket!”
Once inside, Lin Mu called out loudly.
This fishing trip had been quite fruitful—aside from roasting two fish by the riverbank, he had also caught five more large ones.
That should be enough for a meal.
This was mainly because both Ji Wutong and Gu Xing practiced martial arts and had appetites far exceeding those of ordinary people.
Otherwise, these fish could last a common household for three days.
“Master, Niu San came looking for you this morning!”
While tidying up the fishing gear, Gu Xing reported.
“Oh? What does that ruffian want with me?”
“I don’t know!” Gu Xing shook his head and continued, “He just said he’d come back to see you in the afternoon, then left.”
As they spoke, a rough shout came from outside the door.
“Divine Physician Lin?”
“Is Divine Physician Lin home?”
Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives.
The moment Gu Xing mentioned Niu San, the man came knocking again.
“It’s him!”
Ji Wutong turned and saw the same rogue who had harassed her at the fish stall, now bellowing at the top of his lungs. A flash of displeasure crossed her face.
“This man is no good. Should I chase him away for you?”
Ji Wutong whispered to Lin Mu.
“Did he offend you?”
“No!”
“Then why drive him off?”
Lin Mu chuckled and groped his way toward the counter.
Seeing this, Ji Wutong hurried over to support him.
Niu San, witnessing the scene, couldn’t help but feel a pang of awkwardness.
He thought to himself—Good thing I listened to the fish vendor’s advice that day and didn’t lay hands on Ji Wutong. Otherwise, I’d have made a terrible mistake.
“Niu San, what brings you here?”
After sitting down, Lin Mu asked lightly.
“Uh… well…”
Niu San stammered, unable to get his words out, his expression visibly uneasy.
Hearing this, Lin Mu immediately understood.
“Wutong, you can go rest in the backyard. I’ll handle things here.”
“Mmm~ Call me if you need anything~”
Ji Wutong nodded, shot Niu San a warning glare, and then left.
“To have such a beauty by your side, Divine Physician Lin is truly blessed!”
Niu San couldn’t help but sigh as he watched Ji Wutong’s retreating figure.
“What exactly do you want?”
Lin Mu ignored his remark and cut straight to the point.
“It’s just… a minor ailment. I was hoping Divine Physician Lin could take a look.”
Niu San scratched his head, his eyes filled with embarrassment.
Without another word, Lin Mu took his wrist and began checking his pulse.
“Recently, have you often been sweating at night while sleeping?”
“Yes, constantly!”
“Lower back soreness? Back pain?”
“Exactly! And I feel weak all over. Divine Physician Lin, what’s wrong with me?”
“You have kidney deficiency.”
“IMPOSSIBLE!!!”
Niu San leaped up from his chair, his breath ragged, his face flushed red with fury.
“Why the panic? I can cure it.”
“Divine Doctor!!!”
The moment he heard this, Niu San dropped to his knees before Lin Mu, tears streaming as he begged, “You can really treat it?”
“Naturally.”
Seeing Lin Mu nod, Niu San broke down in sobs.
Though unmarried, he had entangled relationships with many widows in Yanshan City.
The phrase “nightly revelry” described him perfectly.
Because of this, he had recently been feeling increasingly fatigued.
Even the widows no longer treated him as warmly as before.
This matter had tormented Niu San to no end.
After much deliberation, he had finally swallowed his pride and come to seek Lin Mu’s help.
“Come inside. I’ll give you a few acupuncture treatments.”
Suppressing a laugh, Lin Mu let Niu San support him as they walked to the back room.
Before long, agonized wails erupted from within, so shrill they could rival the cries of a slaughtered pig.
Two quarters of an hour later, Niu San emerged, teeth clenched, trembling with every step.
His gaze toward Lin Mu was filled with terror.
“Divine Physician Lin… it’s done now, right?”
“Not so fast!” Lin Mu snorted. “For the next month, come see me every noon.”
“After a month, we’ll reassess.”
“What?! Another month of needles?!”
Niu San’s eyes bulged, and he immediately felt phantom pains surging through his body.
“What, you don’t want treatment anymore?”
“I do! I do!” Niu San hastily nodded, fishing out some silver pieces and pressing them into Lin Mu’s palm. “Then, Divine Physician Lin, I’ll come again tomorrow!”
“And about my condition…”
“I’ll keep it confidential,” Lin Mu cut in.
“THANK YOU, DIVINE PHYSICIAN LIN!!!”
Niu San’s face finally broke into a smile as he bowed repeatedly in gratitude.
After Niu San left, Ji Wutong stepped out from the back room, curiosity in her voice.
“What did you do to him? Why was he screaming so horribly?”
“Just gave him a few dozen extra needles. Serves him right for offending you~”
Lin Mu laughed heartily in explanation.
“You’re terrible~”
Ji Wutong couldn’t help but giggle as well, her laughter clear and melodious like a mountain spring.
“And he calls you a divine physician? Is this how you treat your patients?”
“Just making sure he doesn’t dare bully you again.”
“Hmph~ As if he could!” Ji Wutong said coyly. “Come on, let me help you to tea~”