Gu Houyi didn't want to alarm too many people, so he first asked Liu Dengke to call the director of the neurology department, Zhao Yongsheng, who suggested inviting Zhu Mingyuan from the traditional Chinese medicine department for a consultation.

The purpose of notifying Gao Xinhua was to prepare for any eventuality. If Zhao Yongsheng couldn't cure him, a full-body examination might be needed in the hospital. For now, only Gao Xinhua could temporarily take control of the situation.

Gao Xinhua didn't expect something like this would happen to Gu Houyi. Not having a medical background, he felt Gu Houyi should proceed with a comprehensive examination as soon as possible to avoid delaying the illness.

Liu Dengke quietly told him that Gu Houyi had an appointment with the disciplinary department. His illness came at a very inconvenient time. If he didn't show up today, others might suspect he had something to hide. Gu Houyi had prepared everything and had to personally explain the recent events.

Before Zhu Mingyuan arrived, Zhao Yongsheng had already examined Gu Houyi and made a preliminary diagnosis that it wasn't a brain issue. His body temperature and blood pressure were normal, only his heart rate was slightly elevated. He suspected it was neurogenic deafness, ruling out cerebrovascular disease, and thought the body should not be in serious trouble, recommending a full hospital check-up. However, Gu Houyi insisted on attending the meeting two hours later.

Western medicine couldn't help restore Gu Houyi's hearing in a short time, but traditional Chinese acupuncture might be able to, so they invited Zhu Mingyuan.

After understanding the condition, Zhu Mingyuan decided to perform acupuncture on the dean, hoping to restore hearing within the specified time.

He chose to stimulate the Ermen, Tinggong, Tinghui, Yifeng, and Taiyang acupoints locally to clear the meridians and promote blood circulation to repair the nerves.

However, embarrassingly, after the acupuncture, not only did Gu Houyi's deafness not improve, he couldn't even speak.

Gu Houyi realized the extent of this guy's methods, glaring with rage, teeth clenched—not that he wanted to grit his teeth, but he couldn't open his mouth after the acupuncture. Had he known earlier, he might not have allowed the acupuncture; earlier, though he couldn't hear, at least he could speak.

Originally tense, Zhu Mingyuan, seeing Gu Houyi's expression, felt even more anxious. He didn't expect the situation to deteriorate. This wasn't an ordinary patient—he was the head of Changxing. Even Zhao Yongsheng felt nervous for him. If something happened to the big boss due to his needles, Zhu Mingyuan wouldn't be able to handle the consequences.

Trembling, Zhu Mingyuan said, "Dean Gu, you should get a cranial CT to rule out any intracranial lesions. Don't delay the illness."

Gu Houyi gestured at Zhu Mingyuan, vigorously waving his hand, meaning for him to get lost—go as far as possible. He used to be able to talk, but now these needles rendered him mute.

Embarrassed, Zhu Mingyuan looked at Zhao Yongsheng for help, hoping his old classmate would say a few words for him.

Zhao Yongsheng, also helpless, forced himself to say, "Dean Gu, I also think you must not be careless. The illness is progressing quickly and must be taken seriously. You must undergo a comprehensive check-up immediately."

Other than the temporary hearing loss and muteness, Gu Houyi felt no other discomfort. Even if hospitalized, not now. He waved his hand vigorously, indicating he absolutely wouldn't be hospitalized. Even if deaf and mute, he had to explain the situation on time—it concerned his lifelong reputation. Even if he couldn't hear or speak, he still had his hands and could write.

Understanding Gu Houyi's thoughts, Gao Xinhua had both of them leave first, then wrote three words on paper for Gu Houyi to see.

Upon seeing those three words, Gu Houyi's eyes lit up, and he nodded.

Gao Xinhua wrote "Huichun Hall." In the current situation, perhaps only Elder Xu could address Gu Houyi's ailment. In Gao Xinhua's mind, Xu Changshan boasted the finest acupuncture skills across Dongzhou, whereas the likes of Zhu Mingyuan weren't worthy to carry his shoes.

Facing Gu Houyi, Gao Xinhua dialed Xu Chunliang's number, worried he couldn't reach Xu Changshan on his own. He had to rely on Xu Chunliang.

Gao Xinhua briefly explained the situation, seeing it as an opportunity for Xu Chunliang too. If Elder Xu could cure Gu Houyi, then Gu Houyi would owe Elder Xu a significant favor. Of course, there was a gambling element, but even if they lost, with Zhu Mingyuan as a foil, it wouldn't be too damaging.

Xu Chunliang thought to himself, Gu Houyi's illness came at a bad time. Grandfather went to Hai Zhou this morning, still on the train. Though he intended to be honest, he changed his mind and told Gao Xinhua he'd be there soon.

Privately relieved, Gao Xinhua reminded him to keep the matter secret; Gu Houyi didn't want anyone to know.

Never did Gao Xinhua expect Xu Chunliang to arrive so quickly—less than five minutes later, he was in the dean's office.

Gao Xinhua glanced behind him, seeing no sign of Xu Changshan: "Where's your grandfather?"

"He went to Hai Zhou early this morning."

Gao Xinhua's head felt like it was going to explode. Stinkin' brat, are you messing with me? This is urgent, and you're playing games. The patient is the big boss—this is no joke. If he gets mad, being blamed is the least of it. You might get kicked out!

With a sly grin, Xu Chunliang sidled up to Gu Houyi, prompting Gao Xinhua to quickly stop him: "Go back, you go back first." While they could still remedy the situation, he urgently persuaded this little ancestor to leave.

"If I go back, who's going to treat Dean Gu?"

Thinking to himself, Gao Xinhua asked if this kid was naive for wanting to treat the boss without a license. Does he want to cause a life-threatening situation? He sternly ordered, "Stop messing around, go back!"

Ignoring him, Xu Chunliang faced Gu Houyi, saying, "Treating symptoms instead of the root means the illness can't be cured."

Gu Houyi looked puzzled at the kid. Deaf, he couldn't hear what the kid said. Knowing Xu Chunliang was Xu Changshan's grandson, without seeing Xu Changshan present, he assumed Xu Chunliang came to explain the situation first.

Xu Chunliang produced a prepared sheet of paper, unfolding it before Gu Houyi. It read: "Dean Gu, my grandfather had to go out. I am Xu Chunliang, the 72nd generation descendant of Huichun Hall. I've inherited the true skills. How about letting me try?"

Reading those words, Gao Xinhua could only laugh and cry; the kid came well-prepared. Blaming himself for detailing the situation too thoroughly earlier, now the kid knew Gu Houyi's condition, and he expected to be heavily criticized. Realizing Gu Houyi couldn't speak now, he felt somewhat relieved—not having to endure verbal scolding himself.

Gu Houyi looked at Gao Xinhua as if asking, "Is this who you brought?" Gao Xinhua wished he could dig a hole to hide in.

Seizing the opportunity, Xu Chunliang approached Gu Houyi. Gao Xinhua wanted to stop him, but it was too late.

Xu Chunliang stood close to Gu Houyi, observing his complexion, sniffed his scent, then unceremoniously grabbed his pulse points.

At this point, it was too late for Gao Xinhua to pull him away, thinking, "Xu Chunliang, if you ruin yourself, you can't blame me."

Taking a pen from the desk, Xu Chunliang picked up an internal document, writing on the back—

Facial redness, body with sweat and a peculiar smell, dry lips, increased pulse—overworked and restless, indicating a full liver fire, causing deafness and mutism from sudden agitation.

Reading the words, Gu Houyi silently conceded this young man was right, aligning perfectly with his symptoms.

Gao Xinhua sighed, recognizing the kid's poor academic standing but excellent handwriting—it was an apparent traditional Chinese medicine family trait.

Xu Chunliang continued to write—

Treating symptoms directly is a major acupuncture taboo. For those with excess liver fire, first select Taichong, Ganshu, and Xingjian acupoints to guide liver fire, then proceed with local acupuncture. The principle of selecting distant points for holistic adjustment and local points for meridian clearance applies.

Reading this, Gao Xinhua began to reconsider the kid's views; they seemed reasonable, certainly more so than Zhu Mingyuan plunging needles into Gu Houyi's head right away.

Xu Chunliang wrote on the paper, "Dean Gu, can I try?"

Gao Xinhua reminded him, "This isn't child's play."

"If I can't treat Dean Gu, I'll quit Changxing immediately!"

Gao Xinhua thought, "What's the use of resigning? Without a medical license, this is illegal practice—seriously, you might face conviction."

At this moment, Gu Houyi picked up a pen and, below Xu Chunliang's statement, wrote two flamboyant characters—

Agree!

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