Lin Fan's abrupt comment froze everyone in the pharmacy.
The old man at the counter, mid-weighing herbs, scowled at Lin Fan. "Where'd you come from, kid? Questioning my skills?"
He'd been prescribing just fine when this young upstart accused him of making a mistake. How could he not be pissed?
This wasn't just any old man—he'd been a chief physician at a top-tier hospital in his prime. If age and mobility hadn't slowed him down, he wouldn't be running this small pharmacy.
The rest of the customers turned to Lin Fan, curious.
One girl's eyes lit up. "It's you!"
Lin Fan raised an eyebrow. It was Su Yue'er, the girl who'd sold him the recipe at the barbecue stall. Today was the deadline for the full payment, per their contract. He'd nearly forgotten.
Smiling, he nodded. "Fancy meeting you here."
Su Yue'er's expression dimmed. "I'm here to get medicine for my dad's recovery."
Lin Fan pointed at the half-packed herbs on the counter. "This for you?"
She nodded, puzzled. "Yeah. Something wrong?"
Lin Fan glanced at the old doctor. "Didn't I pay you a million upfront? Your dad's condition hasn't improved?"
Su Yue'er's eyes welled up, tears threatening to spill. She wiped them away, forcing a bitter smile. "The million helped with urgent expenses, but my dad's still in bad shape. Top experts consulted, but no progress."
"His lower body's nearly shattered—half-paralyzed. That was manageable; at least he was alive. But yesterday, post-surgery, his condition tanked. The wound got infected, hormones went haywire. Doctors say he doesn't have long."
"They can't do more, so they told me to get recovery medicine to buy him some time."
Knowing a loved one's time is running out, yet being powerless, was a crushing weight no one could bear.
Su Yue'er, devastated, hadn't even thought to chase Lin Fan for the remaining payment. Money felt pointless now.
Lin Fan sighed. Compared to Su Yue'er, Xiao Rou had been lucky.
Seeing her grief, his heart ached. He wasn't living a perfect life, but her pain hit hard.
*Damn it, I just want to make money, not get all emotional!*
Then an idea sparked. He'd just learned acupuncture but hadn't tested it. Even with the System's gifts, he needed to see its real impact.
After a moment, he said, "Take me to your dad later. I might have a way."
Su Yue'er blinked, surprised. "Are you a doctor?"
Lin Fan shook his head. "No, but who says only doctors can cure diseases?"
She was speechless, nodding stiffly. To her, Lin Fan was a young, rich second-gen type. A doctor? Unlikely. Compared to top experts, what could he do?
She figured he was just trying to comfort her.
Turning to Bai Shishi, Lin Fan smiled. "Take me to your place later, too. Let's see if I can help."
Bai Shishi agreed without hesitation. It was just a visit—she didn't really believe Lin Fan could heal her father's leukemia, but he'd helped her, so she wouldn't refuse.
The old doctor fixed Lin Fan with a cold stare, adjusting his thick glasses. "Kid, you say I got the prescription wrong? You'd better explain, or this old man won't let it slide."
He stood, blocking the door, ready to throw down if Lin Fan didn't clarify.
Lin Fan, bemused, held back a laugh. *I just spoke the truth. Why's this guy acting like I robbed his family grave?*
Without wasting words, he stepped to the counter and plucked a root-like herb from the pile—purple dragon beard, a rare, potent tonic for strengthening the body.
It was fine for recovery in healthy or lightly injured people, but for the seriously ill, it was dangerous. Its intensity could overload the organs, risking acute kidney failure.
Lin Fan laid it out plainly.
The old doctor stood frozen, then slapped his forehead. Lin Fan was right. After decades of practice, he'd made a rookie mistake.
"Well, damn, kid! You caught my error!" he exclaimed, suddenly warm. "You know medicine?"
Lin Fan shrugged modestly. "Just the basics."
The old doctor shook his head. "It's good to be humble, but don't hide your talent. This is an age of opportunity. Show what you've got, and you'll go far."
"From what you know about herbs, you're a natural for medicine. I've got a contact at a top hospital in Shanghai. How about—"
Lin Fan cut him off politely. "Thanks, but I'm not interested in hospital work."
Why tie himself to a hospital's rules when he could treat patients directly and get paid?
Seeing Lin Fan's resolve, the old doctor didn't push.
Soon, Su Yue'er's and Bai Shishi's prescriptions were corrected and packed. After goodbyes, Lin Fan and the girls left.
The old doctor watched Lin Fan's back, sighing. "What a shame. Such a fine medical talent…"