Chapter 41: An Unexpected Situation

“We can’t determine that yet. To know exactly what poison the Zhao family head has been afflicted with, we’d need to send a blood sample to the hospital for extremely complex tests,” Chen Guang replied seriously.

Liu Hong reacted quickly, immediately grasping the crux of the issue. “If we don’t know what the poison is, Professor Chen, can you treat him?”

“Well… I do have a method we could try,” Chen Guang considered, his expression growing grave.

“What method?” Liu Hong asked curiously.

“Bloodletting therapy,” Chen Guang said, his tone weighty.

Madam Zhao and Liu Hong were both startled.

Chen Guang then explained, “Bloodletting therapy means pricking the family head’s fingers to let some blood flow out. At the same time, I’ll use medical techniques to try to expel as much of the toxin as possible along with the blood. While this can’t fully cure him, it should greatly alleviate his symptoms and help him recover consciousness.”

After Chen Guang’s explanation, Madam Zhao and Liu Hong gradually accepted this treatment plan.

Just as Liu Hong was about to speak, Madam Zhao turned to Jiang Hao and asked, “Mr. Jiang, what do you think of this treatment?”

“Don’t ask me. I’m not the attending physician here; I’m just an observer now,” Jiang Hao responded indifferently.

Madam Zhao almost lost her composure at this, while Liu Hong angrily rebuked him, “Jiang Hao, you were invited by Ziyun to treat my uncle, yet this is your attitude? Aren’t you ashamed?”

“Who was it that repeatedly obstructed me from treating the family head? Who told me to stand aside and act as an assistant? Miss Liu, you can’t have it both ways—don’t try to shift all the blame onto me,” Jiang Hao replied with a smile.

At these words, Liu Hong was left speechless, unable to find a retort.

Madam Zhao sighed helplessly and said to Chen Guang, “Professor Chen, please proceed with your treatment. However, if my husband’s condition worsens or anything else unexpected happens, I want you to stop immediately.”

“Understood.” Chen Guang glanced at Jiang Hao, then nodded in agreement.

The bloodletting therapy began.

Chen Guang pricked the index, middle, and ring fingers of Zhao Shibo’s left hand, placing a basin underneath to catch the blood.

He then took out a milky-white device and pressed it at various points on Zhao Shibo’s body.

As the device activated and he performed his manipulations, dark red blood began to flow from Zhao Shibo’s fingers, collecting in the small basin by the bed.

Seeing the basin fill with blackened blood, Madam Zhao and Liu Hong both turned pale.

Jiang Hao, meanwhile, wore a faint smile.

There was no denying Chen Guang’s skill; his bloodletting therapy was not without merit. However, to hope that this alone could cure Zhao Shibo’s illness was impossible. The poisoning had gone on too long, and some toxins had already entered his nerve cells. Even draining all his blood wouldn’t remove them completely.

Bloodletting could only expel toxins that were freely circulating in the blood.

Time passed slowly, and the basin gradually filled with blood. The flow from Zhao Shibo’s fingers now turned from dark red to a bright, healthy red.

Seeing this, Chen Guang’s face lit up with relief. Excited, he said, “The toxins have mostly been expelled. The family head should regain consciousness soon.”

“Really? That’s wonderful!” Liu Hong exclaimed joyfully, and Madam Zhao also smiled.

But just then, Zhao Shibo, lying on the bed, suddenly began to convulse violently.

His expression contorted in pain, veins bulged on his forehead, and his entire body shook as if struck by lightning.

The sudden incident terrified Madam Zhao and Liu Hong; both women, one old and one young, turned ashen, their lips losing all color.

“Professor Chen, what… what’s happening?” Madam Zhao asked in terror.

Chen Guang was at a loss. He had never witnessed such a scene before. He had administered bloodletting therapy to other patients in the past; some recovered, some showed no improvement, but never had anyone suffered such horrifying symptoms.

What on earth was happening?

In a panic, Chen Guang quickly wrapped Zhao Shibo’s wounds with bandages, trying to calm him down.

But no matter what he did, Zhao Shibo continued to convulse uncontrollably, his expression growing ever more tormented.

Madam Zhao and Liu Hong were beside themselves with worry. At last, Chen Guang gave up, approaching them with an awkward expression. “I’m sorry, Madam Zhao, Miss Liu. I’m afraid there’s nothing more I can do.”

“What? You’re going to give up halfway through the treatment? What about my uncle?” Liu Hong shouted in disbelief.

“I really can’t continue. I’ve never seen a case like the family head’s,” Chen Guang said helplessly.

Liu Hong’s delicate features clouded with gloom, and Madam Zhao’s expression grew even darker.

Now Zhao Shibo lay on the bed, convulsing in agony, while Chen Guang declared his helplessness.

What could they do? They were only two women—what resources did they have left?

Suddenly, Madam Zhao thought of Jiang Hao. She hurried to his side and pleaded, “Mr. Jiang, Professor Chen can do no more. Could you please help? You were specially invited by Ziyun to treat my husband. Surely you have a way, don’t you?”

Jiang Hao smiled and nodded. “Yes, I do. But what reason do I have to treat Zhao Shibo now? After the way your family has treated me, do you really expect me to rush forward and help your family head? Please, don’t joke with me.”

Madam Zhao’s expression became acutely embarrassed.

But Liu Hong stormed over and said angrily, “Aunt, don’t beg him! I refuse to believe there’s no one else in the world who can treat Uncle! I’ll call an ambulance right now and take him to the hospital. The doctors there will surely have a solution!”

“Nonsense! We brought your uncle home and called in outside doctors precisely because the hospital couldn’t help him. Now you want to send him back? That’s as good as sending him to his death!” Madam Zhao snapped at Liu Hong in anger.