Physician’s Odyssey

After Shui Junzhuo told him about the bet, Su Tao wore a wry smile as he asked in perplexion, “Why did you make a bet for no reason? I don’t have a habit of casually taking disciples!”

Pouting her lips, Shui Junzhuo unhappily replied, “Because I can’t stand that Russian doctor! He’s boasting as if he’s the best!”

Looking at Shui Junzhuo with a complicated expression, Su Tao lowered his voice, “This is so unlike you. Did you do this on purpose?”

Hearing Su Tao’s words, Shui Junzhuo blushed as she asked, “On purpose?”

“You were afraid that I wouldn’t treat Natasha seriously, so you purposely set up this bet.” Su Tao sighed as he exposed Shui Junzhuo’s trick.

However, Shui Junzhuo did not admit it and argued, “You’re overthinking into the matter. I only feel that we can’t appear weak before a foreigner in our own territory. Not only did he humiliate you, but he even mocked China’s medical standards!”

Su Tao was briefly stunned before he sighed with a bitter smile rising on his lips. “You’re really on full aggro there. Forget it; you can tell that Russian doctor that Natasha has anemia, and in TCM, it’s known as a condition with blood deficiency. But forget about having him as my disciple; I don’t have that much free time to fool around.”

Shui Junzhuo did not translate his words, but looked at Su Tao, baffled. “Did you make a mistake? She gained over 20 kilograms, and she has anemia?”

After all, it didn’t make sense, since it would make more sense if someone skinny was suffering from anemia.

Hence, Su Tao smiled as he explained, “Anemia has nothing to do with the weight. Being overweight simply explains the high-fat percentage in your body, while anemia is due to the low iron in the body. In TCM terms, her condition is Binge-Eating Overweight Anemia Disorder. Due to the lack of iron in her body, her body function dropped. At the same time, her metabolism went haywire, which resulted in her gaining weight. For people of this category, they would usually suffer from a heaty digestive system, decrease in the bodily function, and abnormal metabolism.”

Shui Junzhuo was still confused as she looked at Su Tao. “It sounds a little profound. Let me rearrange my thoughts to translate it!”

“Putting it in a nutshell, the human body will try to replenish something lacking, which resulted in her binge-eating disorder. You just have to tell that doctor that she has anemia! After all, medical apparatuses can only detect that she has anemia. Using medication can replenish the iron in her blood to temporarily put her condition under control, and her mind will send a signal to the stomach that there’s no need to search for more food. This way, her binge-eating disorder will be put under control.” Su Tao smiled.

After this explanation, Shui Junzhuo finally understood it and she translated it to Kelov.

Hearing her translation, Kelov widened his eyes with disbelief, since that young man managed to detect Natasha’s anemia without using any apparatuses.

The reason why so many specialists failed to figure out the reason was because they felt that it should have something to do with her psychology, and that also meant that they were wrong right from the start. Furthermore, no one tried to look into another direction on the matter, and even if they managed to detect Natasha’s anemia, they weren’t able to connect it with her binge-eating disorder.

He’s a professor at the Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, so how could he possibly take a young man in his twenties as his teacher?

Hence, he tried to deny and asked, “Did Mrs. Irina tell you the illness of Natasha? It’s no wonder why you guys are so confident in taking on the bet!”

But when Irina heard Kelov’s words, she instantly furrowed her brows. But out of consideration for Kelov’s medical skills that managed to alleviate Natasha’s condition, she endured the unhappiness and explained, “Doctor Kelov, you’ve overthought into the situation. I did not reveal anything to the two of them.”

However, Kelov waved his hand in annoyance. “Then, since you’ve invited such a formidable doctor from China, let them treat Natasha’s condition. I believe there’s no longer a purpose for me to be here anymore.”

But when Irina heard Kelov’s words, she instantly grew anxious. “Please be appeased, Mr. Kelov. Natasha still needs you!”

However, Kelov glanced at Su Tao and Shui Junzhuo in disdain. He had used Natasha as a hostage to regain his dignity.

Although it was a bet, it was made too carelessly, and he lost!

It was an indisputable fact that he managed to put Natasha’s condition under control with the medicine that he prescribed!

Kelov knew that Irina wouldn’t disclose Natasha’s condition to the two of them. After all, he did not make any explanation to anyone about Natasha’s situation.

However, he couldn’t figure out how the young man managed to make such an accurate examination of Natasha’s condition.

Was it all due to luck? But the chances of that occurring were too low!

Despite losing, Kelov’s act of putting on airs before Irina has enraged Shui Junzhuo.

On the other hand, Su Tao quietly stood to the side, since he already knew that someone like Kelov was someone who puts importance in his dignity, and it was also within his expectations that Kelov would go against his own bet!

Seeing that Irina was anxious and was afraid of Kelov leaving, Su Tao finally couldn’t stand it anymore and said to Shui Junzuo, “Ask that old fellow if he managed to see if there’s any other illness with Natasha.”

But when Shui Junzhuo translated, the old man waved his hand in annoyance. “Aside from anemia, Natasha is extremely healthy!”

Hearing his answer, Su Tao sighed with a bitter smile. He had overestimated Kelov’s ability. The latter only managed to detect Natasha’s anemia condition through apparatuses, but he failed to discover the reason for her anemia.

Walking over to Irina, he said, “Inviting this Russian doctor can only treat the symptoms and not the roots. As time passes, Natasha’s condition will relapse in the future. If you want her to recover completely, then please ask him to leave and let me take over the treatment.”

Looking at Su Tao, Shui Junzuo felt ticklish in her heart. The former was charming when he was making such a domineering speech.

She knew that Su Tao did this because of her, or he would’ve left a long time ago, based on his temper.

She wasn’t wrong about Su Tao, since being a doctor wasn’t a profession that sells yourself short. He had his own dignity and responsibility to save lives, but he would never lower his head when facing authority and money.

With a sunny heart, one would be as compassionate as the Bodhisattva!

If the heart was filled with rage, one would be as relentless as Yama!

Irina looked at Su Tao in perplexion before looking at Kelov, who couldn’t understand Mandarin. But at this moment, she would rather bet on the latter.

Hence, to appease the latter, she turned to Shui Junzhuo. “Thank you for coming due to Natasha’s condition. I’ve already made up my mind to believe Doctor Kelov. After all, he’s a famous doctor in Russia who even frequently serves the President and Prime Minister. I’m sorry, but I’ll have to ask you to leave, for now. I’ll visit you personally in the coming future to seek forgiveness.”

Although Shui Junzhuo was pissed, she was still someone who has received higher education. Thus, she squeezed out a smile. “I will respect your decision, but please do not hesitate to look for me if you need any help in the future.”

Su Tao did not speak as he left with Shui Junzhuo. Before he left, he could see the arrogance in Kelov’s eyes.

After Irina sent Shui Junzuo and Su Tao away, she turned around and saw that Kelov was about to leave as well and immediately became anxious. “Doctor Kelov, when will my daughter recover?”

After a brief pondering, Kelov smiled. “I’ve prescribed strong medicine for Natasha, and if things go according to my expectations, it will show effect in three to five days! For now, keep an eye on her and keep me updated. I will be in China during this period, so you don’t have to worry!”

Russia has a close strategic connection with China, and as a businessman, Ivanov has a lot of investments over here; he’s someone who cannot be offended. Hence, Kelov wanted to befriend him, since there’s a high chance of the latter becoming the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the future!

After sending Kelov off, Irina approached Natasha upon seeing the latter’s dull expression and comforted, “Darling, please be patient a little more. I’m sure you will recover well if you take your medicine regularly!”

“Mom, you don’t have to look for doctors for me anymore. I’m already tired of it!” Natasha unhappily said.

“Natasha, it’s not embarrassing to be sick. As long as you cooperate with the treatment, I’m sure that you can recover well!” Irina comforted. “After your weight has gone down, you can still participate in Rhythmic Gymnastics! You’re still young, you are only seventeen; there’s a great chance of you becoming a world champion in the future!”

Letting out a sigh, Natasha went up the stairs and declared, “I won’t participate in training anymore!”

Irina helplessly sighed. She couldn’t figure out why her daughter, who had such blazing passion for Rhythmic Gymnastics, would suddenly start rejecting it. But at this moment, she only hoped for her daughter’s recovery, and she won’t force her if her daughter really didn’t want to go for any more training.

---

“Sorry to make you come all the way over for nothing!” Shui Junzhuo apologised.

“It’s no big deal. I can just consider it as touring around. If I’m alone, I’m afraid that I won’t be able to visit this place in my lifetime!” Su Tao joked.

Letting out a sigh, Shui Junzhuo said, “I did not arrange the matter well, and I should’ve made a call to make an appointment first. If we didn’t encounter that Russian doctor, then we wouldn’t have resulted in a conflict.”

Seeing that Shui Junzhuo was still dwindling on this matter, an unnoticeable smile rose on Su Tao’s lips. “Don’t worry about it, Irina will come and look for you.”

“Are you so sure that Kelov won’t be able to treat Natasha?” Shui Junzhuo smiled.

Nodding his head, Su Tao replied, “Irina’s condition isn’t complicated, but the key lies in the ability to decipher a secret about her body.”

“What secret?” Shui Junzhuo asked in perplexion.

“Since it’s a secret, I naturally can’t tell you about it; this is medical ethics.” Su Tao smiled.

With Su Tao’s eyesight, he naturally managed to see through the real cause for her illness with a glance.

That was TCM, by seeking the cause of the imbalance in the body. Since Natasha was suffering from anemia, then there must be a reason that caused the imbalance in her body.

Previous Chapter Next Chapter

Oh crap, so no one's face got slapped. Maybe half-slap?

---

Check out the VIP sponsor page on Wuxiaworld if you are interested in advance chapters and supporting my translation journey!