Chapter 14: Healing and Accumulating Merit
What he feared most was encountering those so-called “enthusiastic helpers,” the kind who feign knowledge yet know nothing, and who, far from providing any real assistance, might actually delay the best chance for rescue.
Yet, as fate would have it, such an “enthusiastic helper” appeared.
A young man named Li Chao, before the eyes of the crowd, dared to offer his own diagnosis of a heart attack patient, even claiming he could handle such a critical case himself.
Upon hearing this, the doctor was overcome with anger. He abruptly pushed Li Chao aside, ordered the nurses to treat the patient immediately, and paid no heed to Li Chao’s words.
Li Chao simply shook his head lightly, refraining from any further argument, and turned to leave.
He knew that, to these so-called professionals, his words were nothing but wind in their ears.
He never expected that his departure would soon bring about a miracle.
Shortly after Li Chao walked away, the elderly man lying on the ground slowly opened his eyes.
He stared in confusion for a few moments, then looked at the busy medical staff around him, a trace of astonishment flickering in his gaze.
He had no idea how he’d managed to slip free from death’s grasp.
But he knew one thing: he was still alive, and his body felt much better than before.
This scene left the medical staff present utterly stunned.
They could scarcely believe that the young man they had dismissed and even brushed aside had truly saved the patient’s life.
What shocked them even more was the astonishing speed at which the patient regained consciousness—a veritable miracle in medical terms.
At that moment, the doctor’s heart was filled with regret and admiration.
He reproached himself for not listening to Li Chao, for missing the best window for treatment; he admired Li Chao’s medical skill and courage, who could step forward at a critical moment and save a life.
Yet Li Chao, misunderstood and underestimated by all, had already vanished into the crowd.
He left neither his name nor accepted any thanks or gratitude.
For he knew he had merely done what ought to be done—something trivial and unremarkable.
Yet this so-called trivial act sent shockwaves through the county hospital.
People began to tell the story of the miraculous doctor, and his skill and virtue became the talk of the town.
The name Li Chao gradually became known and respected.
In the tense atmosphere of the county hospital’s emergency room, the elderly man who had been unconscious suddenly opened his eyes.
He looked around in confusion and saw a group of doctors and nurses busy at his bedside.
“I… did I just faint?” the old man asked, his voice weak.
“Yes, you suffered a sudden heart attack, but fortunately we arrived in time,” a nurse replied with a smile.
Yet, at that moment, the doctor felt somewhat awkward.
He recalled how he had earlier dismissed and pushed aside Li Chao, and unease crept into his heart.
The nurse at his side continued, “The patient did show signs of a heart attack, but the blocked artery has now been cleared, and he’s out of danger.”
Hearing this, the doctor froze.
It really was a heart attack? And the artery was cleared? Could the young man he had pushed aside truly have been a miracle doctor?
He looked around, hoping to catch sight of Li Chao, but the young man was nowhere to be found.
Regret filled his heart—he realized he had truly missed a miracle worker.
He could only sigh helplessly.
Now, he understood all too well that his arrogance and prejudice had nearly cost the old man his life.
Meanwhile, the mysterious doctor Li Chao had proven his skill and virtue through action.
The old man, upon learning he’d been saved by a miracle doctor, was filled with gratitude.
He silently prayed that the savior would appear again, so he could personally express his thanks.
But Li Chao had vanished into the crowd, leaving no contact information and accepting no one’s gratitude.
Like a true hero, he quietly protected people’s health and safety.
The story quickly spread through the county hospital, and people marveled at the miracle doctor’s skill and virtue.
Li Chao’s name became a local legend.
The doctor finally recognized his own shallowness and ignorance. He sighed and turned to the old man.
“Though you’re out of danger now, there may still be hidden risks. I recommend you get a thorough examination at the hospital.”
The old man nodded, and with the nurse’s support, slowly made his way to the ambulance.
By then, Li Chao had already finished treating the old man and set off again on his journey.
He seemed to be deep in thought and soon found a quiet spot to stop.
Closing his eyes, his consciousness once more entered that mysterious sea of awareness.
In the vast depths of this sea, a white tower soared into the clouds, its stairs leading straight up to the second floor.
Li Chao walked toward the steps, his gaze settling again on the groove in the glowing barrier.
There, the golden light was indeed brighter than yesterday, as though pulsing with the energy of life.
Opening his eyes again, a satisfied smile played at Li Chao’s lips.
It seemed that healing patients truly did increase the measure of gold in the groove of the light screen.
Though the progress was slow, Li Chao knew that with persistent effort, one day he would fill the groove with golden light.
He began to wonder just how many patients he would have to save to reach the maximum value.
Though the road ahead was uncertain, Li Chao was filled with confidence and determination.
He knew his medical skills served not only to heal the sick, but to explore the mysteries of the sea of awareness and to pursue higher realms.
Within his mind’s sea, the golden light continued to flicker, as if guiding his way forward.
He would continue on the path of the miracle doctor, safeguarding people’s health with his art, and probing the depths of the sea of consciousness with his wisdom.
Li Chao understood that haste would not avail him; only through steady, step-by-step progress could he finally reach the second floor of the white tower.
As a village doctor, he was keenly aware of his responsibility and resolved to reopen his clinic and serve the villagers.
At a roadside stall, Li Chao ordered a steaming bowl of noodle soup and a baked flatbread. After satisfying his hunger, he made his way directly to a medical supply store.
Though the village clinic didn’t require advanced equipment, the basic supplies were indispensable.
He handed his list of needed items to the clerk and waited patiently.
Before long, the clerk had gathered everything on the list. Li Chao checked each item carefully and then paid.
Yet, at the moment of payment, his heart sank.
His savings, already meager, were now nearly depleted after purchasing the medical supplies.
The money he’d received as compensation from Jiang Shiren after his injury was long since spent.
Now, Li Chao felt acutely the preciousness of money and the hardships of life.
“Even a hero can be brought low by lack of funds,” he sighed inwardly, knowing he must earn money quickly or he’d soon be unable to afford even food.
Carrying his newly purchased supplies, he left the store, his heart filled with hope and resolve for the future.
He knew he could not give up. Armed with his skill and perseverance, he would reopen the clinic and bring health and hope to the villagers.
He believed that, so long as he persisted, one day he would realize his dream, enter the second floor of the white tower, and reach a higher realm.
Just as Li Chao stepped out the door, it felt as if he’d come one step closer to the world’s bustle.
At that moment, a familiar ringtone rippled through his mind.
He paused, then fished from his pocket a somewhat battered cell phone. The name flashing on the screen was “Liu Dan.”
He pressed the answer button. At once, the distinctive din and laughter of a dance hall poured into his ear, interlaced with Liu Dan’s familiar clear voice:
“Xiao Chao, we’ve finished dinner and are singing at the White Swan Dance Hall! Come on over—we’re in Room 999 waiting for you.”
Hearing the laughter on the other end, Li Chao could almost picture Liu Dan’s smiling face.
He frowned slightly, a trace of hesitation arising in his heart.
“I think I’ll pass this time. You all have fun,” he said.
But Liu Dan was obviously not ready to give up.
“Come on, don’t be such a wet blanket! The more the merrier, and if I get tipsy, you can take me home!”
At these words, Li Chao wavered.
He knew the dance hall was a bustling, complicated place. If Liu Dan really did drink too much, he couldn’t just ignore her.
Besides, he realized that refusing now might make Liu Dan feel he was deliberately keeping his distance.
He glanced up at the sky. The sunset’s afterglow had yet to fade, the heavens still tinged with a gentle orange-red.
It was still early; going for a bit wouldn’t hurt.
With that, he took a deep breath and said into the phone, “Alright, I’m on my way.”
After hanging up, Li Chao walked to the roadside and hailed a pedicab.
When he got in, he told the driver, “To the White Swan Dance Hall.”
As the tricycle slowly set off, Li Chao’s mood gradually calmed.
He knew tonight would be a lively one, and that he, too, would be part of the merriment.