A Divine Farmer

Chapter 291 - Su Mei Had a Strong Resistance

“Chair Chen, I assure you, I'm not here to cause any trouble or peddle medicine. I have something with me that I can't discuss with others,” Zhang Xiaolong reluctantly explained, fearing that no one would believe his unusual circumstances. They might even suspect he was up to some kind of mischief. “However, there are times when my methods can save lives. At the very least, could you explain to me what the Ebola Virus is?”

“Well, the Ebola Virus is one of the deadliest viruses known to humankind, with an infection mortality rate as high as ninety percent. To give you a sense of its severity, consider the biosafety levels: SARS and HIV are both Level 3, whereas Ebola is Level 4,” Chen Shi explained with evident distress. “The virus is incredibly malicious. Ultimately, it can cause an infected person's organs to disintegrate, leaving nothing but a pool of blood.”

Zhang Xiaolong hadn't witnessed it firsthand, but he could already sense the dreadfulness of the virus. He could envision the horrific state of the village under the shadow of such a fearsome pathogen.

He could also imagine the immense stress Su Mei must be under in such conditions, even if she hadn't been infected.

“What treatments are currently being used?” inquired Zhang Xiaolong.

“We've imported some vaccines from A Country, but they don't seem to be very effective at the moment,” Chen Shi replied, his voice growing heavier with concern. “I'm starting to think we're dealing with a new strain of the Ebola Virus, one that's more formidable than its predecessors. Previously, it wasn't confirmed whether Ebola could be transmitted through the air, but I'm beginning to suspect that this strain can be. If that's the case, it's as if we're facing a demon that has brought hell to Earth.”

“Chair Chen…” Zhang Xiaolong began, but he was interrupted by an urgent call for Chen Shi, who quickly turned and left.

Zhang Xiaolong attempted to follow, but Chen Shi immediately noticed him. “Why are you still here? I appreciate your good intentions, but this is no laughing matter. There's nothing anyone can do at this point, and without even a basic understanding of the virus, I can't let you put yourself in danger. Please, leave this to the medical professionals. Trust that we are doing everything in our power!”

As Zhang Xiaolong was about to respond, a heated argument erupted from within.

“Let me make a call. I need to call my dad…”

“Right now, you need to focus on getting treatment. We'll contact him for you…”

“What's going on over there?” Chen Shi asked urgently.

The medical staffer who had been speaking hurriedly clarified, “A woman escaped from the quarantine zone. Thankfully, she was caught; otherwise, the outcome could have been dire. But she's refusing treatment and is desperate to make a phone call.”

“No, I have to talk to him myself. I need to call Xiaolong. I might never see them again, you understand…”

Zhang Xiaolong felt a pang of recognition. The voice was familiar, and now he was sure it was Su Mei, though her voice had changed, which is why he hadn't recognized it immediately.

“Take me to her. She's looking for me; she's my friend,” Zhang Xiaolong urged Chen Shi.

Chen Shi was taken aback by the coincidence, but recognized it as a positive development. It could at least stabilize the patient's emotions. “Remember, your goal is to soothe her and ensure she cooperates with our examination and treatment. Also, you must avoid any direct contact with her, Liu.”

With just one call, Liu caught on. Despite seeming to dislike Zhang Xiaolong, he quickly fetched protective gloves and a mask.

Donning the protective gear, Zhang Xiaolong followed the two to the patient's room.

“Su Mei,” he began, “there's no need to be scared. I'm here now, and everything will be alright.”

“Xiaolong?” Su Mei was taken aback, not expecting him to arrive so swiftly, and was skeptical. “You're lying. You're over a thousand miles away. How could you get here so quickly?”

Zhang Xiaolong reached out and removed his mask. “It's really me. As soon as I heard you were here, I came straight away. Don't worry, I'm with you.”

Su Mei instinctively tried to run to him but was stopped after just a couple of steps by two individuals in protective gear.

“Let her go. It'll be fine,” Zhang Xiaolong insisted. “I want to check on her myself.”

The individual clad in protective gear glanced at Chen Shi, and Su Mei came to a realization. Charging forward now wouldn't solve anything and might even risk infecting Zhang Xiaolong. With that in mind, she ceased her struggles.

“Are you sure?” Chen Shi inquired.

“Chair Chen, do you actually believe in the charades of these con artists?” Dr. Liu remarked with a hint of scorn.

With a swift gesture, Zhang Xiaolong extended his hand, and Dr. Liu's stethoscope flew into his grasp as if pulled by an invisible thread.

They were several meters apart; there was no way Zhang Xiaolong could have physically reached Dr. Liu, let alone rigged the stethoscope with a string in advance. The spectacle left everyone dumbfounded.

“Con artists have their own skills,” Zhang Xiaolong said as he handed the stethoscope back, “but not all who wander are deceivers.”

Dr. Liu stood there, momentarily dazed. Before he could gather his wits, Zhang Xiaolong had already approached Su Mei and reached for her wrist.

Su Mei offered no resistance. She placed more trust in Zhang Xiaolong than in the other doctors present, especially since he had once saved her life.

“Am I going to die?” Su Mei asked, her voice tinged with despair as she observed Zhang Xiaolong's grave expression.

“No,” Zhang Xiaolong replied, certain that Su Mei was indeed infected and astonished by the virulence of the Ebola Virus. What puzzled him even more was the state of Su Mei's health; it appeared as though someone had artificially boosted her immune system, or she would be in a much graver state. “Before you came out, did you eat anything or receive treatment from someone?”

Su Mei paused, “I was here to seek a doctor named Wang Zhengyi, but I never got to meet him. His son, Wang Cheng, performed some acupuncture on me, and that's about it.”

“Acupuncture?” Zhang Xiaolong expressed his perplexity, echoed by Chen Shi and the others.

Acupuncture was certainly a traditional Chinese medicine practice, but could it really treat the Ebola Virus? Certainly not. If anyone claimed it could, Chen Shi would be the first to confront and rebuke such a person.

“You've got it wrong,” Zhang Xiaolong quickly realized, noting the doctors' confused expressions. “Acupuncture can't cure the Ebola Virus, but it has bolstered Su Mei's resistance. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wang Cheng's acupuncture treatment has fortified her Yang energy, giving her a stronger immune response than other patients.”

“Wang Zhengyi?” pondered Chen Shi. “Ah, I recall now. He's a renowned TCM practitioner in Yanjing, particularly noted for his acupuncture skills—top-notch nationwide. It's surprising to find him living in such a quaint village. If acupuncture can indeed enhance a person's resistance, it's certainly worth considering. Even the slightest benefit warrants giving it a try.”