Chapter 86: Old Master Qiao
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Many cardiovascular specialists gathered at the entrance of the Cleveland Clinic at 8a.m., hoping to meet the internally renowned Dr. Qiao.
Qiao Xuan's whereabouts were usually not publicized. It's only because he had invited a TCM doctor to treat his grandfather that many people knew that he'd be coming to the Cleveland Clinic. Many specialists came here in hopes of learning from Qiao Xuan.
Qiao Xuan and Lu Ying walked in front while Qiao Yue and Qiao Jing walked a few steps behind.
Qiao Yue couldn't help but raise her eyebrows when she saw the welcoming party.
"Hasn't the old master been staying at this hospital for a while? It's also not big brother's first time here, so why are these people so surprised?" Qiao Yue asked.
Qiao Jing's voice was flat when he said, "Big brother has always visited in private. His whereabouts were not known."
Qiao Yue nodded at Qiao Jing's explanation. Qiao Xuan's such a big shot. It would be quite troublesome if his whereabouts were known...
However, her big brother was indeed very popular; his welcoming party was impressive. Although Lu Ying was also well-known miracle-working doctor in C-Country, not many people knew about him overseas. After all, foreigners could not really understand TCM.
"You care a lot about big brother?" Qiao Jing asked suddenly.
Qiao Yue looked around and saw that only she and Qiao Jing were walking side by side. After ascertaining that Qiao Jing was asking her, she replied, "I think big brother is a good man. He's handsome and has good character. He's also kind and treats patients from all walks of life."
Qiao Jing stopped in his tracks. "Who's better? Him or me?"
"What?" Qiao Yue asked even when she heard Qiao Jing's question.
She seemed to have heard Qiao Jing ask her who was better – him or Qiao Xuan. She didn't expect him to ask such a question.
"It's nothing."
Qiao Jing replied calmly as if nothing had happened. He then quickened his pace and walked side by side with Qiao Xuan and Lu Ying.
Qiao Yue's eyes followed Qiao Jing as question marks popped up in her head. Did her brother take the wrong medicine today?
At the hospital entrance, Qiao Xuan greeted the crowd before he introduced Lu Ying.
Although Qiao Xuan intentions were good, Qiao Yue knew that the thing Lu Ying hated most was socializing. If she hadn't spread Lu Ying's name everywhere back then, he would have probably spent the rest of his life at a small hospital, living an unknown life.
It was obvious that when Lu Ying shook hands with the third person, his body had already started to stiffen. By the time he shook hands with the fifth person, his expression had become so cold, like he had just arrived from the north or south pole.
Qiao Jing could see the frustration in Lu Ying's face and interrupted Qiao Xuan.
The Qiao brothers were famous internationally, so even when Qiao Jing interrupted impolitely, no one said anything.
Surrounded by the crowd, they arrived at Old Master Qiao's ward.
Since the patient should not be disturbed, everyone said that they would wait outside. It was only when Qiao Xuan said that he would be staying at Cleveland Clinic for a while and was willing to give a lecture that the crowd dispersed.
Old Master Qiao was staying in a Class A ward, so it wasn't crowded even if all six of them entered.
As soon as they entered the ward, Qiao Yue's gaze was locked on the unconscious old man in the hospital bed.
His hair was white. Although his eyes were closed, he looked like a kind old man with tubes all over his body.
Qiao Yue looked through the tubes. The instruments were all top-notch. As the old man had been unconscious for a long time, he relied solely on intravenous fluids to meet his caloric and nutritional needs.
Lu Ying checked the old man's pulse and came to the same conclusion as Qiao Xuan – cerebral embolism and heart disease, which could be treated with surgery given Qiao Xuan's skills. But the old man has been in a coma, and no one dared to operate on him.
What they needed to do now was to wake the old man up from his coma and do the surgery after.
"Dr. Lu, please see if there's a way to wake up the old man first. We'll proceed with the next steps of treatment after." Qiao Xuan looked at his grandfather as he asked worriedly.
Qiao Jing's eyes were as worried as Qiao Xuan's. Qiao Yue thought to herself that Old Master Qiao must be really kind and loving old man that his two grandsons respected and loved him so much.
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Chapter 87: Uninvited Guest
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Lu Ying thought for a moment and decided to try to unclog the blood vessels in the patient's brain to wake him up as soon as possible. Lu Ying subconsciously looked at Qiao Yue and saw her daydreaming.
Lu Ying retracted his gaze, took out his acupuncture kit and placed it on the side table.
Just as everyone was holding their breath, waiting to see Lu Ying in action, the door to the ward was kicked open.
"Qiao Xuan, Qiao Jing! How dare you give your grandfather acupuncture without consent from the elders! Are you trying to kill your grandfather?"
The loud roar shocked everyone.
That included Qiao Yue. She turned around and saw a middle-aged man glaring angrily in the direction of the hospital bed.
Qiao Jing frowned and looked at the man with an icy gaze. Qiao Xuan's smile also disappeared, his expression as cold as Qiao Jing's.
Qiao Yue looked at the man with even more curiosity. It was not easy to make someone as good-tempered as her big brother change his attitude in an instant.
"Second uncle, Xiao Jing and I have always been in charge of grandpa's condition. What brings you here today?" Qiao Xuan's voice was cold.
"In charge? What can you two kids be in charge of?" The middle-aged man whom Qiao Xuan called second uncle sneered.
"Get out of here. I don't know where you got this quack doctor. Do you think it's so easy to scam people nowadays? How dare you just stick these needles into people? Quack doctors harm people!"
The middle-aged man spewed a string of curses, causing the veins on Lu Ying's forehead to pop. It was the first time he had been called a quack doctor in all his years of practice. He was ready to pack up and leave.
Qiao Yue quickly stopped Lu Ying. She gave him a look, smiled apologetically and said, "Miracle-working Dr. Lu, we know what you're capable of. Hurry up and treat the old master!"
Lu Ying was quite a stubborn person. He didn't have many pursuits in life. He had the skill to cure people and save lives. He didn't have to worry about food and clothing. All he wanted was to live a carefree life. What he hated most was people belittling him and mocking him. Coincidentally, this man had stepped on both his sore points.
Lu Ying's anger dissipated by half with Qiao Yue's coaxing. Lu Ying wouldn't have been able to see Qiao Yue gently coaxing someone if not for the fact that she was hiding her identity.
Seeing that the man was about to scold Lu Ying again, Qiao Jing blocked him by standing in front of Qiao Yue and Lu Ying.
"Get out." Qiao Jing's words sent chills down everyone's spine. It was as if a gust of cold wind had blown through the ward.
The middle-aged man was startled. His lips moved but no sound came out.
"Xiao Jing, how can you talk to your second uncle like that?" A woman's voice suddenly cut in, breaking the suffocating atmosphere in the ward.
Qiao Yue poked half her head out from behind Qiao Jing and looked towards the door. It was Qiao Jing's mother, her third uncle and his wife.
Seeing that he had support, her second uncle quickly ran to Qiao Jing's mother and complained.
"Sister-in-law, you have to control Xiao Jing. He doesn't care about me at all! He doesn't even know how to respect his elders."
This woman was Qiao Jing's mother after all. No matter how much Qiao Jing looked down on others, he always listened to his mother. His aggressive manner gradually subsided.
Qiao Xuan walked up to the incoming party with a smile on his face. Qiao Yue didn't know if it was an illusion, but she felt that Qiao Xuan's smile wasn't sincere.
"Mom, long time no see. What brings you here?"
First Madam Qiao's expression softened as she looked at her eldest son and said, "It's all because your brother insisted on letting someone else treat your grandfather. I've already objected to it, but he did it anyway."
Qiao Yue cocked an eyebrow. She didn't even know that there was an objection. And she was wondering why the Qiao family went along so easily when Qiao Jing said that he's bringing her to meet the old master.
Qiao Xuan kept his smile as he took all the blame. "Mom, this is not Xiao Jing's fault. I was the one who told him to find Dr. Lu as soon as possible and get him to treat Grandpa."
A hint of reprimand appeared on First Madam Qiao's face as she heard this. She didn't really want the old man to wake up and acknowledge Qiao Yue.
Although both her sons were very successful, the more assets they got, the better. Also, she felt uncomfortable whenever she saw Qiao Yue and didn't want him to return to the Qiao family.
"It's enough to have you treat your grandfather. Why do we need another doctor?"
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Chapter 88: What a Joke
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Qiao Xuan didn't answer his mother's question and started talking about something else.
"Mom, I'm the one who invited Dr. Lu here. If second uncle continues to make a scene here and other people saw us, wouldn't it embarrass the Qiao family?" Qiao Xuan's smile was warm, but his words were not.
First Madam Qiao thought what Qiao Xuan said made sense. She had heard about this miracle-working Dr. Lu back home. If word got out about today's fiasco, the Qiao family would become a laughingstock!
Besides, her sons were famous internationally. It was not worth it to have people gossiped about them over such a small matter.
First Madam Qiao's eyes swept the few people by the hospital bed. She frowned slightly when she saw Qiao Yue but didn't say anything and turned to leave.
Although First Madam Qiao had silently endorsed Qiao Xuan's decision to have Dr. Lu treat the old master, it didn't mean that the others agreed.
The middle-aged man shouted unhappily, "Sister-in-law, you can't indulge your children like this! If Dr. Lu couldn't cure father and made his conditions worse, who's going to be responsible?"
"It'll be on me." Qiao Jing said.
Perhaps it was because of Qiao Jing's cold aura, as soon as he spoke again, the temperature in the room dropped to zero.
"How? If you let this random person treat your grandfather, are you going to pay for your grandfather's life if he can't be cured?" The man continued to argue.
Although the man looked like he was concerned about the old master, his real intention was probably to make sure that the old master didn't wake up.
Qiao Yue sized up her second uncle. The two brothers, Qiao Yu and Qiao Ze, were both so good-looking, but why was their father so fat that even his eyes couldn't be seen?
"I'll pay with my life. If Grandpa really doesn't wake up, I'll pay with my life."
Their second uncle didn't expect Qiao Jing to be so stubborn and was at a loss for words.
He could just be saying it and wouldn't really pay with his life if the old master didn't make it. However, Qiao Jing had always been a man of his word. Their second uncle was afraid that Qiao Jing would do as he said and escalate the matter, so he didn't continue the conversation.
Seeing her sons being driven into a corner, First Madam Qiao no longer sided with her brother-in-law and said, "Second brother, what are you saying? Dad has been in a coma, and it was Xiao Xuan and Xiao Jing who found a famous doctor to treat him. But you are now finding fault with them?"
"Sister-in. law, I didn't mean it like that. I just..." The second son of the Qiao family was a little embarrassed as he said this. His eyes darted around until he saw Qiao Yue when he started to point the finger at Qiao Yue.
"Sister-in-law, I just didn't want your two children to be conned. It hasn't been long since this kid from goodness knows where talked Xiao Jing into bringing him to see Grandpa. I've also heard that Xiao Jing and all haven't been able to find any miracle-working doctor. So, how did this kid manage to find one as soon as he arrived? How can there be such a coincidence?" The second son of the Qiao family rubbed his hands together and sneered.
Even though he just came up with this excuse, he thought he had found the perfect excuse.
The first madam didn't say anything this time. She had no problem if her brother-in-law picked on Qiao Yue instead. Or rather, she couldn't wait to have someone else get rid of Qiao Yue.
When Qiao Yue saw her second uncle look at her just now, she knew that she was going to be dragged into things again. As expected, the gun was now pointed at her.
Qiao Yue's lips curled into a mocking smile as she said, "If it's like what you said – I found a miracle-working doctor when I came to the Qiao family, I should be the lucky star of the family! If the old master wakes up, would I become the savior of the Qiao family? The family would put me on an altar and worship me?"
"How can dad wake up?" Her second uncle quickly retorted. But he felt that he had spoken too quickly and added, "What I mean is that you colluded with this so-called miracle-working doctor to deceive us. There's no such coincidence in the world. You must have heard that Xiao Jing was looking for a doctor and found an imposter."
His response made Qiao Yue burst into laughter. Whether or not one had actual skills would be known after a test. Their second uncle was trying all means to stop them, without even giving them a chance to prove it!
"This is the miracle-working doctor we're looking for, I am sure of it." Qiao Xuan said to his second uncle.
"Oh my, Xiao Xuan! You've running around overseas all year round. He could have been imitating the real person the whole time!"
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Chapter 89: Get Out
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
"We'll know once we try. Why does second uncle keep stopping us?"
Qiao Xuan's question hit the nail on the head. Their second uncle's expression froze as he shouted at the top of his voice, "Xiao Xuan, that's easy for you to say. If there's really a problem when we try, your elders will be the ones bearing the infamy of being unfilial. As for that brat who came from god-knows-where, quickly get him out of here. He shouldn't even be here."
Their second uncle's words sounded like a bluff because his voice was shrill from irascibility.
Qiao Yue frowned impatiently. It seemed that this person was determined to find trouble with her.
But before Qiao Yue could say anything, Qiao Jing was already standing in front of her.
"Get out."
"What?" Their second uncle's eyes widened. He didn't expect Qiao Jing to say something so rude.
Qiao Jing didn't repeat himself and said coldly instead, "I was the one who brought Qiao Yue home. Where he goes is none of your concern."
Qiao Jing's words were not only directed at their second uncle as he turned his gaze to the third madam Qiao.
The third madam Qiao couldn't help but take two steps back in fear when her eyes met Qiao Jing's.
"Qiao Jing, how can you speak to your elders like that? Do you still have any manners?" He was frightened by Qiao Jing at first, but then he realized that he had been humiliated by a younger Qiao and roared with a red face.
Qiao Jing blocked Qiao Yue from their view completely as he spoke, not giving them the slightest chance to attack Qiao Yue.
Qiao Yue looked at Qiao Jing's back with a troubled expression. She could handle such a small matter.
The most important thing now was to get these people out of the ward so that Dr. Lu could treat the old master. Since they couldn't be reasoned with, she should just break their bones and see if they still want to meddle in other people's business.
"Shut up. I'll say it one last time. Get out!" There was a hint of impatience in Qiao Jing's cold eyes.
The disapproving words that their second uncle was about to say were stuck in his throat like a fishbone.
He thought about the consequences of offending Qiao Jing. Although his Qiao Ze was an international superstar, he was not in business like Qiao Jing. Qiao Ze's company and his exposure outside the country all required support from Qiao Jing. If he really pissed off Qiao Jing, Qiao Jing could withdraw his investment and Qiao Ze's career would be over.
The second son of the Qiao family let go of his clenched fists and looked at First Madam Qiao. Seeing that the woman had no reaction, he knew that no one would help him now and left angrily.
He even slammed the door when he left the ward.
Everyone's eyes turned to Third Madam Qiao after their second uncle left. This woman had always been good at reading people. She knew that it wasn't her place to speak now, so she left silently.
"Mom, let's go out too!" Qiao Xuan said to First Madam Qiao, his usual gentle demeanor returning.
"What? Me too?" First Madam Qiao asked in disbelief.
"Doctors need a quiet environment when treating patients. Let's wait outside."
First Madam Qiao looked at Lu Ying with distrustful eyes, and then at her eldest son. After a moment, she caved under her eldest son's determined gaze.
When they were near the door, Qiao Jing saw Qiao Yue following them from the corner of his eye. He stopped, turned around and said, "You stay here."
"What?"
"What?"
The same question was asked at the same time by Qiao Yue and First Madam Qiao.
"If you go out, second uncle will make a fuss. You stay here and help Dr. Lu." Qiao Jing said calmly.
"Xiao Jing, this..." First Madam Qiao wanted to say something but was stopped by Qiao Xuan.
He could tell that his younger brother was already very impatient. This matter concerned their grandfather's condition. If Qiao Jing was provoked further, he might really take action against the two families who were making trouble. After all, they still lived under the same roof, and it was never a good thing to make things too awkward.
Qiao Yue looked up at Qiao Jing. The worry in Qiao Jing's eyes swept away her anger from being mocked by their second uncle.
"Alright, I'll follow second brother's instructions."
For some reason, Qiao Jing avoided Qiao Yue's eyes and exited the ward with a grunt.
Qiao Xuan and First Madam Qiao left soon after. Before the door closed completely, Qiao Yue heard their second uncle's questioning voice. "How could you leave that wild child and a quack doctor from god-knows-where in there?"
Qiao Yue raised her eyebrows. Her second uncle kept calling Lu Ying a fraud. Did he really think that Lu Ying had no temper?
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Chapter 90: Treating a Patient
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
After the door closed completely, Qiao Yue and Lu Ying looked at each other.
"Has Qiao Jing found out?" Lu Ying asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Found what out?" Qiao Yue walked back to the hospital bed.
"Found out that you are also teacher's disciple." Lu Ying made room for Qiao Yue to take the old master's pulse.
"Why do you say that?" Qiao Yue asked.
Qiao Yue frowned as she took the old master's pulse. She felt that it was a little strange. It seemed that other than the brain and heart problems, he was also showing signs of organ failure. His symptoms felt different from other coma patients who hadn't eaten for a long time. They seemed to be drug-induced.
"I feel so." Lu Ying replied nonchalantly.
Qiao Yue teased, "A big man like you have feelings? Sixth sense?"
TCM medicine emphasized on seeing, listening, asking and feeling. Qiao Yue examined the old master after checking his pulse and said seriously, "Did you notice other abnormalities when you checked his pulse just now?"
Lu Ying became serious when he heard Qiao Yue's question. "Yes, but I didn't dare to say anything."
The two of them said concurrently as their eyes met, "Organ failure."
The two of them then turned their eyes to the old master's IV drip.
"Things could be a little complicated so I thought it's better to avoid more trouble," said Lu Ying.
Qiao Yue immediately removed the old master's IV.
"Start inserting needles! You help to clear the old master's meridians first, I'll take care of his head and heart."
"Alright," he said.
As the old master had been in a coma for a long time, the acupoints where Qiao Yue had to insert needles were dangerous places. Even an experienced practitioner like Lu Ying wouldn't attempt it. It was obvious how precise Qiao Yue's technique was.
Ten minutes later, Lu Ying had cleared the old master's meridians and protected his major organs with acupuncture. Qiao Yue then began.
Lu Ying's expression was grave as he watched Qiao Yue insert threaded needles into the old master. Time passed and Lu Ying's fists were clenched. Most comatose patients would have reacted in some way after Qiao Yue inserted so many needles, but Old Master Qiao had no reaction.
"Qiao Yue?" Lu Ying couldn't help but exclaim when he saw Qiao Yue take out an extremely thin silver needle.
Qiao Yue knew why Lu Ying was surprised and said calmly, "We have to try. If the old master doesn't wake up, we'd still be nuisance."
Qiao Yue was about to insert the needle in the baihui acupoint, which would stimulate the brain and had a calming effect on the heart and mind. Qiao Yue took out the thinnest needle and indicated that she would insert the needle a little deeper this time. This acupoint went directly to the brain. Any mistakes would put the patient's life at risk.
When Lu Ying heard Qiao Yue's words, he knew that she wouldn't listen no matter what he said. Once Qiao Yue made up her mind, nothing could sway her. He would only add to her burden if he said anything more.
Half an hour passed, and Qiao Yue started to worry. She didn't know if she had done the right thing.
After what seemed like a few seconds but also a long time, Old Master Qiao's eyelids started to twitch lightly.
Qiao Yue gestured to Lu Ying to hold the old man's body still. Once the old master woke up, he would feel pain. Any movement would affect the threaded needles and all their efforts would be in vain.
Just as Qiao Yue had expected, the old master's body started to move a moment later. Fortunately, he was held still by Lu Ying, so nothing happened. Then, Old Master Qiao's head also started to move, but Qiao Yue held it in place with both hands.
A while later, Old Master Qiao's eyelids fluttered, and he woke up.
As he had just woken up, the old master's eyes were a little cloudy as if he had to think for a moment before he realized where he was.
"Old master, you're awake." Qiao Yue said when she saw the old man's eyes focus.
Old Master Qiao's eyes followed the voice. The moment the two looked at each other, Qiao Yue saw the shock in Old Master Qiao's eyes.
"Xiao Qing?" Old Master Qiao's voice trembled. He reached out to touch Qiao Yue but was stopped by Lu Ying.
Qiao Yue frowned and said in the simplest language, "Old master, I'm Qiao Yue, Qiao Qing's son. Dr. Lu is performing acupuncture on you now, please don't move."
The patient had just woken up. Other than staying still, he also shouldn't become agitated. These would compromise the effects of acupuncture.
When the old master heard this, he understood his current situation and tried to calm himself down. But his eyes were fixed on Qiao Yue.
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