One needle! Two needles! Three needles...
Wu Huixian watched with wide eyes as the infant's head, no bigger than her fist, was gradually filled with slender silver needles. Even with her trust in Chen Xiao, a sense of panic began to creep in. Just as Chen Xiao finished inserting the thirty-six Heavenly Stars needles and was preparing for the seventy-two Earthly Fiends needles, she uncontrollably tugged at his sleeve:
"Xiao... Brother Xiao, is it really okay to continue needling? The baby was born prematurely via C-section, her bodily functions are far from those of a full-term infant."
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
As Chen Xiao spoke, he gently pulled away from Wu Huixian and continued with the acupuncture. Fine beads of sweat began to appear on his forehead, and his hand holding the needles trembled slightly.
As Wu Huixian had said, he was facing a tiny infant born prematurely. How could he not be nervous when inserting over a hundred silver needles in one go?
But as a doctor, he had to conquer his own inner demons first. Only then could he help his patient conquer their illness.
Despite the slight tremor in his hand, his needle insertion was precise. The mysterious, wordless golden scripture in his mind whirred rapidly, his mental focus absolute. Even as the fine sweat coalesced into large drops that stung his eyes, it didn't affect him.
Beside him, Wu Huixian was both anxious and heartbroken. She quickly took out tissues from her pocket, intending to wipe his sweat.
At this moment, Chen Xiao had poured all his energy into the silver needles in his fingertips. His entire being was under extreme strain, and he could not afford any disturbance. Before Wu Huixian's carefully offered tissues could touch him, he sharply stopped her:
"Don't touch me!"
The consequences of distraction were severe. The moment he spoke, the silver needle he was inserting wavered slightly, instantly creating a small cut on the infant's leg.
"Waa... waa..."
The infant cried out in pain, letting out an incredibly loud wail.
Wu Huixian, still with her hand outstretched to wipe Chen Xiao's sweat, was stunned. Disbelief was evident on her face:
"The baby... the baby is actually crying? Several associate chief physicians and chief physicians from the Central Hospital's emergency department, and even Vice President Jiang himself, couldn't make her cry!"
For a newborn infant, the ability to cry was far more joyous than the ability to smile.
Chen Xiao was greatly encouraged. A confident, faint smile appeared on his face. After quickly composing himself, he focused even more intensely and continued the acupuncture.
Having witnessed firsthand the efficacy of the acupuncture on the infant, he unconsciously shed the psychological burden of potential failure. His needle insertions became even more skillful, his speed increasing and his accuracy improving. Soon, the entire set of Heavenly Stars and Earthly Fiends constellation needles was inserted into the infant's body without incident.
"Waa... waa waa..."
Suddenly, the infant's cries grew even louder.
Wu Huixian felt as if she were dreaming, exclaiming in disbelief:
"This... is it already better?"
Chen Xiao examined the infant's entire body again, then nodded with confidence:
"Newborns have a very strong regenerative capacity. The earlier the condition is discovered and treated, the higher the possibility of a cure. According to my diagnosis, your niece's congenital intellectual disability has been completely cured. She will grow up healthy like a normal newborn from now on. If you are still concerned, you can take her to the hospital for a re-examination anytime."
As he spoke, he withdrew the hundreds of silver needles, re-dressed the infant in her onesie, and carefully wrapped her in a swaddling blanket.
"Thank you, Brother Xiao, sob..."
Overwhelmed with joy, Wu Huixian burst into tears. However, seeing the infant crying even harder, she immediately focused on her. She quickly took the baby from Chen Xiao's arms and began to soothe her. After trying for a long time without success, she handed her portable backpack to Chen Xiao:
"Brother Xiao, the baby must be hungry. Could you please help me prepare some milk formula?"
Her backpack was filled with baby supplies such as bottles, formula, diapers, and wet wipes.
After Chen Xiao took the bottle and formula to the inner room to prepare it, she continued to hold and comfort the crying infant. Although she had never even had a boyfriend, she soothed the baby with professional skill and complete absorption.
Suddenly, Wu Xianyao, with a grim expression, stormed into the Jishetang, drawn by the infant's cries:
"Huixian, are you crazy? Why are you still keeping this intellectually disabled idiot? If we don't abandon her soon, not only will our family be burdened by her for life, but my reputation as Wu Xianyao will also be completely ruined!"
Wu Huixian was startled, but she held the crying infant tightly in her arms:
"Dad, Brother Xiao has already cured the baby's congenital intellectual disability. Listen, she's crying. Even a cruel tiger doesn't eat its cubs. Can we keep her?"
"Nonsense! Even the experts in the neonatology department were helpless with this idiot's condition. What right does that Chen fellow have to cure her?"
Wu Xianyao interrupted Wu Huixian fiercely:
"It's obvious that Chen wants to mock our family for having a foolish child, so he lied to you. His intentions are wicked! Since you can't bear to take her to the outskirts of the city and abandon her, then let me do it!"
Saying this, he ferociously lunged towards the infant in Wu Huixian's arms.