"Mom, you've been praising Dr. Du so much on the way, calling him a living Hua Tuo. Is he really that good?"
In front of the traditional Chinese medicine clinic, a woman in her thirties looked at her mother with disbelief.
"Xiao Li, do you think Mom has been scammed? Oh well, I can't be bothered to argue with you. Didn't you say you've been to the hospital several times for your stomach pain and it hasn't gotten better? When we get to Dr. Du's, he'll diagnose it in less than a minute."
Seeing her daughter's skepticism, her mother said no more.
As the two walked forward, they saw a long queue forming from a distance.
"Oh, Sister Zhang, you're here?"
As they got closer, someone immediately greeted the woman's mother.
Then, her mother chatted with her with a smile.
"See? So many people are here to see Dr. Du."
Xiao Li's mother pointed to the people queuing.
"So many people are here to see Dr. Du?"
Xiao Li was a bit surprised to hear her mother say that.
Jianghua Street was considered a rather run-down area in the old town.
Most of the people living here were migrant workers or those with poor family backgrounds.
If Dr. Du was truly the divine doctor her mother claimed, why wouldn't he open a clinic in a wealthier area with more affluent people?
He probably assumed that the people here were less educated and easier to fool.
Xiao Li voiced her doubts.
However, before she could finish, her mother covered her mouth.
"Mmmph mmmph mmmph," Xiao Li struggled to pull her mother's hand away. "Mom, why are you covering my mouth?"
Her mother looked around, and seeing that no one was watching them, she said nervously, "Daughter, you mustn't speak carelessly, understand!"
"Dr. Du is like a living Bodhisattva around here. Many people have benefited from him. He only charges the basic cost of herbs for most patients, and for those who are truly struggling, Dr. Du even gives them free medicine."
"And he often makes house calls to elderly or infirm patients who have difficulty getting around or cannot come for other special reasons."
"You say such things about a doctor like him, and you even call him a fraud at his clinic? Be careful you don't get beaten! I'm afraid you'll bring trouble upon yourself by speaking so recklessly, understand!"
Upon hearing her mother's words, Xiao Li's expression turned a little fearful.
Even if she still had some doubts about the unseen Dr. Du's medical skills, if what her mother had just said was true, then he was indeed a great doctor dedicated to healing the world.
Although many people were ahead of them, it was their turn within ten minutes.
As Xiao Li approached, she saw the Dr. Du, whom her mother described as having miraculous healing hands and divine medical skills, looked to be only in his early twenties. She was astonished.
"Daughter, daughter!"
"Huh? Mom, what is it?"
Called by her mother several times, Xiao Li finally snapped back to attention.
"Dr. Du has diagnosed you. We can get the medicine and leave."
Her mother said and pulled Xiao Li to her feet.
"Mom? We're leaving already? I haven't even told the patient my condition yet. What kind of consultation is this?"
If it weren't for her mother mentioning Dr. Du's deeds outside, Xiao Li would have directly called Du Fei a fraud.
What doctor prescribes medicine without even asking about the patient's condition or conducting any examination? It was absurd.
"Oh, if Dr. Du says there's no problem, then there's definitely no problem."
Her mother felt embarrassed by the stares of the people around them and immediately pulled Xiao Li to get her medicine.
At this moment, Du Fei, who had been looking down, raised his head and said to Xiao Li, "For the past six months, you've had a poor appetite, and you often feel nauseous and have a burning sensation. You especially can't eat spicy food. Every time you do, your stomach cramps with pain."
"You, how do you know so clearly?"
Xiao Li's mouth dropped open, wide enough to fit a fist, as she listened to Du Fei.
Damn it, this was too miraculous. Xiao Li thought, could this Du Fei be a worm in her stomach, describing her condition so accurately?
It seemed her mother hadn't lied to her. This Dr. Du was truly skilled.
"Alright, next patient."
Ignoring Xiao Li's look of disbelief, Du Fei spoke directly.
Her mother repeatedly apologized for Xiao Li delaying Du Fei from seeing other patients, and quickly pulled Xiao Li away.
"Mom, this Dr. Du is really amazing. But I'm curious, don't TCM doctors on TV usually feel the patient's pulse? He didn't even extend his hand and already knew my condition?"
Xiao Li was pulled aside by her mother and continued to stare at Du Fei, then asked her mother.
Her mother smiled and said, "It's your first time here. Look at others; they're all used to it. Dr. Du has always treated patients this way."
Then, she took Xiao Li to pay for the medicine and leave the clinic.
...
"Miraculous Hands? That's a rather bold name for a TCM clinic."
Holding onto the hope of a last resort, Zhang Zhitao, armed with the address Wang Qiyang had given him, arrived at Jianghua Street and found the TCM clinic he mentioned.
However, upon seeing the clinic's plaque, he felt the owner had an overly confident tone.
"Bold? You look like a first-timer."
"Exactly! Dr. Du's medical skills are comparable to Hua Tuo reborn. How can you call that bold?"
"Since you're here to see a doctor, don't act like that. Even if Dr. Du doesn't mind, we won't tolerate it."
Zhang Zhitao never expected that his mere mumbling would draw an immediate backlash from the surrounding crowd.
Regardless of Dr. Du's medical skills, he seemed to hold a very high status among the people here.
Just for a brief complaint, he was immediately criticized by everyone around him, and some of them even looked at him with unfriendly eyes.
However, seeing that their attire was very ordinary, Zhang Zhitao told himself that he was a section chief, and it wasn't worth bothering with these people.
So, he stood at the back of the queue and lined up like everyone else.
"Excuse me, everyone. Dr. Du has to go nearby to see an elderly patient who has difficulty moving. You don't need to queue anymore."
A burly man with a loud voice came out of the TCM clinic and announced to the queuing crowd.
"Oh dear, I forgot today is Tuesday. Every Tuesday and Friday afternoon, Dr. Du makes time to see elderly patients in the neighborhood."
"It's only because Dr. Du is kind-hearted. Otherwise, with his skills, he would have earned so much money by opening a clinic in the city."
"That's right. I heard that a wealthy tycoon once offered Dr. Du ten million yuan to partner with him in opening a clinic in the city, but Dr. Du refused directly."
"Let's go, let's go. We'll come back tomorrow."
Not a single person in the queue complained. In a short while, they all dispersed one by one.