Chapter Fifty-Five: Parasitic Diseases

In the beginning, the workers who labored on the docks alongside this man joked that he might achieve a miracle in human history—that a man could bear a child—for his belly was growing larger day by day. But when Xie Qingtang revealed that his abdomen was filled with parasites, terror flashed in everyone’s eyes, and they instinctively edged away from the man lying on the sickbed.

“Doctor, I beg you, please save my elder brother. He is the pillar of our family—I cannot lose him,” Yun Niang pleaded through her tears, throwing herself at Xie Qingtang’s side and grasping her hand.

Had the infection just begun, Xie Qingtang could have easily expelled the parasites with medicine. But the man had been afflicted for over half a year. He suffered from worsening ascites, enlarged liver and spleen, and bleeding from the upper digestive tract. These symptoms marked the late stage of the disease; treatment would be exceedingly difficult.

“Boss, this man is truly pitiful. Let’s try to save him!” Even Zhou Jinfan, standing aside, regarded the man with the swollen belly with sympathy.

Xie Qingtang turned to him and said, “If you wish to save him, then do so.”

“I don’t have the ability, do I? If I did, I’d certainly try to save him,” Zhou Jinfan muttered after a moment of stunned silence.

At this point, Brother Hu stepped forward, supporting Yun Niang, whose strength was spent from crying. He managed to keep his composure and addressed Xie Qingtang: “Since you were able to diagnose my brother’s parasite infection, you must also be able to cure him, right?”

“That’s correct—I can indeed cure your brother.” As Xie Qingtang’s words fell, joy swept across the faces of those gathered. After all, they worked side by side with him every day; if he could be saved, their happiness was genuine.

Then Xie Qingtang continued, “I truly can cure him, but not here.”

“What do you mean by that?” Brother Hu asked, suspicion in his eyes. Xie Qingtang explained, “I believe the source of his infection may be right here, so he cannot be treated in this place. You must move him to the Hall of Benevolence.”

When the crowd heard that the parasites infesting the man might have originated here, they all drew in sharp breaths, their gazes wary as if every step might reveal hidden parasites beneath their feet.

But the man’s family was too relieved to notice; they nodded and promptly moved him, with his distended belly, onto a hired vehicle. As they transported him to the Hall of Benevolence, passersby gathered to watch the spectacle of a group carrying a man with such a swollen belly inside.

“Place him in the backyard first,” Xie Qingtang instructed, her brows furrowed at the crowd gathered at the entrance, eager for entertainment.

Brother Hu nodded and directed his men to carry his elder brother into the backyard. Witnessing this, Zhao Xianglan quickly vacated her own room, allowing them to lay the man on the bed.

“Doctor, what should we do next?” Brother Hu asked, his brows knitted in worry.

Xie Qingtang waved her hand, signaling everyone to leave except Zhou Jinfan, whom she kept as her assistant.

“What are you planning, Boss?” Zhou Jinfan rolled up his sleeves, ready to assist.

Xie Qingtang looked at the man’s bulging abdomen, a glint in her eyes. “All I need you to do is hold him firmly—do not let him move, understand?”

“That’s all? Don’t worry, Boss, I’ll keep him pinned down,” Zhou Jinfan replied, nodding.

Xie Qingtang produced a set of silver needles gifted by her master before descending the mountain. Taking a deep breath, she plunged a needle into the man’s swollen belly.

With that first needle, the man suddenly opened his eyes wide, awakening with a start and fixing a fierce gaze on Zhou Jinfan, who was pressing down on him.

The intensity of his stare startled Zhou Jinfan, causing him to ease his grip, failing to restrain the man whose body began to convulse.

“What are you doing? Hold him down!” Xie Qingtang snapped, frowning. Her words brought Zhou Jinfan back to his senses; he focused, applying greater force to steady the man.

Throughout the process, Xie Qingtang concentrated her needles on the man’s abdomen. His convulsions grew more frequent, but Zhou Jinfan did not loosen his hold even once.

“You all should have some tea—Miss will surely cure your friend,” Zhao Xianglan said, smiling as she emerged from the kitchen with several cups, placing them before those waiting in the backyard.

But uncertainty about the situation inside made it impossible for them to sit and drink in peace; instead, they paced anxiously, awaiting news.

Had she not feared interference during her needling, Xie Qingtang would have allowed more people in to help subdue the convulsing patient.

Time ticked by. The man’s distended abdomen was soon covered in silver needles. Xie Qingtang exhaled softly and instructed Zhou Jinfan, “You can let him go now.”

Zhou Jinfan hesitated, seeing the man still twitching beneath him, but obeyed. In the next instant, the man turned to the side and vomited a mouthful of viscous liquid onto the floor.

The foul substance reeked, its unnatural green hue unsettling to behold. Xie Qingtang frowned and signaled Zhou Jinfan to open the window.

As he did, everyone in the backyard peered into the room. The man on the bed vomited more of the repulsive liquid, its stench wafting through the backyard, causing everyone’s brows to furrow in discomfort.