chapter 15 Pretending to be real is a slap in the face

"Sure thing, brother. You cured my sister's illness in no time and also helped my Uncle Alfie with such a big problem."
Driving the car, Oscar said to Noah Jiang who was sitting in the passenger seat. He then added hesitantly, "By the way, bro, about my illness..."
"Oh, that illness of yours. It's not serious. Later on, I'll prescribe some medicine for you. Take it for a week, and you should recover," Noah Jiang replied, looking at his phone and waving dismissively at Oscar.
"That's great! I've been to the urology hospital twice, and they couldn't cure me. I'm too embarrassed to go back. Your medical skills are truly remarkable, bro," Oscar said excitedly, patting Noah Jiang's shoulder with a big hand.
It's tricky, being the leader and having your subordinates know about such an illness; they would surely mock him relentlessly.
Seeing the big hand on his shoulder, Oscar quickly removed it, chuckled awkwardly, and said, "We should connect on WeChat. If you ever need anything, just let me know. You've helped Uncle Alfie today and done me such a big favor. I'll be forever grateful."
But Noah Jiang just laughed and replied, "You still have to pay for the treatment!"
Whilst chatting with Oscar, they soon arrived at Jiang Clinic.
Ruth Chen was waiting for their return and rushed up to greet them, holding onto Noah Jiang, "Brother Noah, did they harm you in any way?"
Looking at the worried Ruth, Noah Jiang laughed and reassured her, "What could they possibly do to me? Consume me?"
"That's right, beautiful young lady. Dr. Noah Jiang is our saviour. We can't thank him enough," Oscar declared, getting out of the car.
Ruth Chen glared at Oscar and followed Noah Jiang into the Jiang Clinic, asking, "So, Brother Noah, you really cured that patient?"
"Yes,"
Noah Jiang nodded. He then began to write a prescription for Oscar. "Get the medicine from Jiren Clinic's pharmacy. Make sure to boil the medicine long enough before drinking it, understand?"
"Got it. Thanks, bro!" Oscar replied excitedly, taking the prescription.
Henry Chen, Ethan Chen, and Jadyn Wang approached, eyeing Oscar, which made them nervous.
"Noah, you're back," Henry Chen said, showing concern. "How's the patient?"
"Uncle Henry, the patient has been cured," Noah Jiang replied with a smile.
"He has been cured?"
Jadyn Wang and the others exchanged surprised glances. Ethan Chen scoffed, "Even a blind cat catches a mouse sometimes. It was probably just sheer luck."
"Damn! You have a nasty mouth! You want a beating?" Oscar angrily pointed at Ethan Chen.
"What are you trying to do?"
Seeing Oscar's fist, a frightened Ethan Chen backed off, recalling the previous day's incident when their clinic was vandalized.
"Oscar, you should go get your medicine. Don't delay your treatment," Noah Jiang advised, standing up.
"Sure, bro. If they dare to bully you, tell me. I'll teach them a lesson," Oscar threatened, glaring at Ethan Chen, before leaving the Jiang Clinic to get his medicine.
"Ugh! Just because you have a gangster friend, you think you're all that, Noah Jiang? I still say you're a quack!" Ethan Chen said angrily, pointing at Noah Jiang.
"That's enough! Do you want to be fired? Go back and clean up," Henry Chen scolded, glaring at his son and Jadyn Wang.
Ethan Chen, Jadyn Wang, and the other nurses and doctors hastily went back to the clinic to clean up the mess left by Oscar and his gang the day before.
Henry Chen looked at Noah Jiang and sighed, "Noah, can you tell me what exactly happened with that patient?"
Noah Jiang tidied up his medical box and glanced at Henry Chen, saying, "Uncle Henry, even if I told the truth, you wouldn't believe it."
"Alright, then tell me, why were you able to use the Jiang Medical Sect's Nine-turn Magic Needle Technique in the hospital yesterday?" Henry Chen stared wide-eyed, asking Noah Jiang with curiosity.
"I am the last heir of the Jiang Medical Sect. Naturally, it was passed down to me by my grandfather." Noah Jiang placed the medical box properly and turned back to Henry Chen.
"Exactly, Dad. Isn't it a good thing that Brother Noah's medical skills have improved? Besides, if it weren't for Brother Noah's help, we wouldn't know what to do with that patient." Ruth Chen pulled her father, not wanting him to trouble Noah Jiang.
Henry Chen nodded, now even he was confused about how Noah Jiang suddenly displayed the Jiang Medical Sect's Nine-turn Magic Needle Technique.
Could it really be a resurgence of his medical skills?
"Brother Noah, to celebrate, can I take you out for lunch? No more takeaways." Seeing her father leave, Ruth Chen wrapped her arms around Noah Jiang's arm and pouted cutely.
"Next time. You better go back and clean up the clinic. I'll sort out the medicines in the cabinet." Noah Jiang gently removed Ruth Chen's hand and walked behind the counter to prepare the herbs that needed to be dried.
"Oh, alright then."
Ruth Chen sighed internally. The thought of Noah Jiang becoming her family's son-in-law saddened her.
After seeing Ruth Chen off, a fierce-looking woman in a pink dress entered, glanced at Noah Jiang, and said, "Noah, it's time to pay this month's rent."
Noah Jiang tensed up and turned to the landlady with a shy smile, "Sister Mary, I'm a bit short on money right now, can I have a couple of days’ extension?"
"You know, Noah, every month you're behind on rent. Maybe you should close down this rundown clinic and let me rent it to someone else." The landlady, Sister Mary, looked at Noah Jiang disdainfully, her voice raised.
"Oh, Sister Mary, look at that rosy glow on your face today. You must've encountered something joyful, right? Perhaps blossoming love, experiencing a second spring?" Noah Jiang pulled out a chair for Sister Mary, trying to appease her with flattery.
"Haha, your sweet words! Indeed, I have a date with a handsome man from the internet at noon. I wonder if he'll like me." Sister Mary quickly sat down, happily sharing.
"He'll definitely like you. With your beauty and wealth, any man would be attracted. But Sister Mary, your complexion seems a bit yellowish, indicating excessive internal heat. How about I give you a beauty acupuncture treatment before your date?" Noah Jiang said with a forced smile.
"Beauty acupuncture? Is there such a technique?" Sister Mary skeptically eyed Noah Jiang.
"Of course! Among the Jiang Medical Sect's Nine-turn Magic Needle Techniques, there's a treatment just for beauty. Come on, Sister Mary, let me give it a try. Go to your date looking radiant."
Half an hour later, Noah Jiang finally saw Sister Mary off, sighing with resignation, murmuring, "If I had known, I would have taken that one million. Trying to act noble really backfired."
All morning, not a single patient came to the Jiang Clinic.
Noah Jiang inherited the medical practices of the ancient Yuanshi Medical Fairy and had been eager to showcase his skills. But now, with no place to apply them, his frustration and despair were palpable.