Chapter 9: A Bold Attempt with Earth Qi

Mou Ying and Meng Xun were picking out items, while Zhang Tianyuan chatted idly with Xu Gang.

During their conversation, Zhang Tianyuan learned that Meng Xun's full name was Liu Mengxun, and she was in Xifeng City for a trip. She had just visited the Terracotta Warriors and Huaqing Pool and wanted to buy some jade to take back home, so she found Zhang Tianyuan. To his surprise, Liu Mengxun and Mou Ying turned out to be classmates from elementary school to high school. They chatted non-stop, and in the end, they even forgot about buying jade.

"Tianyuan, you're not young anymore. Since you and Wu Tingyu don't get along, why don't you try to get close to this Liu Mengxun?" Xu Gang said with a grin.

"Look at you, what are you talking about? I'm not that familiar with her." In fact, if Zhang Tianyuan said he wasn't interested in Liu Mengxun, he would be lying. He had a very good first impression of her, but he felt he was not good enough for her.

He had already deduced that Liu Mengxun must be from a well-off family. He was just a farmer's son with no significant career, so what did he have to offer? Her politeness and kindness were just a result of good upbringing, not any particular fondness for him.

"Once is a stranger, twice is a friend. What's there to be afraid of? She'll be staying in Xifeng City for a while, so you should seize the opportunity. A woman like her will have many people chasing after her," Xu Gang advised.

"Forget it..." Zhang Tianyuan was about to say more when his phone rang. "You check the store for me, I need to take this call outside!"

Zhang Tianyuan walked out of the store and answered the call.

"Mom, what's wrong? It's so late." He knew it was his mother from the number.

The voice on the other end hesitated before saying, "Tianyuan, don't panic. Your father was working at a construction site in the county. The scaffolding fell today, and he was hit. He's being treated at the county hospital right now."

Zhang Tianyuan was stunned. His father had always been in good health and had never had any serious illnesses. He never expected something like this to happen, to be hit by scaffolding!

Although he was panicked, he tried to reassure his mother, "Mom, don't worry, I'll be right there."

After hanging up, he went back into the store.

"Xue, Dad had an accident, I need to go back." He called out to the inner room and then said to Xu Gang, "Gangzi, I'll need your help again. Give me your car keys."

Xu Gang was taken aback. "What happened to Uncle?"

"I'm not sure yet. He was hit by scaffolding and is at the county hospital. I need to go see him," Zhang Tianyuan said, looking anxious.

"No, you can't drive in this state. I'll take you back," Xu Gang insisted. He was worried about Zhang Tianyuan's distracted state and the darkness outside. If something happened, it would be too late to regret it.

"But you still need to take care of Mou Ying and Miss Liu," Zhang Tianyuan said.

Before Xu Gang could respond, Mou Ying came over and said, "Gangzi, let's end the shopping trip here. I'll go with you to Tao County. Anyway, Mengxun and I are staying in the pottery village in Tao County, so it's on the way."

Liu Mengxun nodded. "It's urgent, so don't worry about us. Let's end the shopping trip here. I'm a bit tired anyway."

"Alright, let's go together."

At this moment, Zhang Xue came out of the room, insisting on going with them. Zhang Tianyuan tried to persuade her to stay, but she finally agreed to stay behind.

After all, there were two children to take care of, and the store needed to be watched. If he left, Lin Feng would be overwhelmed.

"Xue, I'll go check first and call you later. You can come back tomorrow. Be good."

Zhang Tianyuan then left the store with Xu Gang, Mou Ying, and Liu Mengxun, heading to the county hospital.

...

The car drove directly to the county hospital, and even Mou Ying and Liu Mengxun came along.

"Sorry for the detour. Gangzi, take them to the pottery village. I'll go to the hospital to check on the situation," Zhang Tianyuan said, apologizing to Mou Ying and Liu Mengxun, and then giving Xu Gang a few instructions before running into the hospital.

"No, I'm worried about Uncle. I need to go check on him first," Xu Gang insisted. He and Zhang Tianyuan had been childhood friends, and Zhang Tianyuan's father, Zhang Ruhai, had skilled hands, making many different toys, even though they were made of wood and scrap materials. They were a big part of Xu Gang's childhood, and he felt like Zhang Ruhai was a close uncle. He couldn't just leave.

Mou Ying glanced at Liu Mengxun, who didn't seem to mind. Since her boyfriend was staying, she would stay too, but she was worried Liu Mengxun might not be happy.

To her surprise, Liu Mengxun just smiled. "Let's go together. We're already in Tao County, and the county hospital is close to the pottery village. No rush."

"Thank you so much." Xu Gang was grateful, parked the car, and rushed upstairs. Mou Ying and Liu Mengxun followed behind.

Outside the emergency room, Zhang Tianyuan's mother, Li Lanxiang, was anxiously waiting. When she saw Zhang Tianyuan, she seemed to find some reassurance. After all, Zhang Tianyuan was the only son in the family, and if Zhang Ruhai were to fall, Zhang Tianyuan would be the head of the household, according to rural customs.

"Mom, how is it?"

"Still in emergency treatment." Li Lanxiang's tears streamed down her face, and she was almost incoherent.

"Mom, don't cry. Everything will be fine. Dad is a good person, and good people have good luck," Zhang Tianyuan comforted her, hugging her tightly.

At this moment, Xu Gang, Mou Ying, and Liu Mengxun also came in. Seeing the situation, they didn't say anything and quietly waited.

About half an hour later, the emergency room door finally opened, and Zhang Ruhai was wheeled out. Zhang Tianyuan, who was supporting his mother, couldn't rush over, but Xu Gang quickly approached the doctor and asked, "How is he? How is Uncle?"

"Relax, he's out of danger. He's lucky, but... sigh, his right leg will likely be disabled," the doctor said. "The fracture is manageable, but there's a problem with the nervous system in his right leg. Our small hospital doesn't have the medical facilities to treat it. If you want to treat it properly, you'll need to take him to a larger hospital."

Hearing this, Zhang Tianyuan didn't know whether to cry or laugh. He was relieved that his father was out of danger, but the thought of his father, who loved to work, being disabled in one leg was unbearable.

Li Lanxiang had already fainted. She had never experienced such a shock in her life and couldn't bear it.

Mou Ying and Liu Mengxun stood there, unsure whether to offer comfort or not, and could only sigh inwardly.

Zhang Tianyuan took his mother to the doctor for a check-up. The doctor said she had fainted due to the shock and would be fine after resting. He then had her lie down on an empty bed in his father's ward.

"Tianyuan, I'll go handle the hospital admission procedures. You take care of Uncle and Aunt," Xu Gang said, seeing Zhang Tianyuan's low spirits. He went to the ATM to withdraw some money and then handled the admission procedures.

In the ward, Zhang Tianyuan lowered his head, looking at his still unconscious father, not knowing what to do. He was very depressed.

Suddenly, a bold idea formed in his mind.

"The 'Bu' character in my six-character true incantation isn't just for antiques. It can repair other things too. Can it also repair my father's leg nerves?"

This idea was indeed bold, as he had never tried it before, not even in the game.

But today, he was pushed to the brink. If he didn't try, he would never be at peace.

He looked around; the corridor was empty.

He closed the ward door and walked to his father's bedside.

The Earth Qi surged within him. He gently touched his father's right leg, which was deemed to be disabled, and activated the 'Jian' character. He needed to use the透视 (penetrating vision) and 查微 (microscopic examination) to accurately determine the problem with his father's leg before using the 'Bu' character.

"I found it!"

Zhang Tianyuan was excited. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, and then used the 'Bu' character, channeling the Earth Qi into the damaged nerves in his father's right leg.