Chapter 51: Coincidence or Miracle?

“The bruising around the ankle is actually starting to fade—how… how is this possible?!” the female doctor exclaimed, her face brimming with disbelief.

She had seen plenty of patients with sprains and contusions, but never had she witnessed someone’s injury begin to subside and the swelling reduce in such a short time! Moreover, these changes hadn’t resulted from any special medicine for promoting blood circulation and resolving bruises. It had only been an ice pack and a pair of hands.

The female doctor was well aware that the ice pack at this stage merely provided auxiliary cold compression. It might slow the bleeding of damaged blood vessels, but it had little effect on reducing swelling or bruising.

Which meant the dispersal of bruising around Lin Siyu’s ankle was entirely the result of Li Sicheng’s massage technique!

This was simply unbelievable!

Wasn’t massage supposed to be for relieving muscle fatigue? How could it also possess the effect of reducing swelling and dispersing bruises?

Coincidence—it must be a coincidence…

She kept repeating the word “coincidence” in her mind.

For she found it extraordinarily difficult to imagine that massage could achieve such effects. And even harder to believe that a high school student of fifteen or sixteen could surpass her—a licensed physician with a proper medical degree—in medical skill!

Alas, the female doctor soon realized that her guess was nothing more than self-deception.

Hearing her exclamation, Li Sicheng didn’t even look up, replying coolly, “And why shouldn’t swelling and bruising subside? For sprains, using acupuncture and massage techniques, as long as the right points and methods are chosen, such results are perfectly ordinary… Tell me, are you really a doctor? How can you not know something so basic?”

Her face flushed instantly.

For a licensed physician, a university graduate, to be chided by a high school student for lacking basic medical knowledge—could anything be more embarrassing?

Hesitantly, she defended herself, “I studied Western medicine. I’m not very familiar with traditional Chinese medicine…”

“You should spend some time learning about it,” Li Sicheng said. “Your infirmary is lacking both equipment and medication. In such circumstances, only acupuncture and massage methods are of any real use.”

“It’s not my fault there’s no equipment or medicine here. I’ve reported it to the school administration numerous times, but there’s never been any response.” The female doctor sounded aggrieved as she began to vent her frustrations. “Honestly, for Nanshan Private High—the best private school in Yong City—the medical room is woefully under-equipped! Other than common colds, I don’t even have medicines for other ailments. It’s as though my medical skills are wasted!”

“I see…” Li Sicheng nodded and said, “Then I’ll bring it up with Principal Zhao for you.”

Lin Siyu, who had remained silent, spoke up as well, “It really isn’t right for the infirmary to lack proper equipment and medication. That could easily lead to problems. I’ll help mention it, too.”

The female doctor didn’t take the two students seriously. Smiling, she waved her hand. “Come now, not even my applications have worked; what effect could the words of two students possibly have? I’d better find time to study some Chinese medicine. You, classmate, have truly taught me something today…”

Unable to contain her curiosity, she asked, “By the way, where did you learn your medical skills? Are you from a family of doctors, perhaps?”

Lin Siyu was just as curious.

He excelled at mathematics, was quite good at language studies, agile enough to save a jumper in a split second, and seemed to have a mysterious ability to foresee danger, having predicted the ominous sign early on… Such a multitude of talents in one person was astounding. And now, medical prowess too!

With so many abilities, why would he need to resort to fraud?

Wait… could it be that he isn’t a fraud at all?

Unconsciously, Lin Siyu began to doubt her own suspicions.

“I learned these medical skills from my teacher, but it’s just the basics,” Li Sicheng replied.

“The basics?” The female doctor gave a bitter smile and shook her head. “Classmate, modesty is a virtue, but too much modesty is just false. If your skills are only the basics, what does that make me? Less than nothing? Who is your teacher—a renowned master like Xiao Xianlin, Liu Wanxue, or someone else?”

The two names she mentioned were famous physicians in Yong City. In her view, only such highly skilled and ethical doctors could have taught a student like Li Sicheng.

This time, however, Li Sicheng merely smiled and shook his head, declining to answer.

After another ten minutes or so, Li Sicheng stopped massaging and handed the ice pack back to the female doctor.

By now, although Lin Siyu’s ankle was not completely free of swelling, it was much improved compared to before.

“The congestion and swelling at the sprain are basically under control and have eased somewhat. But you can’t put weight on this foot for now. I’ll call your sister and ask her to take you home.”

As he spoke, Li Sicheng pulled a knockoff cellphone from his pocket, preparing to call Lin Muxue.

“Don’t call my sister,” Lin Siyu quickly protested. “There’s nothing for me to do at home anyway. I’d rather stay at school and attend classes. At least I’ll have company here.”

“All right, then.” Li Sicheng hesitated for a moment, then put his phone away, deciding not to call Lin Muxue. Turning around, he faced away from Lin Siyu and said, “You can forget about gym class. Come on, I’ll carry you back to the classroom.”

“Okay.” This time, Lin Siyu didn’t argue. She obediently climbed onto Li Sicheng’s back, letting him carry her into the classroom and help her into her seat.

“I’ll go get Tan Xiaoxiao for you.”

By now, after spending most of the day together, Li Sicheng had learned that Tan Xiaoxiao and Lin Siyu were very close friends. Once Lin Siyu was settled, he left the classroom and headed to the sports field in search of Tan Xiaoxiao.

Earlier, when Li Sicheng had carried Lin Siyu to the infirmary, Tan Xiaoxiao had wanted to follow them. But seeing Lin Siyu’s blushing, bashful face, she sensibly stopped and chose to stay behind on the field.

Watching Li Sicheng’s departing figure, Lin Siyu suddenly felt a pang of reluctance, a hollow ache in her heart. She parted her lips—words of invitation swirling in her throat—but lacked the courage to call out…