Lin Fan saw off the last patient, stretched lazily, and planned to wrap up todayâs consultation. These past few days he had been working at this rural clinic, experiencing a doctorâs work firsthand. According to Liu Zixing, Old Liu would be returning in a couple of days, and then he wouldnât need to continue.
Looking up, Lin Fan saw the middle-aged man still seated quietly on the bench outside, waiting.
Lin Fan gestured, calling Liu Zixing over.
"You didnât ask him to leave?" Lin Fan asked.
Liu Zixing showed an embarrassed smile: "I struggled for a while but couldnât bear to send him away. I think this uncle is quite nice. Besides, Lin Fan, your medical skill is so good, canât you try to save him?"
Lin Fan wiped sweat away, saying: "Looks like I have to play the bad guy here, alright then, please ask him to come in."
"Sure." Liu Zixing replied happily, hastily heading out.
Soon, the middle-aged uncle followed Liu Zixing inside.
"Youâre Divine Doctor Lin, so youngâtruly promising!" The middle-aged uncle said with a smile, extending his hand courteously to Lin Fan, hoping for a handshake.
The other person gave Lin Fan a gentle and calm feeling, so Lin Fan reached out to shake his hand: "Please have a seat."
The middle-aged uncle sat down across from Lin Fan, saying: "Divine Doctor Lin, I came here admiring your reputation, seeking medical help. Iâll tell you about my condition first..."
Lin Fan said: "Wait, you donât need to explain. Iâve already seen it from your complexion. I apologize for being direct, but I donât want to offer false hope. The deathly pallor on your forehead is unmistakable; in less than a month, you are certain to die."
Liu Zixing sighed beside him, so tragic.
The middle-aged uncle seemed stunned at first, revealing surprise before regaining composure, saying: "Divine Doctor Lin, is there really no hope for me?"
Lin Fan said: "Youâve been taking medication to alleviate pain lately, havenât you? Did your doctor prescribe it?"
The middle-aged uncle replied: "Yes, Iâm in such pain I canât sleep at night without painkillers. Iâve seen many doctors who couldnât figure out whatâs wrong with me. Regular painkillers were ineffective until a renowned doctor, Dr. Ai Luoqing from the province, prescribed this painkiller, and it finally brought relief."
Upon hearing this, Liu Zixing exclaimed: "Ai Luoqing, a famous doctor! Sheâs so renowned. One of our textbooks in school was written by Dr. Ai. Oh dear, even Dr. Ai couldnât cure you?"
Ai Luoqing was indeed a renowned old doctor, known as a master, and even he couldnât cure this middle-aged man. No wonder Lin Fan said the uncle was beyond saving.
Lin Fan didnât know who Dr. Ai was, saying: "That doctor made a mistake. The painkillers you were given, while relieving your pain, are like drinking poison to quench thirst. Theyâre actually worsening your condition, accelerating organ deterioration. Lately, have you been experiencing worsening insomnia, sometimes unable to sleep through the night, and even if you manage to sleep, youâre plagued by nightmares?"
The middle-aged uncle stood stunned, Divine Doctor indeed, he hit the nail on the head!
How did he know, as if he had observed him at bedside?
"Thatâs exactly the case. Divine Doctor Lin, what exactly is wrong with me?" The middle-aged uncle couldnât help but ask.
Lin Fan said: "Youâve been poisoned."
"Ah?"
The middle-aged uncle and Liu Zixing both gasped in shock.
Lin Fan said: "This toxin is particularly lethal, requiring only a trace amount for fatality. Yet, due to the minuscule quantity, standard medical tests canât detect it. Thatâs why those doctors couldnât determine your illness. The toxin has infiltrated your bloodstream, becoming almost invisible, trace-less. After being poisoned, one doesnât die immediately but endures severe pain in all internal organs, ultimately dying slowly. Thatâs the terrible cruelty of this poison."
Such a terrifying toxin exists in the world!
The middle-aged uncle asked in astonishment: "Divine Doctor Lin, what kind of poison is it?"
Liu Zixing was curious: "Since standard medical tests canât detect it, how did you know, Lin Fan?"
Lin Fan just glanced at the middle-aged uncle and instantly diagnosed him as poisoned beyond recovery, leaving her very curious.
Lin Fan smiled slightly, saying: "I could tell."
Liu Zixing wiped cold sweat away: "Alright then..."
Lin Fan didnât disclose that within his top-tier medical skills, there was data on this toxin. Although rare, its symptoms were quite distinct. Through observing complexion, he was able to identify it.
Lin Fan said: "This toxin is a chemical element. As far as I know, this element isnât widely known yet and hasnât been officially named; most chemistry students havenât encountered it, only a handful have access. I have no idea how you got infected with it."
The middle-aged man thought of something upon hearing this, and blurted out: "Could it be..."
But immediately he bit back his words.
Lin Fan smiled, saying: "The source of your infection is another story. Perhaps someone poisoned you, and this person surely knows and has access to the toxin. Regardless, Iâm not concerned with that."
The middle-aged man composed himself, asking: "Divine Doctor Lin, is there really no cure for this poison?"
Lin Fan said: "Thereâs an antidote to every poison, itâs not that it canât be cured. Itâs just..."
The middle-aged man asked: "Just what?"
Lin Fan said: "Have you heard of artemisinin, the drug that treats malaria? It was only discovered after years of arduous research, and the scientist who discovered it was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine. The antidote for this poison is even harder to extract, and its raw material is extremely rareâas rare as lottery tickets. By the time itâs discovered, extracted, and used for treatment, you might be long gone, which is why I say youâre beyond saving."
The middle-aged man froze for a while, eventually showing a bitter smile: "Seems Iâm truly beyond saving."
Liu Zixing said: "Lin Fan, the uncle is so pitiful, canât you think of something?"
Lin Fan said: "Well, stop taking that painkiller immediately. Iâll prescribe you something else to alleviate the pain, so your passing wonât be as agonizing."
The middle-aged uncle seemed to be an optimistic person, quickly adjusting his mindset: "Thank you, Divine Doctor Lin."
Lin Fan thought for a moment, sighed slightly, saying: "Moreover, the herb that can cure you typically grows deep in the mountains. So, how about I take a stroll in the mountains and see if I can find it? However, the chances are akin to winning the lottery. It depends on your luck."
Actually, Lin Fan finding such a herb isnât impossible, especially considering he has another miraculous asset.
Top-tier Koi Carp Luck!
With top-tier Koi Carp Luck, finding this herb thatâs even harder to come by than winning the lottery should be a breeze.