He had barely walked a short distance when he suddenly turned back."Xiao Jiang, be careful. When my father was alive, Baikang Hospital across the street often sent people to harass us. You're alone here—if Baikang sends anyone to make trouble, don't argue with them. Good shoes shouldn't step in filth. Just call the police directly."With that, Jiang Jianxin left.
Lin Feng waited the whole morning. Only two people came in:One woman asked for directions; one middle-aged man bought twenty umbrellas.
In the afternoon, things improved a little: ten people came in total.He sold several boxes of fever reducers and sleeping pills, and wrote two cough-medicine scripts.Even so, the total take didn't reach two hundred yuan, and profit was out of the question.
After closing time, Jiang Yan drove over to pick him up.On the way home, Lin Feng asked, "Sister Yan, do you believe X-ray vision exists?""No.""I have it.""Really? If so, start doing early tumor screening and you'll be rich."She reached over to feel his forehead. "No fever?""No. Sister Yan, cover your left hand with your head. Through your head I can tell how many fingers you're holding up.""You're full of it," she snorted—and held up three fingers."Three," Lin Feng said.Startled, she glanced at him and switched to one finger."One—ring finger."A bit shaken, she glared and curled her hand into a fist. "How many now?""Zero—little pink fist clenched.""What? It's true?" Jiang Yan gasped."True. I discovered it yesterday while rescuing you."Her cheeks warmed. She feigned annoyance. "Were you peeking at me then?""My sight blurs as soon as there's a layer of clothing."She flicked his temple with a finger. "Twisting tongue twisters with me? My clothes were—weren't you the one who…""Sister Yan, I only… looked a few minutes, didn't dare more.""A few minutes aren't enough—you wanted a few hours?"She raised her hand as if to smack him; when it landed on his cheek it became a gentle caress. "Xiaofeng, I can contact post-op patients to come to the clinic for follow-ups.""Will they trust me?""I run a patient group. I'll post a notice tonight!"
Back home, after washing up, Jiang Yan climbed into bed, propped herself against the headboard, and took out her phone.Lin Feng hovered near the bedside, craning to see but not daring to come closer.She looked up with a smile and patted the quilt beside her. "You've been so well-behaved—special pardon granted. Come look together."He lay down next to her, a little nervous.First time lying side-by-side with a woman—and the beauty he'd long admired. His heart sped up.What a feeling. Compared with Wei Wandan, who made a production out of even holding hands, Sister Yan was generous and genuine.
"Eyes up here," Jiang Yan suddenly scolded, tugging the blanket higher to hide the most alluring curve at her waist and hips.Then her fingers flew across the screen as she typed a group announcement:"Anyone need a tumor re-check? I've arranged for a TCM doctor to do free consults at Jiangnan Clinic tomorrow morning—only a friendship price of 50 yuan per person. Reply to sign up."
The post drew instant responses."Head Nurse Liu, my right hand's gone numb these days—am I having another stroke? I'll come tomorrow.""Group owner, any doctor you recommend I'll trust.""Sister Yan, if it's only 50, I'll definately come. Baikang fleeced me last time!"
Sign-ups surged—over forty quickly.Watching for a while, Lin Feng grew drowsy. After a day of worry, his mind finally eased. The faint, curious fragrance from Jiang Yan's body made him comfortable, and sleep washed over him.Hearing his soft snores, Jiang Yan turned and saw he was out cold. She nudged him gently."Xiaofeng, get up—go to your room."He didn't move; his snoring deepened.Smiling, she pulled a blanket over him and closed her eyes to sleep as well.
New place, light sleep. Lin Feng woke to find Jiang Yan beside him, sleeping sweetly, a smile at her lips, an arm across her chest, long black hair spilled on the white pillow, a blanket rising and falling at her waist.His first time seeing a beauty asleep up close—no wonder men want pretty wives; the quality of night life surpasses the day.
He gently laid a hand on her waist—so soft.If only he dared hold her.He didn't; instead his gaze wandered shamelessly along that curve. He suddenly remembered removing her mole.Did she have other marks?He lifted the hem of her top a little.Around the waist—nothing.Elsewhere he didn't dare, afraid to wake her.He checked her neck, her arms; when his eyes reached her feet, he spotted a scar on the instep—about the size of a lens, likely from a burn.No wonder she always wore thick socks—to hide it.
He raised his golden finger. If it could remove moles, could it remove scars?Please let it work.He gently straightened her foot and stroked the scar.Gradually, it faded.Her instep turned clear and smooth, not a trace left.Good! Better than he'd hoped.Surely she'd be happy—and she wouldn't blame him. Last time she never brought up the mole; tacit approval.Another big favor—at least some repayment.
He admired it for a while, kissed a strand of her hair, then slipped off the bed and back to his room.
In the morning, as Jiang Yan pulled on her socks, she noticed the change.Heavens—he'd worked on her again last night!They say a woman's feet and a carpenter's ax are not for outsiders to touch—yet he'd handled them plenty.Wicked boy.Her heart thumped—angry, happy, flushed. She tiptoed to Lin Feng's door and peered through a crack.He slept like a log, snoring.Tenderness stirred. Business had been poor yesterday; he'd stewed all day. She'd make him something good.
She remembered he'd once had eight-treasure porridge and loved it.In the kitchen she set rice, millet, black rice, coix, mung beans, sesame, red beans—plus a few big red dates—to simmer into a fragrant pot.
At breakfast, neither mentioned the night. After eating, they hurried to the clinic.Good grief—A crowd already ringed the door.
As Jiang Yan unlocked, she introduced Lin Feng. To her surprise, grumbling rose at once:"So young? Can he treat anything?""In TCM, age brings skill!"
Brimming with confidence, Lin Feng didn't respond. He walked straight to the desk and sat. "Sister Yan, let's begin.""First up—'Stable-Horse'!" Jiang Yan called.
A man of seventy-odd stepped forward. "Doctor Jiang, how do you examine?""By pulse."He sneered. "Pulse for an internal exam? Obvious fraud, isn't it, folks?"Many chimed in. He shooed his hand. "Disperse, disperse!"
He turned to leave; the crowd followed.
"Wait!"Lin Feng rose behind the desk and called out loudly.