Acupuncture?
Massage?
Breast enhancement?
Hearing these words, Ye Yuanyuan’s already flushed face turned even redder. She shot Jiang Fei another fierce glare before quickly turning and walking away without another word.
What a joke! While she did care about her bust size, there was no way she would let Jiang Fei perform acupuncture or massage on her chest!
She was a woman, after all!
Both acupuncture and massage required direct skin contact, meaning she’d have to undress. Given Ye Yuanyuan’s personality, even if Jiang Fei were a woman, she wouldn’t agree to it. She’d feel too embarrassed.
Watching Ye Yuanyuan’s somewhat flustered retreat, Jiang Fei touched his nose and chuckled softly.
He had seen this big-eyed woman lose her temper before, and he had even seen her act cute and playful. But this was the first time he had seen her so shy and embarrassed!
This incident gave him a deeper understanding of this fierce and bold woman. Her cold and domineering exterior was likely a result of her upbringing.
Growing up in a military family, her behavior and expectations were undoubtedly different from those of ordinary people. Coupled with the prominence of her father’s and grandfather’s statuses, it had shaped her into a somewhat tomboyish, even more domineering than most men, personality.
But at her core, she was still a woman, not much different from any other ordinary woman—cold on the outside but warm on the inside.
For example, she cared about her bust size and could still feel shy…
For the next while, Jiang Fei’s life settled into a comfortable routine. Aside from occasionally working shifts at the hospital and making weekly trips to the special sanatorium in Jincheng to treat Old Master Ye Zhengnan’s legs, he had plenty of free time.
Every day was leisurely and carefree. He spent his time wandering the mountains and waters of Daocun, tending to his fruit trees and vegetables, and taking his dog for runs. Life was incredibly relaxing.
The fruit trees he had planted were now thriving, lush and full of life, forming a small grove. As for the vegetables, some had already begun to flower, and others were even bearing small fruits, like cucumbers and eggplants. In a little while, Jiang Fei would be able to enjoy the produce of his own labor.
Old Master Ye Zhengnan’s legs had shown significant improvement after Jiang Fei’s fourth acupuncture session. Previously, his legs had regained some sensation, but now he could even walk with the aid of a cane!
“Grandpa, take it slow. Maybe I should help you…” Ye Yuanyuan stood beside Ye Zhengnan, watching him shuffle slowly back and forth in the hospital room like a child learning to walk. She was anxious, fearing he might fall at any moment.
But Ye Zhengnan was beaming with joy. Though his movements were slow, his spirits were high, and his face glowed with excitement.
“No need! I can do it myself!” Ye Zhengnan waved his left hand, gripping the cane with his right as he inched forward.
He was overjoyed. For over half a year, he had been bedridden, unable to walk even to relieve himself without assistance. For a man who had spent his life as a soldier, even leading troops into battle, this had been a torment.
Now, thanks to Jiang Fei’s treatment, he had finally been allowed to walk again, even if only for short periods. This had filled the usually stoic Ye Zhengnan with immense happiness.
Seeing that her pleas were falling on deaf ears, Ye Yuanyuan shot Jiang Fei a look, signaling him to persuade her grandfather to rest. Watching him wobble around was nerve-wracking.
At his age, a fall could lead to serious complications.
Jiang Fei, who had been sitting in a chair recovering his energy, opened his eyes and smiled. “Don’t worry. It’s good for Old Master Ye to walk around like this. It helps with his recovery. He can do this for a few minutes every day.”
Among Jiang Fei’s four basic attributes, his mental strength was the highest, at 3.4. While treating Ye Zhengnan’s legs wasn’t overly taxing, it still left him feeling drained and sweaty.
“Dr. Jiang is right. Who says patients have to stay in bed all day? Back when I was leading troops, we had a saying: ‘Light wounds don’t leave the front lines.’ Getting injured and continuing to fight was common! It’s only in these peaceful times that people have become so delicate,” Ye Zhengnan said, his voice strong and full of enthusiasm as he shuffled back and forth.
Over the course of these treatments, Jiang Fei had not only improved his relationship with Ye Yuanyuan, whom he had initially clashed with, but he had also grown close to Old Master Ye Zhengnan, the former top general of Jincheng’s military district.
Now, Jiang Fei addressed him not as “General Ye” but as “Old Master Ye.”
Ye Yuanyuan shot Jiang Fei an exasperated look but didn’t dare go against her grandfather’s wishes. She followed him closely, ready to catch him if he stumbled. “Grandpa, that was when you were young. You’re much older now. You can’t compare to back then!”
“Your grandfather may be old, but I’m not senile yet. I know my limits,” Ye Zhengnan retorted, refusing to admit his age.
After walking for about five minutes, Ye Zhengnan began to tire. With Ye Yuanyuan’s help, he sat back down on the bed to rest.
Soon, another doctor entered the room—the same one Jiang Fei had taught the massage techniques to earlier. He began to massage Ye Zhengnan’s legs.
After catching his breath, Ye Zhengnan looked at Jiang Fei and said, “In my life, there are few people I truly admire. But Dr. Jiang, your acupuncture skills have earned my utmost respect! My legs had been treated by so many renowned doctors from the Chinese Medical Association, and none of them could help. I had almost given up hope, resigned to spending the rest of my life bedridden. But in just two weeks, you’ve got me walking again! Your skills are unmatched, even among the younger generation. I dare say there are few in the Chinese Medical Association who can rival you!”
Ye Zhengnan’s words were not mere flattery.
As a former general who had led troops into battle, he was not the type to offer empty praise. If he said something, he meant it. In his eyes, Jiang Fei’s medical skills were truly extraordinary, deserving of the highest praise. To him, Jiang Fei was nothing short of a miracle worker.
Jiang Fei felt a deep sense of satisfaction hearing this.
Being praised by someone of Ye Zhengnan’s stature was far more gratifying than receiving compliments from an ordinary person. It was like being praised by a national leader—the impact was incomparable.
“You flatter me, Old Master,” Jiang Fei said modestly, though he was clearly pleased. “My skills are decent, but I’ve heard there are some true miracle workers in the Chinese Medical Association. Ye Yuanyuan mentioned a Dr. Cui, known as the ‘Hand of the Ghost Gate,’ whose skills are said to be otherworldly. He’s even been invited abroad to treat foreign leaders.”
“Dr. Cui is indeed remarkable. When I was in the capital, I heard people speak of him. ‘The Hand of the Ghost Gate, snatching lives from the King of Hell’—that’s how they describe him,” Ye Zhengnan acknowledged with a nod.
But then he smiled and added, “Dr. Cui is exceptional, but you, Dr. Jiang, are no less impressive. In fact, I can confidently say there’s one area where Dr. Cui can’t hold a candle to you!”
Jiang Fei raised an eyebrow. “And what’s that?”
“Brewing!” Ye Zhengnan laughed heartily.
As soon as he said this, Ye Yuanyuan, standing nearby, blushed and complained, “The rice wine Jiang Fei gave me last time—Grandpa took half of it!”
Ye Zhengnan didn’t seem the least bit embarrassed. Just the thought of Jiang Fei’s rice wine made his face light up with delight, as if he could still taste its exquisite flavor.
Most soldiers, if not all, were fond of alcohol. It was almost a given that they enjoyed a good drink.
Ye Zhengnan was no exception. In his youth, he had been a smoker, but as he aged and developed lung problems, he had been forced to quit. However, his love for alcohol had never waned.
He loved good wine!
Some of the best and most famous wines in the country produced special reserve batches, available only to national leaders and impossible to buy, no matter how much money you had.
Every year, a portion of these wines was sent to Ye Zhengnan in Jincheng.
If the delivery was smaller than usual, Ye Zhengnan would be displeased and would even call to complain.
His love for wine was evident.
“Your rice wine may not be strong, and its taste is quite different from regular liquor, but its refreshing sweetness is unlike anything I’ve ever tasted. It’s truly a masterpiece!”
As he spoke, the usually stern and composed old general began to look like a child craving candy. “Jiang Fei, do you have any more of this wine? If you do, give me some. And don’t worry—I won’t take it for free. Name your price!”
“I don’t have any left in stock, but if you want more, I can brew some for you. It won’t take too long. As for the price…” Jiang Fei’s expression turned hesitant, almost embarrassed, as if he were struggling with what to ask for.
Asking for compensation from someone like Ye Zhengnan was tricky. Asking for too much or too little would both be inappropriate.
But of course, he couldn’t just offer it for free!
This was too good an opportunity to pass up.