The clinic opened, and patients began pouring in.

Since several days had passed without treatment, many villagers had fallen ill. People suffering from various ailments, not just colds or flu, flocked to the clinic, eager to seize the opportunity to be seen by a doctor while they were in the village.

It didn’t take long before the main hall was packed with people. Of course, there were also those who were simply there to watch the excitement, including Uncle Wei, who had returned to the village the previous night.

The three doctors were lined up, and once again, Li Shengli took charge of triaging the patients.

As before, most people gathered in front of Zhao Huanzhang. After all, his reputation, built over years of practice, wasn’t something that faded easily.

Shen Congyun also had a decent number of patients. Everyone knew that Doctor Shen had skill, but his temper wasn’t the best. Wait, why did he suddenly smile? That smile was a bit scary; even the children started crying. Forget it; better go to Zhao Huanzhang!

As for Gao-Yuan, fewer people lined up in front of him.

Uncle Wei, feeling much better after a good night’s sleep, was now strolling around the hall with his hands in his pockets, watching the show. As he wandered, he spotted his older brother, Wei Lao’er, also here to see the doctor, pushing his way toward Zhao Huanzhang’s crowded area.

“Hey, hey, Lao’er!” Uncle Wei called out, grabbing his brother’s arm.

“What’s up?” Wei Lao’er asked.

Uncle Wei pointed toward Gao-Yuan. “Go over there and line up. Let Gao-Yuan treat you.”

Wei Lao’er frowned. “I know Gao-Yuan is a good lad, but I’m here to get medical treatment. With Zhao Huanzhang in the village, why would I go to anyone else?”

Uncle Wei sighed, “You don’t get it, do you? I’m telling you this because we’re family. Zhao Huanzhang... he’s no longer up to the task.”

“What? He’s not up to it anymore.” Wei Lao’er was shocked.

“When did this happen?” A villager standing in front of Wei Lao’er turned around, intrigued.

Uncle Wei suddenly felt a bit flustered as he realized that everyone nearby was now looking at him with wide eyes.

“I mean, his skills have declined,” Uncle Wei explained.

The others exchanged meaningful glances, clearly skeptical.

“I’m telling the truth!” Uncle Wei declared confidently.

Wei Lao’er, however, remained unconvinced. “If you said Zhao Huanzhang’s getting old, I might believe you. But saying his medical skills aren’t any good? What, has he forgotten everything?”

Uncle Wei clarified, “What I’m saying is, Gao-Yuan is much better than Zhao Huanzhang now. Yesterday, I was in terrible shape, and it took both Degui and the village secretary to help me walk to the township. Even after Doctor Shen prescribed me medicine, it didn’t help at all.”

“Zhao Huanzhang also took a look at me and said I’d need to take medicine for ten days to half a month. But then Gao-Yuan stepped in. He gave me just one dose of medicine, and I was completely fine! I even walked home by myself last night. After a good night’s sleep, I feel perfectly fine today.”

The surrounding villagers stared at Uncle Wei in astonishment, then turned their gaze toward Gao-Yuan.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Uncle Wei continued, “And that’s not all! Yesterday, I overheard at the clinic that Gao-Yuan saved two children who were on the brink of death. Do you know why the pharmaceutical company was willing to give us so much medicine on credit? It’s because Gao-Yuan saved the company leader’s grandson. That kid was almost dead, but after taking just one dose of medicine from Gao-Yuan, he was up and running, back to school.”

The crowd was dumbfounded, unable to believe what they were hearing.

Wei Lao’er, without saying another word, immediately rushed toward Gao-Yuan’s line.

Someone grabbed him along the way, asking, “Wait, you’re not going to see Zhao Huanzhang anymore?”

Wei Lao’er replied, “You don’t understand. Gao-Yuan is the real deal. As long as you’ve got one breath left in you, he can save your life!”

“What?!” the man gasped. “Can he bring people back from the dead?”

And so, the rumor began to spread and grow more exaggerated: “What? As long as the body isn’t buried yet, Gao-Yuan can bring them back to life.”

“What? Even after burial?”

The village’s mortician had already grabbed his hoe and was heading to the graveyard.

…

Meanwhile, as Zhao Huanzhang continued treating patients, he suddenly looked up and realized that there were far fewer people in line.

He stood there, frozen for several seconds, wondering if he had somehow sped through his treatments too quickly.

Then he glanced over and saw that a long line had formed in front of Gao-Yuan.

“Why are they all over there?” Zhao Huanzhang muttered puzzled.

The old man in front of him said, “Doctor Zhao, they’re saying you’re not up to it anymore.”

“What?” Zhao Huanzhang was dumbfounded.

The old man added, “Of course, I don’t believe it. You’re not that old.”

“Huh?” Zhao Huanzhang was utterly confused, completely unaware that the rumors had spiraled out of control.

Just then, a frantic couple burst into the main hall, carrying a child. They rushed in, shouting, “Doctor! Doctor! Help! Please, someone save our child! Let us through!”

Hearing cries for help, Zhao Huanzhang instinctively looked toward Gao-Yuan.

Shen Congyun and Li Shengli also glanced at Gao-Yuan.

The couple squeezed through the crowd, and seeing the scene, they rushed straight to Zhao Huanzhang, placing the child in front of him and pleading, “Doctor Zhao, save our child!”

“What’s wrong?” Zhao Huanzhang asked urgently.

“Our child, he’s—” The mother was so distraught that she could barely form a sentence.

Zhao Huanzhang took one look at the child. The boy’s breathing was labored, his face had turned blue, and he was thrashing about in agitation, barely conscious.

After a brief examination, Zhao Huanzhang took a sharp breath. Without hesitation, he said decisively, “Quick, give me the child!”

His swift response gave the parents a glimmer of hope. Without a second thought, the mother handed the child over to Zhao Huanzhang.

Zhao Huanzhang took the child, then stood up abruptly, sending his chair flying across the room. Without a moment's delay, he turned and rushed toward Gao-Yuan, shouting, “Doctor Gao, save this child!”

The entire hall was left in stunned silence.

They had expected Zhao Huanzhang to spring into action with the determination to save the day. But instead, he passed the responsibility on to someone else. This sudden twist left everyone dumbfounded.

Even the child’s parents didn’t understand what was happening.

The old man who had insisted that Zhao Huanzhang was still capable was now staring in disbelief.

“What’s going on?” Gao-Yuan quickly stood up and took the child from Zhao Huanzhang. After a quick examination, he said, “Check the temperature.”

Li Shengli, after checking the thermometer, reported, “The fever’s at 39.7°C.”

Zhao Huanzhang, listening through his stethoscope, told Gao-Yuan, “There’s a lot of wheezing throughout the lungs and a dull sound in the left lower lung. It’s pneumonia.”

Gao-Yuan finished his pulse diagnosis and said, “The pulse is rapid and floating. The heart rate is already over 160 beats per minute. It’s severe!”

Zhao Huanzhang swallowed nervously. One of his greatest fears was treating severe cases. He anxiously looked at Gao-Yuan.

Gao-Yuan turned to the child’s parents and asked, “How did this start? When did the fever begin?”

The parents looked back at Zhao Huanzhang.

Zhao Huanzhang, growing impatient, urged them, “Why are you looking at me? Just tell us!”

The mother stammered, “Oh, it started last night. With so many people catching colds recently, I was afraid he had caught it too, so I gave him a bowl of hot soup and bundled him up to sweat it out.”

“I left for just a moment, and then the neighbor’s kid came over to play. He was sweating under the covers but ran outside to play. Maybe that’s when he caught a chill. He started running a fever last night. When I heard doctors were here in the village, I rushed over.”

Gao-Yuan nodded. He recognized the couple; they were from the neighboring village, the next stop on their rounds.

The father, worried sick, pleaded with Zhao Huanzhang, “Doctor Zhao, how is our child? Can he still be saved? Please, Doctor Zhao, do something to save him!”

Zhao Huanzhang, flustered, turned to Gao-Yuan and said, “Yes, Doctor Gao, you have to save him!”

“Huh?” The father was completely confused now.