Chapter 27: Great Sloth Bone-Probing Technique
Chapter 27: Great Sloth Bone-Probing Technique
Li Xiaomei’s room was filled with toys scattered about chaotically. Li Zian picked them up one by one, tidying them away while he nagged, “Xiaomei, after you play with your toys, you should put them away properly. You shouldn’t just throw them around. You’re a girl, you need to learn to be tidy, you can’t be as messy as a boy.”
Li Xiaomei lay snuggled under her quilt with cartoon characters printed on the cover. Her big, dark, shiny eyes stared at Li Zian, full of longing. “Daddy, do a magic trick for me?”
Li Zian frowned. “You can’t have sweets at night, or your teeth will grow bugs. Besides, Daddy’s magical power is all used up. I can do a trick tomorrow.”
Li Xiaomei pouted her little lips.
Li Zian walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, his voice coaxing. “How about Daddy tells you a bedtime story?”
Li Xiaomei blinked. “Daddy, I want to hear a ghost story!”
Li Zian: “…”
You are a girl!
Listening to ghost stories before bed? You are really bold!
Li Zian thought for a moment. “Daddy will tell you ‘The Tortoise and the Hare Run a Race.’ It’s much better than any ghost story.”
“Mmm.” Li Xiaomei murmured her agreement. She was still a little kid after all, easy to placate.
Li Zian collected his thoughts and began the story: “Long, long ago, in a forest, there was a little white rabbit…”
Within a few minutes, Li Xiaomei’s eyes closed and she fell asleep.
Li Zian’s eyes were full of adoration. He reached out and gently stroked his Little Cotton-padded Jacket’s head.
But with that stroke, his hand touched a raised bump. Worried it might be a tumor or something nasty, he immediately felt anxious. He felt it more carefully and realized it was a raised part of the skull. It was smooth and slightly curved.
Something stirred within Li Zian. He closed his eyes and focused his spirit.
Where his mind directed, the secret art followed.
This secret art was the Great Sloth Bone-Probing Technique from the art of physiognomy. Unlike the bone-touching fortune-telling used by common street fortune-tellers, the Great Sloth Bone-Probing Technique guided “Zhenqi” out of the Great Sluggish Cauldron, letting it enter the recipient’s body to analyze the bone structure, making it far more precise and thorough. Because of this, it could also be used to diagnose a patient’s illness – incredibly powerful.
The Anatomy Physiognomy Technique and the Great Sloth Bone-Probing Technique were both secret arts of Ji Da’s physiognomy system. The former involved looking; the latter involved touching. Because the latter could also be used to diagnose illness, you could even classify it as a medical technique.
The so-called “Zhenqi” was simply Li Zian’s own understanding. Practicing the Great Slumber Qi Refining Art meant that sleeping was cultivation. As for what the energy cultivated actually was, he still didn’t know, so he’d given it his own name: Zhenqi.
Li Zian’s fingers pressed gently on Li Xiaomei’s skull. Wisp by wisp, Zhenqi flowed from his fingertips into her skull. Then, it returned to his body, and finally back to the Great Sluggish Cauldron. This process also meant the “Fangshi Secondary Brain” received the feedback information from the Zhenqi.
Once the bone-probing was complete, a hexagram interpretation formed in Li Zian’s mind: “Head lifted high like a mythical Qilin’s horn, commanding wind and rain with divine might, destined for a lifetime of wealth and well-being, a noble child born with fame shining bright.”
The raised bone on Li Xiaomei’s head wasn’t an illness. It was actually Qilin Bone – the very best kind of bone structure in physiognomy – and a rare variation at that, having grown into a nascent horn. It perfectly matched that description: ‘head lifted high, like mythical horns’.
“My Little Cotton-padded Jacket is definitely the best.” Li Zian thought happily to himself. He tucked the quilt securely around Li Xiaomei and returned to his own room.
After practicing his fist forms and washing up, Li Zian climbed into bed; it was exactly ten o’clock. He was just about to turn off the light and sleep when the sound of a WeChat notification came from his mobile phone on the nightstand.
A strange premonition formed in Li Zian’s heart.
Could it be her again?
He picked up his mobile phone, woke the screen, and then stared at it blankly.
It was indeed a message from Mu Chuntao.
King Kong Lolita: Are you asleep?
Li Zian hesitated, then replied: About to sleep. Something up?
King Kong Lolita: Come to my place. Let’s talk.
Li Zian wanted to go, but he also felt it wasn’t appropriate. His thoughts tangled. Couldn’t they talk during the day?
King Kong Lolita: Afraid Yu Meilin will find out? I want to talk about the studio. What could she do even if she found out?
That sentence pricked him. He replied: Alright, I’ll come over.
King Kong Lolita: I’ll leave the door unlocked. Come quietly.
Li Zian found this ridiculous.
One moment she sounded righteous and fearless, the next she was timid and reminding him to sneak in. Even though it was legitimate business, the way she said it made it smell completely like a secret rendezvous.
If things continued like this, they’d be in trouble sooner or later, wouldn’t they?
Still, Li Zian crawled out of bed. He even pulled on a brand-new Tang suit.
Knock knock.
A sudden knocking sound came from the door.
Li Zian, just dressed, froze mid-movement.
“Zian, are you asleep?” It was Yu Meilin’s voice.
An inexplicable tension gripped Li Zian. Yu Meilin knocking just now? What was she doing here?
He composed himself somewhat, then went to open the door.
Yu Meilin stood outside. She held a small first-aid kit and wore a thin sleep dress. Under the light, it seemed slightly transparent, revealing enticing glimpses of her figure beneath.
Li Zian momentarily froze; he was genuinely startled.
Had she had a change of heart? Was she finally here to collect the homework?
“My body hurts a little. Could you help me tend to the wounds? Kun Li just gave them a quick clean this afternoon. She wasn’t very good at it,” Yu Meilin said.
Li Zian snapped back to reality and quickly moved aside. “Yeah, come in.”
Yu Meilin didn’t move from the doorway. “I won’t actually come in. If it’s alright, let’s do it in the living room? Xiaomei and Grandma are asleep.”
Li Zian nodded and stepped out. A faint sense of disappointment touched his heart. Not here to collect homework, fine… But she won’t even set foot in my room? Afraid I’d force myself on her?
Yu Meilin sat down on the sofa, giving Li Zian a once-over. A faint smile touched her lips. “When did you buy these clothes?”
“Bought them online yesterday evening,” Li Zian replied, opening the small first-aid kit and taking out disinfectant, medical gauze, and other needed items.
“The Tang suit actually looks quite good on you,” Yu Meilin commented.
Li Zian knelt down to attend to the wound on her knee. Her bare legs, pale and smooth, proved distracting. He struggled to keep his eyes from wandering towards a certain direction. Though he couldn’t see anything, his imagination ran unchecked. Unfortunately, the more you imagine, the more uncomfortable it becomes.
“Zian.”
“Hmm.”
“The files I gave Yu Jiahao mentioned how rich the Yun Di copper mine reserves are. I suspect he might show up at the company tomorrow looking for trouble. Come with me to the company tomorrow?” Yu Meilin asked.
Li Zian was surprised. “He sent Yu Jiayong to steal your files – he’s clearly after that mine! Wouldn’t you telling him that just make him want it even more?”
Yu Meilin sighed. “What choice do I have? New Star Company is over 100 million in debt. If I’d said the mine was worthless, even more creditors would come knocking, making the company’s situation even harder.”
Li Zian was shocked. “New Star owes more than 100 million?”
“Yes. 80 million of it is owed to Dajiang Group’s finance company, and that payment is due very soon. Yu Jiahao is the CEO of Dajiang Group’s finance arm. If he mobilizes other creditors to come demanding repayment, the company’s position will become even more precarious. I talked up the mine reserves to stall him. If he wants the mine, he’ll have to follow legal procedures. That will drag things out, and time is exactly what I need right now,” Yu Meilin explained.
“Matters of business aren’t my forte, but whatever you decide to do, I’ll support you,” Li Zian said.
Yu Meilin looked at him. Gratitude shone in her eyes. Her lips moved slightly, but she didn’t say anything.
Li Zian poured a little disinfectant onto the knee wound.
“Hiss!” Yu Meilin sucked in a sharp breath from the sting.
Li Zian applied some ointment to the wound, then dressed it with medical gauze.
“Have you ever thought about coming to work at the company?” Yu Meilin inquired.
Li Zian stood up and smiled slightly. “I didn’t go to university, never had an office job, and wouldn’t even know how to do the simplest spreadsheet. What could I possibly do in your company? Things are fine as they are now. If you ever need my help with something, just tell me.”
Yu Meilin sighed again. “Alright. If we both went to the office every day, there’d be no one to take care of Xiaomei. Besides, a child’s growth needs their father too.”
For the first time ever, Li Zian felt something like an actual husband-and-wife conversation happening. He didn’t say anything further, just moved on to treat the wound on her head.
His Golden Wound Ointment would have been perfect for an injury like this, far more effective than regular ointment. Too bad he didn’t have any on hand.
Next time I have a free moment, I should brew up some common medicinal plasters and keep a supply, Li Zian thought to himself. They’d be useful once the studio opens. Clients won’t appreciate having to wait for specific products to be made; it’s bad experience.
“Be gentle, it hurts a bit,” Yu Meilin said as he applied the disinfectant, her eyebrows knitting together tightly.
Li Zian, concerned, said, “Since you don’t want to go to the hospital for a check-up, why don’t I give you one? It’s your brain after all. If there’s internal bruising or bleeding, it could suddenly flare up and be dangerous.”
Yu Meilin looked astonished. “You examine me? When did you learn medicine?”
“My Master was a Fangshi,” Li Zian explained. “He taught me many things – Medicine, Divination, Astrology, Physiognomy. I know a little of each. Will you let me try?”
“Alright. Give it a shot,” Yu Meilin said, both curious about how Li Zian planned to examine her and wanting to see what he meant by his ‘medical skill’.
Li Zian placed both hands on Yu Meilin’s head. He closed his eyes and concentrated his will. The Great Sluggish Cauldron inside him released thin threads of Zhenqi. They flowed down his arms and gathered in his palms.
Using his ten fingers, he pressed methodically across Yu Meilin’s head, inch by inch. Zhenqi was injected into her, flowed back into him, then returned to the cauldron.
He was once again using the Great Sloth Bone-Probing Technique.
If there was illness or blockage anywhere, probing with this technique would reveal it immediately.
“Zian, your hands feel warm. Are you giving me a massage or doing an exam?” Yu Meilin asked, intrigued.
Li Zian didn’t dare let his focus waver. He remained silent and continued pressing points on her head. Soon enough, he came to the huge bruise from her fall. He couldn’t really worry about her comfort now; he pressed down on it steadily, though not roughly.
“Mmm…” Yu Meilin moaned softly.
It was a perfectly normal sound of discomfort, yet somehow it drew Li Zian’s gaze straight to her neckline. The glimpse of snow-white skin made his throat feel suddenly dry.
He only dared to glance for a second before looking away. Why? Because this ‘Housekeeper’ wouldn’t accept his homework. Even if he filled his fountain pen to the brim with ink, he had nowhere to write.
The examination finished. Li Zian also breathed a sigh of relief. Her head wasn’t seriously injured. Aside from the bruise, which involved some subcutaneous bleeding, her skull and brain were perfectly fine.
“Alright, you can relax. Your head’s okay, just a bit of bruising under the skin,” Li Zian told her. His hands felt slightly shaky now.
This Great Sloth Bone-Probing Technique also consumed quite a lot of “strength.” Using it twice in one evening had pushed him right to his limit.
“It felt like you gave me a head massage. My head feels much lighter now, doesn’t hurt at all,” Yu Meilin said, sounding curious. “But how can you be so sure there’s nothing wrong inside my head?”
Li Zian replied, “The method is similar to my divination – hard to explain. It’s getting late. You should head back to your room and rest.”
Yu Meilin felt an inexplicable pang of disappointment. “Alright. Get some rest early too.”
She stood up slowly, picked up the small first-aid kit, and started up the stairs.
Doot-doot!
The sound of a message notification suddenly came from Li Zian’s mobile phone. Normally quiet, in the tomb-still quiet of the living room, it echoed noticeably.
Yu Meilin stopped climbing. She turned and looked back down at Li Zian. “Zian, why are you changing clothes at this hour? Are you going out?”
Caught off guard, Li Zian felt instantly guilty. “No. Just trying them on.”
“Oh,” Yu Meilin murmured, seeming to accept it. She continued upstairs, kit in hand.
Li Zian pulled out his mobile phone and glanced at it. He sighed inwardly.
King Kong Lolita: Why aren’t you here yet? Did Yu Meilin catch you?
Li Zian shook his head with a bitter smile, pocketed his phone, and headed for the door. He turned the knob carefully, ensuring it made almost no sound as the door shut.
The thought struck him as amusing. Was he acting like a thief? Was all this carefulness really necessary?