Chapter Three: Astonishing the Entire Audience

The middle-aged man grew even angrier when Chu Yun claimed he was doomed. However, glancing at the festering sore on his own finger, he couldn't help but feel there might be some truth to Chu Yun's words. He asked, "How did you figure that out?"

Chu Yun smiled faintly. "Sir, though I am not particularly skilled, I know a little about medicine."

Before he could finish, an attendant from Fragrant Ten Miles snickered nearby. "Ha! Chu the Rascal, since when do you know anything about medicine?"

He then turned to the middle-aged man. "Boss Wu, don't believe a word he says. He's infamous in our Chu Family Town—a notorious street loafer who lazes about all day, learning nothing and doing even less. I even heard he sold his newlywed wife to the Red Flower Pavilion just yesterday—worse than a beast, honestly."

Boss Wu's anger flared upon hearing this. He couldn't believe that a worthless street rat dared to curse him to death—and worse, he had almost believed him.

"Infuriating!" Boss Wu, enraged, raised his hand and swung it toward Chu Yun.

Dodging swiftly, Chu Yun retreated, casting a helpless glance at the attendant before turning to Boss Wu with utter sincerity. "I'm not making things up. You really are ill, and you must get treated as soon as possible."

"Still spouting nonsense, still cursing me?" Boss Wu, even more incensed, aimed a kick at Chu Yun.

Chu Yun stepped aside again, shaking his head in exasperation. "Like biting Lu Dongbin—a good heart mistaken for ill intent. If your body becomes overwhelmed by toxins, if you itch to death, suffer to death, or die outright, it'll serve you right."

"You dare! Say one more word and I'll beat you senseless!" Boss Wu shrieked, charging at Chu Yun with a raised fist.

Seeing this, Chu Yun knew this business deal was hopeless. He turned to leave, calling back, "Very well. Soon you'll find out if I was right. When the time comes and you need my help, don't even think of bargaining down my consultation fee!"

Boss Wu wanted to chase after him, but remembering he had business with an important client soon, he thought better of it, huffing coldly, "What rotten luck!"

He then strode into his private room and slammed the door behind him.

Chu Yun made his way downstairs, feeling particularly exasperated. He understood, though, that his biggest problem was failing to adapt—this was not the special forces, where everyone knew his medical abilities. He couldn't afford to be so blunt; he needed to be more tactful.

He considered his next move. To improve his chances, he decided to try his hand with someone more ordinary. Looking around, he spotted a customer at a nearby table, dressed rather decently—not as well-off as Boss Wu, but clearly from a comfortable family.

Chu Yun approached, showering him with praise. "Ah, just one look at you, brother, and I can see prosperity written all over you!"

The diner, recognizing Chu Yun, chuckled. "Chu the Rascal, why don't you tell me what makes me look prosperous? If you're right, I'll reward you with a knife coin."

Others who knew Chu Yun, along with the Fragrant Ten Miles attendant, joined in the banter. "That's right, Chu the Rascal. Go on, tell us why he looks prosperous!"

Chu Yun smiled. "Brother, let everyone take a look at your ears—aren't they especially well-formed?"

The diner grinned and touched his own ears.

Chu Yun continued, "See—these ears are plump and well-defined. That's the sign of good fortune! Nothing else matters—just from your ears alone, you're destined for wealth."

"Haha! I like the sound of that. Here's your knife coin," the diner laughed heartily, pulling out a bronze knife-shaped coin and tossing it to Chu Yun.

"Thank you, brother!" Chu Yun accepted it with a smile.

He knew that a single knife coin didn't quite cover the cost of his meal, but it could still buy enough food for two people for a day. More importantly, this was a good beginning. It proved that as long as he spoke pleasantly, things could work out.

The Fragrant Ten Miles attendant, whose daily wage was only half a knife coin, watched enviously as Chu Yun earned a whole coin just by talking, and couldn't help but mutter jealously, "Chu the Rascal, who knew you could talk your way into money?"

Ignoring the attendant, Chu Yun turned to the diner. "Brother, now that I've accepted your prosperous reward, may a thousand more follow it. You're a good man, and I feel compelled to tell you something—otherwise, my conscience won't rest. But if I do, I'm afraid you might be upset."

The diner waved his hand with a smile. "It's fine—go ahead and say it."

Chu Yun sat down, gazing intently at the diner. "Brother, judging by your ears, it's true you have a prosperous face, but lately you must have been plagued by chest tightness and pain—sometimes the pain goes from the front of your chest to your back, and then from your back to your chest, isn't that so?"

Having spoken, Chu Yun felt a bit nervous. Even after flattering someone, telling them they're ill isn't always well received—especially since everyone here knew his reputation as the town's most notorious scoundrel, hardly a trustworthy healer.

At that moment, the Fragrant Ten Miles attendant piped up again, mocking him. "Oh, Chu the Rascal, listen to you talk—do you really think you're a doctor?"

Chu Yun was speechless and even more tense.

To his surprise, the diner replied, "That's right, that's exactly right! Chu the Rascal—no, Chu Yun—you've got it exactly. Lately, I've really been suffering from chest pain and tightness, sometimes so bad I can't catch my breath. But how did you know?"

Chu Yun answered, "I told you—I could see it from your ears! Your ears are shaped for prosperity, but the lobes are too thick and dull, lacking luster. That's a sign of chest congestion."

The diner asked, "Chest congestion—what does that mean?"

The Fragrant Ten Miles attendant interjected again, "Oh my, Chu the Rascal—since when did you learn such scholarly words?"

"Silence!" the diner snapped at the attendant.

The attendant rolled his eyes, wanting to retort that Chu Yun was no doctor, just a thug, but thought better of it.

Chu Yun smiled to himself and explained to the diner, "Brother, chest congestion simply means persistent chest pain."

The diner gave him a thumbs-up. "Haha! Well said—so knowledgeable! Can you tell me why my chest hurts?"

Chu Yun nodded. "Brother, yours is a life of prosperity, with plenty of good food and drink. But all that heavy eating and drinking leaves phlegm clogging your chest, and when your liver gets overheated, an attack is inevitable."

The diner, hearing this, was so excited he jumped to his feet. "Wow, Chu Yun, you're the most notorious rogue in Chu Family Town. I never thought you could diagnose an illness, but you're spot on—I'm convinced!"