Chapter 58 - 59: A Small Test of Skill

Chapter 58: Chapter 59: A Small Test of Skill

A medicated diet has to be tailored to the individual.

Since the word "medicated" is in the name, it naturally has medicinal properties.

That’s why everyone who comes here has specific needs.

For example, what to eat for inflammation, or what to eat for rheumatism—it’s all very specific.

"Of course!" Boss Zhong said, getting straight to the point. "I wonder, President Zhao, what are your requirements?"

"I just don’t sleep very well," Zhao Xuechu said. "Other than that, nothing really."

"Trouble sleeping is relatively simple to handle!" Boss Zhong said. "From the sound of it, President Zhao, it’s likely due to liver qi stagnation. You could have a medicated soup made with three primary ingredients—Mother of Pearl, sour jujube, and polygala root. We’d add a dozen or so other medicinal herbs and stew it all with an old hen. That should do the trick."

After speaking, Boss Zhong looked at Zhao Xuechu with a challenging air. "President Zhao, do you have any pointers for me?"

Zhao Xuechu was left speechless.

’The woman really knows her stuff.’

"Lady Boss, what kind of medicated diet do you think I need?" Li Yang asked with a smile.

"Is there anything bothering you, young man?"

"Well, when I wake up in the morning... I’m just full of fire! And at night, I can never get to sleep. I just want to hold something... or someone." Li Yang delivered the suggestive line with a perfectly straight face.

Boss Zhong stared, dumbfounded. ’Is this guy hitting on me?’

Zhao Xuechu shot Li Yang a helpless look. ’What is he even talking about?’

"Sounds like you’ve got kidney problems!" The door was suddenly pushed open, and a middle-aged man sneered as he walked in.

Li Yang frowned. ’I’m just talking to the Lady Boss. What’s it to you? Who asked you to run in here and start sucking up?’

"Mr. Zhou!" Boss Zhong sensed the awkwardness and forced a smile at the newcomer. "You’re here for a meal, correct? Please, have a seat in the private room next door. I’ll be with you in a moment to take your order."

"Boss Zhong, why be so formal with me? I’m a regular here," Mr. Zhou said. He clearly had taken an instant dislike to Li Yang and turned to him. "Listen, kid. Since you’re here to eat, you’d better behave. If you’re not eating, then get the hell out."

"Mr. Zhou!" Boss Zhong was starting to get annoyed. ’This is my restaurant, after all. What business is it of his?’

’Besides, even though Li Yang was talking nonsense just now, he didn’t seem malicious. He was smiling the whole time.’

’He’s just a playful young man. There’s no need to make such a big deal out of it.’

"Perhaps you should step outside first."

But Boss Zhou sat down instead, tutting. "Sit down? Let me ask you, Boss Zhong, why do you think I come here to eat every single day? You don’t actually think there’s something wrong with my health, do you? I’m here for you! Damn it, I can’t stand by and watch some punk talk to you like that."

"Kid, apologize to Boss Zhong right now!"

He looked at Li Yang with the condescending air of a superior addressing a peasant.

Zhao Xuechu looked like she wanted to say something, but in the end, she held her tongue, watching Li Yang with a curious expression.

Li Yang suddenly burst out laughing. "If I called you an idiot, I’d be right. You really are an idiot. You come here every day for a medicated diet, but you’re not here for the food, you’re here for the Lady Boss. Don’t you know that lust is a blade hanging over a man’s head, you dumbass?"

"What did you say!" Mr. Zhou flew into a rage and slammed his hand on the table. "How dare a country bumpkin like you speak to me like that?"

Li Yang said coldly, "Keep getting this angry, Zhou, and you won’t be far from death’s door."

"You don’t know shit!" Mr. Zhou spat. "Damn it, you’ve pissed me off now. You’re the one who’s close to death!"

"Let me ask you something," Li Yang retorted. "Do you happen to urinate frequently at night? Have trouble sleeping soundly? Do you also feel pain in your liver area, and do your feet even get a little swollen?"

Mr. Zhou froze for a second. "My health is none of your damn business."

"Of course it’s not my business," Li Yang said coldly. "But if you keep this up, you’ve got six months to live, at most."

"You motherfucker, you dare curse me!" Mr. Zhou couldn’t take it anymore and screamed at Li Yang.

"Curse you?" Li Yang let out a dry laugh. "Why don’t you see for yourself? Here, press on your navel. See what happens."

Mr. Zhou hesitated for a moment, but ultimately, he pressed it.

THUD. Mr. Zhou couldn’t even stay seated; he fell right to the floor.

More importantly, he couldn’t move a muscle, as if his entire body had gone rigid.

"I..." Mr. Zhou’s face contorted in fear. "What’s happening to me?"

"What’s happening? You’ve got less than six months to live," Li Yang said with contempt.

"Divine Doctor, save me!" Mr. Zhou was petrified and blurted out to Li Yang, "Divine Doctor, save me! I don’t want to die..."

Li Yang took out his needles and pricked him several times.

Mr. Zhou felt his whole body relax, and in an instant, he could move again.

He scrambled to his feet, patting himself all over. After confirming he was really okay, he asked Li Yang with a tremor in his voice, "Am I all better now?"

"Better?" Li Yang scoffed. "You think it’s that easy? In your dreams! I just relieved your immediate symptoms. Six months from now, you can wait for death."

"Divine Doctor, save me!" With a THUD, Mr. Zhou dropped to his knees. "I don’t want to die! I’m still so young! I’m so rich! I don’t want to die!"

Zhao Xuechu and Boss Zhong stared, dumbfounded, looking at each other in disbelief.

"Don’t want to die?" Li Yang smirked. "Then why were you so arrogant toward me?"

"Divine Doctor, save me! I was wrong! I apologize, I’m sorry! Please, Divine Doctor, save me!" Mr. Zhou was on the verge of tears.