****
Lin Fan, unfazed by his second nosebleed of the day, calmly wiped it away and moved to the bedside to remove the silver needles.
As each needle came out, Su Zhentian's condition visibly improved.
Once all were collected, Lin Fan stood. "Your dad's stable now, but he needs bed rest for two weeks. After that, he should be able to walk. Keep his diet light during recovery."
Su Yue'er gaped, stunned. *Walk?*
She'd thought Lin Fan might only address the infection, not the comminuted fracture. Bones shattered that badly—could acupuncture really fix them without surgery?
Her heart raced, but doubt lingered. "You mean… his body…"
Lin Fan smiled confidently. "Your dad's issues are fully resolved. With proper care, he'll be as good as new."
His words were almost too perfect to believe.
Seeing her hesitation, Lin Fan approached Su Zhentian again, pulling his ankle from under the blanket.
Su Yue'er and Bai Shishi exchanged confused glances, unsure of his intent.
Then, to their shock, Lin Fan began tickling the sole of Su Zhentian's foot.
The girls: "…"
A patient with a comminuted fracture should have severed pain nerves, no sensation at all. Yet, as Lin Fan tickled, Su Zhentian's foot twitched, resisting.
A faint, strained smile cracked his weak face, as if fighting not to laugh.
As the patient, Su Zhentian felt the changes in his body better than anyone. The pain was gone, his mind clear. He was already grateful to Lin Fan, but this tickling? He wanted to curse Lin Fan's entire family tree!
Lin Fan, oblivious, grinned proudly, his hands moving faster. "See? Told you I wasn't lying."
He didn't notice Su Zhentian's face growing redder, the man struggling to suppress laughter.
Finally, Su Zhentian couldn't hold it. He burst out laughing, tears streaming.
Mid-laugh, a warm surge hit his throat. Blood sprayed out.
His body, still fragile from recovery, couldn't handle the strain. His newly cleared blood vessels buckled.
He'd laughed so hard he vomited blood.
Glaring at Lin Fan with resentful eyes, Su Zhentian's head lolled, and he passed out.
Lin Fan: "!!!!"
*Oh, crap!*
He'd forgotten Su Zhentian was still weak—laughter could overwhelm him.
Cold sweat beaded on Lin Fan's forehead. Had he just tickled a man to death after saving him?
He quickly checked Su Zhentian's breathing. Still alive. Relief washed over him.
"Dad!" Su Yue'er cried, frantic. "Lin Fan, why'd he faint? Is he okay?"
Lin Fan, guilty, rubbed his nose. "He's fine. Just got too excited and passed out. He'll recover after some rest."
Su Yue'er exhaled, reassured.
She thanked Lin Fan profusely.
He waved it off. He'd used Su Zhentian to test his acupuncture, and it worked flawlessly. The System was legit.
*Dr. Lin, ready to rake in millions per consultation!*
Rich folks spent fortunes on anti-aging herbs—surely they'd pay for life-saving treatments.
"Oh, by the way, we should settle the contract," Lin Fan said, remembering the recipe deal's final payment.
Su Yue'er shook her head, eyes brimming with gratitude. "No need. I sold the recipe to fund Dad's surgery. Now that he's better, the money's not urgent."
"You saved him. I've got nothing to repay you with—how could I take more?"
Lin Fan insisted. He had principles.
After some back-and-forth, Su Yue'er suggested the final payment cover his medical services. Lin Fan agreed.
At the villa's entrance, Su Yue'er saw them off. "When Dad's stable, I'll bring him to thank you in person!"
Lin Fan waved without looking back, ushering Bai Shishi into the Lamborghini.
Back inside, Su Yue'er felt like she was dreaming. It was unreal.
For peace of mind, she called in an expert to examine her father—a bespectacled man in a white coat, Director Li.
Li spent hours with his instruments, his eyes nearly popping out.
He'd known Su Zhentian's prognosis—terminal, or at best, permanently disabled. Yet, in days, he was healed?
Had someone slipped him an elixir from the heavens?
Su Yue'er asked anxiously, "Director Li, how's my dad? He's okay, right?"
Li set down his stethoscope, grave. "He's not just okay—he's as healthy as a normal person."
Su Yue'er nodded, her gratitude for Lin Fan deepening.
"Miss Su, how did this happen? Did you hire some genius doctor?" Li's eyes gleamed with curiosity.
This was a medical miracle. The healer must be a hidden master. Learning even a fraction of their skill could earn Li countless accolades.
Su Yue'er smiled wryly. "I did find a master, but he asked me not to share his identity. Sorry, Director Li."
Lin Fan had foreseen inquiries and told her to keep his name secret. Exposure could bring wealth but also trouble he wasn't ready for.
Li nodded, unsurprised. A reclusive master fit the profile.
After a pause, he ventured, "Could you introduce me to this senior? I'd wait as long as it takes."
"My only wish is to meet such a master. It'd make my life complete."
Su Yue'er: "…"