Chapter 32: Medical Skills, Miraculous Effects

“Xiaochao, I haven’t been able to sleep lately, and I wake up at night all sweaty. Do you have any suggestions?”
An elderly man was the first to speak, his tone filled with anxiety.
Li Chao smiled reassuringly.
“Don’t worry, sir, let me check your pulse first.”
As he spoke, he gently took the old man’s wrist, carefully feeling the pulse beneath his fingers.
After a while, Li Chao released him and said,
“Sir, your insomnia and night sweats are caused by an imbalance of Yin and excess internal heat. I’ll prescribe some traditional medicine for you; take it as directed and you should feel better.”
The old man nodded gratefully.
“Thank you, Xiaochao. I trust your skills.”
“I’ve had cervical spondylosis for years—can acupuncture help?”
Another elderly man chimed in, twisting his neck in evident pain.
Li Chao examined his neck with a discerning eye.
“Sir, your condition is rather severe and will require ongoing treatment. Acupuncture can help relieve your pain, but for a complete cure, you’ll need to take care of yourself in daily life as well. I’ll set up a treatment plan for you—just follow my instructions.”
Hope flickered on the old man’s face.
“Alright, Xiaochao, I’ll do as you say.”
“Xiaochao, my old legs ache terribly every winter—can you take a look?”
Yet another elderly woman asked, limping noticeably.
Li Chao crouched to examine her legs carefully.
“Ma’am, your chronic leg pain is due to cold and dampness settling in. I’ll do some acupuncture and prescribe herbal remedies to help. Remember to keep warm and avoid getting chilled.”
The woman thanked him gratefully.
“Thank you, Xiaochao. You really are a good doctor.”
Li Chao smiled.
“It’s what I should do. We’re all from the same village—helping each other is only right.”
And so, Li Chao saw each villager in turn, patiently answering their questions.
The villagers were deeply satisfied with both his skill and his attitude, and praised him as a truly good doctor.
“Doctor Li, I’ve been feeling a tightness in my chest these days. Is there something wrong?”
An anxious elderly man asked.
Li Chao answered each inquiry with patience, offering appropriate treatments according to their conditions.
His hands were skillful and precise; each needle seemed to hold a touch of magic, bringing the elderly a comfort and relaxation they had never known.
“Don’t worry, sir. It’s probably just the sudden change in weather—you’re not used to it. I’ll do a little acupuncture to restore your energy, and you’ll feel much better.”
Li Chao spoke gently.
As time passed, Li Chao’s clinic grew busier and busier.
No matter how hectic things became, he remained humble and dedicated, using his medical skills to bring health and hope to the villagers.

He understood that a true healer is not just one with extraordinary skills, but one who feels each patient’s pain and need, healing their bodies and hearts with love and care.
As night fell, the lights of Li Chao’s clinic still burned brightly—a symbol of his devotion, a promise to safeguard the villagers’ health.
Like a warm beacon, it illuminated Li Chao’s path forward and bore witness to the village’s change and progress.
When morning sunlight spilled across the clinic’s threshold, the place was already bustling with people.
Villagers came in a steady stream, chatting animatedly about Li Chao’s skills.
Li Chao stood at the door, waving with a smile for everyone to quiet down.
“Don’t worry, everyone—please line up and come in one at a time!”
The first patient to be treated was a fellow villager, an aunt whose face was pale and step heavy, clearly worn down by long-term illness.
He had her sit and carefully checked her pulse.
Once his diagnosis was complete, he took out silver needles that had already been sterilized, and asked her to sit upright. He gently inserted a needle into the Zusanli point, another into the Taixi point.
“Auntie, how do you feel? Any better?”
Li Chao asked with concern.
“Yes, much better, Doctor Li—you really are amazing!”
The woman thanked him warmly.
Li Chao nodded and smiled.
“As long as you’re feeling better. Acupuncture will take some time to regulate your energy and blood flow. Do remember to rest and eat properly.”
She nodded quickly.
“I will, Doctor Li. Your medicine is truly miraculous—my pain has already eased a lot.”
Li Chao smiled modestly.
“It’s all the wisdom of Chinese medicine. Acupuncture stimulates the body’s points to help it regulate itself and heal. But everyone’s body is different, so the effects may vary.”
Just then, a nearby villager asked curiously,
“Doctor Li, can acupuncture help my chronic lumbar disc problem?”
Li Chao inquired about his symptoms in detail, then explained patiently,
“Acupuncture can help alleviate lumbar disc issues, but we’ll need to determine the best treatment plan based on your condition. I’ll do my best to relieve your pain, but I recommend you also visit the hospital for further examination and care.”
Another villager joined in,
“Doctor Li, I hear you don’t just treat illness here, but also help people restore their health? I’ve been feeling tired and weak lately—what could be wrong with me?”
Li Chao nodded.
“Yes, acupuncture can also be used for general health. You might just be overworked—your body’s a bit out of balance. I can do a simple acupuncture session to help you recover, but you should also maintain healthy habits and exercise regularly.”
With each conversation, the villagers grew more familiar with acupuncture.
Li Chao not only treated their ailments, but patiently answered their questions and offered advice on healthy living.
Through his diligence, the clinic’s reputation spread, and more and more villagers came seeking his help.
He never strayed from his original purpose—using his skills to relieve suffering, and his compassion to warm the villagers’ hearts.

As the first rays of morning sun shone on Li Chao’s clinic, a bustling crowd appeared outside.
Villagers gathered for various reasons—some out of curiosity, some to take advantage of the free clinic, others genuinely in need of treatment—and the air buzzed with lively chatter.
Yu Xin, a kind and hardworking village woman, was at that moment crouched by the clear creek at the village entrance, washing clothes with care.
Suddenly, she heard the commotion from the clinic.
Her years of experience told her that something was amiss, and it seemed likely that Doctor Li Chao was facing some difficulty.
“What are you all doing? Can’t you see everyone is lining up? This is no place for cutting in!”
Someone shouted angrily.
“I know, but my daughter’s illness is truly urgent—we can’t wait any longer!”
Wang Cuihua replied anxiously, wiping beads of sweat from her brow.
“Whatever the emergency, you still have to respect the rules! We’ve all been waiting for a long time!”
Another person grumbled discontentedly.
Wang Cuihua felt wronged and helpless, tears streaming down her face.
“My daughter fell gravely ill all of a sudden—I have no other choice, please let us go ahead.”
At that moment, Yu Xin walked over and comforted her,
“Everyone, there’s no need to argue. Wang Cuihua’s daughter really is in a critical state—I’m sure you can understand her worry. How about this: I’ll talk to Doctor Li and let her daughter be seen first. Is that alright?”
After Yu Xin spoke, the crowd fell silent. After a moment, someone said,
“Alright, let them go first—saving a life matters most.”
“Thank you all for your understanding and support,”
Yu Xin said,
“I’ll make sure the other patients are seen as soon as possible. Please wait just a little longer.”
With that, Yu Xin led Wang Cuihua and her daughter into the consulting room.
When Doctor Li Chao saw the girl’s condition, he immediately began treatment.
After a thorough examination and careful care, the girl’s condition stabilized.
“Thank you, Doctor Li. Thank you, Yu Xin,”
Wang Cuihua said gratefully.
“No need to thank us—it’s what we should do,”
Doctor Li and Yu Xin replied with gentle smiles.
After leaving the consulting room, Wang Cuihua apologized to the others,
“I’m sorry for the trouble I caused just now.”
Everyone expressed their understanding and reassured her not to worry.