Chapter 38: A Web of Doubts

"I am—"
"He's my classmate, his name is Ling Tian!"
Just as Ling Tian was about to introduce himself, Lin Yoya cut him off. Ling Tian was a bit frustrated—he had intended to say he was Lin Yoya’s boyfriend, but once again he was reduced to just a classmate.

"Ling Tian? I've often heard Xiao Mei mention you. It's a pleasure to finally meet." Lin Yoya’s aunt truly had heard his name many times—every time Song Xiaomei called, she would talk about Shi Xiaocai and Ling Tian and the others.

"Hehe, I’m delighted to meet you too, Aunt." Hearing that she already knew of him, Ling Tian felt pleased.

"Aunt, Ling Tian knows a bit of medicine. Let him take a look at Grandpa." In truth, Lin Yoya was unsure just how skilled Ling Tian was, but any extra help was welcome. Besides, after he had taken such liberties with her last night, it was only right that he be responsible for helping her grandfather today.

"Alright!" Lin Yoya’s aunt looked at Ling Tian, then at Lin Yoya’s parents. Seeing her mother nod in approval, she felt reassured—perhaps this Ling Tian really did have some skill.

Ling Tian stepped up to the bedside. Observing Lin Yoya’s grandfather’s darkened complexion and purplish lips, he frowned deeply...
It was obvious—these were signs of poisoning. With such clear symptoms, the hospital should have detected it. Could it be a rare toxin?

With this thought, Ling Tian took out a silver needle, intending to insert it into Lin Yoya’s grandfather.

"Stop!"
Just as Ling Tian was about to begin, a tall man strode in through the door. He looked older than Lin Yoya’s father and immediately halted Ling Tian’s action.

"And you are?" The man watched Ling Tian pause, visibly relieved, but his anxiety did not escape Ling Tian’s notice.

"Big Brother, you’re here. This is Yoya’s classmate, his name is Ling Tian. Ling Tian, greet your uncle!"

Lin Yoya’s father spoke up to formally introduce them. Though he felt his elder brother’s interruption was excessive, he assumed it was simply out of concern for their father and didn’t think too much of it.

"Hello, Uncle. I’d like to examine Grandpa’s illness, if you don’t mind," Ling Tian greeted him with a smile. The man’s broad, stern face revealed a shrewd character.

"Hmph! Yoya’s classmate? Such a young man dares speak of diagnosing illness here? What nonsense! Who will take responsibility if anything happens?"

Yoya’s uncle flew into a rage at Ling Tian’s words. He had been notified as soon as Yoya’s family brought Ling Tian to the hospital. He dropped everything to rush over, arriving just in time to see Ling Tian with the needle and immediately intervening.

"Exactly! Sister, Third Brother, you’re being far too careless—just bringing someone in to treat Dad without a second thought. Fortunately, Big Brother arrived in time, or the consequences would be unthinkable."
At that moment, another man appeared at the door—slightly younger than Yoya’s parents, but still well into his forties. He immediately began reproaching Yoya’s parents and aunt. Judging by his tone, this was Lin Yoya’s uncle.

Damn! Ling Tian glanced at the scene and thought, something is wrong with this family. Without clarifying anything, they’re already blaming me—classic guilty conscience. But which of these two, the eldest or the youngest, is the real culprit? Or are both of them involved? Ling Tian decided to wait and watch.

Unable to tolerate the accusations against Ling Tian, Lin Yoya’s mother spoke up. After all, they had brought Ling Tian here, and such words were an affront to them. With some displeasure, she said, "Big Brother, Fifth Brother, Ling Tian does have some medical knowledge—he’s trained in traditional medicine. Father’s condition is worsening here, and both Yoya’s father and I think we should let Ling Tian try."

"Medical knowledge? Traditional medicine? Hmph! This is the best hospital in Jianghai City. The experts have already consulted, and even the senior traditional doctors say Father’s illness is simply due to natural aging and declining vitality. With proper rest, he might endure a while longer. Yet you bring in this youngster to meddle—do you want Father to die sooner?"
Her words only made the eldest brother angrier. What he said was harsh, even accusing Yoya’s parents of ill intent.

"Hmph! Father has already decided to leave all his shares to Yoya. Maybe Third Brother and Sister-in-law really do want their daughter to get the inheritance sooner," sneered the youngest uncle, making no effort to hide his meaning.

"Big Brother, Fifth Brother, don’t say that. We all know what kind of people Third Brother and Sister-in-law are—they’ve always been the most filial to Father." Unable to stand her brothers’ accusations, Yoya’s aunt interjected. In such wealthy families, money could chill the warmest hearts.

"Are you saying we’re not filial? Hmph! If Father left us more of the estate, we’d be even more filial!" snapped the youngest uncle, his words growing even more unpleasant.

At this point, Yoya’s parents fell silent, too angry to speak. They never imagined they’d be accused like this by their own elder brother and younger brother, and that too by their father’s sickbed. Was this what brotherhood had come to?

Lin Yoya was furious as well. She wanted to defend herself, but her parents stopped her. No matter what, these were elders, and if she spoke out, it would only give them more ammunition—especially now that Grandpa had decided to leave the shares to her, making her the target of everyone’s ire. Whatever she said now would only add fuel to the fire.

While Yoya and her parents kept quiet, Ling Tian did not. Regardless of whether these two had been involved in her kidnapping, their words alone toward his future in-laws had already angered him. Though he had intended to watch in silence, he suddenly spoke up.

"Grandpa isn’t dying. Why are you saying all this?" Ling Tian shouted, his voice loud and clear.

Instantly, all eyes turned to Ling Tian—some puzzled, some incredulous, others delighted...

"Ling Tian, can you really cure Grandpa?" Lin Yoya asked, overjoyed.

"Yes. There isn’t an illness under heaven I can’t cure—only people I choose not to treat." Although Ling Tian wasn’t sure what poison had afflicted Yoya’s grandfather, as long as he was still alive, it was no problem for Ling Tian. If his skills advanced further, even if the body died, as long as the soul hadn’t been claimed by the Lord of the Underworld, Ling Tian could still save him. That was the most terrifying thing about the Yin-Yang Art.

"That’s wonderful, Ling Tian! Please heal Grandpa. I don’t care about any shares—I just want Grandpa to get better." Lin Yoya was overjoyed. She felt an inexplicable trust in Ling Tian; if he said he could do it, she believed him.

"Hmph! Anyone can boast. Do you have a medical license? Any clinical experience?" Yoya’s eldest uncle gave Ling Tian a scornful look. There was no way such a young man could be a skilled physician.

His words made Yoya’s parents anxious. It was true—Ling Tian was so young, he couldn’t possibly have a license or any clinical experience. He was just Yoya’s classmate. According to the law, he shouldn’t be treating patients.

"I don’t have a medical license, nor have I worked in a hospital, but I’ve treated many patients, and my skill is beyond doubt."
Ling Tian’s confidence was unshakable. In past years, ordinary people couldn’t even get him to see their illnesses. If not for Yoya’s grandfather, he wouldn’t bother with this mess.

"Anyone can boast," sneered the youngest uncle, still looking down on Ling Tian. As far as he was concerned, Ling Tian was just full of hot air.

"Uncle, you’ve been suffering from impotence for more than half a year, haven’t you? You’ve seen plenty of doctors to no avail. My skills are such that I don’t even need to take your pulse—I can tell from your complexion alone. Surely that’s proof enough of my abilities," Ling Tian said slowly, glancing at the youngest uncle.

The uncle’s face changed immediately—Ling Tian had hit the mark. He’d never told anyone except his wife about this problem. Ling Tian was clearly more skilled than he’d thought.

The others stared at the uncle—seeing his reaction, they realized Ling Tian must be right. They were astonished—astonished both by the uncle’s impotence and by Ling Tian’s ability to diagnose at a glance.

"Uncle, as for you, I’m afraid your body is all show and no substance. Instead of worrying about Grandpa’s illness, you should worry about your own heart. There’s too much junk in your blood—if you’re not careful, you’re at risk of stroke or heart attack. As for Grandpa, with me here, you can rest easy," Ling Tian continued, diagnosing the eldest uncle as well.

The eldest uncle’s face also changed. He did have some heart issues—was it really that serious? After a moment, he regained his composure, thinking perhaps Ling Tian did know a thing or two, but surely it couldn’t be so grave.

"Big Brother, Fifth Brother, let Ling Tian try. The doctors here are at their wits’ end—we can’t just sit and wait," Yoya’s aunt pleaded again, not wanting the family to fall apart.

Ling Tian was lost in thought. These two men were definitely suspicious. Were they afraid he’d heal Yoya’s grandfather, or that he’d harm the old man?

If they’d poisoned him, of course they’d want the old man dead and would fear Ling Tian might save him. But if they weren’t responsible, then perhaps they feared Yoya’s parents had brought Ling Tian in to deliberately kill him.

Judging by their expressions, they didn’t believe in his medical ability—they were afraid he’d do harm. They didn’t want the old man to die. But then, how to explain the poisoning? Were these two really suspects or not?