Chapter 36

Su Jueming laughed heartily. "So that's how it is. You really gave me a scare just now. I thought it was Chen Shan from Yau Ma Tei. But you're really not being a good friend—we've known each other for years, and you never gave me a discount last time."

"It's not too late to give you one now. From now on, you'll always get a discount." The pharmacy owner thought to himself that fools really do have fool's luck.

Su Fuling didn't much want to take advantage of this, afraid of owing a favor. But with her little uncle right there, she couldn't very well stop others from giving him a discount.

She could only say tactfully, "Next time I'll give you a few free checkups. I can't let you do business at a loss."

The pharmacy owner was surprised. "You can do checkups? What kind?"

Su Fuling smiled. "A full-body examination, of course."

The pharmacy owner grew curious and laughed. "Oh? Then I really must come try it next time."

After buying the medicine and leaving, Su Jueming asked curiously, "Ah Ling, do many people come for your checkups?"

"A few every day." Though they were only regular customers, it counted as a steady source of income.

Su Jueming said, "So people really do get checkups. Could I offer this service too?" If people would pay twenty yuan per checkup, he could charge a bit less.

Su Fuling smiled. "Little Uncle, have you figured out pulse diagnosis yet? Have you finished Grandpa's notebooks?"

"..." Su Jueming abandoned his plan to expand his business. He truly didn't have the skill for this service. Looking at his niece's confident, spirited manner, he had come to realize that he really was quite mediocre.

Still, he was happy for the old man. The old man had raised a capable heir like Ah Ling—the Su family now had someone to carry on its legacy.

As for his own children, he held out no hope.

Carrying bags large and small, Su Fuling hadn't even reached her clinic when she saw it was surrounded by a crowd.

A throng of onlookers had gathered.

Su Fuling could even hear the lively sounds of gongs and drums.

"Doctor Su is here!"

Someone shouted, and the crowd all turned to look, spotting Su Fuling with her medicine chest on her back and bags in her hands.

"Master!" Zhao Facai squeezed out of the crowd. "Make way, please—my master can't get in."

He nimbly took her bags and medicine chest.

Su Fuling said blankly, "What's going on?"

"Master, it's the people from yesterday, come to deliver thank-you gifts. They said your medicine worked instantly yesterday and your checkup was amazingly accurate, so they brought lots of things to thank you. They even had a commendation banner made."

Su Fuling: "..."

The crowd parted to make a path. As Su Fuling walked in, the band inside began banging gongs and drums.

"Doctor Su, my name is Sun Zhonghao. I was rude to impose yesterday. I've come today specially to thank you." Sun Zhonghao had deliberately dressed in a formal suit to come over.

Su Fuling gave an "ah." "Yesterday... you didn't follow the medical advice, did you?"

If they had followed the advice, the outcome definitely wouldn't have been like this. They had suffered a big loss.

The smile on Sun Zhonghao's face carried a few traces of embarrassment. "Actually, we did follow the advice. We just didn't expect to fail at walking down a few steps. We were careless." Of course, he didn't dare say that his wife had deliberately walked slowly for photos and had tumbled right onto the steps when she fell. "Our whole family is still very grateful to you, Doctor Su. Your predictions really left nothing out."

"Isn't Doctor Su a physician? How can she also tell fortunes?" someone in the crowd asked.

"Yesterday I saw this gentleman's family of three come. His wife even spent fifty Hong Kong dollars to buy a queue number to cut in line. I didn't expect them back today—did Doctor Su really predict something accurately?"

Su Fuling smiled politely. "It's not fortune-telling, it's a checkup. Mr. Sun, isn't that right?"

Sun Zhonghao understood her meaning. So this Doctor Su truly didn't want people to know she could tell fortunes. He quickly nodded. "Yes, yes—Doctor Su's checkups are very accurate. She immediately determined my wife's condition and gave very precise medical instructions. My wife is extremely grateful and insisted I come specially to thank you. These humble gifts—I hope you won't find them wanting."

He spoke very courteously, completely different from yesterday.

Su Fuling didn't dwell on the change; she was simply astonished by the gifts filling the shop. All kinds of packaged boxes filled the store, along with beautifully wrapped fruit.

Chen Shasha stood beside the gifts without saying a word. Compared to this grand display of gratitude, her own gesture of merely referring patients to Doctor Su back then suddenly seemed rather stingy.

Su Fuling was about to refuse these things when Sun Zhonghao came forward holding a banner inscribed with the words "Unmatched Medical Virtue," which made her head feel feverish.

Too much—this was far too much. How could her current level possibly deserve those words? Su Fuling felt her face begin to burn.

"Mr. Sun, there's really no need for such courtesy. You paid for treatment; I was just doing my duty. There's no need for all this. Take all these things back, and the banner too."

At that, Sun Zhonghao grew anxious. As a businessman, he believed that if the other party wouldn't accept his gifts, it meant they were displeased with him.

It must still be because he and Ah Hui had shown a poor attitude yesterday and spoken rudely before leaving—they had offended her. But if you've done wrong, you apologize properly. Today's grand spectacle was precisely to apologize loudly and publicly, to let Doctor Su see his family's sincerity. So Sun Zhonghao naturally wouldn't give up so easily—he absolutely had to win Doctor Su's forgiveness. "Master... Doctor Su, please accept them. Otherwise my conscience won't rest easy. Your medical skill is superb, yet we were rude yesterday—we were at fault. We've come specially today to make amends. I hope you won't refuse. You absolutely must accept them."

Su Fuling said, "Really, there's no need. I'm not angry."

"In that case, all the more reason to accept them, Doctor Su."

Su Fuling thought it over. With such a grand display, it would be quite rude to just send them away. "How about this: I can't accept the other valuable gifts, but the food can stay. As for the banner... I'll accept the banner." Anyway, she had no plans to hang it up now. This was all vanity earned through the system's abilities...

"I have my own rules here—I can't accept valuable gifts. If you want to thank me, next time you can recommend friends to come for treatment... Whoever I treat, if they're not sick, it's best not to come. And the checkups aren't a hundred percent accurate either."

Seeing that Su Fuling was truly this insistent and not just pretending, Sun Zhonghao couldn't help but sigh with emotion. Truly, a genuine master was different—indifferent to fame and fortune. It was those charlatans with no real ability who used every trick to wallow in the world of fame and gain.

"Since Doctor Su insists, I'll have to take them back."

Sun Zhonghao took back the designer bags and jewelry he'd bought, leaving only the food. But among the food was a ginseng root.

"It was prepared in haste—only this one of fifty years' vintage. Doctor Su, with your superb medical skills, you should be able to put it to use."

Su Fuling: "..."

So this is what rich people are like?

She didn't know much about other things, but she understood medicinal herbs. A ginseng root several decades old was extremely rare to her. She had only ever seen one once—and even then just a small sliver, cut off and placed in a critically ill patient's mouth to buy enough time to save their life. Her father had produced that piece; she had no idea where he'd gotten it. Only a tiny bit remained, and it was exceedingly precious.

Seeing the ginseng, Su Fuling thought of her father.

Something this precious, she naturally couldn't accept. "Keep it for yourself. In a critical moment, this can save a life. I appreciate your kind intentions, but my family elders have rules—one doesn't accept rewards without merit. Please don't make things difficult for me."

"So it's a family tradition passed down through generations. Then I can't make things difficult for you." Sun Zhonghao quickly agreed, inwardly musing: So Doctor Su's family really does have a deep medical heritage. No wonder they raised such an outstanding person. I wonder if her family elders are even more formidable.

Having finished his business, Sun Zhonghao naturally didn't dare disturb Su Fuling further. But after some thought, he sat down anyway. "I'd still like to ask Doctor Su for a checkup."

The opportunity was rare, and since he was already here, he couldn't just leave.

Moreover, Sun Zhonghao had already made up his mind: from now on, he would be like He Li and bring the whole family for checkups every day.

Su Fuling: "..."

After an examination, Su Fuling smiled. "Mr. Sun's health is very good."

"Wonderful. Then, might my wife still be able to receive treatment at your clinic?"

Su Fuling said, "I think it's best she stays in bed and doesn't move. The hospital's treatment should be quite good. As for herbal medicine, after she's discharged she can come see me in person, and I'll adjust the prescription and dosage then."

"Well... I'm still a bit worried. Could Doctor Su possibly make a house call? We'll pay the house-call fee, and I can send a car to pick you up and drop you off." Sun Zhonghao was still anxious about his wife's safety.

Besides, relationships were built through continued contact. Since Doctor Su wouldn't accept gifts, he would engage with her more on business matters instead. Once he became her regular customer, he would naturally be different from everyone else.

Su Fuling had never made a house call before, but she felt this was something she could take on.

"I'm free after six in the afternoon."

Sun Zhonghao smiled. "That's wonderful. Thank you, Doctor Su. I'll pick you up this afternoon."

Su Fuling said, "Pick me up at the Su Family Clinic on West Second Street then."

Sun Zhonghao left thoroughly satisfied, leaving those remaining to chatter among themselves. Looking at Doctor Su now, everyone felt she was wrapped in a veil of mystery.

Some who had watched the commotion yesterday recounted how the family of three had distrusted Doctor Su, yet first thing this morning they'd come bearing gifts and apologies. Doctor Su was simply too amazing.

"That checkup—could it really be that miraculous?" someone muttered, itching to try.

And so when people came for consultations, they also inquired about the checkup.

Su Fuling said, "This really isn't a hundred percent accurate; it's not something you must do. And to get a checkup, you have to accept treatment first. If you don't want to take the medicine I prescribe, there's no way to treat you."

Someone nearby chimed in, "That's true. That rich man just now was the same way yesterday."

Hearing this, the patients began to hesitate.

Su Fuling said, "You really don't need to do it."

While the patient was still wavering, another voice called from the doorway, "Doctor Su, we're back again."

He Li had brought her son and dragged Ding Lanxiang along.

Chen Shasha was surprised. "Auntie Li, why are you here again?" She'd noticed that Auntie Li really came every single day.

He Li smiled. "Of course! I get a checkup every day."

A checkup again!

The people queued for consultations all looked at He Li. Someone asked, "Is the checkup really that good? You have to do it daily?"

"Anyway, I think it's great." He Li said mysteriously, "You can try it yourselves."

Twenty Hong Kong dollars a session, with no instruments at all—just a few words for twenty dollars... What a rip-off. Some secretly did the math and couldn't bear to spend it no matter what. But what exactly did this checkup do?

They wanted so badly to try. Some were sorely tempted. Some were so curious that even after finishing their consultations, they didn't leave, lingering nearby to watch He Li and the others get their checkups.

When it was He Li's group's turn, everyone crowded around.

Su Fuling: "..."

Chen Shasha whispered to Zhao Facai, "Tell me, why is Doctor Su's checkup so miraculous?"

She wasn't stupid—judging by Mr. Sun's grand display today, Doctor Su must have hit the mark yesterday. So could one really judge from the body whether someone would fall that day?

Zhao Facai looked at Chen Shasha. "Your brother didn't tell you anything?"

"My brother told me to study medicine hard under Doctor Su."

"...See for yourself. This depends on insight—not just anyone can learn it." Zhao Facai once again put on his inscrutable act, which made Chen Shasha want to call him a fraud all over again.

Su Fuling glanced around and could only steel herself to perform the checkups.

Fortunately, everything went smoothly today. None of these three were mission targets, so nothing would go wrong. After taking their pulses, Su Fuling told them they were healthy today. "But you should still be careful in whatever you do. Don't be careless just because the checkup results are good. You need safety awareness at all times."

"Got it, Doctor Su. We'll definitely follow your instructions." He Li said happily. Her favorite thing each day now was hearing Doctor Su say the word "healthy"—it meant a whole day of peace and smooth sailing.

"Doctor Su, Ah Xiang's and my shop is about to open, just nearby. You must come show your support." He Li extended the invitation before leaving.

Su Fuling smiled. "Congratulations in advance. I'll definitely be there."

The three left in high spirits, leaving behind a somewhat dazed crowd.

So the checkup was this simple—simpler even than yesterday. Yesterday she'd at least told people what to watch out for; today she just casually took a pulse and that was it? And those three acted like they'd gotten a bargain, so delighted.

It felt like either they themselves were fools, or the others were.

So what magic did this checkup hold?

It made so many people—even the wealthy—willing to travel far and pay money for it. Yet from any angle, it didn't look like anything impressive at all.

This curiosity left many people itching to try. Only their family circumstances held them back from immediately pulling out money to test this checkup service.

But some had already begun scheming: one of these days, they absolutely had to give it a try.