SRGA Chapter 17: Bingning, I'll check your body
In an ordinary person's dantian, there should be nothing, like an abandoned well.
Within Luo Bingning's dantian, there was a release of cold qi, not much, but enough to stimulate her internal organs and make her stomach ache.
Sitting or lying still, the release of cold qi would be slower, so the pain wouldn't be as intense.
"Ice, have you been to many hospitals for a check-up?" Lin Tian asked.
Luo Bingning helplessly replied, "I've been to the best hospitals in the country, and even to the Mayo Clinic abroad, but there have been no findings."
"Old Chinese doctors have also examined me, but they haven't found anything either."
Lin Tian wondered to himself. The issue with Luo Bingning's dantian is not something that can be detected by Western medicine, as meridians and dantian do not exist in Western medicine. How could they find out?
During an episode, a traditional Chinese medicine pulse diagnosis might detect some abnormalities, but ordinary traditional Chinese medicine practitioners can only identify the symptoms, not the cause.
"Has it been like this all along, or is it getting worse?" Lin Tian asked.
Luo Bingning replied, "I started feeling occasional stomach pains at the age of fourteen, but it was relatively mild. Now it's much worse than before."
As she spoke, Luo Bingning furrowed her eyebrows slightly. She always carried painkillers in her bag and would take one when the pain became severe. But if the pain continued to worsen, painkillers might not work in the future.
Lin Tian cleared his throat. "Ice, can I press on your stomach to conduct a more accurate examination?"
He had just tried to send his inner energy into Luo Bingning's body, but his inner energy dissipated through her wrist before reaching her dantian, leaving him unable to proceed.
If he placed his hand on her stomach, he could directly probe into her meridians from there, which should enable him to investigate the condition of Luo Bingning's dantian.
"No."
"Do you have a medical license?" Luo Bingning gave Lin Tian a wry look.
Lying down to rest, she already felt much better.
"Do we need a medical license for a massage examination between husband and wife?" Lin Tian shrugged.
"It's not necessary, I already feel much better."
Luo Bingning replied impatiently.
Releasing her hand, or simply hugging her, she could accept. But she couldn't bear to let Lin Tian put his hand on her stomach.
"Alright, then rest. I'll attend to some work after I shower, trying to earn more money for us to eat and drink well."
Lin Tian returned to his room.
Since Luo Bingning didn't allow it, he had to give up. Anyway, Luo Bingning's condition was an old problem, and it wouldn't cause any issues in the short term.
He would practice more to improve his control over his inner energy.
After showering, Lin Tian began to practice. Unless there was something particularly important, he couldn't miss his practice in the evening and morning.
...
"Ice, you might be in pain again these two days. You need to be careful, don't let Lin Tian take advantage of you when you're too weak to resist."
Luo Bingning received a message from Tang Yan.
Her pain seemed to be quite regular now, occurring about once every half month, whereas initially it only occurred once every one or two months.
"I just had pain..."
"Lin Tian is a good guy, don't be hostile towards him." Luo Bingning replied.
Tang Yan sent a sighing expression.
"I didn't say he was bad, but he's just average. He's not worthy of you. You're so smart, why are you acting foolish in love?"
"By the way, be careful with your spending. Auntie sent me a message saying she couldn't lend you money. I've already promised Auntie." Luo Bingning: "..."
"I just bought Lin Tian some clothes and shoes today, spending over ten thousand. I was thinking of secretly helping you out."
Tang Yan sent an expression of exasperation.
In her opinion, Luo Bingning's hopeless infatuation had no cure.
With her credit card frozen and a monthly salary of only twenty thousand, spending over ten thousand on Lin Tian today, did she even have to live?
"Ice, when you rejected other men before, you had plenty of reasons. How come you've become foolish with Lin Tian?"
"You're the one who's become foolish."
"You're the foolish one!"
...
After three days of practicing, Lin Tian felt refreshed all over.
With his ears attuned to the main bedroom, he could hear Luo Bingning's steady breathing, indicating that she had already drifted off to sleep.
"We've reached four million followers."
"And we've earned fifteen thousand in tips."
Lin Tian checked his account on Huayin app.
The increase in followers wasn't as rapid as before.
The erhu was relatively niche, and Lin Tian estimated that even if he were an erhu master, it would be quite good to eventually reach several million followers.
"I can take home nine thousand out of the fifteen thousand in tips."
"Should I withdraw now, or wait a few more days?" Lin Tian pondered.
There was no fixed withdrawal schedule on Huayin app, but withdrawals could only be made once a month. Since he had already withdrawn now, he would have to wait another month for the next withdrawal.
"I wonder if Mr. Wu has seen the message."
Lin Tian opened Weixin and quickly found the message left by Mr. Wu, who had an antique erhu that he could sell to Lin Tian.
He had bought it for thirty thousand, but was willing to sell it to Lin Tian for the same price.
"Mr. Wu, thank you."
"But selling it to me for the same price you bought it for isn't fair. I'll pay you fifty thousand for it. If you disagree, then forget it."
Lin Tian replied to Mr. Wu's message.
At this time of night, Mr. Wu surprisingly hadn't gone to bed yet. Lin Tian received a reply from him shortly after sending the message.
"Mr. Wu, see you tomorrow."
The next morning arrived quickly.
Lin Tian's tips had increased to a hundred and seventy thousand, which was a rise of twenty thousand. However, the rate of increase in tips was noticeably slower.
According to his agreement with Huayin, he could keep sixty percent, which meant he could withdraw a hundred thousand and two thousand in taxes.
Lin Tian quickly withdrew the money. He still had nearly ten thousand left in his account after spending fifty thousand on the erhu. Even if he had a lot of money, he couldn't spend it recklessly. If the Luo family found out he had become an internet sensation, they might oppose their relationship.
"Mr. Wu, thank you for your help."
"I'll always remember your kindness."
Lin Tian bowed to Mr. Wu.
If it weren't for Mr. Wu's support and him making phone calls to renowned erhu masters, he would never have become this popular.
Even though his skill was good, he lacked fame. It would be considered quite good if he could reach half the number of followers he had now within a month.
"Little Lin, the erhu has declined in
popularity, and we old folks are anxious. The younger generation needs talented individuals who can take on the responsibility."
"Your emergence as such a talent, of course, requires our full support."
Mr. Wu smiled warmly.
With that, Mr. Wu picked up a bag beside him and took out an erhu from it. "This erhu is a masterpiece from a renowned master. I've only used it privately a few times since I collected it."
"Let it shine in your hands now."
Lin Tian accepted the erhu. Compared to the one he had bought before, it was evident to anyone with eyes that this one was of much higher quality.
"Mr. Wu, this might be worth more than fifty thousand."
"I'll add another fifty thousand."
Lin Tian said.
Mr. Wu narrowed his eyes. "I'm a retired rehiree. I can't even spend all my pension. Do I need your fifty thousand?"
"If you want it, take it. If not, give it back to me."
Lin Tian hurriedly said, "Mr. Wu, I want it. Please don't be angry. Let's stick to what we agreed on. I'll transfer you fifty thousand right away."
"Well, that's about right."
Mr. Wu nodded.
He was an erhu master. Although he wasn't particularly wealthy, fifty thousand was nothing to him.
"Little Lin, why don't you play a tune?"
Mr. Wu looked at Lin Tian expectantly.
To be continued.