Chapter 497: The Post-80s Generation Really Can’t Afford to Rest

Chapter 497: Chapter 497: The Post-80s Generation Really Can’t Afford to Rest

Cheng Yuan calmly explained, "Dr. Park, I made no mistake. I’m fully aware my prescription is very potent and will cause some harm to the body."

Park Hao was even more baffled. "Then why would you prescribe it? Are you trying to lose to me on purpose?"

At these words, all of Huichun Hall erupted into an uproar!

The livestreams for both countries’ online celebrities also exploded into chaos!

"What’s going on? Is Divine Doctor Cheng throwing the match on purpose? This is some crazy drama!"

"HOLY SHIT! What did I just hear? Don’t tell me Divine Doctor Cheng is a spy planted by Country H!"

"Wahahaha! This Divine Doctor Cheng is interesting. I hereby grant Divine Doctor Cheng citizenship in Country H!"

"I knew a Dragon Country doctor couldn’t be this amazing! So it turns out Cheng Wangzhen is one of us from Country H!"

...

Cheng Yuan, unaware that netizens from Country H had already claimed him as one of their own, said nonchalantly, "Dr. Park, from a medical standpoint, my prescription is inferior to yours. However, if you let the patient choose for himself, he will definitely choose mine."

Park Hao retorted without hesitation, "Dr. Cheng, I’m afraid I have to disagree. Why would a patient choose your prescription when they know it has side effects?"

This time, even the Divine Doctors from Dragon Country were utterly exasperated.

’What kind of logic is that, Divine Doctor Cheng?’

’One prescription harms the body and the other doesn’t. Even a fool would know which one to choose!’

The netizens’ comments were even more one-sided.

They all thought Cheng Yuan was being irrational.

Cheng Yuan gave a slight smile. "There’s no point in us arguing. Let the patient choose for himself."

Park Hao shrugged. "Of course. But we must clearly explain the effects and side effects of each prescription. We can’t deceive the patient."

"Agreed."

Hearing their exchange, the other Divine Doctors glanced at each other, completely baffled by Cheng Yuan’s confidence.

Divine Doctor Xue was Cheng Yuan’s die-hard fan and didn’t want to see his hero’s reputation ruined. He kept shooting glances at Cheng Yuan, trying to signal him. ’Don’t get bogged down with the prescriptions! Just win the Acupuncture Technique competition and it’ll all be fine!’

Unfortunately, Cheng Yuan completely ignored Divine Doctor Xue and said coolly, "Divine Doctor Jiang, if you would, please explain the effects and side effects of both prescriptions to patient number six."

With the event being broadcast live, Jiang Daoyue couldn’t just refuse Cheng Yuan and cause him to lose face. No matter how anxious he felt, he had no choice but to call patient number six over.

Patient number six was named Liu Bin.

He was dressed very plainly.

His hands were covered in a thick layer of calluses.

He looked like an honest, simple man.

Liu Bin enthusiastically shook Jiang Daoyue’s hand, his face filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Divine Doctor Jiang, for giving me this chance for free treatment! My whole family is grateful to you!"

"Mr. Liu, you’re too kind. Now, here’s the situation. We have two prescriptions for you. The first is from Divine Doctor Cheng. Its effects are very potent, and you’ll be cured in a day or two, but it will cause some damage to your body. The other is from Divine Doctor Pu. Its effects are gentle, you’ll be cured in a week, and it won’t harm your body at all. Which prescription do you choose?"

In everyone’s mind, there was no doubt that Liu Bin would choose Park Hao’s prescription without a second thought.

But, to everyone’s surprise, Liu Bin hesitated.

"Divine Doctor Jiang, can I ask... how much damage does Divine Doctor Cheng’s prescription cause? Will it affect my ability to work?"

"Divine Doctor Cheng’s prescription will cause mild nausea and abdominal pain, but it won’t affect your ability to work or live normally. Depending on your constitution, the side effects might disappear in three to five days for some, while for others it might take ten days or even half a month."

Liu Bin visibly relaxed, sighing in relief. "I’ll choose Divine Doctor Cheng’s prescription!"

WHOOSH!!

The entire Huichun Hall erupted!

"Am I hearing things? Did the patient really choose Divine Doctor Cheng’s prescription?"

"DAMN! What is going on? Can someone please explain this to me!"

Park Hao’s expression shifted as if he’d realized something. He stared at Cheng Yuan with a wary gaze.

’Did this kid come prepared too?’

’Is patient number six a mole he planted?’

Unwilling to lose because of a mole, Park Hao covertly shot Cui Youzhe a meaningful glance.

Cui Youzhe understood Park Hao’s signal and declared in a self-righteous tone, "Dr. Cheng, I suspect you of rigging the competition and undermining its fairness!"

The other Korean Medicine doctors chimed in with accusations!

"It’s obvious at a glance which prescription is better. For patient number six to actually choose the one with side effects... I refuse to believe there’s nothing fishy going on here!"

"Shameless! Dr. Cheng is shameless! And just a moment ago, he had the gall to accuse us of poor sportsmanship! He’s the one with no sportsmanship at all!"

The netizens from Country H also went wild!

"Shameless! This Dr. Cheng is utterly shameless! I hereby revoke Dr. Cheng’s Country H citizenship!"

"How shameless! He actually colluded with the patient to cheat!"

"Not just shameless, but stupid too! Cheating at a stage where it’s so easy to get caught! Does he think we’re idiots? Who in their right mind would choose the prescription with side effects?"

As the host of the competition, Jiang Daoyue had to step forward and take control of the situation.

"Quiet! Everyone, be quiet!"

The Korean Medicine doctors finally quieted down, but one said in a grave voice, "Divine Doctor Jiang, your Traditional Chinese Medicine competitor is cheating. You owe us an explanation!"

Divine Doctor Jiang looked at Cheng Yuan with a complicated expression. Honestly, he was reluctant to believe Cheng Yuan would cheat, but the current situation made it impossible not to be suspicious.

"Divine Doctor Cheng, can you explain? Why would patient number six choose your prescription? Do you know him?"

Cheng Yuan wasn’t the least bit flustered. He said coolly, "I do not know patient number six. As for why he chose my prescription, you’d better let him explain it himself."

SWISH!

All eyes fell on patient number six, Liu Bin. The cameras of the media and online celebrities swiveled to focus on him.

Liu Bin, unused to being the center of attention for so many people, was a little nervous.

Cheng Yuan spoke in an encouraging tone, "Mr. Liu, don’t be nervous. Just tell them the truth."

Liu Bin nodded and cleared his throat. "Everyone has misunderstood Divine Doctor Cheng. Today is the first time I’ve ever met him! The reason I chose his prescription... is because life forced me to. I’m forty this year, part of the miserable post-80s generation. My son is about to take his college entrance exams, and I need to save up for his tuition. My wife’s health is poor—she’s bedridden and needs money for medical bills. On top of that, I have four elders to support! And a heavy mortgage! My entire family is depending on me to earn money. I simply can’t afford to rest! Divine Doctor Pu’s prescription is good, but it’s not for me. It’s for rich people who have no worries. But Divine Doctor Cheng’s prescription, even with some side effects, allows me to recover as quickly as possible so I can get back to work and earn money!"

Liu Bin’s words were simple and unadorned, but they struck a chord in the hearts of all the Divine Doctors and all the netizens watching.

’It’s true,’ they thought. ’The post-80s generation has it so hard.’

They were hit by the one-child policy, then the soaring housing prices, then the pressure to have a second child, and the squeeze on education and healthcare resources. And through it all, they still have to support the parents from both sides of their family.

People from the post-80s generation truly can’t afford to take a break.