C25 Seeking Trouble!

Xuanniang shook her head with a wry smile. This man clearly couldn't go a day without eating meat. His round body and protruding belly suggested as much. Just speaking a few words left him breathless, and his temper was short. It was obvious he had high blood pressure, and a stroke seemed likely.

Yet, she had to be careful not to provoke him. If this middle-aged man were to have a sudden health crisis at her stall due to anger, it would be a serious problem.

"Sir, you're overthinking this. I'm a doctor, and asking about your diet is naturally related to your health. Could you tell me what you usually eat? Just pick a couple of common things you enjoy."

"To be honest, you do have some hidden health issues, and I suspect you rarely see a doctor. You look like someone who doesn't often get sick, but I bet you frequently feel dizzy, weak, and break into a sweat with minimal exertion. Do you often experience palpitations or shortness of breath? If I'm wrong about these symptoms, feel free to take down my sign."

Xuanniang spoke with sincerity and confidence, looking the middle-aged man directly in the eyes, which made her words all the more convincing.

The middle-aged man had initially come over intending to take down Xuanniang's sign, because, as she mentioned, he had always considered himself quite healthy.

The middle-aged man was quite well-off and didn't need to work. Whenever he had minor ailments, there was always a doctor at home to treat him, so he never had any major health issues. He regularly indulged in rich meals of chicken, duck, and fish, considering them a normal diet.

Hearing Xuanniang's serious tone, he thought for a moment. It seemed like the symptoms she described matched his own. Could it be that sweating from minor exertion was a hidden health issue? It was just because he wasn't used to physical work. Several of the older gentlemen he knew were the same way—sweating profusely with any movement because they didn't work.

Occasional palpitations and shortness of breath were merely due to agitation. The middle-aged man still looked a bit skeptical, but he was starting to relent.

"Alright, let me explain. I can't go a day without braised pork. I must have a drink at lunch, and a bowl of ginseng soup before bed. In the morning, I have no appetite for salty foods and prefer sweet soups. Is there something wrong with my diet?"

As Xuanniang listened, she took detailed notes, her eyebrows furrowing more with each word. How could he think there was nothing wrong? Eating like this, it's no wonder there's a risk of obesity and stroke at any moment.

It's often said that after forty, one should focus on health, avoid salty foods, and limit sweet soups. If the body isn't weak, there's no need for excessive supplements. Daily greens and tofu are essential, while meat should be limited to once a week. This gentleman, likely in his early forties, seemed to have no concept of healthy living and was even proud of it. Xuanniang couldn't help but internally sigh at his obliviousness.

Xuanniang didn't bother explaining much and continued her questioning, "How old are you this year?"

"Forty-two. I say, doctor, what's going on with my diet and health?" The middle-aged man, a bit on the heavy side, noticed Xuanniang frowning and started to feel anxious. Could it be that he really had a serious health issue?

Xuanniang didn't answer immediately, instead, she continued jotting down the patient's information. "Sir, there's no need to worry just yet. Could you tell me your name and where you live?"

"You really are something, doctor... My name is Lee Batian, but you can just call me Old Master Lee. I live at the east end of town, in the most luxurious house—that's my place."

The stack of medical records in Xuanniang's hands had grown thick over the past few days, mostly filled with cases of the town's elderly. This middle-aged man was the first she'd seen with ailments typically associated with older age.

Finally, Xuanniang set down her brush and began to seriously explain his condition to him.

"Old Master Lee, if you don't cut down on meat, I can guarantee you'll have a stroke within three months. It might not seem like a big deal now, but it's actually quite serious. You should really pay attention to this. I won't prescribe any medication. Just eat more fruits on a daily basis."

After hearing this, the middle-aged man burst into laughter, realizing that there wasn't anything seriously wrong with him after all. He had been worried over nothing, convinced that Xuanniang was just pulling his leg.

"What on earth? I thought you'd be able to diagnose something serious, and after all this time, you just tell me to eat more fruits and vegetables and cut back on meat. Everyone knows I, Lee Ba-tian, can't live without meat. Fruits and vegetables are clearly food for the lower class. Telling me to eat them is like slapping me in the face.

What kind of quack doctor are you? You're nothing but a charlatan. Today, I'm going to smash your sign to pieces." With that, he ordered his men to step forward and destroy Xuanniang's stall.

The people waiting in line behind him saw what was happening and didn't dare intervene, quietly dispersing. Soon, only the middle-aged man and his servants were left in front of Xuanniang's stall.

Xuanniang felt a bit anxious inside but maintained a calm exterior. This man clearly had chronic hypertension, which wouldn't flare up immediately. Given his aggressive demeanor, if he really decided to wreck her stall, there was no way she could stop him. Xuanniang quickly thought of a plan.

Suddenly, she noticed that when the middle-aged man got angry, his face turned bright red, and red rashes appeared on his cheeks. It was spring, and most people still wore a jacket over their clothes, but this man, due to his obesity and tendency to overheat, was only wearing a thin shirt.

Xuanniang noticed the red rash spreading from the man's face down to his neck, disappearing under his shirt. Before long, the middle-aged man started scratching himself, clearly overwhelmed by the itching. His face twisted in discomfort as he unbuttoned two buttons on his collar. Xuanniang observed that his skin was covered in the rash beneath his clothes as well.

A slight smile tugged at Xuanniang's lips. It seemed the man had a skin condition. This was clearly eczema, which flared up with intense itching whenever he got warm. Judging by the severity, it wasn't just a mild case.

Sure enough, the servants, who were initially ready to start breaking things, were called back by the middle-aged man. "Hold on, come over here and scratch my back. This heat is driving me crazy with itchiness."

Hearing their master's call, the servants quickly put down what they were holding and rushed over to scratch him. The man sighed in relief. "Yes, yes, right there, scratch harder. You two always know how to get it just right."

Watching this scene unfold, Xuanniang couldn't help but find it both amusing and exasperating. Old Master Lee's skin condition seemed to flare up often, or else they wouldn't be so practiced at handling it.