Chapter 940: Chapter 941: My Students Can Do It
Song Xiaodong, amidst the chaos, checked the patientâs pulse briefly and then leaned close to Lu Yaobingâs ear, speaking softly, "Go treat the patient."
"Me?" Lu Yaobingâs eyes widened in shock, her voice rising, although no one around her seemed to notice amidst the commotion.
"Thatâs right. On the patientâs right chest..." Song Xiaodong whispered three acupoints near Lu Yaobingâs ear, "After you insert the needles, channel your True Qi through them into the patientâs body. Gradually, let it flow inâthat will work."
"Can I really do it?" Lu Yaobing looked hesitant and full of doubt.
Song Xiaodong nodded affirmatively and said, "You absolutely can. The patientâs symptoms arenât severe; treating them now shouldnât be a problem. If you wait any longer, it might be beyond saving. Whatâs wrong? Donât trust your teacher?"
Lu Yaobing bit her lip, nodded resolutely, and said firmly, "Fine, Iâll go. But if..."
Song Xiaodong encouraged her, saying, "Thereâs no âif.â As long as you follow my instructions, everything will be fine. Iâll guide you through inserting the needlesâjust donât miss the acupoints."
"Alright, I can identify these acupoints clearly." Lu Yaobing clenched her fist tightly and then loudly declared, "I can do this."
"You?" Everyone nearby turned their attention toward Lu Yaobing, momentarily startling her. But Song Xiaodongâs calm gaze bolstered her courage, prompting her to say loudly, "Yes, I can do it."
Before anyone could respond, Professor Wang Qingâs eyes narrowed sharply as he barked, "What nonsense! Absolutely not!"
Lu Yaobing immediately insisted, "Professor Wang, I truly can treat him, and Iâll be using Traditional Chinese Medicine methods."
Wu Xianyuan, upon hearing this, chuckled and said, "Well, Professor Wang, your Traditional Chinese Medicine College truly has some talents. Someone actually claims to be able to treat a heart attack with Traditional Chinese Medicine."
Professor Wang Qingâs expression grew even darker. "Whatâs your name? As a doctor, the key is being able to assess your own abilities. Treat conditions youâre confident aboutânot those you donât fully understand. Otherwise, not only will you fail to heal the patient, but you could easily make things worse!"
Although Lu Yaobing felt uneasy, the encouraging gaze from Song Xiaodong steadied her. She clenched her fist again and said, "Professor Wang, while Traditional Chinese Medicine may not have good solutions for acute conditions like heart attacks through medication, acupuncture can still be effective."
"Are you in the acupuncture class?" Professor Wang Qing questioned.
"Yes," Lu Yaobing replied.
"Youâve only studied acupuncture for whatâa couple of years? And you dare claim to treat a heart attack? Step aside immediately; this is absurd!" Professor Wangâs face turned increasingly unsightly. As a Traditional Chinese Medicine professor, he had an excellent grasp of acupuncture techniques, but even he wouldnât dare claim his skills were adequate for treating a heart attackâlet alone a student who had only studied for two years.
"Professor Wang, I truly can treat him," Lu Yaobing said urgently.
Wu Xianyuan laughed out loud at this point and remarked, "Professor Wang, why not let your Traditional Chinese Medicine Collegeâs top student give it a try? Itâd be an opportunity for us to witness the strength of your Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital."
Professor Wang Qing did not let the taunt affect him; his face remained stern as he said, "Absolutely not! This is a matter of life and death; itâs no time for recklessness. I wonât allow Lu Yaobing to act on impulse."
Realizing Professor Wang Qingâs firm stance, Lu Yaobing turned pleading eyes toward Song Xiaodong.
Song Xiaodong then said, "Professor Wang, Lu Yaobing is my student. Based on her abilities, I believe she can heal the patient."
Professor Wang Qingâs face darkened even further as he retorted, "I donât understand how you became an instructor for the acupuncture class, but a heart attack isnât something to be treated casually. While acupuncture may offer some efficacy, it absolutely doesnât reach this level of treatment ability."
Smiling faintly, Song Xiaodong replied, "Professor Wang, thatâs because your understanding of acupuncture is limited. A true acupuncture expert wouldnât struggle with a minor heart attack; even someone like Lu Yaobing, a student, is more than capable. As a professor of Traditional Chinese Medicine College myself, Iâm willing to take full responsibility."
He then pulled out his credentials issued by the college.
"Youâre a professor too?" Wu Xianyuan glanced at the title on the document, furrowing his brows slightly. "This seems a bit far-fetched. It looks like your Traditional Chinese Medicine College is short on staff, promoting someone this young to professor."
Professor Wang Qingâs face turned even grimmer, while Song Xiaodong remarked calmly, "Since Iâm a professor, I bear the qualifications and responsibility. Go ahead, Lu Yaobingâtreat the patient. If you fail, Iâll take full accountability, whether itâs with the patientâs family or with the school."
Faced with such decisiveness, Professor Wang Qing hesitated to stop them. He asked in a grave voice, "Are you certain you can cure him?"
Song Xiaodong smiled faintly and said, "Of course. Professor Wang, while I may not surpass you in prescribing medication, I do have confidence in my acupuncture skills."
Wu Xianyuan curled his lip, saying, "Well, get on with it. Weâve already prepared for resuscitationâwonât take long to stabilize the patient. Even with slight delays, his life will likely not be at risk. Meanwhile, your Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital has conveniently delivered itself for embarrassmentânot a bad deal."
Song Xiaodong signaled Lu Yaobing with a nod.
At that moment, Lu Yaobing felt warm inside; Song Xiaodong was willing to assume such a massive responsibility just to give her a chance to perform acupuncture. No other teacher at the college would ever do thisâit was something only someone like Song Xiaodong, her mentor, would undertake.
A mentor, a masterâtruly akin to a fatherâs selfless responsibility.
Lu Yaobing approached the patient, directly exposing his chest. Song Xiaodong stood beside her and instructed, "Donât be nervous, first confirm the acupoints, then shift slightly to the right... yes, thatâs it. Insert the needle now."
When inserting the first needle, Lu Yaobing couldnât help but feel extreme anxiety, particularly since it was near the heart. Although she was in the acupuncture class, they had rarely practiced actual needlework, and only on minor hand acupointsânever such critical ones.
"Good. Let go, now the second needle." Song Xiaodong guided her steadily.
With the second needle, Lu Yaobing relaxed slightly, her accuracy improving. By the time she inserted the third needle, everything aligned perfectly.
"Alright, begin," Song Xiaodong said, nodding once again.
Lu Yaobing understood what Song Xiaodong meant. She took a deep breath and, using her right thumb and index finger, gripped the end of one silver needle and started to transfer her faint True Qi into it.