CHAPTER 58: 058 THREE-FINGER PULSE DIAGNOSIS

Wu Buwei didn’t keep them guessing. He cleared his throat and said, "In pulse diagnosis, the virtual, hollow, and slow pulses are very similar. Often, this can confuse the diagnosing doctor, leading them to mistake the three types for one. This is also why Director Xu’s illness hasn’t been cured all this time."

While speaking, Wu Buwei glanced at Du Heng again and then whispered, "My senior brother’s method involves using three fingers simultaneously on the patient’s inch, bar, and cubit positions. He uses five different pulse-taking methods—the lifting method, the pressing method, the searching method, the comprehensive pressing method, and the individual position diagnosis method—to determine the exact nature of the pulse."

Looking at Ma Zichen’s astonished expression, Wu Buwei paused for a moment. "If you can’t recite the Pulse Canon backward and forward, with so many pulse types appearing in an instant, how can you determine what pulse you’ve diagnosed?"

"Wow, that’s truly amazing! I still can’t figure out the various pulse types. The only pulse-taking methods I know are the lifting method and the comprehensive pressing method, and I’m often inaccurate. As for the pressing method and the searching method, I wouldn’t even dare to try them."

"The three-finger pulse diagnosis is a core skill of traditional Chinese medicine. You can’t expect to learn it easily without putting in significant effort."

Ma Zichen nodded. He hadn’t really grasped the depth of these concepts when he heard them in class and often forgot them. But seeing it in practice was incredibly striking.

Looking at the smug Wu Buwei, Ma Zichen asked with a smile, "Wu, how many methods do you know now?"

Wu Buwei’s face fell. He remained silent for a long moment before finally saying quietly, "The same as you. But I’ve gained some insights recently, and I believe it won’t be long before I master all of them."

"Congratulations, Wu! I hope you succeed soon and surpass your mentor."

"It’s difficult. Knowing is one thing, being able to apply it is another, and integrating all five methods is yet another realm entirely. I’m still far behind. It would be an achievement just to catch up to my senior brother, let alone surpass him."

Wu Buwei suddenly felt deflated. Du Heng these days seemed like a completely different person, changing daily and constantly putting new pressure on others, leaving them without the courage to even try to catch up.

"Buwei, come in."

Du Heng suddenly spoke. Wu Buwei quickly responded and went inside, pushing aside his melancholy thoughts for the moment.

"Senior Brother, what is it?"

"Take the elderly gentleman to get his medicine. I want blast-fried ginger in this prescription; don’t get it wrong."

"Got it." Wu Buwei took the prescription, glanced over it, and then led the patient’s family out with the wheelchair.

Du Heng, meanwhile, continued with the next patient’s consultation and prescription.

「」

The evaluation group upstairs left quickly. Seeing the smiles on Li Qingde’s and Song’s faces, everyone knew things must have gone well.

After seeing off the evaluation group, Li Qingde and Song came into Du Heng’s office one after the other to exchange a few pleasantries.

Zhang Jinlian, who had witnessed all of this, cast a cold glance at the bustling doorway of Du Heng’s office. Taking advantage of everyone’s distraction, she grabbed her bag and quietly slipped out of the Health Clinic.

Du Heng’s busy spell soon ended.

Although there had been many people at the door, most were patients’ family members. There were only six actual patients in total.

Moreover, after Li Qingde returned to his office, these people also trickled over to see him, as Li Qingde had promised to reimburse them for the money spent on the silk banners.

Du Heng looked at the empty doorway and then at the pile of silk banners on the treatment bed, feeling no sense of accomplishment, only a great deal of unexplainable embarrassment.

He had been muddled by Li Qingde’s conditions this morning and agreed to them in a daze. He never imagined it would be this awkward.

Once is more than enough for something like this.

Wu Buwei and Ma Zichen, having finished their tasks, came in. They looked at the silk banners with admiration, wishing the banners were for them.

However, if they knew how these items had been obtained, they might not want them at all.

"Senior Brother, what do you think about hanging these silk banners on this wall?"

"No need. Put them all away in the cabinet," Du Heng said indifferently.

Wu Buwei and Ma Zichen exchanged a puzzled look. "Why, Senior Brother?"

"No reason. Just put them away."

With that, Du Heng listlessly tidied up his things, preparing to leave work.

「」

At the entrance of the Health Clinic, Wang Zhenzhen was waiting for Du Heng, holding her bag. She was already dressed in cool and fashionable summer attire, having sensed the arrival of summer early on.

"Xiao Heng, where are you going tonight?"

They were all adults and considered each other close, so he didn’t hide it. "Going to Shuqiu’s house."

"Let’s go together then."

"Aren’t you waiting for Gong?"

"No need. He’s on duty tonight; he won’t be going back."

The two agreed to leave together. When there was no one else around, Wang Zhenzhen reminded Du Heng, "Xiao Heng, watch out for Zhang Jinlian. I saw her today, and the look in her eyes was very strange."

Du Heng thought for a moment; he didn’t recall seeing Zhang Jinlian today. Still, knowing Zhang Jinlian’s temperament, after I made such a big splash today, she definitely isn’t happy about it. "Thanks, Sis. I know. I’ll be careful."

Du Heng also wanted to see what tricks this woman might try. Will she find some difficult cases for me to damage my reputation? Or be more ruthless and set up a ’honeypot trap,’ try to extort me?

"Doctor Du, wait a minute!"

A sudden voice came from behind, making Du Heng and Wang Zhenzhen stop in their tracks.

It had been a month since they had last met. Li Nating, who hadn’t spoken to him in all that time, ran over in her high heels, her steps clattering.

This girl’s outfit was just as stylish as Wang Zhenzhen’s. As she ran, her bouncing assets were particularly eye-catching.

Wang Zhenzhen looked at Du Heng with a strange expression, wondering if there was something going on between the two of them.

Li Nating ran up in a few steps, a look of feigned annoyance on her face as she regarded Du Heng. "Doctor Du, have you forgotten something?"

Hearing this, Wang Zhenzhen’s expression changed, but she didn’t interject hastily. Instead, she watched to see what Du Heng would say.

Du Heng was also clueless and asked blankly, "What did I forget?"

"Humph! Men are all liars. Didn’t you say you were going to treat me to dinner? It’s been a month already! You’re not thinking of going back on your word, are you?"

Li Nating held her bag in front of her with both hands and lightly stomped her foot. The air immediately filled with the spoiled coyness of a young girl.

Wang Zhenzhen’s expression turned cold. She felt she might have misjudged this young man; he might be two-timing.

Looking at Li Nating’s performance, Du Heng didn’t find it cute, only uncomfortable. What does she mean by this? What is she trying to do?

"I’m sorry, I asked you last time, but you refused."

"I wasn’t in a good mood then, and you didn’t even try to cheer me up."

Cheer *you* up? Like hell I would! Who do you think you are, for me to cheer *you* up? Evil qi flared up in Du Heng’s heart.

Though Wang Shuqiu might be a bit arrogant, she was straightforward and never resorted to such theatrics. That was why he was willing to be with her.

Now, seeing Li Nating acting spoiled and coquettish, he felt no trace of cuteness, only intense discomfort.

Li Nating’s arms clung tightly to her sides, her chest pushed forward prominently. "Alright, I’ll give you a chance. Treat me to dinner tonight."

Wang Zhenzhen couldn’t take it anymore and turned her head, walking away.

Du Heng, on the other hand, felt utterly exasperated.

Listen to her! It’s as if treating her to dinner is some kind of great honor!

"I’m sorry, I have plans to have dinner with my girlfriend at her home tonight. If you’d like, I can treat you tomorrow evening." He glanced at Wang Zhenzhen, who was walking away. "Excuse me, I need to go."

After saying that, he immediately quickened his pace and caught up with Wang Zhenzhen.