10: You're Truly Sick

"I like him, and that's all that matters," Su Muqing (a young woman) stated firmly.

Zhang Wenzhi (a well-off suitor) felt he needed to seize the opportunity. He smiled faintly. "Ruoxue (a nickname for Su Muqing), you're still unmarried, and I believe I have the right to pursue you. Of course, you also have the right to refuse. The initiative is entirely in your hands; if I were you, I wouldn't be nervous."

"Zhang Wenzhi, you've misunderstood. I'm not nervous," Su Muqing replied calmly, shaking her head. She hadn't expected Zhang Wenzhi to truly harbor such intentions.

Slightly embarrassed, Zhang Wenzhi quickly changed the subject. "Right, *I'm* the one who's nervous. Honestly, the reason I was so eager to see you is because I wanted you to diagnose my condition."

"Diagnose my condition?" Su Muqing was taken aback. She wasn't a doctor; why would Zhang Wenzhi seek her out for a medical consultation?

To keep the conversation going, Zhang Wenzhi had prepared. He chuckled, "Here, let me build a little suspense first. My family has been doctors for generations, but the ailment I suffer from, no one can cure it but you."

Su Muqing observed Zhang Wenzhi speaking so jovially and confidently; he didn't look sick at all.

In truth, Zhang Wenzhi wasn't suffering from any serious illness. He had already planned that if Su Muqing asked, he would confess it was a "heart sickness" (emotional distress or a problem weighing on his mind), thinking it would sound romantic.

However, before Su Muqing could react, Shen Yifei (a mysterious young man) spoke up. "You do have an illness."

Zhang Wenzhi paused, then chuckled, "Yes, I am ill."

"You're genuinely sick, and I'm not joking," Shen Yifei sneered.

Zhang Wenzhi's expression shifted slightly. He felt Shen Yifei was cursing him, his face darkening as he sneered, "Could it be that Mr. Shen also understands medicine?"

"More than you do," Shen Yifei stated indifferently.

Zhang Wenzhi instantly flared up. *Damn it*, this guy's mouth was like a machine gun, contradicting him at every turn.

But in front of Su Muqing, Zhang Wenzhi couldn't afford to lose his temper. He maintained a smiling facade, appearing remarkably well-mannered.

Zhang Wenzhi scoffed, "I, Zhang Wenzhi, may be of limited talent, and my family only owns a few major hospitals, but I'd say I have a decent understanding of medicine. Mr. Shen Yifei speaks with quite a confident tone. So, I must ask, how did you instantly conclude that I'm sick? What ailment do I have?"

Shen Yifei declared, "Your illness stems from a disrupted flow of vital energy (Qi, an invisible life force) within your body, already causing internal damage. Mr. Zhang, you might appear energetic, but it's merely a superficial facade. You likely often experience backaches, cold limbs, night sweats, dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus, and an aversion to cold, especially at night when you frequently wake up drenched in sweat."

Zhang Wenzhi was aghast. Shen Yifei had described his symptoms with absolute accuracy.

*Damn it*, he thought, *who knew this pretty boy actually had some skill?*

Zhang Wenzhi's family owned hospitals, and he had been examined before, but it was merely physical weakness, a state of sub-health, which couldn't truly be considered an illness.

Zhang Wenzhi chuckled, feigning ignorance. "I'm sorry, Mr. Shen. I don't have any of those symptoms; I'm perfectly healthy."

Shen Yifei scoffed, "You know perfectly well whether you do or not. Considering your past relationship with Xue'er (Su Muqing's nickname), I can offer you some advice, otherwise, you'll regret it when it's too late."

Zhang Wenzhi felt a chill run down his spine, but he still didn't believe Shen Yifei possessed such abilities. He couldn't help but brace himself and ask, "Oh really? Then tell me, what disease do I have?"

Shen Yifei smiled. "First, tell me honestly, do you truly not have any of the symptoms I just mentioned?"

Zhang Wenzhi looked a bit awkward. He hesitated, then admitted, "Occasionally... a little. But that's perfectly normal; I'm usually too busy with work and don't get enough exercise."

Shen Yifei shrugged and chuckled, "Mr. Zhang, stop lying to yourself! Do you really think you're just physically weak? You know perfectly well that you suffer from kidney deficiency (a condition in Traditional Chinese Medicine often associated with fatigue, lower back pain, and sexual dysfunction). And recently, you've been heavily supplementing your kidneys, consuming a lot of lamb, dog meat, and chives, haven't you?"

Zhang Wenzhi was finally dumbfounded, large beads of sweat breaking out on his forehead. He truly did have kidney deficiency and had been heavily supplementing himself these past few days, exactly as Shen Yifei had described.

"I'm just overly fatigued, that's why this is happening," Zhang Wenzhi protested.

Shen Yifei shook his head and said bluntly, "While kidney deficiency often develops over time, you shouldn't rush to 'power-supplement' it, as that will only be counterproductive. It requires slow, gradual conditioning. Furthermore, your kidney deficiency is due to excessive self-pleasure, isn't it? Two or three times a day? I advise you to lead a more disciplined life, abstaining from excessive indulgence and practicing moderation. Otherwise, in at most two more years, you'll develop erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation."

Zhang Wenzhi's face turned ashen. He did indeed have a tendency towards overindulgence and frequent self-pleasure, but how could this guy say such things in front of Su Muqing? Wasn't he deliberately trying to humiliate him?

Shen Yifei's pronouncement about erectile dysfunction sent a shiver down Zhang Wenzhi's spine. It seemed he would have to exercise more control in the future and abstain from excessive self-pleasure.

Su Muqing's pretty face showed a hint of discomfort, and an inexplicable sense of revulsion welled up within her. She hadn't realized Zhang Wenzhi had such "hobbies."

Zhang Wenzhi would certainly not admit it in front of Su Muqing; otherwise, he would lose face completely.

Observing Shen Yifei's stern expression, Su Muqing's beautiful eyes flickered. She was very curious how Shen Yifei had figured it out. To know someone's ailments just by looking at them — that was truly astonishing. Did he really possess such an ability?

Zhang Wenzhi's face immediately darkened. Feigning anger, he snorted coldly, "Mr. Shen, you are speaking utter nonsense. I'm not even married and don't have a girlfriend, so how could there be any 'overindulgence'?"

Shen Yifei chuckled, "I've said my piece. Whether you listen or not is your business."

Zhang Wenzhi turned to Su Muqing and said, "Su Muqing, this boyfriend of yours is truly ill-mannered. Honestly, if you're going to find a boyfriend, you should find someone more suitable. A man who talks such baseless nonsense isn't reliable. Out of respect for you, I won't lose my temper today."

Su Muqing felt very uncomfortable. Frowning, she said, "Zhang Wenzhi, please don't be angry. I think... you should go to the hospital for another check-up. Perhaps it really is kidney deficiency..."

Zhang Wenzhi's face turned as dark as the bottom of a pot.

Even Su Muqing was suggesting he had kidney deficiency, which filled Zhang Wenzhi with immense distress. He felt he couldn't even look Su Muqing in the eye.

"I told you you have kidney deficiency, but you refuse to admit it and insist on pretending," Shen Yifei scoffed.

Zhang Wenzhi, feeling a prick of guilt, glared at Shen Yifei with venomous eyes. Coldly, he said, "I know my own body perfectly well. You're just trying to embarrass me in front of Su Muqing, aren't you? Buddy, I advise you not to get too carried away!"