Dong Yuanzhong glanced at the glistening, oily braised pork. He was truly craving it!
He was doing very well now, but his food and drink were being controlled. He couldn't even eat braised pork whenever he wanted; he was only allowed it once a week.
Sometimes, he wondered if all these years had been in vain.
Otherwise, why, after striving for most of his life, could he still not eat the fatty meat he desired?
"Grandpa Dong, you must listen to the doctor," Su Xiaotian couldn't help but say, suppressing a smile.
Who would have thought that such a prominent figure would have such a side to him?
She looked so much like her Ninth Brother.
But Su Xiaotian could also tell that Dong Yuanzhong's health had been depleted when he was younger, and it wasn't very good.
The doctor's advice to take care of himself was reasonable.
Dong Yuanzhong's body appeared fine now, but it was likely due to old battle wounds that weren't treated promptly, leaving behind hidden troubles.
The doctor's recommendation for him to rest well was for his own good.
Su Xiaotian's mind raced, wondering if she could concoct a medicine to help condition Grandpa Dong's body.
However, the prerequisite was to take Grandpa Dong's pulse.
Grandpa Dong held an unusual status; he was an important figure with dedicated doctors attending to his health. Would he trust her medical skills?
Sometimes, Su Xiaotian also pondered that being young wasn't always an advantage. Many things she said wouldn't be believed, and many actions were inconvenient.
If she were attending university now, people would surely consider her words more carefully, wouldn't they?
"Old brother, your granddaughter must keep a close eye on you, right?" Dong Yuanzhong felt good being cared for by a young girl, so he chuckled and said to Grandpa Su.
Grandpa Su smiled but didn't say much.
His granddaughter was naturally wonderful, and she did manage him quite a bit, but it was all for his well-being.
That little padded jacket was so heartwarming!
If not for Dong Yuanzhong's special status, Grandpa Su would have surely boasted about her.
"My grandpa's health is better than Grandpa Dong's. Grandpa Dong, you must take good care of yourself!"
Su Xiaotian spoke again, even more directly.
Hearing this, Dong Yuanzhong was astonished. What could this little girl, so young, possibly discern?
"Little girl, you mustn't speak carelessly!" Dong Yuanzhong couldn't resist the urge to tease her.
Without a child in the house, so much fun was lost!
"Grandpa Dong, I've learned diagnosis by observation, listening, inquiry, and palpation from the doctor in the brigade. I can tell a little!" Su Xiaotian continued to bluff.
Hearing this, the Su family members didn't react much.
This undoubtedly made Dong Yuanzhong believe that Su Xiaotian truly had studied medicine.
However, he wasn't sure how capable a barefoot doctor from a rural area could be.
But the bodyguard thought differently. The person taking care of their leader's health now was a doctor from a major hospital, highly skilled, trained in Western medicine, and capable of performing surgery!
This little girl, after learning from a barefoot doctor for a few days, thought she knew medicine?
Showing off in front of an expert!
"Little girl, our leader's health is under Dr. Wu's care. As long as he pays attention to his diet, he'll live a hundred years," the bodyguard said, sounding unconvinced.
Su Xiaotian smiled upon hearing the bodyguard's words.
Su Xiaotian's smile was quite provoking, at least in the eyes of the bodyguard.
"Grandpa Dong, I really know medicine!" Su Xiaotian insisted.
The bodyguard quickly interjected, "Leader, you mustn't listen to a little girl's nonsense. She's from the countryside, what skills could she have? Even if she studied medicine, could she be better than Dr. Wu?"
Dong Yuanzhong looked at his flustered bodyguard, but his expression turned somewhat stiff.
What was this kid saying? Couldn't he speak properly?
What did he mean by "from the countryside"?
What was wrong with being from the countryside?
He himself was from the countryside, and he didn't see himself as inferior to anyone!
Such a personality wouldn't do. He would suffer disadvantages in the army in the future.
The bodyguard had no idea that a careless remark had planted such a significant hidden danger for himself.
"Xiao Yuan, why are you in such a hurry? If you've eaten enough, go out and play!" Dong Yuanzhong's tone was neither heavy nor light.
The bodyguard, called Xiao Yuan, dared not speak further.
Firstly, he realized the leader was angry. Although he didn't know which specific sentence was wrong, he had definitely said something incorrect.
Secondly, the food today was so delicious, and he hadn't finished eating. He couldn't leave.
Of course, Xiao Yuan told himself that he wasn't leaving because he was worried Su Xiaotian would continue to fool the leader.
What if the leader was fooled into believing her and actually let Su Xiaotian diagnose him?
He had to keep an eye on things!
The Su brothers were annoyed by Xiao Yuan's behavior.
But since he was someone from the leader's household, they couldn't say anything.
Why did Grandpa Dong have such a person by his side?
So troublesome!
What was wrong with Xiao Tian saying a few words? Was she being outshone by that Dr. Wu?
He just didn't know how well Xiao Tian made medicines, which led to this thought.
Hmph!
Xiao Yuan didn't know he was being mentally criticized, but he knew he couldn't speak any further.
Fine, he'd just eat obediently. Others talked while he ate; he wasn't losing out!
He pricked up his ears to listen to the conversation between Su Xiaotian and Dong Yuanzhong, but he didn't forget to quickly move his chopsticks and eat the dishes.
He ate very quickly, worried that if he couldn't help but speak again, he might be asked to leave by the leader.
He should eat more, seize the time to eat more, so he wouldn't lose out!
"Xiao Tian, then can you tell me where my body is not well?" Dong Yuanzhong said with great interest.
That Dr. Wu, who dictated everything, wouldn't even let him eat what he liked. What was the point of living a hundred years?
As the elders said, life was for food and clothing!
Thinking this way, Dong Yuanzhong instantly felt that his life was truly meaningless.
He couldn't eat and drink freely, and there wasn't even a child loafing around at home!
It was incredibly dull!
Su Xiaotian stared at Dong Yuanzhong for a good two to three minutes.
Dong Yuanzhong became a little embarrassed by her gaze.
Grandpa Su quickly tried to smooth things over.
"Xiao Tian, stop fooling around and eat obediently! My granddaughter has been spoiled by me!"
Dong Yuanzhong, however, found the girl's serious demeanor quite amusing.
"It's alright, it's rare to have a little girl to talk to!"
Grandpa Su: ...
"Grandpa Dong, you were injured before, likely around this area of your chest. The wound hasn't fully healed, and there might still be a bullet fragment remaining in your body!"
As Su Xiaotian finished speaking, Xiao Yuan's chopsticks slipped, clattering onto the table.
How did this little girl know?
As a bodyguard, Xiao Yuan was the one who spent the most time with Dong Yuanzhong and knew his physical condition well.
But how did this little girl in front of him know?
Could it be that the little girl had planted someone in front of the leader?
Impossible!
Dong Yuanzhong didn't even bother to reprimand Xiao Yuan for his impoliteness.
He was also surprised how Su Xiaotian knew this. Could it really be seen just by looking?
Was diagnosis by observation, listening, inquiry, and palpation really that powerful?
[Author's Note]
This is the second chapter for today, delivered on time. Goodnight, everyone!