Translator:
Exodus Tales #
Editor:
Exodus Tales
âWhy would you bring a gift to our home, child?â Wen Jingâs voice was a bit scolding. âSong and your father are closer than blood brothers, while I also have a very good relationship with him, so this place is also your home! I can let this slip this time, but do not bring any more gifts. Iâm already very happy with you simply visiting us.â
âIâll be sure to remember that, Auntie,â said Tang Xiu smilingly.
Afterward, they entered the inner courtyard and took a seat in the living room of the villa. Wen Jing then personally served some fruits and snacks and even made some tea, all of which made several housemaids nearby dumbfounded and exchange glances in confusion.
Upon seeing his motherâs busy figure, Song Xiang smiled and said, âWell, you really got a big face, Tang Xiu brother. You see, even when that emperor-like Dad of mine comes home, Mom is rarely busying herself like that. Looking at her attitude and treatment toward you makes me quite envious of you.â
âWell, thatâs the love shown by Auntie for me,â responded Tang Xiu with a smile. âThatâs right, Auntieâs complexion is rather pale; does she have an illness?â
The smile on Song Xiangâs face slowly receded. His eyes glanced at Wen Jing, and he said bitterly, âMom has been sick with a serious illness that doesnât have a cure. Itâs just that weâre hiding it from her.â
âItâs a liver disease, isnât it?â asked Tang Xiu.
Song Xiang was stunned and asked in surprise, âHow do you know that?â
âI have another identity in China as a young Divine Doctor in Chinese medicine,â said Tang Xiu. âI just observed her complexion a moment ago and my finger happened to touch her pulse when she grabbed my hand. Hence, I was able to tell that she contracted quite a serious liver disease.â
With eyes full of incredulity, Song Xiang stared at Tang Xiu. Only after Wen Jing came over with tea did he finally come back to his senses. He said with amazement, âYouâre really amazing, Brother Tang; youâre just awesome. I can say that Iâm quite knowledgeable about Chinese medicine. Those who are hailed as Divine Doctors or miracle-working physicians have always been figures with amazing expertise in this field. Even many Chinese medicine practitioners who have been in the field for decades are not necessarily qualified to be called a Divine Doctor. Thatâs right; I heard thereâs a famous Divine Doctor in China called Gui Jianchou. Itâs a pity that I have been unable to find his trace even though Iâve sent some people to China many times.â
âI know Divine Doctor Gui Jianchou. I have even worked with him for many days before,â said Tang Xiu smilingly. âHeâs indeed a great senior doctor of a noble character, highly respected, and one with great expertise in medical skills. I also know how to contact him.â
Song Xiang abruptly got up and hurriedly said, âBrother Tang, please tell me how to contact him quickly! I need to find him. I must.â
âWho exactly are you looking for? Xiangâer?â asked Wen Jing as she arrived with tea. There was a puzzled look on her face.
Song Xiangâs face slightly changed, and he gave a signal with his eyes to Tang Xiu quickly before he quickly responded with a dry smile, âItâs just an old friend I know, Mom. Itâs been a very long time since I last met him, so I didnât expect that Brother Tang Xiu would also know him and could contact him after this chat.â
Wen Jing looked at Tang Xiu and asked, âIs that so?â
Instead of answering her question, Tang Xiu just slightly smiled and said, âAuntie, I can see that your body seems to be in a poor state, so you should have been ill for a while. Do you mind letting me treat you? I happen to have some expertise in Chinese medicine. I dare not say that thereâs a 100% guarantee that I can cure you, but I am at least 99% sure.â
âWhat a darn fart!â
A disagreeing voice came from the door as a young man wearing a white t-shirt, denim pants, a hat, and slippers walked inside. He looked a bit angry as he came to Tang Xiuâs front and said loudly, âHey, kiddo. Where the heck did you come from? You dare to spit bullshit in our house and even talk about Chinese medicine? Do you even know what Chinese medicine is, huh?â
Tang Xiu shifted his gaze and looked at his face. He was able to recognize this young manâs identity at once. He didnât even have the slightest anger at all and instead put out a faint smile as he stretched out his hand and said, âYouâre Song Yang, right? Iâm Tang Xiu. Nice to meet you.â
Song Yang rolled his eyes and then raised his nostrils upward, saying, âI never shake hands with nobodies, let alone with people I donât like. Iâve heard about Uncle Tang and I admire him. But you... hmph... donât expect me to look up at you just because youâre acting like a passionate person.â
âHey, shut up!â
âShut your mouth!â
Wen Jing and Song Yang shouted at the same time.
Tang Xiu only smiled in response as he waved his hand. He looked at Song Yangâs contemptuous expression and lightly smiled, âWell, you seem so hostile to me. Care to tell me the reason?â
âWhy should I? How old are you, kid? Hmph...â sneered Song Yang as he said, âI thought Uncle Tangâs son would also be a heroic-like figure just like him. But I never thought that youâre just a braggartâone who doesnât know the immensity of heaven and earth.â
A braggart who doesnât know the immensity of the world?
In that instant, Tang Xiu understood why Song Yang was hostile to him. It was because he took the initiative to treat his Auntie, Wen Jing, from her illness, thus causing his ire. It was no surprise since Song Xiang told him that they had been hiding the condition of their motherâs illness, rubbing him the wrong way and naturally making him angry.
After figuring out the reason, Tang Xiu straightly ignored Song Yan and looked at Wen Jing instead, saying, âAuntie, you donât yet know what kind of illness youâve contracted, but you should be experiencing painful attacks often, right?â
Wen Jing shot a look at her two sons first and fell into silence for a while. She then shook her head and sighed, âAs a matter of fact, I know what illness I have. They think that they can hide it from me despite the fact that I already knew that I have liver cancer at a late stage.â
âWhat did you just say, Mom?â interjected Song Xiang hurriedly. âThereâs no way you can get liver cancer.â
After glaring fiercely at Tang Xiu, Song Yang chimed in, âPlease donât make a blind conjecture, Mom. What cancer? Youâve definitely not contracted cancer. Itâs just a minor illness. Youâll definitely be able to live for a hundred years in the future. I can tell that this damn man surnamed Tang is not a good man. Please donât listen to him. Iâm sure that heâs just trying to fool you.â
âWhat exactly happened to your head, Yangyang? When did Tang Xiu annoy you to make you always target him, huh?â scolded Wen Jing with a cold expression. âWhether he can cure my illness or not, the filial piety he shows me is just right!â
âHe said that he knows Chinese medicine. But I said itâs a damn fart, Mom!â rebuked Song Yang with an unhappy face. âThose who have expertise in Chinese medicine are seniors in that fieldâones who have real talents at that! Having the idea that heâs good at it is nothing but ridiculous. If anything, he can deceive others, but thereâs no way he can fool me.â
âWell, I get where youâre coming from, especially the mood you have, but itâs best not to entertain any thought to the extreme.â Tang Xiu looked at him and said, âAs for whether me being a practitioner of Chinese medicine is a lie or not, why donât you see it for yourself? Auntie may not know how serious her condition is, but you should know about it, right? Since her sickness has arrived at this stage, how about letting me try to cure her? Wonât it become a fortunate matter that is worth rejoicing if I happen to be able to cure her?â
âYou...â
Song Yang was about to rebuke, but he suddenly felt a numb sensation in his throat and was unable to let out any sound from his mouth. The moment after, his body trembled a few times, and some other parts went numb before his whole body was no longer under his control.
âWhat the hell? What the fuck is going on with me?â
âHow can I not talk or be able to move at all?â
âWhat exactly is happening? What were those numb sensations a while ago? Did my acupoints get attacked?â
His eyes chaotically glanced around nervously, yet he tried hard to free himself from the predicament. It was a pity for him that he was unable to no matter how hard he tried.
âIs there a quiet room, Auntie?â asked Tang Xiu. âJust trust me, just like the faith you had in my father and Uncle Song in the past.â
âAlright.â
Wen Jing sighed inwardly after looking at the three children in front of her. Ever since she noticed that her health was deteriorating and that she contracted an illness, she went to the hospital for a check-up and looked at the result herself. On the check-up report, it was clearly written that she had contracted cancer and the symptoms she had were exactly the symptoms that liver cancer patients suffered with.
However, even though she held similar thoughts as her second son, Song Yang, doubting that Tang Xiu could cure her liver cancer, it was Tang Xiuâs first visit to their home. It was also Tang Xiuâs goodwill in having the intention to treat her, a good starting point of their relationship. Hence, she didnât reject Tang Xiu and even missed the abnormality happening to her son, Song Yang. She then led Tang Xiu to the end of the corridor and came to the massage room.
As for Song Xiang, he was keenly aware of the peculiarity happening to his younger brother. But he was more worried about his mother. He walked in strides to catch up to them as Wen Jing and Tang Xiu were about to enter the massage room. Song Xiang quickly reached out to grab Tang Xiuâs hand and said in a whisper, âBrother Tang, your guess is correct. Mom has contracted liver cancer at a late stage and her condition is quite serious. Itâs almost impossible to cure her with the current level of medical care out there. Please donât act recklessly. Itâs fine to give up if you have no means since Mom is at least still alive.â
âNo worries!â Tang Xiu slowly nodded and said, âI will use my discretion.â
As they entered the room, Tang Xiu gestured Song Xian to stop following them. Then, he closed the door from the inside before turning around to Wen Jing, smilingly saying, âAuntie, do you want to feel some comfort and enjoyment?â
âWhat comfort?â asked Wen Jing curiously.
âTuina Massage. The method is a technique in Chinese medicine,â explained Tang Xiu with a smile. âFrankly speaking, I can tell that youâre doubting my expertise in this field too. The reason why you accepted my idea to treat you is that you donât want to refuse my good intention for fear that it would make me feel embarrassed.â
Wen Jing observed Tang Xiu and suddenly found that this child in front of her was actually smarter and more sensible than she thoughtâa character that would become very powerful in the future. It was just unfortunate that she had contracted cancer, now at a late stage. Else, she wanted to witness the success and achievements that could stir the world be brought by this child in the future.
âIâll try it then! Let your aunt see your ability, Tang Xiu. Auntie will definitely cook delicious meals that will satiate your cravings if your Tuina Massage skill is truly outstanding,â said Wen Jing with a smile as she laid down on the massage bed.
âOkay!â Tang Xiu nodded with a smile.