Chapter 43: Such Reluctance!

Could Qin Chuan really be joking? How could the method of treatment possibly be linked to the way one addresses another? Was he just making things up? The Lin couple found themselves utterly perplexed, their minds full of unanswered questions.

"Xiao Qin, could you explain a bit more clearly?" Lin Jiancheng couldn't help but press further.

Qin Chuan paused for a moment, then spoke succinctly, "Conservative treatment requires continuous acupuncture to minimize the frequency of attacks. Complete recovery means harmonizing yin and yang once and for all. How should I put it? My constitution is rather special, in fact, it's the exact opposite of Wan Yu's, so... you understand, don't you?"

Li Yulan still seemed somewhat bewildered, but Lin Jiancheng immediately grasped the crux of Qin Chuan's words.

Yin and yang harmonization!

Wasn't that a healing and cultivation method that existed only in films and television dramas?

"Xiao Chuan, are you... being serious?"

Lin Jiancheng felt that saying, "Are you trying to fool me?" would be impolite, so he forced himself to rephrase the question in a more tactful manner.

Qin Chuan didn't elaborate further. Instead, he slightly relaxed the barrier that sealed his Nine Yang energy.

"Watch this."

As he spoke, Qin Chuan spread his palm.

The Lin couple looked down and saw that Qin Chuan's palm was bright red, and after a moment, faint, flickering red flames began to rise.

"And look at this!"

Qin Chuan strode to the bathtub and plunged his hands into the icy water.

There was a loud, sharp hiss, just like plunging a red-hot iron into cold water.

At the same time, thick white steam billowed from the tub.

"This... how can this be possible?"

Lin Jiancheng and Li Yulan exchanged glances, both seeing shock and incredulity in each other's eyes.

Qin Chuan forced a bitter smile and said, somewhat helplessly, "What can be cured is the illness; what cannot be cured is fate. Perhaps this is the destiny shared by Wan Yu and me."

The Lin couple looked solemn and said nothing for a long time.

They didn't know how to comfort Qin Chuan, nor how to convince themselves.

After a prolonged silence, Lin Jiancheng finally broke it. "Xiao Chuan, with conservative treatment, does Wan Yu's life remain at risk?"

"In the short term, there's no danger to her life. However, the frequency of attacks will increase, and any delay in treatment could be hazardous," Qin Chuan answered truthfully.

Though Lin Wan Yu's condition differed somewhat from ancient records, Qin Chuan still believed she was very likely to possess the constitution of profound yin. So, following the treatment method for such a constitution was probably correct; in any case, it was better than waiting for the illness to erupt and bring certain death.

"And what about you?" Lin Jiancheng asked again.

Qin Chuan replied with a grave expression, "Each time I treat Wan Yu, my body undergoes a change. It's like pouring ice water into the mouth of a volcano."

The Lin couple's faces darkened at his words.

So, conservative treatment meant Qin Chuan was risking his own life to save their daughter?

But for complete recovery... their daughter would never agree to that!

No matter which course they chose, none seemed right.

Seeing their reaction, Qin Chuan felt secretly delighted. In truth, his earlier words contained some ambiguity.

Ordinary acupuncture could temporarily control the cold illness, preventing relapse for a period. It was true that Qin Chuan's body would change due to using his energy for the treatment, but by mixing the extreme cold yin energy with some Nine Yang energy, his body actually improved.

As for the volcano analogy—if you poured a huge amount of ice water, the consequences would indeed be dire. But if you only added a few drops, it wouldn't so much as make a spark, nor cause any harm.

Acupuncture only drew a few drops of cold yin energy into his body, akin to adding a few drops to the volcano.

"In any case, I speak only the truth. What others make of it is none of my concern," Qin Chuan thought, embodying the spirit of Ah Q perfectly.

However, it was clear the Lin couple had focused on the side of the story Qin Chuan had carefully cultivated.

Their faces revealed deep guilt and reluctance; clearly, they couldn't bear to see Qin Chuan perish for the sake of their daughter.

In truth, arranging a marriage between the two was the best option, but since Lin Wan Yu had previously shown strong resistance, as parents, they couldn't force her.

"Uncle, Aunt, you don't need to worry. Even setting aside the fact that we nearly became family, as a physician, seeing such a case obliges me to help," Qin Chuan paused, then forced a smile and continued, "And I hope, when Wan Yu wakes, you won't tell her about my situation—there's no need to burden her with unnecessary stress. Besides, I know full well that a forced union may quench thirst, but it will never be sweet. I'd rather not have a marriage won through pity."

The Lin couple were instantly moved to tears.

Listen to how sincere this young man is!

Look at his noble morals and exemplary character!

And that proud refusal to accept charity—he was the very model of a worthy son-in-law!

Lin Jiancheng even felt that, if his daughter agreed to the engagement, she might be marrying above her station.

"Such an outstanding son-in-law, are we just going to let him slip away?"

"So unwilling!"

These thoughts arose simultaneously in the minds of the Lin couple.

Regret, gratitude, guilt—all these emotions flickered across their faces, and at last, their tears flowed freely.

"Uncle, Aunt, don't be sad. This is simply my destiny," Qin Chuan sighed, his face full of loneliness and solitude.

"Xiao Chuan, it's our Lin family... it's our fault," Lin Jiancheng said, his voice trembling.

Qin Chuan quickly consoled him, "Uncle, please don't say that. At worst, we can interact as father and son-in-law in secret when Wan Yu isn't around."

"Enough. No more words. It's time to begin Wan Yu's treatment. Uncle, please step outside for now. I'll need to remove Wan Yu's outer clothes for the acupuncture."

Though Lin Jiancheng was full of worry, he could only comply, after all, his daughter was grown. Besides, with his wife watching, Qin Chuan could hardly do anything inappropriate...

"Pah! The young man is risking his life to save your daughter, and you still worry about his intentions?"

"Lin Jiancheng, are you even human?"

No sooner had he left the room than Lin Jiancheng slapped himself twice.

After careful consideration, Lin Jiancheng decided to talk things over properly once his daughter's condition improved.

They should get to know each other for a while—otherwise, acting too hastily might be reckless.

If they missed out on such a suitable match, wouldn't it be a lifelong regret?

Inside the bedroom.

Qin Chuan first laid several towels on the bed, then gently lifted Lin Wan Yu out of the bathtub.

He placed her on the towels, his expression solemn. "Aunt, please remove Wan Yu's outer clothing and dry her body thoroughly."

Li Yulan nodded. She now treated Qin Chuan's words as sacred.

After completing the tasks Qin Chuan had assigned, Li Yulan asked, "Xiao Chuan, if you need anything else, just let me know."

"When I start the acupuncture, no matter what happens, do not interrupt. Otherwise, all progress will be lost. Remember!"

Qin Chuan warned her sternly.

Li Yulan nodded, her gaze toward Qin Chuan taking another step closer to that of a mother-in-law admiring her son-in-law.

"Let's begin."

Seeing Lin Wan Yu clad only in her undergarments, Qin Chuan suddenly felt parched, his hands trembling as he held the silver needles, almost missing the first acupoint.

Watching this, Li Yulan felt endless emotion.

Just the first needle, and Xiao Chuan was trembling all over.

"Ah, the sacrifices Xiao Chuan is making to save my daughter are immense."

"Such a fine young man—if only he were my son-in-law!"

Li Yulan was moved, making a silent decision: once her daughter's condition stabilized, she would have a serious talk with her.