Chapter 6

Compared to fortune-telling through physiognomy, Lu Li's expertise in medicine was even more profound, and the life-saving acupuncture technique he created was nothing short of a miracle.

Moreover, he indeed needed money, and he needed it badly.

Of course, if Lu Fang were in good health, he wouldn't say anything rash. If there were any issues, he would have no reason not to charge.

"Lu Sister, come a bit closer."

Hearing this, Lu Fang took a few steps closer. Lu Li narrowed his eyes and began examining her face, nodding as he did so.

Lu Fang had a delicate appearance, with a face that was round yet slightly square, a broad forehead, and evenly spaced facial features, all of which indicated a prosperous and supportive nature. Moreover, she was gentle and considerate.

After examining her face, Lu Li gently held Lu Fang's wrist and observed her palm lines, silently calculating for a moment before letting go.

Seeing Lu Li's serious expression, Lu Fang felt uneasy. Once he let go of her hand, she quickly asked, "How is it?"

Liu Zhongtian almost simultaneously looked at Lu Li.

"Lu Sister, your fortune is very strong. You have a complete family, a life of wealth and prosperity, and a supportive and long life. At the age of 35, you might encounter some trouble, but it won't be serious, and you will surely turn misfortune into good fortune."

"Is there more?"

Lu Fang nodded happily, already showing a bit of curiosity.

Liu Zhongtian was equally delighted, especially by the phrase "complete family," which touched his heart deeply.

"Is there more?"

Lu Li thought for a moment, then said with a slight smile, "I've already mentioned the physiognomy, and there are no major issues. As for your discomfort, it's due to a lingering illness from the past. You've never properly treated it, so a bit of adjustment will help."

"Lingering illness? What kind of illness?" Lu Fang was puzzled.

"Probably around the age of ten, you had a high fever. If left untreated or only treated with physical cooling methods, the fever would have naturally subsided within a day, and your body would have become healthier. Unfortunately, you were treated with Western antibiotics, which ultimately reduced the fever but damaged your lung meridian. It's been twenty years, and the damage to your lung meridian is about to flare up."

"Ah? How do you know?"

Lu Fang was greatly surprised.

Lu Li pointed to the sign on the ground and said with a smile, "I'll write you a prescription. Take it for seven days, and you should be fine."

"Thank you, thank you."

Lu Fang thanked him repeatedly. If there was any doubt about Lu Li's physiognomy, his medical skills were beyond question, especially since he knew about her condition from twenty years ago.

Seeing Lu Fang's expression, Liu Zhongtian's face finally changed.

He coughed lightly and approached Lu Li, asking eagerly, "Young brother, can you check me too? I've been feeling weak lately, with back and waist pain, and sometimes I can't sleep."

Since there was no need for physiognomy, Lu Li quickly diagnosed Liu Zhongtian. He observed Liu Zhongtian's complexion and combined it with his symptoms, his expression becoming somewhat strange.

"Is it serious?" Liu Zhongtian asked anxiously, seeing Lu Li hesitate.

"Well," Lu Li looked at Liu Zhongtian and then at Lu Fang, smiling, "Liu Brother, after the age of thirty-five, men should be a bit more restrained."

"Restrained?"

Liu Zhongtian was taken aback but quickly understood, his face turning awkward. Lu Fang's face had already turned red, and she wished she could find a hole to hide in.

"Mom, why is your face red?" Liu Jiajia looked at Lu Fang curiously and asked.

"It's too hot." Lu Fang felt even more embarrassed and quickly said.

"Oh."

Liu Jiajia, who was already impatient, pulled Lu Fang's hand and urged, "Mom, let's quickly go pick a gift for Grandpa. I'm hungry."

"Okay, let's go." Lu Fang patted her daughter's head affectionately and looked at Lu Li, "Lu Li, it's getting late. You should go too. After we buy the gift, we'll have a meal together. I wanted to thank you properly last time, but I never had the chance."

Liu Zhongtian added, "Afang is right. Let's buy the birthday gift for the old man and then have a meal. Besides, you just treated us, and Afang's prescription and consultation fee haven't been paid yet."

Lu Li looked up at the sky and agreed.

Seeing Lu Li agree, Liu Zhongtian and his wife breathed a sigh of relief.

Last time, Lu Li risked his life to save their daughter, and they had always wanted to thank him, but they never had the chance. This time, they finally had the opportunity and couldn't let it slip away.

Lu Li bent down to pick up the paper on the ground, folded it, and put it in his backpack.

"Liu Brother, where are we going?"

"Next month is the old man's seventieth birthday. He likes to collect famous calligraphy and paintings. Yesterday, Jibaozhai called me, saying they have a new Qing Dynasty calligraphy piece. I came to take a look," Liu Zhongtian said with a smile.

Lu Fang added, "Lu Li, the old man wants to meet you. You must come."

"Me?" Lu Li shook his head, "No need."

"No, if you don't come, I'll go to your school to find you," Lu Fang said half-jokingly.

"Alright, I'll try."

Since they had said so much, it wouldn't be appropriate to refuse.

As they walked and chatted, occasionally teasing Liu Jiajia, the four of them soon arrived at Jibaozhai.

Jibaozhai had an ancient and elegant facade, with a couplet hanging on either side of the door frame: "Gathering treasures from the Xia tripod, Qin bricks, and Zhao walls, and the poetry of the Tang, the calligraphy of the Jin, and the literature of the Han."

When Lu Li first came to the antique street, he had specifically gone inside to look. He didn't see the Xia tripod or Qin bricks, but he did see many imitations. Of course, the real treasures might not be on display.

Inside the antique shop, Liu Zhongtian said to the clerk, "Is Mr. Xu here? We already made an appointment."

"Are you Mr. Liu? Mr. Xu is waiting for you. Please wait a moment, and I'll call him out."

While waiting for the boss, Lu Li walked over to the calligraphy and paintings hanging on the wall, shaking his head as he admired them.

With his expertise in calligraphy and painting from his fifth reincarnation, if he were to appraise bronze vessels or porcelain, he would only be considered average. However, when it came to calligraphy and paintings, he was a master.

If he didn't like something, even if it were genuine, it probably wouldn't be very valuable.

"Lu Li, do you have any knowledge of calligraphy and paintings?" Lu Fang, who had been paying attention to Lu Li, asked curiously when she saw him shake his head.

"A little."

"Amazing. Zhongtian has been studying calligraphy and painting appraisal for eight years and still often makes mistakes."

"Cough, cough."

Hearing his wife reveal his shortcomings in public, Liu Zhongtian coughed awkwardly.

"Ha ha, Mr. Liu, you've finally come. Since yesterday, at least three buyers have asked if the calligraphy is for sale. If I hadn't promised it to you, I might not have been able to keep it."

With a hearty laugh, a middle-aged man in a suit and with a kind face emerged from the inner room.

Liu Zhongtian seemed satisfied, shook his hand, and said with a smile, "Thank you, Mr. Xu. As long as it's genuine, the price is negotiable."

Mr. Xu's face lit up, "Mr. Liu, please, let's discuss it in the inner room."

"Alright." Liu Zhongtian agreed and turned to Lu Fang, "Do you want to come in and take a look?"

"Let's skip it." Lu Fang glanced at Liu Jiajia and said helplessly, "Your daughter's eyes are about to fall out; she won't listen to me!"

"Lu Li, what about you?"

Lu Li thought for a moment and said with a smile, "I've never seen genuine masterpieces before, so it's a good opportunity to learn."

They passed through the front hall and corridor into the inner room, which was small but elegantly decorated with redwood armchairs and a peachwood coffee table with a purple clay teapot.

After they sat down, Mr. Xu personally brewed a pot of tea and then left for a moment. When he returned, he was holding a scroll.

"Mr. Liu, this is a Qing Dynasty calligraphy piece we recently acquired from southern Shaanxi. After expert authentication, it is believed to be a genuine work by one of the four great calligraphers of the Qing Dynasty, Fang Gang."

"Who? Fang Gang?"

Liu Zhongtian didn't react much, but Lu Li stood up in shock, almost spilling the purple clay teacup in his hand.