William Foster nodded. “That’s right. The cold current and the hot current in the well intersect, plus the invasion of yin energy, which is why your leg has developed such a rare condition. Sir, please go get an X-ray. The bones in your leg have already deformed, and I need to see the film to find the right treatment for you.”

The old man’s son immediately exclaimed in delight, “Doctor, are you saying my father’s illness can be cured?”

“In principle, since neither the bones nor the muscles have completely necrosed, there should be a chance for a full recovery.”

“Thank you, doctor, thank you! I’ll take my father for the X-ray right away!”

William Foster looked up at Grace Bennett, smiled, and said, “Grace Bennett, why don’t you take them?”

Grace Bennett gave a gentle smile. “Okay.”

The payment and X-ray process went smoothly. When the old man shakily pulled out a roll of worn-out RMB, Grace Bennett couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness. This honest father and son had nearly spent all their savings seeking medical help—this might be their last chance. Hopefully, William Foster could truly cure the old man.

But could William Foster, a student who had just graduated, really solve this baffling condition that had stumped so many doctors?

Grace Bennett couldn’t help but feel both hopeful and worried.

“Hey, it’s Grace Bennett. What kind of film did you take? Looks like it’s of the bones—let me have a look?” A voice called out from the orthopedics department.

Grace Bennett gave a sweet smile. “Director Carter, please take a look. You’re the senior expert in orthopedics—surely you can interpret it?”

The orthopedics Director Carter was a veteran chief physician. When he started practicing medicine, William Foster hadn’t even been born yet.

Holding the film, Director Carter examined it for a long while, then finally shook his head and said, “The bones have started to undergo strange changes, and the muscles are gradually atrophying. This kind of condition is indeed rare. However, if you’re willing to undergo a major surgery, there should still be a chance for recovery. Otherwise, amputation is the only option, or it could become life-threatening.”

Hearing the senior expert say this, the old man nearly fell to his knees. He said, “Doctor, we really don’t have any more money for treatment. Over the years, we’ve spent more than a hundred thousand just on this illness. My son even gave up college. As a father, how can I face him?”

Director Carter hesitated for a moment and asked, “Grace Bennett, which department did this patient register with?”

“Traditional Chinese Medicine!”

“Oh, didn’t old Chen from TCM retire just yesterday? He was drinking with us last night. What, he’s back already?”

Grace Bennett chuckled and said, “No, it’s the new doctor, William Foster. You should have met him.”

“Heh, William Foster, that young man is pretty good. So, what did he say about this patient’s condition?”

Grace Bennett thought for a moment and said, “He said there should be a chance for a cure.”

Director Carter immediately showed a look of disdain. “Young people… Oh well, Grace Bennett, hurry and take the patient over. Maybe I’ll come by later to see for myself. I’m curious how William Foster plans to treat this patient with bone problems.”

Grace Bennett nodded. “Alright, see you in a bit, Director Carter.”

The old man followed behind Grace Bennett, and couldn’t help but ask worriedly, “Miss, what did that senior expert mean? Does he think my illness can’t be cured? But that young doctor just now said there’s hope. What’s going on?”

Grace Bennett bit her lip and softly said, “Sir, don’t worry. If William Foster says he can cure you, then he definitely can!”

...

When they arrived at the TCM department, William Foster had already laid out a treatment bed, letting the old man lie down first, then covering him with a blanket, leaving only his leg exposed.

Holding the X-ray film up to the light, William Foster already had a general idea in his mind. In fact, the method recorded in the Green Pouch Manual didn’t require an X-ray at all. It was just that William Foster’s abilities weren’t sufficient yet—he couldn’t observe the deep pathology with his naked eye, so he had no choice but to have the old man spend an extra hundred yuan or so.

William Foster took out his needle kit and spread it out on the desk. Grace Bennett immediately opened her mouth in surprise. “Wow, you even have this set of tools!”

William Foster smiled slightly, lit an alcohol lamp to sterilize the fine needles. Grace Bennett was still a bit worried, so she leaned in and whispered in William Foster’s ear, “You… can you really cure him?”

William Foster was flustered by Grace Bennett’s warm breath, his face turning red. “I’ll give it a try. I’m not completely sure…”

Grace Bennett giggled and stood aside, watching William Foster at work.

At that moment, Director Carter from orthopedics really did come over, smiling as he watched William Foster busy himself. In fact, Grace Bennett knew in her heart that this old guy was just here to watch the fun!

William Foster took out a long, thin needle, passed it briefly through the flame of the alcohol lamp, then approached the old man and said gently, “Sir, don’t be nervous. It won’t hurt.”

The old man nodded. William Foster moved quickly—before the old man could even feel anything, William Foster’s fine needle had already pierced his leg. At the same time, a barely visible blue light followed the needle straight into the old man’s body.

Of all those present, besides William Foster, no one else could see it.