The Sweetest Marriage Ch.393

Chapter 393 – Achen’s Smile

Beforehand, Chen Li and Lan Xiping hadn’t told Wei Chen why they were coming here. So, when the old man in front of him mentioned having a “way”, Wei Chen couldn’t grasp what the way meant.

It wasn’t until the old man asked him to come closer, saying he wanted to take a look at his face, that Wei Chen realized the old man had a way to deal with his facial paralysis.

Realizing this, Wei Chen felt incredulous. Facial paralysis had been with him since birth, and despite consulting numerous famous doctors over the years, none had claimed to have a solution. How could one suddenly claim to have a way?

It wasn’t that Wei Chen didn’t trust this doctor; after all, it was Lan Xiping who had brought him here. Even if he didn’t believe in the old man in front of him, he wouldn’t doubt Lan Xiping.

Dr. Wu didn’t pay attention to Wei Chen’s thoughts. He reached out and pinched Wei Chen’s chin, observing closely, then pinched different spots on Wei Chen’s face.

Before long, Dr. Wu withdrew his hand and said, “No problem. I’ll give him a few acupuncture sessions and prescribe some medicine. He’ll be fine in ten days.”

Dr. Wu’s words sounded casual, but they hit Wei Chen and Chen Li like a bombshell.

Unable to hold back, Chen Li asked, “Sir, can it really be cured?”

Dr. Wu nodded, “His condition isn’t severe, but your own condition might be a bit more serious.”

“Sir, what’s wrong with Li Li?” Wei Chen was more concerned about Chen Li’s condition than his own facial paralysis.

In recent years, he had taken Chen Li for regular check-ups, and the reports always indicated improving health. Could there be an issue that hadn’t been detected?

“Teacher, that’s the real reason I brought them here today,” Lan Xiping said.

He had studied alongside Dr. Wu for a year and hadn’t learned in vain. Before encountering traditional Chinese medicine, Lan Xiping had thought Chen Li was perfectly healthy. But yesterday, seeing Chen Li, he sensed an underlying issue from his complexion, something that modern medical instruments couldn’t detect.

Lan Xiping wasn’t worried that Dr. Wu couldn’t treat Wei Chen’s facial paralysis; he was concerned that Dr. Wu might be powerless against Chen Li’s hidden ailment.

But upon hearing Dr. Wu’s assurance, Lan Xiping finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Chen Li was a bit bewildered; he felt Lan Xiping and Dr. Wu were playing a guessing game. He looked at Wei Chen, who was also perplexed. Amidst their confusion, Wei Chen seemed more worried about Chen Li.

Chen Li couldn’t help but say, “Aping, I feel pretty healthy myself, no issues.”

But Dr. Wu chuckled at Chen Li’s words. “Young man, there are significant problems within your body.”

“What’s really going on, sir?” Wei Chen was anxious. He had always been concerned about Chen Li’s health. If there were any problems, they needed to be addressed promptly.

“Let me explain.” Dr. Wu didn’t beat around the bush. He went on, “This young man previously mentioned living in discontentment. He harbored negative emotions within himself, closing himself off from the world.

The five viscera correspond to five emotional states: the heart governs joy, the lungs govern sorrow, the liver governs anger, the spleen governs overthinking, and the kidneys govern fear. When these emotional states are balanced, the organs function properly. However, in the past, this young man’s emotional states were imbalanced. This imbalance has persisted for over ten or twenty years.

“Consequently, this young man’s internal organs have suffered damage. Although this damage isn’t apparent now, as he ages and his vitality diminishes, his health will deteriorate further. He might not live past fifty.”

This wasn’t an exaggerated warning from Dr. Wu; it was a genuine concern present in Chen Li. Despite appearing to have recovered, the prolonged imbalance in emotional states had sown seeds of trouble within this young man.

Chen Li and Wei Chen were both shocked, completely unaware of such a perspective. If it weren’t for this visit to Taohua Village, what might have happened?

Wei Chen couldn’t fathom it and turned to Dr. Wu for help, pleading, “Sir, please, you must cure Li Li.”

Dr. Wu replied, “You don’t need to worry. I said there’s a solution, but this condition won’t improve overnight. It will take some time to heal.”

“Thank you, sir,” Wei Chen sighed in relief upon hearing the assurance from Dr. Wu.

“It’s not urgent. Come with me. I’ll give you a few acupuncture sessions first. You can test their effectiveness,” Dr. Wu said, walking towards the inner hall.

Wei Chen glanced and followed him.

Chen Li watched Wei Chen enter, then turned to Lan Xiping beside him and asked, “Do you think what the old man just said is true?”

“I haven’t discussed your situation with the teacher,” Lan Xiping replied.

In other words, Dr. Wu accurately inferred, merely from Chen Li’s complexion, that he had spent a decade or two in a state akin to autism.

Chen Li understood Lan Xiping’s underlying meaning and was stunned. Finally, he exclaimed, “Aping, this old man is a miraculous doctor!”

At that moment, Chen Li was filled with hope like never before. He believed that Dr. Wu would definitely cure Wei Chen’s facial paralysis.

As for his own condition, Chen Li hadn’t considered it.

Lan Xiping sensed the delight in Chen Li’s tone and couldn’t help but pat his shoulder, saying, “You’re such a stupid donkey!”

But it was a charming kind of fool.

Wei Chen and Dr. Wu spent a whole hour inside before coming out. When Wei Chen emerged, his eyes held an expression of astonishment. Just one session of acupuncture made his facial skin feel significantly looser, something he had never experienced before. Even the movements to pull at the corners of his mouth felt much easier than before.

It was truly miraculous.

If Wei Chen had any doubts about Dr. Wu before, they vanished completely after witnessing Dr. Wu’s skills. He became even more certain that Dr. Wu could indeed treat Chen Li’s condition.

After Dr. Wu emerged, he swiftly wrote down several medicinal ingredients on a prescription and handed it to Lan Xiping, instructing, “Give him this medication for a week. After a week, bring him back for another acupuncture session. Then, I’ll assess the progress and decide.”

Lan Xiping nodded in agreement.

After examining Wei Chen, Dr. Wu asked Chen Li to sit in front of him and carefully checked his pulse. No one uttered a word; all eyes were fixed on Dr. Wu.

Eventually, Dr. Wu withdrew his hand and said, “His condition is better than I expected. He has been well taken care of in recent years.”

“Alright, none of you need to worry anymore. I’ll prescribe some medicine for you to take at home. You just need to take good care of yourself. It won’t take long, maybe six months, and his body will be as strong as an ox.”

When Dr. Wu said so, it was the truth.

And that meant everything was truly alright.

Wei Chen’s tense heart finally relaxed. He carefully inquired about some precautions from Dr. Wu, even jotting them down with a pen.

As long as Li Li could be treated, that was all that mattered.

Wei Chen and Chen Li initially thought they were here for a vacation, but they never expected to encounter a miraculous doctor. Not only could he treat Wei Chen’s facial paralysis, but he could also address Chen Li’s hidden ailment. This unexpected fortune was a pleasant surprise for both of them.

From then on, Chen Li and Wei Chen were practically immersed in a world of herbal concoctions, having to drink peculiar-tasting Chinese medicine every morning and evening.

For Wei Chen, it wasn’t much of an issue. But for Chen Li, it was like closing his eyes and gulping it down.

However, the real torment for Chen Li lay ahead. Due to minor damage to his internal organs, there were many things he couldn’t eat; he had to stick to a restricted diet.

For a food enthusiast, dietary restrictions were akin to a catastrophe.

With so many things off-limits, Chen Li wore a miserable expression all day, looking pitifully at Wei Chen.

Wei Chen was easily swayed by Chen Li in most matters, but when it came to Chen Li’s health, Wei Chen’s resolve was unshakeable. Even if Chen Li pleaded pitifully, Wei Chen remained resolute.

Feeling helpless, Chen Li had no choice but to abide by the restrictions. However, being obedient was not Chen Li’s style. He couldn’t stand eating alone; he had to drag another food lover down with him.

The unfortunate victim was Qiuqiu. Coincidentally, on the same day, Chen Li and Wei Chen were worried about Qiuqiu’s health and sought Dr. Wu’s help.

Dr. Wu didn’t prescribe any medication or give specific instructions; he simply said two words: “Too fat!”

Indeed, Qiuqiu was a bit overweight.

Now, Chen Li had a legitimate reason to pull Qiuqiu into his dietary restrictions.

Qiuqiu contemplated protesting, but it was futile. His daddy, filled with resentment for having to drink the medicine, glared at him; nothing he said would make a difference.

Wei Chen pampered Chen Li, and coupled with Qiuqiu’s actual overweight issue, Wei Chen saw an opportunity to help Qiuqiu lose weight.

Qiuqiu’s pleas couldn’t melt the hearts of two dads brimming with grievance due to the medicine. He could only reluctantly accept the situation.

He consoled himself, feeling fortunate compared to his two dads who had to drink peculiar medicines every day.

In the blink of an eye, a week had passed. Wei Chen returned to Dr. Wu’s home once again.

This time, the acupuncture session lasted more than three times longer than before; he entered in the morning and only emerged by noon.

“It’s mostly okay now; you can stop the medication. Come back in ten days, and that should do it,” Dr. Wu stated.

“Alright, thank you.” Wei Chen earnestly expressed his gratitude. He attempted to pull at the corners of his mouth, but because he had never smiled, although the muscles on his face could move now, it appeared somewhat awkward.

“Practice in front of a mirror when you get back. Once you get used to it, the smile will come naturally.”

“Understood.”

After leaving the consultation room, Wei Chen still felt surreal. He genuinely felt the muscles on his face under his control. When he wanted to lift them, they lifted; when he relaxed, they relaxed, without the previous sense of powerlessness.

Seeing Wei Chen come out, Chen Li hurried over and asked, “Achen, how did it go?”

Wei Chen unconsciously curled his lips and replied, “Seems like it worked.”

This smile wasn’t deliberate; it was a genuine reaction upon seeing Chen Li. Though a bit stiff, it was indeed a heartfelt, genuine smile.

“Achen! You just smiled!”

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