Qiao Guohua was filled with regret, but at this moment, he could only turn to Wei Sandao for help: "Elder Wei, could you please speak to the young miracle doctor for me again? I am willing to apologize to him, and I will agree to any conditions he proposes!"
"Alright, I'll give him another call to ask." Wei San didn't want to see his old friend in trouble, otherwise, he wouldn't bother with this meddlesome affair. Qiao Guohua should pay the price for his arrogance.
The call went through after a longer pause, and Li Se's voice came from the other end: "Elder Wei, I understand your intention, it's just..."
"Miracle Doctor Li, please do me this favor and treat him just once. If you have any requests later, feel free to state them. Old Qiao is my friend after all." Wei San was going all out. This time, he was practically begging Li Se, because he knew Li Se's personality and that it would likely take some persuasion before he agreed to treat him.
"Alright, I'll come back now." Li Se found it difficult to refuse Elder Wei's request.
"I'll go pick him up!" Qiao Guohua said quickly.
Elder Huang said, "Given Miracle Doctor Li's character, if you had spoken to him politely, he would have treated your father even without payment. Alas, why did it have to come to this?"
"Elder Huang, I misjudged him earlier." Qiao Guohua was filled with immense regret.
"I was also at fault. I'll go with you," Yalan added.
The couple immediately drove out and, not long after, they picked up Li Se. This time, they were extremely respectful towards him.
"Miracle Doctor Li, I'm truly sorry. I'm still shamelessly asking you to come back," Wei San said apologetically.
"Elder Wei, I still have to give you face," Li Se replied with a helpless smile. As for Qiao Guohua and Yalan, they didn't carry that much weight. Even though he knew they were wealthy and part of the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce, if the King of Heaven himself dared to slight him like that, he wouldn't show them any face.
Arriving beside Old Man Qiao, Li Se withdrew all the acupuncture needles and then asked Elder Huang, "Elder Huang, do you have the finest acupuncture needles?"
"Yes!" Elder Huang, being an old Chinese medicine practitioner, carried all sorts of needles with him. He took out a small packet of very fine needles and handed them to Li Se.
Li Se opened the needle packet. Each needle was as thin as a strand of hair. After Li Se took one out, one wouldn't be able to see the needle in his hand without careful observation.
"They're so thin?" Qiao Guohua couldn't help but exclaim.
"Using needles this fine for acupuncture is the ultimate test of skill and force," Elder Huang observed, his eyes not daring to blink, lest he miss anything. He wanted to humbly learn Li Se's medical skills.
Li Se slowly inserted the needles into the skin on Old Man Qiao's lungs, one, two, three... up to fifteen. Then, these needles seemed to emit a humming sound. Upon closer inspection, each needle was vibrating.
"Qi control of needles!" Elder Huang exclaimed, "This is the qi control of needles that Sun Bai told me about. You truly know qi control of needles. That old man Sun Bai didn't lie to me. In that situation, even without Sun Bai, you could have completed it yourself."
"Elder Huang, Imperial Physician Sun was an imperial physician. We cooperated with each other back then," Li Se smiled, slowly placing his palm over the needles. A surge of qi continuously flowed into the needles, and their trembling intensified.
It was visibly apparent that Old Man Qiao's complexion, which had previously shown signs of pain, now appeared much more ruddy.
"Nonsense! Don't be so modest, you brat. Sun Bai told me himself that he was just your assistant," Elder Huang declared, puffing out his beard. "If I'm not mistaken, that old man wanted to apply for the title of imperial physician for you too?"
Li Se nodded and said, "Yes, and I refused."
Elder Huang laughed heartily, "As expected. After you left, he praised you immensely and even rejected the application for imperial physician."
The conversation between the old man and the young man left the onlookers dumbfounded.
Especially Qiao Guohua and his wife, they could hardly believe what kind of celestial conversation this was. Imperial Physician Sun Bai? Refused an imperial physician application? Holy cow! What kind of divine figure had they just driven away? Even an imperial physician like Sun Bai could only act as an assistant.
Fortunately, Qiao Guohua was a prominent figure who had weathered many storms, but his heart was still in turmoil. He had decided that no matter the cost, he had to win over this young man. If he didn't seize the opportunity now, he might not have another chance when the young man soared to prominence.
"Stay calm, stay calm. This is standard procedure," Wei San patted Qiao Guohua's shoulder and chuckled.
Qiao Guohua forced a smile. If he had believed Wei San from the start and tried to win over Li Se, it would have been incredibly simple. Now, it was somewhat more difficult. He knew that young men like this possessed high self-esteem and were extremely proud. Offering money? What a joke! How could such a young man be short of money?
After a round of acupuncture, Li Se withdrew the needles. He looked at Old Man Qiao, who had now woken up. Old Man Qiao saw Li Se and said in surprise, "It's you? What are you doing here?"
"Old Qiao, I'm treating you," Li Se said with a smile.
Old Man Qiao was startled, "Did you save me last time?"
"Yes," Li Se nodded.
"I knew you weren't simple, kid. Once I recover, I'll definitely have a drink with you!" Old Man Qiao said excitedly.
"Dad, you can't drink alcohol!" Qiao Guohua quickly stopped him.
Old Man Qiao immediately became displeased, "With such a miracle doctor here, I can't drink? Little brother, can I drink or not?"
"You can drink," Li Se felt that the old man was like a mischievous child.
"See? I can drink," Old Man Qiao said happily, glad that he could drink.
"Elder Qiao, I'll join you for a drink too," Wei San said, feeling somewhat relieved to see his old friend was alright.
"Old Wei, you're here too? That's great! The three of us will drink together and become sworn brothers. We don't seek to be born in the same year and month, but only to die in the same year and month!" Old Man Qiao laughed heartily.
"Dad, how old is the young miracle doctor? He can't die in the same year and month as you," Qiao Guohua said with a darkened expression.
Old Man Qiao paused, looking somewhat embarrassed, "It seems that way. Then we won't die in the same year and month."
"Old Qiao, I'll prescribe you some medicine. After a week or so of taking it, you'll be fully recovered," Li Se said with some helplessness. This Old Man Qiao was truly like a child, but he rather liked old men like him.
Old Man Qiao was surprised, "This is lung cancer. It'll be cured just like that?"
"Yes!" Li Se nodded.
Old Man Qiao excitedly grabbed Li Se's hand, "Thank you so much, little brother. I still don't know your name?"
"Li Se."
"Good, Brother Li, that's how I'll address you from now on. We are brothers from now on. You are entitled to a share of all my assets. Take whatever you want!" Old Man Qiao said generously.
Wei San raised an eyebrow, slightly displeased, "I say, Old Qiao, is this how you try to build relationships?"